Max 6.1, 64-bit and third-party externals

Hi,

there has been some rumors that Max 6.1 would be a 64bit application. While this would indeed be a great improvement that many of us have been waiting for a long time, I just can't avoid the following question: does this mean that 'old' 32bit externals will not work on Max 6.1 (unless their authors recompile them for 64 bit) or will there be some work-around to run the 32bit externals in the new, 64bit environment?

Thank you,
Ádám