Apple forsaking the desktop

[maflynn]

Interesting article by tuaw Apple is ignoring the desktop for its apple design awards for WWDC.

It appears that there's no way to enter a non-iPhone/iPad application and they're only focusing on that platform.

I hope this is not true, because I have a growing concern that apple will either want to control the osx application sector, i.e., osx app store, or they may be ignoring it altogether. While the iPhone does amount to 40% of their bottom line, it would be foolish for them to ignore their computer line at WWDC.

Based on this, I wouldn't be surprised to see no announcement, or word on 10.7 either

 

[*LTD*]

If the iPad is, as the industry and pundits are saying, the future of computing, and if it's as important to the industry at large as we're led to believe, then Apple needs to do all it can to promote and develop it. Something has to take centre stage at WWDC. It will naturally be the iPad. Apple intends to run away wit this market and lock it up, so the earlier they can do it the better.

 

[Sky Blue]

If the iPad is, as the industry and pundits are saying, the future of computing, and if it's as important to the industry at large as we're led to believe, then Apple needs to do all it can to promote and develop it. Something has to take centre stage at WWDC. It will naturally be the iPad. Apple intends to run away wit this market and lock it up, so the earlier they can do it the better.

But that's not reason to ignore OS X applications.

 

[maflynn]

Other then fan boy sights no is really saying that the iPad is the future of computing. All this is going to do is drive more people not to the iPad but to other platforms., i.e., windows and maybe even linux

Apple has stated that the iPad is not a computer replacement but a device that is positioned between the iPhone and laptop.

Its not designed to easily handle the demands of working like a laptop or desktop computer can. Heck, it cannot even multitask. I'll typically have 20 to 30 windows open, (multiple RDP sessions, word, excel, several IE/Firefox windows) at one time. There's no way this future of computing device can come close to that type of functionality.

All in all, its sad that apple is ignoring the desktop applications

 

[djellison]

If the iPad is, as the industry and pundits are saying, the future of computing, and if it's as important to the industry at large as we're led to believe, then Apple needs to do all it can to promote and develop it.

Logic dictates the exact opposite is true. If it's that important, if it's the future, then Apple need do nothing to make it happen. Just sit back and build it.

Furthermore, devices like the iPad are not going to be appropriate for scientific, visualization or content creativity type applications. Those are the money makers for people who do development, and who use them. Should they not, therefore, be rewarding them for good, novel ideas and design?

 

[yg17]

Other then fan boy sights no is really saying that the iPad is the future of computing. All this is going to do is drive more people not to the iPad but to other platforms., i.e., windows and maybe even linux

Exactly. I'm already thinking about Ubuntu for my next computer (granted, which is awhile off since I just bought my Mac Pro last October) because Apple is taking their focus off the desktop platform and instead focusing on the iPhone and iPad. The iPad is not the future of computing. It never will be. It will never be a desktop replacement for a majority of users, even if they do give it multitasking. I've installed the latest release of Ubuntu in a virtual machine (the current RC that's due out later this month, forgot what they're calling it) and have been playing around with it, and it has come a long way. I could easily see myself using it as a main OS, It seems like open source is where the innovation is now.

 

[LethalWolfe]

The iPad may be a window into the future of computing devices that are primarily geared towards consumption but I don't think it's a window into the future of computers in general (which are primarily creation devices). I think the 'requirement' of having a big desktop in the home is going to continue to decline as laptops and SFF computers continue to become more than fast enough for typical home users but for professional users, for people that create the premium content that Apple wants you to consumer on your iPad, the need for powerful, flexible machines isn't going to change in the foreseeable future, IMO.


Lethal

 

[maflynn]

Exactly. I'm already thinking about Ubuntu for my next compute

I have in my shopping basket over at newegg, a homebuilt pc (i7-930, motherboard, case etc). The cost is just under a 1,000 bucks, its basically a macpro configuration except, I have more ram, better GPU, more ports, faster CPU. The cost of the MacPro is 2,500 bucks, I'm saving 1,500 dollars on a freaking fast computer.

What's my point? That I've been willing to pay the apple-tax because apple has provided a good stable OS that they kept improving. Their applications and integration is great. I'm not so sure that the direction of apple being what it is, makes paying that apple premium a good deal anymore.

 

[Jason Beck]

If 256 megs of ram and an ARM chip is the future of computing then count me out. Who wants to go build a village with some trees somewhere? Anyone good with an abacus?

 

[wrldwzrd89]

Interesting article by tuaw Apple is ignoring the desktop for its apple design awards for WWDC.

It appears that there's no way to enter a non-iPhone/iPad application and they're only focusing on that platform.

I hope this is not true, because I have a growing concern that apple will either want to control the osx application sector, i.e., osx app store, or they may be ignoring it altogether. While the iPhone does amount to 40% of their bottom line, it would be foolish for them to ignore their computer line at WWDC.

Based on this, I wouldn't be surprised to see no announcement, or word on 10.7 either

You make a good point. I don't think there will be any Mac OS-related news this time around, either. However... I also think your fears of Apple's future direction are unfounded.

 

[maflynn]

I also think your fears of Apple's future direction are unfounded.

Maybe and I hope so but there is growing "noise" about apple's direction. I'm hesitant to say evidence. For instance,

• Apple is calling itself a mobile device company.
• Rumor of apple possibly moving to "approve" osx apps and/or have an osx app store.
• Apple's lack of attention to their computer line. 10.6 - not much added, 10.7 delayed, err umm, long gestation period, extended wait for the MBP refresh, no refresh with the macpro, pro apps get an update once every two years or so.

Yeah, they're firing on all cylinders right now, but I think the focus on the mobile device segment is causing delays on their other sectors. What may be also happening is that they're purposing not looking to expend too much research on their computer lines. I don't have the answer to that but given the high price for Macs, It will be tough to justify spending that money if apple isn't dedicated to it.

 

[*LTD*]

Other then fan boy sights

Most of the the media is in love with Apple. Everyone is playing up the iPad. And with good reason. it's been this way for a few years now.

I'm not so sure that the direction of apple being what it is, makes paying that apple premium a good deal anymore.

If you head to what might seem to be greener pastures, there's a more than even chance you'll be using some Apple knockoff device running a worse OS.

 

[macfan881]

Heavin forbid we need a new OS every year I love SL I really think its fine i would much rather have a Major Overhaull something ala Windows XP to Winows 7 in 2 years from now anyway than another Minor .X release like SL was.

 

[Scarlet Fever]

Heavin forbid we need a new OS every year I love SL I really think its fine i would much rather have a Major Overhaull something ala Windows XP to Winows 7 in 2 years from now anyway than another Minor .X release like SL was.

10.5 -> 10.6 was a major overhaul. It just provided very little front end difference for the consumer. If you're talking about fancy effects and translucent windows, have a look at the visual differences between 10.1 and 10.6. Both Apple and Microsoft have made tweaks to the UI in the past 9 years.

 

[Cerebrus' Maw]

If I was to hazard a guess I would go with the chance to gain market share in a relatively new and unexplored territory.

Their desktop system and such still, after all this time, hovers at 10%. But perhaps Apple see's the chance to infiltrate the mobile market and establish its market dominance far easier as there is no dominate player, and will therefore position its own money and skills to a 'finders keepers' policy. Get in early, the the numbers, get the brand recognition, and then they wont have to battle through it like they have done for desktop computing for so very long...

 

[nuckinfutz]

What exactly is the purpose of this thread?

Apple not focusing on 10.7 at WWDC means nothing with regard to the future of computing or their desire to work on the Macintosh lineup.

iPhone OS 4 has the hot hand now...10.7 will have the hot hand in the future.

Ubuntu? You gotta be kidding me.

That is all.

 

[dsnort]

Exactly. I'm already thinking about Ubuntu for my next computer

I thought about it for my last comp, actually loaded it up and used it for a while. Ended up buying a UMBP.

Ubuntu was much better than I thought, for a while. But eventually you turn a corner in Linux and find yourself staring at a command line trying to get the comp to do something you need it to do, even relatively simple things like installing certain apps.

Ubuntu isn't bad, but still not ready for prime time, IMO.

 

[nuckinfutz]

Ubuntu isn't bad, but still not ready for prime time, IMO.

Correct. It's a great OS you can download for free and accomplish 90% of tasks in a halfway decent manner. But you aren't going to see Apple level innovation from a company that isn't charging for their software. You're not going to see acquisitions that affect future product lines down the road. You're not going to see the spit and polish.

For some people that's fine but buying a Mac and running Ubuntu aren't mutually exclusive.

10.7 would be a hot button issue if there were major features missing but there at no major features missing.

 

[macfan881]

10.5 -> 10.6 was a major overhaul. It just provided very little front end difference for the consumer. If you're talking about fancy effects and translucent windows, have a look at the visual differences between 10.1 and 10.6. Both Apple and Microsoft have made tweaks to the UI in the past 9 years.

granted if you had a computer that came out within the last 3 years SL was a big jump from but still Im talking about the uprgrades like 10.4 to 10.5 was etc.

 

[maflynn]

You're not going to see the spit and polish.

Actually, have you seen the latest versions of Ubuntu. It is a polished OS and canonical has made great strides to adding innovation. While Linux isn't for everyone, its clearly a great OS and Ubuntu is a great distro.

My knock on apple lately is that they're paying so much attention on the mobile market at the expense of their other products, like OSX.

The funny thing is, I'd say Ubuntu is a better OS in how it implements many of the same features of OSX but without the bloat. 4 gig of ram seems to be the minimum to get any sort of performance/usage out of OSX unless you're going to single task. In ubuntu, I only need a gig and even then, its not likely to leverage any swap space.

 

[rhett7660]

What exactly is the purpose of this thread?

Apple not focusing on 10.7 at WWDC means nothing with regard to the future of computing or their desire to work on the Macintosh lineup.

iPhone OS 4 has the hot hand now...10.7 will have the hot hand in the future.

Ubuntu? You gotta be kidding me.

That is all.

I agree.

 

[Bytor65]

Actually, have you seen the latest versions of Ubuntu. It is a polished OS and canonical has made great strides to adding innovation. While Linux isn't for everyone, its clearly a great OS and Ubuntu is a great distro.

Good luck with that.

I use RHEL at work, and until recently I dual booted Kubuntu/XP at home(for years).

Kubuntu was better than RHEL that I use at work, but even the latest version were a PITA. Ever time I did a major upgrade I would completely lose sound. I stopped even trying to get S/PDIF output working again and was happy just to get any sound out of my desktop speakers.

The interface is a hideous mish-mash of random stuff thrown together.

IMO Windows XP was still a decade ahead of Ubuntu in terms of simple usability.

After spending years with Linux (Slackware, Redhat, Kubuntu) and finally ditching it at home for good, my conclusion is it is the OS of choice for masochists and cheapskates.

There is a reason that something free still can't get beyond 1% market share. Because even at free, it is a poor value, because I value my time more than a small one time payment for something that just works.

 

[mscriv]

I uderstand your concern maflynn, but I think you answered your own question.

Apple has stated that the iPad is not a computer replacement but a device that is positioned between the iPhone and laptop.

Neither the iPad, iPhone, or iPod are stand alone devices and Apple's entire control over mobile devices is rooted in you being tethered to a computer and dependent upon iTunes for synching. In order for this paradigm to remain Apple must continue to develop and push it's computer line. Will future mobile devices be completely indpendent of a "home base" computer? Possibly, but I don't think we are anywhere near that at this point. Apple wants to gain higher market share in the personal computer arena and mobile devices are a key part of that process. Just think about how many people are now buying Macs because they were introduced to Apple through the purchase of an iPod, iPhone, or now an iPad. I know several people who fall into this category. It's all a part of their goal to grow the company as a whole. Don't worry, the desktop is not going to be left behind any time soon.

 

[bobr1952]

I uderstand your concern maflynn, but I think you answered your own question.



Neither the iPad, iPhone, or iPod are stand alone devices and Apple's entire control over mobile devices is rooted in you being tethered to a computer and dependent upon iTunes for synching. In order for this paradigm to remain Apple must continue to develop and push it's computer line. Will future mobile devices be completely indpendent of a "home base" computer? Possibly, but I don't think we are anywhere near that at this point. Apple wants to gain higher market share in the personal computer arena and mobile devices are a key part of that process. Just think about how many people are now buying Macs because they were introduced to Apple through the purchase of an iPod, iPhone, or now an iPad. I know several people who fall into this category. It's all a part of their goal to grow the company as a whole. Don't worry, the desktop is not going to be left behind any time soon.

Funny as I was thinking along those lines today--the seamless integration of the iPad, iPhone and Mac--hard to imagine Apple would want to break up that tight relationship. More they are just not in a big hurry to announce the next OS-X and are content to focus on mobile systems this year.

 

[GSMiller]

I doubt the traditional desktop or laptop computer going away anytime soon. Look at the automobile--sure ours today are way more advanced than the Model T but it's the same basic design. We humans hate change, like it or not.