The 34-Year-Old AmigaOS 3 Just Got a Surprise Update

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Hyperion Entertainment conscionable released the third-ever update for AmigaOS 3.2. This update, disposable to registered customers, introduces a messiness of bugfixes and cosmetic improvements for compatible systems.

Released successful 2021, AmigaOS 3.2 is simply a upgraded instrumentality connected 1991's AmigaOS 3.1. It's designed for classical 68K Amiga hardware and, dissimilar the "Amiga-like: AROS oregon MorphOS platforms, it utilizes archetypal AmigaOS root code.

The 3.2.3 update introduces an improved ReAction toolkit and enhanced TextEditor customization, positive bugfixes for DiskDoctor and HDToolbox, among different things. However, this update volition chiefly entreaty to hobbyists with PiStorm-upgraded systems that tin instrumentality vantage of improved high-color and high-resolution settings successful AmigaOS.

As for wherefore this past operating strategy inactive receives updates—well, radical inactive usage it. AmigaOS is fashionable among hobbyists, retro crippled enthusiasts, and integer artists. Developers whitethorn besides usage classical Amiga hardware to physique and trial the accuracy of modern emulation solutions, which are indispensable for Amiga crippled and bundle preservation.

For reference, determination are really 2 versions of AmigaOS disposable today. AmigaOS 3.2 runs connected classical hardware, portion AmigaOS 4.1 Final Edition is designed for PowerPC systems. (The second OS mentation was developed by Hyperion Entertainment done a wonky declaration deal, though it does incorporate origainal Amiga root code.)

Hyperion Entertainment gained the perpetual rights to make and marketplace AmigaOS successful 2009 pursuing a bizarre ineligible battle with Amiga Inc, which had been separated from Commodore immoderate years earlier. It sells idiosyncratic AmigaOS licenses for astir $30, and it provides occasional updates for AmigaOS connected an highly irregular basis. As noted by The Register, this caller AmigaOS 3.2.3 update was unexpected, arsenic Hyperion precocious mislaid its largest shareholder and fell nether caller ownership. Of course, AmigaOS updates ever travel arsenic a astonishment due to the fact that it's an obsolete operating system, but that's too the point.

There are besides 2 fashionable "Amiga-like" operating systems—AROS and MorphOS. The open-source AROS works connected a clump of CPU architectures, including x86 (32 and 64-bit), PowerPC, 680x0 (classic Amiga hardware), and ARM (although the ARM larboard is inactive successful an experimental state—skip it if you aren't a developer). MorphOS, connected the different hand, is closed-source, lone works connected PowerPC systems, and costs €79, but it's highly polished and arguably offers the champion Amiga bundle experience.

It's worthy noting that 2025 is the 40th day of Amiga. We'll astir apt spot a batch of absorbing Amiga-focused YouTube videos, blog posts, essays, and projects this year, peculiarly during the VCF West amusement connected August 1st and 2nd, arsenic AMIGA/040 Silicon Valley is the cardinal taxable this year. There's already immoderate neat worldly floating around, specified arsenic a proof-of-concept Tomb Raider larboard for Amiga and a caller Amiga soundcard called AmiGUS.

You tin acquisition an AmigaOS licence directly from Hyperion Entertainment oregon done prime dealers. If you don't ain compatible hardware for AmigaOS 3.2 oregon 4.1, effort AROS, which is x86 compatible—you tin rotation up an AROS VM connected an x86 instrumentality done VirtualBox. Of course, each of these operating systems volition enactment successful an emulator similar WinUAE oregon FS-UAE. Just cognize that a batch of classical Amiga bundle (and the Amiga Kickstart firmware, which is required for strategy startup) are protected nether copyright law.

Source: Hyperion Entertainment via The Register