Re: Apple II Euromod / Apple II Europlus

[Michael J. Mahon <mjmahon@aol.com>]

Steven Weyhrich <a2history@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Thursday, May 16, 2013 2:13:56 AM UTC-5, Michael J. Mahon wrote:
>> Steven Weyhrich <a2history@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Additional info that I've dredged up indicates that Apple formed a
>> 
>>> separate company called Eurapple, Inc. in 1977, not long after the
>> 
>>> original Apple II came out. It was managed by Andre Sousan, who used to
>> 
>>> work with Commodore (he actually came with Chuck Peddle to visit The
>> 
>>> Garage where they were assembling the Apple-1). Eurapple was responsible
>> 
>>> for overseas distribution of the Apple II.
>> 
>>> 
>> 
>>> Unfortunately, that's as far as I can discover things. What I've not been
>> 
>>> able to find out is why Apple chose to license out the Apple II to ITT
>> 
>>> for creation of the ITT 2020 (sold in the UK through Microsense, but also
>> 
>>> sold in France and elsewhere in Europe), when they were also creating
>> 
>>> their own Apple-branded Apple II (the Euromod and later the Europlus)? It
>> 
>>> does appear that the ITT 2020 and the Euromod became available at about the same time. 
>> 
>>> 
>> 
>>> In other words, why allow creation of the ITT 2020, when the Euromod was
>> 
>>> available then or soon after? Why bother with the Euromod when the ITT
>>> 2020 was available?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> The answer is almost always channels--distribution relationships that
>> 
>> broaden the market for a product when it is available from a particular
>> 
>> supplier. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Compare with Apple's licensing deal with Bell & Howell in the US. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://home.comcast.net/~mjmahon
> 
> Undoubtedly, that is part of the answer. Still: The B&H Apple II was
> manufactured by Apple for B&H. With these European models, we have the
> ITT 2020 built in Europe (and modified from the original specs, with its
> "9th bit" for hi-res graphics), and the Euroapples built BY Apple and
> shipped there, apparently at almost the same time (as best as I can
> discover). Wish I could find Andre Sousan, the original head of Eurapple, and ask about it.

Some partners are proud, and have to get their two cents into a design
before they'll sell it under their brand.  No doubt that's why B&H Apples
are black. ;-)

-michael - NadaNet 3.1 and AppleCrate II: http://home.comcast.net/~mjmahon