Are iOS and Mac OS X on an inevitable crash course? After reading about the rumored expansion of the MacBook Airs (to include 15- and 17-inch models), it became very apparent that the iPad and the MBA are virtually one and the same. Or, at least they will be. Sure, one has a keyboard, but given the incredible shrinking design — thin is in! — these devices are likely to become one. It’s just a matter of time. And the OS too will become one (who doesn’t like an occasional nonsensical Spice Girl reference?).
The question won’t be do I want a computer or a tablet.
It will be: what screen size… 4-inch, 7-inch, 11-inch… all the way up to 27-inch. And: do you want a keyboard with that, sir – and will you be using it in your car?
Yes, we are entering the In-N-Out era of computer buying. Easy as 1-2-3. I’m convinced all of these systems will employ touch screen interfaces, a la iPad — not much of a stretch, that prognostication, but it had to be said.
If all roads lead to touchy-thin-app-driven devices out of Cupertino then that would likely mean: 1 OS to rule them all. And that OS will be an iOS/Mac OS hybrid.
It will be a full featured, multi-tasking, uber-powerful, user friendly operating system that will work across all devices. Today, it’s almost impossible, at least pragmatically, and priced for the masses to have Mac OS X Lion running on an iPhone. I’m sure, though, deep within Apple engineering it’s already a reality. And with a little backwind and Moore’s law on my side, I predict we’re going to see a world of one within 18-24 months. One OS for phones. One OS for tablets. One OS for computers.
I admit that this is not exactly the most far-out there concept in the world. After all, the clues are there — and they’re not in the least confounded by David Lynch symbolism. Lion was clearly a move towards touch, app-driven computing. The thing is a gesture funhouse! Meanwhile, iOS keeps getting more and more powerful.
iOS and Mac OS X – You and I collide?
Yes: 18-24 months…
Lead Photo: Courtesy of NASA / Flickr – “This beautiful image gives a new look at Stephan’s Quintet, a compact group of galaxies discovered about 130 years ago and located about 280 million light years from Earth.”