SAINT PAUL, MN - (June 22, 2005) - 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. "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.
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.
Mac Users Also Benefit
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.
Multiple Developer Options
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 applications
using portions of CrossOver.
For more information about how CodeWeavers' CrossOver technology can simplify Windows-to-Mac application usage, visit www.codeweavers.com.
About CodeWeavers, Inc.:
Founded 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 CodeWeavers, log on to www.codeweavers.com.
CrossOver Office is a trademark of CodeWeavers, Inc. All other technologies and brand names are used for information only and remain trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
