Apple Announces Mac OS 8.1 - an Even Better Mac OS
01/06/98
PR Newswire
(Copyright (c) 1998, PR Newswire)
MACWORLD/EXPO, SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Apple Computer, Inc. today introduced Mac(R) OS 8.1, its newest version of the Mac OS which builds on the strong success of Mac OS 8. Mac OS 8.1 will be available in February and is free to current Mac OS 8 customers.
"Mac OS 8.1 improves on Apple's most successful software release to date -- Mac OS 8 -- which was released last July and has sold over two million copies to date," said Steve Jobs, Apple's Interim CEO. "Mac OS 8.1 offers our customers even greater features, performance and stability.
"The primary new features in Mac OS 8.1 are:
-- Microsoft's Internet Explorer provided as the default web browser [Hope they don't claim it's part of the OS...]
-- Greatly improved Java compatibility and performance over Mac OS 8 with the newest version of Apple's Java Virtual Machine (MRJ 2.0) which implements Sun's Java Development Kit (JDK version 1.1.3)
-- More efficient disk storage with HFS+, an improved disk file system and format that literally returns storage space back to customers
-- Built in Digital Video Disk ( DVD ) Universal Disk Format (UDF) which reads video DVDs and DVD -ROM interactive games
-- Faster application launching from newly optimized virtual memory and disk cache systems
-- Printing across TCP/IP networks with a new LaserWriter(R) printer driver
-- Better PC compatibility with PC Exchange 2.2 which supports Windows 95 long file names and volume formats, including PC-formatted removable media such as Iomega Zip and Jaz cartridges
Incorporates Leading Internet Browsers
Mac OS 8.1 includes leading Internet access software -- Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 and Netscape Navigator 4.04. Internet Explorer is installed as the default browser. Mac OS 8.1 features Apple's Internet Assistant software, which guides users through the normally complicated tasks required to set up Internet connections. In addition, Mac OS 8.1 ships with the latest version of America Online for Mac OS.
Improved Java Support
Mac OS 8.1 incorporates Apple's latest version of the Java Virtual Machine, MRJ 2.0, resulting in greatly improved Java compatibility and performance over Mac OS 8. Users can run Java applets or applications using MRJ 2.0 in Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, or without a browser using Apple's "Applet Runner" software. MRJ 2.0 implements the Java Development Kit (JDK) version 1.1.3 from Sun Microsystems, and passes the "100% Pure Java" conformancy tests supplied by Sun.
New Advanced File System Provides More Efficient Disk Storage
Mac OS 8.1 features HFS+, a new advanced disk file system and format which stores small files much more efficiently than the existing(R) Mac file system. Users can recoup a significant percentage of their current storage space for all files, and store many more files on their existing disks without running out of space. Mac OS 8.1 defaults to use the existing Mac file system. To utilize this new feature users must first back-up their disk, reformat it for HFS+, then restore their data to the newly reformatted disk.
System Requirements, Pricing and Availability
Mac OS 8.1 runs on all PowerPC and 68040 processor-based Macintosh(R) computers with at least 16MB of RAM. Mac OS 8.1 will be available in the U.S. and Canada in February, and Mac OS 8 customers may download the Mac OS 8.1 update free of charge from Apple's website or get a full install CD of Mac OS 8.1 for $19.95 (details on apple.com ). Mac OS 8.1 will be pre- loaded on new Macintosh computers beginning in mid February. Localized versions of Mac OS 8.1 are scheduled to be available in April.
Apple Computer, Inc. ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II, and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is now recommitted to its original mission -- to bring the best personal computing products and support to students, educators, designers, scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140 countries around the world.
Apple, the Apple logo, LaserWriter Macintosh, and Mac OS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.
/NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's website ( apple.com ), call Apple's Media Helpline at 408-974-2042, or contact Cara Lewis at our PR agency, Niehaus Ryan Group, Inc., 650-827-7052/
/CONTACT: Staci Sheppard, 408-974-8404, or email: sheppard@apple.com, or Russell Brady, 408-974-6877, or email: brady2@apple.com, both of Apple Computer, Inc./ 13:48 EST |
