Mac OS X 10.4 will be launched at the end of April

The next version of Mac OS X will be launched on April 29. Tiger includes three major optimizing features: Spotlight which is a universal solution for searching different format documents, Automator, a GUI based solution for automating AppleScript administering tasks and the third feature is the Unix content of OS X.

Actually, Mac OS X 10.4 is offering over 200 novelties related to functions, Dashboard being one of the most important because it introduces "widgets", a new type of application accessories that show up instantaneously and provide information about the stock exchange, weather forecast, exchange rates, etc.

The user's favorite widgets are instantaneously displayed by a simple click, and their closing requires another click. Tiger comes with 14 widgets and because Dashboard is based on web standards like HTML and JavaScript, third party developers will be able to create new widgets.

The new video codec included in the Mac OS X 10.4, H.264, ensures a superior image quality and an improved video streaming. Users will be able to create audio conferences of maximum 10 persons and videoconferences of 4 persons; there is also the possibility of launching a conference in a 3D virtual room.

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger will be available starting with April 29 and will cost 129 euros. Users who will buy a Mac system starting with April 12 from authorized retailers or AppleStore will have the opportunity of upgrading their operating system to Tiger; this process will cost 17.99 Euros.

Tiger requires a minimum of 256 MB of memory and a Macintosh system fitted with a G3, G4 or G5 processor, but also an integrated FireWire port. The Mac OS X 10.4 will be completely compatible with Mac minis, the most recent members of the Mac family