Play Xbox games on the Mac with Parallels Desktop 15

Parallels, a global cross-platform solutions provider, has launched Parallels Desktop 15 for Mac. Parallels Desktop now supports the Apple Metal API for improved graphics. As part of the move to Metal, Parallels Desktop 15 supports DirectX 11, 10 and 9 on Metal, delivering improved performance to customers.

Parallels Desktop 15 box.

“Parallels made significant investments to support Apple Metal API, so today our customers can enjoy the fastest and most efficient version of Parallels Desktop to date,” said Nick Dobrovolskiy, Senior VP, Engineering and Support at Parallels.

“Now Parallels Desktop 15 users can experience demanding computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) applications and Windows PC games that were previously unavailable. In addition, there are planned integration features with macOS Catalina—including support for Sidecar and Apple Pencil—offering customers our most comprehensive merging of Mac and Windows ever.”

Parallels has made significant investments to ensure excellent DirectX 11 performance on Metal in macOS Mojave and macOS Catalina (10.15), an upcoming OS version for Mac hardware, in addition to DirectX 10 and 9*. Parallels Desktop 15 users can now run many Windows programs and PC games which didn’t run on prior versions, including the following titles:

CAD/CAM applications ArcGIS Pro 2.3 Autodesk 3ds Max 2020 Lumion MasterSeries

Games on macOS Mojave Age of Empires: Definitive Edition Anno 2205 Space Engineers The Turing Test

Games on macOS Catalina  Anno 1800  Fallout 4  FIFA 19  Madden NFL 19

Product highlights include:

Xbox gaming

Bluetooth Low Energy support in Parallels Desktop 15 enables Xbox Controller, Logitech Craft, IRISPen and some Internet of Things (IoT) devices (such as smart home appliances and smart bands) to be used with a Mac. The Logitech Craft keyboard comes with a creative input dial for added functionality. Supported platforms include Windows 10 and 8.1, Android and Linux with kernel 3.13 and newer. The shared Bluetooth driver is version 4.0.

MacOS Catalina (10.15) integration

Parallels Desktop 15 can currently utilise macOS Catalina as a virtual machine (VM), with support for Catalina as a host operating system (OS) following its public release (expected in Q3-Q4 2019). Planned integrations include improved Sidecar support as well as processing of the Apple Pencil tilt and double-tap features, which can be used in software such as CorelDRAW, Corel Painter and Microsoft SketchPad among others. The tilt feature enables the pencil tool to be used for shading, whereas a double-tap changes modes. Sidecar will allow an iPad to be used as a secondary Mac display.

In addition, users will be able to use Sign in with Apple as one of several sign-in options (implemented in Parallels services this Q3-Q4), providing a consistent sign-in experience they can trust and the convenience of not having to remember multiple accounts and passwords. New users can also use Sign in with Apple to register for the first time, which will automatically create a Parallels account and simplify the trial experience.

Parallels Desktop 15 also provides improved handling of macOS Catalina security and privacy dialogues, approving system extensions, and will feature refined work with iCloud in the update around macOS Catalina release.

Mac and Windows integration

Parallels Desktop 15 for Mac further blurs the lines between Mac and Windows for new levels of productivity. Parallels Desktop 15 users can now drag and drop images directly from macOS screenshot previews, Safari and Photos to Windows applications to create documents.

Watch the demo video

Users can also right-click a file in the macOS Finder, then select “Share” and “Send with Windows Email App” to send the file via the default Windows email, such as Outlook or Mail. Finder is the file management system on macOS.

Watch the demo video

VTPM and Physical Disk Support

Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition and Business Edition now feature a virtual platform trusted module (vTPM), a new virtual hardware-to-VM configuration required by Windows to enable additional security features. With a vTPM in highly secure corporate environments, users can enable BitLocker in accordance with corporate group policies, use virtual smart cards, or enable a more secure version of Windows Hello PIN for improved security. The Windows Hello PIN acts like a password, but is tied to a specific device.

BitLocker from Microsoft provides drive encryption. It is meant to address the threats of data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or inappropriately-decommissioned computers.

Additionally, Parallels Desktop Pro Edition and Business Edition users can connect physical disks (both internal and external) to a VM as logical internal disks, which allows users to:

• Install Windows or another OS to that disk,
• Boot to an OS installed on that disk, and
• Use non-native Boot Camp installations. Apple's Boot Camp allows users to install Windows 10 on the Mac, then switch between macOS and Windows when restarting the Mac.

Enterprise users also benefit from an enhanced consistent user experience in Parallels Desktop 15 for Mac Business Edition. IT can now lock a VM in a desired mode—Window, Full Screen, or Coherence—so end users always get a familiar experience for increased productivity. According to Parallels, Coherence is a view mode that allows both Windows and Mac applications to be running at the same time without managing two separate desktops or rebooting.

Significant Parallels Desktop 15 performance improvements include:

• Up to 80% faster Microsoft Office application startup
• Up to 15% faster 3D graphics improvements
• A faster and more responsive Parallels Desktop user interface (UI)

The Installation Assistant in Parallels Desktop makes it simple to install Windows 10 on the Mac— and does not require users to purchase Windows beforehand. Windows installation scenarios for Parallels Desktop include:

- Parallels Desktop has just been installed on the Mac. The software will automatically detect that Windows is not present, and offer to install it.

- Moving Windows 10 and applications from a physical PC into a Parallels Desktop VM on the Mac.

- Adding a Windows 10 VM to Parallels Desktop.

- Upgrading an existing Windows VM to Windows 10.

- Adding preconfigured Windows VM test environments for Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer. 

Explore:

Install Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop for Mac

Details:

Parallels Desktop 15 for Mac
Upgrade from any edition	US$49.99
New subscription	US$79.99 per year
Parallels Desktop 15 for Mac Pro Edition
Upgrade from any edition	US$49.99 per year
New subscription	US$99.99 per year
Parallels Desktop 15 for Mac Business Edition
New subscription	US$99.99 per year

All editions of Parallels Desktop 15 for Mac (Standard, Pro Edition and Business Edition) are available now for purchase either online which also offers free full-featured 14-day trials for new users—or from retail and online stores worldwide. Apple's App store will also carry the softwaree from October.

Parallels Desktop subscriptions include complimentary, concurrent three-month subscriptions to Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows as well as to Parallels Access, which are also separately available to all PC and Mac users as standalone products for free trials and subscription.

Parallels Toolbox is a suite of more than 30 tools to complete beneficial tasks in a click, including:

• Download Internet videos to watch offline.
• Reclaim gigabytes of disk space or RAM to improve Mac performance.
• Make a GIF to share.

Parallels Access makes it simple to securely access up to five computers (Mac or PC) from anywhere via an HTML5 web browser, and from an unlimited number of iPad, iPhone and Android devices.

Parallels Desktop for Mac customers (any edition) can get upgrade pricing for Parallels Desktop 15 online.

New customers can download free trials and purchase online.

*User experience will depend on the hardware, especially the CPU and graphics card utilised on the Mac.

Computing just got simpler with Parallels Toolbox 3.5

Parallels has launched Parallels Toolbox 3.5 for Windows and Mac, a suite of 30+ tools that simplify PC and Mac computing tasks.

“We listened to PC and Mac users who asked us for new tools they need to further simplify their lives,” said Nick Dobrovolskiy, Parallels Senior VP of Engineering and Support.

“Break Time, Energy Saver, Hide Menu Icons, Clipboard History and Sleep Timer are now included with dozens of other one-click solutions. Together, they make Parallels Toolbox an indispensable one-stop application for businesses and individuals who like saving time and money.”

New and key Parallels Toolbox tools that for both PC and Mac users include:

New in Parallels Toolbox 3.5 for Windows

Energy Saver

Activates several settings, including hidden ones that reduce system-resources usage and increase battery life, leading up to an 8% reduction in power consumption. It automatically detects your computer’s state when it is running on battery and activates options for users to enable or disable.

Watch a video demo: Energy Saver – Parallels Toolbox for Windows

Break Time

Receive regular reminders to stand and take a break from your computer. You can specify work periods from 30 to 50 minutes and set break times from one to 15 minutes.

Watch a video demo: Break Time – Parallels Toolbox for Windows

Download Audio

Download a single audio file from supported sites. Additionally, playlists can be downloaded from YouTube.

New in Parallels Toolbox 3.5 for Mac

Clipboard History

Captures what’s copied to the Mac clipboard, including plain and formatted text. It also offers full text search, favourites and settings to collect content for up to 30 days. Users can also pause the collection or exclude applications.

Watch a video demo: Clipboard History – Parallels Toolbox for Mac.

Hide Menu Icons: Allows users to hide some icons from the Mac menu bar by creating two sets of menu-bar icons, visible and invisible. Less important icons only become visible when the user clicks the tool’s control in the Mac menu bar. Hidden icons automatically hide when the user goes back to working with applications from the control menu.

Watch a video demo: Hide Menu Icons – Parallels Toolbox for Mac

Energy Saver

Activates several settings, including hidden ones that reduce system-resources usage and increase battery life, saving up to 8% in power consumption. It automatically detects your computer’s state when it’s running on battery and activates options for users to enable or disable.

Watch a video demo: Energy Saver – Parallels Toolbox for Mac.

Sleep Timer

Sets a timer for the computer to either go to sleep or shut down from the moment the user presses “Start” to  save energy. Time options range from 15 minutes to six hours.

Watch a video demo: Sleep Timer – Parallels Toolbox for Mac

New for existing tools in Parallels Toolbox for Windows

Saving Files

Settings for saving files were removed from the Parallels Toolbox application and added to individual tools for simplified management.

Screenshots Markup

Improved integration with system tools for screenshot markup and enhanced editing.

Enhancements for existing tools in Parallels Toolbox for Mac

Clean Drive

Users can now see files that will be deleted, with the ability to find them in Finder for improved transparency.

Find Duplicates

Ability to mass-select multiple duplicates for better total-size representation and simplified sorting options.

Productivity tools in Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows 3.5 also include:

Streamlined screen video/audio management

Easily change tool default settings to simply record video with your desired audio source or to capture screenshots in the format you need—with just one click.

Convert Video

Drag almost any video onto the tool to convert it to MP4 so it can be played on tablets and phones.

Watch a video demo: How to Convert Video to MP4 on My Mac

Take Photo

Take photos using the PC or Mac camera. The image file immediately appears at a preselected destination, such as the desktop or a folder.

Resize Images

Batch convert images to your desired file size and format. Simply drag the source images to the tool’s window, select the desired output format (.HEIF, JPEG, TIFF or PNG) as well as dimensions/size and output location, and then click.

Watch a video demo: Resize Images - Parallels Toolbox for Windows.

Capture Screen

Click anywhere to take a screenshot of the entire screen and automatically save the image in a variety of formats (PNG, JPEG, TIFF and GIF) to your desktop or preselected folder.

Enhanced presentations and screen sharing

Hide Desktop

Instantly hide distracting desktop files instead of removing each one manually. One click hides files, folders and icons on the desktop for clutter-free presentations.

Watch a video demo: How to Quickly Hide Icons and Files on My Mac Desktop.

Do Not Disturb

One click disables notifications and Dock animations on running applications that could interrupt work or a presentation.

Do Not Sleep

With just one click, disable all system settings that cause the computer to sleep.

Launch

Opening multiple applications and files for a project is now one click away. Users can open several items at once—such as applications, documents, folders, links or other files. Simply drag the files to the tool’s window to create a sequence of items that automatically open the next time the tool’s icon is clicked.

Improved PC and Mac productivity

Archive

Easily create compressed and password-protected archives of your files from various locations to save space or share them. Just drag files and folders to this tool window—there’s no need to move or copy files to a single folder.

Unarchive

Quickly unpack archives of various file compression formats—such as RAR, RPM, XAR and Z—including those not supported by the built-in system utility. Double-clicking these files opens unarchive and starts unpacking files, even for password-protected archives.

Uninstall Apps

Easily remove applications and their files with a single click for faster removals.

Demo video: Uninstall Apps - Parallels Toolbox for Mac

Details:

Free trials of both Parallels Toolbox 3.5 for Windows and Mac are available today as standalone products at parallels.com/toolbox.

Each product can be purchased for US$19.99 per year. Each annual licence includes free updates of new and enhanced tools as they become available several times a year.

Parallels has also enhanced its customer referral rewards programmes. When trial users or subscribers invite a friend to try Parallels Toolbox at parallels.com/toolbox, the user and friend each receive a complimentary three-month subscription.

Parallels rolls out Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac

Parallels, a global cross-platform solutions provider and creator of bestselling software for running Windows applications on a Mac, has launched Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac, which supports macOS Mojave-readiness.

Upgrading to Parallels Desktop 14 offers significant storage savings, faster launch times, improved graphics and the latest versions of Parallels Toolbox for Windows or Mac.

“Millions of Parallels Desktop customers highly value performance and efficiency,” said Jack Zubarev, Parallels President.

“With Parallels Desktop 14, we’ve taken those to the next level by focusing on graphics and storage, allowing customers to save as much as 20 GB of disk space while enjoying the best-ever performance. Personal productivity enhancements include more Windows features available on Mac devices. Touch Bar support for Windows applications — such as OneNote or Quicken — enablesc ustomers to add their favourite applications to the Mac Touch Bar so their shortcuts are at their fingertips.”

Typically, virtual machines are large, taking anywhere from 15–100 GBs of space, or more. To manage two different storage mechanisms at work (Windows and Mac), newly-engineered storage optimisation takes both Windows and Mac mechanisms into account which can result in significant disk space savings.*

The new Free Up Disk Space dialogue that suggests storage-saving actions now handles multiple virtual machines better. Newly-created snapshots occupy up to 15% less disk space.

Parallels Desktop 14 now enables customers to use Microsoft Ink to edit Microsoft Office for Windows documents on a Mac, including pressure-sensitive support in applications such as PowerPoint, Microsoft Edge, CorelDRAW, Fresh Paint, Leonardo, openCanvas and Photoshop for Windows.**

Preconfigured Touch Bar sets have been added to Parallels Desktop 14 for Microsoft Visio and OneNote, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Revit, Quicken, QuickBooks and Visual Studio. They join current Parallels Desktop Touch Bar sets for Windows applications, including: Office 2016 (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Windows Start Menu and desktop (Cortana, Task View and Task Bar pinned elements), File Explorer (File Open and Save As settings), ArcGIS and web browsers (Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Vivaldi).

The Parallels Desktop Touch Bar Wizard makes it easy for users to customise the Touch Bar for Windows applications. Additionally, with the use of Touch Bar XML Authoring, users can further personalise the Touch Bar with their own function key shortcuts.

Parallels Desktop 14 supports Dark Mode, a Mojave feature. Quick Look issued on Windows files now shows quick actions. Support for additional Mojave features, which are currently in development, will be tested, finalised and introduced around the forthcoming public release of Mojave. The Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac installation image, which is notarised by Apple, will be seen by users when it is installed on Mojave.

Parallels Desktop 14 now features improved OpenGL support for enhanced graphics, with improvements in SketchUp 2017/2018, CTVox, DIALux 8 and OriginLab.

All view modes have been improved in terms of speed and memory usage, which is especially important when working on multiple high-resolution external displays, including those of 5K resolutions.

Unused virtual video memory is now effectively returned to Mac system memory. Auto mode for graphics allows Windows to use more than 2 GB of Mac system memory for video purposes, while allowing Windows applications to use that memory when possible.***

Additionally, users now get a better frame rate in videoconferencing and can use shared camera technology with cameras that support up to 4K resolutions.

Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition

The new Business Edition features enhanced management, plus security and licensing portals. Additional improvements include:

• Smart card readers which are now automatically available in both Mac and Windows for faster access (if enabled).

• The ability for administrators to invite users via email and assign separate administrators for sub-licences for improved efficiency.****

• The ability to replace existing virtual machines in Deployment Mode to streamline productivity.

• Applications deployed in Single Application mode which start faster, along with a new splash screen.

• The Parallels “My Account” portal has been redesigned to be optimised for popular use cases.****

New and popular Parallels Toolbox tools include:

• Screenshot Page – Capture and print lengthy webpages that do not fit onto your screen. Take and print screenshots of webpages in one click—even for pages longer than the browser screen.

• Free Memory – Reclaim RAM memory and optimise its consumption on your Mac. Add the Free Memory tool to the macOS menu bar to check how much RAM is available with just a click to reclaim available memory.

• Resize Images – Batch convert images to a desired file size and format. Drag the source images to the tool’s window, specify the desired dimensions/size and output location, and click.

Parallels Desktop 14 performance has improved significantly:

• Up to 200% performance improvement on the iMac Pro (audio and video encoding, AI, 3D modelling, cryptography and other complex math calculations workloads) thanks to AVX512 Intel Cannon Lake processor instructions set support

• Up to 80% faster application launch

• Up to 10% faster boot time

• Up to 30% faster suspend operation on the Apple File System (APFS) partition

• Up to 130% more frames per second in Shared Camera mode

• Up to 17% more frames per second in Coherence view mode

A CPU usage indicator has been added to the title bar to give a better understanding of high CPU usage in Windows. Resource Monitor is completely redesigned to show Mac resources along with the impact that multiple virtual machines have on them.

Parallels is a global cross-platform solutions provider that makes it possible for customers to use applications and files they need on any device or operating system.

Details:

Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac, Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition are available for subscribers and upgraders from Parallels Desktop 12 and 13 (parallels.com/upgradepd14), as well as new customers, online at parallels.com/desktop and at local
retail and online stores worldwide.

Free 14-day full-featured trials are also available for download.

The recommended retail price (RRP) of Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac is US$79.99 for an annual subscription or US$99.99 for a perpetual license.

Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition and Business Edition are each available to new customers for US$99.99 per year. Parallels Desktop 12 and 13 perpetual license customers can upgrade to Parallels Desktop 14 for US$49.99, or upgrade to a Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition subscription for US$49.99 per year. Parallels Desktop subscriptions include a complimentary concurrent subscription to Parallels Toolbox for Mac or Windows, as well as Parallels Access.

*Results in virtual disk optimisation will not be immediate after upgrade, as these optimisations happen in the background. Only Windows 8 and 10 are supported.

**Perpetual license.

***Auto mode is available only after the  Parallels Tools update in Windows 8 or Windows 10.

****New Parallels My Account features became available to users before the Parallels Desktop 14 release.

Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac first to bring Windows apps to the Mac Touch Bar

Source: Parallels. The new Parallels Desktop
13 for Mac.

Parallels, a global player in cross-platform solutions and creator of software for running Windows applications on a Mac, has launched Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac.

Bringing together the best of both worlds, Parallels Desktop 13 makes it simple for MacBook Pro users to add Windows applications to the Touch Bar, and use Touch Bar within Windows applications. The software provides macOS High Sierra readiness and support for upcoming Windows 10 features. It is also the first solution to bring the upcoming Windows 10 People Bar feature to the Mac – including integration with the Mac Dock and Spotlight. The new version also features up to 100% performance improvements for completing certain tasks. 

“This year, for the first time ever, we are bringing the two hottest features from Mac and Windows into one place via Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac,” said Jack Zubarev, Parallels President. “This new release delivers our best-ever Windows on Mac performance, plus innovative and useful new features and tools to help users get more done quickly and efficiently.”

The Parallels Installation Assistant will automatically install Windows 10 into a virtual machine (VM), which can be purchased at a later date without losing data or installed applications. It can also detect first-time users and ask if they would like a VM installed with a single click. Users can purchase and automatically install Windows 10 from Microsoft, add an existing copy of Windows, and simply move their PC to their Mac. "You can buy any flavour of product key to purchase that VM," said Kurt Schmucker, Senior Product Manager, Cross Platform Application, Parallels, pointing out that Windows product keys can come with different terms and conditions.

Highlights of the new features in Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac.

Users can choose to make Windows look like a PC (full screen) or make Windows invisible (coherence mode), while launching Windows apps from the Mac Dock, Launch Pad or Windows Start Menu.

Parallels Desktop 13 provides Mac Touch Bar integration for Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as browsers including Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. Additionally, when using the Windows Start Menu or Desktop, Parallels Desktop 13 features Taskbar pinned elements, along with Cortana, Task View and settings in the Touch Bar. Thousands of other Windows applications that run in Parallels Desktop can quickly be customised with popular Touch Bar actions, if the default set of functional keys is inadequate for users.

Parallels Desktop can also build on Windows tools as well. Parallels Desktop 13 integrates People Bar (from Windows 10 Insider Preview build 16232), a forthcoming Windows 10 feature that lets users pin contacts to the Taskbar. Although Windows limits People Bar contacts to three, the Mac Dock does not limit favourite contacts and enables their photos to be larger for easy viewing.

New Parallels Desktop 13 innovations include picture-in-picture (PiP) view, a feature which creates windows of other active VMs - as many as the RAM will support, says Schmucker. The PiPs are always visible on top, even when a Mac app is in full screen mode. This allows users to monitor and work in multiple operating systems (OS) and their applications simultaneously on one screen, or watch a video while switching between macOS Spaces and applications. PiP view joins popular Parallels Desktop customisation settings such as coherence (Windows is invisible while using Windows apps on a Mac), full screen mode, and Window mode (Windows in a window in macOS).

The latest version of Parallel Desktop provides a number of visual and display improvements for improved transitions and better scaling resolution. Owners of high-resolution Retina displays enjoy greatly improved sharpness of text and graphics in scaled mode.

Significant performance improvements include:

• Up to 100% performance improvement for external Thunderbolt SSD drives (near native performance)
• Up to 50% faster Snapshot creation for VMs with a large amount of memory
• Up to 47% faster working in Windows files in Windows on rotational discs
• Up to 47% faster working with Windows files on a Mac 
• Up to 40% faster USB device performance in most scenarios
• OpenGL 3 support added for DIALux evo professional lighting design software and the strategy game Northgard 

In addition to the overall improvements to Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac, Parallels has upgraded Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro and Business Edition. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition and Business Edition include a complimentary concurrent subscription to both Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Parallels Toolbox for Windows as well as Parallels Access. Version 2.0 of the Toolbox features 32 tools, up from 20 previously. Toolbox utilities for Windows and Mac include:

• Clean Drive – easily free up disk space 
• Presentation Mode – Prevent embarrassing notifications, desktop reveals of personal files, and screen saver lockout delays during the presentation – in just one click. (Mac only) 
• Download Video – Download video from YouTube, Facebook and other websites for watching later
• Find Duplicates – Search any drive or folder to quickly find identical files (even with different names), and free up disc space
• Record Screen – Capture video of the entire screen, a window or select area – which can include audio from the integrated computer microphone – in one click.

"(Each tool does) one thing really well: just use it and get on with the work, that's the philosophy of the tools," said Schmucker. He shared that the Download Video and Record Screen tools are the most popular.

Interested?

Parallels Desktop, the standard edition, is targeted at homes and students whereas the Pro Edition is for professionals, developers and small teams. The Parallels Desktop Business Edition is for enterprise use and offers centralised administration and management, unified volume licence keys for mass deployment, and advanced security features. View the comparison chart

Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac, Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition are available for subscribers and upgraders from Parallels Desktop 11 and 12, as well as new customers, online and at local retail and online stores worldwide. Free 14-day full-featured trials of Parallels Desktop are also available for download.

The recommended retail price (RRP) of Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac is US$79.99. Upgrades for existing Parallels Desktop 11 and 12 for Mac perpetual license customers are US$49.99, with an introductory offer to upgrade to a Parallels Desktop Pro Edition subscription for US$49.99 per year for life. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition and Business Edition are each available to new customers for US$99.99 per year.

Watch the Instavideo of the PIP view feature in action. Schmucker shows Windows XP and Windows 10 VMs running simultaneously with a Mac OS in the demo

Parallels' Windows enhancement tools save time, effort

Source: Parallels. Parallels Toolbox for Windows is a great sidekick for Windows users.

Parallels, a global leader in cross-platform solutions and creator of software for running Windows applications on a Mac, has launched Parallels Toolbox for Windows to streamline common computing tasks.

“Parallels Toolbox for Mac received an outstanding response after its initial launch last August, so we decided to bring these time-saving benefits to Windows users,” said Jack Zubarev, Parallels President. “Now, whether you use a PC or Mac, you can simply and quickly get tasks done on either platform.”

Parallels Toolbox for Windows is a go-to resource for accomplishing daily tasks, at a lower price than a single utility from competitors. Tools that save time and effort include the ability to easily download and convert YouTube videos, take specialised screenshots, block the computer’s built-in camera and record a video of your screen.

Some of these functionalities may be available in Windows but relatively inaccessible, or they may not be available at all. Users would typically have to buy a third party app to provide a single function, whereas Parallels Toolbox for Windows includes a wide range of utilities for an affordable yearly subscription.

Capabilities in Parallels Toolbox for Windows include:

• Archive: Create compressed archives from your files to save space or easily share files

• Block camera: Block the built-in camera so applications will no longer have access to it

• Capture area: Take a screenshot of a part of the screen

• Capture screen: Take a screenshot of the entire screen and save in different formats (PNG, JPEG, TIFF, PDF and GIF)

• Capture window: Take a screenshot of a single window

• Convert video: Convert many video types to MP4 so they can be played on phones and tablets

• Do not disturb: Disable notifications and animations that would interrupt your work or presentation

• Do not sleep: Prevent the computer from going to sleep

• Download video: Download video from the Internet to the computer

• Eject volumes: Eject all external hard drives, memory cards, network volumes and mounted disk images with one click

• Hide desktop: Hide icons on the desktop for clutter-free presentations

• Lock screen: Lock the screen to prevent unauthorised access

• Launch: Open several items—such as applications, folders, links or other files—all at once with just one click

• Mute microphone: Mute the computer’s microphone

• Record area: Record video from a selected area on the screen

• Record audio: Record audio from the microphone

• Record screen: Record video of the entire screen

• Record window: Record video from a single window

• Take photo: Take photos immediately using the PC’s camera

• Take video: Immediately use the computer camera to take video with the click of a button

• Unarchive: Unpack various file compression formats—such as RAR, RPM, XAR, and Z—to obtain usable files

Interested?

Free trials of Parallels Toolbox for Windows 1.0, as well as Parallels Toolbox for Mac 1.7, are available online. Each version is available for US$9.99 per year, and includes free future updates with additional tools as they are added.

Parallels rolls out Parallels Toolbox for Mac version 1.5

Parallels has launched version 1.5 of Parallels Toolbox for Mac, a suite of software tools designed to simplify essential everyday tasks.

Parallels Toolbox makes working smoother through providing easy access to useful activities such as capturing a video of screen actions, archiving files to save storage space, or preventing the Mac from going to sleep.

The new Parallels Toolbox 1.5 adds several refinements and enhancements to the stable of tools.

For example, it is now easier for users to get to any one of their favourite tools as they can now drag their icons to the Desktop, to the Dock, to the Mac menu bar, or to a new “Favorite Tools” area in the Toolbox menu.

Parallels has also added the option to capture system audio - audio generated by the Mac or a Mac app - to its Record Screen tools.

Interested?

 

Parallels Toolbox 1.5 is a free update for existing Parallels Toolbox subscribers, and costs US$9.99 per year for new customers. 

Watch a video demonstrating what's new in the Parallels Toolbox 1.5 update

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac does more, faster

Source: Parallels. A new virtual machine offered in Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac.

Parallels, a global player in cross-platform solutions and creator of software for running Windows applications on a Mac, today launched Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac. Parallels Desktop 12 is macOS Sierra ready, includes up-to 25% performance improvements, and features more than 20 simple single-function tools and utilities which are also available as a standalone Parallels Toolbox for Mac app. In addition, all Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac customers will receive a one-year subscription to backup solution Acronis True Image, which includes a fast incremental backup feature that reduces the time and size of subsequent backups ups and provides up to 500 GB of free online storage.

New utilities featured in all editions of Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac make it easy to perform common tasks with simple single-function tools for both the Mac and Windows virtual machines (VMs). Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro and Business Edition subscribers, and Parallels Toolbox for Mac subscribers, also receive free updates of additional tools which will be made available every quarter. Initial tools include:

· Distraction-free presentation modes for both Mac and Windows VMs, including:

o Hide Desktop Files
o Do Not Disturb
o Keep Mac Awake.

· Archive, encrypt and password protect all of your files.

· Capture screen shots or record video of a screen, window or area.

· Download videos from YouTube, Facebook and other websites with a single click.

· Time management tools—an alarm, timer, date countdown and stopwatch.

· Unpack files from ZIP, RAR and many other formats.

“Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac joins our long history of innovations in ease of use and personalization,” said Jack Zubarev, Parallels president. “In addition to delivering our best Windows-on-Mac performance and experience, Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac simplifies a number of everyday tasks for millions of our customers in all walks of life.”

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac also adds the ability to purchase Windows 10 and simply install it via the Parallels Desktop Wizard, and a Scheduled Windows Maintenance option so Windows Updates and maintenance can take place overnight or at times when it is not disruptive to a user’s workflow.

PC and Xbox game players will get increased support in Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac. Parallels engineers worked with Blizzard Entertainment and optimised Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac to support Overwatch, a 2016 PC and Xbox game that has sold more than 15 million copies in just over two months. Parallels Desktop also supports the Windows 10 Xbox app, enabling people to stream and play Xbox games on their Mac devices.

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac feature highlights include:

· Parallels Toolbox for Mac: 20 tools that simplify everyday tasks on your Mac

· Simplified backup: One year of Acronis True Image 500 GB cloud backup storage, which can backup new incremental changes to a virtual machine (VM), instead of having to save an entire VM every time changes are made.

· Support for Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch PC game.

· Support for the Windows 10 Xbox app, for streaming and playing all Xbox games on a Mac

· Schedule Windows updates for an appropriate time at night to avoid time-consuming disruptions during the day.

· Control storage space used by VMs directly from the Optimized Storage feature in macOS Sierra.

· Store Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer passwords in Mac Keychain.

· Assign special behaviours to Windows apps, such as 'Always Open Full Screen' or 'Always Hide Other Apps,' so they play even better on the Mac.

· Cancel time-consuming VM actions.

· Open documents from SharePoint and Office 365 in Microsoft Office for Windows desktop applications directly from a favourite Mac browser.

· Keep Windows ready in the background, instead of suspending the VM, to instantly open Windows applications and documents.

· Outlook for Windows now features your recently accessed documents, both Mac and Windows, so they are conveniently available to select when you add attachments to your emails.

· Improved Retina support for resizing Windows VMs.

· Archive VMs to save space in the Pro Edition.

· Set resource usage limits for VMs in the Pro Edition.

· Network Conditioner in the Pro Edition now features preconfigured network profiles (including Edge, 100% loss, 3G, DSL, 'very bad network' and Wi-Fi) to make testing a breeze, as well as customisable settings.

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac performance improvements include: *

· Up to 90% faster Snapshot creation.

· Up to 60% faster suspend of VMs.

· Up to 25% faster Shared Folders performance.

· Compile Visual Studio projects on shared folders up to 25% faster.

· Up to 10% battery life improvement.**

· Enjoy improved VM responsiveness when your Mac is low on free memory.

Interested?

Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac, Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition are available today for subscribers and upgraders from Parallels Desktop 10 and 11. General availability is August 23 online and at local retail and online stores worldwide.

The recommended retail price (RRP) of Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac is S$108. Upgrades for existing Parallels Desktop 10 and 11 for Mac perpetual license customers are S$68, with an introductory offer to upgrade to a Parallels Desktop Pro Edition subscription for S$68 per year for life.

Parallels Desktop Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop Business Edition are available to new customers for US$99.99 per year. Parallels Desktop Pro Edition and Business Edition include a complimentary Parallels Access subscription to remotely access up to five Mac or Windows PCs from any device.

Parallels Toolbox for Mac is a feature of all versions of Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac which will also be available as a standalone subscription product for US$9.99 per year, including all new tools and updates planned for release every few months. Starting August 23, download a full-featured trial for 14 days for free, or purchase a subscription

22 July is Pi Day

Pi Day is here - again. The mathematical constant is celebrated at least twice a year – in addition to the March 14 (3/14) celebrations, Pi Day is also observed on July 22, as 22/7 is the most common fraction used to represent Pi.

To commemorate Pi Day Parallels has created an infographic with interesting facts about Pi, together with some ways to celebrate:

Switch easily between Mac and Windows apps with Parallels Access 3.1

Parallels today announced the availability of Parallels Access 3.1, bringing seamless support for remote PC or Mac access to the iPad Pro and Windows 10.

Parallels Access offers users an easy and natural way to control PC or Mac applications from their iOS or Android tablet, as well as from any computer with an HTML5 web browser, without installing any plugins.

New features in the latest version of Parallels Access include:

· Full support for the 9.7" and 12.9" iPad Pro, so that applications and desktops look just as if they are running naturally and natively on the tablet.

· 3D Touch is now enabled on iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

· Support for Apple Pencil, as well as other common styluses such as Samsung’s S Pen.

· Full compatibility with Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Parallels Access 3.1 also features support for the new Tablet Mode in Windows 10 in both its iOS and Android versions, which makes Windows 10 easier to interact with when without a mouse or keyboard.

Interested?

Parallels Access 3.1 is a free update to anyone with a current Parallels Access subscription, which costs US$19.99 per year. Register for the seven-day trial

posted from Bloggeroid

Parallels has Labour Day offer on Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac

Parallels is offering a 20% discount on Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac from Labour Day, May 1. The software allows Windows applications to be run side-by-side with Mac apps without having to reboot.

The integration between Windows 10 and Mac OS X enables:

· Using the Mac Quick Look feature on files on the Windows desktop;

· Accessing the Windows 10 Action Center from the Mac desktop;

· Dragging and dropping of files across desktops;

· Copying and pasting text and formatting from Windows to Mac, and vice versa

Interested?

The deal will take effect from 1 May 2016 and is available while stocks last in Singapore at Best Denki, Challenger, EpiCentre, iStudio, nübox and other Apple Authorised Resellers.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac supports OS X El Capitan

Source: Parallels. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition showing Cortana operating in El Capitan. 

Parallels, a cross-platform solutions provider and creator of software for running Windows applications on a Mac, has announced that Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac fully supports OS X El Capitan.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac (build 11.0.2) supports El Capitan as both a host and guest, as well as Windows 10 and dozens of other operating systems as a guest, and enables users to leverage the latest features and functionality from the newest operating system of their choice.

In Coherence mode, Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac enables users to run the new OS X El Capitan Split View feature – the ability to display two different apps on one screen for optimal multitasking. In addition, Microsoft’s intelligent personal assistant Cortana can be used on a Mac with both OS X and Windows 10 apps. This is the first time that Parallels Desktop has made both Windows and Mac features available across both OS platforms.

“With Windows 10 and OS X El Capitan launching within months of each other, we are seeing more innovation in software than ever before,” said Jack Zubarev, Parallels President. “We are pleased to enable a choice of OS X or Windows on a single device, as well as enjoy a seamless experience of integrating Windows and OS X key features.”

With full support for OS X El Capitan, Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac offers additional advantages for saving time and enhancing performance improvements over Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac for an even faster work experience, including*:

· Windows 8 and Windows 10 launches and shutdowns are up to 50% faster

· File operations inside of Windows are improved by up to 20%

· Virtual machine suspend is up to 20% faster

· Travel Mode can increase battery life up to 25%

· Improved network performance

Interested?

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is available now to both current and new Parallels Desktop for Mac users at www.parallels.com/desktop worldwide, and at local retailers including Challenger, EpiCentre, Harvey Norman, iStudio, NuBox and other Apple resellers in Singapore.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition is available online at www.parallels.com/desktop and at the Apple online store.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition is available through commercial resellers.

The recommended retail price (RRP) of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is S$108. Upgrades for existing Parallels Desktop 9 or 10 for Mac customers are S$68, with an introductory offer to upgrade to a Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition subscription for S$68 per year available from www.parallels.com/desktop.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition are available to new customers for S$134 per year. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition includes a complimentary Parallels Access subscription to remotely access their Mac from any device.

Read the TechTrade Asia blog post on the Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac launch

*Parallels internal testing

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac runs Windows better than ever

Source: Parallels. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac.

Parallels, a global provider of cross-platform solutions, today launched Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac. The release includes a new version of the software for developers, designers and power users, Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition. It also includes Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition, previously known as the Enterprise Edition.

The new editions of Parallels Desktop for Mac benefit from speed improvements of up to 50%, Travel Mode which extends battery life by up to 25% while on the go, support for Windows 10 along with OS X El Capitan readiness.

Jack Zubarev, Parallels President, noted that the company has made it easier than ever to run Windows on a Mac. “Developers, designers and power users are one of the biggest audiences among our millions of Parallels Desktop for Mac customers,” said Zubarev. 

"We’ve created Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition specifically for them and will continue to quickly innovate to help them stay more productive in their day-to-day work. Seamless experience has been the hallmark of Parallels Desktop since its inception. Today we further our commitment to innovation with Parallels Desktop 11—from Windows 10 and El Capitan integration to making Microsoft’s Cortana available on Mac."

Parallels Desktop 11 empowers Mac users to run Windows 10 and leverage the advantages of Microsoft’s intelligent personal assistant, Cortana, when using both Windows and OS X. This is the first time that Parallels Desktop has ever made a Windows feature available for OS X applications. Parallels Desktop 11 also provides experimental support for OS X El Capitan prior to its launch, and will fully support the platform shortly after its release to give users a seamless experience with the latest operating systems.

“As Windows 10 and OS X El Capitan enter the market, it is essential for businesses, developers and consumers that need to be productive to use virtualisation software to easily run both operating systems, so they can work effectively, regardless of their platform,” said Laura DiDio, Strategy Analytics Director of research and consulting. “All three Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac editions provide the best tools to address respective customer audiences and deployment scenarios that seamlessly enable people to use the applications they need, regardless of platform.”

New Parallels Desktop 11 ease-of-use benefits include improved performance and battery life with the use of Travel Mode, which can easily be activated to optimise performance. When users are on the go and not connected to power, Parallels Desktop Travel Mode will automatically extend battery life by up to 25% by temporarily shutting off resources that drain power.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac offers significant speed performance improvements over the previous version for an even faster work experience, including*:

· Windows launch and shutdown is up to 50% faster

· File operations inside of Windows are improved by up to 20%

· Virtual machine suspend is up to 20% faster

· Travel Mode can increase battery life up to 25%

· Improved network performance

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition 

This is a new version of the software specifically designed for developers, designers and power users, giving them the powerful tools they need for maximum productivity. The Pro Edition supports integration with popular developer tools including Docker, Visual Studio (plug-in), Chef and Jenkins, Vagrant, Guest OS debugging and network simulation. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition empowers users to run preview Windows machines and use nested virtualisation for both Windows and Linux guests, making it the perfect tool for developers, power users and testers who need a variety of virtual machine environments, including simulation of more complex deployments.

Parallels Desktop for Mac Business EditionPreviously known as Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition, Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition includes all Pro Edition features, offering IT admins the most efficient means to enable their employees with Macs to run Windows applications.

The Business Edition builds upon Parallels Desktop by adding administrative features that enable IT departments to control and manage end user virtual machines as well as manage and administer licenses via the new Parallels License Management Portal. This feature provides IT administrators with vital information, such as license expirations, usage statistics, and real-time visibility into licensing activities, to easily manage all of their deployed licenses. Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition also supports business cloud services including Box, Dropbox for Business and OneDrive Business.

Highlights of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac include:

· Always on Cortana enables customers to use Microsoft’s virtual assistant with Mac applications, even when Windows 10 is not the forefront application

· Travel Mode extends the battery life by up to 25%

· Quick Look for Windows extends this cool Mac convenience to Windows documents and files

· New Force Touch gesture support enables a quick preview of files with Quick Look or the ability to look up the definition of an unknown word

· Improved Mac Window Controls include a new Coherence mode button

· Most recently used files list now can be viewed on the Mac regardless of where those files are stored: on the Mac, in a virtual machine, in the cloud or on a file server

· New easy printing with all Mac printer options support saves time with an intuitive solution for OS X users

· “New Item” support for creation of new files in Windows apps including Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word

· Now users can easily cancel time-consuming virtual machine actions

· Mac location services are now available to Windows applications

· Automatic synchronisation of the volume setting of a virtual machine with that of the Mac

· Enhanced file associations with smart notification messaging helps change file association in OS X

· Improvements in the setup and use of a virtual machine to directly access a Boot Camp Windows partition—without rebooting

· One-time opportunity to upgrade to Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition from Parallels Desktop 9 or 10 for S$49.99 per year

· Improved Japanese keyboard—specific to the Japanese language edition only

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition includes all of the features of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac, as well as the following new and key features:

· Integration with key developer tools, such as Docker, Visual Studio (plug-in), Chef and Jenkins

· Support for Vagrant and other developer tools

· Additional user profiles for developers, power users and testers for optimal configuration for their particular scenarios

· Advanced networking tools and configuration for virtual networks to test complex networking scenarios, including the ability to simulate some network instabilities

· Cloud storage access through Box.net, Dropbox for Business and OneDrive Business, for sharing from Windows to Mac

· Headless mode for running virtual machines in the background without user interface

· Ability to create linked clones to conserve disk space and optimise installations

· Enhanced memory (64 GB RAM) and processing power (16 vCPU) for improved performance

· Nested virtualisation for Linux guests

· Modern.IE test environments in the Parallels New Virtual Machine Wizard provide access to free trials of browsers for testing

· 24/7 phone and email support

The Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition has all of the features of the Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition, as well as the following additions:

· Centralised administration and management capabilities to keep IT in control of virtual machines

· Web-based Parallels License Management Portal with a single activation key to eliminate manual management of individual license keys

· Business-level support, including prioritised 24x7 phone and email support options

· USB devices policy enforcement for additional security

Interested?

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is available now to both current and new Parallels Desktop for Mac users at www.parallels.com/desktop worldwide, and at local retailers in Singapore including Challenger, EpiCentre, Harvey Norman, iStudio, NuBox and other Apple resellers.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition is available online and at the Apple online store. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition is available through commercial resellers.

The recommended retail price (RRP) of Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is S$108.00. Upgrades for existing Parallels Desktop 9 or 10 for Mac customers are S$68.00, with an introductory offer to upgrade to a Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition subscription for S$68.00 per year available from www.parallels.com/desktop.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition and Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition are available to new customers for S$134 per year. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition includes a complimentary Parallels Access subscription to remotely access their Mac from any device.

*Based on Parallels internal testing

Use PC or Mac apps from iOS, Android devices

Source: Parallels website.

Parallels has updated its Parallels Access app for remote access to PCs and Macs* on both iOS and Android platforms, a move targeted at various user segments including professionals who want to travel light, but still access all their computer files on the go.

Parallels Access transforms mobile devices into more powerful computing machines by allowing them to remotely run any application, edit documents, and search through and access all the files on a remote computer through a universal file manager. It also allows users to tap any computer with a web browser to access and run everything on a remote computer without requiring any plug-ins or extensions. 

“The need to do more on mobile devices has been a growing trend among both consumers and business professional alike. Our latest Parallels Access update brings new features that make it easier than ever before to get work done with native touch gestures on mobile devices, as well as from any computer with a web browser,” said Jack Zubarev, President of Parallels. “Parallels Access makes every application and file on your remote work and home computers available at your fingertips no matter where you are, so you can be productive on the go.”

“As the market shifts increasingly towards mobile applications, solutions that can further turn a mobile device into a powerful computer are becoming increasingly necessary,” said Laura DiDio, IT Analyst and Principal of ITIC. “The latest update to Parallels Access further extends this invaluable functionality to make the practice of working remotely from your mobile device more efficient and powerful.”

Additional features for both Android and iOS include:

· Universal File Manager with local file support, cloud storage, file previews and access to photos

· New “remoteless” connection for File Manager–connect to a computer to access files without taking over the screen

· Ability to transfer files from a remote computer to other apps on iOS and Android

· Enhanced file preview for files on a remote computer–now supports Microsoft Office files

· Improved Wake-on-LAN feature which offers additional ways to wake a remote computer

· Ability to work with multiple monitors in a web-browser session from a remote computer allowing the user to switch between available displays, or see them all at once

· Access to photos on a mobile device from the desktop agent, including the ability to take photos and copy them to a remote computer

Additional updates for iOS only include:

· Universal support for portrait and landscape for enhanced usability

· New OneDrive support for cloud storage in addition to existing support for Google Drive and Dropbox providing consumers additional options

· File previews in icons through File Manager for easier navigation

· 64-bit support for new CPU architecture on iOS devices

Interested?

Parallels Access 3.0 is available in the Apple iTunes App Store and on Google Play with a one week free trial. Individual subscriptions are available for purchase for US$19.99 for one year or US$34.99 for two years. Users can access up to five remote computers from an unlimited number of iOS and Android tablets and phones or computers with a modern web browser. As a limited-time offer, new customers who purchase Parallels Access can get a two-year subscription for US$29.99.

*Hardware requirements:
iPad: iPad mini 2 and iPad 2 or later running iOS 7 or later
iPhone: iPhone 4s and later running iOS 7 or later
Android: most tablets and phones running Android 5.0

Remote computers can be a PC running Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8 or Windows 7, or a Mac running OS X El Capitan (experimental support), OS X Yosemite (10.10) or OS X Mavericks (10.9).

Agent upgrades will happen automatically once the update becomes available or users will be notified immediately if not. Parallels recommends users update their client software on their mobile devices following agent upgrades on their computers to ensure compatibility.

Parallels turns Raspberry Pi computers into Windows PCs

Source: Parallels. A Raspberry Pi computer, attached to a monitor, keyboard and mouse, running Windows and Excel through Parallels 2X RAS.

Parallels, a cross-platform solutions provider, has recognised the popularity of the Raspberry Pi with technology that transforms the low-cost device into a complete workstation running business software. 

For the first time since Raspberry Pi’s launch in 2012, users can use any application 'remotely' with Parallels 2X Remote Application Server (RAS). A RAS basically takes mouse and keyboard information from a workstation or other device, sends it to a more powerful computer for processing, and then updates the screen of the device. The processing generally occurs off the device and on the more powerful computer, or remotely, but is fast enough that the device appears to be doing the processing on the spot.

Parallels 2X RAS already delivers applications to any device, including Chromebook notebook computers, Windows PCs, Mac computers, Linux workstations, Android and iOS devices, the Windows Phone, and HTML5 browsers. 

Said Parallels 2X Marketing Director Giorgio Bonuccelli: “With more than five million units shipped since its 2012 launch, Raspberry Pi is the new kid on the IT block, but the use of this small and revolutionary device has been limited to Linux and web applications so far. Parallels 2X RAS offers the unique opportunity to deliver corporate Windows applications and remote desktops on this low-cost, credit card-sized computer.”

Parallels Access 2.5 now available on Google Play and App Store worldwide

Source: Parallels website.

Parallels, a cross-platform solution provider, has made Parallels Access 2.5 available on Google Play and the App Store worldwide. Parallels Access enables users to be effective anytime and anywhere, even with a mobile device or a borrowed computer. 

The company says Access works well with 3G connections, and has applification” technology that lets users run desktop applications as if they were native apps for the iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

The app includes new features such as a universal file manager, computer-to-computer remote access and more support for Samsung devices. The new release also supports the recently released OS X Yosemite and Windows 10 Technical Preview.

“In our new era of even more devices, interfaces and form factors, it is extremely important for people to have a consistent application experience from any device, anywhere. Today’s workers need tools that connect the applications they depend on with devices and services from multiple platforms for a seamless user experience,” said Parallels President Jack Zubarev. 

Features include:

· Universal file manager: A cross-platform mobile experience for accessing all your files across remote locations, including computers and the cloud (iOS today, Android soon). Most local and remote files can be previewed.

· Samsung Galaxy Tab S and Galaxy Note 4: Access your computer and files from Samsung’s latest phones and tablets. There is full support for S Pen input on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge.

· iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus: Optimised for new iPhone screen sizes and resolutions.

· Kindle Fire: Optimised for Kindle Fire.

· Sound where you want it: Users decide where they want to hear audio – on the mobile device or the computer.

View the associated videos here (iOS), here (Android) and here (computer to computer).

Parallels Access 2.5 is available now on the App Store, Google Play, Samsung Galaxy Apps and the Amazon Appstore for Android with a two-week free trial. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge customers receive a free six-month subscription to Parallels Access as part of their Galaxy Gifts. Current customers get Parallels Access 2.5 for free. 

Individual subscriptions are available for S$25.98 for one year or S$44.98 for two years, and they include the ability to access up to five remote computers from an unlimited number of iOS and Android tablets and phones, and an unlimited number of computer-to-computer connections. 

Parallels Access for Business is available for a 30-day free trial, after which it costs S$59 for five computers and unlimited devices. 

SMBs in Singapore increasingly moving to cloud services

Parallels, the hosting and cloud services enablement company, has updated Parallels SMB Cloud Insights with insights about the Singapore cloud market for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs). The Parallels SMB Cloud Insights 2014 report says that the SMB cloud services market in Singapore will experience robust growth, which is projected to hit S$916 million in 2017, with a three-year CAGR of 21%. 

Source: Parallels. Zanni.

"The Asia Pacific region will in general leapfrog the rest of the world because they started later. As this region grows at an accelerated rate, they can move to cloud much more rapidly. In aggregate, I suspect Asia will grow very fast in the next five years," said John Zanni, Chief Marketing Officer - Service Providers, Parallels. 

The new report examines the top four cloud service categories most widely deployed by SMBs in Singapore in 2014: infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), web presence, unified communications, and business applications. 

Aligned with global growth estimated at US$125 billion by 2016, the report details the growth in the Singapore SMB cloud market at S$520 million in 2014, with infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) taking the largest share of all the cloud services categories, at S$195 million; web presence at S$57 million; and unified communications (UC) at S$126 million. Business applications account for the remaining S$142 million, and have the second-largest share of the market.

· The infrastructure-as-a-service segment has seen high adoption of managed services/hosted servers with 63% of respondents indicating such adoption, followed by database applications at 45%, and project management at 33%. 

· Web presence: The Singapore SMB web presence accounts for 11% of the total market in 2014, estimated at S$57 million. The report notes the following trends:

- The majority (70%) of SMBs are using websites

- Many businesses are outsourcing the design and management of their websites

- Most SMBs are using web applications

· Unified communications (UC): Previously called 'communication and collaboration', UC accounts for 24% of the market, or S$126 million. This segment includes business class email, hosted PBX, and collaboration applications. Zanni noted that UC growth is due to increased confidence in a de facto cloud service. "Offerings from big providers like Microsoft are becoming more and more full-featured and easy to use," he said.

- Many SMBs opted for paid hosted email over free email primarily due to the improved security offered by the former, with good pricing and professional look-and-feel as other purchase triggers

- Nearly 40% of SMBs are using instant collaboration or other collaboration applications

· Key growth highlights for business applications include the use of online applications at 85%, including SMB use of cloud-based file sharing, online backup and storage, payroll and human resources, amongst others

- Businesses purchasing full versions of business applications after having tried the limited-term trials, which typically allow an application to be used for a predefined time.

“The size of the Singapore SMB cloud services market may be smaller than the other mature markets in the region, but the country’s SMBs are amongst the fastest adapters of cloud services – both in usage and sophistication,” said Pavel Ershov, Vice President, Service Providers Business at Parallels Asia Pacific and Japan. 

“SMBs today have the best of both worlds to help them grow their businesses – cloud services offerings with enterprise-grade capabilities at affordable costs.”

"For SMBs, the message is to keep pushing their value added reseller or service provider to provide best-of-class services so they can focus on growing their businesses," Zanni added.

All SMB Cloud Insights reports are available for download here.

*Parallels defines micro businesses as those with one to nine staff; small businesses as those with ten to 99 staff, and medium sized businesses as those with 100 to 250 staff.