Year: 2002

Apple has released AppleWorks 6.2.3 for Mac OS 8/9 and AppleWorks 6.2.4 for Mac OS X, new versions of its word processing, spreadsheet, and database application. The new versions add improved functionality with Macintosh Manager and FAXstf, the ability to read and write Microsoft Word and Excel files, enhanced formatting tools, faster downloading of Internet templates, improved networking compatibility, and more. AppleWorks 6.2.4 sells for US$79.

Pangea Software has released Otto Matic 1.2, a new version of its 3D action/adventure game for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. The new version adds force feedback support for the MacAlly iShock II and fixes some minor audio glitches in Mac OS X. Otto Matic is sold through Aspyr Media for US$34.95.

Teoma.com, a new search engine owned by Ask Jeeves, has officially launched today and offers several unique search features aimed at providing more relevant, subject-specific results. Teoma employs several techniques for determining relevancy of sites, including ranking Web sites by the number of same-subject sites that reference it, identifying experts and resources for specific subjects, and allowing users to narrow their search through refinement options.

Sun Microsystems is considering including some Apple-written code in its Java HotSpot virtual machine to boost performance, according to Macworld UK. The modifications, already a part of the Java implementation in Mac OS X, involve improvements to shared system libraries that reduces the time required to load applications.

ATI Technologies is offering a US$150 instant rebate for customers that would like to trade in their Apple-provided ATI RADEON 7500 or NVIDIA GeForce4 MX for a RADEON 8500 Mac Edition. The trade up program expires on May 31, 2002. RADEON 8500 Mac Edition sells for $299.