OS X 10.11.4 hidden framework hints Apple could rebrand it as ‘macOS’

“Following the naming conventions of iOS, watchOS and tvOS, Apple’s Mac operating system could soon return to the name ‘macOS,’ if code spotted in the latest release of El Capitan is to be believed,” AppleInsider reports.

“The framework can be found in OS X 10.11.4 at /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/FlightUtilities.framework and was later independently verified by MacMagazine, which speculated that the next release could be ‘macOS 11’ instead of OS X 10.12,” AppleInsider reports. “Of course, a rebranding as ‘macOS’ would be something of a back-to-the-future move for Apple — its operating system was known for years as Mac OS, even retaining the name as Mac OS X throughout its releases up until recently. Starting in 2012, Apple dropped the name Mac from its operating system branding, simplifying it to OS X.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: Do it, Apple! It makes perfect sense: iOS, tvOS, watchOS, macOS.

SEE ALSO:
RUMOR: Apple to rename iPhone OS to ‘iOS’ (with video) – January 26, 2010

23 Comments

  1. I can live with that. I have loved what OS X did for Apple and essentially it is the mother (or father) of all the related Apple OSes. But probably now is a good time to harmonize the nomenclature.

    1. Yes, and they should harmonize the iPhones also. We have iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Pro, Mac mini.

      iPhones should be iPhone Air, iPhone, and iPhone Pro. Get rid of the stupid numbers. No iPhone 7, 7+, 7S, etc. please! Or at least don’t change the numbers. Mazda, Mercedes, BMW all use numbers but they don’t change with each year, even when the cars are changed and upgraded.

    1. no joke.

      the mac, and its bug ridden software is badly in need of some serious love by the company that spawned it, not just from those of us who use and value it.

      it has been looking, for quite some while, that the suits have been drinking their own cool aid, that macs are trucks and the future belongs to iphones, ipads, iwatches and apple branded cars.

      newsflash – the utility, need – and desire – for full service actual computers as in desktops and laptops is not going away or be totally replaced by pads or other convenient appliances any time in the near to medium term future.

      lets see some innovation, upgrading and better thought through hardware again. the tubular mac pro while interesting still took us back to a lack of expandability and the necessity of a rats nest of cabeling.

      if you want to go backwards then at least give us something we prefer, like the old endlessly expandable and durable mac pro tower.

      the mac is the foundation of everything that has come since. best keep that foundation strong, current and even better – ahead of the game.

  2. The renaming makes sense. MacOs is still the best OS Apple has ever made. And, if it reminds people that Macs are still THE computer to get real work done on, then that’s OK also.

  3. If so, I hope they also decide it’s time return full circle and drop the “i”. It’s way past time to rebrand the AIO as simply “Mac”. There aren’t iMac Pros or iMac minis.

    In the ever progressing tech world, the “i” is just an ancient branding concept. Let it go already.

    Except, for obvious reasons, it’s use in iPhone and iPad.

    Besides, outside of Apple branding/PR and tech writers/articles, does anyone still refer to Apple AIOs as iMacs?

  4. This is actually in line with brilliant product diversification that is about to happen.

    MacOS will have two variants: MacOS Air and MacOS pro. The pro will be for the Mac Pro and iPad Pro and the upcoming iPhone pro.

    WatchOS will also have a pro. WatchOS pro will support more professional watch faces made by Rolex and tag, plus it will have support for Apple Pencil.

    IOS will turn into iOS DVE and iOS pro. The pro will allow third party apps. IOS will have support for digital videos and will run only on the iPhone SE.

    Very neat and simple way to diversify apple’s product line.

    1. I hate “pro”. Reminds me of all the windows versions.
      It is OK as a transitional measure, though.
      touchVx,(Se, 6s, 6s+),Mini,Air,Pro,Blah, Blah^2,…
      Too many names
      Keep it simple, Apple.

  5. Sounds good. It’s only going to be a couple of years before iOS 11 comes along. At that point iOS 11 and macOS 11 can begin keeping their version numbers in sync. Staying with the OS X 10.x naming convention makes the Mac look increasingly like it’s lagging behind.

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