Cycling '74 has announced Version 5.0 of its Max/MSP media development tools. This version represents a new era of Max programming, with a completely redesigned multi-processing kernel and a streamlined development environment built on a platform-independent foundation. With a new patcher interface, searchable database of objects and examples, integrated documentation and new tutorials, the new Max user will find a smoother learning curve while experienced users will see improved productivity.

CEO David Zicarelli remarked: "In almost twenty years of working on this software, there's never been anything close to the transformation we're undertaking. This is Max for the next twenty years." Demo movies showing off the new interface have been posted on the cycling74.com web site today, and the company plans a regular series of articles and videos covering the new features over the next few months.

In addition to a modern infrastructure designed to support today's multi-core processors and tomorrow's operating systems, Max 5 features a stylish new UI intended to aid in the expression of complex ideas in a fluid manner. As a result, Max's pioneering concept of interactive graphical programming has been pushed forward in numerous ways large and small. A prime example is presentation mode, which de-couples programming logic from user interface construction, allowing clearer patches as well as richer user interfaces.

Availability
Max version 5 will be available first quarter 2008 and, if used with its digital audio and video extensions, will require updated versions of MSP and Jitter. An upgrade price for Max 5 is not being announced at this time. However, customers who purchase the current version of Max/MSP or Max/MSP/Jitter after October 1, 2007 will be eligible for a free upgrade to Max 5 when it becomes available next year.