Version RecordIndependent release archive
Menu

Release appearance

macOS 10.4 Public

Full article
Public release

Recorded context

About this appearance

Mac OS X Tiger 10.4 reached the public channel on April 29, 2005 with Spotlight, Dashboard, Automator, Safari RSS, expanded communications and media applications, VoiceOver, and a broad new developer foundation.

Date
Apr 29, 2005
Availability
available
Revision
No

Release notes

What changed

Original editorial synthesis. Linked references appear with the claims they support and in the source ledger.

Public release

Apple announced that the client edition of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger would go on sale at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2005 through Apple retail stores and authorized resellers. That first-party date exactly matches the existing durable Public route.[1]

What this page records

The structured inventory covers twenty documented launch deltas: Spotlight, Dashboard, iChat AV, Automator, Safari RSS, QuickTime 7, Mail 2, iCal 2, Font Book 2, .Mac synchronization, VoiceOver, Core Data, initial native 64-bit processes, Core Image and Core Video, Xgrid, Windows integration, UNIX foundation updates, Xcode 2, the PowerPC hardware baseline, and retail upgrade availability.[2][3][4][5]

Preview-to-release boundary

Apple previewed Tiger in June 2004. Preview descriptions are used here to clarify Spotlight's smart containers and other interaction details only when Apple's April 2005 launch announcement independently names the same capability as part of the shipping release.[6][7]

Accessibility and development

VoiceOver and Core Data do not appear in the launch announcement's selected headline list, but each has retained first-party version-specific documentation: Apple's Tiger accessibility assessment describes the bundled screen reader and its limitations, while the Core Data revision history identifies April 29 as the framework's first public version.[8][9]

Requirements and purchase paths

The launch requirements named FireWire-equipped PowerPC G3, G4, and G5 Macs with at least 256MB of memory. US historical pricing was $129 for one user and $199 for a five-user household license, with separate volume, maintenance, and qualifying-new-Mac arrangements.[10]

Security and maintenance boundary

Apple's surviving 2005–2007 security index does not list an initial Tiger security bulletin on April 29 and first lists the 10.4.1 client update on May 16. Because this route represents only the initial 10.4 public appearance, no 10.4.1 maintenance or later security content is inherited into it.[11]

Catalog naming and scope

The local catalog groups Tiger under the modern macOS platform family, but reader-facing prose retains Apple's contemporary Mac OS X name. This is the desktop client release only: the separately marketed Tiger Server product and later PowerPC or Intel point-release packages are outside the one eligible local record.[12]

Launch-period context

Apple's June follow-up supplies early shipment and developer-ecosystem figures. They are identified as Apple's own report and are not converted into independent sales, installed-base, or market-share conclusions.[13]

Source ledger

References

Sources are linked to the claims they support. Publication and access dates are shown when available.

  1. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · April 29 public availability

    Back to text ↑
  2. Core Data Programming Guide: Document Revision History

    Apple Developer · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Core Data public-release entry

    Back to text ↑
  3. Kernel and Device Drivers Layer

    Apple Developer · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Initial 64-bit support boundary

    Back to text ↑
  4. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Launch feature and availability inventory

    Back to text ↑
  5. Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” accessibility information

    Apple Accessibility · Apple · 2026-07-30 · VoiceOver in Tiger

    Back to text ↑
  6. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · April 2005 shipping feature confirmation

    Back to text ↑
  7. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · June 2004 preview descriptions

    Back to text ↑
  8. Core Data Programming Guide: Document Revision History

    Apple Developer · Apple · 2026-07-30 · 2005-04-29 first public version

    Back to text ↑
  9. Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” accessibility information

    Apple Accessibility · Apple · 2026-07-30 · VoiceOver support and exceptions

    Back to text ↑
  10. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Pricing & Availability

    Back to text ↑
  11. Apple security updates (25-Jan-2005 to 21-Dec-2007)

    Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · April 29 through May 16, 2005 security chronology

    Back to text ↑
  12. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Mac OS X 10.4 client product and requirements

    Back to text ↑
  13. Apple To Deliver 2 Millionth Copy of Mac OS X Tiger This Week

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-06-06T00:00:00.000Z · June 6 Apple-reported figures

    Back to text ↑
  14. Apple security updates (25-Jan-2005 to 21-Dec-2007)

    Apple Support · Apple · 2026-07-30 · 2005 security chronology

  15. Core Data Programming Guide: Document Revision History

    Apple Developer · Apple · 2026-07-30 · 2005-04-29 revision: first public version for OS X v10.4

  16. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · Additional features; .Mac Sync

  17. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · Additional features; Automator

  18. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · Additional features; Core Image and Core Video

  19. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · Additional features; Windows compatibility

  20. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · Additional features; Xcode 2

  21. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · April 29, 2005 public release

  22. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Automator paragraph

  23. Core Data Programming Guide: Document Revision History

    Apple Developer · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Core Data first public version

  24. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Core technologies; Core Image and Core Video

  25. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Core technologies; native 64-bit application support

  26. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Core technologies; UNIX foundation

  27. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Core technologies; Windows compatibility

  28. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Core technologies; Xcode 2

  29. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Core technologies; Xgrid

  30. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · Dashboard paragraph

  31. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Dashboard paragraphs

  32. Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” accessibility information

    Apple Accessibility · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Functional Performance Criteria 1194.31(a); VoiceOver and installation disc

  33. Kernel and Device Drivers Layer

    Apple Developer · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Hardware Architectures; 64-Bit Support and Tiger limitations

  34. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · iChat paragraph and conferencing footnote

  35. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · iChat paragraph

  36. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · June 28, 2004 preview

  37. Apple To Deliver 2 Millionth Copy of Mac OS X Tiger This Week

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-06-06T00:00:00.000Z · Launch-period ecosystem context

  38. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Other new features; .Mac sync preference

  39. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Other new features; Font Book 2

  40. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Other new features; iCal 2

  41. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Other new features; Mail 2

  42. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Other new features; QuickTime 7

  43. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Pricing & Availability; system requirements

  44. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Pricing & Availability; US launch terms

  45. Apple Continues to Lead the Industry in the Adoption of HD Video at NAB

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-17T00:00:00.000Z · QuickTime 7 and April 29 availability paragraphs

  46. Apple Continues to Lead the Industry in the Adoption of HD Video at NAB

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-17T00:00:00.000Z · QuickTime 7 launch confirmation

  47. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Safari RSS paragraph

  48. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · Safari RSS paragraphs

  49. Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” accessibility information

    Apple Accessibility · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Software Applications and Operating Systems; Accessibility API exceptions

  50. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · Spotlight and smart-organization paragraphs

  51. Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2005-04-12T00:00:00.000Z · Spotlight paragraphs

  52. Kernel and Device Drivers Layer

    Apple Developer · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Tiger 64-bit boundary

  53. Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” accessibility information

    Apple Accessibility · Apple · 2026-07-30 · Tiger accessibility documentation

  54. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · UNIX foundation and Xgrid

  55. Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger”

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2004-06-28T00:00:00.000Z · UNIX foundation paragraph

Release changes

Changed in this release

Features, fixes, removals, and regressions first observed in this release record.

feature · introduced

Built-in VoiceOver screen reader

documentedconfirmed

Apple's Tiger-specific accessibility documentation says VoiceOver was installed by default, read documents and interface activity aloud, supplied keyboard navigation, and made the Tiger installation disc accessible. The same document records exceptions, so this occurrence does not imply complete support in every bundled application or control.

  1. [1] Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” accessibility information · Functional Performance Criteria 1194.31(a); VoiceOver and installation disc
  2. [2] Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” accessibility information · Software Applications and Operating Systems; Accessibility API exceptions

feature · introduced

Dashboard widgets

documentedconfirmed

Tiger shipped with 14 widgets for information and utilities such as weather, stocks, conversions, and flight tracking. Apple described Dashboard as appearing and disappearing over the current workspace, and exposed standard HTML and JavaScript as a path for third-party widget development.

  1. [1] Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger” · Dashboard paragraph
  2. [2] Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29 · Dashboard paragraphs

enhancement · changed

iCal 2

documentedconfirmed

Tiger's calendar update expanded organization and printing while making calendar data available to system search and workflow automation.

  1. [1] Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29 · Other new features; iCal 2

enhancement · changed

Font Book 2

documentedconfirmed

The updated font utility added library-based organization and could manage installations beyond an individual user's local font collection.

  1. [1] Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29 · Other new features; Font Book 2

developerApi · introduced

Initial native 64-bit process support

documentedconfirmed

The launch announcement emphasized access to larger address spaces. Apple's later architecture documentation preserves the important initial boundary: Tiger's 64-bit development support was limited to C or C++ code and a restricted set of system libraries, rather than the broad 64-bit application framework coverage added in later releases.

  1. [1] Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29 · Core technologies; native 64-bit application support
  2. [2] Kernel and Device Drivers Layer · Hardware Architectures; 64-Bit Support and Tiger limitations

compatibility · changed

Retail upgrade and licensing options

documentedconfirmed

The US launch announcement listed a $129 single-user license, a $199 five-user single-residence Family Pack, and a $9.95 shipping-and-handling Up-To-Date package for qualifying Macs bought on or after April 12. These are historical launch terms, not current purchase guidance.

  1. [1] Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29 · Pricing & Availability; US launch terms

enhancement · changed

iChat AV multiway conferencing

documentedconfirmed

Apple documented audio conferences with as many as ten people and video conferences with as many as four, subject to processor and bandwidth requirements. The update also let buddy-list contacts expose the current iTunes track and open it in the iTunes Music Store.

  1. [1] Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29 · iChat paragraph and conferencing footnote
  2. [2] Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger” · iChat paragraph

compatibility · changed

PowerPC and FireWire hardware baseline

documentedconfirmed

This is the April 2005 client-release baseline stated by Apple. It does not project support from later Tiger point releases—including the later Intel branch—back onto the initial 10.4 package.

  1. [1] Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29 · Pricing & Availability; system requirements

feature · introduced

Spotlight system search

documentedconfirmed

Spotlight continuously updated its index as files changed and surfaced search in Mail, Address Book, Finder, and System Preferences. Apple's preview also documented Smart Folders, Smart Mailboxes, and Smart Groups as automatically updated views powered by the same search technology.

  1. [1] Apple Previews Mac OS X “Tiger” · Spotlight and smart-organization paragraphs
  2. [2] Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29 · Spotlight paragraphs

developerApi · introduced

Core Data

documentedconfirmed

Apple's retained Core Data documentation identifies April 29, 2005 as its first public version and says the guide was updated for the public release of OS X 10.4.

  1. [1] Core Data Programming Guide: Document Revision History · 2005-04-29 revision: first public version for OS X v10.4

enhancement · changed

Mail 2

documentedconfirmed

The Tiger release updated Mail's interface and connected the application to the operating system's new search and synchronization services, while adding a full-screen slideshow for message attachments.

  1. [1] Apple to Ship Mac OS X “Tiger” on April 29 · Other new features; Mail 2