Today's News On One Page
October 26th, 1999
[5:45 PM] Observer Call: Apple's PR Firm Seeking "Non-Typical" iBook User, Quick!
Apple's external PR agency, Edelman Wordlwide, sent us a note saying they are looking for a non-typical iBook user for Business Week to use in an article. Unfortunately, in our quest to bring you the latest and greatest Mac news, we are precluded from meeting outisde people (just kidding). We are therefore turning this over to the best source we have found for help like this, you. According to Edelman Worldwide:
So do you know the right person that meets this description? If so, email us at [email protected], or e-mail Robert Carpio of Edleman Worldwide directly. The Mac Observer Spin: From the description, it would seem that this article will be good publicity for Apple. You can't buy the kind of publicity that a major article in a mainstream print magazine like Business Week can provide. What's good for Apple is great for the Mac market (most of the time at least), so rack your brains for the perfect iBook user! |
[4:45 PM] Hit The Mac Observer's New Forums!
As we announced yesterday, The Mac Observer has a new Forum section for Observers to talk about all manner of things. People have already started using them, but we want to invite everyone to do so! Yesterday we had hundreds of people looking at the Forums, though not everyone actually commented in them. So don't just be a lurker, talk back! Current discussions include multi-button mice, adventure games, and a discussion on adventure games. |
[4:30 PM] Steve's Other Job Racks Up Impressive Results, Pixar Posts Blowout Quarter
Steve Jobs's other CEO position at Pixar has resulted in a stellar increase in that company's profits that surpasses even that of Apple. The company blew by analysts estimates for the quarter by over 100%, a rare occurrence indeed, and the company's stock shot up as a result. Pixar's revenues rose over 3000% from US$2.5 million to US$79.2 million from the same quarter last year. Profits rose 3625% from US$867,000 to US$32.3 million during the same to periods. Wall Street was ecstatic, raising the price of Pixar's stock to 40 1/2, a gain of 2 5/8 or 6.93%. The stock traded as high as 47 5/16 during today's trading. Analysts had pegged Pixar to post a US$.29 per share profit. The actual number came in at US$.63 per share. The company cited unexpectedly good sales of A Bugs Life in the Video Cassette market. According to Pixar:
Consensus estimated for the year had been pegged at US$.12 per share, well shy of the US$.85 that Pixar now expects to turn in. You can read more specifics on Pixar's financial performance in their full press release. The Mac Observer Spin: It's good to see that Mr. Jobs's responsibilities appear to not be having any adverse affects on his second love of Pixar. If that were the case, it would be anyone's guess as to which job Mr. Jobs would choose. In any event, a big Mac Observer congratulations to Pixar! |
Today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 4 long time components and replaced them with Microsoft (MSFT), Intel (INTC), SBC Communications (SBC) and Home Depot (HD). This was the first time in the history of the Dow that any of the components have been drawn from the Nasdaq. The Dow components dropped were: Chevron (CHV), Goodyear Tire and Rubber (GT), Sears (S) and Union Carbide (UK). The affected stocks moved up in morning trading after the announcement, but profit taking reclaimed most of those gains. The changes to the DJIA do not go into effect until Monday in order to give large portfolio managers time to adjust their holdings. The Dow declined 47.80 or 0.46% to close at 10302.13. The Nasdaq was down 4.48 to close at 2811.47. The S&P 500 sagged 11.72 or 0.91% to close at 1281.88. The volume was strong. the 30-year bond fell 11/32 to yield 6.378% Apple was rose 9/16 today to close at 75 1/16 on less than average volume. In Apple related stocks today, Adobe and Macromedia both closed down while Symantec rose on the news that it will provide software services over the Internet. Apple's Power PC partners ended mixed with IBM up 1 5/8, while Motorola was down. Apple's rivals Gateway, Dell and Compaq all ended the day higher. Pixar (PIXR) was up today on the news that they beat earnings estimates in a big way. Intel closed slightly higher, while Microsoft closed slightly lower. For full quotes on all the companies mentioned in this article, we have assembled this set of quotes at Yahoo! for your reference. We also have many of these same quotes reported live (20 minute delay) on our home page. For other stories regarding Apple's stock activity, visit our Apple Stock Watch Special Report.
[4:00 PM] Apple Stock Watch: DJIA Throws Out The Old, Brings In The New, Apple Up 9/16
by Wes George
[3:45 PM] MicroMat Updates TechTool Pro With Mac OS 9 Compatibility, Other New Features
MicroMat has released a new version of TechTool Pro, bringing the repair and analyzing utility to version 2.5.2. The new version packs several improvement, despite the incremental version number increase, including compatibility with Mac OS 9 and PowerMac G4s. According to MicroMat:
The update is free to registered owners of version 2.x. A new bootable CD with the new version can be purchased for US$25 by registered owners of 2.x as well. The full version is priced at US$84.95 at Outpost.com. You can find more information on TechTool Pro at the company's web site. |
A new version TradeAssist has been released bringing it to version 1.5, WeatherTracker storms along to version 3.0.3, and NetMinder Ethernet has been updated to version 4.2. These are the most recent updates listed at The Mac Observer's VersionMaster. You can find all the most recent Mac software updates with this service.
[3:30 PM] VersionMaster Latest Updates: Trade Assist, WeatherTracker, And NetMinder Ethernet
[3:15 PM] MacMall's 3rd Quarter Results Impacted By Apple Product Shortages
MacMall's parent company, Creative Computers, has announced its 3rd Quarter results. The company reported an increase in total sales, though the company's Apple sales declined sharply due to product shortages. Apple had US$700 million in backorders at the end of the last quarter (Apple 4th fiscal quarter), which ended September 30th. These shortages were due to a confluence of events including G4 production problems at Motorola and the Taiwan earthquake tragedy. According to Creative Computers:
The Mac Observer Spin: This is indicative of many Mac retailers around the country, if not the world. Apple's product shortages impacted retailers just as much as it did individual customers. The flip side is that as Apple continues to catch up on the back orders, the 4th quarter (Apple's fiscal 1st quarter), should be a blowout quarter for all concerned. Creative Computers has been reporting increasingly good results with their Mac sales for the last several quarters. This had been in sharp contrast to years before the iMac and the return of Steve Jobs. Hopefully we will see a big comeback during the current quarter. |
[2:15 PM] Moving At The Speed Of The Internet: Mactell's FireWire Line To Be Picked Up
Not sure if we are talking about rumors or business in our title, but word has reached us that Mactell's FirePower line of FireWire products has been picked up by a new company. We have no details on whether the FirePower name will be retained, but since it is a good one, one can hope. We also do not have a company name or other details that we can confirm. Also still up in the air is EvilEye, Mactell's Voodoo3 card that was expected to be released in October or November. When we can confirm this company that has picked up the FirePower line, we will publish more information. The Mac Observer Spin: It's good to see this product line being picked up. FireWire devices are important to Apple's future in a number of ways. Apple's leadership in technology is at least partially tied up in FireWire as they are the patent holders on the technology. In addition, the success of the PowerMac, and now the iMac DV line, can be greatly enhanced by having a large number of FireWire devices on the market as Apple has moved away from SCSI. Lastly, since Apple does make money on licensing FireWire, the more devices there are and the more widespread the technology is, the more money Apple makes. Good luck to the mystery company! |
[9:30 AM] Aladdin Out Of The Closet, Goes Public
Aladdin Holdings, the parent company of Aladdin Systems, makers of the must-have line of Stuffit brand utilities, is now a publicly traded company. According to Aladdin Holdings:
You can find more information at the Aladdin Systems web site. The Mac Observer Spin: Congratulations to Aladdin! The Mac built Aladdin into the company that it is today, and its great to see such a company be able to go public! Once again, this is far cry from the market realities if 2 - 4 years ago when a small company heavily vested in the Mac market would have had a difficult time even talking to investors, let alone going public. This certainly helps dull the pain from Mactell's closure yesterday... |
[9:30 AM] Powerlogix's Cache Profiler Updated With Mac OS 9 Compatibility, G3/G4, More
PowerLogix has updated their Cache Profiler software to version 1.1. The new version allows the backside cache to be measured and configured on all G3 and G4 machines. The new version is also OS 9 compatible. According to PowerLogix:
PowerLogix Cache Profiler is free. You can find more information at the PowerLogix web site. |
[9:30 AM] Rearden Technology Update WebCam Software
Our friends at Rearden Technology have updated both SiteCam and SiteZAP to version 4.1. SiteCam and SiteZAP are web server/camera applications allowing control over camera settings on a site, as well as full serving capabilities. According to Rearden Technology:
SiteCam is available for US$149. Registered users of version 4.0 are eligible for a free upgrade, while registered users of versions 2.x or 3.x can upgrade for US$49. SiteZAP is available for US$1995, which includes a camera and cables. Registered users of SiteZAP, regardless of version, are eligible for a free upgrade. You can find more information on SiteCam and SiteZAP at the Rearden Technology web site. |
[9:30 AM] Networking Security Utilities From Open Door Announced
Open Door Networks has released two products specifically designed with OS 9s internet features in mind. ShareWay IP 3.0, and DoorStop Personal Edition both enhance the already impressive internet features in Apple's latest OS release. According to Open Door:
ShareWay IP 3.0 is available in two formats. The Personal edition is US$39, while the Standard edition sells for US$249. Special pricing is available for upgrade and educational users. DoorStop Personal Edition is scheduled to ship in November, and advanced orders are being taken for US$59. You can find more information on ShareWay IP and DoorStop at the Open Door Networks web site. |
[9:30 AM] Nu Sans Font Family Updated
Marty Pfeiffer of Scooter Graphics has updated the Nu Sans font family to version 9.3. The Nu Sans fonts bring sharper printing features to the Nu Sans font family. According to Scooter Graphics:
The Nu Sans font family contains 4 fonts and is available for US$12. You can find more information at the Scooter Graphics web site. |
[Column] Wasting Time With The Idiots - The Idiots Say Goodbye To The One-Button Mouse |
[Column] On The Flip Side - Wireless Internet... Don't Freak Out Yet |