“Apple Inc. has placed the blame for missing its self-imposed Leopard release date on its itty-bitty iPhone device, but analysts on Wall Street suspect other culprits — such as a widely touted but so far elusive set of “top secret” features destined for the next-generation Mac OS,” Katie Marsal reports for AppleInsider.
Marsal reports, “‘While Apple cited a shift in resources to iPhone and more time for developers to beta test as reasons for the delay, our analysis indicates that if not for the ‘secret’ features, the core Leopard operating system would likely have shipped on time,’ American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu told clients on Friday. ‘We believe the extra time Apple is allocating is for developers to test secret features that will likely be revealed at its WWDC 2007 conference starting on June 11, 2007.'”
Full article here.
Related articles:
eWeek’s Morgenstern: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard delay is no big whoop – April 13, 2007
InformationWeek blows it again: reports second delay of Leopard this year due to Vista compatibility – April 13, 2007
Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Piper Jaffray: Use Apple’s Leopard delay as buying opportunity – April 13, 2007
Analysts unconcerned over Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard delay – April 13, 2007
Apple shares drop nearly 3%, dip below $90 on Mac OS X Leopard delay – April 12, 2007
Apple delays Mac OS X Leopard until October 2007, blames iPhone – April 12, 2007
Apple to postpone Mac OS X Leopard until October in order to support Windows Vista? – March 23, 2007
Looks quiet the same to me, the secret features aren’t ready because of the resources shift.
I can’t help thinking it has something to do with CS3 which will help selling some macpro’s.
Yeah as in Apple wanys yo keep the fact that their priorities are getting jumbled a “Top Secret”.
Just my $0.02
She’s at least partly right. Leopard, as 10.4.10, could likely release “on-time”. Except … then there’s the features <b<not</b> in the iPhone that distinguish Leopard from Tiger, that make it 10.5! I’m a bit surprised they feel they need four months to get it done.
DLMeyer – the Voice of G.L.Horton’s Stage Page Pod Cast
Top Secret my hairy bottom. Just DO it! Gimme gimme gimme.
I don’t really care, as long as it’s not because of actual problem with either system, problems that have slowed things down or resulted in things having to be redone, then I am happy to wait and am not concerned. With Vista, regardless of your opinion of the end results, the delays were becuase the quality wasn’t there, they couldn’t get things working or finished in remotely the timescale involved, the delays were far more worrying.
This just gives everyone more time to have a good look at Vista and compare it to OS X 10.4.9. More people will realize the Mac wins this comparision, and that should increase the excitement for 10.5 even more.
My guess is they are sharpening the final nail for Vista’s coffin.
Apple has already gone on record and blamed iPhone for Leopard’s delay. Are we to accept that iPhone is completely innocent of impeding Leopard’s release and that our fatigued feline has been lazily dragging his paws? Hmm, everyone knows that cats sleep eighteen to twenty hours a day.
Yeah, Ray, “Top Secret” must be an Apple euphemism for “We don’t have a clue what we plan to do next.” It seems that Apple just can’t keep up with the dreams and fantasies of Mac fans, regardless how inane and ridiculous the speculation. I almost feel sorry for Apple having to satisfy the delusions of the inpatient loonies that populate our planet.
Maybe it is chip related (Yorkfield XE). Maybe these new chips improve Leopard’s “Top Secrete” features very very significantly or allow for another feature they did not expect to put in. Now with better speeds it is possible.
macedsince84 has proven my point. That’s right, Apple is developing a feature that allows persons to communicate with their Macs telepathically using Bluetooth. Fer real, dude.
http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/060327_neuro_chips.html
If I’m lyin’, I’m dien’.
It’s a matter of timing. Apple always makes announcements and releases products along a strategically planned time line to have maximum impact on the market. Lately, they were moving pretty rapidly, planing to reveal 10.5’s new features as they release 10.5, the iPhone, and new hardware and iLife all at once. Now they are pacing themselves, slowing down to let consumers catch their breath, spreading out their innovative products over a larger time scale. It may prove to be the smarter move in the long run.
Whatever.. as long as it’s still released in 2007.
Suurrrre. That only begs the question why Apple raised expectations to begin with by overestimating the time to release for AppleTV and 10.5. An exaggeration is just a lie in fancy dress. I guess Apple didn’t learn much following the stock options fiasco that honesty and truthfulness are the foundation for ethical corporate responsibility.
As usual they don’t know what they are talking about.
I just hope they still get Leopard out before Fista SP1. Microsucks will try everything they can to steal Apple’s limelight, including releasing a half-baked SP1 just to say, “see, we even got an update out before Apple could get their OS out.”
Haven’t you ever noticed that every time Apple makes a big announcement that Microsucks comes out with their own announcement about something (even if it is just small potatoes) on the same day or the next day just to try to divert the media’s spotlight.
Hrmmm….OS engineers crossing projects to iPhone…multi-touch….”top secret” Leopard features….
Nah…it’s probably nothing.
Whatever happened to those ‘exclusive’ 10.4 widgets for .Mac users that were promised right up until a week prior to launch and then mysteriously disappeared? They must have been sent to the same place Jimmy Hoffa’s body and Dubya’s claimed Iraqi WMD’s are kept. A very secret place.
I suspect that it is both partly the fault of the iPhone *as well as* those top secret features.
And if those top secret features are at least partly to blame, I would really like to know what they are. I mean, what could it be? Will it project a perfectly life-like 3d hologram of Jessica Alba in a bikini that sits beside you as you work? If so, it’s definitely worth the wait.
The secret sauce always makes the Burger.
This is a stupid point by “analysts.” The “secret features” are part of Leopard, and Leopard won’t be ready because resources were shifted to iPhone. Sure, Leopard might have been ready if Apple stripped out some of the best (we hope!) features, like M$ did to Vista, but who would want that?
Whatever the reason- It’ll be worth the wait. In the meantime- we’ll continue to use the best & most secure OS that’s ALREADY way ahead of Vista.
iPhone runs Mac Os X… That is why they have people from the Mac Os X-team. What is so difficult with that?
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Ok.. It delays the Leopard. Top sexy.. sorry.. Top secret features in Leopard? You bet! That is the way with Apple! There is always one more thing
Top secret is something that they don´t tell anyone and especially to Microsofties and everything at Apple is Top Secret.
MDN Magic Word: Needs. as in ´MY NEEDS FOR iPHONE ARE HUGE?!´
Suurrrre. That only begs the question why Apple raised expectations to begin with by overestimating the time to release for AppleTV and 10.5. An exaggeration is just a lie in fancy dress. I guess Apple didn’t learn much following the stock options fiasco that honesty and truthfulness are the foundation for ethical corporate responsibility.
What a load of sanctimonious hogwash.
Let’s refer to the standard conference call disclaimer…
Please note that comments made during this call may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. For more information on the factors that could influence results, please refer to Apple’s SEC filings.
Guess what…the estimated shipping dates for any Apple product (or even a Microsoft product) are forward-looking statements which have “risks and uncertainties” attached.
Not one single person or institution should have either purchased Apple shares, products or services believing the shipment dates for iPhone, the 6G iPod, Leopard or systems based on Intel’s Penryn were 100% solid. If you did, you’re a fscking idiot who shouldn’t be allowed near liquid cash without adult supervision.
Actually Apple invented the saying Apple Secret
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I wish that people would acquire some perspective on the Leopard delay. Apple has done great things in recent years. Considering MacOS X alone, Apple has released four major updates and will soon release a fifth. Apple has been active in computer hardware updates including rapid responses to new Intel CPUs. Apple has released five generations of iPods with multiple iTunes updates including movies and DRM-free content. Apple has released new products including Airport Express, Apple TV, etc., and will soon release iPhone.
The Leopard delay is only a few lousy months – inconsequential in the scheme of things for a major software release. How anyone could even begin to compare it to the five years of Vista is beyond me.
In short, enjoy what you have received and look forward to more from Apple.