Apple gives Mac a Web makeover
Power PC users will benefit the most from this latest upgrade
Apple is incorporating a host of Internet-friendly features in Mac OS 7.6, the upgrade for System 7.5.5 due to ship in the UK by the end of March. But Mac users with Motorola 68K-based machines won?t get as many of the Net enhancements as Power PC users.
Easier connection to the Internet from Power PC machines will be enabled by upgraded versions of Open Doc and Cyberdog within Mac OS 7.6. Together they will allow users to embed live Internet links into documents and launch URLs directly from within Finder. But no matter what chip they?ve got, all Mac users will benefit from an upgrade of the Apple Internet Connection Kit and new connectivity tools ? Open Transport PPP and Remote Access Client.
Apple has also announced the immediate availability of the first release of Mac OS Runtime for Java 1, which will give both Power PC and 68K Mac users the ability to download and play Java applets and apps. Later versions will incorporate Marimba?s Castanet Tuner technology, allowing users to tune in to a Net-based channel ? a standalone Java application or applet or a Web site ? and receive Netcasted material.
Since the Christmas acquisition of former rival Next, Apple has been spelling out how Net-centred its future will be by issuing roadmaps for upcoming versions of the Mac OS and its eventual replacement, Rhapsody.
The latter will incorporate elements of Nextstep and will be a fully pre-emptive multi-tasking system with protected memory to rival Windows NT and OS/2. But openness and the incorporation of cross-platform versions of Apple?s key technologies, like Quick Time Media Layer, will give the platform a boost among Internet developers.
?Apple?s aim is to make the Mac OS and Rhapsody the best of breed platform for Internet developers and the best deployment and development platform for Java technology,? said Apple CEO Gil Amelio. ?With the Next merger we have greatly strengthened our Internet, enterprise and software propositions.?