Mac OS 8.5 Adds Speed and Smarts

Steve Jobs today announced
Mac OS 8.5, highlighting its Internet search capabilities and improved overall performance. Sherlock, the new Mac OS Find feature, brings Apple’s long-simmering V-Twin technology to the desktop, enabling users to search the contents of files on indexed hard disks. Using downloadable plug-ins, Sherlock can also perform searches over the Internet, tying into Web databases such as AltaVista and Apple’s Tech Info Library. The new operating system’s speed boosts come in part from increased use of PowerPC-native code, including a new PowerPC-native version of AppleScript. Mac OS 8.5 requires a PowerPC-based Mac, and will be available for purchase on 17-Oct-98 for $99. Current iMac owners and those who purchase qualifying new Macintosh computers within 30 days can upgrade to version 8.5 for $20 through Apple’s Mac OS Up-to-Date program. Look for more detailed coverage of Mac OS 8.5 in next week’s issue of TidBITS.