Year: 2001

Connectix today announced Virtual PC 5.0, a new version of its PC emulation software that delivers Mac OS X compatibility (including multiprocessor support), Windows XP support, DVD-ROM data support, and more. VirtualPC 5.0 is available now for US$99 with DOS or $199 with Windows 98. Upgrades with Windows 98 are $79.

MediaFour recently began shipping MacDrive 5, a new version of its software that allows Windows-based PCs to access Mac disks. New to version 5.0 is support for Windows XP, an “XP-style” interface, faster copying of multiple files, and more. MacDrive 5 sells for US$49.95 (download) or $59.95 (boxed), upgrades are $19.95 (download only).

TechTarget, a targeted media company for enterprise IT professionals, recently asked 1,000 computing professionals to pick their top five tech gifts for the holidays. Flat-screen TVs, digital cameras, DVD-RW, DV cameras, and HDTV topped the list, while Sega’s Dreamcast, Apple’s iPod, Nintendo’s GameCube, “infrared mouse,” and Blackberry’s Wireless handheld were selected as the top five worst gifts.

Following the withdrawal of AT&T’s US$307 million bid for the assets of Excite@home, the broadband provider has announced it will cease operations at the end of February, 2002. Cable providers have already begun the process of transferring users from Excite@home’s networks to their own, although service outages persist in parts of the U.S.

A lengthy c|net article titled “QuickTime prepared to make its comeback” offers a history of the technology, its current position in the marketplace, and how MPEG-4—an emerging standard that QuickTime will support out of the gate—could boost the software’s presence.