Redwood City, CA Ð Current users and buyers thinking of snapping up a NeXT machine before they disappear should not have to worry about future service and support, although they may have to wait a bit for future NeXTSTEP offerings.
Steve Jobs told a Bay Area NeXT Group meeting on February 17 that the company is "committed to supporting Motorola machines with future versions of NeXTSTEP for several years, [but] right now we're trying to figure out what 'several' means."
Jobs said "the 3.1 release will be made available [for '040 machines] in Q3 at a reasonable price." NeXT plans to release NeXTSTEP for Intel, a functional 3.1 release of the OS, at NeXT-WORLD Expo on May 25.
On the hardware side, NeXT has "plans to ensure that every customer will have long-term support," said Dave Vagts, NeXT service operations manager. "We plan to fulfill five to seven years of support for equipment."
According to Vagts, NeXT is currently formalizing support plans, which could include NeXT providing service by itself or contracting with a provider such as Motorola. Service could also come from Canon, if it decides to build or upgrade '040 hardware.
NeXT has kept 32 of 40 people in its service and support division and stockpiled supplies and parts for branded hardware. NeXT is also reportedly calling in machines on loan and from offices around the world to cannibalize for spare parts.
Under the old support system, direct-sales customers were covered under contracts with Motorola for on-site service, while other users depended on their reseller for support.
Vagt said that NeXT will "provide service for any stranded user" who bought from a reseller.
Users report few problems with black hardware in the past and remain upbeat about the future, as evidenced by a brisk market in used machines. "I think NeXT will have the integrity to maintain support, and continue to support clients who have supported them," said Helen Pastorino, president of Alain Pinel Realtors in Los Gatos, California.