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Developers are already trumpeting an assortment of new applications for Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) Macintosh OS X operating system, dubbed Tiger, from translation to anti-virus software, experts say. But the new OS also is having compatibility problems with certain networking technologies, like Cisco Systems (Nasdaq: CSCO)' VPN (virtual private network), and this means Tiger's debut is turning out to be less spectacular than anticipated for Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple.
According to Peter Davis, product line manager for remote-access VPNs at Cisco, Mac users need to delay upgrade plans for now. Cisco had a goal of having the VPN for Mac OS 10.4 available in time for the launch but did not meet that deadline. "The dates just didn't line up," he said.
Launching a Cisco VPN client on a Mac with the Tiger OS will result only in an error message -- not in a connection to the network.
Improving with Time
Still, Mac users, especially small businesses, should not be completely disappointed, as a number of other applications are working quite well for the OS, and problems are commonly encountered when new operating systems debut.
"With each release of OS X, the Mac OS becomes more helpful," said Deborah Shadovitz, an author, trainer, and producer of last week's Mac Gathering show in North Hollywood, Calif. "I measure an OS update's worth by the time it saves the user. If you pay US$129, will you make that back in the time you use it? With Tiger, Apple's done it again. You'll easily save this much time -- even at minimum wage."
The new OS provides users with a "dashboard" to help them find information right away on the screen, "smart folders" to make organization of files easier, a "preview" function that makes it easier to collaborate on the creation of a document with others, and a "spotlight" feature that gives users instant access to documents, said Shadovitz.
Third-Party Apps
Third-party developers are also coming out with applications that will likely increase the ease of use, and security, of the Mac OS, experts said.
One app, which debuted right around the time the new OS premiered, is the Ultralingua 5.09, produced by Minneapolis-based Ultralingua. The software provides multilingual dictionaries, grammar and spell-checkers, and reverse translation of Italian, German, English and French. The software upgrade for the Tiger includes a "dashboard widget, which users can access Ultralingua with a simple click, and grab a translation on the fly," said Chad Johnson, the general manager of Ultralingua.
Anti-virus software developer, Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC), also debuted a new Norton Antivirus 10.0 for the Macintosh. The software features a "global threat assessment" which can be accessed through the operating system's dashboard.
Though the market for the Tiger is small, Symantec came out with the new software, out of the belief that "in today's fast-paced online threat environment, it is important for Symantec to offer secure protection at all end points," said Matthew Moynahan, vice president of consumer products and solutions at Symantec, Inc., based in Cupertino, Calif.
Products Appearing
Other developers, like diagramming and drawing software maker from The Omni Group, and Internet telephony software developer PhoneValet, also debuted new software, immediately after, or simultaneous to, the Apple operating system's debut.
Hardware developers also came out with new technologies said to be compatible with the Tiger operating system, including new printers from Palo Alto, Calif.-based HP (NYSE: HPQ) for the small and medium sized business market.
The printers start at the low price point of $399. According to analyst Peter Grant of Gartner (NYSE: IT), the small and medium business market is a great niche for those printers. "Color [printing] has been growing in popularity because of lower prices and faster print speeds," said Grant.
The developer of the Macintosh CPU upgrade, PowerLogix, said that its G3 and G4 upgrades are compatible with Tiger, and that users who are using the processors can upgrade to Tiger. "We don't want people to worry that if they are using a PowerLogix processor they can't upgrade to Tiger, because they can," said Larry O'Connor, president of Other World Computing, a reseller of the CPU upgrades.
New Niche?
Ultimately, the Tiger operating system demonstrates that Mac is moving away from its traditional niche of providing computers to homes, schools, and creative firms such as advertising agencies, and now targeting small business in general with its offerings, experts said.
"As the lifeblood of the U.S. economy, small business leaders need to be highly efficient and to take advantage of new tools to help them remain vital," said Shadovitz.
Tiger is perfect for small businesses, she added. The operating system's 10-way audio chat, and three way video conferencing, enable small businesses to demonstrate ideas from a distance. "I've presented at meetings without making an hour-long drive," said Shadovitz. "And the audience got a kick out of it."
