QuarkXPress 6.0 will, at long last, comply with the Carbon application programming interfaces of Mac OS X, according to an eWeek article. It’s a move that should make many Mac users in the publishing business happy. But don’t get happy too soon; QuarkXPress for Mac OS X isn’t due until early 2003, perhaps by January’s Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco.
“Clearly, the publishing industry is largely working on the Mac OS and Mac OS X is the future of the Mac,” said Quark spokesman Glen Turpin. “We’re absolutely committed to release QuarkXPress for Mac OS X.”
Besides Mac OS X compatibility, version 6.0 will also feature PostScript 3 support and a new XML engine to replace the company’s current Avenue.quark XML-conversion application. The update won’t be compatible with earlier versions of plug-ins, but Turpin said Quark is working with third-party developers of XPress extensions on compatible new versions.
Quark is also readying a major upgrade of its DMS (Digital Media System) that will include new and enhanced modules for enterprise-class workflow.