Apple kicked off the 2002 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) by introducing Mac OS X 10.2 as a preview to developers. The event was launched with a keynote by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, where he told the crowd that OS 9 is dead. According to a News.com report, Mr. Jobs opened up the keynote with a coffin on stage, pronouncing the death of OS 9 for developers: "We are here today to mourn the passing of Mac OS 9," Jobs said. "He is no doubt looking down on us today with that same smile he showed us every time he booted up."

Mac OS X 10.2, which Apple has code named "Jaguar," will be packed full of new features including: iChat, an AIM-compatible IM app, QuickTime 6, a new proposed standard for computer networking called "Rendezvous," an address book that will be available system-wide, improvements to the Finder, Sherlock 3, a new way of handling on-screen imaging called Quartz Extreme, improvements aimed at developers, and improved Windows networking support. From Apple:

Apple® today previewed the next major version of Mac® OS X, code-named "Jaguar," to more than 2,500 Macintosh developers at its Worldwide Developers Conference. "Jaguar" will be available to customers in late summer 2002, and will further establish Mac OS X as the most advanced operating system in the world.

"Jaguar is packed with incredible new features that Mac OS X users are going to love, including our iChat instant messaging software," said Steve Jobs, Appleis CEO. "Jaguar takes the worldis highest-volume UNIX-based operating system to the next level, adding amazing new technologies never before seen in any operating system."

"Jaguar" includes many innovative new features, such as:

iChat, Appleis new AIM-compatible instant messaging software that is built into Mac OS X and integrated with the new Mail and Address Book applications;

QuickTime® 6, the first complete solution for industry standard MPEG-4 video and AAC audio streaming;

Rendezvous, Appleis proposed new industry standard for automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks (i.e., Ethernet, AirPort®);

Address Book, Appleis new system-wide database for managing contact information;

Finder™, now enhanced with spring-loaded folders and new instant searching;

Sherlock® 3, Appleis all-new Internet search and services tool;

Quartz™ Extreme, the hardware accelerated Quartz graphics and compositing engine;

UNIX Tools, the latest UNIX advancements including FreeBSD 4.4 updates, the new GCC 3 compiler, IPv6 and IPSec; and

Windows Support, for increased compatibility with Windows networks with SMB browsing and sharing as well as built-in PPTP VPN security.

You can find more information on the WWDC at Appleis Web site. Join in on the discussion of the WWDC keynote in our forums.