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Reality News Is Updated Every Monday And Thursday
LoneStar Confirmed Godzilla? Godzilla: Still on the Loose... If you have any further information on this subject, please inform us. |
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1)Internal Hardware Projects Update |
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| Reality Subsites Revamped |
Over the past couple of weeks we've had time to reflect on the
way we present and archive information here at Reality. Our archive
system is a mess, and valuable information is often lost in the
archives. In addition, we've previously been without a stable
environment to publish those juicy, but sometimes extremely brief
and questionable rumors, as well as those insider tidbits which
are often only whispered in our ear. We've fixed this problem
by revamping our Reality subsites.
The Reality subsites, which we promise to update regularly, will
feature an archive of related insider news as well as new and
unseen rumors and insider tidbits which have yet to be confirmed
or cannot amount for their own feature story on Reality's news
page. The subsites can be accessed from any page at anytime via
the link bars present at the top and bottom of each page.
Though these pages were planned to debut with our new format (which
should be ready by the end of the summer) , we decide to move
on things now while the industry is hot and the rumors are plentiful.
So without further ado, the newest editions and revamped Reality
subsites :
Apple Hardware Page : contains information on new Pro workstations, Consumer Desktops,
Educational Desktops, PowerBooks, and Consumer Portables. Previously
unpublished Apple hardware information can now be seen on this
page. Much more to come by next Monday.
Mac OS X Page : Contains listings of planned features for Mac OS X, an inside
look at the core os, information on the Mac OS X product release
timeline, Mac OS X hardware requirements, and more. This page
will be constantly updated with new information on Mac OS X
Mac OS 8.5 Page : Completely redone! A listing of virtually all of Mac OS 8.5's
features and advancements all on one page, along with explanations
of each feature, links to every report since alpha 1, and screenshots.
This archive will evolve into Mac OS 8.6 and Sonata as time progresses.
We welcome any comments or additions to these pages.
| Mac OS 8.5 Beta 2 Inside Report |
iMac and Mac OS 8.5
Mac OS 8.5, codenamed 'Allegro', officially went beta late last
week. The beta phase should take at least 4 to 6 weeks to complete,
most likely much longer. Though others unreasonably speculate
that Mac OS 8.5 will be pronounced Golden Master just in time
for the iMac's release, the thought is ridiculously optimistic.
Consumers who purchase the iMac will be eligible for a reduced
or complementary Mac OS 8.5 upgrade from the custom version of
8.1 which will ship with the machine.
8.5 Gains Speed
Sources who tested the latest beta on Power Macintosh G3 machines
claim that the speed of the Finder has greatly improved. Large
directories virtually pop open as if they were pre-cached, scrolling
seems to fly (even with the new 16bit icons), and spring-loaded
folders are strikingly fast. A noticeable addition to spring-loaded
folders is the new option to hold down the spacebar key to spring-open
folders immediately.
Sources also touted late improvements to the appearance manager
and QuickDraw (or IconServices). Anti-aliasing has been tweaked
further, and appears to be in order, though Charcoal Bold seems
to display a variation of weight between different characters.
Mac OS 8.5b2 Markup
Full Size Image [Server 1]
Full Size Image [Server 2]
Full Size Image [Server 3]
Eye Candy
The hard disk icon is now 16bit, along with many other system
icons. The smaller 16bit list view icons are sharper in beta 2
than in previous builds, according to sources. The new default
application icon is exceptionally nice. The more detailed the
16bit icons are, they better they look.
This may have gone previously un-noted, but the appearance extension
is gone in way of the theme files. Numerous other extensions have
been added to handle application switching, folder actions, time
synchronization and find-by-content.
In other appearance news, the Apple Menu Options control panel
has been altered to reflect the platinum look in the body of the
panel.
Trouble in Paradise?
While all seems to be flowing smoothly, recent talks have uncovered
concern on the part of Apple about the Hi-Tech and Gizmo themes
scheduled to be included in the Mac OS 8.5 release. Apparently
these themes are less than stable and may not be up to par. Representatives
at Macworld were hesitant to talk about the appearance manager
feature, specifically. Sources claim that these two events may
be related.
Navigation Services
Navigation Services in Allegro have come a long way. The image
preview option built into Navigation Services now functions properly
under 8.5 [can be seen in image above]. Overall stability and appearance glitches also appear to have
been ironed out. Navigation services are expandable dialogs that
function like windows as opposed to the dominate dialog which
locks up the system.
Control Strip 2.0
Control Strip 2.0's drag and drop capability, which allows real-time
instant loading of control strip modules by dragging them onto
the control strip, now works flawlessly. Modules can even be un-installed
in real-time by gripping (option-clicking) the module and dragging
it off the strip. Being that the Control Strip was written as
a separate application, its appearance will not be able to change
with the theme.
Mac OS 8.5 Installer
The installation process has been somewhat optimized. Installation
speeds have increased tremendously over the previous build. The
Mac OS 8.5 'About' document has yet to be included, and a place-holder
still remains. The installer under Mac OS 8.5 will bring custom
installation to a new level, allowing users to select custom installs
of custom components.
Apple has also apparently removed the splash info screens during
installation.
Overall, the system is now quite usable on a daily basis. As the
beta process continues, the system should be rid of all known
bugs, and continue to be optimized.
Look for our next update on Mac OS 8.5 in the next couple of weeks.
Allegro Information Archive : Totally rewritten, and improved. A full listing of Mac OS 8.5's
features.
| Internal Apple Hardware Projects |
The image you see below was said to have been obtained from Apple's
hardware site just prior to it being pulled by Apple webmasters.
These turn of events were confirmed late last week after some
light detective work. The image was indeed displayed publicly
for a short period of time, and actually still remains in a directory
on the servers. This alone is not much to get excited about, but
sources tend to think otherwise.
Godzilla
According to reliable sources, who will for all purposes remain
anonymous, the hardware image has substantial significance to
current Apple endeavors. The image which appears to be a dual
G4 processor card is said to be the major portion of an Apple
project code name 'Godzilla'. Sources also warned that the 'Godzilla'
codename could be tied to one of Apple's future casing designs,
which we've been forbidden to go into depth about.
Though no concrete foundation has been established, the hardware
projected named after the a fictional beast whose power is both
unknown and unmatched, sounds quite significant and pretty interesting.
Godzilla?
A dual G4 with a ZIF Socket?
an image published at developer..apple.com, but then immediately
removed.
LoneStar
While on the subject of processors, sources touched on the new
set of copper microprocessors from IBM and Motorola. The PowerPC
750 chips suggested to run at speeds of 333MHz and 366MHz with
1MB backside cache running at 2:1, are said to go by the codename
'LoneStar'. Expected to be announced by IBM later this month,
the speed-bumped chipset is expected to make its way into Apple
Power Macintosh G3 systems by the end of the summer. The logical
introduction date for these systems would be September 1st.
More information on Apple's hardware plans is presented below.
If you have any further information on this subject, please inform us.
| New Apple Workstations -A Look At the Future |
There is a lot of speculation regarding the new Power Macintosh
G3 Pro models; will the machines announced at Seybold contain
the full gossamer II logicboard design, if not how will this board
differ from the board to be introduced in Pro models later this
year, will they contain the sleek new casings, or finally - will
newly architectured machines be announced at Seybold at all?
Ignoring specific configurations and their introduction dates,
we've been able to piece together an outline of Apple's planned
feature set to be implemented by the end of 1998. The new Pro
models will undoubtedly boast a number of features that will surely
please the numerous Macintosh graphics professionals and prepress
specialists, as Apple has been listening to the consumer.
USB to Replace ADB
The new desktops will feature onboard dual USB ports that will
replace the old ADB standard. ADB to USB adapters are already
in the works and in some cases have already been announced.
Additional Memory Slots
Sources claim that the new Pro models will eventually use SLDRAM as opposed to the SDRAM modules which were used in the previous
G3 Pro models, though this is unconfirmed. The very next version
of the Pro models should likely include 100Mhz SDRAM. Sources
also claim that Apple will finally add additional memory slots
to the logicboard, possibly totaling a comfortable eight.
PCI and Graphics Slots
While Apple's stance on PCI slots has not changed, the new Pro
models will feature a forth slot. Looking back at our WWDC report, we mentioned that Apple was committed to implementing an AGP
(Advanced Graphics Port) compatible slot to allow Macintosh Graphics
professionals compatibility with the high-end graphics cards which
have no PCI equivalent. Have said this, it seems most likely that
the fourth slot will indeed be AGP compatible. Personality cards
are not in-line with Apple's attempts to move away from platform
independent hardware options, and therefore do not sound likely.
FireWire Built-In
Also mentioned in our WWDC report is Apple's decision to finally build FireWire onto the board.
FireWire/Ultra 2 is expected to replace SCSI in upcoming versions
of the Power Macintosh Pro models. Conferences during Macworld
New York also confirm that the transition is underway. SCSI to
FireWire Convertors will be announced thereafter.
Storage
New Pro models will start off with larger IDE drives ranging up
to the 8GByte range, with the high-end models offering large UltraATA
or Ultra 2 drives.
Network
Power Macintosh Pro models will contain 10/100BaseT ethernet built
onto the board.
Processor Speeds
Processor speeds in the various models and configurations will
begin at 300MHz and flow into 333MHz and 366MHz, eventually hitting
the Cooper 400MHz G3 chip by the end of the year, hopefully. It's
extremely unclear what speeds will be introduced with what features.
System and PCI Bus Speeds
Desktop system bus speeds are expected to fall in the 83-100MHz
range, spread through different system configurations. Sources
claim the Copper 400 will be coupled with the higher bus speed.
PCI bus speeds are said to reach 66MHz.
RAM
Pro model systems should ship with 64MB of RAM on the low-end
configuration, and much more on the high-end graphics configurations.
Of course RAM options can always be custom configured at the Apple
Store.
A Whole New Enclosure
All we've told you so far was that the new casings will be made
of sleek darker translucent eMate like plastics, and this is what
we'll keep it to right now. Just don't forget, if you introduce
new tower casings, you're going to need a display to match them,
hint, hint...
By no means do we expect all these features to be introduced at
once, for if they were that would totally blow our minds. The
above is simply a collection of tips we've received over the past
two months. The confusing part is how they all fit together, what
will be announced where and when. We'll be working on the latter
in the coming weeks, but if you have any inside tips, simply grab
a stamp, lick the envelope, and shove it in the mailbox.
If you have any further information on this subject, please inform us.
Back To News Index
Go Back To Reality's Main Page
| Mac StarCraft: An Exclusive Inside Look |
With every passing day Blizzard Entertainment undoubtedly losses potential sales on the Macintosh version of
their latest real-time strategy game, StarCraft. It's not just
a matter of being second best, it's lost interest that kicks in
over time. Sure we here at Reality planned to purchase Diablo
(another Blizzard title), but by the time it hit the shelves we
no longer felt like digging deep into our pocket for a game nearly
12 months old. It's all about larger markets, managing resources
and financials, but Mac users live in the same world as PC users;
we should be treated no different.
You can't blame shoppers for leaving the countless cartons of
outdate milk on the shelves of their local A&P, so how can corporations
expect Macintosh users to run down to their local CompUSA and
purchase games months after their introduction on the opposing
platform, especially when their PC counterparts have long grown
tired of the game.
Putting this all aside, sources who've come in contact with the
latest beta of the Macintosh version of StarCraft call it a definite
'smash'. From the comments we've read it seems as if Blizzard
has produced yet another winner. Expected to ship later this year,
Mac StarCraft is currently in the beta stage and shipping to testers
in the form of a 225MB CD.
StarCraft runs in SVGA mode at 640x480 according to Blizzard's
FAQ, but the resolution implies standard VGA. StarCraft runs at 256-colors.
The game requires a PowerMacintosh with 16MB of RAM (though the
current beta has a suggest allocation of over 40 megs), and a
dual speed CD-ROM.
Mac StarCraft Beta
With many thanks to our gaming sources, who will for all purposes
remain anonymous, we're able to bring you a sneak preview of the Macintosh version of StarCraft including dozens of screenshots from the latest build. [The screens shots have undergone compression for faster download
times, actual game screens are crystal clear]
Sources noted an option to adjust the speed of scrolling during
the game both for keys and the mouse; this is especially helpful
for PowerMacintosh G3 owners since scrolling seems to simply fly
on the new machines. All options and controls within the game
are graphics based. A macintosh window or dialog box is nowhere
to be found in the game. Sources also noted that most game-play
options have key command equivalents, and commands can even be
queued.
Network play is available via IPX Network, modem to modem, direct
cable connection, Apple Talk Network, and of course Battle.net.
Our sources only had one major gripe - certain creatures throughout
the game are quite tiny, more like Command and Conquer than WarCraft
II, making it difficult to differentiate them from their surroundings,
or notice them in the midst of a large army. On the other hand,
the maps contain incredible detail.
There is no doubt about it, StarCraft for the Macintosh is going
to be a blast, allowing for endless hours of game-play. Lets just
hope Blizzard delivers before the snow starts falling.
View Our Mac StarCraft Screenshots...
If for some reason you are having trouble viewing these images,
please try back later this afternoon or during the evening.
If you have any further information on this subject, please inform us.
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Go Back To Reality's Main Page
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