Apple, IBM, Netscape, Oracle and Sun Set First Guidelines for a New
Generation of Low-Cost, Easy-To-Use Network Computers

"NC Reference Profile 1" Will Enable Development of Compatible Internet
Access Devices For Communications and Commerce

SAN FRANCISCO, May 20, 1996 -- Apple Computer, Inc., International Business
Machines Corporation, Inc., Netscape Communications Corporation, Oracle
Corp. and Sun Microsystems Inc. today joined forces in the announcement of
an unprecedented common set of guidelines for developing low-cost,
easy-to-use network computing devices. On stage at San Francisco's Westin
St. Francis Hotel, representatives of the five companies disclosed details
of an open NC profile which will combine existing industry specifications
to create a reference platform for network computing devices.

This collaboration marks the first time world-leading information
technology companies have joined to select specifications for Internet
appliances, an idea that has caught fire in less than a year and has
demonstrated a future that encompasses the Personal Computer (PC) and a
broad range of new devices. Called "NC Reference Profile 1," the set of
guidelines is designed to make multimedia Internet computing as ubiquitous
as telephone and television services. It will promote competition in a new
class of communications and commerce devices for use in homes, schools,
businesses and institutions and will ensure compatibility of models from
different manufacturers.

NC Reference Profile 1 will provide a common set of standard features and
functions across a broad range of scalable NCs. It is architecturally
neutral and intended to facilitate the growth of the network computing
industry while protecting investments made by customers, content
providers, system providers, service providers and application providers
through industry-wide compatibility.

"We believe that such a platform-neutral architecture opens broad
opportunities for moving personal computing into a new era, characterized
by the convergence of communications and multimedia, especially in the
form of the Internet," said Gil Amelio, chairman and CEO of Apple
Computer, Inc. "As a pioneer in developing next-generation computing
devices, as demonstrated by the Pippin and Newton, we are excited to
contribute our expertise to this industry-wide effort to define network
computing guidelines."

"The Reference Profile is one more step along the way to making network
computing a reality for customers," said John M. Thompson, senior vice
president and group executive, IBM. "It will accelerate the development of
network computers, applications and content while ensuring their
compatibility. And it will increase the benefits of network computing by
reducing cost and putting the power of information in the hands of many
new users."

"Netscape, which champions the concept of open Internet standards, warmly
welcomes today's announcement because it will help ensure these standards
are incorporated in forthcoming devices," said Marc Andreessen, vice
president of technology at Netscape. "These open standards give customers
freedom of choice and help drive innovation which together make the
Internet the hot bed of activity it is today."

"This initiative has been formed in the interest of true open computing,"
said Oracle chairman and CEO Lawrence J. Ellison. "Like the Internet
itself, the NC Reference Profile has the potential to set in motion an
industry that serves the interests of users instead of software developers
and hardware suppliers."

Scott McNealy, chief executive officer of Sun Microsystems, Inc., described
the NC Reference Profile as the most compelling proof statement of the
benefits of open standards.

"Sun has proven time and time again that open standards provide a level
playing field which drives innovation and choice. And the ultimate winner
in this model is the user," said McNealy. "Adopting Sun's NFS and Java
technologies with the other open standards in the NC Reference Profile
will provide all the vendors -- from hardware manufacturers to content
providers -- with a common set of guidelines that will jump-start an
entire industry."

NCs complying with the planned NC Reference Profiles may take many forms --
from desktops to laptops to video phones, pagers and even conventional
PCs. All these devices may be linked to the Internet or Intranet and run
basic applications such as Web browsers, e-mail applications, word
processors, spreadsheets and presentation packages. In addition, NCs may
function as multimedia machines by supporting video e-mail, 16-bit
CD-quality sound and digital videos.

The NC Reference Profile 1 sets guidelines for standard functionality, but
it does not impose limitations. Vendors interested in adding more
functionality to their NC implementations may do so because the Reference
Profile does not limit designs to a specific set of features.

Elements of the Profile

The NC Reference Profile 1 covers general hardware guidelines, Internet
protocols, World Wide Web standards, e-mail protocols, common multimedia
formats, boot protocols and security features.

The hardware guidelines cover a minimum screen resolution of 640 x 480
(VGA) or equivalent, a pointing device (mouse or track ball), text input
capabilities and audio output. The agreed upon Internet protocols are
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP),
optional support of NFS to enable low-cost, medialess devices while
allowing for persistent storage in the network and SMTP, a protocol
enabling the distributed management of devices.

The profile further adheres to World Wide Web standards HTML, HTTP and the
Java Application Environment, as well as to mainstream mail protocols
(SMTP, IMAP4, POP3) and common data formats such as JPEG, GIF, WAV and AU.
Optional security features are supported through emerging security APIs;
security standards are ISO 7816 SmartCards and the EMV
(Europay/MasterCard/Visa) specification.

NC Reference Profile 1 will be made available for public comment and review
in July 1996 and is expected to be finalized by August 1996. The draft
published today can be viewed on the World Wide Web at
http://www.nc.ihost.com. Future versions of the NC Reference Profile
(e.g., Profile 2, Profile 3, etc.) will be determined and published by the
participants in this announcement with the involvement of other interested
parties in response to changing technologies and market requirements. In
the third quarter of 1996, Apple, IBM, Netscape, Oracle and Sun plan to
organize a joint Web site with tests for profile compliance. Manufacturers
whose designs successfully meet the criteria of the profile will be
authorized to promote their devices as "NC Profile compliant" and to use
the NC logo in connection with the manufacturing, marketing and sales of
NC products and product families.

Apple's home page on the World Wide Web: http://www.apple.com/
 
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