Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, OS, Rumors, Software, Apple
Rumor: Snow Leopard let out of the cage early
Personally, I'm fine with waiting until September (just a month from now) to see Apple's new Snow Leopard update -- I'm having a pretty busy August already, so I'll gladly wait on that bit of excitement. But that won't stop the rumormongers from wanting to see it sooner: apparently quite a few folks are suggesting that since Snow Leopard has gone gold, the release date might get pushed right up into the current month of August. August 24th is in the mix right now, while Daring Fireball John Gruber (who often knows about these things) says August 28th.Here's my question though: why? Apple's sitting as pretty as you can sit in this economy, and Snow Leopard is already a huge hit even before it leaves the gate (it's coming before Windows 7, it's easier to figure out, and it's certainly a whole lot cheaper). So why would Apple do something so character-breaking as to start showing off by releasing software early? If there were bugs or problems with it, and they released it early, wouldn't that come back around to hurt them even worse?
If you ask me, Apple isn't going to push it -- they said September, their schedule probably allows for September, and they won't have any issues with waiting until September. They may release it early, but you'll have to color me surprised: we'll probably see it in September.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Larry said 2:11PM on 8-13-2009
Knowing the Internets, most likely Snow Leopard will start showing up on new machines coming off the assembly line near the end of August, discs may even enter the retail channels, and this promptly got conflated into, "OMG! SNOW LEOPARD WILL RELEASE EARLY!"
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Andre said 2:11PM on 8-13-2009
They might want to beat Microsoft to the punch with their Windows 7.
They could have 10.6.1 out just as MS is distributing Windows 7 :)
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Jash Sayani said 2:21PM on 8-13-2009
Waiting for SnowLeopard release! Looking forward to those improvements.
As of Windows 7, I will use the RC till it expires :)
Ben said 2:12PM on 8-13-2009
Well they might want to get it out ahead of the September "announcements" if said announcements contain a tablet. That way they get 2 rounds of publicity-one for Snow Leopard, and one for the new iPods/Tablet.
Whereas if they release SL around September 15th, after the tablet, there is a good chance that it will go unnoticed by the mainstream press-who will undoubtably go crazy over the tablet (Whether it's worth it, or not).
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mabhatter said 9:18PM on 8-13-2009
If it's ready and they have something cool coming in early September why not get Snow Leopard in the stores too... $29 is a side trip, or on the other hand a chance to drool over new iGoodies!
JaceFace said 2:30PM on 8-13-2009
it seems to me that the question would be, "why wait?"
if the discs are pressed, then waiting just because you said it would take longer than it did seems like a dumb idea to me.
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Artífice said 2:32PM on 8-13-2009
IIRC, Leopard came 2 weeks after GM was pushed, I think it will come early september.
Can't wait.. :D
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Tom Boucher said 2:44PM on 8-13-2009
Maybe so they can have it shipping on their back to school systems available in September? or have something to get everyone excited about whatever music products they launch in September so while people are looking at those they have snow leopard to talk about as well?
I'm in no hurry, Leopard has been wonderful i'll take it at that great price. Be interesting to see how the 'pc vs mac' commercials capitalize on that.
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Paul is A Chapel said 3:37PM on 8-13-2009
So true. I'm guessing that they'll have a whole new brigade of ads for Snow Leopard and the new iPods—assuming they release both at the same time.
(just found out that "—" is Option + Shift + "-")
Quinn Taylor said 2:57PM on 8-13-2009
Apple's MO has long been "underpromise, overdeliver". I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see it earlier than previously announced. I think Apple has everything to gain and nothing to lose from releasing it early. Remember that Leopard got delayed 6 months due to iPhone. (Not near as bad as Vista, but even so...) Public opinion of Apple and OS X will very likely increase, and that's especially important "in this economy".
The critical flaw in the author's argument is ignoring the fact that Snow Leopard is already GM. Any bugs that are still there will be there whether they release 10.6.0 in 2 days or 2 months. Besides, any known bugs that remain will be dealt with in 10.6.1 and beyond as necessary. Apple wouldn't ship Snow Leopard until it was deemed ready to ship. In addition, the fundamental "refine and polish" aspect of the 10.6 release suggests that it will be a very solid release from the get-go.
Either way, I can't wait for consumers to get 10.6 — customer base will help spur developers to use the new APIs, and apps that perform better on 10.6 will in turn drive adoption.
"Leopard is dead. Long live Snow Leopard!" (Nobody's still on Tiger, right?)
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Paul is A Chapel said 3:47PM on 8-13-2009
"Nobody's still on Tiger, right?"
SHHHHH!!! You might offend the guys over at LowEndMac!!!
I don't have anything against them, BTW.
Michael Novotny said 3:06PM on 8-13-2009
We just had this conversation at the office this morning... Like an earlier commenter said, it could be that Snow Leopard would be moved up because of the impending Tablet release in September.
Who knows... Maybe the Snow Leopard contains references to the tablet device? Maybe the Tablet uses some functionality in Snow Leopard to do some sick, new things and Apple needed to get Snow Leopard out the door before the now rumored early September "special event"?
Lots of questions soon to be answered!
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timejumperone said 3:11PM on 8-13-2009
Doesn't Apple's fiscal year end in September? If so, wouldn't having all those Amazon.com pre-orders filled be better for Apple's bottom line?
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Paul is A Chapel said 3:57PM on 8-13-2009
Yeah, their fiscal year ends in late September. Sales are sales—no matter what time of the year it is.
jaejbear said 3:26PM on 8-13-2009
I would love to see Snow Leopard released early, because then I would have time to obtain, install, and play with it before getting deep into school.
In September, I wouldn't have as much time to appreciate Snow Leopard; my focus will shift to keeping my computer running, period. I don't want to experience "the stuck screen of doom" a day before a massive essay project is due ever again. Installing a new operating system always presents some risk.
I'd rather work out the kinks by September and already be begging Apple for bug fixes rather than waiting to get the OS version in September.
(Also -- whenever I see "SL" I think "Second Life"!)
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Wheels said 3:31PM on 8-13-2009
I don't care. Basking in the glow of my new 2009 mini. I'll take the Big Cat whenever it comes.
*Doing the Cabbage Patch dance*!
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Charles said 3:39PM on 8-13-2009
Just paid for two up-to-date copies. Even cheaper! ($9.95)
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Paolo said 4:18PM on 8-13-2009
They can get it out when they want, as long as it is bug free and lets our Intel Macs scream with speed and power!
Better later and better, than sooner and Windows like....
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RobbyJ said 4:17PM on 8-13-2009
I hope they do an early release it too. I've heard rumours that Windows 7 may be release early so this might be Apple's counter attack? Or maybe Apple is worried that the final version of Snow Leopard will sit too long on the torrent sites before official release thereby tempting people to just pirate instead of buy.
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Quinn Taylor said 5:24PM on 8-13-2009
IMHO, people who are tempted to pirate instead of buy are unlikely to be swayed by not having to wait a few weeks. Regardless, it's pretty far-fetched to suggest that Apple would even consider changing the ship date to prevent piracy. OS X doesn't use registration codes, yet Mac users by and large do the right thing and purchase their own copy, rather than "borrowing" from a friend. There will always be people who pirate and torrent software, but they don't have as much influence (particularly in the Mac community) as you suggest.