CodeWeavers, Inc., the leading Windows-to-Linux software developer, today announced a major expansion of its software porting capabilities to include support for Windows-to-Macintosh application porting. The new capabilities, made possible by Apple’s eventual move to Intel x86 chips, promises to significantly reduce the time and cost of developing Mac versions of Windows software, opening new possibilities for mid-tier Windows software companies.
“Apple’s decision to shift to Intel chips is good news for many Windows developers who, for reasons of time and/or expense, have never created Mac versions of their key applications,” said Jeremy White, CEO of CodeWeavers in the press release. “CodeWeavers can give these developers a low-cost and near-instant path to market through the use of CrossOver technology.”
CodeWeavers is well-known for its CrossOver and CrossOver Office productivity tools which enables Windows applications to run natively on all popular flavors of Linux. Over 100,000 Linux desktop users around the world use CrossOver Office every day to run many of the most popular Windows applications, from Microsoft Office to Intuit’s Quicken and Macromedia Dreamweaver, flawlessly under Linux. Even more, Windows developers have benefited by using CrossOver technology to easily create Linux versions of their products.
“By using CrossOver as part of GUPTA’s Team Developer suits, GUPTA’s global community of some 14,000 developers has been able to port popular business applications to reach new markets quickly, at a fraction of the costs required to do a traditional port,” said Charles W. Stevenson, chief technical officer of GUPTA Technologies LLC in the press release.
Until now, however, despite the fact that both CrossOver and the Mac operating system are built atop UNIX, CrossOver was restricted to Windows-to-Linux application porting because the tool requires Intel CPUs for optimal operation, and Apple desktops have historically used IBM PowerPC chipsets.
Now, with Apple’s announcement of its intention to move to Intel chips in 2006, developers will soon be able to use CrossOver Office to port their Windows applications to the Mac OS without incurring the sizable time and expense of creating a separate, Mac-centric application.
The impending architectural changes for Mac computers also bodes well for legions of Macintosh users who wish to run Windows applications even when no Mac version is available. By installing CrossOver Office on Intel-based Macs, many Windows-only applications, including Windows-based games, utilities, and business applications, will operate seamlessly and reliably.
Software companies and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) who wish to license CrossOver technology can instantly gain an installation and support framework that will ensure native use on the Mac OS, with no re-writing of the application itself. In situations where a full license of CrossOver is not indicated, developers can also retain CodeWeavers to create custom Mac versions of their apps using portions of CrossOver.
Counded in 1996 as a general software consultancy, CodeWeavers today focuses on the development of Wine and other Linux programming solutions. The company’s goal is to bring expanded market opportunities for Windows software developers by making it easier, faster, and more painless to port Windows software to Linux. CodeWeavers is recognized as a leader in open-source Windows porting technology, and maintains development offices in Minnesota, California, the Netherlands, and Germany. The company is privately held. For more information about how CodeWeavers’ CrossOver technology can simplify Windows-to-Mac application usage, visit http://www.codeweavers.com
Woohoo! Maybe I’ll be able to play Diamond Mind Baseball on my next Mac!
Hmmmm, This would mean that it is VERY good for Apple and the FUTURE. BUT, and please correct me if I am wrong, won’t this mean that there will be lots of ports of Windows Apps that will ONLY run on Intel Macs? Will they be able to do Universal Binaries after using this “CrossOver Technology”? Dang! I am still gonna get a new Desktop G5 Mac of some description because I need a new Mac now, but this could result in the old PPCs becoming “legacies” quite a bit sooner than I originally thought, so I might have to rethink the model – iMac?, Lower end PowerMac?. This changing of the rules makes it really tough to know what is the right thing to do.
I just want a good ole’ fashioned virus!!!
I’ve been waiting 8 years for a virus on my Mac.
I’ll know I’m somebody when I can join in on all of the watercooler discussions that revolve around virus’ and malware in general.
I’m tired of Windows getting all of the software!
More worrying is the possibility that Windows apps that might have been properly ported to OSX to take advantage of the OS and the GUI may now just rely on CrossOver to do all the dirty work, and we’ll have a bunch of Windows apps running on Macs, that look like.. Windows apps.. and behave line.. Windows apps <shudder>. Great in terms of being able to run Windows software. Possibly not so great for the Mac platform itself.
Quick, somebody run up to Billy Boy’s with a case o’ smellin’ salts! And don’t be afraid of the cow; it doesn’t have any horns!
What a bunch of grumps. This is gonna ROCK. There will be a TON of more opportunities with a Mac, and MORE reasons to switch. I, for one, am very much looking forward to playing “Half Life” on my Mac, and having more than one choice for playing poker online.
<doing the Snoopy dance>
One step closer to dumping these Win boxes at work!!! Woohoo!
This IS good news..
Porting Windows apps to the Mactel platform is a VERY good thing.
I want MORE developers to say.. “Now that it’s easy, let’s port this Window’s only app to the Mac”
NOT
Now that Mac’s can run Window’s, let them buy the Mac users buy the Window’s version….
I’m not really that excited because most Windows-only Apps are crap anyway.
If nothing else, Apple is once again reinvigorating a stagnating industry.
David,
Agreed. I’m sure there are specialized Windows-only apps. And they’re not likely to be ported because their user base is so small. But on the whole, how many crappy financial, taxes-for-dummies, window washer, home encyclopedia apps does one really need?
…don’t fret, because that stuff was NEVER coming to PPC in the first place. No matter what Apple did.
At least this way SOME Macs–and someday ALL Macs–will get the apps. That’s better than NO Macs. (We’re not talking about apps that are already on PowerPC–which is pretty much every major app anyway.)
Nobody loses here–and Intel Mac owners stand to gain.
I have to support this 100%. People buy computer bacause of what they can do with the applications it runs. If Codeweaver has a tool to make more apps run natively on OS X that’s just great. Running any version of Windows or a Windows emulator ISN’T great. The ability for a Mac to run off the shelf Windows programs wouldn’t be any help to the Mac platform. There needs to be Mac versions of apps, even if their just ported with a cross-over thingy. It’s important that their be a demand to develop in Xcode, and getting a customer base started with a port of a windows program is a fine start. Once a company starts to earn revenue from their new found Mac customer base, it will pay for them to bring a real Mac version to market.
The BIGGEST ever virus, – no, make that a Trojan – to hit Windows is on its way…. And its called Apple Mac OSX. He he hee!
This sounds great. It is critical that mac users (and potential switchers) be able to run the odd windows-only app. Saying all such apps are crap is ignorant: whatever their aesthetics, some windows-only apps perform critical functions and keep potential switchers on Windows OR make it necessary for mac users (myself included) to maintain access to a cheap windows box. Many of these small-market apps will never be ported to macs while mac market share is so low, so being able to run them at near full speed on a mac box would be a HUGE improvement. All the better if there would be no need to pay for a windows license (as in the dual-boot scenario).
If we could run Virtual PC, or the like, at 90% speed which seems possible, I would prefer it because of the effective layer of security protection that it gives. I run Virtual PC, so I know that works.
“The BIGGEST ever virus, – no, make that a Trojan – to hit Windows is on its way…. And its called Apple Mac OSX. He he hee!”
Nice!
Sorry, I’m still groggy from a recent bout with malware on my windblow$ peecee at work.
Did the Codeweebles say they have a product that is shipping on Mac OS X (Intel) that runs various windblow$ applications native? Or are they saying they will have one someday?
>I just want a good ole’ fashioned virus!!!
>I’ve been waiting 8 years for a virus on my Mac.
Oh good grief! Enough with the sarcastic, pompous ass routine. It’s annoying to even fellow Mac users.
If you absolutely must in order to satisfy some sort of need, at least be creative about it.
Winblows…
I actually want a virus…
PeeCees…
Microsucks…
Is it a must that this stuff gets posted on *every* thread? EVERY thread! EVERY THREAD!!!
>I just want a good ole’ fashioned virus!!!
>I’ve been waiting 8 years for a virus on my Mac.
Oh good grief! Enough with the sarcastic, pompous ass routine. It’s annoying to even fellow Mac users.
If you absolutely must in order to satisfy some sort of need, at least be creative about it.
Winblows…
I actually want a virus…
PeeCees…
Microsucks…
Is it a must that this stuff gets posted on *every* thread? EVERY thread! EVERY THREAD!!!
>I just want a good ole’ fashioned virus!!!
>I’ve been waiting 8 years for a virus on my Mac.
Oh good grief! Enough with the sarcastic, pompous ass routine. It’s annoying to even fellow Mac users.
If you absolutely must in order to satisfy some sort of need, at least be creative about it.
Winblows…
I actually want a virus…
PeeCees…
Microsucks…
Is it a must that this stuff gets posted on *every* thread? EVERY thread! EVERY THREAD!!!
Don’t get too excited … have a look at their web site and see how many recent “usupported” or “doesn’t work” apps there are. Great if you want to use Claris homepage (slight exaggeration!).
Mac & PC Guy: they are not better than any other trolls. Don’t feed them. Their gratuitious remarks are not worth answering, there are plenty smart Mac users here, too
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and having more than one choice for playing poker online.
G Spank, there’s one now? I’ve just found
Windows only. What’s the one??