14 DAY TRIAL // Oracle VM VirtualBox 4.0 is here, a major release that brings quite a few changes and new features, on top of the bug-fixing, broader hardware support and the typical set of changes in any new version.
Some of the highlights of VirtualBox 4.0 are support for an extension platform, enabling developers to expand the capabilities of the virtualization software, better support for more virtual displays and performance improvements in the storage subsystems.
"Oracle VM VirtualBox 4.0 is the third major product release in just over a year, and adds to the many new product releases across the Oracle Virtualisation product line, illustrating the investment and importance that Oracle places on providing a comprehensive desktop to datacenter virtualisation solution," Wim Coekaerts, senior vice president of Linux and Virtualisation Engineering at Oracle, said.
"With an improved user interface and added virtual hardware support, customers will find Oracle VM VirtualBox 4.0 provides a richer user experience," he added.
Oracle has provided binaries of the latest VM VirtualBox 4.0 for all platforms supported, Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Solaris for both 32-bit and 64-bit platforms.
The open-source version, VirtualBox OSE has also been updated and source code for the 4.0 iteration has been made available so packaged versions of the open source edition will be available as soon as maintainers update them.
One of the big changes in VirtualBox 4.0 is support for Extension Packs, which enable developers to expand the functionality using a built-in platform. This modular approach should make it easier to customize your install for your exact needs.
VirtualBox 4.0 is a useful upgrade for those needing support for multiple displays. They can now view more virtual displays on their existing monitors. There are several other big improvements as well as plenty of fixes and smaller changes. You can check out the full changelog here.
Oracle VM VirtualBox 4.0 is available for download here on Softpedia.