Apple has released Mac OS X Public Beta, a preview version of Apple's next-generation operating system. Users can purchase Mac OS X Public Beta on Apple's Online Store http://www.apple.com/ . Mac OS X features advanced Internet and graphics technologies, a new user interface, and an open-source UNIX-based foundation.

"Mac OS X is the future of the Macintosh, and the most technically advanced personal computer operating system ever," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, in a recent press release. "We're excited to have our users test drive this public beta version and provide us with their valuable feedback."

The Mac OS X Public Beta is available in English, French and German. You'll find in-depth information on Mac OS X including regular updates on third-party applications, tips and tricks and technical support information at http://www.apple.com/macosx/.

Mac OS X features memory protection, pre-emptive multi-tasking, and symmetric multiprocessing when running on the new dual-processor Power Mac G4 line. Mac OS X includes Apple's new Quartz 2D graphics engine (based on the Internet-standard Portable Document Format) for better graphics and broad font support; OpenGL for 3D graphics and gaming, and QuickTime for streaming audio and video.

In addition, Mac OS X features Apple's new user interface named Aqua, which includes Dock, for organizing applications, documents and miniaturized windows. Mac OS X Public Beta includes many applications, including Apple's new Mail client (IMAP and POP compatible) and new versions of the QuickTime player and Sherlock Internet searching tool, as well as a beta version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer, the most popular browser for the Mac.

Mac OS X Public Beta is designed to run on all Macintosh computers using PowerPC G3 and G4 processor chips, and requires a minimum of 128MB of memory (the original PowerBook G3 and processor upgrade cards are not supported). Mac OS X version 1.0 will be released early next year.