View source for BeOS

{{Short description|Operating system for personal computers}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox OS
| name = BeOS
| logo = BeOS logo.svg
| screenshot = BeOS Desktop.png
| caption = BeOS R5
| developer = [[Be Inc.]]
| programmed in = [[C++]]
| source_model = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1995|10|3}}
| latest release version = R5.0.3
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2000|5|26}}
| working_state = Discontinued
| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osdata.com/oses/beos.htm|title=BeOS|access-date=January 13, 2016}}</ref>
| language = English, Japanese
| supported_platforms = [[IA-32]]<br> [[PowerPC]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20110804175137/http://www.beincorporated.com/ beincorporated.com]
}}
'''BeOS''' is a discontinued [[operating system]] for [[personal computer]]s that was developed by [[Be Inc.]]<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Finley|first=Klint|date=May 29, 2015|title=This OS Almost Made Apple an Entirely Different Company|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/05/os-almost-made-apple-entirely-different-company/|access-date=July 1, 2020|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> It was conceived for the company's [[BeBox]] personal computer which was released in 1995. BeOS was designed for [[Computer multitasking|multitasking]], [[Multithreading (computer architecture)|multithreading]], and a [[graphical user interface]]. The OS was later sold to [[OEMs]], retail, and directly to users; its last version was released as [[freeware]].

Early BeOS releases are for [[PowerPC]]. It was ported to [[Macintosh]], then [[x86]]. Be was ultimately unable to achieve a significant market share and ended development with dwindling finances, so [[Palm, Inc.|Palm]] acquired the BeOS assets in 2001. Enthusiasts have since created derivate operating systems including [[Haiku (operating system)|Haiku]], which will retain BeOS 5 compatibility as of Release R1.

==Development==
BeOS is the product of [[Apple Computer]]'s former business executive [[Jean-Louis Gassée]], with the underlying philosophy of building a "media OS" capable of up-and-coming digital media<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-05-25 |title=Technical White Paper: The Media OS |url=http://www.be.com/products/beos/mediaos.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970525183525/http://www.be.com/products/beos/mediaos.html |archive-date=May 25, 1997 }}</ref> and multi-processors. Development began in the early 1990s, initially designed to run on [[AT&T Hobbit]]-based hardware before being modified to run on [[PowerPC]]-based processors: first Be's own [[BeBox]] system, and later Apple Computer's [[PowerPC Reference Platform]] and [[Common Hardware Reference Platform]], with the hope that Apple would purchase or license BeOS as a replacement for its aging [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Tom |date=November 24, 2004 |title=BeOS @ MaCreate |url=http://macreate.net/reloaded/?q=node/view/149 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324220739/http://macreate.net/reloaded/?q=node%2Fview%2F149 |archive-date=March 24, 2005 |access-date=November 16, 2006}}</ref>

The first version of BeOS shipped with the BeBox to a limited number of developers in October 1995. It supported analog and digital audio and [[MIDI]] streams, multiple video sources, and 3D computation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-05-25 |title=Be Completes $14 million Financing |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-04-15_Financing.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970525192033/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-04-15_Financing.html |archive-date=May 25, 1997 }}</ref> Developer Release 6 (DR6) was the first officially available version.

The BeOS Developer Release 7 (DR7) was released in April 1996. This includes full 32-bit color graphics, "workspaces" ([[virtual desktops]]), an [[File Transfer Protocol|FTP]] file server, and a [[web server]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-02-18 |title=Be Releases BeOS Version DR7 |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-04-17_DR7.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970218230625/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-04-17_DR7.html |archive-date=February 18, 1997 }}</ref>

DR8 was released in September 1996 with a new browser with [[MPEG]] and [[QuickTime]] video formats. It supports [[OpenGL]], [[Remote access software|remote access]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-05-25 |title=Be Announces BeOS Version DR8 |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-08-05_DR8.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970525193252/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-08-05_DR8.html |archive-date=May 25, 1997 }}</ref> and [[Power Macintosh]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=1996-10-21 |title=Be Demonstrates BeOS for PowerMac |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-08-06_BePower.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961021003440/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/96-08-06_BePower.html |archive-date=October 21, 1996 }}</ref>

In 1996, Apple Computer CEO [[Gil Amelio]] started negotiations to buy Be Inc., but stalled when Be CEO [[Jean-Louis Gassée]] wanted $300 million<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tom|first1=Hormby|title=The Rise and Fall of Apple's Gil Amelio|url=http://lowendmac.com/2013/the-rise-and-fall-of-apples-gil-amelio/|website=Low End Mac|date=August 10, 2013|publisher=Cobweb Publishing, Inc.|access-date=March 28, 2015}}</ref> and Apple offered $125 million. Apple's board of directors preferred [[NeXTSTEP]] and purchased [[Steve Jobs]]'s [[NeXT]] instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://macspeedzone.com/archive/art/con/be.shtml |title=Apple Confidential: The Day They Almost Decided To Put Windows NT On The Mac Instead Of OS X! |author=Owen W. Linzmayer |year=1999 |website=Mac Speed Zone |access-date=January 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624175316/http://www.macspeedzone.com/archive/art/con/be.shtml |archive-date=June 24, 2013 }}</ref>

The final developer's release introduced a 64-bit [[file system]]. BeOS Preview Release (PR1), the first for the general public, was released in mid 1997. It supports [[AppleTalk]], [[PostScript]] printing, and [[Unicode]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=1997-05-25 |title=Be Releases BeOS Preview Release To Developers |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-05-10_AdvancedAccess.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970525192506/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-05-10_AdvancedAccess.html |archive-date=May 25, 1997 }}</ref> The price for the Full Pack was $49.95. Later that year, Preview Release 2 shipped with support for Macintosh's [[Hierarchical File System (Apple)|Hierarchical File System (HFS)]], support for 512MB RAM, and improvements to the user interface.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-10-22 |title=Be Ships BeOS Preview Release 2 |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-10-07_Preview2Ship.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971022013950/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-10-07_Preview2Ship.html |archive-date=October 22, 1997 }}</ref>

Release 3 (R3) shipped in March 1998 (initially $69.95, later $99.95), as the first to be ported to the [[Intel]] [[x86]] platform in addition to PowerPC, and the first commercially available version of BeOS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ATPM 4.09 - Review: BeOS Release 3 |url=http://www.atpm.com/4.09/page12.shtml |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.atpm.com}}</ref> The adoption of x86 was partly due to Apple's moves, with Steve Jobs stopping the Macintosh clone market,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1998-02-26 |title=Be boss offers OS to OEMs for free |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/2944.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |publisher=The Register|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020221230648/http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/2944.html |archive-date=February 21, 2002 }}</ref> and Be's mounting debt.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=1998 |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 3: 1998 |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue3-24.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722115320/http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue3-24.html |archive-date=July 22, 2013 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc.}}</ref>

BeOS Release 4 had a claimed performance improvement of up to 30 percent. Keyboard shortcuts were changed to mimic those of Windows.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-04-27 |title=Be, Inc. Unveils BeOS Release 4 at COMDEX Fall 98 |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/98-11-10_beosr4.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990427064350/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/98-11-10_beosr4.html |archive-date=April 27, 1999 }}</ref> However it still lacked [[Novell NetWare]] support.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=January 25, 1999 |title=A desktop alternative |url=https://www.forbes.com/1999/01/25/feat.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> It also brought additional drivers and support for the most common [[SCSI]] controllers on the x86 platform - from Adaptec and Symbios Logic. The bootloader switched from [[LILO (bootloader)|LILO]] to Be's own bootman.

In 2000, BeOS Release 5 (R5) was released. This was split between a Pro Edition, and a free version known as Personal Edition (BeOS PE) which was released for free online and by CD-ROM.<ref name=":7"/> BeOS PE could be booted from within Windows or [[Linux]], and was intended as a consumer and developer preview.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2000 |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 5: 2000 |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-13.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217034633/http://haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-13.html |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=BeOS/Zeta |url=http://www.yellowbites.com/beos.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127165851/http://yellowbites.com/beos.html |archive-date=November 27, 2013 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=YellowBites}}</ref> Also with R5, Be [[open source]]d elements of the user interface.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-04-12 |title=Be Opens Source Code to Desktop Interface of BeOS 5 |url=http://www.be.com/press/pressreleases/00-03-27_open.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010412102646/http://www.be.com/press/pressreleases/00-03-27_open.html |archive-date=April 12, 2001 }}</ref> Be CEO Gassée said in 2001 that he was open to the idea of releasing the entire operating system's source code,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-02-03 |title=Be getting ready to open source BeOS? |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/17975.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |publisher=[[The Register]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020203000829/http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/17975.html |archive-date=February 3, 2002 }}</ref> but this never materialized.

Release 5 raised BeOS's popularity<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2000-08-15 |title=Be Goes Platinum with BeOS 5 |url=http://www.be.com/press/pressreleases/00-05-09_platinum.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815093516/http://www.be.com/press/pressreleases/00-05-09_platinum.html |archive-date=August 15, 2000 }}</ref> but it remained commercially unsuccessful, and BeOS eventually halted following the introduction of a stripped-down version for [[Internet appliance]]s, [[BeIA]], which became the company's business focus in place of BeOS.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2000 |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 5: 2000 |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-17.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722101638/http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-17.html |archive-date=July 22, 2013 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc.}}</ref> R5 is the final official release of BeOS as Be Inc. became defunct in 2001 following its sale to [[Palm Inc.]] BeOS R5.1 "Dano", which was under development before Be's sale to Palm and includes the BeOS Networking Environment (BONE) networking stack,<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2000 |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 5 : 2000 |url=https://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-5.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722105220/http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue5-5.html |archive-date=July 22, 2013 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc}}</ref> was leaked to the public shortly after the company's close.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jake Daniels |date=January 23, 2002 |title=More Information on the BeOS Dano Version |url=http://www.osnews.com/story/552/More-Information-on-the-BeOS-Dano-Version |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314090430/http://www.osnews.com/story/552/More-Information-on-the-BeOS-Dano-Version |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=OSNews}}</ref>

=== Version history table ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Release
!Date
!Hardware
|-
|''Developer Release 4''
|[[Prototype]]
|[[AT&T Hobbit]]
|-
|Developer Release 5
|October 1995
| rowspan="7" |[[PowerPC]]
|-
|Developer Release 6
|January 1996
|-
|Developer Release 7
|April 1996
|-
|Developer Release 8
|September 1996
|-
|Developer Release 9
(Advanced Access Preview Release)
|May 1997
|-
|Preview Release 1
|June 1997
|-
|Preview Release 2
|October 1997
|-
|'''Release 3'''
|March 1998
| rowspan="6" |[[PowerPC]] and [[X86|Intel x86]]
|-
|R3.1
|June 1998
|-
|R3.2
|July 1998
|-
|'''Release 4'''
|November 4, 1998
|-
|R4.5 ("Genki")
|June 1999
|-
|'''Release 5''' ("Maui")
Personal Edition/Pro Edition
|March 28, 2000<br>May 26, 2000 <small>(5.0.3)</small>
|-
|''R5.1 ("Dano")''
|[[Leaked source code|Leaked]]
|[[X86|Intel x86]]
|}

==Hardware support and licensees==
After the discontinuation of the BeBox in January 1997, [[Power Computing]] began bundling BeOS (on a CD-ROM for optional installation) with its line of PowerPC-based [[Macintosh clone]]s. These systems can [[dual boot]] either [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]] or BeOS, with a start-up screen offering the choice.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=1996 |title=Be Newsletters, Volume 1: 1995-1996 |url=http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue1-36.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217020944/http://haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/benewsletter/Issue1-36.html |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haiku |publisher=Be Inc.}}</ref> [[Motorola]] also announced in February 1997 that it would bundle BeOS with their Macintosh clones, the [[Motorola StarMax]], along with MacOS.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Picarille |first=Lisa |date=February 24, 1997 |title=Motorola snubs NT, picks BeOS for its Mac clones |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q60iT-ThpgMC&pg=PT11 |magazine=[[Computerworld]] |volume=31 |issue=8 |page=12}}</ref> [[DayStar Digital]] was another licensee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-02-18 |title=Be Announces BeOS Support for New Multiprocessor Systems |url=http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-01-07_PowerMPDemo.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970218184150/http://www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/97-01-07_PowerMPDemo.html |archive-date=February 18, 1997 }}</ref>

BeOS is compatible with many Macintosh models, but not [[PowerBook]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-01-27 |title=BeOS Ready Systems -- PowerPC |url=http://www.be.com/support/guides/beosreadylist_ppc.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990127234413/http://www.be.com/support/guides/beosreadylist_ppc.html |archive-date=January 27, 1999 }}</ref>

With BeOS Release 3 on the x86 platform, the operating system is compatible with most computers that run Windows. [[Hitachi]] is the first major x86 OEM to ship BeOS, selling the [[Hitachi Flora Prius]] line in Japan, and [[Fujitsu]] released the Silverline computers in Germany and the [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] countries.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lea |first=Graham |date=July 8, 1999 |title=Success expected for Be IPO |url=https://www.theregister.com/1999/07/08/success_expected_for_be_ipo/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}</ref> Be was unable to attract further manufacturers due to their [[Microsoft]] contracts. Be closed in 2002, and sued Microsoft, claiming that Hitachi had been dissuaded from selling PCs loaded with BeOS. The case was eventually settled out of court for $23.25 million with no admission of liability on Microsoft's part.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Berniker |date=September 8, 2003 |title=Microsoft Settles Anti-Trust Charges with Be |url=http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/print.php/3073811/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109045719/http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/print.php/3073811/ |archive-date=November 9, 2013 |access-date=April 24, 2008}}</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:beostru.PNG|thumb|The BeOS architecture]]
BeOS was developed as an original product, with a proprietary [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]], [[symmetric multiprocessing]], [[preemptive multitasking]], and pervasive [[Multithreading (computer architecture)|multithreading]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.gbnet.net/public/be/acrobat/AboutBe.pdf|title=Company Backgrounder|website=gbnet.net|access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref> It runs in [[protected memory]] mode, with a [[C++]] application framework based on shared libraries and modular code.<ref name=":4" /> Be initially offered [[CodeWarrior]] for application development,<ref name=":1" /> and later [[EGCS]].

Its [[API]] is [[Object-oriented programming|object oriented]]. The user interface was largely multithreaded: each window ran in its own thread, relying heavily on sending messages to communicate between threads; and these concepts are reflected into the API.<ref name="openbox">{{cite magazine |last1=Potrebic |first1=Peter |last2=Horowitz |first2=Steve |date=January 1996 |title=Opening the BeBox |url=https://archive.org/details/eu_MacTech-1996-01_OCR/page/n26/mode/2up |magazine=[[MacTech]] |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=25–45}}</ref>

BeOS uses modern hardware facilities such as modular I/O bandwidth, a multithreaded graphics engine (with the [[OpenGL]] library), and a [[64-bit]] [[journaling file system]] named [[Be File System|BFS]] supporting files up to one [[terabyte]] each.<ref name=":3" /> BeOS has partial [[POSIX]] compatibility and a [[command-line interface]] through [[Bash (Unix shell)|Bash]], although internally it is not a [[Unix]]-derived operating system. Many Unix applications were ported to the BeOS command-line interface.<ref>[[#Brown-1998|Brown (1998)]]</ref>

BeOS uses [[Unicode]] as the default GUI encoding, and support for input methods such as [[bidirectional text]] input was never realized.{{fact|date=March 2025}}

==Applications==
BeOS is bundled with a unique [[web browser]] named NetPositive,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ars Technica: Browsin' on BeOS - Page 1 - (9/99) |url=https://archive.arstechnica.com/reviews/4q99/bebrow/bebrow-1.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=archive.arstechnica.com}}</ref> the BeMail [[email client]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ars Technica: E-Mail on the BeOS - Page 1 - (8/99) |url=https://archive.arstechnica.com/reviews/3q99/bemail/bemail-1.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=archive.arstechnica.com}}</ref> and the PoorMan [[web server]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://testou.free.fr/www.beatjapan.org/mirror/www.be.com/users/tips/tip45.html |title=The Poor Man's Web Server}}</ref> Be operated the marketplace site BeDepot for the purchase and downloading of software including third party, and a website named BeWare listing apps for the platform. Some third party BeOS apps include the [[Gobe Productive]] office suite,<ref name=":3" /> the [[Mozilla]] project,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=CBR Staff |date=1998-07-16 |title=BEZILLA FREE BROWSER FOR BEOS ON TRACK |url=https://techmonitor.ai/technology/bezilla_free_browser_for_beos_on_track |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Tech Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bezilla: Mozilla for BeOS |url=https://www-archive.mozilla.org/ports/beos/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www-archive.mozilla.org}}</ref> and multimedia apps like [[Cinema 4D]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=CINEMA 4D goes BeOS |url=http://testou.free.fr/www.beatjapan.org/mirror/www.be.com/aboutbe/pressreleases/98-11-10_maxon.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=testou.free.fr}}</ref> [[Quake (video game)|''Quake'']] and ''[[Quake II]]'' were officially ported, and ''[[SimCity 3000]]'' was in development.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2000-01-10 |title=To Be Or Not To Be |language=en |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/beos |access-date=2023-11-24}}</ref>

==Reception==
Be did not disclose the number of BeOS users, but it was estimated to be running on between 50,000 and 100,000 computers in 1999,<ref name=":0" /> and Release 5 reportedly had over one million downloads.<ref name=":7" /> For a time it was viewed as a viable competitor to [[classic Mac OS|Mac OS]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], but its status as the "alternative operating system" was quickly surpassed by [[Linux]] by 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Should you be in on Be Inc.'s IPO? |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/should-you-be-in-on-be-inc-039s-ipo/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref>

Reception of the operating system was largely positive citing its true and "reliable" multitasking and support for multiple processors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CNN - Meet the challengers to Windows' throne - June 12, 1998 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9806/12/upstarts.idg/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021117103551/http://edition.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9806/12/upstarts.idg/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 17, 2002 |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=CNN}}</ref> Though its market penetration was low, it gained a niche [[multimedia]] userbase<ref name=":0" /> and acceptance by the audio community. Consequently, it was styled as a "media OS"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orlowski |first=Andrew |title=A Silicon Valley funeral for Be Inc |url=https://www.theregister.com/2002/01/17/a_silicon_valley_funeral/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}</ref> due to its well-regarded ability to handle audio and video.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Writer |first=Henry Norr, Chronicle Staff |date=2000-03-28 |title=Be Inc. Tries 'Open Source' System Version |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/be-inc-tries-open-source-system-version-2791911.php |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=CT Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> BeOS received significant interest in Japan,<ref name=":5" /> and was also appealing to [[Amiga]] developers and users, who were looking for a newer platform.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/CUAmigaIssue101Jul98/page/n27 |title=CU Amiga |publication-date=July 1998 |issue=101}}</ref>

BeOS and its successors have been used in media appliances, such as the Edirol DV-7 video editors from [[Roland Corporation]], which run on a modified BeOS<ref>{{cite web |title=EDIROL by Roland DV-7DL Series Digital Video Workstations |url=http://www.edirol.com/products/dv7dl/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110070209/http://www.edirol.com/products/dv7dl/index.html |archive-date=November 10, 2006 |access-date=November 16, 2006}}</ref> and the Tunetracker Radio Automation software that used to run it on BeOS<ref>{{cite web |last=Hacker |first=Scott |date=May 21, 2001 |title=BeOS And Radio Automation |url=http://www.byte.com/documents/s=617/byt20010521s0001/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011122020105/http://www.byte.com/documents/s=617/byt20010521s0001/ |archive-date=November 22, 2001 |access-date=February 14, 2019 |publisher=Byte.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Vernon |first=Tom |date=June 4, 2002 |title=TuneTracker 2 Brings Automation to All |url=https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/tunetracker-2-brings-automation-to-all |magazine=Radio World |access-date=February 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=January 2005 |title=Station to station |magazine=Computer Music |publisher=Future plc |issue=82 |pages=68–73 |issn=1463-6875}}</ref> and [[Magnussoft ZETA|Zeta]], and it was also sold as a "Station-in-a-Box" with the Zeta operating system included.<ref>{{cite web |title=TuneTracker Radio Automation Software |url=http://www.tunetrackersystems.com/products.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114113220/http://www.tunetrackersystems.com/products.html |archive-date=November 14, 2006 |access-date=December 9, 2006}}</ref> In 2015, Tunetracker released a [[Haiku (operating system)|Haiku]] distribution bundled with its broadcasting software.<ref>{{cite web |last=Förster |first=Moritz |date=March 17, 2015 |title=Alternative Betriebssysteme: Haiku als USB-Distribution |url=https://www.heise.de/ix/meldung/Alternative-Betriebssysteme-Haiku-als-USB-Distribution-2576692.html |access-date=February 14, 2019 |publisher=iX Magazin |language=de}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The Tascam SX-1 digital audio recorder runs a heavily modified version of BeOS that will only launch the recording interface software.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=September 6, 2011 |title=Professional Audio Coming to Haiku? |url=http://haikuware.com/20110906596/professional-audio-coming-to-haiku |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001075206/http://haikuware.com/20110906596/professional-audio-coming-to-haiku |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Haikuware}}</ref> The [[RADAR (audio recorder)|RADAR 24, RADAR V and RADAR 6]], hard disk-based, 24-track professional audio recorders from iZ Technology Corporation were based on BeOS 5.<ref>{{cite web |title=iZ RADAR 24 |url=http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_iz_radar/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061227175204/http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_iz_radar/ |archive-date=December 27, 2006 |access-date=December 27, 2006}}</ref> Magicbox, a manufacturer of signage and broadcast display machines, uses BeOS to power their Aavelin product line.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jay Ankeney |date=May 1, 2006 |title=Technology Showcase: Digital Signage Hardware |url=http://digitalcontentproducer.com/digitalsign/depth/digital_signage_hardware_05012006/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204210751/http://digitalcontentproducer.com/digitalsign/depth/digital_signage_hardware_05012006/ |archive-date=February 4, 2012 |access-date=December 9, 2006 |publisher=Digital Content Producer}}</ref> [[Final Scratch]], a 12-inch vinyl timecode record-driven DJ software and hardware system, was first developed on BeOS. The "ProFS" version was sold to a few dozen DJs prior to the 1.0 release, which ran on a Linux virtual partition.<ref>{{cite web |author=Peter Kirn |date=April 28, 2008 |title=Ni Ends Legal Dispute Over Traktor Scratch; Digital Vinyl's Twisty, Turny History |url=http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/04/ni-ends-legal-dispute-over-traktor-scratch-digital-vinyls-twisty-turny-history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314090055/http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/04/ni-ends-legal-dispute-over-traktor-scratch-digital-vinyls-twisty-turny-history/ |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Create Digital Music}}</ref>

===Spiritual successors===
[[File:BeOS family.svg|thumb|Family tree of BeOS and related operating systems]]
After BeOS came to an end, Palm created [[PalmSource]] which used parts of BeOS's multimedia framework for its failed [[Palm OS#Palm OS Cobalt|Palm OS Cobalt]] product<ref>[http://www.access-company.com/news/press/PalmSource/2004/021004_cobalt.html PalmSource Introduces Palm OS Cobalt], PalmSource press release, February 10, 2004. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721033812/http://www.access-company.com/news/press/PalmSource/2004/021004_cobalt.html|date=July 21, 2012}}</ref> (with the takeover of PalmSource, the BeOS rights were assigned to [[Access Co.]]<ref>[http://www.palmsource.com/press/2005/111405_access.html ACCESS Completes Acquisition of PalmSource], ACCESS press release, November 14, 2005. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105165010/http://www.palmsource.com/press/2005/111405_access.html|date=January 5, 2007}}</ref>). However, Palm refused the request of BeOS users to license the operating system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orlowski |first=Andrew |title=Palm scuppers BeOS co-op hopes |url=https://www.theregister.com/2002/01/15/palm_scuppers_beos_coop_hopes/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.theregister.com |language=en}}</ref> As a result, a few projects formed to recreate BeOS or its key elements with the eventual goal of then continuing where Be Inc. quit.

BeUnited, a BeOS oriented community, converted itself into a [[nonprofit organization]] in August 2001<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-02-06 |title=BeUnited - A global initiative aimed at professionally developing and marketing the BeOS |url=http://www.beunited.org/index.php?about |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020206051436/http://www.beunited.org/index.php?about |archive-date=February 6, 2002 }}</ref> to "define and promote open specifications for the delivery of the Open Standards BeOS-compatible Operating System (OSBOS) platform".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-04-08 |title=beunited.org - Open Standards BeOS-compatible Operating Systems |url=http://www.beunited.org/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050408051038/http://www.beunited.org/ |archive-date=April 8, 2005 }}</ref>

====ZETA====
Immediately after Palm's purchase of Be, a German company named [[yellowTAB]] started developing [[Magnussoft ZETA|Zeta]] based on the BeOS R5.1 codebase and released it commercially. It was later distributed by [[magnussoft]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=White |first=Bradford Morgan |title='Be' is nice. End of story. |url=https://www.abortretry.fail/p/be-is-nice-end-of-story |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.abortretry.fail |language=en}}</ref> During development by yellowTAB, the company received criticism from the BeOS community for refusing to discuss its legal position with regard to the BeOS codebase. [[Access Co.]] (which bought [[PalmSource]], until then the holder of the intellectual property associated with BeOS) declared that yellowTAB had no right to distribute a modified version of BeOS, and magnussoft was forced to cease distribution of the operating system in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=October 14, 2013 |title=Zeta Operating System |url=http://www.operating-system.org/betriebssystem/_english/bs-zeta.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314085635/http://www.operating-system.org/betriebssystem/_english/bs-zeta.htm |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |access-date=January 18, 2014 |website=Operating System.org}}</ref>

====Haiku (OpenBeOS)====
[[Haiku (operating system)|Haiku]] is a complete [[open source]] reimplementation of BeOS. It was originally named OpenBeOS and its first release in 2002 was a community update.<ref name=":6" /> Unlike Cosmoe and BlueEyedOS, it is directly compatible with BeOS applications. It is open source software. As of 2024, it was the only BeOS clone still under development, with the fifth beta in September 2024 still keeping BeOS 5 compatibility in its x86 32-bit images, with an increased number of ported modern drivers and [[GTK]] apps.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title= Haiku R1/beta5 has been released! |url=https://www.haiku-os.org/news/2024-09-13_haiku_r1_beta5/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Haiku Project |date=September 13, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

====Others====
[[File:Cosmoe screenshot2.png|thumb|Screenshot of an early version of Cosmoe]]
BlueEyedOS tried to create a system under [[LGPL]] based on the [[Linux]] kernel and an [[X Window System#Software architecture|X server]] that is compatible with BeOS. Work began under the name BlueOS in 2001 and a demo CD was released in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BlueEyedOS Demo/Test CD Now Available – OSnews |url=https://www.osnews.com/story/3313/blueeyedos-demotest-cd-now-available/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.osnews.com}}</ref> The project was discontinued in February 2005.

Cosmoe,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cosmoe |url=https://cosmoe.org/}}</ref> with an interface like BeOS, was designed by Bill Hayden as an open source operating system based on the source code of [[AtheOS]] and later OpenBeOS, but using the [[Linux kernel]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Cosmoe's Bill Hayden – OSnews |url=https://www.osnews.com/story/1075/interview-with-cosmoes-bill-hayden/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.osnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-02-02 |title=IsComputerOn - Contact with Bill. (updated) |url=http://joomla.iscomputeron.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=927 |access-date=2023-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202134456/http://joomla.iscomputeron.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=927 |archive-date=February 2, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cosmoe Developer Seeks Successor – OSnews |url=https://www.osnews.com/story/16634/cosmoe-developer-seeks-successor/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.osnews.com}}</ref> ZevenOS was designed to continue where Cosmoe left off.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ZevenOS - Does it recapture the flavor of BeOS? {{!}} Linux Journal |url=https://www.linuxjournal.com/content/zevenos-does-it-recapture-flavor-beos |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=www.linuxjournal.com}}</ref> In mid 2024, Cosmoe was resurrected by its original author after 17 years, with a much improved codebase based on contemporary Haiku.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://cosmoe.org/history.html |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Cosmoe}}</ref>

BeFree started in 2003, initially developed under [[FreeBSD]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=BeFree 0.1.0 Released – OSnews |url=https://www.osnews.com/story/3579/befree-010-released/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=www.osnews.com}}</ref> and later [[Linux kernel|Linux]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-12-03 |title=About BeFree |url=http://befree.berlios.de/about.php |access-date=2023-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031203151211/http://befree.berlios.de/about.php |archive-date=December 3, 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-08-13 |title=BeFree |url=https://befree.sourceforge.net/about.php |access-date=2023-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040813094426/http://befree.sourceforge.net/about.php |archive-date=August 13, 2004 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Access Co.]]
* [[BeIA]]
* [[Comparison of operating systems]]
* [[Gobe Productive]]
* [[Hitachi Flora Prius]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book|last=Brown|first=Martin C.|title=BeOS: Porting UNIX Applications|year=1998|publisher=[[Morgan Kaufmann]]|isbn=978-1558605329}}
* {{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/MacUser9701January1997/page/n67/mode/2up |magazine=[[MacUser (US edition)|MacUser]] |pages=64–72 |date=January 1997 |volume=13 |issue=1 |title=Plan Be |first1=Henry |last1=Bortman |first2=Jeff |last2= Pittelkau}}

==External links==
* [https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-dawn-of-haiku-os The Dawn of Haiku], by Ryan Leavengood, IEEE Spectrum May 2012, p 40–43,51-54.
* [http://testou.free.fr/www.beatjapan.org/mirror/www.be.com/ Mirror of the old www.be.com site] [https://web.archive.org/web/20140814144041/http://www.tristomattia.eu/mirror/www.be.com/ Other Mirror of the old www.be.com site]
* [http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=7265/ BeOS] Celebrating Ten Years
* [http://www.begroovy.com/ BeGroovy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913010819/http://www.begroovy.com/ |date=September 13, 2020 }} A blog and news archive for BeOS
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100527010042/http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/30/forgotten_tech_beos/ BeOS: The Mac OS X might-have-been], reghardware.co.uk
* [http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/beosprog/book/ Programming the Be Operating System]: An O'Reilly Open Book
* {{YouTube|9eMGbDJmgv0|BeOS Developer Video}}
* {{US trademark|78558039}} (BeOS)

{{BeOS}}
{{Operating systems}}

[[Category:BeOS]]
[[Category:Discontinued operating systems]]
[[Category:Object-oriented operating systems]]
[[Category:PowerPC operating systems]]
[[Category:X86 operating systems]]