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The Network Computer Press Release

APPLE, IBM, NETSCAPE, ORACLE AND SUN SET FIRST GUIDELINES FOR A NEW GENERATION OF LOW-COST, EASY-TO-USE NETWORK COMPUTERS

"NCͺ 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 ΚΚΚΚΚΚΚΚΚ 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.

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