Panda Cloud Antivirus now compatible with Windows 7

January 20, 2010 · Filed Under Software News · Comment 

Panda Security’s industry acclaimed free antivirus service, Panda Cloud Antivirus, has received Microsoft’s ‘Compatible with Windows 7′ certification after passing the company’s quality checks for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.

Since the launch of Panda Cloud Antivirus on November 10, 2009, millions of users have enjoyed the simplest, most effective and easy-to-use protection on the market.

Panda Cloud Antivirus is the world’s first free antivirus service that provides real-time protection against the newest and most dangerous viruses. This level of protection is made possible because Panda gathers malware information from its global community of users in the cloud to automatically process malware strains in minutes, versus hours or even days compared to other products. Panda’s approach combines local detection technologies with real-time cloud scanning to maximize protection while significantly minimizing the impact on PC performance.

Panda Cloud Antivirus has recently won the PCMag.com Editor’s Choice Award for Best Free Antivirus, as well as top honors in PCWorld’s comparative review of free antivirus software. Panda Cloud Antivirus is available for download free of charge at www.cloudantivirus.com.

Source: Panda Security

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

VASCO Data Security launches DIGIPASS Authentication for Windows Logon

November 3, 2009 · Filed Under Security Software, Software News · Comment 

VASCO Data Security Inc. announced the launch of ‘DIGIPASS Authentication for Windows Logon’. DIGIPASS Authentication for Windows Logon offers companies of all size a cost effective way of protecting their Windows PCs which are connected to the corporate network, against unauthorised access.

With the availability of ‘DIGIPASS Authentication for Windows Logon’ VASCO also announces the availability of IDENTIKEY Server Enterprise Edition. IDENTIKEY is VASCO’s comprehensive authentication server for network and application security offering OTP and e-signature capability.

IDENTIKEY Server Enterprise Edition

With IDENTIKEY Server Enterprise Edition, VASCO makes IDENTIKEY based strong authentication available to a vaster range of enterprises from large companies to smaller enterprises, starting at 5 users. VASCO’s IDENTIKEY offering consists of a number of standard packages:

Standard Edition: includes authentication through RADIUS on a single server
Gold Edition: comprises authentication through RADIUS and on IIS-based applications and can be installed on a Primary server with replication on a backup server
Enterprise Edition: includes authentication through RADIUS and on IIS-based applications, as well as internet hosted business applications and offers DIGIPASS Authentication for Windows Logon.  This edition includes licenses for 7 servers.

The solution is made extremely convenient and simple, which makes it suitable for VASCO’s channel partners to implement and straightforward for the SME to use. Furthermore the solution is highly scalable: applications and users can easily be added as the company grows.

Traditionally companies start to secure their remote access with DIGIPASS strong user authentication. The use of static password, the weakest link when it comes down to security, is replaced with a dynamic One-Time Password (OTP) generated by DIGIPASS®.

As their understanding of strong authentication grows, they look to secure other applications with the same DIGIPASS, like portals, e-commerce, online applications.

Large enterprises increasingly look at authentication to secure their business critical applications including CRM, ERP, payroll systems, SaaS-applications,… These enterprises often have offices all over the world and largely depend on network infrastructure to communicate between offices. IDENTIKEY Enterprise Edition is ideally suited for distributed environments: it can be installed on up to 7 servers offering a high availability solution for authentication and supporting the distributed working environments of large enterprises.

IDENTIKEY is based on VASCO’s core VACMAN® technology and customers can choose from a wide range of DIGIPASS authenticators, both hardware and software based, which best fit the need of the end-user.

DIGIPASS Authentication for Windows Logon

DIGIPASS Authentication for Windows Logon offers companies of all size a cost effective way of protecting their Windows PCs which are connected to the corporate network, against unauthorised access. Even when laptops are not connected to the LAN, they remain protected, increasing the security of data stored on them in case they go missing or get stolen.

‘DIGIPASS Authentication for Windows Logon’, a feature of IDENTIKEY Enterprise Edition, is installed as a small software module on the end user’s Windows environment. It can be installed on desktop PCs and laptops that are connected to the corporate network. As soon as ‘DIGIPASS Authentication for Windows Logon’ is setup, it replaces the original login window by a version that will send the login credentials to IDENTIKEY Server for verification.

When laptops are used outside the corporate network, for instance on the road or at home, the log-on module will work in unconnected mode, allowing the same strong authentication functionality as in connected mode. If the computer works in unconnected mode, the login credentials are validated against a local database of one-time passwords. These OTPs are generated when the PC is working in connected mode, and they are securely encrypted and stored. With thousands of OTPs generated upfront, the user can work for several weeks in unconnected mode.

“The need for authentication is only growing. With IDENTIKEY and a single DIGIPASS, enterprises can secure the access to corporate networks, applications and business critical data. With the extension of the IDENTIKEY product-line with standard packaged solutions and adding DIGIPASS Authentication for Windows Logon, we are able to reach out to more enterprises, ranging from the 5-employee enterprise to the multi-national with several offices worldwide,” says Jan Valcke, President and COO at VASCO Data Security.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Microsoft simplifies the PC with Windows 7

October 23, 2009 · Filed Under Software News, Utilities and Operating Systems · Comment 

New PC operating system available worldwide today.

Microsoft Corp. announced the worldwide availability of its new Windows 7 operating system. Windows 7 delivers on a simple premise: make it easier for people to do the things they want on a PC. The new operating system offers a streamlined user interface and significant new features that make everyday tasks easier and allow people to get the most out of computers of all styles and sizes.

“With Windows 7, there’s never been a better time to be a PC,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “Together with our partners, we’re bringing more choice, flexibility and value to the market than ever before. With Windows 7, you’re sure to find a PC that fits your life.”

Building Windows 7 has been a collaborative process from the beginning, with Microsoft’s engineers and designers working with customers and partners to build an operating system that delivers on the vision of the PC, simplified. In a speech in New York, Ballmer thanked the millions of volunteers who helped improve the product by testing early versions.

“A project with the global customer reach of Windows can only be done as a team,” said Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft, speaking at a launch event in Tokyo. “We are grateful for the valuable contributions from customers, partners and developers around the world that helped make Windows 7 such a collaborative project.”

On Sale Worldwide Today

The global availability of Windows 7 is joined by an unprecedented array of new PCs and software programs. With more PC options available for customers today at a wide range of price points starting under $300, customers can choose the PC that fits their personality, style and needs, from netbooks, ultrathin notebooks and highly interactive multitouch laptops to all-in-one desktops and high-end, water-cooled gaming machines.

A newly launched section of Windows.com called PC Scout will guide users through selecting and purchasing the right PC. Customers can purchase PCs with Windows 7 or software upgrades online or in-store from technology retailers or at the new Microsoft Store, launching today in its first retail location in Scottsdale, Ariz., and expanded online. Retailers and technology partners are also featuring a series of limited-time offers for customers looking for great deals on Windows 7-based PCs, devices and software. Information on these offers can be found at http://www.windows.com/.

To show how Windows 7 simplifies the PC, today Microsoft is launching the next wave of its global “I’m a PC” campaign. The global enthusiasm of Windows users is also contributing to the way many people around the world will experience Windows 7 for the first time. Tens of thousands of customers have volunteered to host launch parties or meet-ups beginning today, showing off Windows 7 to friends and family members.

Simplifying the PC

Over the past 18 months, feedback from more than a billion opt-in customer sessions and 8 million beta testers validated Microsoft’s research on how to simplify everyday tasks. Here are a few of the many ways users will experience a more simplified PC with Windows 7:

Simplifies Everyday Tasks
Taskbar. The go-to spot for launching programs and switching windows, the taskbar has been completely redesigned to help users work smarter, cut clutter, and get more done, with features such as thumbnail previews of Web pages, documents — even running video.
HomeGroup. Users can easily share their files and printers with other PCs running Windows 7 in their home.
Windows 7 Device Stage. This shows the status of all connected devices such as cameras and mobile phones, and makes it easier to synchronize and manage them.
Photos and videos. Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker (available via download) offer customers great, free options to edit photos and videos and easily share them with loved ones.
Snap. Users can drag an open window to the screen’s border to automatically re-size it. Snap two different windows to the left and right borders for a perfect comparison.
Shake. Users can click on a window pane and shake the mouse to minimize all other open windows, then shake the pane again to restore the windows to their original sizes.
Internet Explorer 8. Microsoft’s fastest, easiest and safest browser ever offers smart new features such as Instant Search, Accelerators and Web Slices to help users get more out of the Web.

Works the Way Users Want
Faster on, faster off. Every Windows 7 user will benefit from the focus on underlying performance, faster startup, resuming and shut down time, and enhanced power management.
Mobile made easier. All of a user’s mobile computing settings are in one place with the Windows Mobility Center.
Protecting the PC. Safeguarding the data on a PC is easier with advanced backup capabilities and the free Microsoft Security Essentials download to help protect users against viruses, spyware and other malicious software.

Makes New Things Possible
Windows Touch. Users can interact with the PC with a touch-screen monitor, using their fingers and multitouch gestures.
PlayTo. Users can stream their digital music, videos and photos to other PCs or devices such as an Xbox 360 console connected to the TV.
Internet TV. New content providers and an improved interface make it even easier to watch TV on the PC.
Rich gaming and graphics. Windows 7 includes performance enhancements that take power gaming and entertainment to a new level, with 64-bit support and DirectX 11 graphics.
Location-aware printing. Documents are sent to the right printer whether it’s at home or at the office. And with Offline Files users can work offline and automatically synchronize between a PC and documents on their office network.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Printing with Windows Small Business Server 2008

October 16, 2009 · Filed Under Productivity Software, Software News · Comment 

ThinPrint simplifies Remote Web Workplace printing

Print-optimization specialist ThinPrint is now offering new product versions for the Windows Small Business Server. The .print RDP Engine for Remote Web Workplace 7.6 and .print for Remote Web Workplace 7.6 optimize printing for users who use the Remote Web Workplace to access a remote terminal server or desktop via a web browser.

The Windows Small Business Server tends to be utilized by small and mid-sized companies with up to 75 workstations or users. Remote Web Workplace, a feature of the Small Business Server, allows smaller branch offices, mobile employees and home workstations to access a terminal server or a remote desktop via a secure web session (https).

The .print RDP Engine for Remote Web Workplace provides locally available printers when a user accesses the terminal server with Remote Web Workplace, while the .print for Remote Web Workplace solution provides this when a user connects to a desktop with Remote Web Workplace. Access to the Remote Web Workplace printing functions becomes quick and easy in each case. In addition, the print data transferred by both .print solutions is highly compressed, meaning that it reaches the printer rapidly while conserving bandwidth.

Thanks to ThinPrint’s DRIVER FREE PRINTING technology, no printer drivers have to be installed on the company’s Small Business Server, the terminal server or desktop. All locally available printers can automatically be accessed by users via the internet. Both SBS printing solutions feature plug and play installation.

Available as 32-bit or 64-bit versions, both are already compatible with Windows 7 and support Windows Small Business Server 2003, as well as 2008.

The .print Engine for Remote Web Workplace, which facilitates access to remote desktops and enables Remote Web Workplace printing, is now available for 69 USD from the manufacturer’s online shop at http://www.thinprint.com/shop. The software can also be purchased from any of ThinPrint’s 500 partners worldwide.

Free 30-day demo versions of Remote Web Workplace printing, Remote printing, SBC printing, RDP printing and Virtual printing can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website at http://www.thinprint.com/demo.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Panda Security announces Windows 7 compatibility for all 2010 Consumer Solutions

September 18, 2009 · Filed Under Security Software, Software News · Comment 

Users can download free beta version from http://www.pandasecurity.com/windows7

Panda Security, the Cloud Security Company, announced that PandaLabs, the company’s laboratory for detecting and analyzing malware, has launched a beta version of its Panda 2010 security solutions to be compatible with the Windows 7 beta. Users who have installed the beta version of the new Microsoft operating system will benefit from the best protection against malware. The general release version will be available as soon as the new operating system is launched on October 22.

Panda’s 2010 solutions use Collective Intelligence, the company’s exclusive cloud-computing technology, to leverage the knowledge gathered from the community of millions of Panda users around the world. Each new file received is classified automatically within six minutes. The Collective Intelligence servers automatically classify more than 50,000 new malware samples every day. These technologies correlate information on malware received from each computer to continuously improve the protection level for the worldwide community of users. In addition, Panda’s 2010 solutions have perpetual, real-time contact with this vast knowledge base, guaranteeing users the fastest response against new malware that appears every day.

The new Panda 2010 solutions, recently launched on the market, are designed specifically to offer maximum protection with minimum resource consumption. The new 2010 product line has achieved an 80 percent performance improvement compared to previous versions. Panda’s new retail solutions also deliver 60 percent improved browsing speed and 40 percent improved download speed over previous versions, consuming just 8 MB of PC memory.

Source

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Microsoft delivers Windows 7-based Windows Embedded Standard 2011 Community Technology Preview

September 1, 2009 · Filed Under Software News, Utilities and Operating Systems · Comment 

Windows Embedded Standard 2011 CTP available for download today to involve Microsoft’s worldwide developer community in the release of the next-generation Windows platform for specialised devices.

Microsoft Corp released the Windows 7-based Windows Embedded Standard 2011 (formerly code-named “Quebec”) Community Technology Preview (CTP) to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and developers of specialised devices worldwide through its immediate public availability at http://connect.microsoft.com/windowsembedded. Windows Embedded Standard 2011 delivers the latest Windows 7 technologies to OEMs, enabling them to bring high-performing specialised devices to market faster, to differentiate those devices through innovative user experiences, and to delight their customers with devices that extend the Windows user experience to specialised devices from Windows-based PCs, servers and online services.

“To meet the demand for improved user experiences and connectivity among today’s rapidly growing categories of specialised devices, Microsoft has strategically planned the release of Windows 7-based technologies to OEMs in the embedded marketplace,” said Kevin Dallas, general manager of the Windows Embedded Business at Microsoft. “The availability of the Windows Embedded Standard 2011 CTP empowers our worldwide ecosystem of OEMs, partners and developers to take advantage of the next-generation platform’s enhanced Windows 7-based features and provide feedback prior to its general release to manufacturing. We encourage the embedded community to take full advantage of the CTP’s availability and join in our excitement as we look ahead to the future availability of Windows Embedded platforms incorporating Windows 7 technologies.”

Windows 7 Features and Functionality Available in Windows Embedded Standard 2011

Windows Embedded Standard 2011 delivers the power, familiarity and reliability of the Windows 7 operating system in a highly customisable and componentised form, enabling OEMs in industrial automation, entertainment, consumer electronics and other markets to focus on their core competencies and create product differentiation. Instead of investing in platform development, Windows Embedded Standard 2011 allows OEMs to choose only the components they need to tailor the platform to meet the unique requirements of their device. Familiar, easy-to-use development tools and embedded-enabling features help to further reduce development costs and increase speed to market for thin-client, point-of-service (POS), kiosk, medical, multifunction printers and other devices.

Windows Embedded Standard 2011 capabilities and features include these:
– Enterprise Equipped with the ability for organisations to seamlessly extend existing investments in technology management and infrastructure to devices by using Active Directory group policies and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, as well as increased interoperability for client server scenarios with Microsoft Terminal Services and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
– Latest Windows technology innovations to enhance user experiences on specialised devices through the security of Internet Explorer 8, enhanced media capabilities of Windows Media Player 12, improved client server with Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 7.0 and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
– Rich, immersive user experiences with support for 64-bit CPUs, Windows Aero user interface, Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Touch (multigesture touch interfaces and context-aware applications) and Windows Flip 3D navigation
– The ability to develop “green” solutions with smart power management APIs for developers to build applications that can improve CPU idle time and reduce power consumption

ESC Boston

During the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) Boston (21-24 Sept at the Hynes Convention Center), Kevin Dallas, general manager of the Windows Embedded Business Unit at Microsoft, will deliver an industry keynote address on Tuesday, 22 Sept, at 10.30am. Dallas will detail how the Windows Embedded software-plus-services platform enables developers and OEMs to provide the unique value of Windows on specialised devices, as well as sharing a Windows Embedded product road map update.

Microsoft will also be participating in TechInsights’ “Build Your Own Embedded System” seminars, enabling attendees to take home a custom-configured design kit based on Windows Embedded Standard 2011. Conferencegoers can visit the Microsoft booth (No 400) or http://esc-boston.techinsightsevents.com/ for more information.

Community Resources Available Pre- and Post-Launch

A Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification, preparation kit and training courseware will be available for Windows Embedded Standard 2011 during the timeframe of its release to manufacturing (RTM), approximately the second half of 2010. Additional Windows Embedded training opportunities can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/about/training.mspx.

Microsoft will also host a series of five free webinars exploring the enhanced functionality, networking capabilities, improved security and reliability of Windows Embedded Standard 2011. Participants can register at https://swrt.worktankseattle.com/webcast/2672/preview.aspx. A full listing of additional technical events and seminars can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/news/events/default.mspx.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Hitachi Software supercharges reliability and ease of use with introduction of StarBoard Software version 9.0 for Windows

August 6, 2009 · Filed Under Software News, Utilities and Operating Systems · Comment 

New StarBoard Software For Windows Users Offers More Interactive, Easy To Use and Intuitive Interface

In a move that brings a higher level of interactivity and integration with the use of the award-winning StarBoard, Hitachi announced the introduction of Starboard Software version 9.0 for Windows™.  The software offers Windows users a more comprehensive software solution to take advantage of the features and functionality of the Hitachi StarBoard.

Featuring a highly interactive interface, StarBoard Software 9.0 was designed with an eye on the industry-wide trend surrounding operating systems that are migrating towards operations with touch capability.  The software’s icons are more intuitive and provide users with a natural sense of functionality.

Hitachi StarBoard Software 9.0 for Windows offers users similar functionality as its Mac version.   A new live desktop mode allows users to ink on YouTube™ videos or any animation on their computers without having to take screen shots or freeze frames. Additionally, a user can drag tools from the toolbar and drop them onto a page offering a more customizable interface.  For example, this feature allows a math teacher to place a protractor tool directly on a page so a student has the ability to activate it easily, as opposed to navigating through the menus.

The software also allows FX DUO board users to perform multi-touch gestures, such as pinching, to rotate and resize images as well as an improved multi-input pad that allows two users to write on the board simultaneously.

“The Hitachi StarBoard Software 9.0 is the next step in providing our Windows users with the same great features that Mac users have benefited from.  Hitachi is committed to providing all users with an easy-to-use interface that takes full advantage of the technology of the FX DUO. We believe the added features greatly improve this software and provide Windows users with the strongest software solution,” stated John Glad, product manager for Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc., Business Group.

Tags: , ,

Two free HyperStudio 5 players for Windows and Internet Explorer

July 1, 2009 · Filed Under Downloads, Home Software, Internet Software, Software News · Comment 

Software MacKiev, an award-winning software developer and publisher, and Roger Wagner, the creator and designer of HyperStudio(R), announced today the debut of HyperStudio 5 for Windows and the release of HyperStudio 5 Players for Windows and Internet Explorer.

The Windows and Mac version of HyperStudio are being presented at the NECC conference in the Software MacKiev Booth # 1412 in several different venues – from informal presentations in “Roger’s Bistro” by Roger Wagner, creator and designer of HyperStudio, to educators and middle school students showing classroom projects in the HyperStudio Theatre.

HyperStudio(R) is media fusion software for making digital creations. From animated art forms and comics, digital storytelling to virtual visits, to podcasting of school projects, HyperStudio has been used worldwide by millions of students, teachers, engineers, musicians, film-makers, and even a few rock bands. The program is accessible for the youngest users but also has the depth and professional quality that more sophisticated users make exemplary use of. In an environment where any element can be created or added within seconds, HyperStudio is the elegantly simple solution that lets users do it all in one well designed program.

The HyperStudio 5 Windows Player allows projects created in HyperStudio 5 for Windows to run on PCs while the Internet Explorer Player allows projects made in HyperStudio 5 to run on Internet Explorer 6 or higher. The release of these two players is now available by download from the Software MacKiev website.

Pricing and Availability

HyperStudio 5 for Windows and Mac OSX is available for purchase from the Software MacKiev Web store starting at $89.95 for a single computer license. Volume license discounts are available. The HyperStudio 5 Players for Windows and Internet Explorer are available immediately free of charge from the Software MacKiev Web site. Go to www.mackiev.com and follow the links to Support. The Windows Player allows users to enjoy HyperStudio 5 Windows projects on Microsoft Windows computers and works with Windows XP SP2 or later, including Windows Vista. The Internet Explorer Player lets you view HyperStudio 5 projects on Internet Explorer 6 or later.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

ThinkFree Mobile Netbook for Windows, Linux and Mac Edition Now Available Directly for End User Download

June 17, 2009 · Filed Under Communications, Desktop Enhancements, Downloads, Productivity Software, Software News · Comment 

Regardless of platform, users can now create, edit and collaborate on documents on-the-go

ThinkFree, Inc., a leader in next-generation office productivity solutions, unveiled ThinkFree Mobile Netbook for Windows, Linux and Mac ESD (electronic software download) version, bringing unprecedented round-trip Microsoft Office compatibility and seamless online document collaboration directly to users. Built on the robust and proven ThinkFree Mobile platform, ThinkFree Mobile Netbook for Windows, Linux and Mac ESD version delivers fast and easy-to-use word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications. Users can now purchase and download ThinkFree Mobile Netbook for Windows, Linux and Mac ESD version at http://product.thinkfree.com/mobile/netbook.

Previously available only to device manufacturers, ThinkFree Mobile Netbook for Windows, Linux and Mac ESD version comes directly to users in response to a flood of individual inquiries since the launch of the ThinkFree Mobile line of productivity suites. ThinkFree is also offering a special discount price of $24.95 for Windows, Linux and Mac suites for a limited time. Customers who take advantage of this offer will also receive an extra 1GB of online storage, bringing their online total storage to 2GB.

ThinkFree Mobile Netbook for Windows, Linux and Mac ESD version consists of ThinkFree Write for word processing, ThinkFree Calc for spreadsheets and ThinkFree Show for presentations – all of which make it simple for mobile users to browse, edit, create and collaborate on documents while on-the-go. Featuring the best round-trip Microsoft Office compatibility, ThinkFree Mobile Netbook ESD comes with 1GB of free, reliable and secure online document storage and integrates seamlessly with ThinkFree Online, ThinkFree’s already existing online service for collaboration and synchronization across all documents.

“Since the introduction of ThinkFree Mobile Netbook Edition for Windows in October 2008, ThinkFree has continuously worked to expand its product portfolio to support the latest mobile Internet devices and underlying platforms, including Intel Atom, Google Android and Qualcomm Snapdragon / ARM,” said Su Jin Kim, CEO of ThinkFree. “The ThinkFree Mobile product family has been optimized for smaller screen dimensions and limited hardware resources. As such, the user interface offers more space to work on the actual document, and the software has a very small disk footprint. With the new ESD availability, users can instantly take advantage of the most advanced productivity geared at netbooks.”

ThinkFree has also released ThinkFree Mobile for Mac, the first to deliver a suite designed for the Mac. Editing documents between Windows and Mac environments has been a real headache in the past. The larger office suites come with a high price tag, perform slowly – particularly when converting files – and the overwhelmingly extensive features go far beyond what is needed by most users.

Pricing and Availability

ThinkFree Mobile Netbook Edition for Windows, Linux and Mac ESD are available now on ThinkFree.com for end users to purchase and download. Regular pricing: $39.95. Limited time offer: $24.95; includes 1GB additional online document storage (2GB total). Enter coupon code THINKFREE during checkout.

Source: ThinkFree, Inc.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Apple Releases Safari 4 – The World’s Fastest and Most Innovative Browser

June 9, 2009 · Filed Under Browsers, Communications, Downloads, Internet Software, Software News · Comment 

Apple(R) released Safari(R) 4, the world’s fastest and most innovative web browser. Available for Mac(R) and Windows PCs and introduced as a beta in February of this year, Safari 4 features the Nitro engine which runs JavaScript up to 4.5 times faster than Safari 3.* Safari 4 makes browsing more intuitive and enjoyable with innovative features, such as Top Sites, Full History Search and Cover Flow(R), and support for modern web standards like HTML 5 and advanced CSS Effects.

“The successful beta release helped us fine tune Safari 4 into an even better, faster version that customers are going to love,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Safari is enjoyed by 70 million users worldwide and with its blazing fast speed, innovative features and support for modern web standards, it’s the best browser on any platform.”

Safari 4 is built on the world’s most advanced browser technologies including the new Nitro JavaScript engine that executes JavaScript nearly eight times faster than IE 8 and more than four times faster than Firefox 3. Safari quickly loads HTML web pages more than three times faster than IE 8 and three times faster than Firefox 3.*

Starting with the development of the open source WebKit browser engine, Apple has been leading the industry in defining and implementing innovative web standards. Safari 4 includes HTML 5 support for offline technologies and support for advanced CSS Effects, enabling an entirely new class of web applications that feature rich media, graphics and fonts. Safari 4 is the first browser to pass the Web Standards Project’s Acid3 test, which examines how well a browser adheres to CSS, JavaScript, XML and SVG standards that are specifically designed for dynamic web applications.

Safari 4 includes Top Sites, for an incredible visual preview of frequently visited and favorite pages; Full History Search, to search through titles, web addresses and the complete text of recently viewed pages; and Cover Flow, to easily flip through web history or bookmarks. Other innovative features include Smart Address Fields for automatically completing web addresses from an easy to read list of suggestions; Search Fields, to fine tune searches with recommendations from Google Suggest or a list of recent searches; and Full Page Zoom, for a closer look at any website without degrading the quality of the site’s layout and text.

In Mac OS(R) X Snow Leopard(TM), available later this year, Safari runs as a 64-bit application, boosting the performance of the Nitro JavaScript engine by up to 50 percent.** Snow Leopard makes Safari more resistant to crashes by running plug-ins in a separate process, so even if a plug-in crashes, Safari continues to run and the user simply has to reload the affected page.

Safari 4 is available for both Mac OS X and Windows as a free download at www.apple.com/safari. Safari 4 for Mac OS X requires Mac OS X Leopard(R) v10.5.7 or Mac OS X Tiger(R) v10.4.11 and Security Update 2009-002, a minimum 256MB of memory and is designed to run on any Intel-based Mac or a Mac with a PowerPC G5, G4 or G3 processor and built-in FireWire(R). Safari 4 for Windows requires Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista, a minimum 256MB of memory and a system with at least a 500 MHz Intel Pentium processor. Full system requirements and more information on Safari 4 can be found at www.apple.com/safari.

*Performance will vary based on system configuration, network connection and other factors. All testing conducted on an iMac(R) 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo system running Windows Vista, with 2GB of RAM. JavaScript benchmark based on the SunSpider JavaScript Performance test. HTML benchmark based on VeriTest’s iBench Version 5.0 using default settings.

**Performance will vary based on system configuration, network connection and other factors. Testing conducted by Apple in May 2009 comparing prerelease Mac OS X Snow Leopard v10.6 with shipping Mac OS X Leopard v10.5.7. Testing was conducted on a shipping MacBook(R) 2.0 GHz system and a shipping iMac 2.66 GHz system, both configured with 2GB of RAM. JavaScript benchmarks based on the SunSpider Performance test comparing Safari running in both 32-bit and 64-bit modes.

Source: Apple

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Next Page »