Apple Computer is preparing its developer forces for
yet another run through the jungle with its next Mac OS X build, code-named
Tiger.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based computer maker Tuesday said it will preview
version 10.4x during its annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) next
month, allowing the Mac faithful to begin the arduous process of fine tuning
native applications for use on the desktop and the server room.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is expected show enterprise developers, system administrators and IT managers what core technologies are expected to show up in Tiger.
While Apple is keeping tight-lipped about what features will be
included in Tiger, there are two certainties: this year’s
WWDC is very focused on building its base Enterprise IT and QuickTime
developers.
Apple is hosting special tracks in each area. The company is also
expected to show how Tiger fits into its core development platforms
such as application technologies, development tools, graphics and media,
hardware and its OS foundations (Darwin, Cocoa, Carbon).
Ron Okamoto, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations,
told internetnews.com that Tiger should be just as exciting as its
predecessor, Mac OS X Panther.
“I think the best thing to do is look at the progress of the releases,”
Okamoto said. “Panther had 150 advancements and we have had a lot of
momentum from rev to rev. We continue to take a look at the breakthrough
technologies and decide on a case by case basis on what is best to include
in the future.”
If Tiger debuts this year it would be the fifth major version of Mac OS X
to be delivered in as many years. Even Panther has reached its fourth minor
update. The company released version 10.3.3 as part of a 38.7 megabyte download
last Friday. By comparison, Microsoft is only now
scheduling a semi-major update to its XP platform this year.
But with its successful track record of 10,000 applications specifically
running on Panther, what could Apple do to top itself? Looking at the
deficiencies of Panther, there does seem to be lack of support for a
specific media center, although all of the new Macs have the base components
that potentially make it the center of Jobs’ “Digital Hub” vision. That
strikes analysts like Enderle Group founder Rob Enderle as “weird” especially given their huge media push.
“Where they have needed work is disk management and rumor is that they
will be
making some significant improvements here,” Enderle told
internetnews.com. “Also they have this new relationship with HP. HP
got the iPod. What will Apple get? I’m guessing something to do with
printing and imaging.”
Enderle pointed out that Apple has also been making a big deal about
64-bit processing support, but that they may need something that will better
showcase that.
Other areas of development suggested in user groups
include better compatibility with Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft
Exchange, and HP OpenView; better support for Internet Telephony or VoIP
wildly popular iPod player and iTunes platform.
As for future releases of Mac OS X, Apple still has a few options open
before jumping into a completely different direction. The company filed for
trademarks for the names Lynx, Cougar, and Leopard last July.
