AppleInsider StaffAs first discovered by MacRumors, a new database entry for the open source "launchd" framework responsible for booting Mac OS X references "11A47" with a new error message. Based on Apple's numbering scheme, the numerical prefix of a Mac OS X build determines the version number, and 11A47 would suggest a reference to the next version of the operating system, Mac OS X 10.7.
When it shipped, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard carried the build number 10A432, and subsequent updates 10.6.1 and 10.6.2 had the prefixes 10B and 10C, respectively. For Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, 10.5.0 builds leading up to launch were represented by the prefix 9A.
While the information suggests Apple has begun work on Mac OS X 10.7, as expected, it offers no hints or details as to what the next version of the operating system might offer.
Apple released Snow Leopard in August with great success, doubling the debut numbers of its predecessor, Leopard, and earning four times more sales than Tiger. Snow Leopard was given a warm reception due to its inexpensive $29 price and noteworthy performance boosts.
Snow Leopard's August release came nearly two years after Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard debuted in October 2007. Its predecessor, Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, was introduced in April 2005.
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77 Comments
I call BS. Sounds far-fetched to me.
No surprise there. I would imagine that the new UI changes that they were thinking for 10.6 are going to appear in 10.7. Also, since they've tweaked under the hood, I wouldn't be shocked if 10.7 appears on store shelves sooner rather than later, depending on what happens with the whole tablet form factor system... assuming it's going to actually happen.
The question here is going to be one of developers -- if there are any significant UI changes, I would imagine we're going to see them at WWDC 2011 in order to give software makers time to get their software ready.
I'm thinking there are two directions we'll see: the first a unifying platform between the tablet and desktop, or second, the desktop OS will start to get pushed out a bit more between releases as the feature set has stabilized and the tablet OS gets more attention. Until there are any major breakthroughs in user interface design, I can't see Apple rocking the boat too much and raise the ire of their pro customers.
I call BS. Sounds far-fetched to me.
How is this far-fetched at all? Companies start work on this kind of stuff as soon as, if not a little before, the current software is released. I am confident Microsoft is working on Windows 8, Adobe is hard at work on CS5, Infinity Ward is working on Modern Warfare 3, etc. Things like this take 1-3 or 4 years to get completed, so it makes sense to start right when the other stuff is out, or else you will fall behind schedule.
Somebody who understands software development. A company like Apple is working on multiple versions of future OSes at the same time.
How is this far-fetched at all? Companies start work on this kind of stuff as soon as, if not a little before, the current software is released. I am confident Microsoft is working on Windows 8, Adobe is hard at work on CS5, Infinity Ward is working on Modern Warfare 3, etc. Things like this take 1-3 or 4 years to get completed, so it makes sense to start right when the other stuff is out, or else you will fall behind schedule.
Or maybe it's 11.0. The giant-killer.