“Apple Computer plans to continue rapidly bringing out new versions of Mac OS X, but it won’t continue at quite the pace it’s maintained in recent years. Since rolling out the first version Mac OS X in 2001, Apple has released three updates, and it plans to show off a new version of the operating system, code-named Tiger, at its worldwide developer conference next month,” Ina Fried reports for CNET News.
“However, during a talk at the SIIA Enterprise Software Summit 2004 here, Apple Chief Software Technology Officer Avie Tevanian said, ‘We’re slowing that (pace) down a little bit…because that’s not a sustainable rate. But you’ll still see us go really fast.’ Tevanian had previously headed OS X development but was promoted last year to oversee the company’s broader software development efforts,” Fried reports. “Apple has not said when Tiger will ship.”
“By contrast, Microsoft has released just one major desktop version of Windows–Windows XP, which debuted in 2001,” Fried reports.
Full article here.
This is good news as it means maybe apple can fix some of the bugs in the current version(s) of OS X!
first post
du-oh
This is a good thing. Now they can spend a little more time on Q&A before each release and probably roll out fixes for bugs in their current versions.
The first versions needed some improvements, now things works pretty good, so fewer upgrades are not a big surprise.
my wallet says thank you, since I have no willpower
Predictable since we’ve run out of powerful cats; Ocelot and Lynx just don’t cut it. !0.5+ will probably see the begining various breeds of strong/reliable horses!
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Frank,
what about the lion? After all, it is king of the jungle!
I like OS 10.5 Putty Tat.
I think the main problem with QA is with widespread testing. Apple can’t afford to do such testing due to the need to be secretive (or else you know who will copy their technologies). Time may help getting things right, but it won’t be as helpful as getting more beta testers. Apple really does need to work on QA, though, since they have problems everytime they release something new now. I remember the time when Apple products were very solid.
Q&A might be better, but until you actually get something in the field, it is not humanly possible to anticipate every possible combination that exists in the real world. Apple does it better than Microsoft because they don’t have to deal with as many bizarro combinations of off the shelf hardware and software, which is to Apples’s credit.
That is just a fact of life. Of course, you can always apply 20/20 hindsight like they do in the political world and say: YOU SHOULD HAVE ANTICIPATED THAT! I WOULD HAVE HAD I BEEN IN YOUR POSITION!
yeah right…..
Frank,
How about Cheetah? I’m surprised they haven’t touched that one yet. Each upgrade to OS X felt faster and faster on my older hardware. It would sound good for an OS that had been streamlined.
Or howzabout OS 10.6 Mr. Bigglesworth?
Rogozhin,
Lions aren’t really king of the jungle. If that title belongs to any animal, it would be the elephant — walking bulldozers. They knock over trees when they have to scratch an itch. No natural enemies.
Steve should also consider OS 10.7 “Widdle Squishy-Squishy Wuvvums Face”
I beleive Cheetah was the public beta, correct me if I’m wrong.
I welcome a slowdown, I’m tired of updating my certifications every year. Lotsa good my Jaguar certification will do me next year. Sigh.
Seriously though, if I had a choice, I’d rather have a new OS upgrade each year, and have to learn it for a new cert. Keeps me brain sharp.
10.0 Cheetah (internal only)
10.1 Puma (internal only)
10.2 Jaguar
10.3 Panther
10.4 Tiger
Other names Apple has copyrighted: Lynx, Cougar, Leopard. And I’m sure Lion will be the final cat name (10.9) before they use a new name sequence.
Which leaves Bobcat, Merlot, and Ocelot to be 10.8. And I can’t imagine Merlot actually being used.
Tommy Boy,
You still forgot Tabby, Persian, Siamese, and Hairless. OS 10.9 Hairless will be the final run of the line. After that, when MAC OS XI comes out, we will have:
11.0 Yorkshire
11.1 Wiener Dog
11.2 Poodle
11.3 Pug
11.4 Scrungy Mutt
merlot is one fine-tasting cat.
My vote is 10.5 Catwoman, with Halle Berry on the box. Rrrrowr!
“My vote is 10.5 Catwoman, with Halle Berry on the box. Rrrrowr!”
works for me!
RE: rogozhin. While the lion maybe the king of the jungle, it’s one lazy beast leaving the chores to the lioness. We don’t want our OS to be fat and lazy do we?
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I go for Catwoman as zarcy mentioned..svelte, sexy, quick, and agile.
I think MS has the current lead in using canines… what with Windows XP’s search “tool” the Memory Hog Dog.
In the spirit of “various breeds” how about science fiction?
I like the Werewolf!
Maybe the reason behind the slowing of OS X development is that Apple is running out of good ideas for new features. I am sure that most users can identify what needs tweaking in the current OS X but tweaks would hardly be the incentive to upgrade every year. Even a major under-the-hood change like optimisation for the G5 processors would not be enough for most people to upgrade. Apple needs new features to make their next OS a hit.