Mac OS X Leopard nearing 'final candidate'
updated 09:55 am EDT, Mon March 26, 2007
Leopard dev wrapping up
Apple's Mac OS X Leopard -- which circulated to select developers -- is nearing completion, according to one analyst report. Shaw Wu of American Technology Research says the developer builds of Leopard indicate that the company is on track to ship the next generation operating system in the "spring" time frame, which runs from March 20th through June 20th. However, the analyst relayed concerns that the company has yet to publicize the promised "secret features" of Leopard. The company is expected to highlight Mac OS X Leopard at this year's annual developer conference in June. "We believe these concerns are over done and believe that Mac OS X Leopard will ship on time in the "Spring" time frame, or Apple's June quarter," the analyst wrote in research note to clients. Apple has also reportedly denied the rumored delays in Mac OS X Leopard.
Specifically, the analyst told clients that Leopard development was wrapping up and expected to hit "final candidate" stage of development.
"Our sources indicate that Apple's latest beta build has made noticeable improvements in stability and functionality from previous builds and that Apple is likely one or two upcoming builds away from reaching 'final candidate' stage to be released for manufacturing."
"The one concern we are picking up from the Apple developer community is that most are still in the dark in terms of upcoming "secret" features for Mac OS X Leopard," Wu wrote in his note. "At some point, we believe Apple needs to 'publish' or enable these so-far undocumented features for wider beta testing."
The analyst believes that it could be virtualization technology that would allow multiple operating systems to run concurrently alongside Mac OS X Leopard. Such technology, the analyst claims, would provide a strong boost for sales of Macs.
"Many are hoping, including us, that it is virtual machine technology similar to that offered by Parallels, Inc. that allows seamless operation of Mac OS and Windows simultaneously. If so, we believe this would serve as a major catalyst for Mac sales," Wu continued.
The firm has a price target of $115 on Apple stock with a "buy" recommendation.
instability
03/26, 10:03am reply
I hate to just comment on typos, but quality control here is laughable.
"improvements instability"?
bfalchuk
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2003
Sure
03/26, 10:04am reply
Unless these so called "analysts" have access to builds that the ADC community have, they need to keep quiet. I'm tired of hearing "Leopard is late!" or "it's nearing FC stage!". Just let Apple finish the system!
Philip J. Fry
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
re: bfalchuk
03/26, 11:46am reply
"I hate to just comment on typos..."
Then don't. How much are you paying for a subscription to MacNN? I appreciate the information on this site - with or without typos.
elroth
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2006
hints despite NDA
03/26, 12:19pm reply
can ANYONE give us a real assessment of the 'new secret features' or the stability of the full release? I mean, don't actually tell us what they are but say "yes I've seen them and they are worth waiting for and work well" etc. Somebody outside of Apple has had to see them by now. Maybe somebody at Adobe?
Chris Paveglio
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2002
to elroth
03/26, 12:22pm reply
So if someone gave you a free meal with a t*** in it, it would be appreciated? Nothing wrong with with (gently) letting people know of their mistakes. Nothing wrong with higher standards.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
free meal
03/26, 12:36pm reply
I appreciate your point, guest, but the analogy is way wrong. More appropriate perhaps, If someone gave you a free meal, and the creamy mashed potatoes were lumpy, it would be appreciated? A flash-animated ad that takes 2 minutes to acquire, and then constantly distracts you as you try to concentrate on the details of the articles would be more like the t*** analogy. ;)
Flying Meat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2007
WWDC
03/26, 12:40pm reply
GET A CLUE PEOPLE!
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
just ignore shaw wu
03/26, 03:38pm reply
I wish the rumor sites would quit reporting Shaw Wu's "analysis". I have yet to see him get anything right. I hear that even the Weekly World News considers him unbelievable.
TheBum
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2001
Nearing FC status?
03/26, 05:27pm reply
Five words: He has to be joking!
Geobunny
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
5 words?
03/26, 10:20pm reply
They are not enough to make your point clear. We can guess that you don't believe so, or we can guess that you believe it's already at final candidate.
Perhaps you just wanted to use the "You can listen to me because I can count to 5." method of instilling instant authority in your post?
Give with the details! (don't break the NDA though.)
Flying Meat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2007