TECHNOLOGY - May 4, 1992

Apple to Use AT&T; Technology in Developing Programs: Apple Computer Inc. will use technology developed by AT&T;’s Bell Labs that could radically speed up a time-consuming step in developing computer programs, the companies said. The technology “translates” software designed for one type of computer so it can be used on another type. Apple believes that the system could reduce a job that now takes up to a year to a matter of a few weeks. The Bell Labs’ technology, called FlashPort, is being offered by a small company recently spun off from AT&T.; Financial terms of Apple’s deal with the new company, called Echo Logic, were not disclosed. Bell Labs is the New Jersey-based research arm of American Telephone & Telegraph Co. Apple executive Kirk Loevner said Apple hopes to have up to 100 programs available for the next-generation PCs when they are introduced in a few years. “Without this (FlashPort) tool this wouldn’t be possible,” he said. The computers will be based on microprocessors, called PowerPC, developed by IBM. Apple’s use of the computer chips stems from its alliance with the computer giant announced last year.