The Leopard Report: The Rush to Judgment
August 11th, 2006Think about it for a moment. Mac OS X Leopard is months away from release. The entire feature set hasn’t been announced, and we have only a glimmer of an idea of the extra goodies that developers are seeing on the preview DVDs they got this week from Apple at the WWDC. During the keynote presentation, Steve Jobs made it perfectly clear that some features were still “Top Secret,” which means that we won’t know about them, officially at least, until Apple decides to lift the curtain.
I do not, however, buy the explanation that Apple fears Microsoft is going to attempt to copy those features in Windows Vista. It is way too late for that to happen, and it’s also true that Microsoft is a preferred Apple partner and its Mac Business Unit is being seeded with early versions of Leopard as soon as they are available.
The real truth is probably a lot more mundane, and I’m just guessing here. Aside from marketing impact, it’s quite possible there are components of Leopard that just aren’t ready to show off. An operating system isn’t one sprawling product, but it consists of a number of parts. So a new Finder, which may offer not just a changed interface, but enhanced methods of file navigation, could be in development, but it won’t be rolled into the betas until the time is right, or it’s stable enough for outsiders to see.
I am not, however, suggesting there will be a new Finder. Maybe there will only be bug fixes to address its well-known performance issues, the ones we’ve all complained about. Maybe all we’ll see is the ability to recognize a file share is no longer on a network immediately, rather than hang up the system for long minutes. Maybe you’ll be able to copy three or four separate sets of files to various drives without bringing the speediest Mac to its knees.
Despite the early stage of Leopard development and information about its feature-set, some elements of the Mac and Windows blogging community are even now ranting about whether it’s going to be a worthwhile upgrade or not. The comparisons with Vista, favorable and otherwise, has already begun.
That, to me, is like looking at the wheels of a car, ignoring all else, and making a final purchase decision. Surely they’re being premature.
Remember, Apple’s WWDC, despite getting so much public attention, is largely aimed at the Mac developer community. While it was a great marketing opportunity to introduce the Mac Pro, it also gives developers a chance to begin to work with the newest tools to update their applications to be Leopard savvy.
At the same time, it’s far too early to judge Leopard’s worth, although there are some neat features, even if they are, as most suggest, not terribly original. For now, you have to consider Leopard a work-in-progress, and not reach snap decisions about what it all means.
When Tiger was announced, Apple touted over 200 new features, although you might debate whether some of those additional capabilities were really new or just minor application enhancements. I fully expect Apple to take a similar route with Leopard, once the Top Secret veil is fully lifted.
Then and only then will it be possible to decide if the upgrade is worth buying, or you should just wait until it’s time to buy a new Mac with the operating system preloaded. But no matter how compelling Apple is going to make Leopard, it may still be a harder sell than previous versions of Mac OS X. Tiger, for example, is slick, powerful, and, despite a few growing pains along the way, quite reliable for most users.
In addition, I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of you are tired of the annual operating system upgrade routine, and the time spent upgrading and dealing with early release bugs. It’s going to take some hard selling on the part of Apple to make you want to give Leopard a chance to change your Mac’s spots.
There will be plenty of time for that decision to be made. Right now, however, there’s just not enough information to go by, and it’s unfortunate an outspoken few don’t realize that yet.
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Excellent point about the Mac Business Unit being seeded with early versions of Leopard. If Microsoft is already struggling with the existing Vista featureset, there’s no way they are going to try to add or change things now. You’re right, it’s just too late.
If Apple is actually hiding something secret, it’s probably aesthetic. Changes to functionality require testing (and fixing) of 3rd party software in which case the secret would not be not so secret. I suppose NDA agreements would somewhat protect their secret.
Logically, if Apple showed of core animation in one Application, it’s reasonable to guess that in order to be consistent, all Apple applications would have the same eye candy (have you seen Vista’s “Flip 3d” ?). The copying machines are starting up alright, but this time they arent at Redmond. There will be lots of CoreAnimation vs. WinFX discussions in the near future.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6219108055179715875
Indeed I think it will be a hard sale. However, to those who believe Apple has not invented anything ‘new’ I would like to say that Apple is not always about inventing something new from scratch. Instead Apple’s power is in altering and optimising something that ÃÂs. Isn’t TimeMachine like the iPod? the iPod was not the first MP3 player. But is was the first with a good interface and complete with good software. Same thing with TimeMachine. What woud you prefer? Something ‘new’ or something ‘usefull’? Read more at Roughly Drafted:
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/Home/26B5D607-34E6-46CF-A66F-1CCCA542AC6B.html
Interesting note and worthy of a new topic for another day: At what point should Apple stop using OSX (+ some large cat name) and start using OSXI (OS eleven)? Using OSX terminology suggests that giant huge changes are not in Leopard.
Also consider .Mac. It’s a kind of an extention of OSX and doesnt require developer preview. Apple could make interesting changes there w/o previewing it to developers.
So, according to Woz, copying is actually OK? If thats the case, why so much Microsoft bashing going on around here (this website) ? Apple is doing the “same” thing Microsoft does. Microsoft improved upon many pre-existing software: wordstar came before Word, Visicalc came before Excel, Netware came before … etc. Give them some credit.
For once I’d like to see an article here that doesnt mention Microsoft, Windows, or Vista. I’d like to hear more about Apple and OSX, not the competition. Is this a Mac website or just someplace for people to complain? My co-workers often see Mac users in a negative light. I can see why. That’s because that’s the only thing they see from Mac users (especially the Mac zealot types).
Actually, Apple doesn’t exist in a vacuum, so the “M” and “W” words will always come up for discussion. In any case, I’m not an Apple cheerleader, but I give them lots of credit for helping me get up in the morning and have something to say.
But the company doesn’t improve if it doesn’t get feedback from its customers — even though some of that feedback must be negative.
Peace,
Gene
I guess I’m more of a zealot than the Mac fans who are obsessed with Microsoft. I don’t much care what is in Vista. I won’t have to use it.
If I go ahead and order my Mac Pro in a couple of weeks instead of next spring, then I’ll need to decide whether to upgrade to Leopard in the spring. I hope they still have a family plan. If I do Leopard, I’d rather go there with all my Macs at one time.
Now that I have a Mac at the office, Windows doesn’t really enter my consciousness. I’ve got friends and family trained by now not to bother me with computer questions unless they have a Mac.
One point I see differently- getting Mac folks to upgrade to Leopard will not be all that hard. There are many new features, a large portion of Mac users want to be current (“good enough” just doesn’t cut it with Macophiles), upgrading virtually never brings major problems to a Mac user, by the time it is released Tiger will be 2 years old (annual updates stopped after panther), dispite the vocal minority (starving artists???), $129 for a major system update WITHOUT a paranoid activation scheme is a downright bargin, and perhaps most important, standing still while the rest of the world moves forward is equivalent to moving backwards (XP is the exception???). I will have my order in on the day it is released.
IF you are visiting this website and others like it you are most likely interested in technology and being informed on the latest (what else is technology but what’s is happening today and what’s coming tomorrow). So I cannot believe when people comment on how difficult it will be to decide to spend $129 when 10.5 is released. I can’t imagine waiting months after Leopard is released to jump in explore its new features and possible find more efficient and fun ways of working. As for the “secret features” of Leopard I agree they just aren’t ready and there is little chance of M$ stopping the presses and grafting on new, copied feature to Vista. Steve is the showman of the tech world and when the timing is right he will unveil 10.5 with a lot of fanfare. Believe me there will be little doubt that Leopard will be worth the price of admission.
Well I’m already sold on Leopard. Both Time Machine and the enhancements to iChat will be worth the sale price. I also believe one of the “top secret” features of Leopard will be a “Home Server” (or perhaps OS X Home Server) where a household will be able to designate a specific system that can act as digital media server, sync server, storage server (for back-ups), and possibly a centralized communication and collaboration server within the home (schedules, messages, etc.).
Because I use my Mac for work and am not a Digital Lifestyle boy, I tend to focus on what’s new under the hood rather than the extra gizmos. So for me the big news is the 64-bit accouncement, AS LONG AS third party developers carry the ball on this.
Imagine Mac users’ howls of laughter if MS came out with a new operating system (and charged for it!) that had as few new features as Leopard.
I use both OS X and XP, and Leopard has to be right up there with Windows ME as a joke of an upgrade. Why are Mac users so reluctant to call a spade a spade when it comes to Leopard? How long has Apple been working on Leopard?
The only reason apple can get away with charging for this thing is that they deal with a segment of the computer market that does not think twice about paying for the upgrade, even if it was nothing but a new DVD with a few bug fixes.
And you reach this conclusion without knowing all of Leopard’s new features, right?
Figures.
Peace,
Gene
Gene, wasn’t that the point of your article?
Do people really post here without reading the article on which they are commenting?
I guess it must be some college hazing ritual 🙂
Peace,
Gene
Cowardly author says: “It’s going to take some hard selling on the part of Apple to make you want to give Leopard a chance to change your Mac’s spots.”
Why don’t you write for yourself. I’ve found each iteration of Mac OS X worth it. Each version has added features that have enhanced my productivity and fun.
I look forward to Leopard and expect it have real exciting unannounced features.
Proof Read Correction…
Dude,
This is to “Mark” the Pre-Judgemental Windows VISTA Fanboy’s Bottom Line Kiddo, VISTA is not out, as well as, OS 10.5.
His bas****ized quote..:
“I use both OS X and XP, and Leopard has to be right up there with Windows ME as a joke of an upgrade. Why are Mac users so reluctant to call a spade a spade when it comes to Leopard? How long has Apple been working on Leopard?”
Mark, your not really a Mac Guy. Your post is Flame Bait at best
.
Neither of these OS Updates are out Yet. Why not Wait? To judge this OS X Update ,as well as, VISTA until they are both declared “Final Golden Master” is absurd and premature. OS X .5 is still 6 or 9 months away! No telling when VISTA will be out. Mr. Jobs stated that some features are a “Secret,” why not take the guy’s word for it !!!??? I do not remember Steve Jobs out and out lying to the public. Yeah, he may EMBELLISH some things perhaps (As all Marketers Do), but that does not mean that this Update or Steve Jobs is a Liar, or for that matter, that OS 10.5 is a waste of money.
Mark, this is to You! [The Pre-Judgemental Dude]: Reserve your judgement! Perhaps, Mel Gibson might be a Bigot or an Anti-Semite, as the result of the so-called “Truth-Serum” of Alcohol. BUT THEN AGAIN MAYBE NOT.., PEOPLE MIGHT SAY SAY THINGS THEY DO NOT NECESSARILY MEAN. THEY ALSO SAY A LOT OF THINGS WHILE TALKING OUT THEIR A**ES. A Drunk at a bar telling that Sweet Young Thing that He is NOT MARRIED when he actually is, for example). The Only conclusion you can draw from Drunkards or Alcoholics is that they will say anything to get a “Rise” out of the people. And whatever they say should…NOT!!!…be taken at face value and not necessarily to the Heart.
And to pre-judge OS X ( 10.5) before it is released is even more asinine, considering VISTA has been a WIP for 5 or 6 , 7 Years!!????
But then Apple wants us to feel like Leopard is a revolution by showing us… mail.app templates? Yes, it is a work in progress, but beware the possibility there is not that much more to it for the average user: Tiger, for all its infrastructure changes, could be summed up as Spotlight+Dashboard, user experience-wise. There is a risk Leopard ends up being Time Machine+Spaces, even if underlying that there are lots of quite interesting technical things.
Given the time left for them to finish this OS release, could it be “feature-complete” already?
I guess the real problem for many of us, leaving strange obsessive Vista-bashings aside,is that what we really wanted to see was this new Finder there was some talk about months ago.
“… I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of you are tired of … the time spent upgrading and dealing with early release bugs.”
Very good point here. I was only a year new to Mac when Tiger came out and I jumped on becasue I was excited. The problem was that 10.4.1 would not work with my US Robotics wireless router (model 8054 100 mbps). I tried everything. Apple said it was my router. USR said that it was Tiger. All I know is that I had to reload Panther. I waited until 10.4.3 or 4 came out until wireless router “issues” were fixed. I don’t need that hassle any more. Tiger works fine for me. I’ll wait until 10.5.5 or so comes out before I buy. Besides, by then the kids will be gone. I’ll be able to finally trash their Windows infected MSN chat and Hotmail computers and get a new MacPro pre-loaded to go with my iMac G5.
You missed the entire point of this article which was thus: “You can’t judge a book by its press release”… Until we have a final version with locked down features, it’s impossible to be able to compare the usefullness of the upgrade to Leopard. I will say this though, the fact that we know 64-bit extension throughout the Unix layer into the GUI’d application layer is a definite feature, that alone would make the switch to Leopard completely justified for countless scientific and educational institutes that need 64-bit computations in their applications. That single feature is a major improvement. Hardly Windows ME-like. I should know. I’ve used every version of Windows from 3.1 to XP SP2 and every version of OS X from 10.0.0 to 10.4.7.
You are right about one thing though.. Windows ME was completely useless, if not hazardous seeing how many new bugs and problems it introduced for no real net gain in features. On the other hand, Apple has made some mistakes in earlier versions of its new major releases too, but they have fixed them rapidly and the wait was always worthwhile because the new features truly did make the user experience more productive.
While no announced Leopard feature will affect the Vista software, at least before it is released, it could definitely affect Vista marketing. If a feature in Leopard garners big buzz before the Vista marketing machine gets cranked up, the Vista marketers will try to jump on the bandwagon in one way or another.