tristan
Aug 3, 11:08 PM
Wow! Tip of the hat to Apple and Intel. But why aren't the Blue Man on my TV selling the Core 2 Duo? Somebody tell them to put the LSD away and get to a studio.
And of course, nobody's talking about the elephant in the room. These new chips are SIXTY FOUR BIT BABY. Is 32-bit the new G4? Cuz we all know the G4 is the new G3.
64-bit OSX by the end of the year perhaps? With quadruple binaries to support the G4, the G5, the Core Duo, and the Core Duo 2? Or will Apple deny us our 64-bit freedom?
And of course, nobody's talking about the elephant in the room. These new chips are SIXTY FOUR BIT BABY. Is 32-bit the new G4? Cuz we all know the G4 is the new G3.
64-bit OSX by the end of the year perhaps? With quadruple binaries to support the G4, the G5, the Core Duo, and the Core Duo 2? Or will Apple deny us our 64-bit freedom?
miles01110
Aug 4, 07:57 AM
Do you guys think we'll be able to buy merom replacement motherboards for MBP?
kalsta
May 3, 10:54 PM
Can you cite reliable figures for the cost advantage versus the cost to switch?
Nope. Ask me what the cost advantage of wearing my Adidas runners over a pair of wooden clogs is when I go out. I couldn't tell you. But I can appreciate the obvious benefits of the metric system in theory and in practice without making it all about short-term financial gain, and I think you could too if you took the time to look at it objectively. I am just thankful my country made the difficult decision back in the 70s when my biggest challenge was learning to wee in the potty.
As another commenter said, you owe your kids better.
Nope. Ask me what the cost advantage of wearing my Adidas runners over a pair of wooden clogs is when I go out. I couldn't tell you. But I can appreciate the obvious benefits of the metric system in theory and in practice without making it all about short-term financial gain, and I think you could too if you took the time to look at it objectively. I am just thankful my country made the difficult decision back in the 70s when my biggest challenge was learning to wee in the potty.
As another commenter said, you owe your kids better.
ten-oak-druid
Apr 21, 02:46 PM
Good idea to make it dual purpose as standalone computer or rack mounted server. If the server option takes off, that's good for business but while waiting for that to happen, the product has another purpose.
Now get rid of macbooks and have two lines: macbook pro and air.
Now get rid of macbooks and have two lines: macbook pro and air.
moderately
Apr 25, 04:43 PM
You guys do realize that a 27" iMac would have to be 4K to possess a PPI over 300 and therefore be a "Retina Display?"
And that's when a 2K monitor (the LUM-560) is going for $66,000?
Yeah. Have fun with your $122,000 iMac.
"Retina Display" doesn't mean what you think it does.
And that's when a 2K monitor (the LUM-560) is going for $66,000?
Yeah. Have fun with your $122,000 iMac.
"Retina Display" doesn't mean what you think it does.
spazzcat
Mar 29, 09:03 AM
At least it works on the market leading platform. ;)
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jhall527
Mar 29, 09:58 AM
Okay, nice, guys. This is MacRumors, not AmazonRumors. Who gives a crap about Amazon? Move along now.
Of course it's not AmazonRumors.com but just because this article isn't specifically related to Apple does not mean it has no place on an Apple rumor site. There is a lot you can take away from this article in regard to what Apple has in store for the future based on their competition.
It drives me crazy when people dimiss articles on here just because they don't have Apple written all over them. That doesn't mean they are irrelevant in regard to apple rumors.
Of course it's not AmazonRumors.com but just because this article isn't specifically related to Apple does not mean it has no place on an Apple rumor site. There is a lot you can take away from this article in regard to what Apple has in store for the future based on their competition.
It drives me crazy when people dimiss articles on here just because they don't have Apple written all over them. That doesn't mean they are irrelevant in regard to apple rumors.
Adam-
Apr 20, 06:14 AM
You can't be sure about this.
Better battery = longer Battery life :)
Better battery = longer Battery life :)
arnizzlewhizzle
Jul 30, 04:15 PM
do you think they'd make it work with cingular and the rest, or do think they'd make their own service like helio?
frankie
Sep 15, 10:00 PM
I'd be happy if it was the same enclosure with a Merom CPU and an upgraded GPU - ATI X1800 or nVidia 7700 would be nice.
A longer-life battery would be nice but I can't see it happening due to weight.
If you really want longer battery life, then you should be hoping to keep the X1600. It's regarded as having the best "performance per watt" of recent mobile GPUs.
Personally, I hope (well, pipe dream actually) they'll make MBP build-to-order like Mac Pro. I'd downgrade the CPU to the 2.0GHz version. It wholesales for $130 less than the 2.16, and $340 less than the 2.33. That's way too much to pay for a fractional speed increase.
OTOH, the 2.0 Xeon is $370 less than the 2.66 and Apple only cuts the price $75 for two of them. That's robbery. So I guess MBP BTO probably wouldn't help me even if they did it.
A longer-life battery would be nice but I can't see it happening due to weight.
If you really want longer battery life, then you should be hoping to keep the X1600. It's regarded as having the best "performance per watt" of recent mobile GPUs.
Personally, I hope (well, pipe dream actually) they'll make MBP build-to-order like Mac Pro. I'd downgrade the CPU to the 2.0GHz version. It wholesales for $130 less than the 2.16, and $340 less than the 2.33. That's way too much to pay for a fractional speed increase.
OTOH, the 2.0 Xeon is $370 less than the 2.66 and Apple only cuts the price $75 for two of them. That's robbery. So I guess MBP BTO probably wouldn't help me even if they did it.
FelixGV
Nov 26, 03:07 PM
I would definitely buy a Tablet Mac. Well, I mean a laptop with a rotating touch screen.
I would like it even more if it was smaller than the actual 13" MacBooks. I carry my laptop with me a lot, and light-weightness is important for me.
I would like it even more if it was smaller than the actual 13" MacBooks. I carry my laptop with me a lot, and light-weightness is important for me.
geiger167
Sep 11, 02:51 PM
Not really sure if any of the rumoured devices interest me tommorow, as living in the UK we probably will be denied any kind of movie download service (still waiting for tv show downloads to start) The media streaming device might be a cool idea but unless it had support for divx/transport stream files wouldn't really interest me either and cant imagine apple allowing support of an outside player like VLC and without any kind of download structure available to view apple sourced files outside the USA cant imagine it taking off. Having moaned a bit though I have still ordered a 24 imac and cant wait for it to arrive ( I love watching hdtv files on my 20' imac now so 24' must be heaven)
MonkeySee....
Mar 28, 10:31 AM
haha. Love people saying they will move phones if we don't see the new iphone this year.
Are people really that fed up with what they currently have? :confused:
I've a 3gs and it's plugging away quite nicely. I don't need a new phone but I would like one when it does come out.
I'm looking forward to lion and iPad giving me my Apple fix for the year. Why can't we just let Apple get it right instead of jumping all over them?
Are people really that fed up with what they currently have? :confused:
I've a 3gs and it's plugging away quite nicely. I don't need a new phone but I would like one when it does come out.
I'm looking forward to lion and iPad giving me my Apple fix for the year. Why can't we just let Apple get it right instead of jumping all over them?
mobilehavoc
Mar 29, 08:59 AM
Wow you are either unintentionally or intentionally sounding very ignorant and naive. The cloud is the future and even Apple knows that as I'm sure they'll announce something similar soon. There are many advantages. For me the main is mobility and convenience.
Last night I uploaded 15GB of music to Amazon Cloud while I slept. This morning I have the Android app on my phone my Xoom and the web player anywhere else. I now have a single repository that is always in sync across all my devices and I can stream music from anytime. Best of all you can download your music again to any devices too. So it also serves as a great backup tool for your music or your favorite tracks.
Also whenever I buy an MP3 from Amazon (on phone or computer) it saves to the Cloud and is automatically available on all my devices. If I want I can have it download automatically to my computer and sync with iTunes as well - transparent.
Finally, the Amazon app for android doubles as a legit music player that can also play music from your local storage as well so it's a one stop shop (with widget of course).
Just because Apple didn't do it first doesn't mean it's not a game changer.
Last night I uploaded 15GB of music to Amazon Cloud while I slept. This morning I have the Android app on my phone my Xoom and the web player anywhere else. I now have a single repository that is always in sync across all my devices and I can stream music from anytime. Best of all you can download your music again to any devices too. So it also serves as a great backup tool for your music or your favorite tracks.
Also whenever I buy an MP3 from Amazon (on phone or computer) it saves to the Cloud and is automatically available on all my devices. If I want I can have it download automatically to my computer and sync with iTunes as well - transparent.
Finally, the Amazon app for android doubles as a legit music player that can also play music from your local storage as well so it's a one stop shop (with widget of course).
Just because Apple didn't do it first doesn't mean it's not a game changer.
hynke
May 6, 06:49 AM
Of course they will move to ARM, everyone will. Google is allready running their data centres on ARM based servers, Windows 8 will run on ARM as well, Apple is investing huge amount of money into their A4, A5 chips. The main problem of computers nowadays is power efficiency and not computing power, because most of the computers allready are overpowerd for what their users usually do with them.
RichP
Jul 30, 09:12 PM
Why would it be advantageous to ban texting? All these features on phones are simply functions of software, not requring excessive hardware technology, so its not like the phone would benefit from not having it.
Also, 5MP camera? Thats just ridiculous. The issue with all these phones is the lenses involved, not the resolution. Give me a 1.2MP that has some decent glass with it to take a picture rather than some bumped up resolution that is junk when I iSync the iPone to iPhoto :D Beside, the nokia phones that do actually have high resolution cameras are THICK. Over an inch. Im not saying we need the next razr here, but over 1" thick makes it uncomfortable to keep in your pocket.
And I think it will be SIM free too. As posted, we all go blow 200-400 on ipods, why not phones. Beside, if Apple just releases unlocked GSM phones, the carriers have no say. iTunes, iChat, VoiP when the wifi is available, its all open season if this thing isnt branded to a particular carrier.
Also, 5MP camera? Thats just ridiculous. The issue with all these phones is the lenses involved, not the resolution. Give me a 1.2MP that has some decent glass with it to take a picture rather than some bumped up resolution that is junk when I iSync the iPone to iPhoto :D Beside, the nokia phones that do actually have high resolution cameras are THICK. Over an inch. Im not saying we need the next razr here, but over 1" thick makes it uncomfortable to keep in your pocket.
And I think it will be SIM free too. As posted, we all go blow 200-400 on ipods, why not phones. Beside, if Apple just releases unlocked GSM phones, the carriers have no say. iTunes, iChat, VoiP when the wifi is available, its all open season if this thing isnt branded to a particular carrier.
digitalbiker
Aug 4, 05:26 PM
1 - This is nothing new, and Apple is just being honest...the PB 12 and 15 were famous leg toasters as well...the times of the cool G3 are over long ago.
2 - it's at least 3 hours...no similar PC notebook does that...and the G4 wasnt better either.
3 - more space, perhaps?
Well this depends upon which G4 PB you compare it to.
I have the last PB G4 revision 17 inch. It runs comforably cool and I easily get 5+ hours of battery life under normal use. I don't even use the power saving functions. I usually run my display brightness about 3/4 of the way up.
I play DVD movies quite often and I can play two back to back 2 hour movies before my batteries need recharging.
2 - it's at least 3 hours...no similar PC notebook does that...and the G4 wasnt better either.
3 - more space, perhaps?
Well this depends upon which G4 PB you compare it to.
I have the last PB G4 revision 17 inch. It runs comforably cool and I easily get 5+ hours of battery life under normal use. I don't even use the power saving functions. I usually run my display brightness about 3/4 of the way up.
I play DVD movies quite often and I can play two back to back 2 hour movies before my batteries need recharging.
Don't panic
May 4, 08:20 AM
as other said, the leader mostly acts as the official speaker for the group, but he/she can also decide things of his/her own volition. This should ensure a bit more of pace to the game (since we don't have to majority vote every decision).
later in the game, it also allows people with their own agenda
if someone strongly disagree i think they can always unilaterally split out and go wherever they want, as long as it is before the official order in bold is given.
I updated my post #47 with ravenvii correction, which now i think contains a more exaustive (second) explanation of the rules.
ranvenvii, if you have time to to amend it where it is incorrect and add it as 'canon' to the original rule post, i think it would be helpful.
---
back to our immediate business, I can be the fearless inspiring leader (for now), as long as i don't have to drag your lazy arses away from any sparkling trinkets you find on the way.
and no, Wilmer, that mummified rat's leg does NOT constitute 'treasure' and you may NOT keep it as a pendant. geesh, i should send you for a month mining with my cousins in the old Moth O'Rol caves searching for them inexistent gggggems, and maybe you'd grow a spine.
we have a qualified majority of votes, so i will lead the first group into the room top right, explore and then we can come back here and explore this room. this of course means that the barking donkey that is trying to impress us with his parlor tricks has time to build up some strength and put more monsters/traps in our way.
if two-three want to split out now and explore this room while we move to the next, i think it is a good idea, especially you Rosius, since if we happen to meet a sea urchin or sommthing in there, you might get hurt, and as much as it pains me to admit, we might need your 'talents' later on.
i'll wait till later in the morn and then go
later in the game, it also allows people with their own agenda
if someone strongly disagree i think they can always unilaterally split out and go wherever they want, as long as it is before the official order in bold is given.
I updated my post #47 with ravenvii correction, which now i think contains a more exaustive (second) explanation of the rules.
ranvenvii, if you have time to to amend it where it is incorrect and add it as 'canon' to the original rule post, i think it would be helpful.
---
back to our immediate business, I can be the fearless inspiring leader (for now), as long as i don't have to drag your lazy arses away from any sparkling trinkets you find on the way.
and no, Wilmer, that mummified rat's leg does NOT constitute 'treasure' and you may NOT keep it as a pendant. geesh, i should send you for a month mining with my cousins in the old Moth O'Rol caves searching for them inexistent gggggems, and maybe you'd grow a spine.
we have a qualified majority of votes, so i will lead the first group into the room top right, explore and then we can come back here and explore this room. this of course means that the barking donkey that is trying to impress us with his parlor tricks has time to build up some strength and put more monsters/traps in our way.
if two-three want to split out now and explore this room while we move to the next, i think it is a good idea, especially you Rosius, since if we happen to meet a sea urchin or sommthing in there, you might get hurt, and as much as it pains me to admit, we might need your 'talents' later on.
i'll wait till later in the morn and then go
Rdclark
Mar 31, 02:28 PM
You get 20 gigs if you buy an album on Amazon. Here's an album for a dollar:
http://www.amazon.com/Neroli/dp/B001LK0HVU/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_cart_3
You do the math.
Only for a year. Fill up that 20 Gigs and a year later you can either empty it down to the free 5, or pony up.
http://www.amazon.com/Neroli/dp/B001LK0HVU/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_cart_3
You do the math.
Only for a year. Fill up that 20 Gigs and a year later you can either empty it down to the free 5, or pony up.
Chase R
May 4, 10:10 PM
My guess:
They offer it on the Mac App Store, and on a USB stick (for about $10 more).
I don't really see how the Mac App Store idea would work, though, since the drive needs to be (well, should be) formatted prior to installation.
I'd opt for the physical OS.
They offer it on the Mac App Store, and on a USB stick (for about $10 more).
I don't really see how the Mac App Store idea would work, though, since the drive needs to be (well, should be) formatted prior to installation.
I'd opt for the physical OS.
Jape
Dec 13, 09:10 PM
Just got a notice from BLT that their expected ETA on the TomTom Car Kit is now 12/16. We'll see, but I wouldn't count on it.
Did they randomly send you this email, or did u request an update. I haven't received an e-mail regarding the kit in a while. If this goes on for any longer I will take m business to magellan:mad:
Did they randomly send you this email, or did u request an update. I haven't received an e-mail regarding the kit in a while. If this goes on for any longer I will take m business to magellan:mad:
BC2009
Apr 26, 03:04 PM
There are phone models that run some variant of Android from ultra-cheap to ultra-high-end. That clearly makes Android-based phones applicable to a wider audience. But what's more is that some manufacturers have developed their own operating systems based on Android source code without the Google services -- basically using Google's code as their own jumpstart. All these phones are counted as "Android" -- the sheer size of the umbrella that is known as "Android" clearly makes this the new defacto standard for any manufacturer other than Apple, Nokia or HP.
The problem with these statistics is that they make the assumption that there is an "Android Experience" and an "iOS Experience" -- this is hardly the case since the Android experience is varied, and Google does not benefit from every Android device sale, where Apple does benefit from every iOS device sale.
Certainly, one can cite the fact that every manufacturer puts their own spin on "Android" and they run a specific version with a specific UI overlay and they have a specific set of supported resolutions with a specific set of apps that will work for that device (hardly the Microsoft Windows scenario of the 1990s). These manufacturers will likely be falling in line with Google's new rules with regards to timely access to the latest Android version and will continue to produce good and better phones with less-varied experiences.
But looking further than that, Android (pre-Honeycomb) is open source and many have taken the opportunity to force Google completely out of the Android equation.
The problem with these statistics is that they make the assumption that there is an "Android Experience" and an "iOS Experience" -- this is hardly the case since the Android experience is varied, and Google does not benefit from every Android device sale, where Apple does benefit from every iOS device sale.
Certainly, one can cite the fact that every manufacturer puts their own spin on "Android" and they run a specific version with a specific UI overlay and they have a specific set of supported resolutions with a specific set of apps that will work for that device (hardly the Microsoft Windows scenario of the 1990s). These manufacturers will likely be falling in line with Google's new rules with regards to timely access to the latest Android version and will continue to produce good and better phones with less-varied experiences.
But looking further than that, Android (pre-Honeycomb) is open source and many have taken the opportunity to force Google completely out of the Android equation.
Jape
Nov 3, 08:57 PM
I just received notice that the tomtom car kit I ordered from Bottom Line Telecommunications has shipped, and should be here in a couple of days. I paid $90 shipped. (Don't know if they have any more in stock.) I expect it will be available elsewhere online for discounted prices soon.
I agree that it would be nice if it were cheaper, but if you add up a separate quality car mount, power cable, hands free kit, and external gps, you're going to be close or over $90 in any case. So maybe it's a luxury, but not a ridiculous one. Everyone with an iphone is paying at least $840 a year for the privilege of using it, and if all you wanted was cell phone service you could pay half that. So if you think it's too expensive, don't buy it; but I don't know why so many feel they have to act so outraged over the cost.
They do have more of these in stock, but I was wondering if you have used their services before. it seems a little weird that they would offer it at such a low price, and they do not use paypal.
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.cgi?action=thispage&thispage=00000TOMTOMU01_BCA2728P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!
I agree that it would be nice if it were cheaper, but if you add up a separate quality car mount, power cable, hands free kit, and external gps, you're going to be close or over $90 in any case. So maybe it's a luxury, but not a ridiculous one. Everyone with an iphone is paying at least $840 a year for the privilege of using it, and if all you wanted was cell phone service you could pay half that. So if you think it's too expensive, don't buy it; but I don't know why so many feel they have to act so outraged over the cost.
They do have more of these in stock, but I was wondering if you have used their services before. it seems a little weird that they would offer it at such a low price, and they do not use paypal.
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.cgi?action=thispage&thispage=00000TOMTOMU01_BCA2728P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!
MrNomNoms
Mar 31, 04:13 AM
I really hope they deploy some form of full screen iTunes in this build. Would be nice to see.
Given how iTunes straddles Windows and Mac OS X I wonder what they will be doing given that a fair chunk that iTunes relies on will have to be portable to Windows. From what I understand AV Foundation has pretty much replaced the parts that QTKit doesn't provide which leaves me wondering whether they'll throw in the towel in the case of iTunes/QuickTime in favour of moving to AV Foundation for the long run.
I lol'd. No matter what people will complain. When Snow Leopard was released people wanted more UI changes and more features. Now when Lion is released all people want is under the hood improvements. SMH
People are never satisfied or they confuse the terms; when people want more 'under the hood' changes and you ask what they mean by that they'll say something that seems to contradict that very idea. For example, they'll demand a Finder feature but wouldn't that feature be classified as 'visible' rather than 'under the hood'? Oh well, I read through the comments and my emotions go from excitement to rage then to indifference - the clueless commenters will remain clueless and me getting into a tizzy isn't really going to change anything in the long run so instead I sit back, chill out and listen to some music.
Always been confused as to why the menu bar across the top is slightly transparent but window title bars are grey. Doesn't really match, but I guess I'm just knit-picking...
Then don't have a transparent menu then (I have it disabled) - I've always seen the whole idea of a transparent menu as something that is pointless and could never quite get my head around as to why it was enabled by default in the first place.
Given that Apple sold over 4 million Macs last quarter, that must equate to around $7 billion in revenue. Macs still make up around a quarter of Apples revenue, so while iPhones might be where the most money is coming in, Apple can't ignore $7 billion per quarter...
Of course but people keep ignoring that this 'focus' on smart phones isn't something driven by Apple but something that is driven by the media; Microsoft is getting a heap of focus on its Windows Phone 7 but the lack of talk regarding Windows 8 suddenly means that Microsoft has given up on the desktop? RIM has released the PlayBook - with all the marketing buzz around the PlayBook does it suddenly mean that they've stopped caring about the BlackBerry?
Apple has always been focusing on Mac OS X - the problem is that the lack of communication via some sort of regular videos or blogs in the case of Microsoft does with Channel 9/MSDN has led people to fill in this void with idiotic speculation by claiming that Apple has given up on the desktop. As far as I am aware there has been only one time when Mac OS X shipment was delayed with the rest being released ontime.
As for people whining about their applications and Mac OS X 10.6 - I read through Macsurfer and it is amazing the number of idiots who complain about problems but never actually spend the time to find out that Adobe has articles explaining for example that in the case of Mac OS X 10.6 you no longer use the PDF printer but instead create PDF's through the drop down menu found in the printer dialogue or that the issue relating to fonts in 10.6.7 has nothing to do with 10.6.7 and everything to do with having to clear ones font cache then rebooting. All these problems that people point to as Apple neglecting is ignorance.
Oh and spacemanspifff, please, use Google, the solution has already been provided - talking about ancient problems hardly bolsters your case. Yes, a solution posted 12 or so hours ago is ancient - keep up with the play.
You (and others) are aware that "Developer Previews", when available, have always predated the Beta releases? It's not even a beta.
Apple says they will release Lion in summer, only Dev Previews have appeared so far, and suddenly people think it plausible for Apple to release a GM build in March?
And btw, I'm really disappointed in the reporting of the ludicrous "GM" rumour as it's pretty obviously wrong - usually MacRumors curates their news better than this.
The summer in the US is from June to September so it can be released anywhere from June through to September. I'd say that at the earliest we'll see a GM build (or at least very much a build very-very-very close to GM) appear at June (WWDC will probably be the place where it will be shown off in all its glory) with the shipping probably August thus leaving a month to manufacture and distribute internationally plus any extra training required for staff (although staff training is probably happening right now).
Given how iTunes straddles Windows and Mac OS X I wonder what they will be doing given that a fair chunk that iTunes relies on will have to be portable to Windows. From what I understand AV Foundation has pretty much replaced the parts that QTKit doesn't provide which leaves me wondering whether they'll throw in the towel in the case of iTunes/QuickTime in favour of moving to AV Foundation for the long run.
I lol'd. No matter what people will complain. When Snow Leopard was released people wanted more UI changes and more features. Now when Lion is released all people want is under the hood improvements. SMH
People are never satisfied or they confuse the terms; when people want more 'under the hood' changes and you ask what they mean by that they'll say something that seems to contradict that very idea. For example, they'll demand a Finder feature but wouldn't that feature be classified as 'visible' rather than 'under the hood'? Oh well, I read through the comments and my emotions go from excitement to rage then to indifference - the clueless commenters will remain clueless and me getting into a tizzy isn't really going to change anything in the long run so instead I sit back, chill out and listen to some music.
Always been confused as to why the menu bar across the top is slightly transparent but window title bars are grey. Doesn't really match, but I guess I'm just knit-picking...
Then don't have a transparent menu then (I have it disabled) - I've always seen the whole idea of a transparent menu as something that is pointless and could never quite get my head around as to why it was enabled by default in the first place.
Given that Apple sold over 4 million Macs last quarter, that must equate to around $7 billion in revenue. Macs still make up around a quarter of Apples revenue, so while iPhones might be where the most money is coming in, Apple can't ignore $7 billion per quarter...
Of course but people keep ignoring that this 'focus' on smart phones isn't something driven by Apple but something that is driven by the media; Microsoft is getting a heap of focus on its Windows Phone 7 but the lack of talk regarding Windows 8 suddenly means that Microsoft has given up on the desktop? RIM has released the PlayBook - with all the marketing buzz around the PlayBook does it suddenly mean that they've stopped caring about the BlackBerry?
Apple has always been focusing on Mac OS X - the problem is that the lack of communication via some sort of regular videos or blogs in the case of Microsoft does with Channel 9/MSDN has led people to fill in this void with idiotic speculation by claiming that Apple has given up on the desktop. As far as I am aware there has been only one time when Mac OS X shipment was delayed with the rest being released ontime.
As for people whining about their applications and Mac OS X 10.6 - I read through Macsurfer and it is amazing the number of idiots who complain about problems but never actually spend the time to find out that Adobe has articles explaining for example that in the case of Mac OS X 10.6 you no longer use the PDF printer but instead create PDF's through the drop down menu found in the printer dialogue or that the issue relating to fonts in 10.6.7 has nothing to do with 10.6.7 and everything to do with having to clear ones font cache then rebooting. All these problems that people point to as Apple neglecting is ignorance.
Oh and spacemanspifff, please, use Google, the solution has already been provided - talking about ancient problems hardly bolsters your case. Yes, a solution posted 12 or so hours ago is ancient - keep up with the play.
You (and others) are aware that "Developer Previews", when available, have always predated the Beta releases? It's not even a beta.
Apple says they will release Lion in summer, only Dev Previews have appeared so far, and suddenly people think it plausible for Apple to release a GM build in March?
And btw, I'm really disappointed in the reporting of the ludicrous "GM" rumour as it's pretty obviously wrong - usually MacRumors curates their news better than this.
The summer in the US is from June to September so it can be released anywhere from June through to September. I'd say that at the earliest we'll see a GM build (or at least very much a build very-very-very close to GM) appear at June (WWDC will probably be the place where it will be shown off in all its glory) with the shipping probably August thus leaving a month to manufacture and distribute internationally plus any extra training required for staff (although staff training is probably happening right now).