Briefly: Apple's Schiller e-mails again, Snow Leopard disc art

[AppleInsider]

For the third time in days, Apple's Phil Schiller has reached out to a developer who has had issues with the iPhone App Store, while the latest build of Snow Leopard could reveal the operating system's disc art.

Schiller, the company's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, is said to have sent an e-mail to company theory11.com LLC about a "rising card" trick application rejected from the App Store, a story by Dow Jones Newswires said Thursday.

Days ago, the Apple executive sent an e-mail to Steven Frank, co-founder of Panic after the Mac developer said he might boycott his iPhone. Prior to that, Schiller contacted John Gruber of Daring Fireball after he criticized the App Store -- a move that, at the time, was unprecedented for a executive from a notoriously tight-lipped company. But now it would appear that Apple is considering taking a different approach.

It should be noted that Ben Charny, the author of the report, is the same reporter who incorrectly stated that Apple would be attending CES 2010 for the Wall Street Journal.

Snow Leopard disc art

Digging around the latest -- and rumored to be Golden Master -- build of Apple's upcoming operating system, GearLive has discovered what appears to be a change in disc art for the Mac OS X DVD. The image was found in the OS install icon which, in the past, has been consistent with the disc art.

The previously shown design had a large X with a purple outer space-like background, while the new style abandons it for a clean, white background with a picture of a snow leopard.

This week, Mac OS X 10.6 build 10A432 was seeded to the developer community. Reports suggest it is the final build of the operating system and could be for sale in a matter of weeks.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[Quadra 610]

So will Schiller be sending every developer that gets an app rejected?? Is that really necessary?

I'm being facetious here, obviously, but if Schiller wants to make a public statement outlining the general reasons for a particular kind of app getting rejected via a personal e-mail, that's a good strategy. But I hope this won't be a regular occurrence. Unless of course Apple is ready to manage the submission of "reasons" to every developer explaining each rejection.

[Smiles77]

Ima likin it.

[steviet02]

For the record, the first two are not developers who write sw for the iPhone. One is an ass with a blog and the other is developer of a closed system piece of software. Neither of those nit wits have any right bitching about the app store.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by steviet02

For the record, the first two are not developers who write sw for the iPhone. One is an ass with a blog and the other is developer of a closed system piece of software. Neither of those nit wits have any right bitching about the app store.

Ah, ok. Thanks for the clarification.

[Magic_Al]

I wonder if the box art and default desktop picture might change from outer space to kitty porn as well. The purple nebula thing is too similar to 10.5.

[wobegon]

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

So will Schiller be sending every developer that gets an app rejected?? Is that really necessary?

I'm being facetious here, obviously, but if Schiller wants to make a public statement outlining the general reasons for a particular kind of app getting rejected via a personal e-mail, that's a good strategy. But I hope this won't be a regular occurrence. Unless of course Apple is ready to manage the submission of "reasons" to every developer explaining each rejection.

Why in the world would you not want the clearing up of confusion/misinformation to become a regular occurrence?

These letters are not primarily addressed to the App Store developers directly, but to people like Gruber who talk often about the App Store approval process. Any sign of better communication from Apple is a good thing, IMO.

[str1f3]

Originally Posted by steviet02

For the record, the first two are not developers who write sw for the iPhone. One is an ass with a blog and the other is developer of a closed system piece of software. Neither of those nit wits have any right bitching about the app store.

Are you sure you're not the nitwit? Wake me up when you write a piece of software that's as good as Transmit, Coda, or CandyBar. Tell me when you write a blog that's so good that the higher ups at Apple read it. You're really funny talking about a software with a closed system in the same thread as the App Store.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by steviet02

For the record, the first two are not developers who write sw for the iPhone. One is an ass with a blog and the other is developer of a closed system piece of software. Neither of those nit wits have any right bitching about the app store.

and the Ben Charny report linked to in the article above is just chock-a-block full of inaccuracies and unsupported innuendo as well.

It seems that Phil is only responding to people who have a large audience and a bit of credibility but at the same time are spreading 100% manure. Gruber is usually the least biased of this whole lot, but he will print anything that any of his developer friends tell him to without questioning it at all.

[rgbfoundry]

I can't believe that's the CD art for snow leopard. That's just not possible. I'm expecting something like Leopard's disc, but with a shifted color palette. More of an ice blue and white nebula instead of pink and purple. No way they're jumping to depicting animals ala O'Reilly.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by str1f3

Are you sure you're not the nitwit? Wake me up when you write a piece of software that's as good as Transmit, Coda, or CandyBar. Tell me when you write a blog that's so good that the higher ups at Apple read it. You're really funny talking about a software with a closed system in the same thread as the App Store.

I think the point is that these guys don't write iPhone software and were "boycotting" the app store on self-admittedly subjective grounds, based on only "what they heard" from their friends. Also, Gruber's blog is good, but he is a (self admitted) jerk at times with some very obvious biases of his own. He's largely responsible for pushing a lot of the "developer rejection" stories, and has had to retract his statements several times lately.

[hdasmith]

Is this where we see the end of the "X" in Mac OS X? instead of potentially going to Mac OS XI we'll carry on calling future desktop versions after cats, or just animals in general. Maybe canines next? Mac OS Labradoodle anyone?

[Robin Huber]

While on the cat theme for Mac OS, I vote Saber Tooth for the next one. Of course the fact that it went extinct is a downer, but still, has a nice powerful connotation. Minor upgrades could be small cats, like Ocelot. Hee-hee.

[Rot'nApple]

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

So will Schiller be sending every developer that gets an app rejected?? Is that really necessary?

I'm being facetious here, obviously, but if Schiller wants to make a public statement outlining the general reasons for a particular kind of app getting rejected via a personal e-mail, that's a good strategy. But I hope this won't be a regular occurrence. Unless of course Apple is ready to manage the submission of "reasons" to every developer explaining each rejection.

Makes one wonder what kind of dissent for the Apple store and developer apps there really is.

Did those that were past due payment ever get paid by Apple?

Apple's app store will not be the only game in town soon. I wonder how much of a talent drain of individual developers taking a hike to a "competitor" app store, whereas right now, that option isn't as much a threat for Apple.

[rbonner]

Does anyone know why the card trick app was rejected?

[Rot'nApple]

Originally Posted by Robin Huber

While on the cat theme for Mac OS, I vote Saber Tooth for the next one. Of course the fact that it went extinct is a downer, but still, has a nice powerful connotation. Minor upgrades could be small cats, like Ocelot. Hee-hee.

And they can change the name to run "Windows" on your Mac from Boot Camp to "SnagglePuss"!

[Tauron]

Holy crap we are having an article and a thread about the art in the SL disk. Shoot me.

[Pooch]

Originally Posted by Tauron

Holy crap we are having an article and a thread about the art in the SL disk. Shoot me.

me too, please.

[fryke]

Peng! Peng!

[columbus]

Is it me or has Steve got back to Apple and decided he doesn't like much about the look of Snow Leopard. I mean after WWDC there were a heck of a lot of appearance tweaks for a release based on performance. Then came the Wallpaper, now it looks like they are changing the whole branding.

Originally Posted by Tauron

Holy crap we are having an article and a thread about the art in the SL disk. Shoot me.

Let's carry on talking about it

To me it make sense – the products are called Leopard and Snow Leopard and yet up until now the packaging hasn't reflected this. The best box for Mac OS X was of course 10.2 (Jaguar) where the Pixar group made a beautifully rendered furry X.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Originally Posted by Robin Huber

Minor upgrades could be small cats, like Ocelot. Hee-hee.

Or domestic shorthair...

[ontheinside]

That icon appeared a while back. It is NOT new for the GM.

Pointless part of this article.

It definitely appeared with 10A425. I cannot recall if it was there in the 10A411 as I have erased my memory of obsolete prerelease builds.

[MsNly]

Originally Posted by Napoleon_PhoneApart

Or domestic shorthair...

OSX Kitten "So cute, it's cuddly"

[Trajectory]

I hope the release of SL will signal a return to white iMacs. Don't care for the metal look of the current ones.

Originally Posted by str1f3

Wake me up when you write a piece of software that's as good as Transmit, Coda, or CandyBar.

BBEdit is better than Coda, I used both.

[Trajectory]

Originally Posted by hdasmith

Maybe canines next? Mac OS Labradoodle anyone?

LOL! Hmmm, canine names don't have the same ring as feline ones. OSX Schnauzer? OSX Pug? OSX Cocker Spaniel?

[ecking]

Originally Posted by rgbfoundry

I can't believe that's the CD art for snow leopard. That's just not possible. I'm expecting something like Leopard's disc, but with a shifted color palette. More of an ice blue and white nebula instead of pink and purple. No way they're jumping to depicting animals ala O'Reilly.

I think it's a weak cover too, even that picture as a standalone picture does nothing for me.

[Eluard]

.....

[Jimzip]

Jeez I hope that's not the final disc art haha. My younger brother could have designed that ...

... he's 9.

JW

[wobegon]

Originally Posted by Rot'nApple

Makes one wonder what kind of dissent for the Apple store and developer apps there really is.

Did those that were past due payment ever get paid by Apple?

Apple's app store will not be the only game in town soon. I wonder how much of a talent drain of individual developers taking a hike to a "competitor" app store, whereas right now, that option isn't as much a threat for Apple.

Uh, the App Store hasn't been 'the only game in town' since the beginning and it certainly isn't 'the only game in town' now.

[str1f3]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

I think the point is that these guys don't write iPhone software and were "boycotting" the app store on self-admittedly subjective grounds, based on only "what they heard" from their friends. Also, Gruber's blog is good, but he is a (self admitted) jerk at times with some very obvious biases of his own. He's largely responsible for pushing a lot of the "developer rejection" stories, and has had to retract his statements several times lately.

I understood his full meaning. It doesn't matter if they were app writers or not. Gruber can be arrogant but he is good at what he does. As for Stephen Frank at Panic, that was his personal blog. The only reason this became so well known was because of Daring Daring Fireball. While Panic may not be an App Store developer yet, they are one of the most respected Mac developers out there. That was the reason why his words carried as much influence to warrant a letter from Schiller.

And no, Gruber is not the most responsible for the publicity of rejections (which are well deserved btw). TUAW with Erica Sadun & TechCrunch have done much more.

Lastly, I don't know what retractions you are talking about. The facts that Gruber stated in the Ninjawords story were correct. It was not completely accurate however. The reason why it is not completely accurate is because Apple is consistently tight-lipped about the App Store which Schiller is trying to change now.

[steviet02]

Originally Posted by str1f3

Are you sure you're not the nitwit? Wake me up when you write a piece of software that's as good as Transmit, Coda, or CandyBar. Tell me when you write a blog that's so good that the higher ups at Apple read it. You're really funny talking about a software with a closed system in the same thread as the App Store.

Ironic, considering that you completely missed my point, but called me a nit wit

[bdkennedy1]

What is going on with Apple's graphic designers? That artwork looks like it was pulled off a web site as well as most of the new desktop backgrounds.

[lepton]

EMails are fine, I just wish they would process my new Myallo HotList app, which has been sitting in approval-limbo for three weeks now..

[ascii]

Shouldn't the arrow be coming out of the disk?

[elliots11]

Originally Posted by rgbfoundry

I can't believe that's the CD art for snow leopard. That's just not possible. I'm expecting something like Leopard's disc, but with a shifted color palette. More of an ice blue and white nebula instead of pink and purple. No way they're jumping to depicting animals ala O'Reilly.

+1. Dorky. O'Reilly. Spot on.

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by lepton

EMails are fine, I just wish they would process my new Myallo HotList app, which has been sitting in approval-limbo for three weeks now..

My app is still waiting 5 weeks and counting. My server shows that they already tested the app and in app purchase more than 2 weeks ago. I stopped checking and now just waiting for their approval (or rejection) email. I emailed them and they emailed me the standard reply few days later.

[nite41]

Originally Posted by Tauron

Holy crap we are having an article and a thread about the art in the SL disk. Shoot me.

Shot!

Originally Posted by Pooch

me too, please.

Shot!

[nite41]

I don't think Phil Schiller will/should email any more app developers/bloggers. Coz they are too many of them! Instead, do what is expected from you. Come up with a logical set of rules and follow them. Simple.

And the disc art sucks! I don't like seeing an animal while using my computer. That's why I changed the Adium icons.

[dak splunder]

The purple nebula space theme is the stupidest piece of art and design that has ever come out of Apple's ass. And all because of Time Machine.

Seriously, ooooh, ahhhhh, space. How futuristic!! Please.

:d

[steviet02]

Originally Posted by str1f3

I understood his full meaning. It doesn't matter if they were app writers or not. Gruber can be arrogant but he is good at what he does. As for Stephen Frank at Panic, that was his personal blog. The only reason this became so well known was because of Daring Daring Fireball. While Panic may not be an App Store developer yet, they are one of the most respected Mac developers out there. That was the reason why his words carried as much influence to warrant a letter from Schiller.

Look, many other respected developers that actually put applications up on the store never got an email from Schiller and have complained about it in public. The number is now steadily growing, and to be honest the number leaving may be growing as well. Remember that the July renewal just came around, I wonder how their renewal/new developer numbers are? I think the players in this case were insignificant, it was a message that was going to be sent anyway.

Originally Posted by str1f3

And no, Gruber is not the most responsible for the publicity of rejections (which are well deserved btw). TUAW with Erica Sadun & TechCrunch have done much more.

He's right up there. The post now check facts later is prevalent everywhere now, real news etc.... If he was as influential as you suggested earlier, someone would have contacted him long before this to set the record straight.

Originally Posted by str1f3

Lastly, I don't know what retractions you are talking about. The facts that Gruber stated in the Ninjawords story were correct. It was not completely accurate however. The reason why it is not completely accurate is because Apple is consistently tight-lipped about the App Store which Schiller is trying to change now.

Come on man, read that paragraph, you went from it was fact to it wasn't fact because apple didn't talk. Thats a cop out for not doing fact finding before printing something, and not printing it if it can't be confirmed.