Tim Cook: Apple won't merge iOS and OS X

[OrbitalDawn]

http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/29/apple-ceo-on-merging-platforms-and-enterprise/

Now that Apple is blurring the lines between its mobile tablets and PCs with the iPad Pro, it's tempting to imagine iOS and OS X merging into a single operating system (Windows 10-style) that works on virtually every device the company makes. You'll want to put any such ideas on hold, though. In a chat with Box's Aaron Levie, Apple chief Tim Cook dismissed the prospects of unifying iOS and OS X. It "subtracts from both," he said, arguing that you "don't get the best experience from either." This isn't a completely new idea from Apple (it once explained in detail why OS X doesn't have touch), but it's clear that Cook doesn't feel any pressure to follow in Microsoft's footsteps on this front.

Not that Cook and crew are giving Microsoft and its ideas the cold shoulder -- just the opposite, in fact. The exec said he doesn't believe in "holding grudges" against Apple's frequent rival, and that the two tech giants can "partner on more things" than they compete in. Witness the slew of iOS-friendly Office updates that were unveiled in tandem with the iPad Pro and iOS 9, for example. The enterprise crowd, Cook adds, would rather see Apple and Microsoft collaborating than fighting.

Sorry, Sauron.

 

[backstreetboy]

Going to bookmark this for when he backtracks.

 

[SauRoNZA]

See this isn't quite what I envisioned though.

I don't want it to become one single thing, which is what Tim Cook seems to suggest where it's blended at all times.

I want iOS to remain iOS and OSX to remain OSX...but run simultaneously on one single device with Apps being able to run inside either "mode" depending on what you want to do with them.


And like backstreetboy said above...I do expect them to backtrack or deliver it in some unique way that I can't imagine right now.

I completely agree with him that the way Windows 10 has gone about it does compromise it both ways...doesn't need to be the same for iOS and OSX.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

I'd rather keep it separate. iOS for mobile iThings, OSX for laptops and desktops.

iOS is already optimized for portable devices, like phones and tablets anyway.

 

[AntiGanda]

Microsoft owned Apple shares at one time. They may still do, so they can't really try and sink each other.

 

[icyrus]

Merging them would make no sense whatsoever. Fortunately Apple is focused on making the best experience for each job.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

See this isn't quite what I envisioned though.

I don't want it to become one single thing, which is what Tim Cook seems to suggest where it's blended at all times.

I want iOS to remain iOS and OSX to remain OSX...but run simultaneously on one single device with Apps being able to run inside either "mode" depending on what you want to do with them.


And like backstreetboy said above...I do expect them to backtrack or deliver it in some unique way that I can't imagine right now.

I completely agree with him that the way Windows 10 has gone about it does compromise it both ways...doesn't need to be the same for iOS and OSX.

Isn't what you want even more complicated, though? Since you don't get to work off a standardized platform, but have to adapt everything to run on both (or not, which dilutes the experience).

 

[icyrus]

Isn't what you want even more complicated, though? Since you don't get to work off a standardized platform, but have to adapt everything to run on both (or not, which dilutes the experience).

It is and it is unlikely to happen.

 

[sajunky]

I completely agree with him that the way Windows 10 has gone about it does compromise it both ways...doesn't need to be the same for iOS and OSX.

+1. Windows 10 is a proof that Apple was right.

Apple has no benefit from merging systems as they are strong on both platforms.

On the other side Microsoft is trying to gain momentum on the mobile market using their market dominance on desktops. In the long term it might benefit Microsoft, but users already suffer and will continue to suffer.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I'd rather keep it separate. iOS for mobile iThings, OSX for laptops and desktops.

iOS is already optimized for portable devices, like phones and tablets anyway.

Well maybe a universal license converting all platforms would be one way to convince me.

I just find it silly to carry more than one device right now.

Then again now that I no longer have a MacBook I need to carry a Windows laptop and an iPad. Which means the iPad stays at home when I go to work.

In a perfect world it would have been nice to have a massive iPad while mobile that would dock and become the full Mac experience.

Which is a bit different to Windows half-touch half-desktop approach.

So if that never happens it would be great if Apple could just start playing nice with Windows and even Linux. Like just release iMessage for Windows.

Now that I don't have a Mac I use iMessage less and less because it restricts me to my phone. Whatsapp is the go to because it has the Web functions and Hangouts is the true winner with multiplatform Apps.

So there Apple is losing me as a customer. Same goes for iWork. I prefer it over office any day, but it's not available on Windows and so I don't use it because the iPad is not a creation tool.

iCloud for Windows is a joke. Fix that ****. Bring over iPhoto or just do a proper sync of stuff to a folder.