Apple Computer Inc yesterday released the latest version of its Macintosh operating system, OSX 10.4. The company described the software, dubbed "Tiger," as its most innovative product to date and the safest for local users.
"We have high expectations of Mac OSX Tiger, which we believe will alter user behavior with various new functions that simplify work processes," Kong Yuk-loong (
The operating system went on sale at 6pm yesterday, priced at NT$4,390 (US$140.3).
One official at Apple Taiwan, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Apple's Macintosh operating system has been adopted by 23 percent of computer users around the world, but its market share in Taiwan is still less than 10 percent.
Nonetheless, Apple's market share is increasing steadily, boosted by its best-selling iPod digital music player series, which has swept the local market, he said.
In addition to the popular iTunes and iPhoto software, Apple's new operating system boasts 200 new features, including Spotlight, a desktop search engine; Dashboard, which enables quick access to important information like weather forecasts, stock quotes, airline flight-schedule trackers, four-way videoconferencing and 10-way audio conferences; and Automator, a workflow application that lets users easily automate repetitive tasks without complex programming.
Tiger requires at least 256MB of physical RAM, a PowerPC G5, G4 or G3 processor and a built-in FireWire connecting device.
Meanwhile, Systemax Inc's online retail outlet Tiger Direct is suing Apple over the use of the name "Tiger," claiming it constitutes a trademark infringement. Tiger Direct, which sells computers and related products, has asked the court to prevent Apple from using the name and to award damages and legal fees.
The launch of Tiger puts pressure on Apple's main competitor, Microsoft Corp, which is developing a new version of its Windows operating system, dubbed Longhorn.
Longhorn is reported to have many of the same features as Tiger, but will not be available until next year.
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