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Microsoft bites the Apple in Office 2001 
Wednesday, October 11 2000
by Aoidin Scully


Microsoft launched its historic Microsoft Office 2001 for Mac on Wednesday, with
strong support from Apple Computer Inc. 

The latest version of the Office software is the most similar version to the Mac
ever created, and marks a new era of co-operation between the once bitter rivals.




Office 2001 for the Macintosh operating system will be available in US stores now
at USD499 for the full version and USD299 for an upgrade from an earlier version.
The package will be available in the UK and Ireland from October 13 although
pricing is not yet known.



The new package, which features updated versions of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint,
includes a Mac-only application, the Entourage 2001 e-mail, address book, and
personal information manager. Apple’s Chief Executive Steve Jobs, has also
granted Microsoft a special license to use the Mac trademark in its marketing
campaign.



“This is unmatched in terms of the collaboration between the two companies,''
Clent Richardson, vice president of Apple's World Wide Developers division, told
Reuters. “We are thrilled by it. This really is a must-have upgrade ... and if
you don't have Office 2001 you won't be able to enjoy a lot of the features
Microsoft has built into its products," he added.



The rivalry between the two companies dates back to the early days of personal
computing in the 1980s when Jobs and Microsoft co-founder Gates vied for market
domination -- a battle won decisively by Microsoft. The relationship between the
two has been steadily improving since 1997 when Microsoft invested USD150 million
to prop up the ailing Apple.



Kevin Brown, the head of Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit, described the
relationship between Microsoft and Apple as "the best it's ever been."



"Back in 1996, it was said that people from Microsoft and Apple couldn’t talk
to one another without having lawyers in the room. Now we’ve all internalised the
need to work with Apple, and I’m very pleased with where we are," explained
Brown adding that the collaboration is also "due in no small part to Steve
Jobs’ return to Apple," Brown revealed that Bill Gates "has a soft spot in his
heart for the Mac."