I stopped reading after this comment:
"Delays
Leopard, like Vista, has been pushed back so a usable product can be released to the masses, but outside developments show how much of a toll other priorities can take."
Yah, years vs. months... oranges vs. apples.
Wonderful post! Very helpful for those of us that don't have an iPod, but wonder what all this 3rd party software fuss is all about. It makes me want to run out and buy an iPhone...
Darn you Verizon and your wonderful coverage and (horribly locked) phones!
Chris, I feel it's rather clear that you weren't an Apple enthusiast during the 80's and 90's... and even the first part of the 00's. Having lived through the highs and lows of that period of Apple's past, I think you are candy coating the past.
VERY few Mac users of the mid 90's thought Apple was anything but dying (or at least, very misguided). Overpriced hardware, an OS built on 1970's technology, a dissolving user and developer base... it looked VERY bad for Apple.
The Apple of 2007 has a number of legs to stand on. Hardware, software, OS updates, iPod, iPhone, Music, Videos, .mac, etc. etc.
I would also say that some of the newest Mac users are the most vocal fanboys. You seem to be part of a new segment of the media that considers everyone that uses Apple products before you switched a "Fanboy."
Also, when Apple dropped the floppy disk, there were loyal Apple users that were very upset. Also, do you think the $100 rebate was Apple's way of "backtrack"-ing? I think it was a calculated move by Apple to get more people to jump on the iPhone. It obviously worked as they sold a considerable amount since.
I realize you have a VERY negative writing style, but it's very clear that you don't really have any reference point regarding Apple's history.
Linux has still made very little penetration into the desktop environment. I would guess there are still 2X as many OS 9 users as compared to Linux... if not more.
The primary problem with Linux is that there are so many flavors... it's incredibly difficult to understand from a consumers perspective.
"Apple is going to become a radically different company once Jobs leaves."
This is pure speculation.
"And, sadly, it will change for the worse. "
followed up with additional speculation.
Steve has done a wonderful job... THIS time around, but he was driving Apple into the ground during during his first stint at Apple. Next opened his eyes IMHO. I think Apple will take a significant hit once Apple steps down, but he isn't the magic. The magic has been, and always will be, wonderful consumer products.
akatsuki,
Apple IS running the market. If the iPod touch had a 160GB drive, many people would get it over the iPhone. Apple needs to maintain the allure of upgrading to an iPhone. The iPhone IS the future of the iPod... I know this... Apple knows this.
I think the iPod touch is a fantastic product. 8 or 16GB is fine for most people. I was using a 6GB iPod mini for the longest time. My collection is over 50+GB... I really don't need all of it. Do I really need that christmas music? Old CDs I haven't listened to in years, etc. etc. Creating smart playlists automated everything for this power user.
IMHO, you couldn't be further from the truth. Apple has given us a considerable amount of choice.
Trying to offer a device that will:
- have the storage of the Classic
- with the user interface of the Touch
- with the price point of the Nano
is simply ridiculous. What about joggers? They want a HDD? (no) The size of the iTouch/iPhone is a bit big when you are looking for ultra portable. If you want a larger screen, you could go with a iPod touch or etc. etc.
There will always be compromises when dealing with a product line. If there weren't, you wouldn't need a product line. It's all about the return on investment.
Also, there is some speculation regarding weather or not OS X (the base of the iPhone/iPod touch) could run satisfactorily on such a HDD.
Also, adding that HDD would increase the thickness both with the drive and with the battery needed to power the larger screen and HD. Also, potential heat issues... bla bla bla.
I'll admit, I'm not a fan of the iPod touch not having email or a proper calendar, but don't make it worse than it is.
Robotech Infidel,
I can forgive Apple for not including a camera and bluetooth. I'll chalk them up to cost saving measures. What isn't forgivable is removing features like email and a proper calendar, thus creating an artificial difference between the two.
Apple would rather people buy an iPhone, but they still make far FAR too much money on iPods. They can't ignore the massive demand for an iPod touch. I'm guessing the iPod touch will outsell the iPhone by a 4:1 ratio. Remember, Apple sells about 500,000 iPhones a month (and it was the launch)... they sell about 3,500,000 iPods in that same timeframe.
Again, Apple wants you to buy an iPhone, but can't pass up the easy money of the iPod touch.
Chris, you have a wonderful way of sensationalizing issues with such comments as "After nine months of anticipation, Apple finally released an iPod based on the iPhone form factor and interface."
Apple "finally" released the iPhone form factor and interface?
OK, that being said, I do agree that the iPod touch is a bit of a letdown. I hope Apple comes to their senses and releases a mail application, FUNCTIONAL calendar and a few other niceties that the iPhone has. Besides attempting to differentiate the iPhone with the iPod touch... it's mind-boggling to see them purposefully exclude such features.
Oh well... I'll wait.
OK, so Dell is cheap. I think the point is, why is it that Apple seems to corner the market on all things attractive regarding laptops?
IBM kinda has the "Land Rover" feel, and Sony has cranked out a few that can make me say "that's interesting!"
But for every one kinda OK laptop, there are a million VERY UGLY laptops sitting at the coffee shop. I loved running into a coffee shop dominated with Macs.
Beeblebrox,
Apple can't be too innovative without alienating their user base. OS x 10.0, 10.1 and even 10.2 were rather wild times. Having lived through them, I found it annoying how many things changed. Up until 10.4, apple wouldn't even guarantee constant APIs from version to version. I for one welcome some change, but fundamental change that would force everyone to relearn basic components of the OS would be horribly foolish.
Apple IS innovating, it's simply not "out with the old, in with the new" as it once was. I see it more as significant refinements, and I'm happy to pay for them.
booga,
Time Machine is not an innovation??? Oh, because Vista has something that is technically similar, but most users can't use, it's not an innovation. If that's your definition of innovation, Apple has never innovated.
Time Machine [b]could be[/b] the common person's back-up solution. That is pure innovation in the same way the iMac and iPod were innovative.
hmurchison,
I couldn't agree more. ANYONE saying "Leopardi is disappoint" has an agenda of attempting to drum up "news." First of all, it hasn't been released. Sure, it's in beta, but shouldn't we wait until it's released before calling it a letdown.
Also, regarding the "Although I hope the contract doesn’t include doing nothing but heaping praise on Apple" comment is out of line. It's CLEAR from his blog that he is rather balanced regarding his writings. Unlike this blog, he balances the positive with the negative... and has a wonderful way of comparing and contrasting approaches to OS design.
The level of negativity on this blog is hilarious at best. You literally sound like my local TV stations 11 pm news. "Stay tuned to hear how your children may be in danger!!!!" only to have the follow up of "make sure to have them wearing safe fitting backpacks."
Mac OS X Leopard: Just a Pretty Vista Knockoff
Why The Zune Will Outdo The iPod
A Round-Up of Native iPhone Apps
Life is Getting Tougher for the New Apple
One Day I Will Switch from Apple
One Day I Will Switch from Apple
The New iPods are Confusing
The New iPods are Confusing
Why No Fries with the iPod touch?
Why No Fries with the iPod touch?
Making Beautiful Computers Is Hard for Everyone but Apple. Why?
August 31, 2004: the iMac G5 Appears (Finally)
The Coming Leopard Letdown
The Coming Leopard Letdown
The Coming Leopard Letdown