04/13/2007, 2:30pm, EDT
Friday, April 13th
Apple spreading itself too thin?
"Clearly there's evidence that they're not executing to the same level they have in the past," Baker said, adding that while Apple is not known for steady delays, he is not surprised because the company has "only so many engineering resources to go around."
IDC analyst Richard Shim agreed, saying that by moving resources from Leopard to its iPhone, Apple is favoring an uncertain product that will have to compete in a very touch industry.
"It's also a sign that they'll have to be more careful with spreading themselves too thin," Shim noted.
Another factor which could prove detrimental to Apple's standing is Microsoft's advantage in having already released Windows Vista -- Mac OS X's primary competitor.
"This might give Microsoft a one-up to get that consumer that doesn't want to wait for Leopard," Baker said.
Filed under: Apple
, 
, 29
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
Top
subscribe to comments
for this article
Granted, they are a great company, but Microsoft at least kept them on their feet and beholden to US, their most valuable asset (the customer). When the good times are rolling, they get big heads. Who's going to slap them around a bit to wake their sorry asses uP?
Of course, there are many compelling features in 10.5 that would make it enticing, but not enough for me to even consider going to Windows. I would use an abacus before I go Windows.
Huh?
Does this guy know anything? I couldn't name one Mac user I know (and I know quite a few) who would dump Mac OS for Vista just because Leopard is late. Even the most layperson of Mac OS users are savvy enough not to dump Mac OS for this reason.
Yes, Apple is taking a risk with iPhone. A huge risk. They could have another Newton on their hands. But I think they're comfortable enough with their standing in the iPod and Mac markets to temporarily push more effort behind the iPhone.
Ronjamin, I too worry about Apple being as blind and arrogant as they were in the Sculley era, but that was the Sculley era. I hope Apple has learned their lessons since they were months away from total irrelevance in the throes of the Amelio era.
It always amazes me how quickly people get upset about a delay. Is it really a big deal? What feature were you absolutely waiting for that you can't wait for? What can you not do today that needs to get done and can only be done with an updated OS?
I've waited 6 months for 10.5, now have to wait another 6, all for an outrageously expensive phone I won't see in Canada for years. Good play Steve, happy Friday the 13th. Can't wait for the next one.
Comments along the lines of "why do you need 10.5" are hilarious. Don't waste your time here, write Steve and tell him no one needs or wants it so just forget about it.
I agree - I think the iPhone is a waste of money although I think the iPod is an even greater waste. But I believe that the iPod, etc. is good for Apple and when they get more money and more users it is better for the computer side as well.
"Comments along the lines of "why do you need 10.5" are hilarious. Don't waste your time here, write Steve and tell him no one needs or wants it so just forget about it."
I think the point people are making is not we that we don't care about 10.5, but that waiting a few months more is only going to make it more stable and 10.4 fills most people's needs. I think most people see it as a disappointment but it is not something to get upset about. I will probably buy a Mac before 10.5 comes out because my software won't be available for the new OS for a while. Sure if they waited 10 years like Microsoft before they implemented features, then that would be one thing, but a few months is quite different.