Brand: MacNews

Apple’s Hot News page quotes Chris Fenwick, director of The Computer Chronicles, as saying “QuickTime is probably one of the most significant contributions made to the 90s.” Mr. Fenwick is the director of one of the longest-running public tech-television shows in America.

REAL Software has posted REALbasic 3.5.1, an object oriented visual programming environment. This new release offers a significant number of bug fixes and changes. Further details are available from the REAL Web site.

Shares of Apple fared better than most tech companies today, as trading resumed for the first time since last week’s terrorist attacks. Apple closed down $0.38, or 2.2 percent, as the Dow shed 678 points (7.06%) and the Nasdaq lost 116 (6.85%). Microsoft closed the day down $4.67 (8.11%), America Online lost $4.41 (12.82%), Compaq lost $1.60 (15.46%), Gateway traded $1.21 lower (14.3%), and Dell finished down $1.87 (8.29%).

MacCentral is reporting that Apple plans to donate US$1 million to the families of rescue workers who perished in last week’s devastating terrorist attacks. The company will also donate an iBook to each victim’s family that has children. The donation will be made through the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Financial analyst Clint Henderson says Apple is poised to fare the best among PC makers during these rough economic times. Henderson cites Apple’s strong balance sheet and cash reserves as the primary factors, but adds that Apple’s appeal outside of the business sector means they won’t be as directly impacted by a reduction in corporate spending. Additionally, Mac OS X 10.1 should sustain sales of Power Mac G4 systems, and Apple’s retail stores will help put Apple products in front of more consumers.