Apple has upgraded their previous Mac OS X Leopard and will become available in September 2009. Called Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the new operating system will “feel faster, more responsive and even more reliable than before,” says Bertrand Serlet, Apple’s senior VP of Software Engineering.
Snow Leopard is a 64-bit UNIX server operating system meant to handle growing technology such as multi-core processors and large memory demands while still remaining compatible with 32-bit programs. Compared to its predecessor, Snow Leopard can run twice as fast.
The main focus in creating Snow Leopard was to refine many of the tasks it performs in order to achieve greater system response. Now, features of the previous model, such as Finder, will respond with greater efficiency. For instance, in comparison to Leopard, Snow Leopard produces an 85% increase in message load time and 90% faster message searching in Mail; a 50% faster initial backup with Time Machine; and 50% better JavaScript performance in Safari 4.
Snow Leopard also comes with several new features. Podcast Producer 2 simplifies podcast production from start to finish, making it possible to record, edit, refine, and then upload to a variety of platforms. QuickTime X similarly mediates the video and audio processes with a redesigned player for viewing, editing, and uploading to YouTube, MobileMe, and iTunes. Snow Leopard features a number of new servers, including a mail server to alert users of new emails immediately; iCal which will now include web-based calendar access; a new Address Book server for more organized contacts between multiple Macs and iPhones; and Wiki Server 2 which facilitates wiki-powered web publishing and blogging.
Synchronisation between the desktop and the iPhone has never been easier than with Snow Leopard, which comes ready to integrate the iPhone in a number of its server updates. Wiki Server 2, Address Book, iCal, and more all have mentions of the intent to incorporate iPhone data. Mobile Access Server is a new feature that provides secure, firewalled access for the iPhone to protected networks. Additionally, the iPhone Configuration Utility organises multiple iPhones.
Users with sight disabilities will have the option to activate the VoiceOver screen reader in combination with the trackpad, making it possible to hear where the cursor is landing. Snow Leopard also comes ready for Braille displays.
Current Mac owners will be able to upgrade to Snow Leopard in September. Prices will become available then.
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