Mac OS Road Map
Mac OS Road Map
Rhapsody Road Map
MACWORLD/EXPO, SAN FRANCISCO--Jan. 7, 1997--Apple Computer, Inc. today announced its strategy for the future evolution of the Macintosh operating system software, for Macintosh and Mac OS compatible personal computers. Apple plans to implement a strategy in which the Company will continue to deliver significant and regularly scheduled upgrades to the current Mac OS while accelerating development of a new and advanced operating system. The new operating system is code-named 'Rhapsody' and will be based on the merging of technologies from Apple and NeXT Software, Inc. (Apple announced its intent to acquire NeXT Software on Dec. 20, 1996--see press release, Apple Agrees to Acquire NeXT Software Inc.) As well as providing pioneering next generation technology, Rhapsody aims to provide strong backward compatibility for Mac OS software offering current customers a smooth migration path to the new OS.
Through this approach, the Company expects to provide customers and developers with a platform for exceptional and cutting-edge applications, while enhancing their current investment in the Mac OS. Apple also believes that the advanced technical underpinnings and rapid development environment of Rhapsody will allow developers to create new applications that leapfrog those of other 'modern' operating systems, such as Windows NT. Additionally, the Company anticipates that the scheduled enhancements to the Mac OS will retain its industry leadership in ease of use and multimedia, while greatly strengthening the software's Internet capabilities.
The first release of Rhapsody is expected to be launched to developers in mid to late 1997 and to customers within 12 months. Rhapsody is planned to incorporate features such as preemptive multitasking and protected memory, as well as a modern kernel. It is expected to also include a new Application Programming Interface (API) based on NeXT Software's OPENSTEP environment. In parallel Mac OS continues to evolve--with a significant upgrade, Mac OS 7.6, announced today. (See separate release).
"Apple has laid out an OS strategy that provides customers and software developers with a safe, clear upgrade path to breakthrough next generation computing. With this approach customers can migrate at their own speed to 21st century computing" said Dr. Gilbert F. Amelio, Chairman and CEO, Apple Computer Inc. "Today we also deliver on a commitment made at Macworld Boston in August, by announcing Mac OS 7.6, a robust and valuable update to our current operating system. Together, Mac OS and our next generation OS, Rhapsody, will allow customers and software developers to leverage existing Macintosh applications and provide a platform for a new era of software innovation from Apple and its industry allies".
Apple believes that its OS Strategy provides clear differentiation from its system software competitors in four areas.
Mac OS Road MapThree future releases of Mac OS are already slated--code named Tempo, Allegro, and Sonata.
Tempo, targeted for mid 1997, will continue to improve the overall ease of use of the Mac and offer leading Internet integration. Tempo is planned to include a new PowerPC-native multi-threaded Finder. This will allow customers to execute multiple tasks, such as launching applications and copying files, at the same time. Tempo includes a new 3D appearance and other user interface enhancements. In the Internet area, Tempo integrates Cyberdog 2.0, Mac OS Runtime for Java, and personal web sharing, permitting every Mac or Mac compatible to be an Internet web server.
Apple will provide details on its Allegro and Sonata releases at a later date.
Rhapsody Road MapThe road map for Apple's next generation OS, Rhapsody, is as follows:
Developer Release
Apple plans a developer release of Rhapsody in mid to late 1997 to provide software developers with a robust platform for the creation of next generation applications, incorporating NeXT Software's market-leading OPENSTEP development environment. This release is expected to include key next generation operating system technologies such as preemptive multitasking, protected memory and a modern kernel. The integration of NeXT Software's object-oriented OPENSTEP API and industry-leading component software development tools, will allow software developers to quickly and easily create applications for Rhapsody's first customer release.
Premier Release
The first customer release is planned for delivery within 12 months. The
premier release is intended for early adopters of new technology in
multiple market segments. Plans include an evolution of the Mac OS
appearance, combining the best of Apple and NeXT technology to provide an
industry-leading user experience that will be familiar to today's Macintosh
customers and exciting to new users. This release is intended to enable
new software applications to run in a fully preemptive and protected
environment and will have limited compatibility with Mac OS applications.
Unified Release
Intended as a general software release for Apple's customer base, this
release of Rhapsody is expected to offer next generation capabilities
introduced in the developer and premier releases, as well as compatibility
with existing and future Mac OS applications. Rhapsody is expected to
support today's software through a Mac OS compatibility environment which
will be a complete native implementation of the Mac OS. This is not a
software "emulation" layer, instead Mac OS will be ported to the advanced
Rhapsody base. The unified release of Rhapsody is scheduled for shipment
in mid 1998.
See the Mac OS road map and Rhapsody architectural diagram.
PowerPC and Mac OS
Both Mac OS and Rhapsody will be optimized for PowerPC hardware. Rhapsody is expected to support all currently shipping PowerPC based systems sold by Apple and Apple licensees today. Rhapsody is also expected to support all upcoming products including the PowerPC Platform (also known as CHRP). Apple also intends to continue to develop, sell and support NeXT software products for other platforms such as Pentium, Sparc, and Windows NT.
Statements in this press release regarding future versions of the Mac OS and regarding Rhapsody are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including successful and timely development of future versions of the Mac OS and of Rhapsody. The success of new products is dependent on a number of factors, including technological feasibility, the ability of the company to develop and make the product at an acceptable cost, market acceptance, and the company's ability to manage the risks associated with product transitions. More information on potential factors that could affect the success of the products described in this press release and the Company's financial results are included in the respective SEC filings of Apple, including Apple's Form 10-K for the 1996 fiscal year, and in Apple's Form 10-Q for the first fiscal quarter, to be filed with the SEC.
Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized innovator in the information industry and leader in multimedia technologies, creates powerful solutions based on easy-to-use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software, personal digital assistants and Internet content. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple develops, manufactures, licenses and markets solutions, products, technologies and services for business, education, consumer, entertainment, scientific and engineering and government customers in more than 140 countries.
Nicole Overson
NeXT Software Inc.
(415) 780-3731
email: nicole@next.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: To access Apple press releases, background material, and contact information on the web, visit The Source at: http://www.apple.com/source/. If you are interested in receiving Apple press releases by fax, call 1-800-AAPL-FAX (1-800-227-5329) and enter your PIN number. If you do not have a PIN number, contact Apple's Media Helpline at(408)974-2042 to request one. If you would like to receive Apple press releases by email, please send an email message to pressrel@thing2.info.apple.com. In the subject field, type the text "subscribe [your full name]."