Cupertino (CA) – Apple made a surprising announcement today, saying that the company will sacrifice an on-time launch of its next-generation operating system code-named Leopard in order to be able to ship its iPhone as planned.

 

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Apple's iPhone in pictures ...

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“iPhone has already passed several of its required certification tests and is on schedule to ship in late June as planned. (…) However, iPhone contains the most sophisticated software ever shipped on a mobile device, and finishing it on time has not come without a price,” Apple wrote in a statement released to the press this afternoon.

That price was to “borrow some key software engineering and QA resources from [the] Mac OS X team,” which apparently were extensive enough to force Apple to delay the launch of the operating system. The company said that it will not introduce the software at the Worldwide Developers Conference in early June; while Apple expects all features of Leopard to be completed by June, the firm does not expect to be able to deliver a “quality release” at that time. A new shipment date has now been set for October of this year.

Apple promises developers to have a “near final” version of the software available in June and mentioned that it will hand out a beta copy.     

Apple ended the announcement by saying “life often presents tradeoffs, and in this case we're sure we've made the right ones.” While we do not know the exact circumstances that led Apple to this decision, it is quite clear that the company was hit with a workload that it did not expect when it developed the iPhone. For customers who are waiting for Leopard, the delay may be painful, but many users probably prefer to get a quality product a few months later rather than a beta that is sold as a final a few months earlier.

What we learned today is that the iPhone already has become a more important product for Apple than its operating system – and the priorities are clear: A delay of Leopard is less painful than a delay of the iPhone. “We can't wait until customers get their hands (and fingers) on it and experience what a revolutionary and magical product it is,” Apple said about its iPhone today. According to the company, the iPhone is on track to ship late in June of this year.

Something stinks

Apr 12, 2007 16:31     

Remember the "rumors" that Leopard would be delayed until October due to Vista and Bootcamp?
wrekd report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Interesting

Apr 12, 2007 16:57     

This is big for M$, Leopard was to hit right when vista was at its weakest. By the time October comes around Vista will be fully established and all new software should be compatible with it.
Sam report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: Interesting

Apr 12, 2007 22:01     

I highly doubt Vista's status will change in a few months. Many people and corporations still prefer XP over Vista due to it's plethora of issues. The point is though, the Mac OS isn't aimed at CONVERTING users, those users frustrated with Vista will still use Vista. The Mac OS is aimed at Mac users, so there won't be a big problem if it's delayed. The iPhone on the other hand, is an entry point to a whole new market for Apple and THAT can't be delayed any longer.

FeelLicks report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I'm glad...

Apr 13, 2007 02:32     

that I can buy iPhone on time.
V. report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Interesting to see how Apple is less interested in ...

Apr 13, 2007 07:23     

Interesting to see how Apple is less interested in computers than electronic devices...
Tommy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Apple aims turning all electronics into computers

Apr 13, 2007 09:32     

Seems apple is going to take up the whole electronic gadgets market and turning everything into "intelligent devices". Hope it will spark more innovation instead of making Apple down turning again.
PoorGuy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

If Apple had the name, you would pay royalties ever...

Apr 13, 2007 20:53     

If Apple had the name, you would pay royalties every time you wanted to eat the fruit. Never trust a company that throws crap in the face of the competitor that bailed them out of trouble. Shows you the real personality and priorities. The iPhone will be bought by the same iDiots that already have the iPod. If I was to make a prediction, they will sell in quantities similar to the iPod. Thats one thing they have going for them and they know it.

OK report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

*sigh*

Apr 14, 2007 14:41     

Apple is, and always has been, a hardware company. Their software is leverage for selling the hardware -- period. So, when a hardware company has to decide between software or releasing a piece of hardware that they're expecting to sell like wild fire... I think the choice is obvious.
h0g report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Poor planning

Apr 14, 2007 21:15     

It was bound to happen. Too many balls in the air for Apple. Apple has always touted how good they are about releasing their operating system on time compared to Windows. But here they go doing the same thing as MS. Apple has been planning the iPhone for years. Plenty of time to adjust the schedules for development and possibly hire more talent to get it done. This also makes the computer side of the business feel second class. Can they depend on Apple to deliver in the future. This is a black eye for Apple. My hope is that they do everything possible to avoid a repeat of this "Rob Peter to pay Paul" strategy.

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