Tech Shout!

VMware has launched a new product that will allow Intel-based Macs to operate x86 operating systems, such as Windows, NetWare, Solaris and Linux, in virtual machines simultaneously with Mac OS X. VMware will first demo the product during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2006 in San Francisco.

Diane Greene, president of VMware said, “We are excited to bring our desktop platform product to Apple Macs. The demand for this has been unbelievable and it is clearly front and centre for Mac users. VMware is in the business of providing the most advanced and robust virtualization platforms as well as phenomenal add-on functionality that leverages our virtualization platform. This announcement brings our desktop platform and add-on capabilities to Mac users, and it will allow them to run a wide variety of operating systems without rebooting. Mac users who also use the PC will be able to use this product to consolidate onto the Mac.”

The new Mac product is based on VMware’s strong and advanced virtualization technology, shipping for over seven years and used by more than four million people today. Moving forward, virtual machines developed with any of VMware’s products will operate on Intel-based Macs and, similarly, non-Mac OS X virtual machines created with the new product will run on the latest versions of other VMware platform products.

Furthermore, Mac users can leverage over 250 virtual appliances for solutions such as security, load balancing, collaboration, databases, development, communications and business applications that are available for download from VMware Technology Network (VMTN) at www.vmtn.net. Virtual appliances are pre-built, pre-configured and ready-to-run software applications, all packaged within virtual machines that can be run using VMware virtualization products, including VMware Player and VMware Server which are both available for free download at www.vmware.com/download/.

In an effort to boost virtualization awareness, both previously made both their flagship virtualization products available for free.

Those interested in the beta can pre-register here www.vmware.com/macos, the company said. Selected testers will receive early access to the beta before it is released later this year.