Is closer integration between the Mac OS X and iPhone OS in the future?
TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Is closer integration between the Mac OS X and iPhone OS in the future?

Will the day come when we'll see closer integration between the iPhone OS and Mac OS X? Some folks think so.

But let's back up. The iPhone OS is actually a derivative of Mac OS X. They share the Darwin foundation. Darwin is an open source POSIX-compliant computer OS released by Apple in 2000. It's comprised of code developed by Apple, as well as code derived from NeXTSTEP, BSD, and other free software projects.

In other words as John Gruber wrote three years ago at "Daring Fireball" (http://daringfireball.net/2007/01/os_x) the iPhone’s version of OS X contains everything from Mac OS X that’s applicable to a mobile phone, plus new bits specific to the phone. It’s a “full” version of OS X not because it contains everything from Mac OS X, but because it contains everything you’d actually want from Mac OS X, he noted.

I would think it's even possible that a device could run Mac OS X proper AND the iPhone OS. After all, Intel-based Macs already run iPhone OS for iPhone app developers.

So what's in line for the operating systems down the road? Well, in a recent job posting, Apple advertised for a full-time engineering manager to work on the iPhone OS platform. Apple is looking for an engineer to focus on the iPhone OS’s underlying architecture who will work with teams focusing on hardware, software and custom silicon. The ad says the employee will will work on “a range of hardware platforms, including iPhone and iPod”. That suggests that Apple is looking to bring the iPhone OS to more devices. Those could include other mobile devices and probably the Apple TV.

As noted by "Infoworld" (http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobilize/apples-possible-plans-bringing-iphon...), if the Apple TV moved to the iPhone OS, "it could be sold for free with a small cable TV-like subsidy and be no bigger than an Apple Airport Express" and "hen, it could be attached to the back of HDTVs like a power supply." With the iPhone OS, it would instantly have access to 100,000-plus apps (though, as "Infoworld" notes, these might not easily translate to the TV platform) and the interface would be familiar to the millions of iPhone/iPod and iPad owners.

"InfoWorld" also thinks that the iPhone OS might pop up on a MacBook Air. "With Apple processors and iPhone OS, that price could be brought significantly down," says "Infoworld." "Most people use the MacBook Air for light Office applications, email, Web browsing and maybe a little Photoshop here and there. With iPad's iWork office productivity apps, online editors getting better, and new apps on the horizon to fill in these shoes (and for the love of everything decent and holy, 3G), it wouldn't be hard to see the MacBook Air going iPhone OS in two years either."

It makes sense to me to see the Apple TV using the iPhone OS. But I'm dubious about the MacBook Air. In fact, if the iPad is as big a hit as I expect it to be, I think the days of the MB Air are numbered.

Also, some analysts -- as noted by "Business Week" (http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2010/tc20100225_313033...) -- think Apple may put the iPhone OS onto web-connected TVs and devices that help viewers watch 3D programming. Apple could also license the iPhone OS to outside cell-phone manufacturers, the article says.

I'd bet a large sum of money that the latter won't happen. Apple doesn't license Mac OS X, so why should it license iPhone OS? No, that ain't gonna happen. Also, as I've said before, I can't see Apple entering the TV set business. Though I can see the company building TV features into the iMac, as Sony has done with some of its Vaio desktops.

Now the big question: will future Macs run iPhone OS? Nope, not the mobile operating system. However, I expect to see Macs with more iPhone-like features as elements of Mac OS X and iPhone OS are merged.

Nick Bilton, writing for "The New York Times" (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/why-cant-pcs-work-more-like-iph...) thinks that Apple could use the iPhone interface as the basis for a new round of Apple computers. However, that's not as easy as you might think.

A former senior Apple engineer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of confidentiality agreements signed while an employee, told Bilton that adding full multitouch to OS X would require a hefty redesign of many components in the code.

“It’s one thing to add multitouch to a few applications, implementing the ability to pinch and zoom from the trackpad on the laptop with the Preview application,” the engineer said. “But it’s a whole different story if you want to implement these technologies on the desktop, or globally on OS X.”

An easier approach, the Apple engineer indicated, would be to add the iPhone OS as a layer on top of Mac OS X, similar to Apple’s Front Row experience. And that is what I think we'll see.

Another former Apple programmer Bilton consulted said theMac OS X is a “kludged mess of code from past operating systems.” The programmer added that if Apple could start over with the desktop OS, it “would take into consideration that Google’s Android OS is going to look and work almost exactly the same on computers and mobile phones, and it won’t have a desktop feel.”

If Apple were to adopt an iPhone-like OS for its computers, developers would have to build applications for only one platform, the programmer said told Bilton. "It’s like Apple has the opportunity for a do-over."

I don't think we'll see a complete "do-over" (as Mac OS X seems to be doing pretty well, and Macs sales are up). But, as Bilton says, we may see a makeover.

And we may see it sooner than most folks think.

-- Dennis Sellers

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Six fantastic ways to spend National Vid...
As if anyone needed an excuse to play games today, I am about to give you one: it is National Video Games Day. A day for us to play games, like we no doubt do every day. Let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth. Instead, feast your eyes on this... | Read more »
Old School RuneScape players turn out in...
The sheer leap in technological advancements in our lifetime has been mind-blowing. We went from Commodore 64s to VR glasses in what feels like a heartbeat, but more importantly, the internet. It can be a dark mess, but it also brought hundreds of... | Read more »
Today's Best Mobile Game Discounts...
Every day, we pick out a curated list of the best mobile discounts on the App Store and post them here. This list won't be comprehensive, but it every game on it is recommended. Feel free to check out the coverage we did on them in the links below... | Read more »
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's...
Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that Nintendo has been locked in an epic battle with Pocketpair, creator of the obvious Pokémon rip-off Palworld. Nintendo often resorts to legal retaliation at the drop of a hat, but it seems this... | Read more »
Apple exclusive mobile games don’t make...
If you are a gamer on phones, no doubt you have been as distressed as I am on one huge sticking point: exclusivity. For years, Xbox and PlayStation have done battle, and before this was the Sega Genesis and the Nintendo NES. On console, it makes... | Read more »
Regionally exclusive events make no sens...
Last week, over on our sister site AppSpy, I babbled excitedly about the Pokémon GO Safari Days event. You can get nine Eevees with an explorer hat per day. Or, can you? Specifically, you, reader. Do you have the time or funds to possibly fly for... | Read more »
As Jon Bellamy defends his choice to can...
Back in March, Jagex announced the appointment of a new CEO, Jon Bellamy. Mr Bellamy then decided to almost immediately paint a huge target on his back by cancelling the Runescapes Pride event. This led to widespread condemnation about his perceived... | Read more »
Marvel Contest of Champions adds two mor...
When I saw the latest two Marvel Contest of Champions characters, I scoffed. Mr Knight and Silver Samurai, thought I, they are running out of good choices. Then I realised no, I was being far too cynical. This is one of the things that games do best... | Read more »
Grass is green, and water is wet: Pokémo...
It must be a day that ends in Y, because Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has kicked off its Zoroark Drop Event. Here you can get a promo version of another card, and look forward to the next Wonder Pick Event and the next Mass Outbreak that will be... | Read more »
Enter the Gungeon review
It took me a minute to get around to reviewing this game for a couple of very good reasons. The first is that Enter the Gungeon's style of roguelike bullet-hell action is teetering on the edge of being straight-up malicious, which made getting... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Take $150 off every Apple 11-inch M3 iPad Air
Amazon is offering a $150 discount on 11-inch M3 WiFi iPad Airs right now. Shipping is free: – 11″ 128GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $449, $150 off – 11″ 256GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $549, $150 off – 11″ 512GB M3... Read more
Apple iPad minis back on sale for $100 off MS...
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple’s newest 2024 WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for new minis among the Apple retailers we... Read more
Apple’s 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros are on sa...
Amazon has 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale for up to $410 off Apple’s MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party... Read more
Red Pocket Mobile is offering a $150 rebate o...
Red Pocket Mobile has new Apple iPhone 17’s on sale for $150 off MSRP when you switch and open up a new line of service. Red Pocket Mobile is a nationwide MVNO using all the major wireless carrier... Read more
Switch to Verizon, and get any iPhone 16 for...
With yesterday’s introduction of the new iPhone 17 models, Verizon responded by running “on us” promos across much of the iPhone 16 lineup: iPhone 16 and 16 Plus show as $0/mo for 36 months with bill... Read more
Here is a summary of the new features in Appl...
Apple’s September 2025 event introduced major updates across its most popular product lines, focusing on health, performance, and design breakthroughs. The AirPods Pro 3 now feature best-in-class... Read more
Apple’s Smartphone Lineup Could Use A Touch o...
COMMENTARY – Whatever happened to the old adage, “less is more”? Apple’s smartphone lineup. — which is due for its annual refresh either this month or next (possibly at an Apple Event on September 9... Read more
Take $50 off every 11th-generation A16 WiFi i...
Amazon has Apple’s 11th-generation A16 WiFi iPads in stock on sale for $50 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free: – 11″ 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP – 11″ 11th-generation 256GB... Read more
Sunday Sale: 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros for up t...
Don’t pay full price! Amazon has Apple’s 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale for up to $220 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather... Read more
Mac mini with M4 Pro CPU back on sale for $12...
B&H Photo has Apple’s Mac mini with the M4 Pro CPU back on sale for $1259, $140 off MSRP. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – Mac mini M4 Pro CPU (24GB/512GB): $1259, $... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.