AppleTalk is a networking protocol developed by Apple Inc. in the 1980s. It was designed to allow communication between Apple devices, such as Macintosh computers and printers, over a local area network (LAN). AppleTalk enabled file sharing, printer access, and other network services without requiring complex configuration. The protocol used a simple, plug-and-play approach, making it user-friendly for non-technical users. AppleTalk supported various network types, including Ethernet and Token Ring, and allowed multiple devices to connect seamlessly. Although it was widely used in the past, AppleTalk has since been phased out in favor of more modern networking protocols like TCP/IP.