Apple Computer And Silicon Graphics Sign Agreement To Advance VRML 2.0
Deployment
Apple Computer Plans to Widely Distribute Silicon Graphics’ Cosmo Player
Browser as Default VRML 2.0 Browser for Apple Internet Connection Kit;
Silicon Graphics to use QuickDraw 3D in Mac OS and Windows 95/NT versions
of Cosmo Player
Internet World, New York Booth 449 (Apple Computer) Booth 2703 (Silicon
Graphics) – December 11, 1996 — Apple Computer, Inc. (Cupertino, CA) and
Silicon Graphics, Inc. (Mountain View, CA) today jointly announced an
agreement designed to further the proliferation of high-performance,
high-quality VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) browsing on personal
computers. This joint effort will significantly enhance networked,
interactive 3D content and applications for Internet and Intranet.
To further extend the lead of the Macintosh(R) in multimedia and 3D
personal computing, Apple plans to bundle Silicon Graphics’
industry-leading Cosmo(TM) Player VRML 2.0 browser with the Apple Internet
Connection Kit, its “best of class” suite of Internet access software, and
has endorsed Cosmo(TM) Player as the preferred VRML browser solution.
Silicon Graphics plans to deliver the Mac OS version of Cosmo Player early
next year. In addition, Silicon Graphics will support Apple’s QuickDraw
3D as one of the rendering engines for the Windows 95 and NT versions of
Cosmo Player.
“In leading the development of the cross-platform VRML 2.0 standard,
Silicon Graphics has started a new industry and initiated a transformation
of the Web as we know it,” said Larry Tesler, Vice President of AppleNet
Technologies for Apple Computer, Inc. “With Cosmo Player, they have shown
their commitment to delivering VRML to the broadest range of platforms and
operating systems, which makes Silicon Graphics an ideal and logical
company for Apple to work with in this area. Cosmo Player delivers to our
customers unmatched 3D Web experiences, and we look forward to a close
working relationship.”
“Apple has a great technology in QuickDraw 3D that will speed the
cross-platform deployment of our VRML browser for personal computers,” said
Kai-Fu Lee, vice president and general manager, Web Products Division,
Silicon Graphics, Inc. “The combination of QuickDraw 3D and Cosmo Player
make the Mac a first-class VRML client and brings the power and flexibility
of QD3D rendering to Windows. Apple and Silicon Graphics will continue to
work closely together in the advancement of open, cross-platform standards
for multimedia and 3D.”
VRML 2.0
Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) is an industry standard that
enables the development of networked, interactive 3D content and
applications that can be deployed universally — regardless of operating
system, brand of microprocessor, or rendering technology. VRML 2.0 is based
upon Silicon Graphics-led “Moving Worlds” proposal which was endorsed by
over 50 Internet related companies. Apple is contributing to the VRML 2.0
standard via its jointly proposed VRML binary file format, developed in
collaboration with IBM T.J. Watson Research Labs (Yorktown Heights, NY) and
ParaGraph International (Campbell, CA)
Cosmo Player
The Silicon Graphics Cosmo Player is the only VRML 2.0 browser to support
Windows 95, Windows NT, Mac OS, and UNIX(R). Cosmo Player works with
Netscape Navigator(TM), Microsoft’s Internet Explorer(TM), and Apple’s
Cyberdog(TM). Windows and UNIX versions of Cosmo Player can be downloaded
today at http://vrml.sgi.com.
QuickDraw 3D
QuickDraw 3D is Apple’s award-winning real-time 3D architecture for Mac OS
and 32-bit Windows platforms which enable multi-platform deployment of 3D
authoring tools, VRML and CAD/CAE. QuickDraw 3D has won a number of
industry awards, including COMDEX FALL 96 Best of Show for Multimedia
Software. QuickDraw 3D (QD3D) may be immediately downloaded from
http://quickdraw3d.apple.com.
Company Information
Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized innovator in the information industry
and leader in multimedia technologies, creates powerful solutions based on
easy-to-use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software, personal
digital assistants and Internet content. Headquartered in Cupertino,
California, Apple develops manufactures, licenses and markets solutions,
products, technologies and services for business, education, consumer,
entertainment, scientific and engineering and government customers in more
than 140 countries.
Silicon Graphics, Inc. is a leading supplier of high-performance
interactive computing systems. The company offers the broadest range of
products in the industry — from low-end desktop workstations to servers
and high-end Cray(R) supercomputers. Silicon Graphics also markets MIPS(R)
microprocessor designs, Alias|Wavefront(TM) entertainment and design
software and other software products. The company’s key markets include
manufacturing, government, science and industries, telecommunications and
entertainment sectors. Silicon Graphics and its subsidiaries have offices
throughout the world and headquarters in Mountain View, California.
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All Trademarks and Registered Trademarks Are Hereby Acknowledged