Apple integrates online store into Mac OS X Tiger application
Running out of ink? The Apple online store carries several varieties, as users of the company's next-generation operating system may soon find out.
If recent builds of Apple's Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger operating system are any indication, it appears that Apple Computer may start integrating its online store into Mac OS X applications.
According to sources, a refreshed version of the company's Printer Setup Utility (4.0) is being distributed with the latest builds of Tiger. In addition to sporting a streamlined aqua interface, the application presents the user with a handy function to quickly purchase printer supplies.
Screenshots: Buy Supplies; Printer Browser; Add Printer
The option, which is available only after a user has selected a printer, will launch the Safari web browser and search the company's online store for ink cartridges that are compatible with the selected printer.
It's unclear whether the final version of Tiger will ship with this Apple Store implementation. Last year, the company was reportedly experimenting with third party support for its Software Update mechanism, but eventually decided not to include the feature in current versions of Mac OS X.
If recent builds of Apple's Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger operating system are any indication, it appears that Apple Computer may start integrating its online store into Mac OS X applications.
According to sources, a refreshed version of the company's Printer Setup Utility (4.0) is being distributed with the latest builds of Tiger. In addition to sporting a streamlined aqua interface, the application presents the user with a handy function to quickly purchase printer supplies.
Screenshots: Buy Supplies; Printer Browser; Add Printer
The option, which is available only after a user has selected a printer, will launch the Safari web browser and search the company's online store for ink cartridges that are compatible with the selected printer.
It's unclear whether the final version of Tiger will ship with this Apple Store implementation. Last year, the company was reportedly experimenting with third party support for its Software Update mechanism, but eventually decided not to include the feature in current versions of Mac OS X.
Comments
Subtle marketing of the Apple store I really don't care about. Especially if it actually helps the user.
MIke
Originally posted by Scott
Yuck. Unprofessional.
I agree...if done wrong. Like with Quicktime's "purchase pro" dialog right in your face just about every time you launch it.
But if it is actually out of the way and does provide a handy service such as like this one...purchasing a new ink cartridge. This is actually a nice feature. It saves the user time by having to find a place that specifically sells ink cartridges. And plus, this option will search the Apple store for cartridges that work with the user's printer.
Mike
Meh.
If Apple has the stones to offer a variety of supplies that meet the customer's needs, that would be the best case. But that doesn't mean it'll happen.
Integrated would be something like the iTunes Music Store.
Originally posted by MPMoriarty
I agree...if done wrong. Like with Quicktime's "purchase pro" dialog right in your face just about every time you launch it.
Just set you date a year forward, and run it once, dismiss the message and set your date back.
Matt
Had this been Microsoft offering a facility to buy cartridges from the MS Store then everyone would be up in arms, so why should it be any different for Apple? \t
Really? And how do you suppose this? No one is forced to use the service at all. I think the only people that would be "up in arms" would be the MS haters that rant about everything MS does.
"i notice my system is running sluggish lately, dave. i've retrieved your credit card information and purchased more ram. please have this installed within seven days, dave."
Originally posted by hmurchison
Really? And how do you suppose this? No one is forced to use the service at all. I think the only people that would be "up in arms" would be the MS haters that rant about everything MS does.
Actually, everyone WAS up in arms with XP during the beta stage, because their photo buying service took you to MS's partners, not who you want to go to. Kodak was screaming up and down about it.
There's actually no difference (give or take that whole 'implemented decently' vs. 'coddled together with duct tape' differences) between this kind of thing and what MS has done (and still does), but Apple people tend to give Apple the "whatever" attitude (well, except when it comes to building in .Mac hooks into the OS, then its all 'up-in-arms' from the 'you promised it would be free for life, so now I'm going to rant about it whenever you try to suck money out of us!' group that complain it).
The main difference, however, is that since MS has been found to be a monopoly, they need to tread a lot lighter on all this stuff then smaller companies like apple.
Originally posted by dav
as long as it doesn't turn into...
"i notice my system is running sluggish lately, dave. i've retrieved your credit card information and purchased more ram. please have this installed within seven days, dave."
Internal Memo.
from:Steve Jobs
to :Apple OS team
Who has leaked this feature ?
By tomorrow at noon, there ought to be some resignation on my desk. If not, Stevie-boy will very very cranky.
Do you want that ? huh !
Do you feel lucky ?, huh, punk !!!
best regards
Steve jobs