Apple Computer Inc says that 1,355 new applications have been introduced since the launch of the iMac to developers last May a huge number for us according to interim CEO Steve Jobs. In a move that saw mixed reaction from the MacWorld audience, Jobs asked Microsoft CorpÆs Ben Waldman, MicrosoftÆs General Manager of the Macintosh Business Unit onto the stage at his keynote to demonstrate three new Microsoft applications for the Macintosh: the Internet Explorer 4.5 browser, Outlook Express 4.5 and the new MacTopia website. IE 4.5 includes print preview and modification enhancements, giving users control over the printing of web pages and automatically scaling pages to fit the paper. The new version also integrates Apple’s Sherlock search technology, has drag-and drop installation and drag and drop images, so that images downloaded from the web are automatically stored as a GIF or JPEG with thumbnail view. All these features are only available on the Macintosh version. The Outlook Express 4.5 email client has fewer changes, but these include drag and drop installation, already available on the Macintosh version of Office 98. The MacTopia web site is aimed at users of Microsoft’s Mac software.
