Windows 8 Will Take on Mac OS X Lion

[Crispy]

With the next version of Mac OS X Apple is blurring the line between the platform for actual Mac computers and iPads, and Microsoft is looking to do the same with the next major iteration of Windows when it comes down to PCs and slates.

Apple has shared the first details on Mac OS X Lion, the successor of Snow Leopard, which will feature the power of Mac OS X and the magic of iPad, according to the company.

​

The main enhancements that Apple choose to highlight for Mac OS X Lion are related to the graphical user interface which borrowed elements from the iPad UI, and also applications, even an App Store: namely full-screen apps, Launchpad and the the Mac App Store.

Mac OS X Lion is planned for availability in the summer of the coming year.

“We took our best thinking from Mac OS X and brought it to the iPhone. Then we took our best thinking from the iPhone and brought it to iPad,” apple said.

“And now we’re bringing it all back to the Mac with our eighth major release of the world’s most advanced operating system. Mac OS X Lion arrives in summer 2011. Here’s a sneak peek at just a few of its features.”

Microsoft is currently building the successor of Windows 7, although it is less talkative about Windows 8, or the next versions of Windows (Windows vNext) as the company likes to refer to the forthcoming release.

Although Windows 8 is pegged for launch sometime in 2012, a detail that remains unconfirmed by Microsoft, it will be the Windows vNext to take on Mac OS X Lion.

Given the array of issues that plagues Mac OS X Snow Leopard, Windows 7 had no real competition from Apple.

But the Cupertino-based company is bound to have learned its lesson, and also to build a better meow for its upcoming cat.

The Redmond giant is working to up the ante, and deliver an OS that’s superior to Windows 7, which is not going to be an easy task by any measure.

In his recent visit to Europe, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer made it clear that Microsoft will tailor Windows 8 to slates.

Adapting Windows 8 to Tablet PCs will need to have a new Shell for the operating system, one that is designed for multi-touch, one key detail that’s missing from Windows 7.

In addition, leaked documentation supposedly from Microsoft, indicates that a Windows Store will accompany the next iteration of Windows to the market. (via MSFTKitchen)

Have a look at the images included below in order to get an idea of what the company wants to deliver with its Windows Store for Windows 8.

Source: Windows 8 Will Take on Mac OS X Lion - Softpedia

 

[Vertex]

I am interested about Windows 8 but lets admit to ourselves that most normal users won't have to worry about that. Most of us are still enjoying and even learning Windows 7 at this point.

And Apple's new cat is months away and Windows vNext is still 2 years away. Still a lot of things could happen before that time comes.

 

[Lee]

As a Mac user I really see nothing great thus far about OS X Lion. There will not be a great deal of change in the GUI or anything else for that matter. The Mac App Store for Lion just doesn't do a thing for me (no big deal).

But, I am looking forward to Windows 8 (or whatever it will be called). By the time it is released 7 will be three years with a possibility of four years old. Thus there may be some very significant changes in the GUI, and other major portions of the OS.

As far as the Mac OS there isn't really going to be a great deal of change until we see Mac XI.

 

[DarkDavil]

Mac OS Lion or whatever it's called is a joke. It just brings the features of iOS(the OS on iPhone/iPod Touch) "back to the Mac". But its horrible. Again, no offense to Apple, but it really doesn't introduce much more. It has like.. Face Time for Lion, and yea...

 

[Lee]

DarkDevil, please do not take this wrong, however, what do you base your opinion on?

 

[Jeigh]

He is basing his opinion on the information given out by Apple concerning the Lion OSX. Go to the Apple website to check it out, and then go to a Mac forum to hear what Mac users have to say. Ninety percent share his opinion. I am a Windows, and Snow leopard user. I would not have returned to windows without 7, and I will not upgrade to Lion. Though Lion will offer more features not yet revealed, these updates are pointless and are strictly for marketing purposes to pull in users of iphones and ipads (possibly yourself) These features actually complicated and add steps, for the sole purpose of bringing in a larger share of the commercial market. His "opinion" has a very solid foundation.

 

[Jeigh]

Wait Lee?

Why did you ask him that? He basically said the same thing as you, but with less words and eloquence?

 

[Skulblaka]

I really hope Microsoft does well with Windows 8. I think we all have high expectations with the "vNext" version of Windows.

 

[unifex]

Apple has shared the first details on Mac OS X Lion, the successor of Snow Leopard, which will feature the power of Mac OS X and the magic of iPad, according to the company.

Source: Windows 8 Will Take on Mac OS X Lion - Softpedia

As an iPad owner, I must say, there is nothing magical about it. The screen itself is great, that's true, but everything else is actually rather poor. For starters, one can't even use the thing without another computer, since when you unpack it for the first time it actually asks for iTunes and won't work until you connect and sync it.

 

[Catswold]

Read the related articles. I fail to see any advantage in the Lion touted feature of "full screen apps." Like, you can't already go full screen anytime you desire?

I think Jeigh is right, Apple does occasionally come out with a "new OS" which is merely a cosmetic recast of the old OS.

My understanding of Snow Leopard is the it was a minor improvement over Leopard.

Win 8 looks a bit more interesting and as Lee said, it will time for a new version by the time it goes to beta-hope they do the same release process they did for 7 so that we will get to run it before it goes RTM.

 

[Win7User512]

Apple has shared the first details on Mac OS X Lion, the successor of Snow Leopard, which will feature the power of Mac OS X and the magic of iPad, according to the company.

Source: Windows 8 Will Take on Mac OS X Lion - Softpedia

As an iPad owner, I must say, there is nothing magical about it. The screen itself is great, that's true, but everything else is actually rather poor. For starters, one can't even use the thing without another computer, since when you unpack it for the first time it actually asks for iTunes and won't work until you connect and sync it.

Wow, I didn't know that. No one who raves about it mentions it. I guess it most don't even think about it since they prob have a computer. But still.

 

[Stratos]

Lion's primary goal of "merging" the iPad with OSX SL like it was said earlier is all about bringing multi-touch to their desktop OS. Personally I don't relish the idea of touching my computer screen with my fingers. However in some cases it may prove useful... think along the lines of CSI, Eraser, Iron Man, etc., so while I do believe there are some benefits to it, I feel the actual value is small for the consumer end user. It's likely to be more of a value to the pro-sumers and professionals.

Windows 7 is a huge improvement and by far the best release yet however there are some issues I still worry about. For example how many of you have seen web ads show up with "Your Computer May Be At Risk, 15% of your hard drive might be infected..." with some bogus app pretending to be scanning your machine. Users may be prompted with "Click here to perform scan" and BOOM, a rogue Anti-Malware/Anti-Virus software installs itself and now the user can't log into your machine or some other annoying problems despite having an active antivirus app installed.

Why does Windows 7 allow users to install stuff like this is beyond me. On OSX even if the app was installed by the user, the app can't run unless a valid execution bit is sent via 600 and 644 permissions. That's a good example of an OS that's taking care of you even when you make poor choices. That's one thing I'd like to see happen in Windows 8. Granted I nor many of you will likely do this, your mom, your dad, uncle, grandma might. The OS needs to be a little more intelligent for the users that aren't as experienced. To me the evolution of Windows has to involve some anticipation of poor choices users may make (intentionally or tricked into) that might compromise the system, on top of all the new upcoming features of the OS.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Apple has shared the first details on Mac OS X Lion, the successor of Snow Leopard, which will feature the power of Mac OS X and the magic of iPad, according to the company.

Source: Windows 8 Will Take on Mac OS X Lion - Softpedia

As an iPad owner, I must say, there is nothing magical about it. The screen itself is great, that's true, but everything else is actually rather poor. For starters, one can't even use the thing without another computer, since when you unpack it for the first time it actually asks for iTunes and won't work until you connect and sync it.

This is where cloud computing comes in. Sync to the cloud. Won't need iTunes. All OS's are going this way. And of course, all for a FEE!

 

[Stratos]

If I know Apple, they'll find a way to make you pay.

 

[Bearcatrp]

This is why apple built that mega computer complex in north Carolina. Google and Microsoft has done the same thing. It's going to suck big time!

 

[DMGrier]

Before I went on deployment 6 months ago I was reading a interview with Steve Jobs he said that he believes in the future that he see's computer's going away and being replaced by devices such as the ipad. I do not believe this but what I do believe is that by this release is to help it's users get use to that direction. I think it will flop.

Apple has had extreme growth since 2006 and they are starting to run into problems like what MS used to i.e. Vista.

 

[Stratos]

Apple's greatest success was with their changes with their marketing approach, compared to Microsoft, Apple's been able to accomplish things many other companies failed. Apple would like you to believe that the iPad is revolutionary when HP already came out with a tablet that's actually more feature rich years prior but failed to make it a success. This obviously suggests that even if you produce some of the best and advanced stuff on Earth, its potential to become a retail success is highly dependent on how effective that company's marketing is with promoting the product.

I agree DMGrier, the way how Jobs said it focuses on his companies product, from my perspective the iPad is just "another tablet product". iPad, notebooks, netbooks, desktops, smartphones... I see them like I see tools in my tool box. Some tools are better suited for certain situations than others for the same reason why a socket + ratchet would prove better than using an open-ended wrench in some cases.

When I look at the iPad, I can see certain advantages but I also see (and experience) certain disadvantages with using it (or any tablet product). For example as an engineer myself, there are times where using a tablet instead of a notebook at certain work sites have been easier than using my netbook, like during construction working alongside architects. If all you need is a portable device to display files you have stored, it's hard to beat a tablet in the field.

However at the same time I work alongside many other folk who are on tablets (mostly iPad) during meetings, briefings, classrooms. When there's a decent amount of information to jot down, I'm always out of the room first with my CULV Thinkpad than any iPad user. The Thinkpad's excellent keyboard allows me to input data much faster, easier and more effectively when paired with my wireless mouse than someone on the iOS's multitouch virtual interface.

I believe tablets like the iPad will make a greater presence in our daily lives, but it still doesn't change the fact that it's merely another tool we can use rather than the ultimate tool that will replace all.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
W7 is fine for me -- I can't imagine that W8 would be any significant improvement over W7 other than it might run on more devices and platforms such as tablets etc.


I don't like Zillions of little APP buttons on phones, computer desktops or anywhere else. I like a nice clean uncutterred workspace -- and Apps for Smart Phones just BORE me to death.

Apps for Windows will do likewise.

I'm an old timer who still thinks a Telephone is a Telephone -- I don't use it for much else although integrated music player is OK.

The only possible app that I would consider as even remotely useful on a phone is a GPS system but as the typical screens are far too small for me anyway --even on the latest iPhone and I HATE touch screens anyway I'll just ignore this whole APP thingy.

I will of course be interested in W8 but its hard to see what significant USER experience will be delivered. W7 has so far exceeded my expectations and I think most users are satisfied with it.

Cheers

jimbo

 

[Stratos]

Hi there
W7 is fine for me -- I can't imagine that W8 would be any significant improvement over W7 other than it might run on more devices and platforms such as tablets etc.


I don't like Zillions of little APP buttons on phones, computer desktops or anywhere else. I like a nice clean uncutterred workspace -- and Apps for Smart Phones just BORE me to death.

Apps for Windows will do likewise.

I'm an old timer who still thinks a Telephone is a Telephone -- I don't use it for much else although integrated music player is OK.

The only possible app that I would consider as even remotely useful on a phone is a GPS system but as the typical screens are far too small for me anyway --even on the latest iPhone and I HATE touch screens anyway I'll just ignore this whole APP thingy.

I will of course be interested in W8 but its hard to see what significant USER experience will be delivered. W7 has so far exceeded my expectations and I think most users are satisfied with it.

Cheers

jimbo

Amen Jimbo, I'm the same way in terms of keeping things simple, my personal phone has no internet, no camera, only need it to receive texts, store phone numbers and voice calls.

All new generations of operating systems must improve, however in my mind I feel that it doesn't necessarily have to deal with "features" than it does "benefits". To me I'd be fine if half of Windows 7 features were omitted to create a much lighter OS at the same time making it more intelligent so that users don't have to.

I've always been impressed with the Bose Corporation's philosophy of the experience of music and I've always agreed with it. I like how they understand that sometimes people simply want to sit down and enjoy music. A user can turn the unit on, choose what to listen to and adjust the volume. You don't have to be an audiophile, audio technician or an audio-equipment enthusiast to enjoy music through their systems, I believe computers are like that in many ways for the end user. Some people simply just want to use the computer, whether it to keep in touch with people, watch movies, do some work, research something or shop, they have no desire (and IMO) no need to learn what H.264 is, what HTML5 is, what USB 3.x is, what a Registry or Group Policy is, etc.

 

[Mercurial]

This is the biggest cat in the family , I wonder whats the next cat LOL!


Mac OSX Panther