“Now that the key details about Mac OS X Lion, iOS 5, not to mention iCloud, are available, you have to start wondering about Apple’s competitors, and how they’ll react,” Gene Steinberg writes for TechNightOwl.
“By demoting the venerable PC to an equal seat on the table next to smartphones and tablets, Microsoft’s core business is being summarily dispatched by Apple,” Steinberg writes. “The hub of your digital lifestyle has been relegated to the status of just another connected device; your iPhone or iPad can be activated, synced and updated online without the need to connect to a Mac or PC, so the cord is cut.”
“But the unkindest cut of all was Apple’s decision to sell what is clearly a major system upgrade for $29.99, a mere 99 cents higher than Snow Leopard, which was never advertised as a major feature release. I expect the number of changes in Snow Leopard were probably roughly compatible to the real changes between Windows Vista and Windows 7. Only Microsoft charged you full price for the retail upgrade, and I expect they will justify a similar price structure for a Windows 8 upgrade box for the very same reason,” Steinberg writes. “I also don’t expect that Microsoft has a clue how to make it a credible online-only release. Apple has perfected that technique with the Mac App Store, which now includes the Lion developer releases.”
Steinberg writes, “Sure, Microsoft could try to imitate Apple in the same fashion as they pay lip service to mobile OS integration in the next version of Windows. Windows 8 might be available in some new online app repository, but don’t expect Microsoft to seriously consider a retail price of under $30.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Bloodbath.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]