Next Wave—Apple and IBM: Rethink the PowerPC Revolution
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Mar 28, 2005 at 12:00am
Neo is Macsimum News’ international man of mystery. If we told you more, we’d have to kill you.
Innovation is Powering The Next Wave of Business Growth
What is the next disruptive technology?
Dr. Michael D. Zisman:
Disruptive technologies, by definition, come from out in left field and really surprise people. Sometimes, and if you take the case of the Internet, it was really the bringing together of a bunch of stuff that was front and center for a long time and a…a whole set of …of usage issues in terms…in terms of access to the Internet. We will continue to have IT innovation for a very, very long time. The notion that sort of IT has matured, I think, is a very silly notion.
What makes an innovator different?
Peggy Kennelly:
One of the key attributes of an innovator is the ability to think differently, to think outside the box, and to not limit their thinking by what you know to be true or by your past experiences, and really allow yourself to consider the impossible. You can worry about making it a possibility later. But to be innovative, you have to be able to think beyond that.
These quotes could be found on IBM’s Innovation is Back Web page (non-flash).
I couldn’t have asked for a better set of quotes to kick-off this chapter of the Next Wave Series, because it’s all about thinking differently if not simply rethinking everything. This is certainly why this next wave of the Internet is being described by IBM and others as one being driven by disruptive technologies. I assure you that would be putting it mildly. Some just couldn’t come to terms with the fact that Apple computer would be working with the PowerPC CELL processor, so I doubt very much that this is going to get any easier for them. Well, too bad. How they haven’t caught on to the fact that the next wave of the Internet isn’t just some slick marketing angle is beyond me. Helloooo – that light at the end of the tunnel – is a freight train at full speed – so stay on the track for all I care!
In yesterday’s chapter, the emphasis was all about the consumer side of the next wave of the internet equation and today’s chapter is going to just begin to look at the other half – being the enterprise twist that I doubt many are aware of nor expecting – especially from Apple. It’s virtually impossible to cover this next phase in a single chapter, simply due to the radical nature of what’s about to transpire. So be patient.
“Innovation is Powering The Next Wave of Business Growth,” states IBM. Now let’s begin to take a look at this a little closer.
IBM-Apple: The Next Wave vision
On January 31, 2001, IBM’s John R.Patrick, Vice President for Internet technology wrote a story/press release called “The Browser Wars: Rest in Peace.” This is a must read. The following are specific excerpts that are in context with this chapter of the Next Wave Series:
- No longer locked into a single “Web site” and without the limitations of the browser, we’ll see an explosion of truly customizable content with look, feel and accessibility of the desktop or device.
- For example, imagine tracking all your frequent-flyer points in a single application – one that (if you are online) automatically goes to each of the airlines’ Web sites, logs in your account number and password, and downloads the balance. And, if you are offline, still allows you to access and manipulate the data. All this [done], with an application sitting on your desktop that has the look and feel of a Windows (or Linux) application and not like a browser.
- Most people think of the Internet and the Web as being the same thing. They aren’t.
- There will be more and more applications that use the Internet and don’t require a browser.
- We will see many applications being developed which look and feel like the native desktop but which utilizes the internet seamlessly in the background.
- We’re only at the beginning of this new wave of innovation Web-services creation tools, emerging standards and innovative ways to develop client code that connects to these Web services are going to trigger yet another wave of increasing Internet usage.
Less than 24 hours later on Feb. 1, 2001, Steve Jobs spoke to investors at an analyst meeting where he mirrored several points made earlier by IBM’s Mr. Patrick as follows:
- “We’ve all been blinded into thinking that the browser controls the Internet,” he added. “But that’s not true.”
- What’s the most popular app on the Internet? [It’s] e-mail. And you don’t use a browser for e-mail … More and more of what we’ll be doing will be in terms of such client applications.
- We believe that the next wave of the Internet will be client applications that work intimately with the Internet, but not necessarily with a Web browser.
- You can think of iTunes the same way, allowing access to Internet content through a specialized interface rather than a browser.
Apple: mission accomplished
As you can see, it was in fact at this event where Steve Jobs initially introduced the concept of the next wave of the internet in addition to making another key reference to “making products that would be the hub of a digital lifestyle.” Just a year earlier Steve Jobs had stated: “We believe Apple will be one of the 10 most profitable Internet companies in the next 10 years.” Yes, an Internet company. And to be one of the top 10 Internet companies will, of course, require that Apple deliver profitable Internet services (or iServices) such as their current runaway hit called iTunes—that as predicted in 2001—does indeed deliver content to its users via a “specialized interface,” rather than through a traditional browser. So mission accomplished. What’s next of course is the actual wave of such client applications. If Apple’s sole iTunes application has created such a stir in the industry, could you imagine what the impact will be when a wave of such applications come to market simultaneously? And imagine if you will, what the extent of this impact would be if this was a movement-in-wait, ready to deliver these next-generation client applications for both consumer and enterprise markets with a single event triggering it.
I’m sure that most of you by now have noticed recently that when viewing a QuickTime movie trailer available in “full screen” mode, you’re actually being connected to Apple’s iTunes first – which then generates the full screen trailers. That wasn’t always the case. So it’s clearly evident that the eCommerce component of iTunes that holds your password and billing information is now being prepared for a future iMovies iService sometime in the not too distant future. And this is very telling in that it’s conveying the reality that we are now witnessing the digital hub in the form of an independent platform in-the-making which doesn’t necessarily require Mac OS X nor the PowerPC whatsoever!
With Apple’s upcoming QuickTime 7 delivering H.264 full-screen capabilities to both Mac and PC’s, Apple is opening the doors wide open for the delivery of next wave content “beyond the box” as Steve Jobs presented at MacWorld 2000:
“Now is the time to move beyond just the box. Today I am going to talk about extending things, and unveil our Internet strategy,” said Jobs.
The Internet strategy appears centered around additional services, but Jobs did not offer a big picture of what the strategy is trying to accomplish, stated InfoWorld.
Well, InfoWorld, it just wasn’t time to provide the world with the “big picture,” but get ready.
IBM On Dashboards
In July 2004, shortly after Apple’s WWDC 2004’s announcement of the New Browser Alliance, an IBM story broke from the South Bend Tribune (subscription required) that covered IBM’s “Thin Client Concept Returns.” Here are the key excerpts from that article:
The idea is straightforward: Instead of giving employees computers packed with features they rarely use, companies could save tons of cash by distributing simple machines tied to powerful central servers.
Computing vendors have had marginal success over the years with variations of this “thin client” concept. Now IBM Corp. is betting that with some tweaks, the technology can become a big hit, challenging the traditional approach pushed by Microsoft Corp.
In a server-centric computing system, software updates can be pumped to every machine at once, and individual computers can be shielded from viruses and attacks.
The program gives users a dashboard-like view of several applications, notably e-mail, instant messaging and a calendar, along with documents created by the users or their colleagues. In an important step, IBM released software tools this month to let outside developers create programs that work with Workplace 2.
But if a user doesn’t want to buy Microsoft Office software, Workplace draws on open-source alternatives that roughly simulate the big three. That means a Workplace user who doesn’t have Word but gets e-mailed a Word document could open the file, change it and send it back to the source—who would then be able to work on it in Word just the same.
Workplace is accessed over a Web browser, so users can be anywhere, even on a handheld computer or an Internet-connected cell-phone. A Macintosh version is due this fall.
Freeze frame
Wait a minute. Workplace is accessed over a Web browser? Yes, but is it really just a web browser this time around? Not according to IBM’s own vision of 2001 statements. Wasn’t the argument framed with this line: “with some tweaks, the technology can become a big hit”—Yes of course. In that same vein, is Safari really to remain just a web browser? Absolutely not! So what the hell is it then?
What, A New Platform?
Back in 2001, John Siracusa writing for Arstechnica covered MacWorld and made a connection that very few saw at the time, as follows:
“And although this brush metal appearance with its nonstandard widgets is totally at odds with both the classic Mac OS user interface and Aqua, it should be clear by now … that there is in fact, an interface standard being maintained across the ‘iApplication’. “It’s almost as if these applications represent a platform within a platform.”
Yes, exactly. Yet without understanding it or conveying any context, which at the time was close to impossible, that observation lead us nowhere. Now some four years later, and it’s time for context.
Think Grid
Apple has just announced their conference sessions for WWDC 2005, with number five being – “Adding Xgrid Capabilities to Your Cocoa Applications” – The new Xgrid framework in Tiger. Yes, Xgrid is going to play a vital role going forward and IBM’s focus on grid computing could be seen on the following webpage entitled: A visual tour of Open Grid Services Architecture. Take note of where IBM has positioned WebSphere carefully into the (OSGi) Open Grid Services Infrastructure—which provides context to their commentary concerning thin clients (above) and their reference to open source alternative applications. Yes, and it also means that the “Macintosh version” IBM alluded to fits into this scheme of things as well. With Xgrid on the way in Tiger, it’s assured that Apple too will work with OSGi – which I briefly touched on in chapter 8. IBM’s webpage on the Open Grid Services architecture is truly a must read to give you scope on this subject.
Rethinking the PowerPC Revolution
Before presenting the blockbuster aspect to the next wave, I think it’s important to first understand that this next wave has some history that remains relevant until this very day. Of course the code has been rewritten and repackaged and is one of the reasons that this project has taken so much time to retrofit it into today’s roadmap. The underlying principles of the first PowerPC Revolution as outlined by the book titled Inside the PowerPC Revolution, written by Jeff Duntemann and Ron Pronk, remain in tact. For today’s chapter, in context with the segments of – the Next Wave Vision and IBM on Dashboards – Workplace, TalOS and Taligent come into play. Other aspects of the first revolution will be covered in future chapters where applicable. The following three component overviews come from this book as follows:
Workplace/OS and its microkernel approach
In the strictest sense, Workplace/OS is a microkernel-based technology that serves as the foundation for a family of products. And remember an earlier point: Microkernel operating systems are highly portable. So expect to see multiple Workplace/OS products in the market. Each Workplace/OS product will function will function in a nearly identical manner, but every product will have a different “look and feel.” You might even come to suspect that Workplace/OS has some sort of multiple personality disorder. Workplace/OS technology is based on the Mach 3.0 microkernel.
TalOS
Taligent expects to roll out its full-featured, object-based operating system, called TalOS (The OS in TalOS actually stands for Object Services, not Operating System.)
TalOS will be a microkernel-based operating system. Reportedly, TalOS will employ the same microkernel as the one used in Workplace/OS.
If TalOS delivers on its promise and become the first portable, fully object-oriented operating system, expect to see major advances in software and major advances in the way users view their computers. TalOS may usher in an era in which there will be no such thing as shrink-wrapped applications or separate development platforms. Each desktop computer will be as unique as the personality of its user and its capabilities will be as unlimited as the user’s imagination.
In January 1994, Guglielmi [of IBM] scored a coup by signing on Hewlett-Packard as a Taligent partner/owner. Under the deal, HP has 15 percent ownership in the company and one seat on the Taligent board. Taligent is attractive to HP because it provides a way to build more object-oriented capabilities into HP-UX, which is used in HP’s PA-RISC line of workstations.
Taligent
Taligent’s mission was to forge a true object-oriented operating system for use on both IBM’s and Apple’s future hardware. This includes but is not limited to the PowerPC.
The Taligent operating system and other spin-off technologies are grounded in Apple’s long-time operating system developmental project code-named Pink. Although the original specification was to be object-oriented right down to the core layer that overlays the hardware, the idea of the Taligent OS has evolved more in the direction of the NextStep operating system. NextStep implements object-oriented services in layers over a non-object-oriented kernel, which is based on Carnegie-Mellon University’s Mach. The latest indications from IBM and Apple are that Taligent will be structured the same way. IBM’s Workplace is in fact grounded on the Mach kernel.
Yes – a portable platform!
Yes Apple has a portable, fully object-oriented operating system/object services platform in the wings. The original 1991 PowerPC alliance architects had in fact created the original platform-within-a-platform concept combining both Taligent (now Darwin) and TalOS (re iServices – yet formally renamed). Their intent all along was to eventually spin TalOS off when the networking frameworks were in place and there was enough of a build up of iServices to justify it. IBM now has Workplace and an ecosystem of developers ready for this enterprise iService platform and Apple has their end ready as well for infotainment content centric iServices and their own ecosystem of developers to power this new platform. That’s not to say that Apple doesn’t have a spill over to the enterprise, but that’s for another chapter.
However as a clue, think of PeopleSoft when referring to Safari: “PeopleSoft is committed to open source standards – which significantly reduce total cost of ownership,” said Rick Bergquist, chief technology officer, PeopleSoft. “PeopleSoft customers who run PeopleSoft Internet applications on Safari will benefit from faster load speeds and increased performance.”
More telling is PeopleSoft making this radical statement back in 2003: “Running enterprise software on a PC is a known bad thing. It’s like asbestos,” he said. ”.Net is a home formula to make your own asbestos. PeopleSoft is absolutely convinced enterprise software should not be resident on PCs.” Does this seem like a rational statement to you from a firm who had derived 95 percent of their revenue form the Windows platform? So being that excited about Safari – was more revealing than first perceived. I’ll leave it at that for now.
In the end, the reporting by Arstechnica back in 2001 was both accurate and yet humorous to me because not a single Macite followed through with this observation in the Mac press. No one seemed to get it. The brushed metal GUI components that support iServices will be a part of this platform and why they always differed from Apple’s Aqua GUI. The star iapplication today being iTunes is but the first of such iServices connected with this platform that goes beyond the PowerPC as was the original intent of this project of 1991! How Apple will actually end up bundling this will be very exciting to see unfold. There is of course one major twist to this, but that will come in the next chapter of this series that you won’t want to miss.
History and context matters
Do you remember this Wired Magazine cover story back in 1996: “Steve Jobs: The Next Insanely Great Thing”. In this all-time classic interview, Steve Jobs introduced WebObjects and touted that it would allow developers to write Web applications ten time faster than anything else in the market. He talked about how the desktop market was in the dark ages and would likely be so for the next decade and that basically Apple lost that war. He went on to discuss the internet, Web terminals and how the desktop metaphor could change once people were primarily living in a connected world. And the emphasis for the future of WebOjects in that article was about “commerce that will fuel the next phase of the Web explosion.” He of course later refined “the next phase of the Web” to that of “the next wave of the Internet.”
Here we go again with “web terminals” in context with IBM’s reference to the return of thin clients as noted above. The reference to the desktop metaphor changing would only occur once people were primarily living in a connected world is all relating to grid computing and Steve Jobs view that ecommerce would fuel the next phase of the web’s exploding is all relating to iServices like iTunes!
Interesting that Steve Jobs made reference to web terminals as CEO of NeXT in 1996 just to see Larry Ellison, then an Apple board member, unveiling an NC prototype running Rhapsody on x86 NEC hardware just one year later as follows:
The clients run a new Network Computer Operating System (NC-OS). Ellison said the system was an open, standards based 100-percent Unix-compatible operating system. In a subsequent press conference, he also revealed it was exactly the same operating system as Apple’s upcoming “Rhapsody” operating system.
Of further interest to the Mac community today, is that Ellison revealed a smart card for $49 with a $99 per year subscription fee for a basic software-suite to be stored on the network.
Doesn’t that sound like the $99 iService fee for a software-suite on dot-Mac introduced in 2000? Equally important is the fact that NC-OS (or Rhapsody/OpenStep, now Darwin) was running on an Intel based NEC NC system.
Note that Apple’s WWDC 2005 conference sessions include the following: Smart Card support has been greatly expanded in Mac OS X Tiger. Smart Cards offer a great way to store certificates, which can then be used by your applications, as well as by Mail and Safari. Timely, wouldn’t you say?
Then there’s the very interesting historical tie-in with HP taking a stake in Taligent. For historical correctness, HP also just happened to be a partner in a 1995 project called Object Enterprise that used NeXT’s OpenStep, which may provide some with some needed perspective concerning HP’s current Adaptive Enterprise platform connection to HP’s Darwin. Does that ring any bells? Well how about Apple’s Darwin derived from OpenStep! So was HP’s decision to choose iTunes and the iPod really that surprising? Well, it shouldn’t have!
1996: Two great visions merge as one: the New Blueprint
In December 1996 Apple announced the acquisition of NeXT and in doing so brought together two of the greatest initiatives of the nineteen-nineties under one roof. I refer to the portfolios associated with the PowerPC and OpenStep Alliances – which became the new blueprint for their software roadmap.
In 1999 IBM wrote in their annual report that “The PC is Dead” and with the sale of their hardware division to be officially completed this June (2005) to Leveno just as Tiger is unleashed appears to signal that the PowerPC Alliance’s Revolution of 1991, is truly ready to power The Next Wave of the Internet.
The Next Wave of the Internet Series
By Neo
Next Wave of the Internet Series Index
Part X: Suddenly! The Next Wave of the broadband Wars
Part 9: The Next Wave: Apple Patent Reveals QuickTime TV: What the Other Sites Missed
Part 8: A Closer Peek at Sony’s CELL Patent: What’s missing here?
Part 7: The Next Wave: Apple’s Connection to the CELL Processor
Part 6: Next Wave: Motorola, MeshNetworks and In-Car iServices
Part 5: OS X Tiger’s QuickTime Could Reach More than 3 Billion Users a Day!
Part 4: Apple’s QuickTime Leaps to the Silver Screen and Beyond
Part 3: Tiger Revving-up QuickTime TV Live-Network
Part 2: On the Road to iPod-Live! In 2005
Part 1: Apple’s Next Wave of the Internet: Darwin’s leap to MAN
Neo Says:
Until corrected, there’s a date of Feb 21 under the IBM-APPLE vision chapter that was to be Feb 1. This should be corrected later this morning.
Posted on March 24, 2005
Neo Says:
Another major gaff in today’s story and I can’t get through to Dennis at this site for some reason to correct these errors!
Under IBM ON DASHBOARDS, it’s to read as follows:
In July 2004, shortly after Apple’s WWDC 2004’s announcement of the New Browser Alliance, an IBM story broke from the South Bend Tribune ( subscription required) that covered IBM’s “Thin Client Concept Returns”. Here are the key excerpts from that article:
The idea is straightforward: Instead of giving employees computers packed with features they rarely use, companies could save tons of cash by distributing simple machines tied to powerful central servers.
Computing vendors have had marginal success over the years with variations of this “thin client” concept. Now IBM Corp. is betting that with some tweaks, the technology can become a big hit, challenging the traditional approach pushed by Microsoft Corp.
In a server-centric computing system, software updates can be pumped to every machine at once, and individual computers can be shielded from viruses and attacks.
The program gives users a dashboard-like view of several applications, notably e-mail, instant messaging and a calendar, along with documents created by the users or their colleagues. . In an important step, IBM released software tools this month to let outside developers create programs that work with Workplace 2.
But if a user doesn’t want to buy Microsoft Office software, Workplace draws on open-source alternatives that roughly simulate the big three. That means a Workplace user who doesn’t have Word but gets e-mailed a Word document could open the file, change it and send it back to the source—who would then be able to work on it in Word just the same.
Workplace is accessed over a Web browser, so users can be anywhere, even on a handheld computer or an internet-connected cell-phone. A Macintosh version is due this fall.
If someone could get through to Dennis to tell him that this should be pulled in order to correct the story - I’d appreciate that! Sorry for series of problems on this important chapter and have no idea what happened!
Neo
Posted on March 24, 2005
Tom Brooke Says:
Very nice article again Neo.
The whole series has been thoroughly enjoyed, and is one of the few things I have found on the internet which speaks at the depth I enjoy.
Take care of yourself, my thoughts are with you and your family.
Tom (1st comment)
Posted on March 24, 2005
Neo Says:
Tom, Thanks for your kind words on both counts.
Every once and a while it’s nice to hear that the series still has appeal as it keeps me energized working on the next. Have you followed the series from the beginning? Any favorites? Sorry for the questions but it’s my marketing background that loves to understand what readers like about the series. Anyways…
Have a great long weekend Tom & Cheers!
Neo
Posted on March 24, 2005
Juanxer Says:
Isn’t all this a bit too AppleRecon-ish for its own good?
Look, what this article does is to provide rather too much enthusiasm about a set of technologies in order to suggest that their combination wil produce something very big, bigger than the sum of its parts.
Not to deny the possibility that it would happen, but I’d like to suggest that adding a modicum of prudence would be wise. After all, there are some telling factors:
-Several of those techs were a proven irredimible fracas: Taligent went nowhere, thin clients went nowhere, OpenStep as a multiplatform OS-middleware technology went nowhere, and I doubt very much WebObjects is a very solid contender in the server-side middleware market these days, etc. The technologies’ details are not important: the IT business has never been about that.
-The client side of web services is not about doing it via a web browser or an specialized interface: is about doing it useful and confortable and attractive. “What’s the most popular app on the Internet? [It’s] e-mail. And you don’t use a browser for e-mai”. Well, actually you do: try to convince average Joe to move from web browser-based Hotmail, Gmail or whatever to Outlook or any other mail client. Even if it would make his life far easier, he will be reluctant to change habits and the conforting familiarity of navigating via a web browser which looks like being far simpler than a conventional Win or OS X mail app. For all the encapsulation of iTMS’ webbish content iTunes does, the truth is it would work quite well if it was browser-based. My point is that the psichology of interface design and usage makes the issue quite undecided. Plus Web Services via custom interfaces it’s something any vendor can do.
-Grid Computing is very interesting, but it is another “any vendor” tech. SETI@Home didn’t require any specific collaboration from Apple, Microsoft or IBM to work well, the same can be said about any distributed computing project around. That Apple is providing standardized Grid Computing APIs in OS X is all very good, but hardly ground-breaking. That Grid Computing suggests a finer grained way of selling IT services is very interesting, but it actually is just that.
-Cell: I won’t comment again about Cell. I’ll simply say this: that PDF about Cell that was waved around was admirably prudent, actually, and I’d very much like everybody to ignore SONY-IBM’s hype and be far more cautious. After all, one thing is producing an attractive embedded processor designed for complex SIMD-like tasks and another very different one to turn it into an stellar general purpose processor. We wait and see, and if it all goes well, cheers then, but a) it’s not an assured thing; b) competing vendors could produce rival designs with the humongous marketing advantage of being x86-compatible; c) ultimately Apple is not about processing power.
There are several debatable issues more. Everything has its pros and cons predictions-wise. I’d suggest a more balanced view, or we really descend to AppleRecon-levels of eagerness, and we know what that led to: to missing the point entirely.
You see: I don’t think all those technological issues have real merit when exploring Apple’s route to success. One just has to look at the iPod/iTunes/iTMS story to see that it wasn’t about AAC or MPEG4 or Web Services or even hardware at all. It was about Apple being a hip brand thanks to the iMac, about industrial-designing a great gadget and using the brand, its initial Mac-only characteristics and its perceived high price to make it luxurious, exclusive and attractive. The iTMS was about Apple being, again, a hip brand, and about taking advantage of its limited marketshare to sell the Record companies the idea of testing the waters of internet music stores in a small controlled environment easy to damage-control if things went awry, plus being small enough a company to not intimidate them the way Microsoft does.
If MPEG4 and AAC wouldn’t have existed, Apple would have created their own format, be it MP3-DRM or whatever. The codec is not the issue: the requirements are, and the codec is selected or produced as per requirements.
What I mean is that, yes, the variables in the technological environment could get very interesting, but Apple’s chances are not about that: it’s about being a monster in the consumer electronics space, and the requisites are not really about technical prowess (they are important, but they are not the ultimate point) but about being a virtuoso with the business tools that create mindshare.
Posted on March 24, 2005
Neo Says:
Juanxer, my mom passed away last week so i don’t have the energy to argue with you. You took the time to write your diatribe and made your dissaproval known - tirelessly once again. You are truly someone beaten down by past promises from Apple and various consortiums of the past, which I grant you, has worn most of us down over the years I must confess. I applaud your diehard position and have no clue why you return to read the series. But you do add to my read count, so thanks. Debate is the spice of life and you certainly have that right to your opinion - when you’re at least making your points without getting personal.
However, although I see that you’re a fan of Apple, you are truly a type of Macite that just can’t get over the fact that the larger market Apple will win over with iServices will dwarf the Macites of old. You want to be in this little diehard cult of the Mac and can’t see the writing on the wall. I can’t help you with that if you like your little world.
Denying what is about to unfold over the next 2-3 years in several installments is your prerogative. You should however go to another site to write your own series or column because there’s a big market for your view. I’d love nothing more to visit your site and column and return the favor. I’ll catch you in the next iLife!
Cheers Juanxer.
Neo
Posted on March 24, 2005
Alarik Skarstrom Says:
Dear Neo (and Juanxer),
I am an utter neophyte with regard to the issues you are discussing. And I was just wandering by and came upon and read this page by accident.
Neo, thank you for your article. At the very least, it shows me how little I know about the world of computers. But, as I was reading your account--a plan inferred from various entities understood as pieces of a puzzle (rather than, perhaps, as self-standing entities in their own right)--I was also reminded of Apple Recon. In fact, I hadn’t thought of Apple Recon in many years.
I became aware of that other mystery man not long after I had gotten into Macs (a 640 with a DOS card--always operating in a platform independent way even if it was from one particular Archimedian point of another but without which . . . nothing). I was so turned on by Macs and by Apple Recon’s notion of convergence I started buying Apple stock way back when. A very happy turn of events.
So, as you can imagine, I really appreciate your form of brainstorming barnraising. Unfortunately, there’s no particular stock I can see that would do for me now what Apple did for me then.
And in the meantime I revert to type. A nominalist. That is to say, I see your assemblage of parts into an envisioned and visionary whole as the benign equivalent of conspiracy theory. That is to say, if you have a vision of an End which is not yet Whole, then everything shy of that represents Parts of the puzzle. This is to see the bits and pieces of the world under the aspect of an existent if tacit if not yet realized Whole (telos). Sub species aeternitatis, etc. Yet the nominalist sees the categories and category of categories (the Whole) as something in our minds, not out there, as it were, waiting to be found.
No doubt, if you were in charge, you could realize the whole you envision. But you would require enormous, autocratic or monopolistic power (on a scale to dwarf MS) to achieve such.
Between the extremes there is only the collaborative, spontaneous swarm of events, guided by no particular telos but only a longing for amalgamation and wholeness (and dominance--the force that both drives the swarm and causes its creations to collapse).
Needless to say, as I understand this--your vision, your exhaustive reader’s antivision--it is also a reflection of the politicial problems of our day, today, in America.
Thanks for the read!
Good luck to you all.
And be kind. We’re all wrong. There is no truth. Dogmatism of even the least sort is a kind of living death, a kind of subterranean will to murder.
AWS
Posted on March 24, 2005
Neo Says:
Dear Alarik, you know you’re to take your medication before noon or you go into dreams of Zarlot and his master. Stop writing poetry on your cell walls, you know the doctors will only take away your web privileges. And for god-sake stop saying that you’re giving the president advice!
Take your pills and get back to me....or this “exhaustive reader’s antivision. I repeat, you’re not the antichrist.
Sorry, but this was the best...of the worst...of something. Thanks for the humor. Oh ya, say hello to Bill Gates.
Posted on March 24, 2005
Neo Says:
Clue: Sarari isn’t the heart of a TalOS like platform, just a component thereof.
Posted on March 24, 2005
Juanxer Says:
Neo, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I simply had no idea… :-(
I know I am too critical a commentator, but surely you’ll admit you are painting an extreme best case scenario of convergence dependent on too many technical and political factors being successful by themselves and in combination. That’s why my AppleRecon reference: if things were as easy as Robert Morgan then and now you affirm then most of what you predict would have been realized half a decade ago.
Plus, sometimes one overcomplicates expectations: AppleRecon was so blinded by its vision of an Apple convergence Internet-AV set top box megawhatsit that the coming of the iMac caught it totally unaware. The iMac meant something crucial: Apple turning itself into a consumer electronics company by means of producing a hip, friendly, vivacious computer you could warmly invite into your living room the same way you would your TV or HiFi set. Everything else derives from that new mindset, and it implies that Apple is not really that interested in certain avenues of computing that make not that much sense to a consumer electronics company, even if making the Macintosh platform ready for them.
Anyway, and probably it’s not the best moment for this, but…
I know that in contrast to your views mine look like rather negative (they don’t intend to be so, really), but the disdain they receive (plus that first time’s fully featured oh-you-Microsoft-lackey treatment :) ) and this “you are too low and slow to comprehend” attitude… Well, my question is: is this column supossed to admit critique or debate, actually? If I am too confrontational in my entries, I must try to better moderate myself, but I think my arguments are fair and undeserving the “go away write your own column” treatment.
Again, my condolences. Take care.
Posted on March 24, 2005
SuzieMacFan Says:
Someone on MacDailyNews recommended this series and it is GREAT!!!! I am OBSESSED with where Apple and all this convergence are heading. I think convergence will come - just a little later than I expected. I was working at Bell Atlantic in 1993 and they were talking Convergence then. But - late isn’t the same thing as never. I’ve seen a clue here - a clue there - and I thought I was the only one trying to keep track. Boy - you are so far ahead of me. I loved this article. I also read Part X. I’m going to go back and read the entire series - it is fantastic!!!!
I am very sorry to hear about your Mother.
Posted on March 24, 2005
Neo Says:
Juanxer - Nice to see you’re human side and I’m sorry about the go write your own column. It’s really to compliment your writting passion if you didn’t get my drift. You articulate your positions well, even if I totally disagree. However, we’re on different sides of the aisle on this one for sure - that’s life.
I also write the H.264 Report under News2Me that I use to seperate my types of articles. So, there’s different types of writing. However, from my perspective this isn’t about hype seriously. I don’t write from the perspective of I think it may be this or that - I take a bold stand and let the heads roll when this is over and done with. I guess it’s the research I’ve done that makes it clear to me that this is going to be a revolution beyond anyones expectations. In fact, it will dwarf everything gone before.
Like I said, debate is the spice of life and I mean it. As long as it doesn’t get personal or is a rant for the sake of rant - by all means jump right in. I’ve been in business long enough to know that debate is good as long as there’s a little give and take. So you’re like a counter weight or something.
Anyways I’m sure we’ll be talking again. You’re OK Juanxer.
Cheers!
Neo
Posted on March 24, 2005
Neo Says:
Finally a female in the audience that speaks up - well done and you’re a true working person with perspective. This site really has some great working people tuning in. You’re enthusiasm blows me away. I too, had been collecting clues over the years, but kept them on file. 10 years later - and viola.
I appreciate the condolences.
Have yourself a great holiday. Cheers SuzieMacFan!
Neo
Posted on March 24, 2005
Abe Says:
Whenever something is too “Apple Recon"-ish for someone, it is something I want to read!
Posted on March 24, 2005
Bob Nies Says:
The progression of ideas are logical and follow research I have been tracking for years. There is a reason why Apple has accumulated $5 Billion +.
Its for all the chips.....Texas Holdem Style.
Posted on March 24, 2005
Juanxer Says:
(By the way, It’d be great if anyone can tell whatever happened to Robert Morgan. I seem to remember he got quite ill for a while, then made a comeback with its AppleRecon site suddenly bursting with activity and then… You still can visit the website, frozen in time, at http://www.pelagius.com/AppleRecon/ )
Posted on March 24, 2005
Alex Timing Says:
Hey I just wanted to let you know that I enjoy your articles very much. I can’t wait till you finish with the articles. I want to know what’s coming, and I hate having to wait for it.
I hear stuff about an “iBook mini” or some kinda eMate product coming from Apple. The stuff about the micro OS kinda all fits together.
Posted on March 24, 2005
won't happen Says:
You can say “wouldn’t it be great if” all you want, but Apple’s not going to switch microkernels or make any other radical change to their platform’s architecture in the foreseeable future. All of this talk about TalOS and NEC NC is just jibberish now. It’s great for historical reference, but it’s totally irrelevant today. You make it SOUND all good, but none of this is actually that plausible considering Apple’s current strategies. I love how every one of Neo’s articles says something along the lines of “this is what Apple is going to do next!!!11 For sure!!! (insert mid-90s concept from some company that is only vaguely related to Apple and make a nonsensical connection)” and never once examines the other side (why Apple might NOT want to pursue such a strategy). Get real.
Posted on March 24, 2005
rob Says:
This has all been talked about for years. Trying to get an entire industry to catch the next wave is virtually impossible, particularly when the desktop is owned by Microsoft.
I did some courses on web services for my CS degree. At the time it was all pretty cool and we built some fun stuff. It all made so much sense. But in reality the industry is firmly entrenched in the web browser and its accompanied mish-mash of html, javascript, vbcript, sql, flash (...). It’s not a pleaseant programming environment, and being statless, has its limitations.
The promise of web services will eventually happen but I’m not worried about that light at the end of the tunnel taking me by surprise. A revolution to be sure, albeit a quiet one.
Also, given the fate of the iTunes phones, just because these technologies could come together to create something insanely great doesn’t mean it will. It’s business.
“.Net is a home formula to make your own asbestos.” Classic. Absolutely classic.
Posted on March 24, 2005
rob Says:
no more</i> italics!
Posted on March 24, 2005
Neo Says:
Jaunxer - Thanks. I couldn’t place recon till I went to that site you provided. He’s the guy who was writing for MacWeek wasn’t he? If that was the guy - I did read a few of his pieces.
I also used to like Byte Magazine of old, that had some great articles comparing different platforms and approaches. I miss that. I used to like their artist renditions of what could be coming and lust for the machines that never were to be. It was just fun.
Don’t know if you caught Business 2.0 yesterday that ran an artists rendition of what Apple could be up to in five micro segments. They were stunning pieces to behold - Stunning. They also followed themes that are really in the realm of the possible based on the technology that will roll out over the next 2 years, beginning this year.
Anyways, thanks for the reminder of this recon guy - because I had forgotten about him.
Cheers
Posted on March 24, 2005
Neo Says:
Is Darwin mid nineties stuff? Welll, it was born out of Openstep that is the basis of OS X. Taligent was being fashioned like NeXTStep - and ended up exactly via OSX. The services platform to be associated with Taligent (OSX) is what it is and what iTunes is all about. Arguing this is simply moronic as it’s in play now. If you follow the work NEC is doing with internet terminals - you’d see how you’re simply not informed. IBM didn’t throw in “thin clients” recently to aggravate Macites. It’s just a coming reality. Switch microkernels? Hmm, that’s interesting if you knew what was on its way. TalOS in whatever new branding it will surfaces in, is platform independent. There won’t be any switching for TalOS (whatever Apple brands this). I started with IBM, the world leader in tech, by quoting them with: Disruptive technologies, by definition, come from out in left field and really surprise people.
For you, it will be left field and you will be surprised. I like to trust real tech companies doing real research and well, know what they’re talking about. Funny, I thought using real quotes from leaders mattered. But hey, you don’t think it’s going to happen. Well, I’ll get that on the six o’clock news.
Posted on March 24, 2005
Neo Says:
Rob - the fate of the iTunes phone? Seems to me that Motorola made it clear it was just a matter of a timing clash with Apple, not a matter of killing the project.
Posted on March 24, 2005
Pete Says:
Neo!
Neo…
I am blown away by your conceivable outcomes of various “recon” (to use thread-relevant lingo).
All the info linked together is amazingly intruiging and I hope to see it come to fruition. 100%
I at LEAST hope someone mining pages from Apple reads and passes on
Arguments have already occured about it’s actual accuracy so I won’t rehash. I can still be an optimist.
Who would have TRULY predicted the iPod/iTunes stranglehold? (My PC-centric roomate still debates my sanity regarding marketshare)
Cheers and keeping fingers crossed!
-Pete
Posted on March 25, 2005
Fed Up Says:
I think for all this talk of convergence, perhaps the WRITING should exhibit a little more convergence, not to mention cohesion and a little sprinking of logic.
All teasers. Every reference & “clue” is either just barely possibly maybe plausible enough, or totally random and obscure. Too many “answers” take the form of “more to come later” or “well, I’ll just leave you to ponder that”. It’s all suppositions, implications, insinuations, assertions, and after a while, the whole thing collapses under its own weight.
I’m done with this series and this website.
Posted on March 25, 2005
Tom Brooke Says:
If I may…
I think a lot of the comments regarding this series miss the point on two accounts.
Firstly, they underestimate the fact that there are great minds at the top of (some) large corporations. Great minds are not small minds, meaning that these people will shake up anything that needs to be shaken to get it down to the right starting point. These great minds are making life better for us all. We are used to small minds at the top of business (like now in politics and still a lot of business), but this movement cannot be compared to narrow-mindedne$$.
Secondly, the nature of journalism. In the past jounalists were independent - they had to be, they had to explain both sides, appeal to all trains of thought, and not say too much to displace the beliefs the reader may hold.
Jounalism has changed.
We all know that we all have our opinions. We all know that we do not naturally talk or think that a classic ‘journalist’. Debate, as Neo said, is the spice of life.
We simple no longer need that old model of journalism anymore. We now have a platform where anyone can express their thoughts. The old ramblings of ‘Journalism’ has been replaced by real conversation, directly with all. Everyone is invited, all comments will be heard, and in the end only the truth will remain.
Neo’s series is an expression of the way he sees it, and I for one agree entirely. It may work out that the surface changes and ideas materialise a little different, but the main fundamental shift of what is about to happen cannot be denied.
So I say, take Neo’s advise - write your own column, or at least post links to other opinions that you do agree with and give us all the opportunity to weigh up both sides.
Classic ‘journalism’ has been replaced. We don’t need to say what we don’t think, or don’t believe anymore. Just full flowing passion on a subject.
The future of journalism. The fruition of technology. Real communication, expression, creativity.
This is actually the Next Wave. And there is no way you can stop it.
Tom
Posted on March 25, 2005
Paul Lira Says:
I really have to agree with this article, generally speaking. We all have to admit that something is brewing again between Apple and IBM. The difference this time is in the people who are involved. Apple’s past CEO’s didn’t have what it takes to “change the world”. It wasn’t the technology which failed, it was the executer. The article eloquintly expresses the clues of what is to come by focusing on technology and Steve Jobs, of course. However, I feel that there is more that was not covered. The executers of the next wave is being built up using Apple’s board and IBM. Think about the powerful men who control the components of change. Peter Oppenheimer (FCO) and Fred Anderson has the respect of Wallstreet and conrtibutes to the financial side of this equation. Al Gore (whom I’m not fond of...) will contribute to the political side of the equation. I don’t want to write my own article here so you can check the Apple Computer Board Member Bios and IBMs Board Member Bios.
I think you will see that the people involved and the timing of such an event (Microsoft negative publicity and poor consumer confidence) is what it takes to make such an event happen.
Posted on March 25, 2005
Juanxer Says:
Thanks for the Business 2.0 reference. Diving to it right now.
And glad to be of service about AppleRecon. Actually, I’d like to extend the “mistery man” search to the other two big names in the field: MacTheKnife and The Naked Mole Rat. Some people argue that the terrific trio are in fact the very same guy.
About Web Services and such. Perhaps the issue is that it’s not something to be analyzed from a technical point of view (infrastructure, middleware, etc.) but a strictly comercial one: discrete succesful products, instead of too overarching concepts or focusing on its software and hardware workings. There are a lot of sucessful “web services” we don’t recognize as such because they are all too common such as any internet stores, or because its distinctiveness makes one forget the underlying technical factors such as the very iTMS, iPhoto’s Album facilities, some .mac things, etc.
Not that the technical aspects are uninteresting at all. For example, the idea of Dashboard-style gadgets means a very interesting experiment is about to happen, user interface-wise. I said mail is managed via web browsers by a lot of people because of getting used to web interfaces and being a bit fearful of conventional mail apps. I think this fear comes from standard apps’ GUIs still being a bit too complex.
As silly as it seems, drop-down menus and dialog boxes mean a rather disperse set of controls that can confuse a non computer-savvy user, plus homogeneous GUI “skins”, Aqua, brushed-metal or whatever make apps a bit undistinctive. A web-based mail client at least tries to make everything happen in a single window, even if redrawing its contents completely, plus usually is art-directed in some unique way (most make horrible UI mistakes, but they work anyway).
The new Dashboard gadgets will force their programmers to simplify and “candyfy” the GUIs. To think about things as absolutely basic as font sizes for elder people, etc. It’ll make people take a second look at those things.
The fundamentals, anyway, are making truly useful and enjoyable services. I remember all the promises made by the telecom companies about Services, how incredibly boring and uninteresting and business-like they felt. And how DoCoMo in Japan built Services that were all about having fun, which is the approach that is actually making money.
Posted on March 25, 2005
Neo Says:
Paul (Lira) - I agree wholeheartedly and have on at least two occations mentioned “the true crazy ones from Cupertino”. Yes, there are many excellent team members behind Apple and in fact I’ve given Frank Casanova a lot of attention lately pointing to his very important keynotes that I think were key to understanding that Apple indeed has the leap over MS with Telcos and Cellcos. By the way, your links don’t work, so try listing the actual URLs.
Juanxer mentions DoCoMo which of course works with Apple intimately and is why Frank Casanova made both DoCoMo and KDDI a huge role in one of his keynotes last June.
It’ was interesting and fun to have seen “Mr. Fed Up” juxtaposed to Tom Brooke’s commentary. I don’t know why people feel they have to give me notice they’re leaving, like I even knew they were here. But they’ll be back, it’s the same old guys saying the same old things, every story or two.
I remember years ago when I was at my first big sales meeting. And being opinionated I basically ripped into some of the boring ideas that were seen as “great” by most. So, my CEO, this Harvard-bred genius, looked at me intently and said - you think you could do better, then do it - let’s see what you could do. After the shock of his statement and a few sleepless nights, I stepped up to the plate. Well, I created one of the most successful lines the company ever had. However, it did teach me a lesson to be a little more open minded and a little less critical of other’s ideas because when you have to go from big talk to actually doing something big - you realise just how hard it is to make things happen in the real world. That’s why I challenge people who get lippy to go and start their own series, because they’d soon see that it’s not as easy as it looks. That’s usually when you get the “fed up - I’m leaving” comments - or the rants. Big mouths are a dime a dozen.
So Tom, I appreciate the fact you understand the series, like most, and I appreciate all constructive feedback. Some people just have to a lighten up a bit. The “enemy” is in Redmond.
Cheers!
Neo
Posted on March 25, 2005
Seth Says:
Those concept pieces on Business 2.0 weren’t just designed by any “artist”: they were designed by Bob Brunner, who was the head of industrial design at Apple until 1997 before he left to become a partner at Pentagram, one of the world’s most prestigious design firms. Brunner’s work at Apple is vastly underrated, especially in the shadow of the guy that came after him, Jonathan Ive.
I’d really love to see a second edition of the book “AppleDesign” come out, covering the Ive era and fixing all the heinous typos.
Posted on March 25, 2005
Leif Smith Says:
“Freescale has been sliding Luxtera’s designs right into the standard manufacturing line for the PowerPC chips that go into a range of devices, including Apple computers.”—technololgy to transmit contents of a DVD in 4 seconds.
Artilce at:
http://www.forbes.com/business/free_forbes/2005/0411/068_2.html
Posted on March 25, 2005
Paul Lira Says:
My apologies for the failed linkages…
(You must sign up to with Reuters to get this free info). ie. Giving them your email address - if you think that’s free. ;-)
http://www.investor.reuters.com/
Click on “Officers and Directors” on the left bar beneath the Stock headline. Then type in AAPL or IBM, click Symbol, click GO.
Posted on March 25, 2005
Mac Says:
Great response, SuzieMacFan! Real enthusiasm.
Neo. Once again, a very interesting article. You’ve gotten a lot of response here, which I hope continues.
You started very strongly, and I believe your history lesson kind of dissipated your narrative. I know it all had a point, but it leads some people (you know who you are, JuanXerNada) to miss the more clearly stated themes.
The only reason people are not on the internet continuously is because they’re using a client or server-based app. Think of it differently. The nature of the personal computer changed completely with the Web, which is only one use of the internet. But the use is huge, and people can now understand the internet because of it.
It’s hard for some people to follow your arguments because they forget recent history. In 1995--only ten years ago--responses to my explanations to people about what the World Wide Web was essentially was met with blank stares.
I also think it’s hard for some to appreciate that both personal computers and the Web/mass internet are basically new. It’s just the start!
I think I got you into more of the IBM mode with my posts, and really they are going interesting places. All readers should check out the IBM sites if they follow the Next Wave series. Hard to believe, but it’s good reading.
But here’s your outline:
A. Disruptive technologies--OK
B. Neo: “Some just couldn’t come to terms with the fact that Apple computer would be working with the PowerPC CELL processor” Darn Right!
C. IBM vision of internet, 2001:
“We will see many applications being developed which look and feel like the native desktop but which utilizes the internet seamlessly in the background.”
Bingo! Brilliant find, NEO!
D. Jobs, same time:
“We believe that the next wave of the Internet will be client applications that work intimately with the Internet, but not necessarily with a Web browser.”
Hmmm, the IBM stuff is stronger, because I already know Jobs has great vision.
E.
Neo: “… QuickTime movie trailer ... So it’s clearly evident that the eCommerce component of iTunes that holds your password and billing information is now being prepared for a future iMovies iService sometime in the not too distant future.”
What?..huh? Man, if that’s true, you really are a journalist and a SuperSnoop, Neo. I mean, has anyone read this? It’s news in itself.
F. IBM Workplace: Yeah, why not, but your argument of a special Apple role is just vague and leads to…
G. New platform, Xgrid, PowerPC Revolution...blah, blah, blah...dissipate, dissipate, losing it, fading away, help, huh, where was the original point?
Man, stop going Sherlock on us and just put it A,B,C-1,2,3--please. I think your just too smart to not make it easier on us. Think of what the ancient, first editor said: “Beginning, middle, end...state your thesis, back it up, and restate your thesis.”
Posted on March 25, 2005
Neo Says:
I was wondering when “Mac” would show up. No, I didn’t need to hear about IBM from you as I had a great interest and still do, in the PowerPC Revolution as it was layed out in principle back in 1991 and have followed and am following IBM on a number of technologies.
Of all people, you should know Mac that I put clues into stories for future discussion. Workplace or the new platform are part of that. The new platform here, was warming it up for perhaps the next chapter that will put into perspective. Xgrid? My lord Mac, this is really crucial stuff that ties this all together. Since you love IBM, I gave you the link to their grid initiatives. Maybe you should reread it or something.
History is never appreciated by teens who think the world began when they bought their first Mac - hell, I hated history in school. But it’s my way to correctly tip-my-hat to the ones working on the principles of something revolutionary that is only now coming to light. In this light, the very roots of OSX go back NeXT and Sun co-developing this - to open up NeXTStep to become OpenStep. Is history relevant here? Yes.
This has been a tough month and with my Mom passing away last week when I was finishing this chapter, I did the best I could. Could I have dropped somethings for it to have been perfect, perhaps. Life goes on Mac. Always enjoy your commentaries.
Cheers Mac!
Jack
Posted on March 25, 2005
Neo Says:
Hey thanks Seth, now it makes sense why the designs were soooo cool - like the iPhone. Anyways thanks for the tip. You should post that info on the article Dennis has running today.
Posted on March 25, 2005
Mac Says:
Neo,
In my fatigue, I wrote giving the impression that I was critical of your writing, and I’m not. I’m a professional writer, and I know exactly how much work goes into your excellent pieces. Hey, I love the hints; it’s just that I felt that somehow your thesis never got developed, here, anyway.
On IBM, I don’t love ‘em. I just think they’re a heck of a partner for Apple. They, like Apple, have really made a turnaround. Just as MS is going the wrong way in so many matters. Besides, you just gotta hate MS. So many folks are missing the connection between companies. Your mention of PeopleSoft was interesting.
What exactly is the connection between Apple and IBM concerning Workplace? Are you saying that Xgrid is built into it or is accessible through it? Hey, I pointed out before how important Xgrid is, but you don’t make clear what this has to do with Workplace, and the small jpeg is unreadable. What’s this about Safari not just being a browser? Where are the Workplace links?
I just reread the last half of the piece again, and trust me it’s hard to follow where you’re going.
Also does anybody have a non-subscriber link to the Business 2.0 article?
Posted on March 25, 2005
Neo Says:
In chapter 9’s comments I wrote: Mac - You’re the quintessential reader of Next Wave series. I still think you’re a fan that I greatly appreciate - period. I even know all too well what you were saying in respect to form, has some merit. But now you know my circumstances and hey, I’m human.
I knew you were a writer - that’s why I asked you to make a contribution to this site. Still think so. Hmm, depends on who else you’re writing for. Sneaky Mac :-)
Follow the grid link in the story and go to Figure 9 to see the illustration I chose for this story. Unfortunately graphics don’t always reproduce well on this site in respect to size as they are in my original draft. I have no control over how they get represented on this site.
As far as your other questions - well, if I answer them Mac, I’d pretty much screw up the next chapter.
You mentioned the PeopleSoft quote - there’s a lot more hate spewed out by PeopleSoft on the link I provided. He talks about the “stranglehold” MS has on the industry and so forth.
Like I said, PeopleSoft made those comments the same week they praised Apple’s Safari and fell over themselves to say they were the first enterprise developer to support Safari. Hmm, put it together...about .Net being like creating your own asbestos...but loving Safari. Come on Mac, I see you smiling.
Anyways, got to run. Hope you have a great weekend Mac.
Cheers!
Posted on March 25, 2005
Ed Says:
In today’s QuickTime Newsletter http://www.apple.com/enews/2005/03/25enews3.html#7 they mention the AVC alliance. I haven’t heard about this before and thought I’d mention it.
Some interesting companies: Apple, IBM, Sony, TandbergTV, HP and many others.
Check out the full list of members here: http://www.avc-alliance.org/ (click “supporters"). Also of interest is the link “AVC@NAB2005” (especially for the number of companies that will be demonstrating AVC products).
Posted on March 26, 2005
Neo Says:
Good one Ed, and an number of those companies have been highlighted on Macsimum’s H.264 Report as well. NAB2005 should be a very interesting show indeed! Cheers/Neo
Posted on March 27, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
Neo
First time reader.
Whoa! I stumbled accross one of your articles: OS X Tiger Revving-up for QuickTime TV Live-Network; while googling for a way to convert to h264.
I read the entire article, including all the link references. Totally hooked-- to the point where I goggled for other articles.
I will write a brief comment on this article then I’m off to read the rest of the series.
What you say about the GUI of the iApps, suddenly, makes everything fall into place-- these apps belong to the Internet world (and any device that can run them) not just Macs and OS X (or the web).
Further extension of this GUI can be seen in Tiger in such things as Mail. And the Dashboard Widgets supplied by Apple are a (colorfull) subset of the iApps GUI-- analogous to a button (or an active graphic) on some user device such as a universal remote, iPod, etc..
Finally, Safari, by itself, has an iApps GUI. It is ironic that a web browser SDK is used to create widgets (and other apps) that provide browserless access to the Internet.
Keep ‘em coming!
Dick Applebaum
Posted on March 27, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
Neo
Condolences on the loss of your mother.
I give you this one thought to keep -
I am with you still -
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still -
in each new dawn.
- Native American Prayer -
Posted on March 28, 2005
Neo Says:
I’m always glad to hear from first time visitors to the series. Hope you enjoyed a few of the other chapters as well.
Thanks for your condolences and the time you took to include a prayer.
Cheers
Neo
Posted on March 28, 2005
Neo Says:
Thanks Mac, that was an interesting article although limited in scope. I still like the graphics of products that could surface - they’re great. Thanks for the link.
Posted on March 29, 2005
Ken Says:
I know I’m not the only one wondering how all of this fits into the “new” vision that has now become reality. If these articles were all based on Apple-IBM which is no more, then do we start all over again?
Posted on June 06, 2005
Dick Applebaum Says:
To Ken
I was very disappointed with the dropping of PPC. But this does not mean that Apple and IBM cannot work together on other levels, or, at the very least make products that take advantage or complement the other’s products & strengths.
It could be that as maker of Intel-based computers that Apple gains market share and becomes more attractive to IBM as potentail customer or more…
Posted on June 06, 2005
Ken Says:
There was one commentator I read recently that I think summed up what I thought about the whole thing.
With IBM’s path, there was hope and optimism. The thrill of something unknown opening up and becoming a product “any day now”. With Intel, we’ve seen where they’ve been and it’s always been as the “not really fantastic, but good enough” pile.
Since I’ve been having to re-asses what I think about Intel, I now see that the whole Wintel thing has been hurting Intel’s reputation as a leader. Intel’s big experiment Itanium (change the structure greatly for the good of the future of the platform, what I like to call “breaking things") never panned out ONLY because of a need to be tied to Windows in all things. If Windows didn’t support it with an OS, who’s going to support it with software---dead out of the gate (well, I guess open source could have done something with it :)
So, while I was REALLY hoping for a Cell connection down the road, Intel doesn’t seem so bad. AND, if they’re able to bring us great things WITHOUT heinous DRM (DRM like iTunes for example) then I’m all for it.
Posted on June 10, 2005
Wayne Sheih Says:
CIPPlanner Corporation is the leader in web-based enterprise class software for government agencies to manage their entire capital improvement and maintenance programs from planning to implementation.
Posted on November 10, 2005
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
Neo - On a Personal Note Says:
Originallly under “Think Grid” there was to be a graphic - that didn’t get into this article for some reason. However, if you go to the link within that portion to IBM’s site, it’s “figure 9” that was to be inserted in this article.
Posted on March 24, 2005