OS X Yosemite inspires Parallels to upgrade Desktop
Cross platform solutions provider Parallels has announced the launch of Desktop 10 for Mac and for Mac Enterprise Edition.
The software, which enables Windows to run on Macs, has been upgraded to include a range of features including enabling users to launch Office applications up to 50 percent faster and help extend the battery life of their Macs by 30 percent.
Parallels Desktop 10 also brings many of the announced features of Mac OS X Yosemite to Windows and Windows applications, such as included support for iCloud Drive and Photo Library; the ability to right-click on a number to call with iPhone, iMessages, and SMS text sharing from Windows; and control of virtual machines from Spotlight preview and Finder QuickLook.
Users will also be able drag and drop files to the virtual machine — that will use up to 10 percent less memory — in the Dock to open in Windows, as well as share files, text, or web pages from Windows via configured social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook, or email.
For professionals and enterprises, Parallels has also updated Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition, which means IT managers can now support Windows applications for Mac users with a configurable solutions that will fit into existing IT business processes. New features include allowing administrators to select and enforce a USB device policy, encrypt OS X virtual machines with the help of the FileVault encryption feature built into OS X, and check the status of licenses and reclaim them directly.
According to Eugenio Ferrante, Parallels Asia Pacific cross platform solutions general manager, Parallels has developed the new features around five key focus areas: Improving the user experience by creating a seamless transition between the Mac and Windows world; performance; features for developers and IT professionals; taking advantage of OS X Yosemite 'coolness'; and management and security.
"The overarching idea behind this is we're going back to making it easy for somebody to buy Windows on their Macs," he said.
From August 20, current users of Desktop 8 and 9 will be able to upgrade to Desktop 10, and for new users the full version will be available from August 26.