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.
The domestic unit of the Chinese-owned, Dutch-headquartered chipmaker Nexperia BV will soon be able to produce semiconductors locally within China, according to two company sources. Nexperia is at the center of a global tug-of-war over critical semiconductor technology, with a Dutch court in February ordering a probe into alleged mismanagement at the company. The geopolitical tussle has disrupted supply chains, with some carmakers reportedly forced to cut production due to chip shortages. Local production would allow Nexperia’s domestic arm, Nexperia Semiconductors (China) Ltd (安世半導體中國), to bypass restrictions in place since October on the supply of silicon wafers — etched with tiny components to
Singapore-based ride-hailing and delivery giant Grab Holdings Ltd has applied for regulatory approval to acquire the Taiwan operations of Germany-based Delivery Hero SE's Foodpanda in a deal valued at about US$600 million. Grab submitted the filing to the Fair Trade Commission on Friday last week, with the transaction subject to regulatory review and approval, the company said in a statement yesterday. Its independent governance structure would help foster a healthy and competitive market in Taiwan if the deal is approved, Grab said. Grab, which is listed on the NASDAQ, said in the filing that US-based Uber Technologies Inc holds about 13 percent of
Taiwan is open to joining a global liquefied natural gas (LNG) program if one is created, but on the condition that countries provide delivery even in a scenario where there is a conflict with China, an energy department official said yesterday. While Taiwan’s priority is to have enough LNG at home, the nation is open to exploring potential strategic reserves in other countries such as Japan or South Korea, Energy Administration Deputy Director-General Chen Chung-hsien (陳崇憲) said. While the LNG market does not have a global reserve for emergencies like that of oil, the concept has been raised a few times —
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) yesterday received government approval to deploy its advanced 3-nanometer (3nm) process at its second fab currently under construction in Japan, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said in a news release. The ministry green-lit the plan for the facility in Kumamoto, which is scheduled to start installing equipment and come online in 2028 with a monthly production capacity of 15,000 12-inch wafers, the ministry said. The Department of Investment Review in June 2024 authorized a US$5.26 billion investment for the facility, slated to manufacture 6- to 12nm chips, significantly less advanced than 3nm process. At a meeting with
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