Apple Introduces Jaguar, the Next Major Release of Mac OS X

July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) (NASDAQ: AAPL) today introduced Mac OS X version 10.2 "Jaguar," the next major release of Mac OS X featuring more than 150 amazing new features and applications. "Jaguar" includes a new Mail application designed to eliminate junk mail, iChat AIM-compatible instant messenger, a system-wide Address Book, Inkwell handwriting recognition, QuickTime(R) 6 with MPEG-4, improved Universal Access, an enhanced Finder, Sherlock(R) 3 with Internet Services and Rendezvous, Apple's revolutionary home networking technology. Mac OS X v10.2 "Jaguar" will be publicly available August 24 for a suggested retail price of $129 (US).

"Jaguar is light years ahead of Windows XP. There's never been a better time to switch to Mac," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "With Unix at its core, and the most advanced object-oriented environment ever, Mac OS X is delivering more software innovation than our industry has seen in a decade."

"Jaguar" key features include:

-- enhanced Mail, with a breakthrough junk mail filter that gets smarter by studying the contents of messages as it's used, not just filtering emails based on keywords;
-- iChat, Apple's new AIM-compatible instant messaging application that allows users to instantly chat with their AOL and Mac.com buddies through a fun and easy-to-use interface;
-- a new Address Book that allows users to enter information just once and access it from other applications, a brand new interface with a quick way to search through contact information, smart editing, support for vCards, Bluetooth and advanced syncing with Apple's new iSync;
-- Inkwell, advanced handwriting recognition technology that is fully integrated into the text system so that all applications can take full advantage of it with an input tablet;
-- QuickTime 6 with support for MPEG-4, the new worldwide standard for creating and viewing the highest-quality audio and video content over the Internet and on wireless devices such as mobile phones and PDAs;
-- Universal Access with the ability to magnify the screen to see it larger, have highlighted text read aloud and use special keyboard commands such as mouse keys, sticky keys and slow keys;
-- an enhanced Finder, featuring a new quick file search from the toolbar for a better view of files and a faster way to locate them, and the return of spring-loaded folders;
-- Sherlock 3, Apple's all-new Internet Services tool that displays a personalized view of the information users access the most such as stock quotes, maps and restaurants;
-- Rendezvous, Apple's revolutionary home networking technology that enables users to quickly and easily link computers and devices instantly without any configuration via Ethernet, AirPort(R), FireWire(R), USB or Bluetooth;
-- Quartz Extreme, which accelerates graphics performance by using the power of the Mac's built-in graphics engine to make the desktop more responsive and deliver seamlessly blended 2D, 3D and QuickTime content directly onto the desktop;
-- increased compatibility with Windows networks with SMB browsing and sharing as well as built-in PPTP VPN security, making it easier to share files, work with Windows documents and connect to a Windows network; and
-- a rock-solid UNIX-based foundation with significant enhancements including FreeBSD 4.4-and GCC 3.1-based developer tools, making Mac OS X the ultimate platform for UNIX users.

Pricing & Availability
Mac OS X v10.2 "Jaguar" will be available beginning on August 24 through the Apple Store(R) http://www.apple.com, at Apple's retail stores and through Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $129 (US).

The standard Mac OS Up-To-Date upgrade package is available to all customers who purchase a new Mac system on or after July 17 that do not have Mac OS X v10.2 installed. The Mac OS X v10.2 Up-To-Date package is available for a shipping and handling fee of $19.95 (US) and includes the Mac OS X v10.2 upgrade CDs and an updated Developer Tools CD.

Mac OS X v10.2 "Jaguar" requires a minimum of 128MB of memory and is designed to run on the following Apple products: iMac(R), iBook(R), Power Macintosh(R) G3, Power Mac(R) G4, Power Mac G4 Cube and any PowerBook(R) introduced after May 1998.

Quartz Extreme requires a NVIDIA GeForce2 MX, GeForce3, GeForce4 Titanium or GeForce4 MX card or any ATI AGP RADEON card. A minimum of 16MB VRAM is required; 32MB VRAM is recommended for optimum performance.

Apple 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 committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings.