Oh, and don't even _try_ counting the sandboxing-related changes as signs of "progress", because they're not: they're just signs that the cost of ditching AppleScript hasn't yet exceeded the cost of keeping it ticking over. The only thing that surprises me is that the XPC Services folks _haven't_ made a move (at least not publicly) towards peer-to-peer IPC, because the in-app stuff has been working smoothly for several years now so you'd think they'd be taking it to the logical next level by now, which is to supercede Apple events as the standard high-level IPC system for Mac *and* iOS. Frankly, I think they're either blind, asleep, or (not unlikely) sunk into some interminable internal political bog where various sections in the company put more effort into protecting their own turf than working to the benefit of the business as a whole (c.f. early 90s Apple and every Microsoft division ever).
This.
Here’s my followup thesis:
Macs have quietly been accumulating sales momentum (e.g. unit shipments continue to rise despite general market) Maybe Intel has hiccuped on delivering the next level of oomph... also the GPU story?… A10? Macs haloed in Enterprise by virtue of iOS initiatives with IBM seems obvious to me.... Folks prefer to use Macs if given a chance. macOS will be tuned for a new constellation of hardware No sense committing a new iteration of the device until it can be based on newer technology. New Macs have to wait until supply chain is ready to scale this new technology.. this is not simple stuff...
iPhone love seems to be fading and there is clear evidence of saturation. Personally BRIC is nothing but a huge quietly coiled long tailed dragon waiting to mature. Both watchOS and iPad are young and finding their legs. patience is called for while continuing to out-tech competition based on OS/Hardware pairing.
Net: Mac represents an mis-understood gold mine that is waiting for new hardware and macOS to ship. This opportunity can help address the financial issues presented by changing iPhone market. Macs have a clear opportunity to deliver more money to the company.
automation is an incredibly valuable macOS (and iOS?) asset vis-a-vis the competition.
automation based on a high level bridge as hinted at above would ‘kill’ if it could share some capabilities across macOS and iOS (Continuity?…)
In order to put the pedal to the metal, and own the enterprise for the next 20 years, facilitating the use of this technology in the context of the ‘App Stores’ is a really good idea…
Apple has to be a challenging place right right now: scale has grow quickly and on many fronts updating technologies in place with millions of live installed bases is nothing short of amazing.. delivering this high level bridge considering NOT breaking existing functionality is not doubt challenging and will take time to fully bake.
However, there is too much money on the line in the coming years in enterprise to give up the opportunity to leverage existing technology….
Steve |