Web users asked to go on Safari with Apple

APPLE has launched a major assault on the internet market with the unveiling of its Safari web browser.

The company employs around 1,200 people in Ireland, mostly at its plant in Cork, which hosts production, customer and retailer services, and research facilities.

A number of new applications and hardware products were also announced by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs.

But the arrival of Safari will be seen as one of the most significant developments from the computer giant.

“Safari is the fastest browser on the Mac, and we predict that many will feel it is the best browser ever created,” said Mr Jobs. Apple claims its system allows very fast internet page loading, thereby giving a cost advantage to business and personal users.

Other software announcements this week included a new presentation programme called Keynote, which will rival Microsoft’s PowerPoint package. Mr Jobs also introduced iLife an integrated suite of Apple’s digital

applications, iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes and iDVD.

On the hardware front, Apple also unveiled the world’s first 17-inch notebook computer, the largest version of the Powerbook G4, along with a 12” version, which the company describes as the most compact full-featured notebook in the world.

Mr Jobs boasted of having five million active users of his company’s OS X operating software, Apple’s rival to Microsoft’s Windows systems.

He also announced the free OS X programme for teachers is to be extended to Europe.

The scheme has been taken up by almost 3,000 educators in the United States.

The announcement will mean Irish primary and second-level schools will have free access to the updated operating system, allowing them use the latest Apple technology in the classroom.

A number of these applications, including digital photography, music and movie-making tools, have already been adopted as teaching aids in a number of Irish schools.