“Apple Computer, which is in the process of switching to computers based on the omnipresent Intel processor, has filed a patent application describing a method for securely running Mac OS X on specific hardware,” Ina Fried reports for CNET News. “The Mac maker has applied for a patent to cover a ‘system and method for creating tamper-resistant code.’ Apple describes ways of ensuring that code can be limited to specific hardware, even in a world in which operating systems can be run simultaneously, in so-called virtual machines. The patent application was made in April of 2004, but only made public last Thursday.”
Fried reports, “In its application, Apple describes a means of securing code using either a specific hardware address or read-only memory (ROM) serial number. Apple also talks about securing the code while interchanging information among multiple operating systems. Mac OS X, Windows and Linux are called out specifically in the filing.”
“The company said it is not planning on supporting Windows or other operating systems on the Intel-based Macs it sells but has also said it doesn’t plan on taking steps to prevent Mac owners from running other operating systems,” Fried reports. “‘We won’t do anything to preclude that,’ Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller told CNET News.com in June. However, Schiller also said Apple has no plans to allow its operating system to run on non-Apple hardware. “‘We will not allow running Mac OS X on anything other than an Apple Mac,’ he said.”
Full article here.
Advertisement: The New iPod with Video. The ultimate music + video experience on the go. From $299. Free shipping.
MacDailyNews Take: See our “take” in the article, How Apple can win the OS war. Also of note, is Architosh’s recent article, “Apple patent shows company possibly preparing for OS War” here.
Related articles:
Apple patent application describes Intel-based Macs that run Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows – November 05, 2005
How Apple can win the OS war – October 19, 2005
Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ ultimate goal: ‘to take back the computer business from Microsoft’ – June 16, 2005
Intel’s built-in virtualization tech could be one way to run Windows on Intel-based Apple Macs
Intel-based Macs running both Mac OS X and Windows will be good for Apple – June 10, 2005
Why buy a Dell when Apple ‘Macintel’ computers will run both Mac OS X and Windows? – June 08, 2005
Windows users who try Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger might not want to go back – June 07, 2005
Microsoft: The safest way to run Windows is on your Mac – October 08, 2004