
 APPLE VOTES FOR AMERICA ONLINE INTERFACE
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Apple Computer, Inc. has given a big boost to one of the up and coming
commercial online services - America Online, Inc. The company announced it
plans to use AOL's interface for a future online service it is developing.
The deal will ultimately bring some $15 million into the AOL coffers starting
with $1 million Apple will pay this year to incorporate the AOL interface
into enhanced versions of AppleLink, Apple's on-line communication service.
Apple will also pay royalties based on usage.

The deal involves a minimum of $2 million in payments during 1994, with the
minimum annual royalty rising to $4 million by the fifth year for a minimum
total package of some $15 million that could, in reality, be worth as much as
$50 million. Additionally, Apple received warrants to buy up to 10% of AOL's
stock at a price of $25 any time during the five year period.

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1992, AOL had revenues of $26.5 million
and a profit of some $3.5 million. The company currently has a payroll of
some 150 employees. The service sports about 180,000 subscribers, making it
the fourth largest commercial service behind Prodigy, CompuServe, and GEnie.
It trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol AMER and at this writing was trading
at about $27.50 per share.

Apple's own AppleLink, with some 50,000 current users, was originally started
to allow Apple Employees and various suppliers, vendors, and developers to
communicate. And many speculate that acquisition of the AOL interface
technology is to make the service easier to use in preparation for opening
the service up to a wider general audience. America Online, Inc., 8619
Westwood Center Drive, Vienna, VA 22182; (703)448-8700; (800)827-6364 info;
Internet: info@aol.com

