Scientist Leaves Apple to Form Another Firm

William Atkinson, one of Apple Computer Inc.’s leading scientists, has left the personal computer maker to form a company with two other former Apple engineers.

The new venture, named General Magic Inc., will design and develop what was described as a “personal intelligent communicator,” a product that other sources said would likely resemble today’s handheld computers but include other features, including facsimile capabilities and handwriting recognition abilities. The product is not expected to be on the market for at least two years.

Apple is a minority investor in the company, which will be based in Mountain View, Calif. Other investors include co-founders Andrew Hertzfeld, one of the architects of Apple’s original Macintosh personal computer, and Marc Porat, a former manager of an advanced software engineering project at Apple.

Apple has the first non-exclusive license to manufacture and market General Magic’s technologies, and Apple Chairman and CEO John Sculley will serve on the board.

Atkinson, best known as the developer of Apple’s popular HyperCard software technology for the Macintosh, will serve as chairman of General Magic. Porat will be president, and Hertzfeld has described his job as “software wizard.”

Sculley said in a statement that Apple decided to spin out the new project because General Magic will address sections of the market outside Apple’s mainstream business.