Eudora 5.1 improves security, Palm synching, more

Qualcomm, Inc. today announced the commercial release of Eudora 5.1, the latest version of its popular e-mail client for Mac OS and Windows. It had been available to Mac users for quite some time as a public beta test version, but the software has now been released in its final form.

Eudora is an e-mail client that has been around since the early days of Macs on the Internet. Originally developed for the Mac by Steve Dorner at the University of Illinois, Eudora was later acquired by Qualcomm. Since then the company has released Windows versions, made myriad improvements to it, and offers it both is a “paid” commercial version and a “sponsored” free version, which adds advertisements into the user interface.

The new version offers improvements including:

Support for RSA Secure Socket Layer (SSL) security. Users concerned about security can now implement SSL through their POP, IMAP or SMTP servers where supported.

Improved Eudora Sharing Protocol. Eudora enables users to share files with other users, and the new version sports an enhanced Wizard feature; supports file moves; and illustrates share group file updates in an activity log.

Palm OS address book synchronization. Mac users can now synchronize their address book entries between Eudora and their Palm OS-based PDA using the EudoraMail conduit.

Qualcomm also notes that Eudora is the first third-party e-mail client available natively for Mac OS X. The Mac OS X version of Eudora is still in beta-testing.

Eudora 5.1 requires a PowerPC-based Mac; Mac OS 8.1; an Internet connection; and an account on a POP3 or IMAP-compliant e-mail server.

Eudora 5.1 is available for US$49.95 in “Paid” mode; Sponsored mode can be downloaded for free. Users of 5.0 versions can also download a free updater — please visit the Eudora Web site for more information.