Apple 2003 Annual Report Download - page 10

the next generation professional-quality audio format that delivers superior sound quality with reduced file sizes.
The Company also offers several other QuickTime products, including QuickTime Pro, a suite of software tools that allows creation and
editing of Internet-ready audio and video files and allows a user to add special effects and other features to QuickTime movies; QuickTime
Streaming Server which facilitates the broadcasting of streaming digital video; and QuickTime Broadcaster that allows users to quickly and
easily produce professional-quality live events for online delivery.
.Mac ™
The Company's .Mac offering is a suite of Internet services that for an annual fee provides Macintosh users with powerful Internet tools. .Mac
features email service with IMAP, POP or web-based access, 100MB of iDisk Internet storage, and hosting for personalized homepages and
shared digital photo albums. Also included with .Mac is McAfee's Virex anti-virus software and Backup, a personal back-up solution allowing
users to archive data to their Internet storage, CD, or DVD.
Wireless Connectivity and Networking
AirPort Extreme
™®
AirPort Extreme, introduced in January 2003, is the Company's next generation of Wi-Fi wireless networking technology based on the new
ultra-fast 802.11g standard. With speeds up to 54 Mbps, AirPort Extreme delivers almost five times the data rate of today's 802.11b based
products, yet is fully compatible with the millions of 802.11b Wi-Fi devices around the world. AirPort Extreme Base Stations can serve up
9
to 50 Macintosh and Windows users simultaneously, provide wireless bridging to extend the range beyond just one base station, and support
USB printer sharing to allow multiple users to wirelessly share USB printers connected directly to the base station.
Embedded into Mac OS X is Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth is an emerging industry standard for wirelessly connecting computers and
peripherals that supports transmission of data at up to 1 Mbps within a range of approximately 30 feet. The Company's Bluetooth technology
for Mac OS X lets customers wirelessly share files between Macintosh systems, synchronize and share contact information with Palm-OS
based PDAs, and access the Internet through Bluetooth-enabled cell phones. A Bluetooth USB adaptor can Bluetooth-enable any USB-based
Macintosh computer running in Mac OS X version 10.1.4 or higher.
The Company's Rendezvous™
networking technology is based on open Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Standard Protocols such as IP,
ARP and DNS. Rendezvous uses industry standard networking protocols and zero configuration technology to automatically discover and
connect devices over any IP network, including Ethernet or 802.11-based wireless networks like the Company's AirPort product. Major
developers such as Canon, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, Lexmark, Philips, Sybase, World Book and Xerox have announced support for
Rendezvous in a broad range of products including network printers, consumer electronics, enterprise database management and educational
applications. The Company has made the Rendezvous source code freely available allowing developers to use Rendezvous technology in their
network-enabled devices or software applications. The Rendezvous source code includes software to support UNIX, Linux, and Windows-
based systems and devices. Rendezvous support is built into Mac OS X.
The Company developed FireWire ® technology, also referred to as IEEE 1394, which is a high-speed serial I/O technology for connecting
digital devices such as digital camcorders and cameras to desktop and portable computers. With its high data-transfer speed and "hot plug-and-
play" capability, FireWire has become an established cross-platform industry standard for both consumers and professionals and is the data
interface of choice for today's digital video and audio devices, as well as external hard drives and other high-speed peripherals. FireWire is
currently included on all Macintosh systems and is a data transfer technology utilized by iPod.
Product Support and Services
AppleCare ® offers a range of support options for Apple customers. These options include assistance that is built into software products,
printed and electronic product manuals, online support including comprehensive product information as well as technical assistance, and the
AppleCare Protection Plan. The AppleCare Protection Plan is a fee-based service that typically includes three years of phone support and
hardware repairs, dedicated web-based support resources, and user diagnostic tools.
Apple Training offers comprehensive system administration and development training on Apple technologies, together with certification
programs that test customers' skills and verify their technical proficiency. Apple Professional Services offers a range of custom, personalized
technical services, including Internet consulting and setup, installation and integration services. The Company also offers specialized loan
programs including loans for consumers, students, and educators. Apple also provides leasing solutions for its education institution customers
and its business and professional customers. The Company uses several third-party lenders to originate and carry these loans and leases, all of
which are non
-
recourse to the Company.