I agree that this is bittersweet, but I really don't see this as a disaster in the long run. This does skewer my plans for a July/August hardware purchase, but I feel that the longer I wait, the better the end-product will be. As people have pointed out, a 4 month delay is in no way comparable to what MS did with Vista. I'm still going to wait until SP1 before I even consider buying in because Windows is virtually synonymous with buggy whereas OS X-whatever, doesn't seem to have that problem.
Pulling devs from the OS X team to work on the iPhone was a good move, IMO; if my company is diving in to an entirely new market I want the people most familiar with the current platform working on this new product so that the integration will be seamless. Bringing in a herd of newcomers just to push Leopard out in June is also a bad idea, at this stage of the game the people that are going to save your ass are the ones most familiar with what has already gone into the system. Bringing the iPhone programmers back into the fold is the better solution; you regain their expertise in the OS, and they can now spot potential problems integrating the new mobile phone platform.
As an investor, I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow's news. If the general investing public's reaction is the same as the doomsayers populating this thread, then I'm only too happy to take advantage of what will end up being a short-term plunge in the stock price. What's more, if there is a failure to release new hardware in the coming months, I'm going to be buying during the inevitable backlash fueled by the disappointed instant-gratification crowd. My prediction is that by October '08 the iPhone will meet or beat it's 1% goal, there will be a host of major updates to the iPod line (including ATV), minor ones for the MB and the stock will be hovering around the $130 mark (provided it doesn't split).
leopard getting delayed is *not* a good thing, especially as it makes them look like microsoft, and also because it means they're shifting their priorities to the iphone, which i predict will fall on it's ass.
however, i have an ADC membership and recently installed the leopard beta. it sucks balls. it's buggy as hell, and there are absolutely no features to justify the price tag (assuming they continue to go with $129). spaces is nice, ichat is nice, time machine is nice.. but i don't think i'm gonna actually use them that often. hopefully this delay will give them time to include something worth selling.
one more thing-- why is AI the only big mac news site to report this yet? why hasn't TMO or MW gotten word?
Even given its 2+year delay, Vista was not ready for release. There are numerous incompatibility, security and XP upgrade issues. The windows forums are rife with all of them. IT professional are going to wait 1 or more years before even consiidering deploying it. Despite MS totally bogus claim of 20 M units sold, Vista was released prematurely. I think its great that Apple is waiting until the product is ready. Whatever the reason for the delay, releasing a a bug free product is paramount. Everyone should just relax.
I have been using macs for years since the SE and apples in general since the Apple II. I use them in my practice and have developed patient management software on them. I have been waiting for months for Leopard to be released to replace at least 5 macs but now I am very disturbed by this delay in introducing Leopard... I certainly have to question whether I want to wait until Oct to purchase more Macs. The Modbook I have on order may be my last Mac purchase as I can use Filemaker on any Intel machine.
Are you serious? You have been a Mac user since Apple II and a delay in an OS release makes you doubt your experiences up till this point? That is so crazy I had to register just to tell you so. Everyone who is freaking out about not buying a comp until the next OS comes out, THE DAMN THING COSTS LESS THAN YOUR APPLECARE! Buy what you need, and then buy this later. If the price tag is too high for you, then I'm sure your buddy, who bought the damn thing will throw you the disk. ALSO! One disc can be used on ALL your computers!!! The upgrade cost is about 25 per comp if you are replacing 5 macs! You are going to go to Vista over THIS????
See the problem isn't that Leopard is delayed. The probelm is that people wait for Leopard before they buy their new hardware, which slows sales of said hardware and potentially these people might just go with Vista instead of waiting.
This is an absolute disaster for Apple.
I'm just laughing at Jobs for how many shots Apple has taken at M$ for delaying Vista, and now they are eating their words. Real cool Apple, real cool.
Go with Vista? You can't be serious.
Let's see, option A, wait for a quality release of Leopard or
option B, go with a buggy incompatible, insecure release of Vista?
I'm not interested in the iPhone (I hate the idea of it, actually; if some ass surfing the web on his phone gets in my way at a T station, I'll shove him in front of a train). If Leopard isn't coming out soon, it would be nice if Apple would release some things I actually need, like an improved iWork.
This could be a good buying opportunity - perhaps best after the quarterly results on April 25th.
I've got no money at the moment, but I might take a small bank loan out. I did this before (2 years ago) and made a profit.
After hours trading is usually propelled by really dumb money, up or down. The stock will undoubtably take some hit tomorrow but just use it as a wonderful buying opportunity.
Between the Intel transition and OS X we have been spoiled by Apple when it comes to fast and constant releases and upgrades. I don't think 2 years is that long to wait between OSes.
Releasing the iPhone first is without question the most important thing for Apple to do. The time between the iPhone's release and Leopard's release will garnish more switchers than those waiting for Leopard to simply come out. How many of the complainers are going to jump to Vista now that there is delay? Ha! Thought so.
I think you are suggesting that this signals (or could be the bellweather of) a potential strategy execution problem at Apple.
I think you are suggesting that this signals (or could be the bellweather of) a potential strategy execution problem at Apple.
If so, I agree.
Not sure if I understand what "strategy execution" means. I think if Apple had to pool it's resources toward iPhone Leopard or Mac Leopard to meet deadlines, that iPhone Leopard is the best choice.
I have been using macs for years since the SE and apples in general since the Apple II. I use them in my practice and have developed patient management software on them. I have been waiting for months for Leopard to be released to replace at least 5 macs but now I am very disturbed by this delay in introducing Leopard. I think that Apple will lose it's way if it doesn't consider itself as still a computer company. Yes, it has done very well w/ other things (we have probably 10 or 12 ipods in our three person family) but would not even consider them if we didn't use Macs. I have been responsilbe for the purchase of Macs by many of my business associates, friends and patients but this I think could be a disaster. I certainly have to question whether I want to wait until Oct to purchase more Macs. The Modbook I have on order may be my last Mac purchase as I can use Filemaker on any Intel machine.
Sorry - you haven't actually relied on Apple computers since the SE and still written this, your statements make no sense at all. You have actually developed software for the Mac but will not either purchase hardware without Leopard or wait until October for the next OS release. I do not believe you.
I am truly disappointed. Apple is right at the cusp of being able to make real inroads in the corporate community. I have been able to get my firm to consider macs for the first time. This is a bush league error that signals a tipping point that Apple is not ready for prime time.
To blame the IPhone is beyond the pale. It does not make good business sense or good corporate PR logic. Really unbelievable.
And for IT managers everywhere, it makes it near impossible to argue to your corporate officers that Apple is a viable competitor to the business PC when they appear to be just another electronic toy company. And their own statements support that sentiment.
Mark this day, Apple will not live it down for a while.
Pure jibberish!
It demonstrates the exact opposite to the corporate community--a responsible company that is not going to panic and pull a 'Vista" by releasing a product that is not ready for prime time.
IT managers in Wintel Wonderland understand this and are waiting until Vista matures enough, if ever, before they deploy it.
Not sure if I understand what "strategy execution" means. I think if Apple had to pool it's resources toward iPhone Leopard or Mac Leopard to meet deadlines, that iPhone Leopard is the best choice.
Thanks for calling me out on my jargon.
What I meant is: It is easy to formulate a strategy (e.g., "I'll do this and I'll do that by XYZ and have it all measure up to my usual innovation and quality standards"), but something else altogether to implement it effectively ("I am confident that I can marshall my resources and capabilities to ensure that it gets done by the time -- and with the quality -- promised.")
I'd like to point out that I was very clear on this point, for the last three months, given WWDC timing, and the fact that the builds were behind. It' didn't make any sense for Apple to spring a half-baked OS on developers. I knew this was going to happen. Very glad to hear it. Trust me Apple wouldn't delay making money unless they felt it absolutely was important.
Sounds like the form of comunication is called lying. First they say that there will be no delay, then they blame the ^@#$ phone. Come clean, lying to the market and customers is not a good thing.
Comments
Pulling devs from the OS X team to work on the iPhone was a good move, IMO; if my company is diving in to an entirely new market I want the people most familiar with the current platform working on this new product so that the integration will be seamless. Bringing in a herd of newcomers just to push Leopard out in June is also a bad idea, at this stage of the game the people that are going to save your ass are the ones most familiar with what has already gone into the system. Bringing the iPhone programmers back into the fold is the better solution; you regain their expertise in the OS, and they can now spot potential problems integrating the new mobile phone platform.
As an investor, I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow's news. If the general investing public's reaction is the same as the doomsayers populating this thread, then I'm only too happy to take advantage of what will end up being a short-term plunge in the stock price. What's more, if there is a failure to release new hardware in the coming months, I'm going to be buying during the inevitable backlash fueled by the disappointed instant-gratification crowd. My prediction is that by October '08 the iPhone will meet or beat it's 1% goal, there will be a host of major updates to the iPod line (including ATV), minor ones for the MB and the stock will be hovering around the $130 mark (provided it doesn't split).
this is bittersweet.
leopard getting delayed is *not* a good thing, especially as it makes them look like microsoft, and also because it means they're shifting their priorities to the iphone, which i predict will fall on it's ass.
however, i have an ADC membership and recently installed the leopard beta. it sucks balls. it's buggy as hell, and there are absolutely no features to justify the price tag (assuming they continue to go with $129). spaces is nice, ichat is nice, time machine is nice.. but i don't think i'm gonna actually use them that often. hopefully this delay will give them time to include something worth selling.
one more thing-- why is AI the only big mac news site to report this yet? why hasn't TMO or MW gotten word?
Even given its 2+year delay, Vista was not ready for release. There are numerous incompatibility, security and XP upgrade issues. The windows forums are rife with all of them. IT professional are going to wait 1 or more years before even consiidering deploying it. Despite MS totally bogus claim of 20 M units sold, Vista was released prematurely. I think its great that Apple is waiting until the product is ready. Whatever the reason for the delay, releasing a a bug free product is paramount. Everyone should just relax.
For some of us at least.
I have been using macs for years since the SE and apples in general since the Apple II. I use them in my practice and have developed patient management software on them. I have been waiting for months for Leopard to be released to replace at least 5 macs but now I am very disturbed by this delay in introducing Leopard... I certainly have to question whether I want to wait until Oct to purchase more Macs. The Modbook I have on order may be my last Mac purchase as I can use Filemaker on any Intel machine.
Are you serious? You have been a Mac user since Apple II and a delay in an OS release makes you doubt your experiences up till this point? That is so crazy I had to register just to tell you so. Everyone who is freaking out about not buying a comp until the next OS comes out, THE DAMN THING COSTS LESS THAN YOUR APPLECARE! Buy what you need, and then buy this later. If the price tag is too high for you, then I'm sure your buddy, who bought the damn thing will throw you the disk. ALSO! One disc can be used on ALL your computers!!! The upgrade cost is about 25 per comp if you are replacing 5 macs! You are going to go to Vista over THIS????
Absurd
See the problem isn't that Leopard is delayed. The probelm is that people wait for Leopard before they buy their new hardware, which slows sales of said hardware and potentially these people might just go with Vista instead of waiting.
This is an absolute disaster for Apple.
I'm just laughing at Jobs for how many shots Apple has taken at M$ for delaying Vista, and now they are eating their words. Real cool Apple, real cool.
Go with Vista? You can't be serious.
Let's see, option A, wait for a quality release of Leopard or
option B, go with a buggy incompatible, insecure release of Vista?
I think I'll go with option A.
AAPL is already $2 down in extended trading!
This could be a good buying opportunity - perhaps best after the quarterly results on April 25th.
I've got no money at the moment, but I might take a small bank loan out. I did this before (2 years ago) and made a profit.
After hours trading is usually propelled by really dumb money, up or down. The stock will undoubtably take some hit tomorrow but just use it as a wonderful buying opportunity.
Looks llike copying Vista is hard work (ducks)
Very disappointing. AAPL shares will get hit tomorrow.
Use it as a buying opportunity. The underlying fundimentals and financials of the company have not changed one whit.
Between the Intel transition and OS X we have been spoiled by Apple when it comes to fast and constant releases and upgrades. I don't think 2 years is that long to wait between OSes.
Releasing the iPhone first is without question the most important thing for Apple to do. The time between the iPhone's release and Leopard's release will garnish more switchers than those waiting for Leopard to simply come out. How many of the complainers are going to jump to Vista now that there is delay? Ha! Thought so.
I think you are suggesting that this signals (or could be the bellweather of) a potential strategy execution problem at Apple.
If so, I agree.
Never wait...
Buy if you need it.
And I need Adobe CS3 harder than Leopard so I'll order my stuff over the weekend or so.
Excellent approach!
I think you are suggesting that this signals (or could be the bellweather of) a potential strategy execution problem at Apple.
If so, I agree.
Not sure if I understand what "strategy execution" means. I think if Apple had to pool it's resources toward iPhone Leopard or Mac Leopard to meet deadlines, that iPhone Leopard is the best choice.
I have been using macs for years since the SE and apples in general since the Apple II. I use them in my practice and have developed patient management software on them. I have been waiting for months for Leopard to be released to replace at least 5 macs but now I am very disturbed by this delay in introducing Leopard. I think that Apple will lose it's way if it doesn't consider itself as still a computer company. Yes, it has done very well w/ other things (we have probably 10 or 12 ipods in our three person family) but would not even consider them if we didn't use Macs. I have been responsilbe for the purchase of Macs by many of my business associates, friends and patients but this I think could be a disaster. I certainly have to question whether I want to wait until Oct to purchase more Macs. The Modbook I have on order may be my last Mac purchase as I can use Filemaker on any Intel machine.
Sorry - you haven't actually relied on Apple computers since the SE and still written this, your statements make no sense at all. You have actually developed software for the Mac but will not either purchase hardware without Leopard or wait until October for the next OS release. I do not believe you.
I am truly disappointed. Apple is right at the cusp of being able to make real inroads in the corporate community. I have been able to get my firm to consider macs for the first time. This is a bush league error that signals a tipping point that Apple is not ready for prime time.
To blame the IPhone is beyond the pale. It does not make good business sense or good corporate PR logic. Really unbelievable.
And for IT managers everywhere, it makes it near impossible to argue to your corporate officers that Apple is a viable competitor to the business PC when they appear to be just another electronic toy company. And their own statements support that sentiment.
Mark this day, Apple will not live it down for a while.
Pure jibberish!
It demonstrates the exact opposite to the corporate community--a responsible company that is not going to panic and pull a 'Vista" by releasing a product that is not ready for prime time.
IT managers in Wintel Wonderland understand this and are waiting until Vista matures enough, if ever, before they deploy it.
Not sure if I understand what "strategy execution" means. I think if Apple had to pool it's resources toward iPhone Leopard or Mac Leopard to meet deadlines, that iPhone Leopard is the best choice.
Thanks for calling me out on my jargon.
What I meant is: It is easy to formulate a strategy (e.g., "I'll do this and I'll do that by XYZ and have it all measure up to my usual innovation and quality standards"), but something else altogether to implement it effectively ("I am confident that I can marshall my resources and capabilities to ensure that it gets done by the time -- and with the quality -- promised.")
I'd like to point out that I was very clear on this point, for the last three months, given WWDC timing, and the fact that the builds were behind. It' didn't make any sense for Apple to spring a half-baked OS on developers. I knew this was going to happen. Very glad to hear it. Trust me Apple wouldn't delay making money unless they felt it absolutely was important.
Very sage commentary!
I saw this ad on the page http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...l_october.html
odd enough?
Well, it depends what you mean by 'communicating.' Last month Apple basically lied to us: Apple says Leopard won't be delayed.
Sounds like the form of comunication is called lying. First they say that there will be no delay, then they blame the ^@#$ phone. Come clean, lying to the market and customers is not a good thing.