Headline: Apple Licenses OpenGL from Silicon Graphics
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New Macintosh G3 Delivers Industry-Leading 3D Graphics Performance
SAN FRANCISCO, MacWorld Expo, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple Computer, Inc.
(NASDAQ:AAPL) and Silicon Graphics, Inc. today announced that Apple has
licensed the OpenGL application programming interface (API) and software
library from Silicon Graphics, and will incorporate OpenGL into future
versions of the Macintosh(R) operating system, starting with the next release
of Mac(R) OS 8 and the first release of Mac OS X.
OpenGL is the industry-standard software platform for 3D computer
graphics, running everything from games to professional applications.
Developed by Silicon Graphics in 1992, OpenGL is now available on every major
operating system. OpenGL is a robust and mature 3D software library that
offers a broad set of rendering, texture mapping, special effects, and other
powerful visualization functions, and also provides for close coupling with
powerful graphics acceleration hardware. OpenGL is recognized by 3D
application developers worldwide as the premier API for developing leading-
edge 3D applications, and is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the
continuing evolution of graphics hardware.
"The industry's top game developers told us what they needed from us to
make Macintosh the best gaming platform, and OpenGL was at the top of their
list," said Steve Jobs, Apple's interim CEO. "Apple is putting much more
energy into 3D graphics hardware, and we wanted to have the best and most
powerful software API available for our developers."
"We are very enthusiastic about working with Apple to bring OpenGL's
powerful visualization solutions to the Mac," said Rick Belluzzo, chairman and
CEO of Silicon Graphics, Inc. "Today's announcement with Apple shows our
continued commitment to the evolution of the OpenGL standard and to its
pervasiveness in the computer industry."
A beta version of Apple's OpenGL software will be provided in late January
for developer download at no charge from Apple's web site (www.apple.com).
Apple Computer, Inc. ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s
with the Apple II, and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the
Macintosh. Apple is now recommitted to its original mission -- to bring the
best personal computing products and support to students, educators,
designers, scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140
countries around the world.
Silicon Graphics, Inc. is a leading supplier of visual computing and high-
performance systems. The company offers the broadest range of products in the
industry -- from low-end desktop workstations to servers and high-end
supercomputers. Key industries include communications, energy, entertainment,
government, manufacturing and sciences. Silicon Graphics and its subsidiaries
have offices throughout the world and corporate headquarters in Mountain View,
California.
Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, and Mac are registered trademarks of
Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully
acknowledged.
SOURCE Apple Computer, Inc.
-0- 01/05/99
/NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information, visit Apple's PR website
(www.apple.com/pr/), call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042, or Emma
Duckenfield at our PR agency, Edelman Worldwide, at (650) 968-4033, extension
1034./
/CONTACT: Marcy Dockery of Apple Computer, Inc., 408-974-2285,
dockery@apple.com; or Laurie Guarino of Silicon Graphics, Inc., 650-933-1727,
laurieg@corp.sgi.com/
/Web site: apple.com |
