08/07/2006, 6:00pm, EDT
Monday, August 7th
Microsoft kills VirtualPC, VB for Mac
Microsoft's Mac Business Unit today announced that it will cease development on a Universal version of Virtual PC. Current VirtualPC customers will continue to receive product support, however. "Developing a high-quality virtualization solution, such as Virtual PC, for the Intel-based Mac is similar to creating a version 1.0 release due to how closely the product integrates with Mac hardware," said the Mac BU. "The Mac BU still recognizes that customers continue to need access to Windows applications from their Intel-based Macs, and feels confident that alternative solutions offered by Apple and other vendors, combined with a fully packaged retail copy of Windows, will satisfy this need." The announcement comes as the recently launched Parallels Desktop offers a full virtualization solution for Intel-based Macs, allowing users to run copies Windows or other operating systems from within Tiger. VMWare has promised to offer a full virtualization solution for Macs by this fall.
The Mac BU announced it will be discontinuing support of Visual Basic scripting in the next version of Office for Mac, but said it is working hard to increase support for standard Mac scripting methods such as AppleScript and Automator.
"As always, cross-platform compatibility remains a top priority. As we develop the next version of Office for Mac, the files will continue to be compatible across platforms, including 2007 Microsoft Office system for Windows," the company said.
"Although VB macros within files will not be accessible and cannot be viewed or modified, the files themselves can be edited without affecting or changing the macros."
The Mac BU also said that it is working to ensure that resources are available to help developers make the transition to other scripting technologies.
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I've got Parallels and I've got VPC. Microsoft had so much catching up to do it's not even funny. I realize VPC on a PPC had a lot more work to do, but the last useful version of VPC ran in OS9
I use Visual Basic scripting extensively on Excel for my job. I'm going to have to look long and hard at using NeoOffice in the future. I sure hope it supports VB...
Except for one huge part of the program. Then cross-platform compatibility is a second thought.
On a different note: see that VMware is bringing VMworkstation to the Mac. I guessed this about four months ago. Although Parellels has the head start - they should be concerned as VMware is a giant in the virtualization market right now.
dw9
"...recognizes that customers continue to need access to Windows applications.... feels confident that alternative solutions ... combined with a fully packaged retail copy of Windows, will satisfy this need."
From the MSFT side, Balmer needs to get his house in order, low profit products may be cut in order to free up resources for higher margin products and ultimately improve the bottomline.
Why develop a completely different version of Office when Intel Mac owners can buy & use a full version of Windows, and a full version of Office - two revenue streams on a new platform without new any new development via the Mac BU.
This may or may not be good news for MAC users in the long run but it may also be signs of a trend that may make sense for development companies with little MAC market penetration or if they are on the fence about continuing a separate & dedicated OSX development effort.
What say ye Adobe?