Developers Weigh in on Move to Intel
Developers Weigh in on Move to Intel
by , 3:20 PM EST, March 31st, 2006
When Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced last June that Macs would be moving to Intel processors, some accused him of oversimplifying the complexity of the transition. While Apple lists over 1,000 Universal Applications on its Web site, two notable developers -- Adobe and Microsoft -- are missing from the list, and some firms have struggled with the task, according to eWeek's Daniel Drew Turner.
Mr. Turner noted that developers who created Mac OS X-native applications in Cocoa and used the Xcode environment aren't having much difficulty, nor or those who work in Java. For example, Zimbra vice-president John Robb said that his company has seen few problems with making their open-source server and client products work in Intel Macs.
However, as Mr. Jobs acknowledged last June, developers that never moved beyond Carbon applications, which run in both Mac OS X and OS 9, are having a harder time since Classic support has been dropped from the new Intel Macs. In addition, companies that use CodeWarrior rather than Xcode, as both Adobe and Microsoft do, must move their applications' code bases to Apple's environment in addition to ensuring that the software runs on Intel processors.
Steve Gully, president of cross-platform development firm Atimi Software, told Mr. Turner that many of his clients see the move to Universal Binaries as a chance to also fix bugs and add features, as well as optimize performance.
Brent Simmons of Ranchero Software, which developed NetNewsWire, added that the use of assembly code in such applications as games or graphics tools makes them much tougher to port. For example, there are endian programming issues that could cause Microsoft Entourage to corrupt an e-mail database, or Adobe Photoshop to mishandle an image.
"The Photoshop folks have to go through and make sure they've accounted for [endian issues] in every single place," Mr. Simmons said. "That's a big job."
Observer Comments
http://www.trolltech.com
Let me start with, I do not work for Trolltech, I am just a happy customer. Qt is one of the best development environments out there. IMHO it is the best cross-platform development environment. It targets Mac OS X, Windows, and X11 (Linux and all the BSD's and other Unix-based OS's out there). There is also Qt-Embedded for PDA's, phones and other small embedded devices. It is C++ based and has a powerful form editor (Designer) as well as a very comprehensive API. It even provides platform independant API's for threading, networking, and database access (you are not required to use these, but they're very good). Qt also takes care of some design differences between the OS's. For example, on Macs, the menubar is still at the top. Button styles also follow the target's native look as well (although you can change this behavior).
Of course, the best part, is you can target multiple OS's with one development effort.
Yeah, or there’s RealBasic which does the same for those who want to use BASIC.
But the problem with all these alternative programming environments is that they will always be behind Apple’s own tools, particularly with each new rev of the OS.
Personally, i don’t like multi-platform programs because they are often constrained to the lowest common denominator. Apple has so many innovative Mac-only tools that you will always be better off sticking with Xcode.
Companies can be profitable by offering only Macintosh software. The question is, do you want to do one thing really well, or support the world and dilute the quality of your product? …And take on all the customer support headaches common on other platforms (e.g. Windoze) but largely absent on the Mac!
YMMV.
Qt is a bloody awful product, like every other attempt at a "cross-platform" GUI library. Just look at Google Earth on the Mac if you don't believe me.
Whenever you attempt to make a cross-platform GUI app, you end up with the least common denominator on every system you deploy it on. Write a native App, or please don't bother.
Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.
Recent Headlines - Updated May 22nd
- Tue, 3:20 PM
- Video Review - Buffalo AirStation WZR-D1800H 802.11ac Router Video Review
- 1:47 PM
- News - Apple’s Brand Value Grows 19%, Remains World’s Top Brand
- 11:13 AM
- News - Galaxy Tab Injunction Hearing Set for June 7
- 10:35 AM
- MGG Answers - How to Troubleshoot Connection Issues on Public Wi-Fi Networks
- 9:59 AM
- Hot Forum Topic - Reader Discussion: Predicting Apple’s Q3 iPhone Sales
- 9:23 AM
- News - Google Completes Motorola Mobility Purchase
- 8:45 AM
- News - Webby Awards Pay Tribute to Steve Jobs
- Mon, 9:06 PM
- News - The Story of the Upside Down, Right Side Up Apple Logo
- 8:02 PM
- News - ITC Judge Declares Kodak Patent Invalid in Apple Case
- 7:57 PM
- News - Houghton Mifflin Textbook Publisher Declares Bankruptcy
- 5:07 PM
- Mac Geek Gab Podcast - MGG 398: Geeks Going Deep with Mail & Routers
- 4:59 PM
- TMO Appearances - Bryan Chaffin to Speculate on 7-Inch iPad at SVMUG
The Mac Observer Reader Specials
Macsales.com SuperSpeed SSDs from $58. Transform your Mac with an SSD Solution of up to 960GB! You won't believe it's the same machine! Once you experience an OWC SSD, no going back! - Macsales.com
Mac RAM Upgrades: MacBook Pro 16GB kits $475, 8GB Kits for $119.99! iMac 16GB RAM Kits (4x 4GB) for $229.99! Mac Pro Memory 32GB Kit for $399.99, 64GB Kit for $889.99! Mac Hard Drives 2TB Seagate SATA II for $249.99! Click Here!
If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out PokerOnAMac.com. Online casinos and poker rooms are literally giving away cash and the casino sites at Poker on a Mac do the unthinkable, they actually reward! Join today, the download is free! 
Looking to find online casinos for mac? We can help you find the best real money casino sites where you can play your favorite casino games including blackjack and slots. -
-
-
-
-
-
