Microsoft readies MSN for Mac OS X

After years of eschewing the Macintosh internet service market, Microsoft will announce its intention later today to offer MSN Internet access and content to users of Apple's Mac OS X - though the service won't be available until early next year.

Prices and features will be similar to the PC version, with those in the US able to choose from dial-up service and broadband. There is also a plan for those who want the MSN content but already have internet service through another provider.

Even though the new software is designed to offer many of the features in Microsoft's forthcoming MSN 8 for Windows, it will be a native Mac OS X program written by the company's Macintosh Business Unit.

The software giant's commitment to Apple's systems has come under question as a five-year deal to develop Mac software comes to a close. Microsoft has said it will continue to develop Mac programs but has said it is only committing to products one version at a time and has not put a time frame on its commitment.

Microsoft has criticised Apple in the past for not doing enough to promote Mac OS X.

Ian Fried writes for News.com