Apple Exec: "We're Seeing a High Level of Interest in Boot Camp"
TMO Reports - Apple Exec: "We're Seeing a High Level of Interest in Boot Camp"
by , 7:05 PM EDT, April 19th, 2006
Apple Computer executives told financial analysts Wednesday that the company has seen a "high level of interest" in Boot Camp following the release of a beta version of the software earlier in April. The company refused, however, to give specific download numbers, citing the fact that it was beta software intended to gain customer feedback.
Boot Camp allows users to boot into either Mac OS X or Windows XP on Intel-powered Macintosh systems, and Apple execs repeated the company line that the software was released in response to customer interest in that ability.
"You know, the response has been written about a lot," said Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer. "We did this because we were getting a lot of customer requests for this, as many Windows users were considering switching to the Mac. We think that it makes the Mac even more appealing to them."
It's known that Apple will include Boot Camp in Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard," but it is not known what form that support will take. For instance, Apple could simply include the functionality inherent in the beta version of Boot Camp that would continue to allow users to choose Windows or Mac OS X. The company could also take it in a different direction, such as allowing Fast User Switching between the OSes or virtualization that allows both OSes to be run at the same time.
Analysts sought clarification for Apple's plans, but none was forthcoming. Instead, Mr. Oppenheimer and COO Tim Cook both retreated to the default line that Boot Camp is beta software intended to gain customer feedback.
"It is a beta," stressed Mr. Oppenheimer, "so we have put it out to get feedback, and we are just two weeks into that."
Apple did make it clear, however, that it had no (public) plans for becoming a Windows OEM, as has been suggested by curmudgeon John C. Dvorak and Apple Death Knell Counter hall-of-famer Rob Enderle.
"We have no desire and no plan to sell or support Windows," said Mr. Oppenheimer, "but we do think that boot camp makes the Mac even more appealing to Windows users considering making the switch. And that's the reason we put it out."
Only time will tell, however, whether or not that is actually the case, or if it will go the way of the "It's about the music, stupid" insistence that Apple was not looking at releasing a video-capable iPod. That comment was made by Apple CEO Steve Jobs on April 28th, 2004. Apple's first video-capable iPod was announced October 12th, 2005.
Observer Comments
The video iPod and supporting Windoze are like comparing Apples and Lemons. It was obvious that it was only a matter of time before video came to the iPod. Likewise, it should be obvious that it is now only a matter of time before Windoze takes its last gasp for air and dies. Apple will only support Windoze to the point it can kill it. Nothing more.
It is certainly true that giving Macs, Windows capability to encourage switchers and making a move towards becoming a Windows OEM have a similar 'look and feel' so unless anyone has specific information about it one should not presume this is a pre cursor to becoming a Windows box maker.
Fact is if Windows had supported PPC as originally planned I should think this sort of thing would have happened years ago anyway. My only caveat is that this of course gives Apple a plan B should interest in OSX ever decline significantly and obviously who knows what would happen once SJ leaves the company. But as things stand this is a way of expanding the Mac and OSX experience avoiding the inherent brick walls along the way, not contract it. It allows significant advantages in OSX to be offerred to non users without the accompanying risk on their part (considering the granite like progress of Windows the opportunities are obvious) and should that happen it would seem to me that an eventual move to Windows would be far less likely not more.
Of course because it is physically more possible that is all it needs for carpet baggers like Enderle to lay down claims for future exploitation, and of course more significantly, cash rewards.
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