Parallels Desktop 20 Released with Parallels AI AI Development Package

Parallels Desktop 20 released: Parallels Software has released the latest version of its virtualization solution for the Mac Parallels Desktop 20. Parallels Desktop allows users to seamlessly run Windows and Windows programs on the Mac, including data exchange. Parallels Desktop is fully compatible with macOS Sequoia and Windows 11 24H2 and, according to the manufacturer, is the only virtualization solution authorized by Microsoft that can be used to run Windows in a virtualized environment on Apple Silicon

The new version of Parallels Desktop 20 simplifies the development of AI applications by enabling software developers to set up, manage and operate secure, downloadable, AI-enabled virtual machines offline.

This is what Prashant Ketkar, CTO at Parallels, says about the new version Parallels Desktop 20

“As PCs become increasingly AI-enabled, we believe AI will soon become the standard on every desktop. This presents developers with the challenge of updating their applications to take full advantage of the AI capability of PCs,” said Prashant Ketkar, CTO at Parallels. “That’s exactly why we created the Parallels AI package: to provide development teams, whether experts or beginners, with simple and accessible AI models and code suggestions. This allows software vendors to create AI-enabled applications in minutes and significantly increase the productivity of any development team using a Mac. “

The most important new features of Parallels Desktop 20 at a glance:

New Parallels AI Package: The new version includes a virtual machine pre-installed with 14 AI development toolsets, sample code, and how-to guides. Developers can experiment with and use AI. The AI-enabled Parallels VM can be downloaded by the user with just one click. Inside the solution, a small third-party language model is executed, with you completely disconnected from the internet, giving you a safe offline environment. The Parallels AI package is included with the Parallels Desktop for Mac Business and Enterprise editions at no additional cost. In the course of 2024, it will also be available for free for the Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition.
Compatibility with macOS Sequoia: With the new version, users can use Apple’s new AI-powered writing tools with Windows apps, sign in to macOS VMs on Apple Silicon with their Apple ID, and access other features. Note: The full range of features will be available with the release of macOS Sequoia.
Support for Windows 11 24H2: Optimizations ensure that users’ processes run without interruption. For some workloads, you can achieve a performance increase of up to 80 percent under certain conditions when running older Windows apps using the improved Prism emulator, which is integrated into Windows 11 on Arm.
Seamless compatibility with Windows applications thanks to new shared folders technology. This improves performance across a wide range of apps and installers, such as Mathematica or NinjaTrader, and enables up to four times faster operations on Mac files in Linux VMs.

Parallels Desktop 20: That’s new for companies

New Management Portal: This provides organizations with greater control, visibility, and efficiency in managing Parallels Desktop VMs and security policies. The new edition offers advanced licensing options that support both single sign-on (SSO) and volume licensing, as well as premium support and onboarding. SOC 2 Report: Parallels Desktop has received the SOC 2 Type 2 Report and is regularly audited by third-party pentests to ensure valid standards for security and reliability.

For IT professionals and developers, Parallels Desktop 20 offers:

Advanced DevOps services: Developers build software in Windows, Linux, and macOS VMs on Macs, regardless of their hardware.
Visual Studio Code Extension: Simplifies access to the AI package and integrates Microsoft Copilot to allow users to control virtual machines using natural language.
Snapshots and OCR-Supported Packer: Improved features for macOS VMs on Apple Silicon Macs.

Parallels Desktop 20 is available in Mac Standard, Pro, and Business editions. More information about Parallels Desktop 20 can be found here from the developer.

Source: TEAM LEWIS press agency