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Apple debuts Windows-enabling 'Boot Camp' software(Comtex Business Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Invalid DateTime. (New World Publishing via COMTEX) --Bringing together what until now have seemed like two irreconcilably opposed camps, Apple Computer, Inc. recently introduced "Boot Camp," beta or trial software that enables Intel-based Macs to run Microsoft's Windows XP without moving or corrupting their Mac data. Many might inevitably ask what has prompted such a move, given that Apple's "cult" users are generally vehemently opposed to the mass-market Microsoft operating system (OS). Boot Camp technically offers the possibility to start up your new Mac with either Mac OS or with Windows, explained Emanuele Massimo, general manager of Apple IMC Hungary, the local representative of Apple Computer. "The point of this is absolutely not that customers buy these machines and only use Windows on them. That, of course, would make no sense," Massimo stressed. Rather, he added, the idea behind Boot Camp is to bring to the Mac OS platform people that are hesitant to "switch" operating system due to various reasons. Mac users themselves, it should be noted, boast of a super-robust operating system that never breaks down and is virtually virus-free. Many Mac users tend to be specialist users, such as designers. But as Apple sweeps the world with its iPod, the company apparently feels the time is right to channel this interest into its computing line. Available as a download, Boot Camp allows users with a Microsoft Windows XP installation disc to install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac, and - once installation is complete - to restart their computer to run either Mac OS X or Windows XP. "This solution makes their transition from one platform [Windows] to Mac OS easier. It is not targeted at Apple users, but at Windows users wanting to switch to Mac OS," Massimo said. "Apple has no desire or plan to sell or support Windows, but many customers have expressed their interest to run Windows on Apple's superior hardware now that we use Intel processors," explained Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing. "We think Boot Camp makes the Mac even more appealing to Windows users considering making the switch." Boot Camp will be a feature of "Leopard," Apple's next major release of Mac OS X, which will be previewed at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in August. The public beta of Boot Camp, in the meantime, is available immediately as downloadable preview software licensed for use on a trial basis for a limited time. Boot Camp requires an Intel-based Mac with a USB keyboard and mouse, or a built-in keyboard and TrackPad; the Mac OS X version 10.4.6 or later; the latest firmware update; at least 10 GB of free space on the startup disk; a blank recordable CD or DVD; and a single-disc version of Windows XP Home Edition or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later. Hey Judge Apple Computer has recently also become entangled, albeit indirectly, with another kind of Mac - none other than Paul McCartney. Together with fellow former Beatle Ringo Starr and the families of George Harrison and John Lennon, McCartney controls the legendary Apple Corps Ltd. record label. Apple Computer has come out smiling, thus far anyway. The Apple Corps record label had attempted to sue Apple Computer over its breaching of a $26 million deal struck in 1991 that supposedly ensured that the music industry would remain a one-Apple show. Today, however, a staggering 3 million songs are downloaded from Apple Computer's iTunes service daily. London's High Court ruled that Apple Computer used its Apple logo in association with its store, not the music, and so was not in breach of the 1991 agreement. Thus, Apple Computer's iPods and iTunes will still be permitted to carry the Apple name and logo. However, the record label is set to appeal in a bid to stop the Apple logo being associated with the music side of the Apple Computer business empire. It's perhaps worth observing that despite Apple Computer's lack of adherence to the earlier agreement, The Beatles' record label features a whole Granny Smith apple, while Apple Computer's iPods and iTunes carry the logo of an apple that has had a chunk bitten out of it - quite a different image. Apple Computer's chief executive remained buoyant and optimistic about future cooperation with the Apple record label. "We've always loved The Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store," he was quoted as saying on the BBC's website. It seems unlikely, however, that the Beatles will "Let it be" for the time being. Here comes the Sun Sun Microsystems recently launched its well-received StarOffice 8.0 software package in the Hungarian language. StarOffice 8.0 is compatible with MS Windows, Linux and Solaris operating systems. The company claims that it is a genuine and economic alternative to existing office software architecture, and many reviewers agree. "By far the most powerful and compatible alternative to Office, almost entirely open-source," is how PC Magazine described the package. With volume pricing as low as $35 per RTU license, the software delivers enhanced productivity at roughly one-fifth of the cost of Microsoft Office, which makes it especially appealing to SMEs. The software is distributed in Hungary by local Sun partner Open SKM Agency Kft. BT goes mobile again Just as with the Apple-Microsoft rapprochement, convergence is characterizing the world of telecom as phones take over the functions of computers and vice versa. Also, certain telecom companies are evolving into major IT players. And now fixed-line phones are becoming mobile, so to speak. U.K. telecom giant British Telecommunications Plc (BT) has worked hard over the last dozen or so years at developing itself to become much more than a fixed-line telecom operator. To do this, it has embraced the world of IT, so much so that its "new wave" of income from network IT services, including security, outsourcing, IP telephony, etc, is more than making up for what is being lost on fixed-line operations. Revenue from these new operations exceeded half of BT's total revenue from fixed-line for the first time in the first quarter of 2005. BT earlier sold off its mobile wing BT Cellnet, which was incorporated into O2. However, it has since teamed up with fellow British telecom heavyweight Vodafone in the U.K., with Motorola providing handsets, to launch the fixed/mobile combo BT Fusion. With this service, the user's mobile phone switches to cheaper fixed-line rates in the home or office environment. In the wake of the launch of BT Fusion, the "intelligent" fixed/mobile phone for consumers and small businesses, BT has announced its plans for a new fixed/mobile converged service for large businesses and multinational corporations both in and outside the U.K. This new solution will utilize Wi-Fi as the interface to the fixed network in locations such as the office, home, and BT Openzone hotspots. The new enterprise solution will be part of a suite of services that will offer large businesses the chance to bring their fixed and mobile services together and to run a common set of applications and calling features across an integrated IP broadband network. BT has more than 200 corporate customers in Hungary, and is using the country as a base to target the entire CEE region. The Information is a regular column looking into how information technology can help make business easier. The author can be contacted at [email protected]. Budapest Business Journal |