Will the next Apple OSX be called Bobcat?
COMMENT: As Apple releases Snow Leopard the next name needs to say small, agile, but strokable
View more images
27 August 2009 20:00 GMT / By Stuart Miles
With the official launch of Apple's latest Operating System on Friday, Apple is no doubt working on the next version of the OS already.
Chances are they've probably started fulfilling a roadmap laid out by CEO Steve Jobs to make sure that they are ready to wow you come 2011.
Based on previous release history, if Apple continues on their OS development process, there is no reason not to believe that the next OS X will not be delivered in two years time.
Since 2003 with the launch of Panther, we've had Tiger (2005), Leopard (2007) and of course Snow Leopard in 2009.
But what do you call it? Apple is fast running out of names of cats before they have to change tack.
So far we've had Hera, Kodiak, Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar, Panther, Tiger, Leopard, and then Snow Leopard most of which have come from the Panthera genus with the exception of the Cheetah to get all cat lady on you for a moment.
All that's left of the Panthera genus is the Lion, however to us that suggests big, majestic, righteous and, well, lazy, an animal that makes you do the work while it sits in the sun. You don't see lions getting excited at the zoo do you? It's not a cool name for a product that expresses speed and agility.
Then there is the house cat. Yeah that brings up a whole stack of imagery that we don't want either including lol cat and Top Cat. Who wants to be cute and fuffy? While Cougar, a member of the Felis genus, just sounds too much like a sports car or a mum on the prowl.
So in steps our friend the Bobcat from the Lynx genus, stage right.
While for most Americans it means an earth digger like JCB in the UK, it also fits in quite nicely with the premise that the OS is getting smaller, faster and more important for it to fit "strokable", but still with a vicious edge that will bite your arm off given half the chance.
I mean look at them, they are lovely looking things that look adorable and I'm not even a cat person.
Touch or "strokability" will be key I believe in the next OS, whether the company launches a tablet or not. Apple has been educating computer users over the last few years to embrace touch.
For Apple it is all about educating the user through strokes on the trackpad to pressing an application icon to launch Exposé in Snow Leopard, you might not have realised it yet but Apple wants you to get touchy feely about computers.
It is easy to see why: they are cheaper to make, easier to design and overall more "lifestyle" in their approach.
As an aside, according to Wikipedia, Apple has registered "Lynx" and "Cougar" as trademarks, though these were allowed to lapse.
PHONES
Nokia N900 mobile phone Will this revive Nokia's fortunes?
PHONES
PHOTOS: First ELSE hands-on Up close and personal
AUDIO
Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards date confirmed and tickets on sale Get your tickets today
Comments