BE DEMONSTRATES BeOS FOR POWERMAC
MacWorld demonstration will show BeOS(tm) running on
Power Computing Macintoshes
MENLO PARK, Calif (August 6, 1996) - Be, Inc. announced
today that at the MacWorld Exposition held in Boston this
week, it will demonstrate the Be Operating System (BeOS)
running on PowerPC-based Macintosh(r) personal computers
built by Power Computing, Inc.
Since Be introduced the BeOS late last year, the company
has consistently stated that it plans to bring the BeOS to
platforms beyond the company's BeBox personal computer
product line, and to license the BeOS to personal computer
manufacturers, value-added resellers and OEMs. The BeOS for
PowerMac demonstration will provide an early glimpse into
the company's product plans for the new operating system.
"We've designed the BeOS for the next decade's
applications, rather than legacy software" said Jean-Louis
Gassée, president and CEO of Be. "With BeOS for
PowerMac we aim to demonstrate the power of a true
multitasking, object-oriented operating system -- even when
running on a single processor PC. We also hope this further
shows our commitment to bringing the BeOS to a wide range of
personal computer users, and to an open approach to
accomplishing this."
The BeOS brings to the PowerMac platform a true,
preemptive multitasking, multithreaded software system
- offering protected memory, true virtual memory, and
an application architecture based on shared libraries and
modular code. The system's API is object-oriented, an
approach to software development that helps speed the
addition of new application capabilities. The BeOS leverages
the latest in graphical user interface concepts to produce
an operating system that is both powerful, and simple to
use.
Within the BeOS, a variety of "software kits" and
application tools provide a wealth of functionality that
includes integrated database capabilities, 3D graphics,
support for audio and MIDI data streams, integrated Internet
mail, remote log-in, and file and web serving capabilities.
In addition to these capabilities, the BeOS incorporates
many of the data and network standards in use today, such as
TCP/IP networking and Internet protocols, TrueType and
Postscript font technology, MPEG and QuickTime video
formats, Posix and standard UNIX tools, and more.
At the MacWorld Exposition, Be also announced Developer
Release 8 of the BeOS (BeOS DR8), upon which the BeOS for
PowerMac is based. In addition, Be announced that it has
licensed OpenGL(r) , the industry standard 3-D environment
from Silicon Graphics, and is working with Metrowerks, Inc.
to bring the Java language and environment to the BeOS.
The company stresses that the BeOS for PowerMac is a
technology demonstration and is not yet a shipping product.
The company's famous "Not yet fit for human consumption"
warning signs will be in evidence at the show. The company
expects to introduce a product using this technology early
next year, and is discussing its plans with Be developers.
"Over the last few months, thousands of developers have
placed their trust in us by applying to become Be developers
and working to bring Be-compatible software to market,"
added Mr. Gassée. "We hope that this demonstration
helps to further strengthen this relationship, and shows our
commitment to providing them with both the technical
foundations for creating exciting products, and the business
foundations needed for success."
The demonstration of BeOS for PowerMac is being done on
Power Computing personal computers in recognition of the
teamwork between the companies in making the technology a
reality. "Power Computing has been an invaluable resource to
us on this project," said Erich Ringewald, Be's vice
president of engineering. "We've been happy about working
with their team and hope to continue doing so well into the
future." In addition, the company thanks the PowerMacintosh
hardware team at Apple Computer, Inc. for the assistance and
technical information they provided during the project.
Be will be demonstrating BeOS for PowerMac at the
MacWorld Exposition (Boston World Trade Center, booth number
5068.) Show hours are from 10am - 6pm Wednesday through
Friday, and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday. In addition,
members of the press and analyst communities are invited to
stop by Be's hospitality suite on Thursday from 10am to 4pm
at the Boston Marriot Long Wharf Hotel, across from the
World Trade Center.
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