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Monday April 20, 1998 Reality News Is Updated Every Monday And Thursday  The eMac and MacOS Lite So many rumors, yet so little proof. Various other media outlets including MacOSRumors and MTK have often talked of 'Allegro Lite' otherwise know as 'MacOS Lite', and even called 'MOSL' at times (for clerical reasons, hereafter we'll refer to this product as 'MacOS Lite'). Often intertwined with this line of discussion has been the existence of an eMac and now 'mini-Macs'. A well trusted source has shed some 'lite' on these subjects, so here we go. MacOS Lite MacOS Lite will indeed be Apple's stab at Windows CE, the ever popular (or is it?), grayscale look alike version of the natural disaster we've come to know as Windows95. Sources state that MacOS Lite will be part Allegro, part Sonata, and part NewtonOS. Indeed, MacOS Lite will consist of scaled down versions of these components, making for a quick, memory efficient, a 'Lite' palmtop/portable operating system. Sources further state that like the NewtonOS, MacOS Lite will support handwriting recognition (presumably with the precision of the late Newton's) and will work with touch screen technology. We've also been told that MacOS Lite will subsume a special build of QuickTime 3.0/Quick Draw 3D. This is extremely exciting, to say the least. It's said that MacOS Lite will become the NC/embedded applications OS. This may explain the absence of the Apple NC till this date. The eMac & Mini-Mac The way we are seeing things, it looks as if Mini-Macs in general and the eMac are two totally different products within themselves, but share a common bond, in that both will use versions of MacOS Lite to function. We are told that Apple has indeed conversed with licensees for MacOS Lite, including Panasonic and Casio (MTK also mentioned Sharp). We expect that these large electronic corporations will produce their own 'mini-mac' palmtops to run versions of MacOS Lite licensed from Apple. The eMac on the other hand, will be an all Apple operation. Sources best describe this device as a 'beefed up, color eMate'. The eMac will run its own version of MacOS Lite and will come complete with a larger color touch screen with handwriting recognition. One source even went on to tout a suit of networking options, but this is highly unconfirmed. The eMac is expected to be powered by a 740 processor (a cache-less 750 (G3)), and will use a motherboard with an architecture very similar to the mother board in the AppleNC and AMP. Trusted sources put the eMac within a $500 - $1000 price rangeprice range, possibly towards the lighter end if recent G3 chip price rumors prove themselves accurate. As for a release date on the eMac, we are hearing from late this fall to early 1999. We'd bet on the latter. We should also point out that the 'eMac' is a reference name right now. We have not the slightest idea what the final model will officially be tagged. Come to think of it, Apple probably doesn't know yet either. Our details may seem sketchy at this point in time, and we apologize for that, however, things should take shape over the coming months and we'll surely publish updates when information becomes available. If you have any further information on this subject, please inform us. Back To News Index Go Back To Reality's Main Page			News Index 1)The eMac and MacOS Lite 2)Possible WWDC Announcements 3)Star Trek, Our Version (MacOS On Intel) 4)WallStreet Retail Configurations and Pricing 5)Apple Share IP 6.0 Sneak Peek 6)Allegro PowerMac G3 Benchmarks 7)This Week's Apple News Return To Reality

Possible WWDC Announcements

With the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) just around the corner, sources have chimed in to offer a list of possible announcements that will come with the conference. Below, in no particular order, are a list of further possible announcements and events that will take place during Steve's keynote, or there on after. These are in addition to those which we've talked about previously.

• A demonstration, or announcement of the YellowBox for MacOS (possibly an early build of Sonata, but not likely).

• -The YellowBox for Sun/Solaris, and the YellowBox for Windows/Intel.

• -Rumor has it that Metrowerks will introduce a new set of tools for YellowBox development.

• -Possibly some talk, or a demonstration of the new MacOS Lite portable, or MacOS Lite its self.

• -Announcement of new distribution channels.

• -Announcement of new international marketing plans.

• -MS QuickTime 3.0 licensing (including QD3D).

• -Talk of Desktop 98/VMX, a new set of vector math extensions. VMX is said to be extrmemely fast; speeding up most math functions by up to 4 to 8 times!

• Apple will most definately key developers into development using the new services in Allegro, such as HTML help, using the new Icon Services, working with Native Apple Script, ext.

Word also has it that the AMP (Apple Media Player) will not be packing its bags for this trip either. However, WallStreet will. The WWDC is going to prove to be one of the most exciting events for Apple junkies in general. We hope to bring you full coverage from the conference.

If you have any further information on this subject, please inform us.

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Star Trek, Our Version (MacOS On Intel)

It was many months ago that we posted our original 'WaCkY' MacOS on Intel rumor, which included a strange twist, an NT kernel. We talked of the existence of a new team of former Open Step developers who are now supposedly working on a project to get some form of the MacOS back onto the Intel platform. Immediately after we broke the story, other media outlets posted their 'versions' of the rumor. In the end, we came to the conclusion that the NT kernel made little to no sense, however the project its self still has some viability left in it.

We withheld further reports on the rumor for a number of reasons. One reason, of course, was the backlash of e-mail from readers who blew their top. We received hundreds of mails with subjects ranging from "MacOS on Intel is STUPID!" to "Lay Off the Chronic Next You Publish". It was far from a pretty site, to say the least. Yet we did receive several reports that were worthy of a second look. Now, with the return of this trend to the spotlight, we'll tell 'our version' of what we've learned. And for the record, the Star Trek (code name for MacOS on Intel) team did indeed succeed in bringing System 7.0 to the Intel platform, and it wasn't just a demo. Ask Fred Huxham who still retains a copy of the original Star Trek source code which he's kept on his 486 for years. Of course the build had bugs, but unfortunately they were never able to complete the project.

Since our previous reports, we've learned several interesting things about the Star Trek project. For starters, the reunion of the the original Star Trek team in Cupertino late last fall was not just for laughs, there was a line of technical reasoning behind the event. Whether or not Apple actually rehired these engineers is unknown by us.

One of Reality's most trusted source gave us a key bit of information not too long ago, which also leads us to believe that current MacOS on Intel work is being done within Apple headquarters, and not externally. Within the section of Apple's Advanced Technology Group in its 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino headquarters lies two sets of private offices. One labeled 'Project X' and the other 'Star Trek'. This was late 97, early 98. The original Star Trek project ended in 1993. Our source told us that the offices were in a state of transition, but were alive with employees and people running everywhere. The Star Trek offices appeared to contain a lab of Dell desktops among other things. We took this bit of information and swallowed it for the time being.

A couple of months ago another source let us know of a strange occurrence. While getting ready to indulge in the new 'Big King' for the first time at a food court in a crowded shopping mall, he overheard a familiar line of conversation between two male suspected Apple employees sitting directly to his left. According to this source, they were conversing over a project entitled 'Star Trek NG' or 'Star Trek the Next Generation'. One employee seemed to be absent minded towards the project, and the other trying to fill him in. The talk was of brining the core of the current MacOS suit over to the Intel platform using some of 'Steve's favorites'.

Two weeks ago the 'Star Trek NG' code name made its way into our inboxes once again. This time with direction. The latest source talked of a possible blue box like technology to allow MacOS applications to run on Intel hardware under Rhapsody.

Our sources for this information are quite trustworthy. There is much confusion as to what the current 'Star Trek NG' team is actually working on; be it MacOS for Intel, a Blue Box for Intel or so forth. However, it has become quite clear that an effort exists that directly parallels that of the original Star Trek project. It will be interesting to see what evolves from these rumors, though, we'll refrain from speculating further for everyone's sake.

If you have any further information on this subject, please inform us.

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WallStreet Retail Configurations and Pricing

Over the weekend, MacNN sources obtained what is suspected to be the official retail configurations and pricing for the WallStreet models. WallStreet will also be a BTO (Built to Order) machine via the Apple online store. Various other media outlets have also been publishing the May 6th announcement date which we posted earlier this month. Most WallStreet models are suspected to ship with an ATI Rage Pro II card and an available DVD drive will be optional for $350. A floppy for the low-end model will cost an additional $90 (actual accessories prices now posted below).

It has yet to be made clear whether the low-end configuration, posted below for $2299, is indeed the cache-less version of WallStreet, or if that model will be added later with a $1999 price tag. Being that 'Configuration 1' is without a floppy, we'd assume this is indeed the cache-less/floppy-less version of WallStreet which we talked about last week. If we receive update pricing and configurations, they will be published immediately.

Update 5:30pm EST
Several well connected sources have confirmed that Configuration 1 (see table below) priced at $2299 is indeed the cache-less version of WallStreet which was originally planned to retail at $1999. Regardless, it's still an awesome deal.

Other sources claim that the Higher Education Early Order worksheets have arrived at educational venues for early ordering of the WallStreet Models for education.

WallStreet Accessories

Wall Street Accessories

PowerBook G3 DVD Rom $347

PowerBook G3 Floppy Disk Drive $87

PowerBook G3 AC Adapter $60

PowerBook G3 LiIon Battery $173

If you have any further information on this subject, please inform us.

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Apple Share IP 6.0 Sneak Peek 04/16

Sources have begun to key us in on Apple's new version of LAN and Internet services, Apple Share IP 6.0, which is currently in development. AppleShare includes everything you need to set up Web, File, Mail, FTP, and Print servers.

AppleShare IP 6.0 will reportedly allow Windows computers to connect to an AppleShare IP server without the need for additional software (Windows clients are now able to browse and find a server using the Windows Network Neighborhood interface).

The new version is rumored to provide built-in support for Windows file sharing, which works as a single server, or integrates into a larger network of Windows NT servers. 6.0's Windows file sharing service will share the same multi-threaded server architecture and file caching as the AppleShare Web and File server. This will provide for high-performance to both Macintosh and Windows clients. Enabling Windows file sharing is said to be as easy as clicking a checkbox in the Web & File server administration program. Security for Windows clients has also been said to be fully integrated.

AppleShare IP 6.0's Web Server is said to sport beefed up security options, as well as the ability to disable automatic listing of directories via HTTP. We've also learned that the new version of the web server will feature full HTTP 1.1 support, and alias support for files and folders (though not remote volumes). W*API support is also said to have been improved, with full support for W*API 1.2. Sources also confirm support for custom error files (error.html and noaccess.html) which will override the servers default messages.

Sources close to the project state that the AppleShare IP mail server has undergone a great revision and has received the addition of many new features. Users will be able to access their mail from anywhere on the net with the addition of support for the IMAPv4 protocol. POP3, SMTP, PASS, Finger, APOP, and mail notification support are also among the rumored features list. The server will now contain client support for Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator, CTM PowerMail and many more. Among other things, we've also been informed that the AppleShare IP mail server will use a high-performance IMAP database with a V-Twin based search engine.

Our sources tout a greatly improved Print Admin user interface and support for printing over TCP/IP and AppleTalk. Secure printing and improved communication between the Print Server and Print Admin are also notable features of the new Apple Share IP print server.

Other rumored features of AppleShare IP 6.0 included: Full compatibility with HFS+ volumes, a separate guest feature for each server, a single administration console, and a new web-based administration console which allows AppleShare IP to be monitored and controlled from anywhere on the Internet.

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Allegro PowerMac G3 Benchmarks 04/16

We've finally obtained a set of benchmarks which show results of Allegro and MacOS 8.1 on a 266MHz Apple Power Macintosh MiniTower. We've spoken to several engineers about the extremely low FPU score for Allegro, and they suggest this will definitely not be the case come release time. While Allegro shows great improvements with 604 chips, G3's are another story. Final optimization will not take place until late beta versions of the software, so much may change.

Reality has also received notes which claim that Allegro is extremely far from a PowerPC native OS. Sources state the only the new features such as the updated Appearance manager and a few other components are written in full PPC code. Instead the majority of the system remains as it was in MacOS8.1, which would prove the similar results (below), correct. It's close to impossible that the Allegro engineers have rewritten even a substantial percentage of the MacOS in PPC native code, not to mention the whole 110 megs of source code which make up the MacOS. Lets be reasonable here.

A couple of well connected readers tell us that our statements above are indeed correct. They've also filled us in on the PPC native components of Allegro. Apparently, several components of the MacOS tool box have gone PPC, in the Allegro release. Including : the window, dialog, menu and event managers, and obviously many more.

Below are extensive tests. VM : Standing for Virtual Memory and ED : Standing for extensions disabled. Results prove to be quit interesting. All tests run with a 4096k of disk cache.

We'll work to obtain a set of benchmarks of Allegro on the 233 and possibly 300 MHz versions of the PowerMac G3. We'll also post some further updates on Allegro when time permits.

Finally, we welcome your benchmarks and test results. Further information on Allegro will be posted as it is received.

For more information on alpha versions of Allegro, check out our Allegro Information Archive, which contains all our previous articles on Allegro, and tons of screen shots.

If you have any further information on this subject, please inform us.

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This Week's Apple News

Steve Jobs to Keynote MacWorld New York

-A MacWorld media release states that Steve will indeed keynote the opening session at MacWorld NY on July 8, 1998 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY.

Kaiís Power SHOW

-Meta Creations has issued a final build of Kaiís Power SHOW, their answer to Power Point.

Press Banned from StockHolders Meeting this Wednesday

-Apple said that analysts and press who are not stockholders will not be allowed to attend the shareholder meeting next Wednesday.

Steve Jobs' New Bumper Sticker

'Horn broken, watch for finger.'

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