Unconfirmed reports have it that Apple Computer Inc chief Steve Jobs looks as if he has halted the proposed spin-off of Newton Inc, plans which are already well advanced, with an announcement at MacWorld last month that Newton officially gained its independence on July 1 (CI No 3,220). Newton has been making appearances independent of its parent at trade shows since June and recently unveiled a new corporate logo. Jobs is said to want to keep control of the eMate technology – thus far aimed at the education market, always an important one for Apple – and to expand its appeal into other markets. These products are strategic. Newton is not being spun out, Jobs told The Wall Street Journal on Saturday. Interestingly, Jobs was one of the main forces behind the spin-off in the first place, but it seems that the success of eMate has persuaded him to change his mind. Newton Inc was planning to move away from Apple’s Cupertino, California headquarters to a new building in Santa Clara, California. A spokesperson for Apple said the company had, as yet, no comment to make on the Journal report, but said that a press release would be issued shortly.
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