Mac OS X 10.6 to show at Apple developer event, drop PowerPC

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While everyone focuses on the iPhone next update, a new rumor posits that Apple will already have a new version of Mac OS X available for testing in early form at WWDC, with its actual launch appearing as early as next year's Macworld event.

Information purportedly handed to TUAW would have Apple seeding a rough version of Mac OS X 10.6 to developers attending the conference, with a release to manufacturing in December and a January shipping timeframe.

Similar to Mac OS X 10.1, however, the release would more closely resemble a maintenance release than a complete overhaul. The primary change would be a complete transition to an Intel-only, 64-bit platform that drops PowerPC support, pushing developers to code only for the x86 architecture at the heart of all Macs released from 2006 onwards.

AppleInsider first received word that the Mac maker would shed PowerPC support as early as September, just a month before the release of Leopard.

Expectedly, Apple has refrained from discussing any of its post-Leopard plans to date. The company has nonetheless dropped early signs that it may be preparing for the new release, with reports of a small 10.6 reference surfacing in the latest build of the iPhone's software development kit.

Apple has also alluded to next week's WWDC as a landmark event in "more ways than one," with bridge imagery suggesting two bridges to cross at the San Francisco gathering.

💬 122 Comments

solipsism

said about 14 years ago

I am not buying it. Security and stability should be addressed with each point update. Plus, i don't see how Apple can market spending $129 for a new OS that only adds security and stability but rules out all 32-bit and PPC versions of the OS.

If 10.6 is introduced next week I would expect that bells and whistles to be shown to entice the audience. I don't see how Apple?who best attribute is arguably their marketing?would try to sell a new OS that had no new features to lure us.

joe_the_dragon

said about 14 years ago

It's too soon to drop ppc and way too soon to drop 32bit x86 macs.

Maybe keep ppc g5 64 bit systems.

also 10.5 came out on October 26, 2007 and now apple wants to put out 10.6 in late 2008 / start of 2009?

makeing it last only about 1 year will apple lower the cost of going from 10.5 to 10.6?

hillstones

said about 14 years ago

It was expected that Mac OS X 10.6 would drop PowerPC support. No surprise there. Kind of sad though, my iMac G5 will only support two operating systems, 10.4 and 10.5, compared to my PowerBook G4 that supports OS 9 through 10.5. Was hoping the iMac G5 would have supported more versions of OS X. But with the shift to Intel, better they concentrate their efforts on OS X for Intel. Not much different during the shift from 680x0 to PowerPC. 680x0 support was eventually dropped with Mac OS 8.5. So my Centris 650 only supported System 7.1 through Mac OS 8.1.

foo2

said about 14 years ago

Hopefully we'll see 64-bit apps like Safari standard from Apple before 10.6 comes out. Those of us with 64-bit Intel systems are losing out on significant performance because most/all Apple apps and even the bundled Darwin command line utilities are still 32-bit. (In contrast to 32-bit Intel X86 platforms, moving from 32-bit to 64-bit for PPC isn't so important because 64-bit PPC code is typically slower).

mimic

said about 14 years ago

consolidation is what matters here. I'm not happy my G5 won't be moving forward, but i'm due for a new Mac anyway. Keep efforts with emerging technologies instead of dividing the talent.

Also, i'd suspect that Apple will include some touch features and possibly voice as the platform is now ready and has the power, which could be why non-Intel machines won't be included.

This will get to the punch before M$ also. Apple has been doing touch in a big way, in the real world so they should be ready. Manufacturers will be ready as they are already developing for the iPhone/Touch. This would make sense announcing this along side of iPhone 2.0. It would be cool not to have to reach for the mouse each time, but think of the finger prints

I do hope voice is included as this would enable us to work out of reach of our systems, but i imagine that touch in more important to the creative side, so that will be first and foremost.