Apple Set to Launch Next-Gen OS

Plagued by delays and missing any of the exciting "secret" features promised a year ago, Apple's next-generation Mac OS X operating system, codenamed Leopard, will be released to the public on October 26, the company announced. Leopard is the fifth minor revision to the company's OS X system, and it is shipping almost exactly a year after Windows Vista, an OS that Apple incessantly ridiculed for its tardiness.

Yep, reality really is distorted in Cupertino. And if you're looking for even more proof, consider the way that Apple hawks this system. "Leopard is packed with more than 300 new features and introduces a brand new desktop," the official announcement reads. Many of these 300 new features are, of course, comical. 10 of them exist in Xcode, a developer tool (in total, over 40 of the new features are only for developers). Six new features are, seriously, listed under the screensavers category. Fully 24 of them exist in iChat, Apple's instant messaging application. There are 6 new fonts features, 3 new Quick Look features (though Quick Look is itself, go figure, actually a new feature) and 12 new UNIX features.

If you can stop chuckling for a moment, Leopard does include a few minor but notable improvements. A new feature called Time Machine, a prettier version of the Previous Versions feature Microsoft first shipped in 2003, allows users to resuscitate previous versions of files. A new feature called Spaces allows users to utilize a years-old UNIX feature called workspaces in typically elegant Apple fashion. And Leopard can dual-boot with Windows Vista, a feature that might prove to be the system's most popular.

Apple is pushing other minor improvements like a slightly-updated shell and desktop, minor revisions to the system's email and Web browsing applications, and new parental controls that more closely mirror what Microsoft added to Vista. In short, Leopard appears to seriously under-deliver compared to both the competition to what CEO Steve Jobs promised would be major secret new features. None of these have ever materialized.

In related news, Apple also announced the Leopard version of Mac OS X Server. This one boasts only 250 new features, so it's presumably 17 percent less interesting than the client OS.

End of Article

Once again - 2007 is the year that Steve jobs has dropped 3 major letdowns on the iNation. I haven't seen Leopard yet...but , it appears that most of the 300 new features found here - http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/ - are actually enhancements to bundled applications. If MS did that, not only would the Apple fanatics be screaming, but the lawsuits would continue. If only it wasn't a $129 upgrade, I'd consider upgrading my Mac so that I could appear to be on a tropical island while video chatting.

--tayme

tayme October 16, 2007 (Article Rating:

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"...so that I could appear to be on a tropical island while video chatting."

I personally want to use my mouth on several high-profile celebrities' faces while chatting.

Time to retire OSX and blow everyone away with OS XI (eleven)! Yet 'eleven' doesn't sound as good I suppose. ;P

MozillaGen October 16, 2007 (Article Rating:

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Although this is largely already known information, those that use Boot Camp will be required to upgrade if they wish to continue using it. Nice way to force what must be a relatively sizable cadre of users to fork over the $129. If MS did this, everybody would be demanding blood.

Dipsh t Admin October 16, 2007 (Article Rating:

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What also makes this interesting is in a year or so, everyone who wants to run the latest applications on the OS X platform will be practically forced to upgrade, especially if those apps utilize "Core Animation", similar to WPF. The difference is Microsoft back-ported WPF to XP, whereas you have to pay for a new OS to get Core Animation.

Also, like the above poster said, you will need to pay for the upgrade if you are planning to use Boot Camp.

It's amazing how much spin can affect a release - Vista was constantly attacked, even though the feature list is miles long, whereas Leopard has been largely praised, even though it only has 300 new features, most of which are invisible to normal users, and the rest force the users to upgrade to Leopard, if the developers use the new features.

NateB2 October 16, 2007 (Article Rating:

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Love the objective reporting, Paul. Typical.

"Leopard has been largely praised"

Not really. There's been a collective "yawn" from much of the Mac community (with the exception of Time Machine). The new dock, in particular, has been widely panned.

"those that use Boot Camp will be required to upgrade if they wish to continue using it."

More properly, those who use Boot Camp BETA. No one was ever promised a free ride forever, sorry.

In other news, Microsoft "innovation" continues:

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/10/microsoft-paten.html

lotsamystuff October 16, 2007 (Article Rating:

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@lotsa

If you look closely, the images more closely resemble Windows mobile, and they have updated the patent that was originally filed in 2005 and 2006. Besides, how many ways can you display email?

NateB2 October 16, 2007 (Article Rating:

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@lotsahypocrisy - "In other news, Microsoft "innovation" continues:"

Wasn't it you that agreed with another poster when pointing out "redirection" tactics? Another double standard from the marketing hack that wishes he know something about IT!!!

--tayme

tayme October 16, 2007 (Article Rating:

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As easy as it is to poke fun at Leopard, I wouldn't put it past old Steve to hold at least one true real feature back so that they can at least boost sales.

I'd really hoped that Apple wouldn't itemize every change and call it a feature... were MS or god forbid Linux enter the feature war, they would have lists in the thousands, but this has became the norm it seems for Apple. Afterall, you can have billions of differently configured Mac Pros... half of these configurations depending on if you want a spanish or english keyboard.

will84 October 16, 2007 (Article Rating:

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"Wasn't it you that agreed with another poster when pointing out "redirection" tactics?"

Yes.

I only did so after addressing the issue head-on; I didn't simply obfuscate. And, if you'll notice, I *did* make note that I was discussing a different subject after doing so.

You might want to calm down. From the looks of things (and your three exclamation points), it's time for your Paxil.

lotsamystuff October 16, 2007 (Article Rating:

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@lotsanowhethinkshesadoctor- "You might want to calm down. From the looks of things (and your three exclamation points), it's time for your Paxil."

I am perfectly calm - I just enjoy pointing out that you talk out of both sides of your mouth continuously on this board, but chide others when they do the same. I know, I know...there are more productive ways to spend my time; but at least I am posting to a board that, until you came along was related to my profession, rather than posting to a site regarding something that I know nothing about. Thanks for your concern, though...and have a nice day!!! <---oh no 3 exclamation points again!!! Oops, there I go again.

--tayme

tayme October 16, 2007 (Article Rating:

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