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Bandai Pippin Frequently Asked Questions

Courtesy: Apple Computer, Inc.

Most of the questions/answers here came from the Apple Pippin web site. Other questions/answers have been added ever since.


Question: What is Pippin?

Answer: Pippin is a multimedia player platform derived from Apple's second generation Power Macintosh hardware and system software. It is designed as a playback tool for multimedia CD-ROMs initially created for the Macintosh and/or IBM compatible PC and at a low cost.

Pippin is directed to the home market (and probably schools) as an integral part of the consumer AV stereo and TV environment. Its primary display will be a TV screen. It uses one of the most advanced RISC microprocessor architectures in the industry today, PowerPC. It is derived from both the hardware and software architectures of the Macintosh. It will provide developers with an easy way to take their investment in personal computer CD-ROM content and make it available to a wider audience in a more natural environment associated with entertainment and fun.

Question: What events led to the introduction of Pippin?

Answer: The percentage of personal computers having CD-ROM drives, is rapidly approaching 100% for the Macintosh. In 1994, for the first time, the worldwide sales of personal computers (from all manufacturers) into the home exceeded 10M. It was also the first year in which more personal computers sold into the home went those already having a personal computer.

More than 60% of the households in the U.S. have combined gross income less than $40,000 per year. While most of these homes have one or more television sets, it is expected that even by 1997 the number of homes in this category with a personal computer will be well below 10%. The high barrier price of personal computers is limiting its penetration into homes around the world. Multimedia hardware and content sales will be limited in the years to come, just as many new title publishers are entering the industry. It is essential to the long-term health of the CD-ROM title industry that the growth it is experiencing now, continue into the future.

Apple realized that for multimedia technology to reach the home, the entry price must be reduced substantially. A low entry price is still not enough. The platform must be distributed by many companies which collectively can reach a much larger audience than one company alone. Apple has chosen to make the Pippin platform available under license to manufacturers interested in building and selling their own version.

Question: How will Pippin be positioned in the market?

Answer: If all a family wants is the least expensive video game player and does not want to be able to use their purchase for other uses they will probably be better off buying the upcoming new platforms being introduced by the video game giants Nintendo and Sega. Other new platforms such as Atari Jaguar, Sony Playstation and 3DO are all video game players and cannot be useful for much else. It remains to be seen how these platforms will hold up against the two mainstay players, Nintendo and Sega.

Apple believes that families are looking for more than video game players today. Certainly they want to be able to play their favorite games, but they also want to communicate, learn, play interactive music, access information and much more. Pippin provides them this capability. In addition it provides them a high level of compatibility with a mainstream personal computer technology. This will provide them the knowledge that their investment in CD-ROM titles and experience will not go to waste.

Question: What is the difference between a Macintosh and Pippin?

Answer: Pippin is derived from the second generation of Power Macintosh computers. Much of its system software code, integrated circuit cells and integrated circuits come directly from the Macintosh world. Pippin is being designed for optimal playback. It operates from a run-time version of the Mac OS on less memory with more dedicated functions. While it is possible to add mass storage devices in the aftermarket, Pippin will ship with only a readable CD-ROM mechanism as a mass storage device.

Question: If there is no hard disk, how is the system software distributed?

Answer: The system software will be incorporated into the hardware separate from the CD-ROM player. Different Pippin system software releases will be available from which the developer to choose. Each will support a different functionality set. The end customer will not know or care which version of the operating system is bundled with their CD-ROM title. The Pippin title will support successive generations of titles always improving in performance and functionality.

Question: Why is Apple doing this?

Answer: This is a logical extension of our existing technology. It capitalizes on Apple's expertise in multimedia, RISC and ease-of-use....using resources and technology that are already in place today, not an entirely new product or market concept. The architecture and business model for Pippin are designed to provide this wealth of content with a means for reaching an audience substantially larger than that which exists today. For Apple this is a strategic thrust to expand its business beyond the sales of personal computers and at the same time put the multimedia industry, currently in its infancy, into high gear. This is part of Apple's on-going strategy to expand the reach of Macintosh technology into new markets.

Question: Why now?

Answer: There were two key elements missing that prevented Apple from launching Pippin earlier. The first is technology. QuickTime has progressed as an industry standard and has developed increasingly in sophistication to the point now that it is an extremely compelling technology. In addition, Apple had to make the transition to RISC microprocessor technology. To reach the performance necessary for game and multimedia playback RISC technology is a must. Apple has successfully made the transition to RISC.

The second major reason why Apple has waited until now is market maturity. The year 1994 will be known within the industry as the year in which Multimedia became mainstream. CD-ROM titles are being reviewed in the New York Times Book Review section. Hit titles such as Myst, Rebel Assault, Star Trek Interactive Manual, Doom, etc. are hitting distribution volumes ranging between 200,000 and 1,000,000 units. The momentum for creating the content is now in place. Pippin is designed to take this momentum of content on the personal computer and distribute in much greater volumes throughout the world.

Question: How did Apple choose the name Pippin?

Answer: Pippin is a type of apple. It is smaller than a McIntosh apple. Apple chose this name because it would be easily associated with Apple, Computer Inc. Moreover, Apple believes that over time Pippin will take many forms including home telecommunication devices, game players and much more. Hence, Apple did not want to choose a name that would be specific for a certain market space as it will certainly appeal to many types of consumers and be shipped in a variety of forms from many manufacturers.

Question: What type of CD-ROM titles will work on Pippin?

Answer: Apple is integrating hardware technologies which improve the "on-screen" appearance of text on a TV screen. While the text will never be as clear as that on a computer monitor it is substantially better than anything in the video game industry today. This was done because Apple intends to encourage a wide diversity of titles to be available on Pippin, including reference titles which contain a great deal of textual information. We expect action games, adventure games, simulation, role-playing games, puzzles, reference, education, learning, interactive music and more.

Pippin is not expected to be strong in document creation or modification. Computer applications are not well suited to systems without a lot of memory. Simple word processors, simple spread sheets, tax preparation programs, financial management tools, and children's authoring tools should work well on a Pippin as long as there is a rewritable mass storage device that can store data files.

Question: What is in this for the customer?

Answer: For the first time, the customer will be able to "buy-in" to the era of multimedia and cyberspace at a low entry ticket price. The customer will be able to expand the entry system through aftermarket add-ons, accessing some personal computing capabilities if they choose. They will be able to buy the unit from a variety of companies in different configurations in a multitude of distribution channels. Their Pippins will integrate within their audio-visual consumer electronics world. In addition, it will be able to communicate and transfer files with their personal computers should they have them in their home. Finally, the Pippins with the addition of a GeoPort adapter or external modem will permit the customers to communicate over cyberspace.

Question: Will Pippin reduce the system configuration problems faced in the personal computer market?

Answer: Pippin is designed to behave like an audio CD Player. The customer inserts the CD-ROM into the player and it automatically boots off the CD. There are no files to configure and no drivers to conflict over system resources.

Question: Can customers upgrade their Pippins?

Answer: Pippin is the most expandable device in its category. The consumer can add system memory easily using plastic DRAM memory cards. In addition, through the PCI-like expansion, manufacturers will be able to add other devices, including mass storage devices, graphics accelerators, compression decoders and more. Thus, by purchasing easy to add/configure add-ons, the customers will be able to retain their investment into the future.

Question: Will customers upgrade Pippin to a Macintosh?

Answer: Pippin cannot be made into a Macintosh. Without the availability of a high speed read/write mass storage device customers will find it difficult (at best) to utilize current "standard" personal computer applications. It would not be unfair to say, however, that Apple would like Pippin customers to also be Macintosh customers. The advantage for the customer is that their investment in titles can be played on both machines.

Question: Wouldn't customers rather view their titles on a computer screen?

Answer: This actually depends upon the customer and the title. The vast majority of the worldwide market doesn't own a computer monitor and is unlikely to own one any time soon. This permits a larger number of people to interact with the screen simultaneously. This also enables customers to integrate their Pippin with their home entertainment environment.

If customers prefer, they will be able to attach a 640x480 VGA monitor to Pippin.

Question: Will Apple ship a Pippin under its own brand?

Answer: Apple does not plan on shipping a Pippin under its own brand. One of Apples primary goals is to see Pippin devices penetrate into as many homes worldwide as possible. For this to happen Apple will focus its energies on assisting other companies in reaching these channels as they differ from Apple Computers existing computer reseller channels.

Question: Will Apple be the only hardware/software supplier for the platform?

Answer: No! Pippin is an open platform. Apple intends to encourage other companies to create not only differentiated Pippin systems, but also third-party aftermarket add-ons. Other companies can be expected to build upon Apples reference design and add their own value through either cost reductions or feature innovation.

Question: How many companies will be shipping Pippins?

Answer: The only publicly announced company at the time this document is being distributed is Bandai Company Ltd., a major toy manufacturer and CD-ROM game title publisher in Japan. Since Apple announced the platform in Tokyo on December 13, 1994, there have been many inquiries from companies interested in taking a license around the world. As contracts are signed and companies choose to announce their intents, the developer community will be among the first to know.

Over time, nothing will limit the number of companies that will be shipping Pippin devices. Apple believes that there is sufficient demand in the US, Japan, Asia and Europe.

Question: I've seen both white and black Pippin units. Are they the same??

Answer: Functionally, yes they are the same. Marketing wise, no. The white units are called ATMARK, and was sold only in Japan. The black unit is called @WORLD, and was sold in the U.S. There are actually black ATMARK units in Japan, but these are considered very rare.

Question: Will Pippin titles play on a Macintosh?

Answer: Yes, Pippin titles will play on Macintosh computers. If the titles are 68k based they will play on both Power Macintosh and 68k based Macintosh computers. If the titles are written in native PowerPC code they might also play on both platforms depending upon whether or not the developer chose to code in fat binaries or not.

Question: Will Macintosh Titles play on a Pippin?

Answer: Yes, if the title is re-stamped with the Pippin system software. For some titles other modifications may be required, see below.

Question: Will DOS/Windows Titles play on a Pippin?

Answer: Yes, but with much more modification and recompilation as compared to Macintosh titles.

Question: Can Pippin be turned into a Macintosh?

Answer: No. While customers will be able to expand it through the addition of mass storage devices, codecs, video inputs, etc. it will remain a run time environment fundamentally more limited than a Macintosh.

Question: Can a keyboard, monitor or mouse be added?

Answer: Yes, and so easily a child could do it!

Question: What exactly will be included with a Pippin?

Answer: This will be specific to each manufacturer. The features that, at a minimum, will be common to each version of Pippin is listed separately.

Question: What kind of input device will be standard?

Answer: Input devices will vary between Pippin Manufacturer. Apple has been conducting global focus group studies on this issue. Obviously developers need to know which buttons, knobs, etc. will be consistent between machines. Apple will be specifying this to both the manufacturers and developers by May at the latest.

Question: What add-on accessories will be available for Pippin at introduction? At a later date?

Answer: At introduction, there will be an external floppy, keyboard, mouse, external ink jet printer and a GeoPort telecom adapter for analog phone lines. The base Pippin units will ship with an accessory kit that will include a single input controller device. Other add-on devices including hard disks, PCMCIA slots, MPEG2 codecs, etc. will be available later in time. Apple will not make commitments as to when they would be available as many of these will be supplied by third parties.

Question: The Pippin Finder documentation is wrong. What should I do?

Answer: There is some information missing in the "Creating Pippin CD-ROMs Technical Note".

In sections 4.3.1, 4.3.2, and 4.3.3, after you "rename the PippinFinder file to Finder" you must:

  1. Open the new renamed Finder in ResEdit.
  2. Under "File" in the menu bar, select "Get Info For Finder".
  3. In the Info for Finder window change Type from "APPL" to "FNDR" and Creator from "pfdr" to "MACS".
  4. Finally, close and save the new Finder.

Question: How can I download the PippinPPCLib?

Answer: Several files were left out of the SDK, including some useful sample files that can show you how to write Pippin standard file source code. Download these extra files by clicking here.
