A Look At OS X Yosemite And iOS 8.1
by Brandon Chester on October 27, 2014 8:00 AM EST
Introduction
It has been a busy year for Apple, although one could argue it has been more of a busy few months. The yearly updates for most of Apple's products now occur in September and October, and as a result we've seen the release of a number of new products and services in a very short period of time. On the hardware side we have the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the iPad Air 2 and Mini 3, the iMac with Retina 5K display, and a preview of the upcoming Apple Watch. The software side has arguably been even more exciting with the release of iOS 8 and its first major update iOS 8.1, OS X Yosemite, and Apple Pay.
The theme this year appears to be integration and the power of a software and hardware ecosystem. Apple has always had some level of integration between iOS and OS X. As time went on, both operating systems began to share a core set of applications like Reminders, Calendar, and Notes. The iPad extended this even further by bringing the iWork and iLife suites to mobile. iCloud also played a key role in integrating both systems, by synchronizing documents and photos between all of a user's devices. However, the launch of iOS 7 with its visual and functional enhancements left many of the shared features and applications on OS X feeling left behind.
OS X Yosemite brings with it a massive visual overhaul, on a scale even greater than what we saw with iOS 7. This makes sense, as OS X is an operating system for desktops and laptops which makes it inherently more expansive and complex than iOS. Although OS X is not nearly as popular as iOS in terms of user base, the fact that the redesign changes some visual elements that have existed for over 14 years makes it quite a monumental moment in Apple's history. These changes finally unify the visual styles of both operating systems, which were once united but split with the launch of iOS 7.
The integration of these two operating systems goes far beyond a common type of visual design. OS X Yosemite and iOS 8.1 also include new features that allow them to work together in unprecedented ways. Features like Handoff blur the borders between the iPhone, the Mac, and the iPad by allowing you to continue work you began on one device on another. SMS and call forwarding takes communication abilities that were typically reserved for the iPhone and brings them to every device.
There's a lot to talk about, and it all begins at the aesthetic level with the new design of Yosemite.
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piroroadkill - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
Call and SMS handoff to other devices! Woah, we're going back in time to Palm Pre. Still a pretty solid set of ideas around that device...ppi - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - link
I have SMS synced with my Outlook for a year already (and nobody knows how long our IT witheld that one)Call handoff ... I am not sure I would want it, but as optional feature, why not.
CharonPDX - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
Continuity looks great!Too bad everyone in my house has one side of the equation too old.
I have an iPhone 5C (good!) with an old 2008 iMac (nope.)
My daughter has an iPad Air (good!) and an iPhone 4 (nope, not even iOS 8,) with a 2008 MacBook Pro (nope.)
My wife has an iPhone 4S (nope - just "call on your Mac",) and a brand new MacBook Air (good!)
So the only person in my family that can make *ANY* use of Continuity/Handoff is my wife, and then only for "call on your Mac" - AKA " Use your Mac as a bluetooth Speakerphone.)
Highhbrid - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - link
There seems to be a lot of talk about soldered RAM in Mac products. The main reason why you can't upgrade RAM in phones is because the form factor would not be nearly as thin and it wouldn't exactly be an SoC anymore.. form factor is crucial to a handheld device. You have to consider things holistically if you're going to try and compare different fruit here. Very seldom do I observe this amongst convo.I think that with a Macbook Air there is legitimate reasoning for soldering the RAM in place. You and Apple want that device as thin as possible. The thinner you can get it, the lighter too.
With Macbook Pros the argument is a lot weaker. Until those bitches get razer thin (which we're an iteration or two from) removable RAM is easy to pull off. Under a generous, PRIVATE Apple, I believe that they would throw that in.
However when you consider the demographic of Macbook Pro purchasers, it's quite an easy money grab for Apple.
"Higher reliability, better performance, and a more compact design" some will say.
Reliable is in, I put the RAM in wrong? Very rarely do I reset someone's RAM to fix there problem.
Performance: I've seen how fast 16GB @ 2133 MHz goes. I'm not buying it.
Compactness? Refer to the above.
Soldered RAM in a Mac Mini? lol Apple
solipsism - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - link
You didn't make a valid argument to support your comments that the MBP isn't think enough at this point, you just said it would have to be "razor thin" and eluded to the MBA being thinner.How much space is available right now for removable RAM when you consider the size of the sticks, the channel they sit it, how much much further it will sit below the main board, will that interfere with the bottom casing if it's pressed upon in that area, and will there be enough room for thermals.
I suppose it's possible they could have, but it does come with a cost, which you didn't address at all except to say there is zero benefit.
Highhbrid - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - link
It's inevitable that they will get thinner. How thin? Who knows. But apparently thin is a big deal to Apple, that was their opening feature to the Air 2 announcement. We will see.I think that the first MBPr could have physically included removable RAM, even if it has to be 1mm thicker. Ultimately, that's Apple decision and they could have included it, I feel.
I didn't say anything about the MBA except that there is a valid reason for soldering the memory into place. The MBP are thin enough IMO
blackcrayon - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - link
Soldered RAM alone doesn't mean anything. The real issue is that the device will cost more up front. If you won't/can't pay more just buy something else.KoolAidMan1 - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - link
Soldered RAM on the Mac Mini is terrible. It makes sense if they made it REALLY small like an AppleTV but its the same chassis as before.There's an excuse with the MBA and MBP. This is just stupid.
jaymond - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - link
When will One Drive or Google Drive copycat the photo features of iCloud Drive? I'm a One Drive user and would love this feature. I'm not willing to pay Apple's prices for cloud storage when I have 1TB free with One Drive with Office 360, but I would like to get my photos off my HDD on my Macbook Air.RichieTech - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - link
The iMac starts at $2500..... starts! And yet no touchscreen! That's the most asinine thing I've ever heard. I'm sure it looks gorgeous but for that price it should do more and so should the previous models for that matter.The iPad can't form its own network, cant have multiple user accounts and doesn't have its own file structure and cost between $500 to $800.... pffffttt !!! I just spit my beer all over my desk :/
I don't see anything different about OS X(
Thanks iCloud for pics of Scarlett Joe... I'm sure you'll keep my credit card safe with Apple Pay?!
You fear after 13 years, you should be glad after 13 years your moving on!
Nope