[speculation] Could OpenGL updates be linked to Leopard's delay?

[zwilliams07]

I don't know how many people know of this yet. But it is somewhat fresh news about OpenGL's tentative plans for the future. Now we all know OpenGL is currently losing the battle against DirectX in terms of gameshare.

But the OpenGL group has just publicly released there plans for the future. OpenGL will be getting a big overhaul and cleaning out the old code this Summer (yeah, I know technically Leopard's supposed release date of Spring/WWDC) is in a close timeframe.

There might be a relationship between the time changes.

Consider the following:

1. OS X makes big use of OpenGL.
2. Apple is actively hiring and working on improving OpenGL/Gaming performance with nVidia and ATI.
3. Apple has promised that Leopard will be the biggest, and most notable update to OS X.

Now the timeframe consistencies.

1. Leopard was planned for release in Spring (probably June 11th).
2. OpenGL 2.X's major overhaul was due in the 2nd or 3rd Quarter.
3. Leopard was then pushed back to October.
4. OpenGL 3.0 is expected to be released or near final at that time.

Did Apple know of the OpenGL plans ahead of the public announcement? Could it be Apple is waiting for OpenGL 3.0? And the iPhone excuse being the cause of the delay just a diversion? Is Apple waiting for its DirectX10 killer?

Just speculation on my part. Making connections between dots, when the connections may or may not exist. Anyone else have any thoughts on the subject?

Further information about OpenGL 2.X and 3.0:
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=39846
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=39830

 

[speakerwizard]

hhhmm, interesting observation

 

[haiggy]

I'd agree that this is a big issue, and they want to make it the latest and greatest - so it's definitely possible. If they include this, that would be awesome!

However, could they not just include it all in say, 10.5.1? Or is it too big of a change to put in a x.x.1 update?

 

[TheBobcat]

While it would be most likely safe to assume there was more than one reason for Leopard being delayed, the choice of October may have be related to the OpenGL overhaul. If you're gonna delay it, you might as well include the major update to a key part of the OS.

 

[MacsRgr8]

Cool.

Remember we still have to get the rest of the "Top Secret Features" from Steve coming WWDC, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear about this.

 

[VanNess]

Well, as this youtube vid from a working demo at last year's WWDC shows, Apple has already positioned Leopard to significantly enhance Open GL-based gaming. So I highly doubt Leopard was delayed because it was wanting in the area of game performance.

I don't advance any theories above and beyond what Apple has previously stated as the reason for Leopard's delay - that is, the iPhone sucked up Apple's human resources. Considering all of the advance mega-hype the unreleased iPhone is dragging around these days, it's going to be a major milestone for Apple come June. No room for failure on this one. Once the thing hits the market, no one at Apple will have the luxury of looking back and thinking "geez, if we just bought in a few more programmers and techs, this would really be great..."

The iPhone can't be simply great, it has to dazzle from the get-go. Delaying Leopard for a few months so it does really ain't that big a deal insofar as what Apple has it up sleeves for its customers this year.

 

[netdog]

Delaying Leopard for a few months so it does really ain't that big a deal insofar as what Apple has it up sleeves for its customers this year.

I'll go further than that. Leopard's delay simply isn't a big deal.

 

[SC68Cal]

How is OpenGL losing to DirectX?

I'm pretty sure the PS3 and Wii use OpenGL, while only Microsoft uses DirectX in the PC Gaming, and the Xbox360.

Not sure about handhelds either.


About Leopard:

I'm sure that it wouldn't be difficult to use the draft specs for OpenGL at least to prepare, then release an update to address the new OpenGL, similar to what they did with that Multi-threaded OpenGL update that made WOW scream.

 

[elppa]

It's looking like the right call to delay Leopard now.

Mac OS X is a mature product, has very few bad flaws (yes it can be improved) can still have maintenance updates applied and is selling millions of Macs.

iPhone is a new product, which needs to be right. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

Also all the devs at WWDC get a copy of Leopard anyway, so everyone is pretty much happy.

New Mac Owners (they get a bedded in, battle-tested, reliable OS), developers (they get a Beta and more time to polish their apps) and iPhone customers.