Apple Introduces Mac OS 8.5--The Must-Have Upgrade

Sherlock Search Technology, Fastest Network Performance and Native AppleScript Add Up to Best Mac OS Ever

Cupertino, California--Oct. 14, 1998--Apple Computer, Inc. today announced Mac OS 8.5, the must-have operating system (OS) upgrade for the Macintosh. Mac OS 8.5 delivers Sherlock, Apple's revolutionary new search technology; the fastest network copy performance ever; and PowerPC native AppleScript for greater speed and system automation. Mac OS 8.5 will also be the first mainstream OS to be available around the world in eight major languages when it ships on Saturday, October 17.

"Mac OS 8.5 is a must-have upgrade for all PowerPC Macintosh users," said Steve Jobs, Apple's interim CEO. "Sherlock, network performance that beats NT, and improved AppleScript capabilities make Mac OS 8.5 the best performing, most automated, and easiest-to-use Mac OS ever."

Leading the over 70 new features and technologies in Mac OS 8.5 are:

• Sherlock, the personal search detective that allows users to find information on their Macintosh and the Internet quickly and easily.
• Improved network copy performance that is faster than Windows NT.
• PowerPC-native AppleScript that is up to five times faster, provides control of nearly all aspects of the Mac OS and includes the ability to attach scripts to folders for easily automating tasks.
• A simplified installation process that allows most customers to upgrade in less than 15 minutes. Installs can be saved for reuse and there is now support for simultaneous "push" installs of Mac OS 8.5 on networked Macs, using Apple Network Assistant.
• QuickTime 3, the latest version of Apple's industry-leading software for digital media publishing and play-back.
• Multilingual Internet Access for viewing websites and e-mail messages from around the world in almost any language.
• Support for the new Euro currency symbol.

In Mac OS 8.5, the "Find" feature has been super-charged with Apple's innovative Sherlock technology. Sherlock allows users to search for any information on their computer or the Internet and quickly receive a list of results ranked by relevancy. When searching the Internet, Sherlock utilizes powerful search engines, such as AltaVista, Encyclopedia.com, Excite!, Infoseek, and Lycos to provide comprehensive results in an intuitive interface. Additional plug-ins for other popular Internet sites will soon be made available through Apple's website (http://www.Apple.com/). Sherlock can find information on a user's computer not just by a document's title but by its content as well. Sherlock can also summarize documents, regardless of their length, to one or two paragraphs.

Performing tasks in a network environment has been greatly improved with Mac OS 8.5 and copy performance is faster than Windows NT and twice as fast as Mac OS 8.1 when copying files across 100 megabit Ethernet networks. In addition, Mac OS 8.5 provides Direct Printing which allows PICT, PostScript, EPS and JPEG files to be dragged to a desktop printer for immediate printing without having to launch an application. User productivity is improved in Mac OS 8.5 with the new network browser which provides easy navigation of network zones, servers and volumes using a Finder-like interface.

AppleScript is PowerPC native in Mac OS 8.5 and is now up to five times faster than previous versions. In addition, Mac OS functions such as network configuration, printing, ColorSync and Sherlock searches are now scriptable. AppleScript Folder Actions are also introduced with Mac OS 8.5, allowing scripts attached to folders to respond to any activity associated with a folder - such as opening or closing, moving or resizing, and adding or removing files. This enables the automation of simple tasks or even complex workflows.

Mac OS 8.5's simplified installation process allows customers to upgrade their Macintosh and be on the Internet in 15 minutes or less. With 30 free days of Internet access (North America only) Mac OS 8.5 includes the most widely used Internet tools for Macintosh: Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 is bundled as the default browser and Microsoft Outlook Express 4.01 is the default e-mail client; Netscape Navigator 4.0.5 and America Online 4.0 are also included.

Pricing, Availability & System Requirements
Mac OS 8.5 will be available in the United States, Asia, Canada, Europe and Japan on Saturday, October 17. Mac OS 8.5 can be purchased from Apple-authorized resellers and The Apple Store (www.Apple.com) for the estimated retail price of U.S. $99. The full retail version of the product includes QuickTime 3 Pro, with a value of $29.99, free of charge to customers who register.

Apple Macintosh computers will begin shipping with Mac OS 8.5 in the following weeks. Customers who have purchased a Macintosh or Mac OS 8.1 since September 17, 1998 will be able to purchase Mac OS 8.5 for U.S. $19.95. All iMac customers will be eligible for this offer regardless of when they purchased their computer. For more information, visit Apple's Mac OS website (http://www.apple.com/macos).

Mac OS 8.5 requires an Apple Mac OS-based computer with a PowerPC processor and 16MB of physical RAM with virtual memory set to at least 24MB. Computers with Apple PC Compatibility Cards are not supported.

Apple Computer, Inc. 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 now recommitted to its original mission--to bring the best personal computing products and support to students, educators, designers, scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140 countries around the world.

Press Contacts:
Staci Sheppard
Apple Computer, Inc.
(408) 974-8404
sheppard@apple.com
 

Russell Brady
Apple Computer, Inc.
(408) 974-6877
brady2@apple.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's PR website (http://www.apple.com/pr/), call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042, or Emma Duckenfield at our PR agency, Edelman Worldwide, at (650) 968-4033, extension 1034.

Apple, the Apple logo, AppleScript, ColorSync, Macintosh, and QuickTime are registered trademarks and iMac is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.