From what I'm hearing, QT7 will be such a *major* overhaul of QT that the OS dependencies have changed substantially, and it'll be much easier to just ship it with a 10.4 requirement than to retrofit it to 10.3.x.
Isn't QT one of the last pieces of the OS that still has all that gummed up goup from OS 9 in it? I think I've heard all this stuff about how it doesn't behave like other frameworks, isnt reentrant or threaded properly, etc. Just getting the plumbing untangled, while not seeming different at a glance, would make the OS a far more pleasant experience and would be a huge help in lots of places. It will open doors for subsequent updates. QT 6 worked this way too, where they added new codec support at least with the 6.x updates.
The question I have for the folks here, (more technically adept than I) is about "i**** v2."
Could that be basically NOT a pda, NOT a tablet computer, but say, a portable ("ink"-capable) interface for your base mac that is airport ready?
It's just a thought, but it sounds like AirPort Extreme, and ARA could go nicely together as two cornerstones of this kind of a project.
Mandricard: Good thoughts. A non-PDA, non-tablet! Belle would be proud of you, wherever she may be (RIP?).
An i**** v2, aka iPad, could be even better than an iBook or PowerBook for digital-hubbing on the couch. But if you only had a desktop Mac and an iPad, you would be confined to the reach of your AirPort Extreme network (presumably your home). That is, unless ARA and the iPad could work over a slower connection while you are on the road. The iBooks and PowerBooks would not be redundant, but the iPad would replace them in many situations, e.g. on the couch or on a campus/classroom with an 802.11g network and appropriate servers.
This ARA/iPad idea does fit neatly with DNA and Apple's long commitment to net-booting.
Well. I am tired by many people here that confused.
And people who blame me.
Not me K-man, I have always supported you in the past against goons like Ginsu! I think your insight is right on and it looks to be an exciting year for AAPL (33.56)!
And downloading 100MB with VDSL is not taking that long.
Who said anything about 100MB? That's childs play. We are talking full length movies here. Even with MPEG-4 H.264 at a DVD quality compression rate we are probably talking about pushing 2GB. Sure it's half the size of a MPEG-2 DVD but it would still take forever to download. It would be a totally different experience from downloading songs off the iTMS.
Apple has several prototypes that have been shelved. Of course, one of them could evolve into something else as has happened in the past. The fact is, most of the hardware Apple works on doesn't make it to market. They do incorporate parts of them into devices that do however and they learn quite a few things along the way as well. People would be amazed at the stuff they don't release though.
Isn't QT one of the last pieces of the OS that still has all that gummed up goup from OS 9 in it? I think I've heard all this stuff about how it doesn't behave like other frameworks, isnt reentrant or threaded properly, etc.
You are correct sir! In fact, basically most of the OS9 memory model is still in QT6. Think about that for a second... scary, eh? And you're also right that it's not re-entrant, not thread-safe, etc. Think about the speed boosts that are potential once that gets cleaned up.
*drool*
Quote:
Just getting the plumbing untangled, while not seeming different at a glance, would make the OS a far more pleasant experience and would be a huge help in lots of places. It will open doors for subsequent updates. QT 6 worked this way too, where they added new codec support at least with the 6.x updates.
Mandricard: Good thoughts. A non-PDA, non-tablet! Belle would be proud of you, wherever she may be (RIP?).
An i**** v2, aka iPad, could be even better than an iBook or PowerBook for digital-hubbing on the couch. But if you only had a desktop Mac and an iPad, you would be confined to the reach of your AirPort Extreme network (presumably your home). That is, unless ARA and the iPad could work over a slower connection while you are on the road. The iBooks and PowerBooks would not be redundant, but the iPad would replace them in many situations, e.g. on the couch or on a campus/classroom with an 802.11g network and appropriate servers.
This ARA/iPad idea does fit neatly with DNA and Apple's long commitment to net-booting.
Kormac: What is your take on this?
Escher
I'll give you mine... it's what I've been saying they should produce for about, oh, three years now. Finally it looks like the pieces are in place to do so reasonably.
One kick-ass server-ish unit in the house, and several iPads for simultaneous login? Sweet.
This thread is interesting - but I think there are some trees being barked up which don't have cats up them.
Quality movie delivery needs more bandwidth than we have now. Period.
Pads and PDAs - even with sexy Apple techofetishism have no substantial market. They don't meet a real human need.
New products and new markets have to do one thing: meet old needs. Basic sweaty old Human needs.
Here's a summary:
Human Need: Communication: -> Tech:Campfire/Postage Stamp/Telephone/iChat
Human Need: Entertainment. -> Tech: Stories/Books/Music/Gramaphone/ Cinema/ TV / iPod
Human Need: Sex. -> Tech: SaucyPostcards/The Pill/VHS/the Web (lol)!
and so on through food, security and work. Notice that IMO, computation is not a human need.
The (home) computer was an odd beast. The device was invented before anyone figured out which human needs it met. Take a look at old Apple ads and see Pop doing the accounts on the kitchen table! I guess they hadn't heard of Paris Hilton in those days.
The iPod was great because it solved an old problem in a new way and the result was undeniably great.
If Apple want to repeat the success of the iPod, it has to go for something magical and universal. To my mind that has to be in the entertainment or the communication realms.
Entertainment is either Audio or Video. iPod is the music brand - so how about video. A properly integrated TiVoLike box would allow Apple to do to the TV industry what it is doing to the Music industry. A portable video player would be lame. I am not convinced that a better videoprojector is in the same league. Apple might do it- but it's no iPod.
Communication need improving too; technology which makes the phone experience better. Either by adding video or improving the interface or reducing the cost. Take on the telcos with VoIP - that would be a good fight!
If I had Apple's coffers, and balls of steel, I would do both.
Thanks, Kickaha. I definitely don't mean to restrict the discussion to Kormac. (BTW: Does your username refer to the music group?)
Quote:
[The "iPad" is] what I've been saying they should produce for about, oh, three years now. Finally it looks like the pieces are in place to do so reasonably.
One kick-ass server-ish unit in the house, and several iPads for simultaneous login? Sweet.
A whole bunch of people have been talking about this idea for a while, of course. We were talking about net-booting here in the late 90's, if not earlier. This is basically just portable net-booting via a wireless connection. But as you correctly point out, until now all the technological pieces of the puzzle were not quite in place. And doing this to enhance the digital hub also makes the concept significantly more useful.
Maybe apple has decided that THEY want to be your digital hub...not just their products. they are definitely moving towards a lifestyle company. they take all the things we like to do (or need to do for work), make products that allow us to do them easily and with panache, and i think what i am getting from kormac is the idea that now they want to be the distributor for content as well. look at itunes. right now with the ipod we have a great product yes..but, we can also, through apple, go and download whatever we want music-wise to take with us and use every day. video/movies are the only media that isnt as widely available conveniently. before the flame, i know u can go to your blockbuster and pay tv and order things but if you could go to imovie store and download a quicktime HD (or have it streamed) wouldnt this be simpler?
on the business side, there arent so many video conferencing apps out there that are easily integrated into a workflow. imagine being on a rendevous enabled network at work (maybe quicktime can be useful for this on windows platforms) and being able to conference with an office in another city.
what is the servie kormac is talking about? imovie stream/download service? expanded .Mac type of thing with larger storage and home folder on server? anywhere you go, there you are type of thing...and the home on ipod for those who might not have access to internet everywhere.
point is, i think apple is saying why dont we position ourselves so that while we make great hardware, people can also depend on us for all of the things they do, work or play.
i for one know that even with its limited capabilities i use .mac more and more. for traveling around the country it is nice to be able to have my addressbook (calander could easily be incorportated) and the ability to sync with multiple devices and computers is a godsend (like setting up my new computer recently) .
i know im rambling but kormac was throwing this stuff out to get people talking so....
from Think Secret today: New version of .Mac retail box to ship in July
You are correct sir! In fact, basically most of the OS9 memory model is still in QT6. Think about that for a second... scary, eh? And you're also right that it's not re-entrant, not thread-safe, etc. Think about the speed boosts that are potential once that gets cleaned up.
*drool*
Absolutely. We just need the clean start.
Exactly!
I don't think it's possible to overstate the significance of the QuickTime overhaul.
If true, as I've been hearing rumors about for quite some time, the quicktime rewrite may finally be upon us. QT got an early lead in multimedia. But this advantage has now turned into a disadvantage. The early API was not only originally less elegant than would be possible today, but it has also grown haphazardly since then.
The overhaul will be a godsend for developers who have to interface with QT. Starting from scratch (or close to scratch) cleans out special cases and loopholes which, in combination, are the source of many hard-to-track-down bugs and unpredictable program behavior.
For Apple, QT7 could expedite programming software or embedded devices to interface with quicktime. Clean code and APIs make for MUCH shorter development schedules.
QT7 is definitely the key to success if Apple is indeed leaning towards more digital-hub products.
It is so nice to have a forum that bridges big picture and little picture again. Thanks Kormac! I've been waiting for Apple to diversify its corporate structure into functional groups, and the iPod division is the beginning.
I hope your G5 iMac comes to fuition. With rumors of the new displays being supported by a central armature ('a la iMac LCD screen) we might get the headless consumer Mac that seems to be of major interest ... and it might be big enough to hold the G5's cooling system.
Since the shine is off the apple, so to speak, for the current iMac (unfortunately) it may be a good time to rebrand the consumer Mac to somethiing not even called an iMac. If Apple would do that, then that opens up a whole new consumer marketing effort. They could make a mega AIO or go the quick-connect modular way, that a post suggested earlier.
I can see how an i***v could be a part of the latter. Consumers just feel better about using their legacy monitors and stuff - especially switchers. The iPod is successful because no one had to buy a new monitor to get the music.
I hope not, but the current iMac LCD may go the way of the Cube. So I speculate that the next consumer Mac should be to take the best of both and allow a simple upgrade path for cpu's and graphics cards.
Maybe take the form of the Cube with easier to access components. Add a connector on the top that can fit the back "foot" of an LCD back support leg. The LCD can sit on it's own or ontop of the Cube. That makes it easy to move, maintenance and upgrade.
Nothing new in this post, but I am hopeful that we will see a NEW STRATEGY from Apple with the new hardware and 10.4.
If QuickTime is getting a major rewrite, I think a beta version of QT7 would be necessary. There's just too many apps out there now that utilize QT. It would hurt lots of developers if Apple released a final version QT7 without notice and killed tons of applications functionality.
The QT6 beta seemed to have been a success, and if this is a huge update we all hope it to be, Apple is gonna need lots of feedback to fix bugs.
Not only would a new QT framework need to be dropped into developer's laps, it would defineitely be needed for Apple's own significant dependancy on it with many of their apps, pro and iLife ones included.
Isn't the iTMS UI a whole bunch of QT glued together with a some form of XML formatting? Imagine if iPhoto went bonkers when you go to print. Imagine the fallout if FCP pooped out in some obscure scenarios, as is likely when you have a very complex app like that and only so many people to test it. If QT 7 really is this newfangled OO deliciousness, I see a protracted beta period internally and with developers, plus a possible public beta even.
Indeed. This is something they have to get right the first time. QuickTime is one of *THE* crown jewels of the Mac... consider the fact that it came over from OS9 to OS X almost untouched. Is there *ANY* other chunk of major code or technology that can say that? I don't think so. QT is quite possibly the one single most important strategic weapon in Apple's technological arsenal, and I don't think I'm exaggerating.
Comments
Originally posted by Kickaha
From what I'm hearing, QT7 will be such a *major* overhaul of QT that the OS dependencies have changed substantially, and it'll be much easier to just ship it with a 10.4 requirement than to retrofit it to 10.3.x.
Isn't QT one of the last pieces of the OS that still has all that gummed up goup from OS 9 in it? I think I've heard all this stuff about how it doesn't behave like other frameworks, isnt reentrant or threaded properly, etc. Just getting the plumbing untangled, while not seeming different at a glance, would make the OS a far more pleasant experience and would be a huge help in lots of places. It will open doors for subsequent updates. QT 6 worked this way too, where they added new codec support at least with the 6.x updates.
Originally posted by Mandricard
The question I have for the folks here, (more technically adept than I) is about "i**** v2."
Could that be basically NOT a pda, NOT a tablet computer, but say, a portable ("ink"-capable) interface for your base mac that is airport ready?
It's just a thought, but it sounds like AirPort Extreme, and ARA could go nicely together as two cornerstones of this kind of a project.
Mandricard: Good thoughts. A non-PDA, non-tablet! Belle would be proud of you, wherever she may be (RIP?).
An i**** v2, aka iPad, could be even better than an iBook or PowerBook for digital-hubbing on the couch. But if you only had a desktop Mac and an iPad, you would be confined to the reach of your AirPort Extreme network (presumably your home). That is, unless ARA and the iPad could work over a slower connection while you are on the road. The iBooks and PowerBooks would not be redundant, but the iPad would replace them in many situations, e.g. on the couch or on a campus/classroom with an 802.11g network and appropriate servers.
This ARA/iPad idea does fit neatly with DNA and Apple's long commitment to net-booting.
Kormac: What is your take on this?
Escher
Like BuonRotto mentionned, QT is the last major OS component that still has cobwebs attached to it's code.
Originally posted by kormac77
Well. I am tired by many people here that confused.
And people who blame me.
Not me K-man, I have always supported you in the past against goons like Ginsu! I think your insight is right on and it looks to be an exciting year for AAPL (33.56)!
Rock On!
Originally posted by kormac77
To TWinbrook46636 :
And downloading 100MB with VDSL is not taking that long.
Who said anything about 100MB? That's childs play. We are talking full length movies here. Even with MPEG-4 H.264 at a DVD quality compression rate we are probably talking about pushing 2GB. Sure it's half the size of a MPEG-2 DVD but it would still take forever to download. It would be a totally different experience from downloading songs off the iTMS.
Originally posted by kormac77
To TWinbrook46636 :
YES "Q71" was dead. But,
You mean "Q79" is Dead ?
I don't think so...
Apple has several prototypes that have been shelved. Of course, one of them could evolve into something else as has happened in the past. The fact is, most of the hardware Apple works on doesn't make it to market. They do incorporate parts of them into devices that do however and they learn quite a few things along the way as well. People would be amazed at the stuff they don't release though.
Originally posted by BuonRotto
Isn't QT one of the last pieces of the OS that still has all that gummed up goup from OS 9 in it? I think I've heard all this stuff about how it doesn't behave like other frameworks, isnt reentrant or threaded properly, etc.
You are correct sir! In fact, basically most of the OS9 memory model is still in QT6. Think about that for a second... scary, eh? And you're also right that it's not re-entrant, not thread-safe, etc. Think about the speed boosts that are potential once that gets cleaned up.
*drool*
Just getting the plumbing untangled, while not seeming different at a glance, would make the OS a far more pleasant experience and would be a huge help in lots of places. It will open doors for subsequent updates. QT 6 worked this way too, where they added new codec support at least with the 6.x updates.
Absolutely. We just need the clean start.
Originally posted by Escher
Mandricard: Good thoughts. A non-PDA, non-tablet! Belle would be proud of you, wherever she may be (RIP?).
An i**** v2, aka iPad, could be even better than an iBook or PowerBook for digital-hubbing on the couch. But if you only had a desktop Mac and an iPad, you would be confined to the reach of your AirPort Extreme network (presumably your home). That is, unless ARA and the iPad could work over a slower connection while you are on the road. The iBooks and PowerBooks would not be redundant, but the iPad would replace them in many situations, e.g. on the couch or on a campus/classroom with an 802.11g network and appropriate servers.
This ARA/iPad idea does fit neatly with DNA and Apple's long commitment to net-booting.
Kormac: What is your take on this?
Escher
I'll give you mine... it's what I've been saying they should produce for about, oh, three years now. Finally it looks like the pieces are in place to do so reasonably.
One kick-ass server-ish unit in the house, and several iPads for simultaneous login? Sweet.
Quality movie delivery needs more bandwidth than we have now. Period.
Pads and PDAs - even with sexy Apple techofetishism have no substantial market. They don't meet a real human need.
New products and new markets have to do one thing: meet old needs. Basic sweaty old Human needs.
Here's a summary:
Human Need: Communication: -> Tech:Campfire/Postage Stamp/Telephone/iChat
Human Need: Entertainment. -> Tech: Stories/Books/Music/Gramaphone/ Cinema/ TV / iPod
Human Need: Sex. -> Tech: SaucyPostcards/The Pill/VHS/the Web (lol)!
and so on through food, security and work. Notice that IMO, computation is not a human need.
The (home) computer was an odd beast. The device was invented before anyone figured out which human needs it met. Take a look at old Apple ads and see Pop doing the accounts on the kitchen table! I guess they hadn't heard of Paris Hilton in those days.
The iPod was great because it solved an old problem in a new way and the result was undeniably great.
If Apple want to repeat the success of the iPod, it has to go for something magical and universal. To my mind that has to be in the entertainment or the communication realms.
Entertainment is either Audio or Video. iPod is the music brand - so how about video. A properly integrated TiVoLike box would allow Apple to do to the TV industry what it is doing to the Music industry. A portable video player would be lame. I am not convinced that a better videoprojector is in the same league. Apple might do it- but it's no iPod.
Communication need improving too; technology which makes the phone experience better. Either by adding video or improving the interface or reducing the cost. Take on the telcos with VoIP - that would be a good fight!
If I had Apple's coffers, and balls of steel, I would do both.
Carni.
Originally posted by Kickaha
I'll give you mine...
Thanks, Kickaha.
[The "iPad" is] what I've been saying they should produce for about, oh, three years now. Finally it looks like the pieces are in place to do so reasonably.
One kick-ass server-ish unit in the house, and several iPads for simultaneous login? Sweet.
A whole bunch of people have been talking about this idea for a while, of course. We were talking about net-booting here in the late 90's, if not earlier. This is basically just portable net-booting via a wireless connection. But as you correctly point out, until now all the technological pieces of the puzzle were not quite in place. And doing this to enhance the digital hub also makes the concept significantly more useful.
Escher
Originally posted by macfly
Maybe apple has decided that THEY want to be your digital hub...not just their products. they are definitely moving towards a lifestyle company. they take all the things we like to do (or need to do for work), make products that allow us to do them easily and with panache, and i think what i am getting from kormac is the idea that now they want to be the distributor for content as well. look at itunes. right now with the ipod we have a great product yes..but, we can also, through apple, go and download whatever we want music-wise to take with us and use every day. video/movies are the only media that isnt as widely available conveniently. before the flame, i know u can go to your blockbuster and pay tv and order things but if you could go to imovie store and download a quicktime HD (or have it streamed) wouldnt this be simpler?
on the business side, there arent so many video conferencing apps out there that are easily integrated into a workflow. imagine being on a rendevous enabled network at work (maybe quicktime can be useful for this on windows platforms) and being able to conference with an office in another city.
what is the servie kormac is talking about? imovie stream/download service? expanded .Mac type of thing with larger storage and home folder on server? anywhere you go, there you are type of thing...and the home on ipod for those who might not have access to internet everywhere.
point is, i think apple is saying why dont we position ourselves so that while we make great hardware, people can also depend on us for all of the things they do, work or play.
i for one know that even with its limited capabilities i use .mac more and more. for traveling around the country it is nice to be able to have my addressbook (calander could easily be incorportated) and the ability to sync with multiple devices and computers is a godsend (like setting up my new computer recently) .
i know im rambling but kormac was throwing this stuff out to get people talking so....
from Think Secret today: New version of .Mac retail box to ship in July
http://www.thinksecret.com/news/julydotmac.html
mysteriouser and mysteriouser. also they mention that Remote Desktop is shipping in mid-July too...
Originally posted by Kickaha
You are correct sir! In fact, basically most of the OS9 memory model is still in QT6. Think about that for a second... scary, eh? And you're also right that it's not re-entrant, not thread-safe, etc. Think about the speed boosts that are potential once that gets cleaned up.
*drool*
Absolutely. We just need the clean start.
Exactly!
I don't think it's possible to overstate the significance of the QuickTime overhaul.
If true, as I've been hearing rumors about for quite some time, the quicktime rewrite may finally be upon us. QT got an early lead in multimedia. But this advantage has now turned into a disadvantage. The early API was not only originally less elegant than would be possible today, but it has also grown haphazardly since then.
The overhaul will be a godsend for developers who have to interface with QT. Starting from scratch (or close to scratch) cleans out special cases and loopholes which, in combination, are the source of many hard-to-track-down bugs and unpredictable program behavior.
For Apple, QT7 could expedite programming software or embedded devices to interface with quicktime. Clean code and APIs make for MUCH shorter development schedules.
QT7 is definitely the key to success if Apple is indeed leaning towards more digital-hub products.
I hope your G5 iMac comes to fuition. With rumors of the new displays being supported by a central armature ('a la iMac LCD screen) we might get the headless consumer Mac that seems to be of major interest ... and it might be big enough to hold the G5's cooling system.
Since the shine is off the apple, so to speak, for the current iMac (unfortunately) it may be a good time to rebrand the consumer Mac to somethiing not even called an iMac. If Apple would do that, then that opens up a whole new consumer marketing effort. They could make a mega AIO or go the quick-connect modular way, that a post suggested earlier.
I can see how an i***v could be a part of the latter. Consumers just feel better about using their legacy monitors and stuff - especially switchers. The iPod is successful because no one had to buy a new monitor to get the music.
I hope not, but the current iMac LCD may go the way of the Cube. So I speculate that the next consumer Mac should be to take the best of both and allow a simple upgrade path for cpu's and graphics cards.
Maybe take the form of the Cube with easier to access components. Add a connector on the top that can fit the back "foot" of an LCD back support leg. The LCD can sit on it's own or ontop of the Cube. That makes it easy to move, maintenance and upgrade.
Nothing new in this post, but I am hopeful that we will see a NEW STRATEGY from Apple with the new hardware and 10.4.
Dare I say it?
"Quicktime Extreme"
The QT6 beta seemed to have been a success, and if this is a huge update we all hope it to be, Apple is gonna need lots of feedback to fix bugs.
Isn't the iTMS UI a whole bunch of QT glued together with a some form of XML formatting? Imagine if iPhoto went bonkers when you go to print. Imagine the fallout if FCP pooped out in some obscure scenarios, as is likely when you have a very complex app like that and only so many people to test it. If QT 7 really is this newfangled OO deliciousness, I see a protracted beta period internally and with developers, plus a possible public beta even.