Parallels Desktop 3.0 Update reaches Release Candidate...final release coming soon!

I've got some good news to end the week!

The Parallels Desktop 3.0 Update Release Candidate (RC) is now live! The RC is the final beta testing stage before this Update goes live, so this means that we're very close to launch. Remember that if you're a Parallels Desktop 3.0 customer you'll get the Update FREE.

You can check out what's new in the Update, and download your copy, at the Parallels Beta Center.

I hope that everyone has a great Labor Day weekend. I'll see you all next week!

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i spel reel gud

A quick non-virtualization post to lead into the long weekend...

Thank you to everyone who writes in to point out the typos and spelling mistakes that sometimes make it into the blog. I often write my posts on the fly, and while I do my best to proofread and spell-check them, sometimes little mistakes slip through.

Spelling isn't my strongest suit, so thank you for the help. I definitely need it. :)

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NuSphere & The Parallels ISV Initiative

Today we announced a partnership with NuSphere, a leading provider of PHP development, debugging, protection and deployment solutions, in which NuSphere's products will be officially certified to work with Parallels virtual machines. This means that for the first time, Linux and Mac users can work with NuSphere's great products, without buying a second box. NuSphere is even making some of their products available as Parallels Virtual Appliances, so developers can get up and running with the software just by downloading the appliance and clicking "on". You can read all about the partnership in today's press release.

This is an interesting relationship because it crystalizes what virtualization is all about; enabling computer users to use best-of-breed applications, regardless of its OS, without having to give up their preferred platform. From a vendor perspective, it gives vendors easy access to previously unreachable markets. In short: everyone wins.

Partnerships like the one we've just launched with NuSphere are part of a new program called the Parallels ISV Initiative, which is specifically designed to help ISVs expand their markets and empower customers via virtualization. We've already welcomed a number of companies into the program, but we're always looking for new members of the Parallels family.

Interested in joining us? Fill out our Partner Registration Form, and our BizDev team will get in touch with you.

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Beta2 -- automatically share movies, pictures, music and documents (and desktops!) between Windows and OSX!

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up before you head out for the weekend that Beta2 of the Paralells Desktop 3.0 update is live on the site.

This beta adds 2 cool new features that make working with virtual machine easier than ever before.

First, we've improved Coherence by enabling any Windows window to be minimized to the dock, just like a normal Mac application window:

This is very handy if you're a OS X power user like me who's dependent on the cool GUI stuff that OS X has to offer. Its another way that we're making the experience of working with applications from different OSes completely seamless.

Next - and this one's really cool - we've beefed up Shared Folders so that your "My Documents" folder and its sub folders (My Movies, My Pictures, etc.) display the same contents as your Mac's home folder. What this means is that from either OS, you can access the critical files you use most...without dragging and dropping, without moving them via a traditional shared folder, and without copying the file. Everything is right where it should be when you need it. Check it out in the screenshot I just took:

As you can see, both my Windows "My Documents" folder and my Mac home directory "Documents" folder show exactly the same content, so regardless of where I'm working or what application I'm using, I can get to the files I need with a minimum number of clicks. This also means that I don't have to worry about where I save a new file (like a new Word doc, for example), because I'll be able to see it in either OS. This also works for desktops too, so you can now just save everything straight to your Mac desktop, but still see everything in Windows. Great for avoiding multiple copies of files!

What's especially cool is that the new Shared Folder tool provides direct access to the files/folders original location (i.e., it doesn't duplicate anything) so you don't have to worry about running out of disk space.

With all of the new improvements we're introducing (Coherence with minimize and Expose support, new Shared Folders and more), this is shaping up to be one of the best updates ever. The best part? It's COMPLETELY FREE to all Parallels Desktop 3.0 users!

Get the Beta2 here. I feel like a broken record, but as always, its your feedback that makes our products so great. If you're testing the beta, we want to hear from you! Email your comments and suggestions to beta-testing@parallels.com.

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Parallels lands in South Africa with help from Phoenix Software

Its been an international kind of week. First, Eisentech Software joined as our distributor in Malaysia, and today, we're welcoming Phoenix Software as a distribution partner in South Africa.

Its really great to see organizations all over the world joining the Parallels family to help us become a truly global company!

Read the whole press release on our new relationship with Phoenix here.

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Eisentech bring Parallels to Malaysia

A hearty "welcome" to our new partner Eisentech, who starting today will be serving as the electronic and boxed product distributor for all Parallels products in Malaysia, and eventually the entire South Pacific. We're excited to have you on board!

It's always great to see new partners joining the Parallels family, especially in emerging markets that are really starting to embrace cutting-edge technology like virtualization.

Read the entire press release here.

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"Parallels is one of the best software utilities I've tested in years"

So says Scot Finnie, Editor at ComputerWorld and longtime Parallels user, in his recent column, "Ding! Mac vs. PC cost analysis, round II". In this article, Scot examines the real and hidden costs of going with a PC versus a Mac, why both are good/bad, and offers up recommendations on what to choose and when.

Here's what he has to say about Parallels in regards to what software is available for each platform, and what you can do to make sure that you're well equipped, regardless of which you choose:

"The $80 Parallels Desktop for Mac virtualization application lets you run Windows and Linux seamlessly on your Intel Mac and switch between Mac and Windows, for example, with a simple keyboard command. It's even possible to run Windows applications as if they're running in the Mac interface and to associate data files on the Mac with Windows applications. This extremely powerful tool literally gives you access to all your Windows applications on your Mac.

Parallels is one of the best software utilities I've tested in years. It adds a huge chunk of software value to any Mac purchase."


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Parallels on ComputerAmerica

On Monday night I was a guest on Computer America, the nation's longest running & most widely syndicated radio talk show about computers and technology.

Craig Crossman, the show's longtime host, and I talked about Parallels 3.0 and spent some time speculating on what our computers (and how we run apps on them) will look in the next several years. Lots of interesting banter on multi-core technology, virtual appliances, 64-bit computing, and why the concept of a true operating system may be going the way of the Dodo.

You can download and listen to the show here. And be sure to subscribe to the podcast...Craig and his crew are on every weeknight so there's always something new to listen to.

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New Parallels Desktop beta starts today, and a friendly hello

In typical Parallels “how the heck did you do that so fast?” fashion, we’re launching beta testing for the next update of Parallels Desktop for Mac. And, I’m happy to let you all know that we listened to your feedback and that we’re making this beta FREE and PUBLIC for all Parallels Desktop 3.0 users, meaning that anyone with a permanent or trial 3.0 key can try it.

Here’s what’s new:

• Coherence windows now work with Expose! This means that each individual Windows application window will appears a separate, selectable window when you hit F9 to enter Expose. Windows windows (man, that sounds weird to say…) also have neat OS X effects too, like drop shadows. You’ll also be able to “stack” Windows application and Mac application windows in any order you’d like, so the experience is completely seamless.

• The Image Tool is back at full strength and completely compatible with snapshotted drives. Using the image tool, users can:
• Convert virtual hard drive format (plain to expanding, expanding to plain),
• Enable/disable the "undo disk" option, which will erase all changes made during a session at shutdown. Its ideal for those of you doing a lot of testing or working in school settings),
• Easily enlarge a virtual hard drive if you're running out of space.
• Explorer, our free utility that lets you browse and work with your VM’s hard drive even with the VM is off, now also works with VMs that are suspended. Be sure to read the release notes/user guide on how to do this safely.
• iPhone support in XP and Vista. Yes, I realize the irony of syncing an Apple device with Windows running on a Mac, but lots of people need to hook their iPhones up to Outlook. Try not to judge.

As we roll through subsequent betas, we’ll be adding some other really cool, never-before-seen-anywhere features, so keep an eye on the blog for updates.

Ready to give it a go? Get the beta here. Don’t forget that even though its pretty stable, this is BETA code, and its not designed for production use. This also means that the beta isn't supported via our normal support channels (ie, phone support or email support). Our support teams can only offer help for production builds, like our most recent release, Parallels Desktop 3.0 build 4560.

Also, I wanted to say “hello” to our new competition in Mac virtualization space:

Welcome to the party, guys. We’ve been waiting for you.

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