Forthcoming highlights of Apple's Leopard

Just as Microsoft became entrenched with Windows XP, so too did Apple's popular Mac OS X version 10.4 develop a shelf life. Released in April 2005, Mac OS X version 10.4 (known as Tiger) introduced the Spotlight integrated desktop search feature, a new Dashboard that popularised widget use, an updated Safari web browser, and more. However, Mac OS X version 10.5 has experienced delays in its announced release.

Featuring more than 300 updates and improvements, the new "Leopard" release packs several significant enhancements. In addition to including a new "Time Machine" automated backup utility, the updated operating system boasts Spotlight search capability across multiple systems; the Front Row and Photo Booth applications introduced with Tiger on Intel-powered systems; virtual desktop "Spaces" that enable users to maintain multiple desktops with specific applications running simultaneously; the addition of RSS, stationery and other new features to Mail; and much more. Here's a deeper look at some of the many new features and enhancements Apple is putting into Leopard.

Boot Camp
Apple's dual-boot utility, which enables running Windows installations on the same systems hosting Mac OS X, debuted as optional downloads when Intel-powered Macs arrived. The application will now ship with OS X by default.

Desktop enhancements
The new Apple desktop is designed to "showcase" users' photos and graphics as desktop backgrounds. A newly redesigned Dock features greater transparency, so as to not distract from users' desktop images, which enjoy a cleaner desktop.

Finder tweaks
Mac's Finder, equivalent to Windows Explorer or My Computer, is treated to a new iTunes-like interface designed to simplify data access. Whereas the Cover Flow view in iTunes displays the cover image of an album (with the album's musical contents beneath), the new Finder will present preview views of files within the same space that iTunes displays cover images. As a result, users can now flip through file preview images when seeking specific documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other files. Figure A shows what the new Finder looks like in Leopard.

Front Row
Apple's Front Row, which debuted with Intel-powered Macs in 2006, becomes standard fare with the Leopard release. The Front Row feature enables remotely navigating common options, including accessing music, movies, photos, and more.

iCal
iCal, the Mac's default calendar tool, receives several updates with Leopard's release. Boasting a new interface that focuses on a clean and uncluttered look, just like the new Mac desktop, a new iTunes-like sidebar assists Mac users in navigating calendar items. Sharing files with attendees is as simple as dragging and dropping files into respective events. When email invitations are forwarded to attendees, any added files are included as attachments. Keep in mind that, although this functionality is similar to that found in Microsoft Office, iCal is the default calendar tool included with Mac OS X and doesn't require an additional licence.

Also new in iCal is support for group calendaring, in which meetings can be scheduled for multiple users, and resources (such as meeting rooms) and even equipment (such as LCD projectors) can be booked directly from within the program. Based on the CalDAV standard, an iCal Server is required to power the group-calendaring functionality. With an iCal Server in place, however, users can also browse other staff members' schedules to review available free time, necessary for scheduling new meetings.

iChat improvements
Users that rely upon iChat to power instant-messaging sessions will find Photo Booth integration within Mac OS X version 10.5. Users can apply Photo Booth effects to chat sessions, or they can present entire Keynote presentations within the instant-messaging application. iChat sessions can also be recorded (including capturing both audio and video) and saved for later review.

Mail tweaks
Apple's standard Mail application receives upgrades as well. In Mac OS X 10.5, the default email client supports numerous stationery templates. The mail client also adds support for virtual sticky notes (which can be accessed from any internet-connected Mac or PC).

In the past, Apple's Mail application provided email functionality. With the new Leopard release, however, to-do functionality is added. Users can simply highlight wording within email messages describing tasks they need to perform (such as "prepare quarterly report"), right click on the highlighted text, and create a to-do item. Since the to-dos are stored within email, users can access those tasks from any internet-connected Mac or PC as well.

Mail also benefits from RSS support. By subscribing to RSS feeds within Mail, Leopard users will know whenever a new article, blog post or other entry is published. Further, using Mail, users can create "Smart Mailboxes" to better help organise RSS feeds. And since Mail shares RSS feed co-ordination responsibilities with Apple's built-in Safari web browser, users are assured reading lists will remain synchronised.

Quick Look
Apple's new Quick Look feature enables the viewing of a file's contents before opening the file. Similar to the Flip 3D feature in Windows Vista that permits users to view the contents of multiple open windows...