Apple too much about iPhone/iPod, little left for OS X?

[bobrik]

Hi,

when I bought my Macbook Pro (my first Apple computer) nearly 2 years ago, I did so for the software reasons - iLife and all the great little apps available on Mac, and sure the ability to run any OS since the Macbook pro uses Intel processors was a nice option to have.

I bought the computer 2 months after first iPhone was introduced, but I basically was drawn to the Mac during the whole year before the purchase.

Now to the main point: I feel Apple is no longer about OS X and software, or even about the Mac. It's more about the iPhone, iTunes, iPods (just watch the few last keynotes and count how much time was devoted to each area of Apple's business). Apple makes a "big news" from every change to the iTunes Store (shows available in HD), iPhone (iPhone OS Beta, hardware), iPod (Touch, etc.), but I feel like OS X is left behind - it started when it was delayed because of iPhone, and I feel like that was the turning point when the company is more about iPhone than on OS X. The only sweet spot after the 2006 WWDC keynote of Leopard was the recent iLife '09 keynote. I would expect much more from a Mac/software company.

Maybe it's because Snow Leopard takes so long to ship (at least when there is little information about it as usual with Apple and you are a geek like myself and want to know everything about it). Maybe it was like even before iPhone already, since I did not start following Apple news until December 2006.

What do you think? Do you think Apple is still about the Mac (and particularly OS X)?

I would like to know if there are other people saddened at the situation or share my sentiment.

 

[gjw4u]

I believe Apple made quite a show when introducing the MBA, and later the new Unibody MB & MBP. Just wait until they show off Snow Leopard...

 

[Ivan P]

I actually had a near-argument with my partner over something regarding this the other day. I fully agree with you, ever since the iPhone has been released a lot of the stuff has been about nothing but the iPhone. I would honestly go on to say that even iPods are somewhat neglected in comparison now.
I may be wrong, but I cannot recall a time where Apple has held a conference that focuses solely on OS X. By that, I mean the actually OS, nothing to do with desktops or notebooks. They only ever seem to demo it at WWDC, and that's it. And yet they hold totally separate, huge conferences for the iPhone software updates, and even then they take half the time off the OS X presentation at WWDC to talk even more crap about the new iPhone.

Sorry Apple, but you really need to start giving an equal share to all of your products, especially the ones that made you a household name to begin with - Macs, and even iPods. I'm sick of it being iPhone this and iPhone that. Not everyone wants an iPhone, thank you very much.

 

[bobrik]

I believe Apple made quite a show when introducing the MBA, and later the new Unibody MB & MBP. Just wait until they show off Snow Leopard...

I have yet to see where Macbook Air is really better than Macbook, which is already small. Macbook Pro price for hardware less then Macbook? Sorry. That big show was yet another "much ado about nothing" for me - introducing a "new" product with weight and dimensions as only advancements.

I have to agree though on the Unibody MB & MBP - they are great, and the battery development with the 17'' variant is also nice thing to see.

 

[Consultant]

Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger" was released on April 29, 2005
Mac OS X v10.5 "Leopard" was released on October 26, 2007

Do the math.
"takes so long to ship"? NO.

 

[bobrik]

Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger" was released on April 29, 2005
Mac OS X v10.5 "Leopard" was released on October 26, 2007

Do the math.
"takes so long to ship"? NO.

Yes, I quite agree, but it "feels long", especially if the waiting is filled with tonnes of news and developments in all other areas (e.g. iPhone), but not OS X.

 

[gibbz]

Yes, I quite agree, but it "feels long", especially if the waiting is filled with tonnes of news and developments in all other areas (e.g. iPhone), but not OS X.

Well, they are just Apple, Inc. They removed the name Computers from their name for a reason. The iPhone is a cash cow. Isn't the idea of a company to make money?

 

[PhireWare]

Well...

It's really all about money if you think about it. What ever gets Apple the most attention is going to be shown the most. I think Apple is just in one of those parts where they're trying to hide all the new things about Snow Leopard. When it comes out, they'll show it all off. You are right though, they do show seem to pay attention to the iPhone more. Just remember, iPhone runs off of Mac OS X. So you need both to work.

 

[NT1440]

I have yet to see where Macbook Air is really better than Macbook, which is already small. Macbook Pro price for hardware less then Macbook? Sorry. That big show was yet another "much ado about nothing" for me - introducing a "new" product with weight and dimensions as only advancements.

I have to agree though on the Unibody MB & MBP - they are great, and the battery development with the 17'' variant is also nice thing to see.

Think about the underlined and you might get the point.

MBA is for a niche market.