Apple: The Road Ahead: Part 2 of 3
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As soon as I saw iPhoto’s new full-screen mode, I thought:
- That looks like an iPad app, with the menu along the bottom; and
- The full-screen button looks like a hack. I bet lots more apps will start going full-screen, just like iOS apps, and I bet they will either add a full-screen button to the traffic-lights in the top left of every Mac app, OR they will replace the green plus button act as a true ‘maximize’. Nobody actually used it anyway, so re-defining it wouldn’t upset anyone.
I was right. It is the new true-maximize-full-screen button. Awesome.
- Then I noticed the new iOS-like scrollbars, which replace the ageing blue Aqua scrollbars. How much of iOS was Steve going to bring to OSX?
- Then came the (optional) Mac AppStore, offering super-simple app installs & auto-updates.
- Then came system-wide AutoSave.
- Followed by applications that automatically their state.
- Then simplified window management.
These are all HUGE things for non-Pro users.
These are the reasons iOS devices have become so popular.
These things will push the Mac’s market share through the roof.
Initially I thought the new Launchpad (home screens) feature would eventually replace The Dock. I thought “They’ll track usage metrics for the Homescreens and The Dock and keep whichever is used most”… but now I think I’ve seen past that to the real truth.
Bring iOS elements back to the Mac is all about following Nintendo’s Wii strategy — bring people who don’t like video games (computers) into the fold, while not alienating hardcore gamers (expert computer users).
- Launchpad is not for us. It’s for people who have never enjoyed computing. It’s for people whose first computing device was an iOS device.
- There have always been many ways to install Mac applicatons, which is confusing to everyone but the geeks. The Mac AppStore solves that (huge) issue. Don’t think it’s huge? Consider this: how much less useful would your computer be if you couldn’t figure out how to install programs on it? Many people have been stuck in that situation for years, and in 90 days it’ll all be over. The Mac AppStore will go live.
- Keeping your apps up-to-date has always been a pain, for everyone. The Mac AppStore solves that, too.
- I assume AutoSave will use a new (hidden) temp directory until you choose where to actually save. Maybe you never have to choose, but you can if you want to. This is killer for non-geeks: students who always lose their work, parents, spouses, etc.
- Mission Control is great for everyone.
I think Lion already has plenty of “ROAR”, and I can’t wait to see what else it has in store.
Summary of Lion Preview: Microsoft must be shitting their pants right now.
Windows7 came close to approximating OSX, but they have nothing that compares to Lion… Steve Ballmer of Microsoft recently said the next release of Windows will be Microsoft’s ‘riskiest product bet’. They could be attempting to bring an iOS-esque experience to Windows. The problem with that is that Apple put iOS out there on cheaper smaller devices, and worked out the kinks, before bringing its features back to the Mac. In doing so, they discovered which features people would want, and which would alienate existing Mac lovers. Microsoft has no such path in place. They could be preparing a zesty new flavour of Windows to a crowd of fussy eaters.and Lion is just the beginning.
Continue by reading Part 3, where I’ll try to give you an idea of what OS11 will hold (OSXI?).
Comments from my old blog:
u.c. said: A Zesty flavour of Windows,I doubt it.They may try but everyone I know is switching to or already has switched to Mac. Seems to be what happens when a Mac Shop opens in your town showing everyone what they are missing.What a lot of time I save not being nagged by a PC to do this and that. Sheer Joy…….and of course they make an iengagement ring:) at 2010-10-26 09:43:06
rebecca said: the comment is simple…brilliant 1 at 2010-10-26 12:25:24
Ian said: I agree that the App Store is HUGE. Especially for beginners. AutoSave is also huge. Full screen as well. I think these changes are meant to decrease the learning curve (which undoubtedly exists) when switching from Windows (or iOS). I think it will help.
As long as they don’t remove the Terminal, I’ll be happy with it too:) at 2010-10-26 14:03:20
Ian said: Another thing I was thinking about with respect to the app store, and Lion, is the OS X SDK. Right now, Cocoa and Carbon are the two ways you code for the Mac. Carbon is kind of old and “on the way out” (hopefully on the pro apps and iTunes too, but we’ll see). Cocoa has some crud too. Cocoa Touch is much more modern in is cleaner from what I understand (I’ve only used Cocoa myself and not Cocoa Touch). I wouldn’t be surprised to see some additional new Cocoa, that is almost exactly like iOS. The goal would be to make it much easier to bring existing iPad apps back to the mac. Not exactly how they will do that, as they could either change Cocoa itself, or make a more modern Cocoa. at 2010-10-26 16:27:49