Leopard to include VMWare-like virtualisation software?

Reliable sources informed MacosXrumors that Apple is developing virtualisation software that could be added to Apple's next major release of Mac OS X, Leopard. The technology will allow users to create and run virtual machines with Mac OS X, Linux or Windows on any Intel-based Mac.

The software, which is said to be code-named "Chameleon", will be made available in "Client" and "Server" versions. The Client version will have similar features to Virtual PC and will be included with Leopard Client while the Server version will act as a virtualisation server and will come with Leopard Server. Apple may also sell the solution separately just as it currently sells Apple Remote Desktop.

Sources also claim that Apple is developing the technology hand in hand with partners such as Intel and Microsoft. We don't know if Apple's software will be compatible with Intel's virtualisation technology announced last year but the possibility that Apple's software becomes inter-operable with Virtual PC and VMWare has been mentioned. We also don't know if Apple will use Rosetta technology so as to make the creation of PowerPC based virtual machines possible.

First hints of a virtualisation technology on future Apple products appeared with a patent application Apple has filed last year but there was no clear mention of a "virtualisation software". If you have further information, we would be glad to have your input here.