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Apple Seeking to Stimulate Mac Development With $99 Mac Dev Program

knightlie said:
No-one is talking about replacing OSX with iPhone OS - the "software model" people are talking about here is an App Store for OSX applications.
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You obviously missed the point of what I was saying I fear. Someone else posed the question well:
brainless said:
The real question would be, will it be exclusive source of software as it is on the iPhone ?
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The exclusivity (walled garden) is what I fear, which is the "iPhone software model". A central location for finding OSX software essentially already exists, in the Apple Downloads pages -- that's nothing new. Throw in a bit of extra polish, and it's an 'app store' (minus the Apple-takes-a-cut part, which I doubt would be popular with developers -- to the great detriment of any true 'app store' that was not a requirement to sell/distribute OSX applications).

knightlie said:
Typical knee-jerk response based on minimal facts. You're already talking about OSX in the past tense, for crying out loud, and of abandoning the platform based on your own incorrect assumptions. :rolleyes:
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You should probably finish reading a post before you make such accusations. While, yes, suggesting that Apple would lock down Macs to such an extent does make me stop and consider the situation (I apologise for being thoughtful and cautious), I continued on (at some length) stating that a move towards an "iPhone software model" is not what this feels like at all. Regarding the grammar/tense choice, I was speaking in the past tense since I was drawing on memories of what drew me to using OSX in the first place.

My reaction was the same one I'd have when anyone suggests that the iPhone is a template for Apple's future in the computer/OS markets -- simply externalised, to an extent, here. The iPhone-style walled garden is not something I would touch with a ten-foot pole when it comes to general-purpose computers -- and I'd really hate to have to give up a general-purpose OS as nice as OSX if it came down to that.
 
SSmagicman said:
The new "Mac Developer Program" webiste indicated that this new $99/year membership also includes "Development Videos that deliver the latest on Mac OS X through iTunes." Does anyone know if this means you get access to the WWDC session videos for only $99? Even if you used to have an ADC account Apple charged an extra $3500 for these videos in the past. This is a HUGE resource if it is now available for only $99. Can anyone confirm if the WWDC videos are available? Let me know, Thanks!
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Don't know if this is what you are looking for, but per the Apple site:
Foundation Videos

This collection of videos from past Apple Worldwide Developers Conferences cover a range of fundamental concepts for developing with Mac OS X, including application technologies, graphics & media, development tools, and OS foundations.
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This sounds great... so long as this isn't the only application distribution method. Can you imagine a world where Apple controls each app you can put on your Mac? Say goodbye to BitTorrent, LimeWire and Flash, as well as any apps Apple deems as "duplicating functionality." This better just be an "option," and I better not have to "jailbreak" my Mac to get apps from other venues.

Or... Apple could simply accept all submissions they receive and let the consumer decide. That *might* be acceptable.
 
Stella said:
MacApp Store that follows the same restrictions as iPhone? It wouldn't take much for Apple to lock down OSX and requires signing and Apple coming out with the "think of the children" line...

However....

If this is purely a relaunch of ADC, then this is a good direction and very good value for $99.
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It looks like a vanilla relaunch to me. I don't get where people are coming up with all these sinister plots. Bizarro. Clearly some have a bit too much time on their hands.

The Mac is a computer, not a CE device. It's also a very mature platform. Apple cannot simply release an edict and lock the OS up and expect the platform to survive, and remember Mac sales are still +/-50% of Apple's revenue. It's not going to be so quick to kill that horse.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
It looks like a vanilla relaunch to me. I don't get where people are coming up with all these sinister plots. Bizarro. Clearly some have a bit too much time on their hands.

The Mac is a computer, not a CE device. It's also a very mature platform. Apple cannot simply release an edict and lock the OS up and expect the platform to survive, and remember Mac sales are still +/-50% of Apple's revenue. It's not going to be so quick to kill that horse.
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Given Apple's take on iPhone/iPod/iPad App Distribution, it would be wild but not unlikely for Apple to lock down the entire OSX system.

I don't think it will happen, due simply to the fact that the Mac dev ecosystem is ancient by comparison and is really a totally different ballgame, one that Apple isn't likely to suddenly change in such a dramatic way

However, one look at some of their practices within the App Store, and I have to remind myself that its all the same Apple. I wouldn't put anything past them anymore.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
It looks like a vanilla relaunch to me. I don't get where people are coming up with all these sinister plots. Bizarro. Clearly some have a bit too much time on their hands.

The Mac is a computer, not a CE device. It's also a very mature platform. Apple cannot simply release an edict and lock the OS up and expect the platform to survive, and remember Mac sales are still +/-50% of Apple's revenue. It's not going to be so quick to kill that horse.
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I very much agree - locking down OSX will kill the OS as a desktop platform and I don't think its very likely. However, Apple do like to control everything, and I bet there's been more than one meeting about how Apple can take more control of desktop OSX.

We can foresee these type of scenarios by looking at Apple's past. It doesn't take much to join up dots. There is no doubt that Apple have control freak attributes.
 
Blah, the best thing about the old program was the hardware discounts. Most people won't need this. They NEED to pay for the iPhone plan because it's the only way to get in the App Store.
 
Many of you appear to be having panic attacks and distress caused by your anxiety over Apple doing something that caused a price drop for a service that had previously been quite expensive.

Repeat after me...

OS X is not IPhone OS.

OS X is not IPhone OS.

A desktop or notebook computer is not a handheld computer.

A desktop or notebook computer is not a handheld computer.

It would be suicidal for Apple to require signed apps on a desktop or notebook computer.

It would be suicidal for Apple to require signed apps on a desktop or notebook computer.

Apple are not a bunch of morons.

Apple are not a bunch of morons.

Apple have not announced an OS X App Store.

Apple have not announced an OS X App Store.

All Apple have done is replace ADC with a cheaper simpler developer program.

All Apple have done is replace ADC with a cheaper simpler developer program.

Now breath, and relax, and step away from the keyboard for a moment. Namaste.
 
barberio said:
\
OS X is not IPhone OS.
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I still don't understand why people make such a distinction between desktop and mobile OS. Mobile OS is just a different computing platform.. and increasingly often that can match functionality of those computers not so long in the past...


Sure there are mobile concerns such as memory, battery life, etc .. but still. It doesn't help that Apple come up with FUD such as "we don't want the east coast cell network coming down due to dodgy software", "think of the children". I'm sorry jobs, but iPhone / nor any other smartphone software will do that.


Mobile OS don't need to be treated as something special on a pedastool ( spelling ).
 
psingh01 said:
Blah, the best thing about the old program was the hardware discounts. Most people won't need this. They NEED to pay for the iPhone plan because it's the only way to get in the App Store.
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Agreed. We also got access to full versions of the client and server. I wonder if they will still provide this, though at $99 I can't imagine that.

For $500 (Select program), having the full released versions of both when they were out along with the hardware discount made it totally worth it. The discount on a decked out Mac Pro almost covered the entire cost of the program. (Yes, you were supposed to only use the full versions and hardware for development, but still...)
 
Peace said:
I take a different view on the wherefore and whys.

Considering a lot of seeds are torrented and downloaded by freeloaders Apple has decided to lower the price to $99 in hopes of attracting some of these folks in order to get more feedback through the official channels. And at the sme time opening the floodgates to OSX to a more diverse groups of "developers". I see nothing wrong with this but it feels like a slap in the face to a lot of devs that have been paying $499 or $3499 for the same access.
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It's not exactly the same program though. I have been ADC select member for 2 years and both years I have used my hardware discount to great degree (got 700$ discount on my latest MBP so the ADC select pays for itself)

This 99$ program does not have hardware discount.
 
talkingfuture said:
I hope this leads to a Mac app store. Could be a major boost for Mac software.
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I sure hope not. If Apple goes to an App Store with their Nazi app management, and removes normal software distribution, I will go back to Windows.

I can stomach it on a handheld or even the iPad, but not on my computer.
 
Stella said:
I still don't understand why people make such a distinction between desktop and mobile OS. Mobile OS is just a different computing platform.. and increasingly often that can match functionality of those computers not so long in the past...
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No. One *hugely important* thing Apple recognised is that mobile devices are *not* just small versions of your desktop computer.

There are multiple difference,
* User Interface : OS X is driven by a mouse and keyboard. iPhone OS is driven by a touch screen.
* Capacity : OS X has expandable upgradable storage space. iPhone OS has limited storage space.
* Power management: iPhone OS alters what it offers to keep power demands low. This includes the much maligned multitasking restrictions.

iPhone OS is not just OS X cut down and pushed onto a portable device. This is why the iPhone/Touch has worked so well, and had good battery life. The OS X UI is the traditional desktop metaphor, the iPhone OS has a 'multi-function push-button device' metaphor where you have a universal remote that's also a games console that's also a phone that's also a web-browser that's also a...
 
pmz said:
Chupa Chupa said:
The Mac is a computer, not a CE device. It's also a very mature platform. Apple cannot simply release an edict and lock the OS up and expect the platform to survive, and remember Mac sales are still +/-50% of Apple's revenue. It's not going to be so quick to kill that horse.
Click to expand...

Given Apple's take on iPhone/iPod/iPad App Distribution, it would be wild but not unlikely for Apple to lock down the entire OSX system.

I don't think it will happen, due simply to the fact that the Mac dev ecosystem is ancient by comparison and is really a totally different ballgame, one that Apple isn't likely to suddenly change in such a dramatic way

However, one look at some of their practices within the App Store, and I have to remind myself that its all the same Apple. I wouldn't put anything past them anymore.
Click to expand...

Considering Apple's super-duper obsession w/ consumer electronics (or at least what appears to be one), I'm one of the people who fears Apple just might lock down Mac OS X & try to make Macs consumer electronics. Heaven forbid Apple nixes its Pro offerings.
 
I've addressed battery life ( aka power management ) and capacity ( i.e., memory ). See post again.

There are differences, but you are not understanding my point.


I don't think these considerations require people treating mobile as something extra special. Its just another computing platform that really doesn't require the pedastool treatment. Really, mobile OS really doesn't require the lock down that Apple offer.

In terms of UI, *any* OS will have considerations for its intended UI target... so again, what makes Mobile OS so damn special?

Mobile OS is just another computing platform, when the day is done, all things considered.


barberio said:
No. One *hugely important* thing Apple recognised is that mobile devices are *not* just small versions of your desktop computer.

There are multiple difference,
* User Interface : OS X is driven by a mouse and keyboard. iPhone OS is driven by a touch screen.
* Capacity : OS X has expandable upgradable storage space. iPhone OS has limited storage space.
* Power management: iPhone OS alters what it offers to keep power demands low. This includes the much maligned multitasking restrictions.

iPhone OS is not just OS X cut down and pushed onto a portable device. This is why the iPhone/Touch has worked so well, and had good battery life. The OS X UI is the traditional desktop metaphor, the iPhone OS has a 'multi-function push-button device' metaphor where you have a universal remote that's also a games console that's also a phone that's also a web-browser that's also a...
Click to expand...
 
Student Developers

Doesn't this change simply allow ANYONE to register as what was formerly known as a "Student Developer"? The biggest change I see is no indication of hardware discounts (previously students had one lifetime hardware discount) and beta access to OS X.

The addition of forum access is pretty cool. I'll gladly renew at this price since my student dev membership expires in a couple months.
 
mixel said:
That's the beauty of it though, if Apple did have a Mac app-store they'd still have the traditional distribution channels too. There's no way they would, or even could clamp down on app development in a way that people are *forced* into using the app-store on osX.
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Chupa Chupa said:
For Apple to gain the type of control it has with the iPhone/Touch/iPad it would have to literally seize it from Mac users and then lock out titles not sold on its store with updated OS X s/w and h/w. That is rather "unpossible" 26 years after the Mac's intro. No Mac user would stand for that, as a computer system is expected to be more open than a consumer device, which the iPad/iPhone/Touch are.

...It's literally just another store.
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Sure they can. All they need to do is release a software update that'll brick all your current apps.

And Chupa... please learn the meaning of "literally" :rolleyes:
 
Apple wont lock down OS X

It would destroy their Mac sales, and investors would drop stock like a hot potato.
Apple knows this already...no worries folks
 
Stella said:
There are differences, but you are not understanding my point.

I've addressed battery life ( aka power management ) and capacity ( i.e., memory ). See post again.

I don't think these considerations require people treating mobile as something extra special. Its just another computing platform that really doesn't require the pedastool treatment.
Click to expand...

You do realise that there have been mobile computer devices before the iPhone and Touch right? And that the *hardware* of the iPhone and Touch are nothing unique? And that there was only one previous mobile device that took off in the same way, Palm OS devices?

The failures were all ones that tried to treat them as just smaller versions of your desktop computer. Trying to wedge the same applications and behaviours from the desktop onto a device they didn't suit.

While Apple and Palm recognised that they're *not*, and designed software for them that was based on the 'multi-function device' metaphor.

This is *why* the iPad runs iPhone OS and not OS X like many expected it would. Because OS X *doesn't suit a portable touchscreen device*.

I suggest you watch the "iPhone Getting Started" videos on iTunesU, particularly "User Interface Design for iPhone Applications" which will explain the big important differences in how someone uses a desktop/notebook computer, and how someone uses a portable touchscreen device.

And to cap it off... You are saying that all motor vehicles are fundamentally the same. I'm trying to say that a Car is very different to a Motorbike.
 
Would this also maybe cut down on Mac software piracy?
I can see a company like Adobe loving an official Mac app store: where an "app" like Creative Suite would, like any iPhone app, only run on the Mac that purchased said "app."
 
One other thing being lost: a ticket to WWDC. Premier members (the $3500 one) got tickets to WWDC. While that was too rich for my blood, I would've liked to go to WWDC if I were able to afford it.

But then again, I'm going to an educational conference at the same time as WWDC this year so I won't be able to go anyways. :(
 
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