Apple to Give Rebates for PowerPC Upgrades

Apple Computer Inc. agreed to offer refunds or deep discounts on its PowerPC upgrade kits to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the company misled consumers into thinking the new technology would be available sooner and at less cost than it was. The Cupertino-based computer maker agreed to give a $776 refund each to those who already bought the PowerPC Upgrade Kit at the $1,375 purchase price or to sell the kits for $599 each to those promised upgrades when they purchased Apple’s Performa 550, Performa 560 or Macintosh LC 550 computers. It took at least a year for consumers to get the upgrades, although the company’s advertisements promised they’d be available soon after consumers bought their computers, the FTC alleged in its complaint. Plus, Apple didn’t tell buyers that the new technology would cost almost as much as a new computer, the FTC said. . . . In a separate development, Cisco Systems Inc. said it bought for undisclosed terms a minority stake in closely held Software.com Inc. of Santa Barbara and will collaborate on computer-networking technology.