Next Computer Inc

Next Computer Negotiating With Hewlett-Packard: Next Computer Inc. is holding talks with Hewlett-Packard Corp. to allow its basic operating software to run on H-P workstations, industry sources said. Next, a private company founded by Apple Computer Inc. co-founder Steven Jobs, is trying to focus more on software because its computers are failing to gain a strong hold in the market, analysts said. H-P and Next declined comment.

Sun Microsystems Inc. Seen Aiding Jobs' Firm: Sun, a major provider of computer workstations, plans to invest in Steve Jobs' struggling Next Computer Inc., industry sources said. A Sun spokesman said the companies plan to announce a "close partnership" today, but neither would disclose details. The New York Times reported that Sun, based in Mountain View, Calif., will invest $10 million for 1.5% of Next's stock and access to its technology.

Next Software Wins Allies: Next Computer Inc. said its NextStep software will be offered by six computer manufacturers, including Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell Computer Corp., beginning next month. The announcement marked Next's first alliances with computer manufacturers since February, when Chief Executive Steve Jobs said his company would stop manufacturing computers. "These partnerships lay the foundation for the success of NextStep in the Intel marketplace," Jobs said in a statement.

Next Software Wins Allies: Next Computer Inc. said its NextStep software will be offered by six computer manufacturers, including Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell Computer Corp., beginning next month. The announcement marked Next's first alliances with computer manufacturers since February, when Chief Executive Steve Jobs said his company would stop manufacturing computers. "These partnerships lay the foundation for the success of NextStep in the Intel marketplace," Jobs said in a statement.

Apple Computer Inc. is expected today to introduce a version of its Macintosh operating system for computer servers and possibly details on the next version of the operating system for its popular personal computers. The major upgrade of the software, its biggest overhaul in many years, will combine features from the current Mac OS and Next Computer Inc.'s Rhapsody operating system.