APF Electronics Inc.
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer electronics |
| Founder | Al Friedman, Phil Friedman |
| Defunct | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Queens, New York , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Calculators, video game consoles, personal computers, handheld educational devices |
Number of employees | 300 |
APF Electronics Inc. was a publicly traded company in the United States specializing in consumer electronics. The company's name is derived from its founders, Al and Phil Friedman.
History
APF initially focused on importing Japanese stereo systems, including quadraphonic units and 8-track players, before branching out into the calculator market.
Based in Queens, NY, APF maintained a manufacturing facility in Hong Kong and employed approximately 300 individuals.
Products
During the early 1970s, APF developed calculators such as the Mark III and Mark V, which featured LED displays powered by C-type batteries.
In 1976, APF released the APF TV Fun series, among the earliest first generation video game consoles utilizing the AY-3-8500 chipset from General Instrument. Notable models included the TV Fun Model 401A and TV Fun Sportsarama.
The APF-MP1000, also known as the M-1000, was a second generation video game console launched in 1978 with a retail price of $130 (~$ in ). It supported twelve cartridge games alongside the built-in title Rocket Patrol.
In 1978, APF unveiled PeCos One ("Personal Computing System"), a computer featuring dual integrated tape drives and a monitor. It operated using PeCos 1, a proprietary programming language inspired by JOSS, rather than BASIC.
The 1979 APF Imagination Machine computer module was sold for $599 (~$ in ). When connected to the M-1000 console, it transformed into a computer by adding RAM, BASIC programming capabilities, a 53-key keyboard, and a dual-track cassette deck operating at 1500 baud. Its design was influenced by reverse engineering existing computers.
Released in 1980, the APF Mathemagician combined calculator functionality with gaming elements in a handheld device that provided math learning tools along with six interchangeable game overlays.
Although development began around 1983 on the APF Imagination Machine II—an integrated computer-console hybrid—the product was never brought to market, and it remains unclear if any prototypes were produced.
Bankruptcy
The collapse of the video game market in 1983 caused the termination of the APF Imagination Machine II initiative. Following this, APF, which was publicly listed at the time, proceeded to declare bankruptcy.