REDMOND, Washington (Reuters) - Apple Computer Corp.'s AAPL.O new OS X operating system is now in stores, with company loyalists praising its beefy multimedia features and gee-whiz graphical effects.
But the success of OS X (pronounced "OS Ten") largely hinges on one-time Apple rival Microsoft Corp. MSFT.O, which makes the Office software suite that is crucial to Apple's survival.
Following Apple's mass-market launch of the system last weekend, Microsoft is building steam behind a new version of Office tailored to tap the platform's power.
Office v.X won't go on sale until November, but Microsoft has now fired up a $6 million marketing campaign that was put on hold after the Sept. 11 hijack attacks.
OS X represents a massive overhaul for Apple's Macintosh computers, and the company is banking on fresh styling, crisp graphics and rich audio and video features to win hearts. Analysts say, however, it is up to Office to transform the new platform from a toy for graphics professionals to a tool for mainstream users like small businesses and students.
News source: reuters.com
