Apple Introduces Support Profile

This morning Apple provided a new service for users to make things easier if support and service is ever needed. The Apple Support Profile is a central hub of information for you to keep track of your past and current Apple computers and devices, their serial numbers, warranties, and records of any service performed on those products.

Another nice feature is VoicePass. If you register your phone number(s) with Apple and allow them to use the number for VoicePass, the next time you need to call Apple, they will know who you are straight away.

Also, if you choose, you can have Apple send you a text message for service updates.

All in all, Support Profile looks to be a great resource for both the user and Apple.

A Very Happy Mac

Press the power button. Hear the delightful ‘bong’ of the bootup chime. Smile upon seeing the Happy Mac.

One of my fondest memories from my early days of computing was getting to toy with my parents’ Mac Classic. There were few games, but I was fascinated nonetheless. Our home Mac was light years ahead of what we had at my elementary school (IBM’s running DOS). Ever since, I’ve always liked to be ahead of the curve technologically.

I have always loved that Happy Mac, and I am a bit saddened that it isn’t around in OS X anymore. Thankfully, my wife knows how much I love the Happy mac icon, and when the icon’s designer, Susan Kare, started selling prints, well, let’s just say my wife gave me the perfect Christmas gift.

I have the 8.5 x 11” print, No. 55 of 200, signed by the artist herself.

This is by far my most prized gift from Christmas, and is the perfect blend of geekery and art. Ms. Kare has many icons to choose from. Check them out.

The Future of the Apple Design Award for Mac

In my previous post I casually mentioned that I thought Reeder for Mac would be a fantastic contender for an Apple Design Award. I then remembered that this year, Apple didn’t have an ADA for Mac apps — just iPhone/iPod touch and iPad apps.

Then a notion came upon me that I wanted to share: with the Mac App Store launching soon, what if Apple reinstates the ADA for Mac, but on the condition that it has to be an App Store app?

Makes sense to me.

The Changing Tide of App Distribution

It won’t be long before the Mac App Store goes live on Snow Leopard Macs everywhere. For something that is arriving so quickly, we still know very little. We know there is an approval process, rules [PDF from Engadget], and a 70/30 split for developers (devs get the larger piece of the pie). Basically, it’s the same song and dance we’ve seen in the iOS App Store.

Inherent Growing Pains

Upgrades

Over the past couple years, we’ve become accustomed to app stores on our mobile devices. But on desktop class computers this is new territory. Many users expect if they buy version 1.0 of an app, they’ll get a discounted upgrade cost when version 2.0 is released. Not so in the current operation of the iOS App Store, and it looks bleak for the Mac App Store. Apple’s App Stores assume one of two scenarios: free upgrades for life; or release a completely new app for each major release (think Tweetie 2 or Twitterrific 3), charging all previous customers the full amount.

I don’t like that idea. It is inflexible because currently developers don’t have a way to notify customers of a separate app release except through word of mouth. I honestly don’t see why upgrades for major releases aren’t possible. Apple knows who has bought what apps. Also, when you update apps via iTunes, there is a price listing of Free and a dedicated button to Download All Free Updates. Also, if you recall when Apple released iTunes Plus songs, where DRM was finally stripped from the iTunes Music Store and song encoding quality was doubled, there was an upgrade fee. Obviously there is already a pillar of the iTunes Store architecture that can handle upgrading certain file types. Why not allow developers to give previous owners of one version of an app the ability to upgrade at a discounted price, while charging new customers the full price? This would alleviate what is likely the single greatest hesitation among developers.

Updates

Other roadblocks are the lengthy approval process. Right now, if a Mac app comes out and a major bug is discovered, developers can issue a patch as soon as it is ready. On the iOS App Store, and presumably the Mac App Store, review processes can take weeks — even for a small bug fix.

Version numbering for apps generally follows a certain hierarchy. For example, assume an app version number of 1.2.3. The 1 represents a major release — your 1.0 or 2.0 major milestone releases. The 2 represents minor feature releases throughout the journey between major releases. Finally, the 3 represents the level known as bug fixes.

I propose both of Apple’s App Stores adopt a policy of varying levels of approval scrutiny for the varying levels of version numbering. Major releases are looked over thoroughly. Minor releases are checked moderately, but would be generally acceptable as the app has obviously been approved before. And bug fix releases would be fast tracked to customers with the trust that a developer is indeed using the release as a bug or usability fix.

Now, what if a developer abuses any of these levels, trying to sneak major changes in a bug fix level update? Well, let there be repercussions. We saw something similar with the whole Camera+ fiasco. My point is that there should be a level of trust between Apple and Developers. I can speak as a customer that this would be beneficial, as it sucks waiting two to three weeks for a bug fix release to repair a crippling bug in an app.

Crossgrades

I have to wonder, and I’m sure many developers are wondering, if current customers on the “old model of business” will be able to transition to an App Store version of the same app. I hope so. I’d actually like to get most of my apps under the App Store roof to allow for easy updating.

Other Avenues

Now, the Mac App Store won’t be the only avenue for developers, as it is on iOS. Developers can continue to sell their apps the way the always have. However, it is my belief that the Mac App Store will soon suck the air out of the market. It will be highly visible, on every recent and new Mac, and easy. It won’t take long for the Mac App Store to be the preferred avenue for purchasing apps among users — especially new users.

Why the Mac App Store Will Be Great

Easy

I am the tech guy for the family. I don’t mean just my wife and son, I mean the whole family — grandparents, parents, in-laws, aunts & uncles, etc. I’m the guy they call. Granted, many are still trapped with Windows, but one by one, I’ve been working Macs into the family.

Most recently, my mother-in-law switched to the Mac, and it has been up to me and my wife to help show her the ropes. Want to know the single most difficult thing to explain? Installing an app.

Seriously, think about explaining a disk image to a person that is unfamiliar with the way computers generally work.

Now, imagine telling that person that they need to go to a website and figure out the checkout process, then download the app, properly install it, then input the registration details. And then you need to ensure they archive the registration details in case they ever need them again.

The Mac App Store will simplify and streamline the entire process. Tell a new user, “This is where you get apps.” Then, all they have to do is click buy and confirm their Apple ID and Password. Bam! The app begins downloading and installing, automatically being put in the Applications folder, ready to go.

Also, the Mac App Store will notify when there is an update available. Right now, a user can go months without knowing there is an update available for an app if they haven’t opened it.

Experience

I have long held to the notion that Apple’s focus is selling an experience. Think about how they package a MacBook. You lift the lid off the box and the first thing you are presented with is your new Mac on a tray. Key word: presented. Same goes for how the iPhone is packaged. And the iPods.

Imagine a new Mac user, just converting from Windows, and how they’ll ask about how they get apps on their new Mac. You just go to the App Store. (Another reason the Mac App Store will suck the air out of the market: new users won’t know any different).

Overall, the Mac App Store will provide a streamlined experience with easy purchasing and updating (and, let’s hope, upgrading to new versions).

One

When you launch an app on the iPhone or iPad, there is a transformative effect of the device becoming what the app is. Fraser Speirs sums it up best:

The thing is that, when you use an app on an iPad, the iPad becomes that thing. Maps makes the iPad a map. iBooks turns it into a book. Brushes turns it into a sketch pad.

The general gist of Apple’s “Back to the Mac” event was that the great ideas of iOS are coming back to the Mac. One of the major ideas discussed was full-screen apps.

In my opinion, the best way for an app on Mac OS X to scale to full screen is if it is designed to be a one-window app in the first place. In turn, Bjango states it best in their argument for a one-window iChat:

I’m finding more and more that the best way to design desktop apps is to imagine you’re building them for iOS.

I imagine Apple will refine their multi-window apps into one-window and encourage developers to do likewise. The iLife suite has long focused on using one window, and the new iPhoto ‘11 demonstrates a graceful move to a full-screen app.

Another example of consolidating apps with cluttered UI is the developer preview of Xcode 4. If you’ve ever used Xcode, you know that things can get carried away with multiple windows and palettes. Xcode 4 aims to reign that in with a single window interface. Imagine this (pay attention, developers): I bet Xcode 4 will ship its final version with Mac OS X Lion, and that one of the surprise kicks will be a full-screen coding environment.

Maybe this reduction to one-window apps is why we haven’t seen an update to the iWork suite alongside the new iLife. Perhaps this is also holding up development of a new Final Cut Studio?

The fact of the matter is that Mac apps should start preparing for one-window and full-screen interfaces, especially since Lion is going to train users that the green zoom button is meant for full-screen.

The Future of MacBooks

When the new MacBook Air was introduced the other day, Steve Jobs stated “we see these as really the next generation of MacBooks. We think all notebooks are going to be like this one day.”

This statement had me pondering yesterday about what I’d like to see in the next MacBook Pro. Some achievable near-term, and some arriving at a little longer outlook.

The things that really distinguish the MacBook Air from the MacBook Pro line, as far as hardware is concerned, are the absence of a hard drive and an optical drive. In substitution, the MacBook Air utilizes a solid-state drive for storage, and forgoes the optical drive entirely, unless you care to purchase a USB-based external optical drive. Apple reduced the price of their external optical drive from $99 to $79 the other day. Also, the MacBook Air (or any recent Mac, for that matter) can also borrow the optical drive from another Mac or PC on the same wireless network, which is pretty neat.

Now, I use a 15-inch MacBook Pro as my computer. It does everything for me. And when I think about it, I rarely use the optical drive. Maybe once or twice every six months. Most software I buy/use is downloadable. Soon that will be the status quo, with the Mac App Store coming soon.

I would gladly give up a built-in optical drive in my MacBook Pro in favor of occasionally needing to plug in an external one. That space in my MacBook Pro could be used for more battery, or even making the entire computer a little thinner and lighter. For the frequency I use it, the optical drive is dead weight.

As for reinstall media, or even new versions of Mac OS X, we’re already seeing the future with the MacBook Air’s USB reinstall drive.

As for the hard drive…that’ll be around a while for MacBook Pros, I imagine. High-capacity SSDs are still too expensive to hedge out a 500 GB hard drive any time soon. But I bet as soon as SSDs are cost-effective at high capacities, the hard drive will get nixed from MacBooks in general.

In the interim, it wouldn’t surprise me if Apple took a “best of both worlds” approach to storage by offering a small SSD on the logic board, along with a hard drive. The idea being that Mac OS X and its bundled apps are stored on the SSD, while user data and other apps are stored on the traditional hard drive. This hybrid drive system would allow for the instant-on advantage for the system, while not sacrificing storage for those that need it. Heck, Seagate already sells a hybrid drive that aims to do such a thing.

The times are changing. I won’t be surprised if Apple retires built-in optical drives from its entire portable line soon. And once SSDs are cost-effective, say farewell to them as well.

I, for one, can’t wait for this future of MacBooks.

Apple Goes Back to the Mac

Apple held its “Back to the Mac” shindig in Cupertino today. Here’s the new shiny.

iLife ‘11

Apple demoed major new features in iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand. iWeb and iDVD are still included, but it appears nothing has really changed for those two apps. This is the third iLife release in which iDVD has seen little-to-no love.

iPhoto gets a full-screen navigation mode, which looks very slick. Also, improved built-in email support, with templates; new slideshows; even better books (I’ve ordered books in the past as gifts. They’re fantastic); and letterpress cards. Letterpress is pretty fancy. Hard to believe you can get this from a computer company.

iMovie gets a neat movie trailer editor; impressive audio editing; one-step effects; people finder; and sports & news themes. With the much improved audio editor, it appears Apple’s revamp of iMovie in the 2008 edition has finally matured back to iMovie HD’s former glory.

GarageBand gets a new feature called Flex Time which helps keep various individual instrument tracks in rhythm. Also, Groove Matching takes a “genius” approach to match the rhythm of the whole band to a single rhythm. There are also guitar amps and effects; new basic lessons, and a “How Did I Play?” feature which tests your skills at playing a certain song.

iLife ‘11 is available today for $49, or comes free with a new Mac.

FaceTime for Mac

We all knew this day would come. FaceTime was first introduced with the iPhone 4. I found it useful when my wife was out of town for a week, but it hasn’t been used much since. Apple then brought FaceTime to the latest iPod touch last month, but I still haven’t been used the feature in a while. Now, with FaceTime for Mac, I have a feeling I’ll be video chatting from my iPhone a lot. Why? Grandparents. Both my parents and my wife’s parents have MacBooks, and we currently use iChat so they can see my son. The problem is that two year olds don’t sit still for long, and it’s hard to chase him with a MacBook Pro.

There’s no buddy list to maintain. FaceTime just pulls in your Address Book, just like the iPhone. FaceTime for Mac also installs a Push Notification bundle, so you can receive calls on your Mac even if FaceTime is closed.

Now the grandparents can do FaceTime with our iPhones. Now FaceTime is useful. Now FaceTime is mainstream.

FaceTime for Mac is available today as a public beta.

Lion

Apple introduced the next step of Mac OS X – Lion. To create iOS, Apple refashioned parts of Mac OS X. They learned a lot, made the iPad, and are now bringing what they learned from iOS back to the Mac. The main features they want to bring back from iOS are Multi-touch gestures, the App Store, App Home screens, full screen apps, auto save, & auto resume when launching.

Multi-Touch

On the Mac, multi-touch will take its focus on MacBook trackpads, the Magic Mouse, and the Magic Trackpad instead of the screen. They demoed using a Magic Mouse and an iMac, but honestly, I can’t see that being very comfortable. I use a Magic Trackpad with my MacBook Pro when at my desk (the Macbook is elevated on a stand), and I hope Apple just starts shipping those with iMacs in the near future.

The Mac App Store

Yesterday, I talked about a hope of mine for an easier installation and update process. Well, my wish has been granted, but in a way I didn’t really see happening. Apple is opening a Mac App Store within 90 days. It will be available on Snow Leopard, but I am sure it will be even more tightly integrated with Lion.

It makes sense for Apple to have a Mac App Store. I just figured they wouldn’t upset the status quo of obtaining software straight from developer’s websites. The truth is, after reading many developers’ tweets, is that markets change. The Mac App Store won’t be the only way to get Apps on your Mac (for now), but Apple says it will be the best.

That’s not hard to imagine. Their preview of the Mac App Store looks slick, and installation and updating Apps is as simple as iOS. This will be a big hit with users, who want simple.

I am a bit concerned about copy-protected apps. It even bothers me a bit on iOS. Copy-protection schemes always make me uncomfortable, especially when they come back to bite users.

Launchpad

Launchpad is a full screen grid of all your apps. They can be organized into separate home screens or grouped into iOS-like folders. It is very much the iOS 4 home screen brought to the Mac desktop.

Mission Control

Apple is unifying the abilities of Dashboard, Exposé, Spaces, and full-screen apps into a new feature called Mission Control. You navigate between different areas through swipe gestures. Looks like a great convergence and unification of already great features.

Mac OS X 10.7 Lion is slated to ship by the end of Summer 2011.

A MacBook and an iPad Hook Up…

Apple introduced a redesigned MacBook Air today, at 13.3- and 11.6-inch screen sizes. Apple bills it as the future of notebooks. The goal was to bring many great features of the iPad to MacBooks. These include “instant on,” great battery life, amazing standby time, and solid state storage (SSD).

Apple’s new MacBook Air boots in about 15 seconds, and has a 5-hour (11.6-inch) and 7-hour (13.3-inch) battery under normal use. Both models have a standby time of 30-days.

There isn’t an optical drive (though you can connect one via USB) nor a hard drive. Instead, Apple uses SSD for storage, just like its iPods, iPads, & iPhones.

The price ranges from $99 to $1,599, depending on model. I bet it goes higher if you customize the order.

The thing I love about the MacBook Air? The media on which its reinstallation software is stored. It’s a little Apple-branded USB drive.

I hope Lion comes on one of these instead of a DVD.

Thoughts

The new iPhoto looks compelling. I’ve been experimenting with Aperture, but I’m just not falling in love with it.

The Mac App Store dropped my jaw a little, more so because I didn’t think Apple would actually do it. But it makes a lot of sense. I imagine it will be great.

Lion looks amazing. I can’t wait until next summer.

The MacBook Air doesn’t thrill me much, but I am excited to see how it will influence the MacBook Pro line.

All in all, great event. The only disappointment was we didn’t see more of Lion.

Apple to Live-Stream "Back to the Mac"

Apple announced this morning that they will be live-streaming their “Back to the Mac” event later this morning. Late notice, but better late than never. I really enjoyed watching the live-stream of September’s iPod event.

Apple will broadcast its October 20 event online using Apple’s industry-leading HTTP Live Streaming, which is based on open standards. Viewing requires either a Mac running Safari on Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard, an iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 3.0 or higher, or an iPad. The live broadcast will begin at 10:00 a.m. PDT on October 20, 2010 at www.apple.com.

Two hours to go, folks.

Installers and Updates

One last refinement to the overall Mac OS X experience I’d like to see in Lion is the simplification of installing and updating applications.

This is an area that Mac OS X could very much learn from iOS. Installing and updating Apps on my iPhone and iPad is so straightforward it’s almost funny. Most of all, it’s easy to explain to someone else.

Try to imagine teaching App installation to someone who is new to the Mac, or maybe even computing in general. I do this often, actually; and the hardest thing for folks to grasp are the various methods of installing Apps. It’s intimidating. Some Apps come with installers, some come in disk images. Some disk images illustrate the need to drag the App to the Applications folder. Many don’t. Some even are packaged in a ZIP archive, and leave the uncompressed app in the Downloads folder, with no further instruction.

What a mess.

Some have suggested that Apple should make a Mac App Store. I do not think an App Store is the solution. I am fairly positive many developers agree. However, I’d love to see Lion bring forth a single, unified method for installation and updating Apps. Why can’t installation be more like installing a Dashboard widget? Mac OS X recognizes the .wdgt extension and offers to install it in Dashboard. Why not do the same with the .app extension? Or some other unified method that someone much smarter than me has come up with.

As for updating apps, Sparkle works fantastically in many of the Mac Apps I have. I’d love to see Apple employ something similar. Heck, the developer used to work on Apple’s Installer and Software Update team back in 2008-2009. Here’s the pertinent info from his résumé:

Designed and implemented exciting new technology for the Installer that will be employed throughout Mac OS X—details under NDA, but I can disclose that it’s awesome.

We can only hope.

MacStories' Scoop on Lion

Yesterday, MacStories published a scoop regarding tomorrow’s Mac-focused event at Apple HQ. I deliberated last week about my hopes and dreams regarding the new cat. According to MacStories’ exclusive, it appears Mac OS X will be receiving some UI elements from iOS.

Scrolling

Apple introduced inertial scrolling to Mac OS X with the Magic Mouse, then added it to the built-in trackpad of the last MacBook Pro and MacBook revision. With the Magic Trackpad, Apple then brought inertial scrolling to the built-in trackpads of previous unibody MacBooks Pros.

So the foundation for a more iOS-like inertial scrolling is already available. Apparently, Lion will bring the rubber-band effect when you hit the top or bottom of content. This may also herald pull to refresh, which has become popular in a few iOS apps, such as Twitter for iPhone, Facebook, and Yowza. Pull to refresh would be pretty nice for Safari.

Minimizing Aqua

Aqua is the user interface design that made Mac OS X look so futuristic ten years ago. It sounds like Aqua will be taking a step back (but not a complete step out) of the user interface. One such withdrawl will be in scrollbars. Replacing Aqua scrollbars will be iOS inspired scrollbars. If you visit Maxvoltar in Safari or Chrome on Mac OS X, you’ll see the Aqua scrollbar replaced with a minimalistic iOS-like scrollbar. That’s what I’m expecting to see in Lion, although I wouldn’t be surprised if the scrollbar faded away when content is stationary.

QuickLook and Popovers

Lastly, MacStories claims QuickLook will look more like popovers on the iPad, but with a white background. Their mockup looks great.