Briefly: Snow Leopard ship date, iPhone 3GS HD video

[AppleInsider]

More evidence of an Aug. 28 ship date for Snow Leopard appeared and disappeared this week; and a App Store application enables buggy high definition playback on the iPhone 3GS.

iPhone 3GS HD video

Using third-party file transfer methods, numerous Web sites have reported varying degrees of success in playing 1080P high definition video on the iPhone 3GS. The playback, however, does not work on the iPhone 3G, leading some to speculate that the higher-powered iPhone 3GS could be capable of playback of video on an external high definition screen.

Engadget tried the method using the App Store software FileAid and an iPhone 3GS. The test produced mixed results, as some videos stuttered and others simply crashed. The same test produced error messages on the iPhone 3G.

"We're hoping Apple is polishing that up and getting ready to unlock this functionality, since it'd be sweet to just plug into an HDTV and play video," the report states.

HD video serves no real purpose for playback on the iPhone alone, which has a screen resolution of only 480 by 320 pixels. But while the iPhone can also output video on an external monitor, it is currently limited to 640 by 480 resolution playback.

Snow Leopard Aug. 28 ship date disappears

For a brief time, various versions of Apple's Web site across the globe listed a ship date of Aug. 28 for Snow Leopard for customers of the company's Up-to-Date Program. The ship date served to support ongoing rumors that Mac OS X 10.6 would arrive before its previously announced launch window of September.

However, since then, both the U.S. Apple Store and U.K. Apple Store have changed their respective sites to say "Ships: September."



The Mac OS X Snow Leopard Up-to-Date Program applies to customers who purchased a qualifying Mac from Apple's online store on or after June 8, 2009. It allows customers to upgrade to Snow Leopard for $9.95.

Rumors have surfaced that the current build of Snow Leopard, 10A432, is the Golden Master, meaning it is the final version before the product is released for duplication on optical media.

For all others looking to upgrade from the current version of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, Snow Leopard will cost $29 for the single user license and $49 for the five-license family pack. The new operating system will be available only for Mac users on Intel-based computers. Also available are Mac OS X Server 10.6 Snow Leopard ($499) and two upgrade box sets: OS, iWork and iLife ($169) and the five-license family pack, iWork and iLife ($229).

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[ascii]

Too late to take the date away now... the cat's out of the bag (in more ways than one).

[Chintan100]

"Ships: September" WTF!!

We know its Aug 28th, Apple. For once, you cudnt hide it.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by ascii

Too late to take the date away now... the cat's out of the bag (in more ways than one).

Hey-oooh!

Seriously, at only $29 you can't go wrong.

I'm assuming if you wish to do a clean install you'll need to install Leopard FIRST, and then run the SL upgrade?

[Hattig]

Originally Posted by Chintan100

"Ships: September" WTF!!

We know its Aug 28th, Apple. For once, you cudnt hide it.

This time it means that all the Windows 7 vs Mac OS reviews will be using the latest version of Mac OS X, unlike when Vista came out. That'll take the edge off Redmond's efforts!

[Cougar]

If they don't open up SL for preorders today, I can't see it coming out on the 28th. But we'll see...

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by Hattig

This time it means that all the Windows 7 vs Mac OS reviews will be using the latest version of Mac OS X, unlike when Vista came out. That'll take the edge off Redmond's efforts!

Well you bring up a good point. The only real way in which OS X competes with Windows is in the Premium end of the market. Apple deosn't play in the bottom end, and is out of a good portion of the mid-end.

At this point, Apple commands around 91% of the $1000+ notebook market.

MS will want to try two things here:

1) To get consumers who are interested in spending $1000+ to go for a cheaper Windows 7 configuration and save some money, or . . .

2) To compete with Apple directly in the $1000+ end of the market.

I can see MS making some headway with the first possibility. But I see them hitting brick wall with the second possibility.

If the Laptop Hunter ads' failure is anything to go by, there's a likelihood that consumers might still not choose the cheaper option at all, even with Windows 7.

[teckstud]

But won't this HD capability cut into sales of the AppleTV?
Unless you are able to stream HD to the AppleTV?

[Wiggin]

I would like to see them try to play 720p video at a bitrate similar iTunes' HD offerings. It looks like the only 720p they tried was a high bitrate file off a camcorder and the rest was 1080p files. If we assume it's going to be a few years before iTunes offers 1080p, Apple would have no motivation to play it on the iPhone/touch anyway.

But if they offered a way to make the current 720p video downloads more portable (ie, I can load a movie onto my touch and take it to my friend's house for movie night), that would be a useful option to have and would make both the touch and their video sales more attractive.

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

Well you bring up a good point. The only real way in which OS X competes with Windows is in the Premium end of the market. Apple deosn't play in the bottom end, and is out of a good portion of the mid-end.

At this point, Apple commands around 91% of the $1000+ notebook market.

MS will want to try two things here:

1) To get consumers who are interested in spending $1000+ to go for a cheaper Windows 7 configuration and save some money, or . . .

2) To compete with Apple directly in the $1000+ end of the market.

I can see MS making some headway with the first possibility. But I see them hitting brick wall with the second possibility.

If the Laptop Hunter ads' failure is anything to go by, there's a likelihood that consumers might still not choose the cheaper option at all, even with Windows 7.

microsoft doesn't care which computer you buy or how much it costs because they get the exact same licensing fee. most home PC's ship with Windows Home Premium and most business PC's with Vista Business. The upgrade to Ultimate costs $150 from home premium. MS and Intel worked out a nice system where they get most of the money from a PC purchase and Dell/HP get the crumbs on the floor.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by al_bundy

microsoft doesn't care which computer you buy or how much it costs because they get the exact same licensing fee. most home PC's ship with Windows Home Premium and most business PC's with Vista Business. The upgrade to Ultimate costs $150 from home premium. MS and Intel worked out a nice system where they get most of the money from a PC purchase and Dell/HP get the crumbs on the floor.

While I agree, I don't think being virtually locked out of the Premium end of the market sits well with Microsoft (or maybe it does.)

[Wiggin]

Originally Posted by al_bundy

microsoft doesn't care which computer you buy or how much it costs because they get the exact same licensing fee. most home PC's ship with Windows Home Premium and most business PC's with Vista Business. The upgrade to Ultimate costs $150 from home premium. MS and Intel worked out a nice system where they get most of the money from a PC purchase and Dell/HP get the crumbs on the floor.

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

While I agree, I don't think being virtually locked out of the Premium end of the market sits well with Microsoft (or maybe it does.)

"Ballmer also explained that the company’s goal is to raise PC prices in the next year. That’s due both to expected popularity of a new class of higher-end and higher-priced netbooks, a new pricing strategy around Windows 7 that the company hopes will result in far more upgrades to premium skus"

http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...aint_prai.html

[Ireland]

The biggest surprise about Snow Leopard is you forget you are using it. Put on sister's Air, she never even noticed. Further evidence of Apple working on Mac OS X touch behind the scenes. They like to blow us away and this is just snappier really. Snappier is welcome though. A lot of stuff like System Prefs is now actually fast enough to be useable. Less general sluggishness across the OS.

[Robin Huber]

The fact that new Macs ship with the latest OS and iLife leads to confusion for me later when I upgrade. I saw the bundles showing OS, iLife, and iWork, and my first thought was: "Wait a minute, iLife comes as a part of the OS so why is that bundled?" I just have this mindset that iLife is part of the OS because that's how I almost always get it. (I tend to buy a new Mac every two years or so)

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by Robin Huber

The fact that new Macs ship with the latest OS and iLife leads to confusion for me later when I upgrade. I saw the bundles showing OS, iLife, and iWork, and my first thought was: "Wait a minute, iLife comes as a part of the OS so why is that bundled?" I just have this mindset that iLife is part of the OS because that's how I almost always get it. (I tend to buy a new Mac every two years or so)

It's only a matter of time until that is actually the case. They should have done it with Snow Leopard IMO. Then update every 2 years or so and give us a newer OS with new iLife and iWork built in, thus making the Mac a very attractive offer. BTW iWork does not come as part of a new Mac, that iWork is only a 30 day trial.

[emulator]

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

Hey-oooh!

Seriously, at only $29 you can't go wrong.

I'm assuming if you wish to do a clean install you'll need to install Leopard FIRST, and then run the SL upgrade?

it's been talked numerous times, NO, you won't need to install leopard 1st. in that case there would not be a clean install, even at apple's standards.

the worst thing could happen is to insert a leopard dvd; however, the GM (Gold Master) easily installed clean with no leopard inserts.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by emulator

it's been talked numerous times, NO, you won't need to install leopard 1st. in that case there would not be a clean install, even at apple's standards.

the worst thing could happen is to insert a leopard dvd; however, the GM (Gold Master) easily installed clean with no leopard inserts.

So for $29 you're getting a full copy of SL.

[Wiggin]

Originally Posted by Ireland

It's only a matter of time until that is actually the case. They should have done it with Snow Leopard IMO. Then update every 2 years or so and give us a newer OS with new iLife and iWork built in, thus making the Mac a very attractive offer. BTW iWork does not come as part of a new Mac, that iWork is only a 30 day trial.

Except sometimes you don't want to move to the new version. Past examples were when they neutered iMovie and took away all of the fine editting controls (some of which made there way back in later) and iCal which was arguably a step backwards in the UI and you had no option to revert back to the previous version. Granted, iLife could be included but be an optional install. And Apple would lose whatever revenue they get from selling it seperately unless they increased the price of the OS.

[Wiggin]

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

So for $29 you're getting a full copy of SL.

You get an upgrade copy that happens to have the full install on it. You can't start a Mac clone company and install $29 copies of Snow Leopard on your knock-off hardware.

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

While I agree, I don't think being virtually locked out of the Premium end of the market sits well with Microsoft (or maybe it does.)

since you can get a PC with faster hardware than a Mac for under $1000, the premium PC market is only for really high end computers like AlienWare that cost $2000 and up. i looked at an imac long enough to figure out you can't put an upgraded graphics card in it and that was the end of that. and i looked at a MBP until i saw i can't get the cheapest 15" one with the 9600M graphics and i had to buy the $2000 one.

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by Wiggin

"Ballmer also explained that the company’s goal is to raise PC prices in the next year. That’s due both to expected popularity of a new class of higher-end and higher-priced netbooks, a new pricing strategy around Windows 7 that the company hopes will result in far more upgrades to premium skus"

http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...aint_prai.html

and MS still makes almost the exact same licensing fee whether you buy Vista Basic or Premium on a netbook or on a desktop PC. with the new netbooks they will push the more expensive versions of Windows.

you can already get a very nice netbook for $500. next year with Larabee it will be even better

[TenoBell]

This is true if you are comparing a desktop tower (without a 24" HD monitor) against the iMac. Its not true if you actually compare the iMac to PC all-in-one systems.

Originally Posted by al_bundy

since you can get a PC with faster hardware than a Mac for under $1000,

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by Wiggin

Except sometimes you don't want to move to the new version. Past examples were when they neutered iMovie and took away all of the fine editting controls (some of which made there way back in later) and iCal which was arguably a step backwards in the UI and you had no option to revert back to the previous version. Granted, iLife could be included but be an optional install. And Apple would lose whatever revenue they get from selling it seperately unless they increased the price of the OS.

Fear not, as Ireland says Snow Kitty is seamless and everything is just faster in all tests I have done. I too totally forgot I was using it after a short while. Aperture is astoundingly faster by the way, I mean totally gob smackingly faster! I thinks as Apple release identical but newly complied versions of all their software it will also be a seamless transition to a new level of productivity. My order for a family pack is standing ready!

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by Wiggin

Except sometimes you don't want to move to the new version. Past examples were when they neutered iMovie and took away all of the fine editting controls (some of which made there way back in later) and iCal which was arguably a step backwards in the UI and you had no option to revert back to the previous version. Granted, iLife could be included but be an optional install. And Apple would lose whatever revenue they get from selling it seperately unless they increased the price of the OS.

That would be a personal choice. Apple can't control that. Besides, the example you game is available for download on Apple's site: iMovie HD.

[jazzguru]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

This is true if you are comparing a desktop tower (without a 24" HD monitor) against the iMac. Its not true if you actually compare the iMac to PC all-in-one systems.

This is a very important and oft overlooked distinction.

Many tend to focus on the hardware specs alone when there is so much more to each computer in the Mac lineup than that.

In an honest comparison, everything must be taken into account, including form factor, display quality/resolution, storage space, etc.

Personally, when I take account of everything - from hardware specs down to how much space the computer occupies on my computer desk, Mac wins in a side-by-side comparison.

But of course, it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by digitalclips

Fear not, as Ireland says Snow Kitty is seamless and everything is just faster in all tests I have done. I too totally forgot I was using it after a short while. Aperture is astoundingly faster by the way, I mean totally gob smackingly faster! I thinks as Apple release identical but newly complied versions of all their software it will also be a seamless transition to a new level of productivity. My order for a family pack is standing ready!

What I have noticed that is surprisingly faster is file transfers for Mac to Mac over the network. I never thought something like that would be faster. Small files transfer about 3X faster.

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

This is true if you are comparing a desktop tower (without a 24" HD monitor) against the iMac. Its not true if you actually compare the iMac to PC all-in-one systems.

In the end it is apples (pardon the pun) and oranges. It is simply not possible to do any price comparison between Macs and PCs. The main difference is the OS not the hardware. Even if a hardware configuration identical to any Apple one were half of the price it is still running M$ and I'd gladly pony up for the Mac. Plus, check the value of any Mac two or three years later and then check the PC's value the same age ...

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by Ireland

What I have noticed that is surprisingly faster is file transfers for Mac to Mac over the network. I never thought something like that would be faster. Small files transfer about 3X faster.

Yes same findings here. I keep jumping up and down with excitement and shock as I test stuff! I am away from home using high end Road Runner so not as fast as my home FiOs but I suspect even FTP seems faster too. I am just about to thrash Final Cut Studio Suite to see what happens (it all runs fine just haven't done any real work yet).

[anonymouse]

Originally Posted by Cougar

If they don't open up SL for preorders today, I can't see it coming out on the 28th. But we'll see...

I think there are a few possibilities regarding the ship date.

1. It will ship on the 28th, and the change to September is simply misdirection, or simply a placeholder date because they aren't ready to announce it will ship on the 28th.

2. They expected to ship it on the 28th, but a software defect recently found forced them to push it back to September.

3. It was tentatively scheduled to ship on the 28th, but they decided it would make more sense to announce that it is "now available" at the Sep. 9 media event.

4. It was never scheduled to ship on the 28th (perhaps that was just a placeholder date or misdirection) but always planned to ship in Sep., perhaps announced shipping at the Sep. media event, perhaps later in the month.

[paxman]

Originally Posted by Ireland

It's only a matter of time until that is actually the case. They should have done it with Snow Leopard IMO. Then update every 2 years or so and give us a newer OS with new iLife and iWork built in, thus making the Mac a very attractive offer. BTW iWork does not come as part of a new Mac, that iWork is only a 30 day trial.

I don't think it will happen. By keeping the OS and iLife and iWork apart you increase the number of times updates of one kind or another happen. Upgrades are a pain to some but it keeps people interested and gives Apple more free editorial across the globe. SL today, iL next year, iW later next year, etc.

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

This is true if you are comparing a desktop tower (without a 24" HD monitor) against the iMac. Its not true if you actually compare the iMac to PC all-in-one systems.

true

Dell has something that is like the mini and it costs more once you add in all the features of the mini and imac. i've even compared the imac to the HP all in ones and the iMac is better and cheaper.

i wish Apple would offer something like the Mac Pro but with desktop parts that you could sell for the price of a mini and upgrade things like RAM and graphics. drivers aren't an issue since nvidia and ATI have had a common driver package for years that will install drivers on every product they've shipped for the last 3-5 years. For Windows 7 ATI is even offering new mobile graphics drivers on their website where before they told you to go to the manufacturer

[Wiggin]

Originally Posted by digitalclips

Fear not, as Ireland says Snow Kitty is seamless and everything is just faster in all tests I have done. I too totally forgot I was using it after a short while. Aperture is astoundingly faster by the way, I mean totally gob smackingly faster! I thinks as Apple release identical but newly complied versions of all their software it will also be a seamless transition to a new level of productivity. My order for a family pack is standing ready!

Interesting, and encouraging because I use Aperture and I'm comtemplating a new DSLR, but I'm not sure how my MBP would handle the increased RAW file sizes. Do you think the increased speed is due mostly to faster Core Image processing? Or is there more to it than that?

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by Ireland

What I have noticed that is surprisingly faster is file transfers for Mac to Mac over the network. I never thought something like that would be faster. Small files transfer about 3X faster.

Found my first glitch ... (this is a pre release of course) Font sizing isn't working.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by Wiggin

You get an upgrade copy that happens to have the full install on it. You can't start a Mac clone company and install $29 copies of Snow Leopard on your knock-off hardware.

works for me.

[floccus]

Originally Posted by anonymouse

I think there are a few possibilities regarding the ship date.

1. It will ship on the 28th, and the change to September is simply misdirection, or simply a placeholder date because they aren't ready to announce it will ship on the 28th.

2. They expected to ship it on the 28th, but a software defect recently found forced them to push it back to September.

3. It was tentatively scheduled to ship on the 28th, but they decided it would make more sense to announce that it is "now available" at the Sep. 9 media event.

4. It was never scheduled to ship on the 28th (perhaps that was just a placeholder date or misdirection) but always planned to ship in Sep., perhaps announced shipping at the Sep. media event, perhaps later in the month.

5. The 28th is a Friday, depending on where its shipping from, and how fast the send it, it won't arrive till Sept. 1st, which is the following Tues. That fully backs up their "it will ship in Sept." claim and means those of us who used the Up-to-date program get 10.6 as soon as its in stores.

I'd then expect (really hope...) Steve does the intro for the new iPods/other media stuff and talks up the integration between iTunes 9 and the OS (fully 64bit apps, Quicktime X, etc.) and how it will make their media offerings even better than ever. I could then see a new Apple TV using a specialized version of 10.6 also being debuted (lets face it, they almost have to update that thing by now).

[TenoBell]

They don't because that is a declining business. The money and growth is in notebooks and smartphones.

Originally Posted by al_bundy

i wish Apple would offer something like the Mac Pro but with desktop parts that you could sell for the price of a mini and upgrade things like RAM and graphics. drivers aren't an issue since nvidia and ATI have had a common driver package for years that will install drivers on every product they've shipped for the last 3-5 years. For Windows 7 ATI is even offering new mobile graphics drivers on their website where before they told you to go to the manufacturer

[SpamSandwich]

This is all fine and good... but what about the really important questions? Like, have you seen the new Avatar trailer?

[TenoBell]

All that money and hype for a 3D cartoon?

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

This is all fine and good... but what about the really important questions? Like, have you seen the new Avatar trailer?

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

All that money and hype for a 3D cartoon?

I'll let you know after I see the 15 minute preview at my IMAX.

[Logisticaldron]

Originally Posted by Ireland

It's only a matter of time until that is actually the case. They should have done it with Snow Leopard IMO. Then update every 2 years or so and give us a newer OS with new iLife and iWork built in, thus making the Mac a very attractive offer. BTW iWork does not come as part of a new Mac, that iWork is only a 30 day trial.

They don’t put the iWork trial on the install disc anymore. They stopped doing that shortly after they stopped including the Office for Mac Test Drive.

Originally Posted by emulator

it's been talked numerous times, NO, you won't need to install leopard 1st. in that case there would not be a clean install, even at apple's standards.

the worst thing could happen is to insert a leopard dvd; however, the GM (Gold Master) easily installed clean with no leopard inserts.

Being able to do a clean install and not requiring Leopard to be installed first are two different things. I haven’t seen any confirmation of how this $29 disc will work at this point. If you were to get a new HDD maybe they’ll have you put in the old disc briefly to verify that you have it or maybe they will just use the honor system like they do with the single user and 5 user installation licenses.

Originally Posted by TenoBell

This is true if you are comparing a desktop tower (without a 24" HD monitor) against the iMac. Its not true if you actually compare the iMac to PC all-in-one systems.

I think this should be emphasized. When you compare with the same exact CPU the costs of PCs are usually around the price of Macs. Even Dell’s AIl-In-Ones can be pricer than the iMac while using much cheaper CPUs, but that is a given with that examples since Dell sells so few AIOs and they don’t seem to be pushing them anymore.

Originally Posted by digitalclips

Fear not, as Ireland says Snow Kitty is seamless and everything is just faster in all tests I have done. I too totally forgot I was using it after a short while. Aperture is astoundingly faster by the way, I mean totally gob smackingly faster! I thinks as Apple release identical but newly complied versions of all their software it will also be a seamless transition to a new level of productivity. My order for a family pack is standing ready!

Originally Posted by Ireland

What I have noticed that is surprisingly faster is file transfers for Mac to Mac over the network. I never thought something like that would be faster. Small files transfer about 3X faster.

You should do some tests with it. I am getting 440ms on SunSpider with Snow Leopard’s Safari, which is 50% faster than Chromium and twice as fast as the same Safari version on Leopard. 64-bit apps are definitely faster.

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

This is all fine and good... but what about the really important questions? Like, have you seen the new Avatar trailer?