Since the first versions of the Mac OS, Apple has set the standard for the GUI appearance and functionality (most of which were “borrowed” by that other company), and each successive update raises the bar. And now that iPhone has finally been released in the US, Mac fans will be eagerly awaiting the release of Leopard.

I started using a Mac just as System 7 was introduced; at that time, it had many enhancements from the previous system, including virtual memory support, the introduction of aliases and, thankfully, the “Empty Trash” command, which was a change from having the trash empty itself upon shutdown. Subsequent OS updates included an interface and GUI appearance changes, implementation of multi-user support and improved search with Sherlock. Some features introduced with OS 9 were adapted for OS X, like Software Update, Keychain and file encryption.

OS X was a radical change in the user interface, and I think it took a while for people (incluing me) to warm up to it. First, it required that you essentially re-learn how to use your computer: there were all new files (or at least newly visible files) that were in all-new places, a different menu structure and many other interface changes. Then, the developers had to update all their software to be compatible with the new system, which meant you had to make a new investment in, essentially, new software.
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According to D5, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have not appeared together in a joint interview since 1984. And despite the prevailing view that the two companies have always been at odds with each other, the interview revealed that the two computer titans had praise for each other’s companies:

Steve Jobs: “Bill built the first software company in the industry and I think he built the first software company before anybody really in our industry knew what a software company was, except for these guys. And that was huge. That was really huge. And the business model that they ended up pursuing turned out to be the one that worked really well, you know, for the industry. I think the biggest thing was, Bill was really focused on software before almost anybody else had a clue that it was really the software.”

Bill Gates: “What Steve’s done is quite phenomenal, and if you look back to 1977, that Apple II computer, the idea that it would be a mass-market machine, you know, the bet that was made there by Apple uniquely–there were other people with products, but the idea that this could be an incredible empowering phenomenon, Apple pursued that dream.” Read the rest of this entry »

I have mixed feelings about Apple’s new focus on consumer products. While they still make the coolest-looking stuff around, their core business is (or was?) computers. With the announcement several weeks ago of the delay in shipping Leopard, there has been speculation that Apple will concentrate on producing and marketing more consumer goods, like iPhone and, presumably, future generations of iPods, more additions to the ITMS and more integration with your TV.

In spite of a rumor that caused Apple’s stock to plunge, the FCC’s approval of iPhone may bring it to the shelves by June.