Busted: 64 Bit is Out if You Install OS X Update


This week's release by Apple of a slew of security and other updates to OS X and some applications has broken support for 64-bit applications on G5s, VNUNet reports.

One of these is the timeless Mathematica application (v. 5.2) from Woifram.

"Due to an error on the part of Apple, this update prevents any 64-bit-native application from running," Wolfram Research reportedly said in an email sent to customers this week, VNUNet writes.

Although Apple has not addressed the issue, a fix is said to be in the works. Wolfram is also working on a patch. The problem is reportedly a missing library.

Analysis: Or is Apple jumping off - i.e., not caring - the G5/PowerPC wagon sooner than expected? Frankly, we wouldn't expect G5s to be supported (OS-wise) within 24 months of next June. And the hardware can go to hell after 36 months of AppleCare.

After all, what's Apple's support like for your copy of OS X 10.2? (Jaguar).