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Rumor: Snow Leopard let out of the cage early

by Mike Schramm Aug 13th 2009 at 2:00PM

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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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...
 

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ericafelid

Support Snow Leopard conservation
http://snowleopard.org/

September 01 2009 at 5:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
WT

FYI, the original post misstates John Gruber's claim, which was that the software "could" be available by 8/28, not that it "would" be seen on 8/28.

August 14 2009 at 5:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ken Cohen

Apple will take their time and wait to mid-September. Why? First, it gives their people time to work on all the little bugs that are in the 10.6.0 code so that 10.6.1 can be released shortly after the first release. Second, they have to train their Applecare people on it.

August 14 2009 at 1:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Karandeep

It wont be released until after September 8th when the free ipod touch sale is done!

August 14 2009 at 11:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Quinn Taylor

Some people seem to never understand software development. Software is never perfect — it always improves over time, and very seldom is it the case that "they could have done it right the first time". Improvements require work, and work doesn't (and shouldn't) come free.

People who view Snow Leopard as a $29 band-aid on Leopard have not been paying close attention to the changes (both improvements AND advancements) it contains. Part of that may be Apple's fault for playing it up as having 0 new features, but they have actually been promoting a lot of the new functionality. When it comes down to it, I think users will be pleasantly surprised at the performance and polish. Anyone is welcome to feel gypped that Leopard wasn't as good as Snow Leopard, but they're fooling themselves, and forgetting that on some platforms, you can't buy this degree of polish and attention to detail at any price...

August 13 2009 at 5:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bernard Ramsey

While I hope that Snow Leopard is released early, it's not going to happen. Apple would piss off too many developers bumping up the release date without notice IMO.

August 13 2009 at 4:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Bernard Ramsey's comment
Ben

Since when does Apple care about developers feelings?

August 13 2009 at 4:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
george

but if it already went gold, its done. they wont do anymore bug testing as it stands now. they are probably pressing copies as we speak and storing them so if they could release it early it wouldnt be a bad thing.

August 13 2009 at 4:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Robby J

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.

August 13 2009 at 4:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Robby J's comment
Quinn Taylor

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.

August 13 2009 at 5:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paolo

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....

August 13 2009 at 3:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Charles

Just paid for two up-to-date copies. Even cheaper! ($9.95)

August 13 2009 at 3:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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