“More than Bill Gates, more than Steve Ballmer, it’s Microsoft’s Jim Allchin who must convince opinion makers and the all-important OEM community that Longhorn, the code name for the next major operating system from Microsoft, is worth the wait. And then the rest of us have to be convinced that Longhorn is the next must-have product in their lives,” Charles Cooper writes for CNET News.
“Mac owners–yours truly among them–will no doubt chuckle at the audacity of some of the coming claims. Rest assured there will be no paucity of hyperbole in the remaining year-and-a-half run-up to the operating system’s debut (assuming Microsoft hits its self-imposed deadline.) …It’s going to be that way because every segment of the PC food chain is desperate for a megahit out of Microsoft,” Cooper writes. “The company, which plans to unleash a massive marketing blitz around Longhorn, needs to create a bigger stir than when it last rolled out a ‘major’ OS upgrade in 2001 with Windows XP [which] was only marginally more interesting than Windows 98 and no amount of marketing hoopla could convince otherwise.”
“Some [Longhorn previews bear] similarities to Apple Computer’s Mac OS X Tiger, which goes on sale later this month. (One critic by the name of Steve Jobs went even further. ‘They are shamelessly copying us,’ he declared during the company’s annual meeting on Thursday.) Whatever its intellectual origin, the new OS clearly marks an improvement over XP and, if you believe Allchin, will go a long way toward answer lingering user complaints about ease-of-use and computer security. In the same breath, I should point out that Microsoft has created many of those same ease-of-use and security issues, but better late than never,” Cooper writes. “Microsoft also needs to turn out a ‘wow’ product with as many useful bells and whistles as it can. This is part computer science, part guesswork, but Microsoft still hasn’t produced a ‘wow’ version of Windows. If Longhorn doesn’t produce the goods, not even a gazillion dollars in marketing funds will make a difference.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: So many elements of the personal computer market have themselves shackled to Microsoft and Windows that it’s amazing that Apple has had the success it has with the Mac. This year-and-a-half or longer run-up to Longhorn’s debut will be a study in media and marketing manipulation. Can Microsoft continue to keep people from noticing Mac OS X by pummeling the world with Windows XP ads and Longhorn promises? Since nearly every segment of the PC food chain needs Longhorn to succeed, how far will they go to ensure that it does?
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Microsoft’s new mantra: ‘It Just Works’ ripped straight from Apple’s ‘Switch’ campaign – April 22, 2005
Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Microsoft’s Longhorn: ‘They are shamelessly copying us’ – April 21, 2005
Apple shows off Mac OS Tiger in Microsoft’s backyard while Microsoft previews Windows XP ad push – April 19, 2005
Apple’s Mac OS X reality vs. Microsoft’s Longhorn fantasy – April 19, 2005
Microsoft’s Windows Longhorn will bear more than just a passing resemblance to Apple’s Mac OS X – April 15, 2005
Analyst: ‘Microsoft’s Longhorn is going to have hard time upstaging Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger’ – April 13, 2005
Analyst: Apple in ‘position to exploit Microsoft missteps, claim leadership’ with Mac OS X Tiger – April 13, 2005
Apple’s Schiller: Mac OS X Tiger ‘has created even more distance between us and Microsoft’ – April 13, 2005
Will Mac OS X Tiger add fuel to Apple’s recent momentum in the computer business? – April 13, 2005
Why doesn’t Apple advertise Mac OS X on TV? – April 12, 2005
Analyst: Tiger proves ‘Apple is light years ahead of Microsoft in developing PC operating systems’ – April 12, 2005
Apple to ship Mac OS X ‘Tiger’ on Friday, April 29; pre-orders start today – April 12, 2005
Apple Announces Mac OS X Server ‘Tiger’ to ship Friday, April 29 with 64-bit application support – April 12, 2005
Analysts: Apple’s new Tiger operating system could really impact Mac sales – April 12, 2005
Piper Jaffray raises Apple estimates on Mac OS X ‘Tiger’ release news – April 12, 2005
Apple’s Mac OS X ‘Tiger’ vs. Microsoft’s Windows ‘Longhorn’ – March 31, 2005
New Microsoft Longhorn chief was former Pepto-Bismol brand manager – March 18, 2005
Microsoft’s Longhorn fantasy vs. Apple’s Mac OS X reality – September 14, 2004
Is Microsoft’s stripped-down ‘Longhorn’ worth waiting for? – September 10, 2004
Silicon Valley: Apple CEO Steve Jobs previews ‘Longhorn’ – June 29, 2004
PC Magazine: Microsoft ‘Longhorn’ preview shows ‘an Apple look’ – May 06, 2004
Microsoft concerned that Longhorn’s look and feel will be copied if revealed too soon – August 25, 2003
Windows ‘Longhorn’ to add translucent windows that ripple and shrink by 2005 – May 19, 2003
Seriously, all Microsoft would need to do, is to almost give away XP to those who have not upgraded yet. They will then generate such a huge hype, that everything is overshadowed.
it is not a nice plan, and i apologise that my sick mind even conceived of such an idea, but we all know that the words “nice” and “ethical” are seriously missing in todays tech-dictionaries.
that said, I hope MS-Staffers don’t read these posts.
Jesus, could you imagine what would happen if Apple released Mac OS X Tiger/Tiger Server for Intel & AMD PCs at the end of this month? Not saying they should do that (part of me wishes they would, part of me doesn’t want them to), but they could seriously steal Microsoft’s thunder by selling to their own customers for a good year and a half before MS could react with Longhorn.
Screw it, Apple just do it. That’s the only way Apple has a chance to actually make a serious dent in Microsoft’s stronghold. While they’re at it, they should include virtual machine software that will allow people to run Windows inside of Mac OS X for intel/AMD. I’m sure there is some great open source software Apple could polish up for the task.
If Apple did this, they would be the saviour of the PC industry, much like they were the saviour of the music industry. THEN you’d see enterprise take Apple seriously.
C’mon, a guy can dream, can’t he?
“Seriously, all Microsoft would need to do, is to almost give away XP to those who have not upgraded yet.”
ph8te, great idea, then Apple users could say, “Windows XP is so crap, they have to give it away for free because nobody will buy it.”
He he.
Well from what I have read they cut every wow part out of Longhorn so I don’t know how they can wow anyone except with a bunch of B.S. for the next year an a half.
Hopefully people will get tired of hearing the commercials and get smart and just switch to the Mac and really get Wow! with OSX Tiger.
maybe that is what apple is going to do. Release the Intel version of tiger six months befor the release of longhorn. they would capture the home market for sure…. If that won’t happen what do you think will be the “big thing” apple will counter the release of longhorn with????
I have to disagree with the statement, “Nearly every segment of the PC food chain needs Longhorn to succeed”. I’m guessing that a lot of corporations are content with Windows 2000 and won’t see the need to undergo the risk and cost of upgrading to a new version that doesn’t offer many useful improvements.
No, instead I think Longhorn will be of much more interest to everyday home users. However, once Tiger has been out for a while gaining recognition, no one is going to be impressed with Longhorn. All people are going to hear about the next year (hopefully) are the amazing things their friends are doing on the Macs with OS X. When/if Longhorn is eventually released, it will have a lot of sales, but only because it will be bundled with new PC purchases.
He’s right. It’ the old “What’s good for GM is Good for America line.” Apple doesn’t have an extensive reseller, consultant, systems integration infrastructure developed. Will Apple help develop this infrastructure? I think it’s in their best interest.
A system of certifying Apple technicians and systems integrators. Giving them a mini tower to sell to business. Mini Mac = home. Mini Tower = business. XServes and Mini Towers a good Office replacement.
“Let the games begin” And I think that the Windows side is going to be absolutely ruthless. People tend to get that way when you’re taking food from their mouths and the mouths of their kids.
“a must have product” “Longhorn needs to be a hit for the OEM’s?” This sounds almost like a threat, as if “if nobody buys our product something bad will happen to you all.”
The linux packagers need to come up with something outstanding and with a good and simple GUI, some people might be willing to buy a Mac, but others will simply opt for an alternate operating system.
Longhorn will be better than XP. How could it not? Windows rubes will go nuts thinking it is the greatest thing ever and we OSX Tiger users will shake our head in dismay as we watch the herd of rubes flock wildly to Longhorn.
The Media will love it, laude it, applaud it, Microsoft will rake in millions and more head shaking will go on. It is inevitable.
And Apple will continue to be Apple.
Apple should release a Server version of OS X on x86… only enablling server functions (via command and GUI).
My point here is that M$ make most of it’s money in the Enterprise market, licences etc. If Apple would offer a Server OS to the x86 world…
ahhh… all IMHO
Jb
Jesus people, Apple is never going to release Tiger for Intel. It’s not their hardware so it ain’t gonna get their software. You want Tiger? Buy a Mac. You have a better chance of Intel designing a chip for Apple than Apple releasing a pc version of OS X.
MW=Fantasy as in “Gee I hope BMW releases and engine that will bolt right up to my Dodge Neon…”
All that Apple has to do in this year and a half is:
1. Get a 12-14 % share on Pc’s
2. Better interoperability with Windows
3. Create an iWork as good as Office, and compatible
Apple could always preinstall Tiger on ipods and once attached to a PC using Firewire, they can let users choose what they wanna boot into. Windows or Tiger, plus they make their money from the sales of the ipod.
ALL I CAN SAY IS:
‘VAPOUR-WARE’
Microsoft is producing a marketing campaign that is all smoke and mirrors.
They are having so many problems with Longshit that they should just call it service pack 3 and be done with it.
Like Steve Jobs said – no amount of money can make a crap product a good product. At the end of the day people have brains and if something is crap they will know it – regardless of the bullshit that is being marketed.
Tiger is NOW and real.
Longhorn is still in the imagination and NOT real.
When it finally arrives, Longhorn will either be Microsofts savior OR microsofts executioner.
My betting is on the latter.
R.I.P. Microsoft – it was crap knowing you.
It will be interesting as to what illegal and anti-trust strategies will be developed by to make longhorn a success.
Expect companies to have the thumb screws tightened by microsoft sales staff to ‘upgrade’ and expect bullying tactics at political levels too.
I can’t wait for the news about all these stories of how Microsoft forced our company to upgrade otherwise they would have cancelled our OS licencing agreements.
Such is the IT world these days.
Microsoft does not have to turn out a “wow” product. DEll and all the others have to use what Microsoft gives them.
As an owner of Windows XP computers there is no reason to upgrade. The same virus prevention will still be needed with Longhorn (that´s why Windows bought a anti-virus software company).
Other than that slight irritation, the XP computers work fine, no reason to upgrade….other than buy more Apple computers!
As long as Stillborn can play games, MS will dominate. Afterall that’s all PeeCees with Windoze are good for these days. Gamers are what drive the PeeCee market these days. Business have no need for the latest and greatest PeeCee hardware or MS OS, except maybe for servers.
My humble predictions:
Longhorn ships late 2006
Most bragged about features will not be in the shipping product.
Many windows apps will be broken.
Huge security issues will show up immediately.
Everyone who upgrades will have to turn off most security features to get their apps to run.
Frustrated windows users will reinstall an older version.
Some will choose to switch to a mac.
Major patches will be required to function normally.
Patches will cause more problems.
And on and on it goes.
We can all imagine that OSX will clean up the floor with Longintooth and functionality it will. But Windows is too entrentched and there are too many individuals/companies that are in bed with Microshaft and Intel to make sure it stays on top. They don’t care if it works well or not. Just as long as it keeps making them money.
Their is a whole industry built around keeping it working and protecting it from viruses and what not. It’s in their best interest to keep it going too. Is Symantic interested in an OS that is not virus prone or “needs” constant defraging and such?
Microshaft will always dominate simply because their is too much money too loose if it doesn’t. It is never about functionality or a better/safer OS. That’s just lip service from Microshaft.
Seriously, all the MS Brainwashed I.T. Lemmings will slowly migrate to Longhorn, because, let’s face it, there is nothing else out there for them that MS didn’t regurgitate back up for them.
Do you honestly think that a large (or even small) percent of the I.T. Lemmings will even look for a viable and/or better alternative to the next step in MS mediocrity that they now pursue. They will just blindly follow each other towards the Cliffs of Longhorn.
And, Tiger will be waiting on the shores, with mouth open wide, catching all the free-falling, furry, little appetizers.
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Like I said before, How can you compair “Tiger” to something you’ve never seen before? By looking at <fake> screenshots…? If you guys beleive half of what you see on most sites or even MDN, then you’re all in for an F’ing Rude awakening.
PS : Microsoft will outsell “tigers” year long sales in two weeks. Period
In 01 MS Sold 70 million copies of XP, in 2 Weeks!!!!
Sorry to burst your bubble but Gaming Isnt the only thing Windows is good for.
One of the main things its good for is HARDWARE Choice. Something NONE of YOU are accustomed to. Its too bad I paid 3000 bucks for a dual G5 that “just works” but it “just works” the way APPLE wants it to work.
You all bitch about MS. Why not take a long look at apple? they arent exactly a model citizen of technology. The iPod keeps them floating and unfortunatly for them..MS will beat em in the long run, why? Product Recognition. You are all mostly in marketing…Their are Three P’s to it. (Product, Packaging, Price) MS may not have a “better’ product no doubt. But if apple doesnt do anything about that then who’s fault is it?
Apple enjoys a market that MS could only dream of…A group of fanatical, cult like followers that eat, shit, sleep and fart Apple.
MS has done one thing better than Apple EVER will. INTEGRATE with Hardware and Software Partners.
Example: We have a ton of apple computers. Our network infrustructure is designed around fiber. We always have TOTL systems.
However, in the G4’s we had to use 3rd party fiber cards. This was a HUGE investment. Well one year later here we are, G5’s everywhere but no fiber cards, why? Because Apple moved the F’ing PCI Slot 2 nm in on the PCB. So now, we have 150 PCI Fiber channel cards (useless) and have moved to the more expensive less forgiving Transceivers…Thats why apple sucks. The OS Rocks, Hardware is just TOO closed…
My 2
Actually us lemmings do look at and use other alternatives..Unfortunately, that alt is Linux.
“And, Tiger will be waiting on the shores, with mouth open wide, catching all the free-falling, furry, little appetizers…” – Larshart
Yeah, appetizers like Linspire
PS: You Suck
Gimp,
I sorry you consider yourself a Lemming and are so defensive if you ARE in that small percentage that actually do consider other alternatives(notice the use of the plural), of which there are many, that are probably more secure, less virus prone and easier to manage.
You are right about compare Tiger to Longhorn, until it comes out it’s vaporware.
If you are using linux then why are you getting so bent out of shape about the comments about Longhorn. Me thinks thou does protest too loudly.
No one ever said that Longhorn wouldn’t outsell Tiger, I don’t think that was actually in question, and if they did I think they were joking. Lighten up.
As for your G5, you could install Linux or another OS on it if you don’t like OS X.
The Apple G5 is the choice of Microsoft as the development platform for their next generation XBOX2. So, you can’t say it’s all that bad.
As for you purchasing and planning on your network infrustructure, Sorry, I had nothing to do with it.
Oh, and about your comment “PS: You Suck”, I think you need to double up on your blood-pressure medicine.
Gimp,
Yawn.
“Like I said before, How can you compair ‘Tiger’ to something you’ve never seen before? If you guys beleive half of what you see on most sites or even MDN, then you’re all in for an F’ing Rude awakening.”
Hmm you’ve seen the final, released Longhorn? Tiger is already shipping and Longhorn is what, 1 1/2 or more years out yet? Apple has plenty of time to polish Tiger before an unproven Longhorn even gets near the streets.
“Well one year later here we are, G5’s everywhere but no fiber cards, why? Because Apple moved the F’ing PCI Slot 2 nm in on the PCB.”
So you guys bought a ton of G5’s without checking the specifications, or at least getting one for testing before going into full purchase and deployment (especially with significant revisions from the G4). Brilliant. Unless it’s a non-standard PCI slot (which has been know to happen…), I wouldn’t give blame entirely to Apple.
As for Longhorn and the PC food chain, unless a big new killer app comes along soon things will get very stagnant in the PC world. Tiger will be a good enhancement to Apple’s killer-app software suite. I see no reason to consider Longhorn without being all-out forced to do so.
“Since nearly every segment of the PC food chain needs Longhorn to succeed, how far will they go to ensure that it does?”
This is best question I have seen asked by MDN in ages!
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Unfortunately, like Congressional elections, it is very hard to unseat the incumbant. But not impossible.