But Apple executives said the company should catch up by the end of March.

Apple executives said that the company's cash position was still strong at slightly more than $1 billion.

An Apple executive said the wireless networking products would be available in several weeks.

Apple executives said Newton would be shipped within nine months.

Apple executives also predicted strong sales for the December quarter.

Apple executives said they expected no material impact from the earthquake in the December quarter.

But even some Apple executives privately question how deeply the company is committed to this goal.

Both decisions, Apple executives say, will hurt the bottom line in the coming quarter.

Then Apple executives decided they could also use Jobs's help.

Apple executives said they used Sony's expertise to speed the development process of the new product.