I really like the idea of Snow Leopard being a cleaned-out release that getts rid of all the old commented-out code, but some of the things I'm seeing makes me wonder if Apple is headed towards becoming 'Just Another Windows Box.'
Apple's move to the Intel platform is understandable considering the lack of support they were getting from IBM and Motorola, but it seems more and more that Apple is trying to find a way to 'merge' with Windows... becoming so compatible as to make almost no difference. I always felt that the switch to Intel was an interim move until Apple could start design and production of a new level of PPC chips, and Apple's purchase of that one chip fabricating company was a move in that direction. But The farther along we go, the more I see Apple trying to drive itself into irrelevancy. I truly hope I'm wrong.
Now, if this apparent direction is designed towards allowing Windows apps to run on the Mac without a VM, then maybe its a good thing; but it's going to get so close that it seems almost impossible to keep OS X from running on just any ol' hardware out there and ruining OS X and the Mac as a platform; taking it down the same road Microsoft is fighting with poor hardware compatibility (due to driver issues, mostly.)
Where is Apple going? What is Apple doing to maintain its Leader status in the tech world?
Not sure what your driving at, but the way I see it (oh gee, I sound like a starbucks cup.. hey, I need a starbucks fix right now).....
I don't think apple is trying to drive itself into irrelevancy. what I think is MS has a few good apps that businesses are used to and will not go away from anytime soon (Exchange, MS-SQL, .NET, Back Office [although office 2007 is yucky in my opinion]). It take an aweful long time to get management to redo an entire infrustructure of a company...
However, most people are fed up with crappy PC hardware that never gets real innovation (only speed updates), and seems to break more than apple's hardware. I mean, look at the trackpad an finger gesters - no PC can to that.
So what apple is doing is poising themself as a leader for when Everyone gets sick of PC's and the Windows Operating system. About the only good Windows OS's I find are on servers as they do not try to run all the glitz and just sticks to supporting apps and running hardware. Most home and small businesses are moving to Apple hardware and OSX for the stability.
I think with that and businesses using Linux servers and running a windows OS virtualized, I think it makes sense. Most windows crappy-ness has been on the desktop/laptop.
Plus, everyone loves having more than one OS. I like virtual machines better as all I have to do it trash a virtual machine hard disk and reload it with an image, should something mess up, yet my main OS installation stays clean - that is great for development.
No, I think apple got it right. although in a few years when Apple is the majority, people will think it is just another computer. until then, I think apple is on the right track.
However with that said and these updates - I think major work and an overhaul may be coming with iwork... I mean a lot of people are disappointed in OFFICE 2007(WIN)/2008(MAC) and wish it go back to the Office 2004(MAC)/2003(WIN) versions. I know I do as they got rid of alot of what I use and made everything else difficult [like why can I not copy/paste anymore, 50% of the time it does not work - especially in outlook].
No, I think Apple may surprise us in the next year or two...
Cleaner OS
More integrated apps
support for other OS's and integration.
things were different when it was the windows monopoly. I think now that is over and people are looking to:
1. Best OS for My Use
2. If I need an app that is not on my OS, there better be a way to run that OS easily.
3. the whole business mantra is changing and we will see more mixed hardware and software as people look to cut expendature, but increase styability and productivity. this whole, its my way or the highway mentality is out the door. Now it is ok, whatever gets the job done quickly, costs less, and is atleast 95% correct.
This is where I think Apple is going to make inroads into corporate America. Start with the home, hobbyist, small business.. then when those are in charge see how easy Apple is and how stable, then they will look to bring it more into the corporate business world.
Plus, with technology, the big office is going away and more people work from home, their cars, hotels etc. make sense to allow the end user to use whatever they are comfortable with and then connect into the headquarters servers. increases morale and productivity. I would not be surprised if we see a shift in industry where the end users buy and support their own equipment for work, but have corporate support for connecting into servers through a VPN....
, so your complaint is....?
