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Apple Considering Separate WWDC Conferences for Mac and iOS?
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What is OS X and What is a Mac?
Yea, Apple seems to be way more interested in iApps and iPhone OS (now iOS) than OS X and Macs.
One thing I might mention - the iOS GUI seems so much more consistent and refined than does the OS X GUI. I'm hoping Apple merges the beauty of the iOS GUI into the OS X GUI sooner than later.
Yea, Apple seems to be way more interested in iApps and iPhone OS (now iOS) than OS X and Macs.
One thing I might mention - the iOS GUI seems so much more consistent and refined than does the OS X GUI. I'm hoping Apple merges the beauty of the iOS GUI into the OS X GUI sooner than later.
That would be a problem for those who develop for both OS X and iOS. They may have to decide between two great sessions or labs that are at the same time.
Two separate conferences and different points in time would be a better option the dual platform devs.
Punishing the wrong people!
Here's my .02 on this issue. As a fan of both the ios & osx platforms I'm happy to hear osx will get it's proper attention.
On the other hand, iOS and OSX development aren't mutually exclusive in all cases. So, it's understandable that MANY OSX devs are also coding iOS apps and it's also likely that MANY iOS devs are NOT coding OSX. So, while splitting up WWDC might make sense on paper here is how I see things turning out.
- iOS developers who don't code OSX will be left blissfully unaware of the cool things OSX can do and they will likely continue to not develop for OSX - a big loss in my book.
- OSX ONLY devs wouldn't be suffering thru iOS centric WWDCs like this year.
- Devs that support both OSX and iOS will have DOUBLE the cost and TIME they'd have to allocate to WWDC conferences.
So this would reward developers who choose NOT to support both platforms and PUNISH those developers who support both OSX and iOS.
I'm not too sure that's the message we'd want to send...
Here's my .02 on this issue. As a fan of both the ios & osx platforms I'm happy to hear osx will get it's proper attention.
On the other hand, iOS and OSX development aren't mutually exclusive in all cases. So, it's understandable that MANY OSX devs are also coding iOS apps and it's also likely that MANY iOS devs are NOT coding OSX. So, while splitting up WWDC might make sense on paper here is how I see things turning out.
- iOS developers who don't code OSX will be left blissfully unaware of the cool things OSX can do and they will likely continue to not develop for OSX - a big loss in my book.
- OSX ONLY devs wouldn't be suffering thru iOS centric WWDCs like this year.
- Devs that support both OSX and iOS will have DOUBLE the cost and TIME they'd have to allocate to WWDC conferences.
So this would reward developers who choose NOT to support both platforms and PUNISH those developers who support both OSX and iOS.
I'm not too sure that's the message we'd want to send...
Makes sense. Not sure how much dev confrences cost nowadays but I'm sure an extra conference in Jan for example wouldnt be too costly. Gives dual platform devs a chance to attend more sessions, and perhaps if the conference was dedicated to a single platform - there could be more sessions, and enable more developers to go.
Great!
This is a great idea. I go to WWDC for only OS X and IT tracks, and because there were none this year I skipped WWDC altogether. PLEASE let this be true.
This is a great idea. I go to WWDC for only OS X and IT tracks, and because there were none this year I skipped WWDC altogether. PLEASE let this be true.
Make it in January, so there is a good distance between the two. Also, if they end up releasing new operating systems in January, it will give them enough time to get to a very stable release, with all apps supporting the new OS by the time many basic consumers (who really care about Apple's no-hassle just works aspects) buy their new computers in the Summer and for Christmas.
agreed, Steve didn't even give an update on mac sales...or for that matter anything related to Macs.
They don't repeat anything? I'd imagine they could come up with a smart system where everything is repeated once and never matches the same time as something else both of those times.
It seems like getting everyone together at the same time would be a benefit that would outweigh the obvious challenges this would create. It would be more work, but I think it would be worth it.
Ever heard of Wiki? I had to use it to see what you were talking about. Well, this OS X , where X is spoken as '10' for those hearing of this for the first time, is the old operating system of Apple Consumer Electronics. I'm not sure if its still made; I think its currently listed as abandoned-ware.
It isn't Apple's job to folks interested in OS X development. But even so, the current WWDC has sessions explicitly for iOS. So an iOS developer can simply stick with those sessions or labs.
This is a good thing.
This assumes the pricing would stay the same. I have already mentioned that Apple could offer a combo price or reduce the price of the individual conferences.
In addition, the Mac WWDC may well be smaller overall and can be supported in a smaller venue, thus a cheaper price.
Not necessarily as stated above.
The problem is that Moscone is not big enough. They sold out in 8 days and the majority were likely iOS devs. In addition many of the sessions and labs have an iOS focus.
The message is: iOS is too big and we need two separate conferences.
I think this is a great idea! There wasn't one mention of the Mac at WWDC this year. The focus has really shifted to iOS.
This is a great idea. I go to WWDC for only OS X and IT tracks, and because there were none this year I skipped WWDC altogether. PLEASE let this be true.
One a similar note let's look at all of the self employed OSX devs who have both iOS & OSX products but can't justify the cost of traveling to SF 2x a year, do you really want them to have to choose JUST ONE platform moving forward?
Can OSX afford to lose quality OSX developers to iOS????
Think for a second how sad that might be. OSX not killed by Windows but instead by our very own iOS...
I have never attended.
But sure they could come up with some system like that, but would there be compromises in the material covered or the depth of coverage.
I can't really see the benefit of them getting together at the same time. What do you think the benefits would be?
I would appreciate it if Apple would go one step further. Divide the company into two segments - iOS and Mac. The problem is it's not just at WWDC that Apple focuses all of its energy on iOS. Gruber reported two months before WWDC that Apple had everyone working on iOS and Apple stopped all work on OS X 10.7 so they could keep iOS in their spotlight.
If Apple was split into two segments, openly sharing information and tech between them, it would result in the same level of innovation on both platforms.
The latest MBPs showed no new innovation not already in PCs. In the past, every MBP update had something new and innovative not available elsewhere. This latest update brought the same GPU/IGP switching and 1050 HR display already available on other PC products. Before when buying a Mac there was always something new and innovative not available on PCs... think about when the following were introduced: large glass trackpad, 8-hour battery, backlit keyboard, LED-backlit display, aluminum unibody, mini Display Port, and etc. When Apple introduced all of those innovative features, they weren't available on PCs. I expect something new with every Mac update, but the last update showed that Apple is focusing employees elsewhere. Also look at the time it took for those updates. Nearly 11 months for the MBPs when they're normally updated every seven months. In addition, the Mac Pro is a joke, MBA hasn't been touched, and other Macs are due for updates too.
It's obvious that Apple has the cash to expand and allow two segments at Apple to always innovate and ensure that the Mac doesn't fall behind while Apple is battling in the smartphone and tablet markets. I understand why Apple is focusing on the growing iOS products, but I believe it's a mistake to forget about the Macs when focusing on iOS products.
If Apple was split into two segments, openly sharing information and tech between them, it would result in the same level of innovation on both platforms.
The latest MBPs showed no new innovation not already in PCs. In the past, every MBP update had something new and innovative not available elsewhere. This latest update brought the same GPU/IGP switching and 1050 HR display already available on other PC products. Before when buying a Mac there was always something new and innovative not available on PCs... think about when the following were introduced: large glass trackpad, 8-hour battery, backlit keyboard, LED-backlit display, aluminum unibody, mini Display Port, and etc. When Apple introduced all of those innovative features, they weren't available on PCs. I expect something new with every Mac update, but the last update showed that Apple is focusing employees elsewhere. Also look at the time it took for those updates. Nearly 11 months for the MBPs when they're normally updated every seven months. In addition, the Mac Pro is a joke, MBA hasn't been touched, and other Macs are due for updates too.
It's obvious that Apple has the cash to expand and allow two segments at Apple to always innovate and ensure that the Mac doesn't fall behind while Apple is battling in the smartphone and tablet markets. I understand why Apple is focusing on the growing iOS products, but I believe it's a mistake to forget about the Macs when focusing on iOS products.
With Apple really showing that they want to hit the mobile market hard with iPhone, iPad and the iOS, I think this would be a good idea. It would be very comforting to see Apple still wanting to push development of OS X and the Mac in general, as it seems to have been lacking on that front lately.
The number of Mac OS developers who don't also need to know something about iOS is going to be very small very soon.
So let's not worry too much about them.
For everyone ELSE they'll now be expected to pay for 2 trips. It's more than just the convention ticket cost. There's also airfare, hotels, and missed-work costs. Taking 2 weeks away from developing is a noticable dent in your yearly workload.
Add all that up and you'll end up with a lot of people who probably SHOULD go to both who are just picking one instead.
I'd be worried that you'd see that group of people grow: People who should attend both but end up only going to one. That's bad for Apple and they should avoid creating such a group of people.
Prediction. iOS and OS X are becoming one. In the future I can see the "app store" idea translate into the traditional computer platform as we see the operating system for the masses become more and more user orientated.
Am I in favor? Not really. But I've never been fond of change. I think this might be the future Jobs and his gang are so proud of creating. However, the Mac as we know it is changing. How drastic? Time will tell.
Am I in favor? Not really. But I've never been fond of change. I think this might be the future Jobs and his gang are so proud of creating. However, the Mac as we know it is changing. How drastic? Time will tell.
I hope they do split
I want to see both platforms succeed and there has to be a separate focus on them both. The last few years most of the focus at WWDC has been on what is now the iOS at the expense of OS X and their computer hardware and software. Apple needs to focus on both and they should be separated. Right now OS X is treated as the stepchild which has me worried. I love my iPad and iPhone and want them to succeed, but I need a strong and healthy Macintosh platform too.
This notion floated by Steve and Apple that the iPad is replacing existing desktop/laptop computing is not valid. The computer business is huge right now, there are more computers being sold than ever. I have heard If Apple sells 10 million iPads in the first year, it will only be 1/3 of the GROWTH in the same time period for personal computers. The iPad/appliance and mobile market will grow, but don't pretend they have replaced computers for everyone, for a vast majority they haven't.
The analogy that personal computers are like trucks and will be rare seems laughable. I think a better analogy is the television. When they first came out, everyone got one big one for the living room. Decades later everyone has multiple televisions. Yes, the computers will continue to get faster, smaller and better, but people still want a big screen, mouse, keyboard, and horsepower. I just think people now want to spend more time with computing devices because the capability and fun experience is there now, so they get mobile stuff too. Don't forget about the business market and home computer, they are huge. If Apple could just double its share there, that would be great for Apple and us.
Done rambling (sorry)
I want to see both platforms succeed and there has to be a separate focus on them both. The last few years most of the focus at WWDC has been on what is now the iOS at the expense of OS X and their computer hardware and software. Apple needs to focus on both and they should be separated. Right now OS X is treated as the stepchild which has me worried. I love my iPad and iPhone and want them to succeed, but I need a strong and healthy Macintosh platform too.
This notion floated by Steve and Apple that the iPad is replacing existing desktop/laptop computing is not valid. The computer business is huge right now, there are more computers being sold than ever. I have heard If Apple sells 10 million iPads in the first year, it will only be 1/3 of the GROWTH in the same time period for personal computers. The iPad/appliance and mobile market will grow, but don't pretend they have replaced computers for everyone, for a vast majority they haven't.
The analogy that personal computers are like trucks and will be rare seems laughable. I think a better analogy is the television. When they first came out, everyone got one big one for the living room. Decades later everyone has multiple televisions. Yes, the computers will continue to get faster, smaller and better, but people still want a big screen, mouse, keyboard, and horsepower. I just think people now want to spend more time with computing devices because the capability and fun experience is there now, so they get mobile stuff too. Don't forget about the business market and home computer, they are huge. If Apple could just double its share there, that would be great for Apple and us.
Done rambling (sorry)
