Article Abstract:
Apple is developing a new operating system code-named Rhapsody which will merge the Mac OS with technology acquired through the company's purchase of Next Software. Rhapsody will combine the Mac look and feel with the underlying infrastructure of Next's NextStep, a powerful multiprocessing and multitasking system with protected memory and strong Internet integration. It will offer capabilities lacking in the current Mac OS which are considered essential in a modern operating system. Apple hopes Rhapsody will help it regain lost market share and expects it to improve upon the disastrous Copland project. Developers will be pleased with the comprehensive multimedia support in the new OS, but it will not be available to end users for at least a year. Apple plans a developer release of Rhapsody in summer 1997 and will offer incremental upgrades of the Mac OS in the meantime.
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Article Abstract:
Autodesk's 3D Studio Max for Windows NT, $3,495, is an inspired new version of the CAD software that maximizes the operating environment while providing excellent ease-of-use. The new Windows interface represents a large step forward for Autodesk, with effortless alternation between tasks as well as full editing capacity. The new software version, which runs best with the new Intel Pentium Pro chip, is slated to be optimized for other processor environments as well and has also been opened up to allow third-party engines to be used for individual tasks. The developer API for Max will ship with every copy so that users of all levels can customize their interfaces by writing core components, which are Windows DLLs fully integrated with 3D Studio.
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Article Abstract:
The installation of Be's BeOS Developer Release 8.2 operating system results in various extension conflicts, but many of these are expected to be resolved by the release of the preview version 9.0. BeOS is designed for multiprocessing and performs quickly compared to the Mac Finder. The operating system's multithreading capabilities provide quick response times, even when other applications are running. BeOS's interface combines and updates features from NeXT, UNIX, Mac and Windows 95 operating systems. Most Be application developers are awaiting a more complete release of the OS. Some projects that are underway include a frames-based word processor, Internet browsers and servers, and an object-oriented programming language.
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