First post here but I've been reading on this site for over a year now since my conversion to the "light side". Anyway, this one finally got me off my lazy behind to actually post something. I think there is much more at play here than Leopard itself and the reasons for the delay are more complicated than most realize, IMO. Before I get into that, though, I will say that I have never been one to criticize a company for delaying a product release. I didn't criticize MS for delaying Vista and I won't criticize Apple for delaying Leopard. My distaste for MS comes from so much more than the delays in Vista shipping but, having said that, there is a big difference between the release timeframes of major OS upgrades in the two companies. As for Vista, I don't like it, not because it's a MS product but because, well, because I don't like it. Having used OS X for over a year after 20 years of Windows, I guess I'm just spoiled. I really don't understand people who dislike a product because of the company that makes it. Vista is not a great OS and if Apple released I would say the same thing. People who are now bashing Apple because of the Leopard delay should ask themselves why? Is it because they see it as a loss to the hated MS much like your favorite team losing a sporting match?
Anyway on to my reasoning for the delay. I believe there are three major reasons for the delay and they all relate to this year being a major turning point for Apple. I don't believe it has anything to do with priorities or name changes or anything else sinister. The logic for me seems sound and, if I am correct, it speaks of a real brilliance on the part of the marketing people at Apple, if they play this properly.
So here we go:
1. Last year and early this year have seen a surge in Mac sales like never before in the past as more and more people (like myself) have found an easier, better way of computing. MS released Vista and it has been met with a lukewarm response at best from both the media and general public. This is a huge opportunity for Apple and they have exploited Vista's shortcomings at every opportunity. Apple needs to make the most of this and that means delivering Leopard as a complete as-bulletproof-as-possible upgrade. Rushing it to market in any way with any shortcomings puts it in the same class as Vista in the eye of the general public. This is one place where Apple's market share actually works in their favor because the delay of Leopard just ain't getting much press outside the Mac community. Most general users don't even know Leopard is coming so a delay doesn't affect the general impression of Apple as whole and certainly does not have the same impact that a rushed, buggy release of Leopard would. On the other hand, a compelete, stable release of Leopard with even just a few killer features will undoubtedly vault Apple to even further heights.
2. By timing the announcements, first of the "planned" release of Leopard (remember Apple never gave a definite date or even month, just a "spring 2007"), they have kept at least some of the focus of the IT world on their products. Combine this with an announcement of the iPhone early in the year and the anticipation it has generated along with the release of the Apple TV, plus the rumored touch screen iPod coming in the third quarter and a possible pattern starts to emerge. Apple seems to be quietly keeping at least some industry focus on their products.
3. Here's the real kicker. With an October release, Apple moves ahead to a point where any excitement over Vista has waned and many people have become frustrated with Vista as an OS. In the interim, Apple releases the Apple TV, the iPhone, and (IMO anyway) a new iPod and the focus builds over the year with the public hearing more and more about Apple. People buy the phone and then all those iPhone, iPod and Apple Tv users out there get hit with Leopard, a new operating system from the same company that makes their other gadgets, with some killer new features and, here's the kicker, at the beginning of the busiest shopping season of the year!
So Apple slowly builds anticipation through the year with new products that get people talking and buying Apple gear and then right before Christmas, here comes Leopard? Vista what? How many Macs will that sell?
I know Apple will lose some sales due to Leopard's delay but I don't think it will be significant at all compared to what they will sell in the fall. IMO, if this is the scenario they are working towards then it is a truly brilliant piece of marketing.
Just my take on a possible scenario.............
. But seriously, worry not, we'll get a really nice finished product in October.
