Apple is to release its latest version of the Mac OSX software, Leopard, today. The launch was delayed while Apple concentrated on its popular and highly profitable iPods and iPhone software, but now it seems finally ready for release.

Leopard features include playful "iChat" video-conferencing and a "Time Machine" that restores lost data. It allows users to remotely search for files on all computers connected to their network, create "widget" applications and has improved text-reading, Braille support for visually impaired users and closed-captioning for hearing impaired users.

iChat has been expanded to allow people linked via Web cameras to share slide show presentations.