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This latest upgrade to OS X introduces 200 new features, among them new technologies including Spotlight, Dashboard and Automator, as well as enhanced Safari and iChat applications and a new version of QuickTime incorporating the H.264 codec.

'Mac OS X Tiger is the most innovative and secure desktop operating system ever created,' said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, today. 'Tiger's groundbreaking new features like Spotlight and Dashboard will change the way people use their computers, and drive our competitors nuts trying to copy them.'

Of course, Tiger's features will be nothing new to Mac users since it was first shown last June at Apple's annual developers' conference and the OS has been previewed since then on Apple's website. For more information go to the Tiger-ised www.apple.com/macosx pages.

Apple has also announced OS X 10.4 Server, also available from the end of April. The upgrade includes: native support for 64-bit applications;

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iChat Server to deploy secure instant messaging within an organisation; Weblog Server that makes it simple to publish and share weblogs (blogs); and Apple's Xgrid clustering software.

Chat Server designed for organisations that need to keep internal communication private and integrates with existing directory services, uses SSL/TSL encryption to ensure privacy, works with the iChat client software in Tiger and is compatible with open source Jabber clients available on Windows, Linux and PDAs.

Weblog Server is fully compatible with Safari in Tiger and makes it easy for non-technical individuals to publish and syndicate content using their existing browsers. It supports calendar-based navigation, user and group blogs and HTML, RSS, RSS2, RDF or ATOM protocols. Weblog Server can integrate with Open Directory, LDAP and access control lists for authentication and comes with several Apple-designed blog themes.

'Tiger Server continues Apple's blazing pace of innovation and is the best release of Mac OS X Server yet,'said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. 'With no client access fees and over 100 open source projects combined with Apple's legendary ease of use, Tiger Server is the clear choice for all Mac and PC workgroups and an ideal alternative to Windows and Linux servers.'

Mac OS X Server 10.4 has an SRP of £349 (inc. VAT) for a 10-client edition and
£699 (inc. VAT) for an unlimited-client edition. For more information go to www.apple.com/server/macosx/.