Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' to Launch April 29
Ending months of speculation, Apple has announced a final launch date for the next release of Mac OS X. Version 10.4, known as Tiger, will go on sale beginning at 6pm on Friday, April 29. Tiger promises to bring Mac users over 200 new features, including Apple's Spotlight search technology and Dashboard desktop widgets.
Mac OS X version 10.4 reportedly reached "gold master" status at the end of March in preparation for April's launch. Amazon.com recently began taking pre-orders for the new release, which has shot to #1 on the online store's best seller list.
"Mac OS X Tiger is the most innovative and secure desktop operating system ever created," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs in the announcement. "Tiger's groundbreaking new features like Spotlight and Dashboard will change the way people use their computers, and drive our competitors nuts trying to copy them."
Search improvements and 14 bundled widgets aren't the only additions Mac users will find. iChat has been updated with a new video codec that delivers better image quality over the same bandwidth, and enables video conferences with up for four people.
MSN Messenger recently added video conversations, but Microsoft's client displays a commercial before a session begins. Like Messenger, iChat will also display the name of the song a user is currently listening to.
Apple has additionally bolstered its Safari Web browser with a built-in RSS reader. QuickTime, Mail and iCal have all been updated with new features, and a syncing engine is now built directly into Mac OS X.
Like its 10.3 predecessor, Tiger will retail for $129 USD, with a five-license Family Pack available for $199 USD. Customers who purchase a new Mac computer after April 12 can upgrade to Tiger for a $9.95 shipping and handling fee.