New Mac Notes Client Is Here

IBM released the new Notes client for the Macintosh on Thursday.

As reported here a few months ago, IBM promised better feature parity between Windows and Mac Notes clients with this release.

Lotus Notes 7.0.2 for the Mac adds new RSS feed tools, a blogging template and better usage of the Mac OS X interface conventions.

While Apple Computer's Mac holds a tiny slice of corporate desktop installed base, it remains a cult favorite in art and publishing departments. And the latest Mac OS X operating system has sparked hope that the platform will gain share.

IBM's Domino server and Notes client tandem battles Microsoft Exchange Server. IBM touts its cross-platform approach as an advantage in that war. Domino e-mail and collaboration server runs on Linux, major Unix variants, Windows and OS/400. And it supports Linux, Windows and Macintosh clients.

IBM made a splash at its annual Lotusphere confab last year promising full support for the Mac OSX.

As IBM and Microsoft duke it out for business accounts, open source and Web 2.0-oriented messaging systems from Scalix and Zimbra are making some headway among VARs and customers seeking low-cost e-mail and calendaring solutions.