Apple's normal practice is to drop the price of software and services over time as their market share increases. This really isn't out of character for them. Certainly it is pretty likely that the iPad is Apples first step toward replacing OS X and Windows for ordinary users. I'm sure within two years schools will be doing one-to-one iPad programs instead of laptops. There is no way they are planning to eliminate the Mac for power users any time soon though.
Kind of better than MS's approach of raising the price as their market share increases
I hope though that Apple didn't learn from MS's trick of driving competition to MS-DOS out of the market by pricing low so they could subsequently charge whatever they liked.
With more than 140,000 applications available for download on the iPhone App Store, developers have embraced Apple's mobile platform with the iPhone OS. The coming release of the iPad, based on the iPhone OS, has generated even more interest in the mobile operating system.
With so many developers finding success on the iPhone, Apple is undoubtedly looking to court more developers to write for the Mac platform. At $99, the Mac Developer Program carries the same annual price as the iPhone Developer Program.
Good move. It mimics what is available for Windows where Microsoft understands that a wide distribution of pre-release software allows:
1- To discover and correct bugs before the software is available to the general public and businesses everywhere. The Guest Account bug of Mac OS X 10.6 was the last nail in the coffin of unusual and extraordinary secrecy for pre-release Apple software;
2- To generate excitement among journalists, commentators and developers which translates into excitement for the general public, business owners and corporate IT employees who will buy the software once it is made available;
3- To encourage teenagers, college and university students to write new applications on an open source basis or the well known freeware and shareware basis.
Contrary to some opinions, it's the number and quality of available applications and the lower price of computers that drive the sales of computers on the Windows platform.
But it is still really cool that you can download their development tools for free. I don't program for a living but love playing around with programming languages. You can't get squat for programming on Windows for free.
I think it is extremely cool that apple is willing to give this stuff away.
I wouldn't be surprised if the next version of XCode was only available to developer program members. $99 isn't exhorbatant and would be an incentive to sign up.
I think we will see the app store concept come to Mac OS X at WWDC by next year at the very latest. Perhaps even as early as this year.
All this talk about the traditional Mac OS going away is completely unfounded. The iPad is not a replacement for the Mac. It is an accessory to your Mac or PC. Apple sees it as an extension of their platform and the future of truly "personal" and mobile computing. Apple wants you to buy a Mac AND an iPad. It will also serve as Apple's answer to inexpensive PCs.
In a few years many families will have a single Mac and multiple iPads.
Apple is far too controlling and my greatest fear is that this is the next step towards locking down OSX.
You CAN'T use an iPod or iPhone for music without iTunes.
You CAN'T put any software on an iPhone unless you get it from their store.
You CAN'T make an app with a girl in a bikini, you can kill someone with a beer bottle.
If they don't see a big problem with that, then why not extend the policy to MAc OSX? The disney of mobile computing takes it to the desktop. Please, Apple, censor the cruel world for us??
I am certainly not wasting any more time developing for locked down, proprietary schemes. It's really sad when some of the finest hardware around is limited by the greed of the locked down ecosystem business model. Most consumers are not even aware of the difference.
The only hopeful thing is Mac has already been more open so there may be more of a revolt if they try it- but it sure is not happening on iPhone.
I would accept the reasoning that the iPad is a "accessory device" if it wasn't for that fact that there is only one MacBook model left.
Phil Schiller says the consumer market is about 55% or more of the market, whatever makes it easier for these people to buy more hardware, they are going to do it.
The computer world didn't crumble when the command line junkies dissed the Mac GUI back long ago, so it's not likely to do that now.
Apple is betting on the next generation with a line of easier to use devices.
The regular Mac OS cursor/window based GUI will still be with us as long as there are enough buying customers.
I would accept the reasoning that the iPad is a "accessory device" if it wasn't for that fact that there is only one MacBook model left.
it's already been explained to you before so there is no need for you recite your sky is falling rhetoric of how (in best Kanye voice), "Steve Jobs hates Mac people."
If there were no MacBooks, you would have a point.
If the iPad was priced in the MacBook range, you might have a point.
If their wasn't and entire group of MacBook Pros starting $200 more than MacBook, you might have a point.
if the iPad ran Mac OS X, you'd definitely have a point.
If the iPad had at least Time Machine backups without a requirement to be synced to iTunes on a PC, you'd have a point.
If the iPhone or iPod could be synced with and backed up through the iPad's iTunes app (note that the iPad only has an iPod app), then you'd absolutely have a point.
Since not a single one of those things are true, it's clear beyond a fraction of a doubt that the iPad is designed as an accessory device to PCs, not a replacement.
I'm half in agreement with dofo's post. I don't see this as a sign that a Mac App Store is imminent, but I do think the success of the iPhone App Store could find its way on the Mac as an easier, safer and friendlier way for getting Mac apps.
However, I don't foresee Apple disallowing the current application installation method. That wasn't expressed or implied but that is how many will take it, unfortunately. I don't even see how Apple could do that without destroying their Mac platform completely.
Perhaps I should have expanded on what I thought was "spot on". I was thinking out loud, and most of that thought was directed towards the smaller companies that provide such useful tools. Think of all the neat apps that are often found in a MacHeist Bundle, but make them available in the App Store format. I have been pleasantly surprised to see the quality and functionality of those types of apps. I just feel the App Store format would give them more exposure and allow them to make even better offerings.
Before anyone pounces.... I have no affiliation with MacHeist. But I do like what I see from them.
it's already been explained to you before so there is no need for you recite your sky is falling rhetoric of how (in best Kanye voice), "Steve Jobs hates Mac people."
Ahhh slops, I wouldn't have taken you for such a drama type.
Quote:
If there were no MacBooks, you would have a point.
So Steve kept one model around, after all there is lots of software for it, just can't send the dev's out to the cold like that now right?
Quote:
If the iPad was priced in the MacBook range, you might have a point.
The iPad is Apple's answer to netbooks, so certainly it's priced less. Since it's not in the MacBook's price range, why kill off most of them anyway unless you intend to replace them right?
Quote:
If there (sic) wasn't and entire group of MacBook Pros starting $200 more than MacBook, you might have a point.
MacBook Pro's are Pro consumer machines, not suitable for the educational/youth market that the MacBook was. The poor children toting these bad-ass machines to school are going to get mugged in record numbers.
Really slops, the Pro's were lowered, the iPad overpriced and it squeezed out the MacBooks.
Boy those iPad margins must be great!
Quote:
if the iPad ran Mac OS X, you'd definitely have a point.
What else is it going to run? Do you mean the OS X windows based UI?
Of course it's not, Apple is introducing a new simpler UI along with the touchscreen ability. Just like Apple introduced the GUI back in the command line days. Make it simpler so more people can use it and buy it.
Quote:
If the iPad had at least Time Machine backups without a requirement to be synced to iTunes on a PC, you'd have a point.
There you go again, MobileMe and Time Capsule.
You'll see the backup software coming.
Quote:
If the iPhone or iPod could be synced with and backed up through the iPad's iTunes app (note that the iPad only has an iPod app), then you'd absolutely have a point.
A lot of people are only going to buy a iPad and not a computer, they are going to need a backup system. Either MobileMe or Time Capsule or whatever. Bet Apple bundles one or the other somehow later on. Certainly going to up sell customers on a solution.
Quote:
Since not a single one of those things are true, it's clear beyond a fraction of a doubt that the iPad is designed as an accessory device to PCs, not a replacement.
To a computer using geek like you and me it's a accessory, to a computer newbie it's a appliance that replaces most of their needs to have a regular computer. Just like netbook replaces a lot of people's need to have a full fledged laptop.
The iPad is going to make for some interesting Apple salespeople/customer conversations.
MacBook Pro's are Pro consumer machines, not suitable for the educational/youth market that the MacBook was. The poor children toting these bad-ass machines to school are going to get mugged in record numbers.
The last gen ibooks started at $999 for the 12 inch and at $1,299 for the 14 inch.
the original macbooks were at the $1099, $1299, and $1499 price points (note, base model priced *above* the equivalent machine from the previous gen).
The current gen macbook starts at $999 for the 13 inch then jumps to a whole $1,199 for the entry "Pro" model.
The base model 15" powerbook btw that co-existed with the ibook was $1,999 - the current base 15" "Pro" machine is $1,699 (yes, the first model with discreet graphics prices in at $1999).
All that is to point out that you've completely fallen for Apple's re*branding* without looking at the prices. The equivalent machines to the ibook and original macbook models are still there, just the branding has changed. There's also more, cheaper models, in between (to the lament of those who wish that were true of Apple towers :-p).
Just as before, the real "Pro" machines start at $1,999, but Apple has created a sense of up-branding by giving the pro moniker to lesser machines.
the price discount could really mean the Mac is going to be replaced with a bunch of iPad's of various forms
Really, can we stop the "Danger Will Robinson! The Mac is in Peril of being replaced" meme already? There is more than enough room for the Mac as well as the new iPad user base...
Honestly, I don't get all the insecurity on this...
Apple is far too controlling and my greatest fear is that this is the next step towards locking down OSX.
This is one of the craziest and paranoid arguments out there - the genie is out of the bottle, so to speak, with OS X - to retrofit that model on OS X makes no sense what so ever.
Now, I could see Apple offer either a special mode of OS X or a special version of OS X that moves the Mac closer to an appliance like the iPad or iPhone - but it will be optional. I don't see the traditional OS X experience threatened in the least.
Look, the traditional OS X market is pretty saturated. Apple has made incremental growth, but nothing barn-burning - the traditional no-holds barred computing market is pretty saturated, and Microsoft has won it - Steve has said as much on multiple occasions.
Apple likes to "skate where the puck will be". So it should be no surprise they are throwing their energies in earnest towards uncharted territory. And I believe they have hit on it with the iPad - users who don't give a flying flip about being able to molest their computing environment any which way they want, but instead view computers as a tool to accomplish tasks. Many of those people use traditional OS's like Mac OS X or Windows - not because they want to but because they don't have any other choice.
Previous attempts at appliance computing like Web TV or that gawd awful Muni (or whatever it was) in France were lame attempts with very poor end user experiences. Apple gets end user experiences. I can see them moving from the iPhone, to the iPad, to perhaps an iPad/iPhone-ish experience for a desktop - it's a logical progression.
But to suggest they are going to abandon traditional Mac's for that model is just silly. There is no reason for them to - even if the iPad outsells traditional Mac's by 3 to 1, Mac's will still bring in a significant revenue stream - and they will still be needed to develop applications for the new appliance based machines
There's room for both models - don't panic
Speaking of panic, I just saw my first Kindle advertisement on TV - ever! I think they have good cause to be worried.
Comments
Apple's normal practice is to drop the price of software and services over time as their market share increases. This really isn't out of character for them. Certainly it is pretty likely that the iPad is Apples first step toward replacing OS X and Windows for ordinary users. I'm sure within two years schools will be doing one-to-one iPad programs instead of laptops. There is no way they are planning to eliminate the Mac for power users any time soon though.
Kind of better than MS's approach of raising the price as their market share increases
I hope though that Apple didn't learn from MS's trick of driving competition to MS-DOS out of the market by pricing low so they could subsequently charge whatever they liked.
With more than 140,000 applications available for download on the iPhone App Store, developers have embraced Apple's mobile platform with the iPhone OS. The coming release of the iPad, based on the iPhone OS, has generated even more interest in the mobile operating system.
With so many developers finding success on the iPhone, Apple is undoubtedly looking to court more developers to write for the Mac platform. At $99, the Mac Developer Program carries the same annual price as the iPhone Developer Program.
Good move. It mimics what is available for Windows where Microsoft understands that a wide distribution of pre-release software allows:
1- To discover and correct bugs before the software is available to the general public and businesses everywhere. The Guest Account bug of Mac OS X 10.6 was the last nail in the coffin of unusual and extraordinary secrecy for pre-release Apple software;
2- To generate excitement among journalists, commentators and developers which translates into excitement for the general public, business owners and corporate IT employees who will buy the software once it is made available;
3- To encourage teenagers, college and university students to write new applications on an open source basis or the well known freeware and shareware basis.
Contrary to some opinions, it's the number and quality of available applications and the lower price of computers that drive the sales of computers on the Windows platform.
Good, realistic move, Apple.
But it is still really cool that you can download their development tools for free. I don't program for a living but love playing around with programming languages. You can't get squat for programming on Windows for free.
I think it is extremely cool that apple is willing to give this stuff away.
I wouldn't be surprised if the next version of XCode was only available to developer program members. $99 isn't exhorbatant and would be an incentive to sign up.
I think we will see the app store concept come to Mac OS X at WWDC by next year at the very latest. Perhaps even as early as this year.
All this talk about the traditional Mac OS going away is completely unfounded. The iPad is not a replacement for the Mac. It is an accessory to your Mac or PC. Apple sees it as an extension of their platform and the future of truly "personal" and mobile computing. Apple wants you to buy a Mac AND an iPad. It will also serve as Apple's answer to inexpensive PCs.
In a few years many families will have a single Mac and multiple iPads.
You CAN'T use an iPod or iPhone for music without iTunes.
You CAN'T put any software on an iPhone unless you get it from their store.
You CAN'T make an app with a girl in a bikini, you can kill someone with a beer bottle.
If they don't see a big problem with that, then why not extend the policy to MAc OSX? The disney of mobile computing takes it to the desktop. Please, Apple, censor the cruel world for us??
I am certainly not wasting any more time developing for locked down, proprietary schemes. It's really sad when some of the finest hardware around is limited by the greed of the locked down ecosystem business model. Most consumers are not even aware of the difference.
The only hopeful thing is Mac has already been more open so there may be more of a revolt if they try it- but it sure is not happening on iPhone.
Phil Schiller says the consumer market is about 55% or more of the market, whatever makes it easier for these people to buy more hardware, they are going to do it.
The computer world didn't crumble when the command line junkies dissed the Mac GUI back long ago, so it's not likely to do that now.
Apple is betting on the next generation with a line of easier to use devices.
The regular Mac OS cursor/window based GUI will still be with us as long as there are enough buying customers.
I would accept the reasoning that the iPad is a "accessory device" if it wasn't for that fact that there is only one MacBook model left.
it's already been explained to you before so there is no need for you recite your sky is falling rhetoric of how (in best Kanye voice), "Steve Jobs hates Mac people."
If there were no MacBooks, you would have a point.
If the iPad was priced in the MacBook range, you might have a point.
If their wasn't and entire group of MacBook Pros starting $200 more than MacBook, you might have a point.
if the iPad ran Mac OS X, you'd definitely have a point.
If the iPad had at least Time Machine backups without a requirement to be synced to iTunes on a PC, you'd have a point.
If the iPhone or iPod could be synced with and backed up through the iPad's iTunes app (note that the iPad only has an iPod app), then you'd absolutely have a point.
Since not a single one of those things are true, it's clear beyond a fraction of a doubt that the iPad is designed as an accessory device to PCs, not a replacement.
I'm half in agreement with dofo's post. I don't see this as a sign that a Mac App Store is imminent, but I do think the success of the iPhone App Store could find its way on the Mac as an easier, safer and friendlier way for getting Mac apps.
However, I don't foresee Apple disallowing the current application installation method. That wasn't expressed or implied but that is how many will take it, unfortunately. I don't even see how Apple could do that without destroying their Mac platform completely.
Perhaps I should have expanded on what I thought was "spot on". I was thinking out loud, and most of that thought was directed towards the smaller companies that provide such useful tools. Think of all the neat apps that are often found in a MacHeist Bundle, but make them available in the App Store format. I have been pleasantly surprised to see the quality and functionality of those types of apps. I just feel the App Store format would give them more exposure and allow them to make even better offerings.
Before anyone pounces.... I have no affiliation with MacHeist. But I do like what I see from them.
it's already been explained to you before so there is no need for you recite your sky is falling rhetoric of how (in best Kanye voice), "Steve Jobs hates Mac people."
Ahhh slops, I wouldn't have taken you for such a drama type.
If there were no MacBooks, you would have a point.
So Steve kept one model around, after all there is lots of software for it, just can't send the dev's out to the cold like that now right?
If the iPad was priced in the MacBook range, you might have a point.
The iPad is Apple's answer to netbooks, so certainly it's priced less. Since it's not in the MacBook's price range, why kill off most of them anyway unless you intend to replace them right?
If there (sic) wasn't and entire group of MacBook Pros starting $200 more than MacBook, you might have a point.
MacBook Pro's are Pro consumer machines, not suitable for the educational/youth market that the MacBook was. The poor children toting these bad-ass machines to school are going to get mugged in record numbers.
Really slops, the Pro's were lowered, the iPad overpriced and it squeezed out the MacBooks.
Boy those iPad margins must be great!
if the iPad ran Mac OS X, you'd definitely have a point.
What else is it going to run? Do you mean the OS X windows based UI?
Of course it's not, Apple is introducing a new simpler UI along with the touchscreen ability. Just like Apple introduced the GUI back in the command line days. Make it simpler so more people can use it and buy it.
If the iPad had at least Time Machine backups without a requirement to be synced to iTunes on a PC, you'd have a point.
There you go again, MobileMe and Time Capsule.
You'll see the backup software coming.
If the iPhone or iPod could be synced with and backed up through the iPad's iTunes app (note that the iPad only has an iPod app), then you'd absolutely have a point.
A lot of people are only going to buy a iPad and not a computer, they are going to need a backup system. Either MobileMe or Time Capsule or whatever. Bet Apple bundles one or the other somehow later on. Certainly going to up sell customers on a solution.
Since not a single one of those things are true, it's clear beyond a fraction of a doubt that the iPad is designed as an accessory device to PCs, not a replacement.
To a computer using geek like you and me it's a accessory, to a computer newbie it's a appliance that replaces most of their needs to have a regular computer. Just like netbook replaces a lot of people's need to have a full fledged laptop.
The iPad is going to make for some interesting Apple salespeople/customer conversations.
"Is is a computer or is it a accessory?"
MacBook Pro's are Pro consumer machines, not suitable for the educational/youth market that the MacBook was. The poor children toting these bad-ass machines to school are going to get mugged in record numbers.
The last gen ibooks started at $999 for the 12 inch and at $1,299 for the 14 inch.
the original macbooks were at the $1099, $1299, and $1499 price points (note, base model priced *above* the equivalent machine from the previous gen).
The current gen macbook starts at $999 for the 13 inch then jumps to a whole $1,199 for the entry "Pro" model.
The base model 15" powerbook btw that co-existed with the ibook was $1,999 - the current base 15" "Pro" machine is $1,699 (yes, the first model with discreet graphics prices in at $1999).
All that is to point out that you've completely fallen for Apple's re*branding* without looking at the prices. The equivalent machines to the ibook and original macbook models are still there, just the branding has changed. There's also more, cheaper models, in between (to the lament of those who wish that were true of Apple towers :-p).
Just as before, the real "Pro" machines start at $1,999, but Apple has created a sense of up-branding by giving the pro moniker to lesser machines.
http://developer.apple.com/programs/...efits/faq.html
the price discount could really mean the Mac is going to be replaced with a bunch of iPad's of various forms
Really, can we stop the "Danger Will Robinson! The Mac is in Peril of being replaced" meme already? There is more than enough room for the Mac as well as the new iPad user base...
Honestly, I don't get all the insecurity on this...
Apple is far too controlling and my greatest fear is that this is the next step towards locking down OSX.
This is one of the craziest and paranoid arguments out there - the genie is out of the bottle, so to speak, with OS X - to retrofit that model on OS X makes no sense what so ever.
Now, I could see Apple offer either a special mode of OS X or a special version of OS X that moves the Mac closer to an appliance like the iPad or iPhone - but it will be optional. I don't see the traditional OS X experience threatened in the least.
Look, the traditional OS X market is pretty saturated. Apple has made incremental growth, but nothing barn-burning - the traditional no-holds barred computing market is pretty saturated, and Microsoft has won it - Steve has said as much on multiple occasions.
Apple likes to "skate where the puck will be". So it should be no surprise they are throwing their energies in earnest towards uncharted territory. And I believe they have hit on it with the iPad - users who don't give a flying flip about being able to molest their computing environment any which way they want, but instead view computers as a tool to accomplish tasks. Many of those people use traditional OS's like Mac OS X or Windows - not because they want to but because they don't have any other choice.
Previous attempts at appliance computing like Web TV or that gawd awful Muni (or whatever it was) in France were lame attempts with very poor end user experiences. Apple gets end user experiences. I can see them moving from the iPhone, to the iPad, to perhaps an iPad/iPhone-ish experience for a desktop - it's a logical progression.
But to suggest they are going to abandon traditional Mac's for that model is just silly. There is no reason for them to - even if the iPad outsells traditional Mac's by 3 to 1, Mac's will still bring in a significant revenue stream - and they will still be needed to develop applications for the new appliance based machines
There's room for both models - don't panic
Speaking of panic, I just saw my first Kindle advertisement on TV - ever! I think they have good cause to be worried.