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Analyst suggestion of converged iOS/OS X device flies in face of Apple statements

CNET reports that JP Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz forecasts that Apple will release a converged iOS/OS X device he has dubbed the iAnywhere.

While not a new idea, our global tech research team believes Apple could be on the cusp of introducing a new category with iAnywhere, a converged MacOS-iOS operating system that allows an iPhone or iPad to dock into a specially configured display to run as a computer

This is a variation on earlier claims that a larger iPad – widely dubbed the iPad Pro – could also run both operating systems. I’ve written at length about this idea, so won’t rehearse the arguments again here, I shall simply counter with a few quotes from Apple … 

Steve Jobs:

Touch surfaces don’t want to be vertical … it doesn’t work. It’s ergonomically terrible.

Tim Cook on Windows 8 laptop/tablet devices:

You can converge a toaster and refrigerator, but these things are probably not going to be pleasing to the user.

Craig Federighi:

“The reason OS X has a different interface than iOS isn’t because one came after the other or because this one’s old and this one’s new,” Federighi said. Instead, it’s because using a mouse and keyboard just isn’t the same as tapping with your finger.

Some kind of hybrid device somewhere down the line, maybe. But an iAnywhere anytime soon, no.

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Comments

  1. qɹƐdns (@sup3rb) - 10 years ago

    iSINCE iI’M iA iFAN iOF iAPPLE, iI iSHALL iLIKE iEVERY iPRODUCT, iAS iLONG iAS iIT iHAS iAN ii iAT iTHE iBEGINNING iOF iITS iNAME i:)

    • lovetogetcrap - 10 years ago

      If you have no interest in things apple makes, then why are you here? I think your energy would be better used elsewhere where people have similar interests to you.

  2. Michael Glotzer (@Mglo) - 10 years ago

    Think hardware convergence, not software convergence. I’d love to have an iPad that I can use as a iPad most of the time, but hook up a mouse and keyboard and it dual boots and runs OS X just like an Air. No need to carry two devices. Won’t be the most powerful mac ever, but there are some things that are hard/impossible to do w/ iOS.

    • Thomas Massengale - 10 years ago

      Apple’s convergence is essentially via software and shared data (primarily distributed through the cloud and synchronised to be stored local on disparate devices).

    • Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

      1) Other than “run OS X,” the iPad can already do everything you ask.

      2) The iPad will *never* run “OS X”

      • Michael Glotzer (@Mglo) - 10 years ago

        Interapp communication is not straightforward in iOS, precisely positioning objects is not that easy. There are plenty of tasks I would much rather do on my mac than iOS (and vice versa).

      • appvisory - 10 years ago

        your argument is lacking in premises … actually i guess that makes it not an argument. Technically you need two premises. For example, your implied argument would actually need to look like this to be a real argument:

        Premise 1) (Other than ‘run OS X), (T)he iPad can already do everything you ask(, except run OS X).
        ^should be at the end of The iPad…sentence as shown.
        Premise 2*) It is inconceivable that an iPad could run OS X

        Conclusion 3) The iPad will *never* run “OS X”

        *obviously this is an example premise, which requires more information to be an accepted premise. So take with a grain of salt. I’m just trying to give an example.

      • focher - 10 years ago

        I bet the iPad is already running OS X in the lab. There’s no technical reason it couldn’t. Just like Apple ran OS X on Intel in the lab for years while the official platform was PowerPC. Far be it from me to guess whether Apple has a product around it, but it’s definitely not a technical impossibility.

    • Samir Shah - 10 years ago

      Best way to put what I want to say.

    • Samir Shah - 10 years ago

      I want a dual boot iOS/OS X iPad Air/Mini. So that I do not have to worry about carrying two hardware devices.

  3. Adam Bruce - 10 years ago

    These days I immediately roll my eyes any time I see the words “analyst” and “predict/suggest” in the title of any tech article. They are all simply stupid and/or behind the times when it comes to tech releases, stating well known facts about upcoming products as if they had the idea all on their own.

  4. Thomas Massengale - 10 years ago

    The iOS device could certainly be a local key to log you in to the “terminal” via iCloud with the phone/tablet also sharing some of the data (email, bookmarks, contacts, etc.).

    There was talk of doing this via NFC, but I am not sure that Apple is so interested in NFC at this point now that they are focussing on fingerprint-scanning technology as a differentiating factor.

    All speculation though. We’ll see what happens.

  5. RP - 10 years ago

    No doubt powerful computers will be able to be packed into a case the size of an iPhone. And no doubt they will in fact be the de facto consumer computing device. The premise is obvious, but not sure about the execution being put forward here.

  6. Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

    The idea of a little stand for the desktop, perhaps one that “kneels” to all the right angles and an iPad that fits into it as a desktop replacement is pretty much a given at some point, and possibly “overdue” already.

    The idea of a “converged” OS with a trippy name is completely irrelevant.

    One only has to ask oneself if the converged OS is *necessary* in order to obtain the end result that JP Morgan describes (iOS devices replacing a desktop), to see how silly it is. iOS can do this all by itself, today.

    The silly “converged” OS is just not necessary, therefore (Occam’s razor) it won’t happen.

  7. 311sie - 10 years ago

    Although, I agree that this is just a ridiculous proposal and believe it will not happen (at least anytime soon), I would not base it on comments made by Apple executives as there are plenty of examples of the company saying one thing and working on another (smaller ipad and larger iphone come to mind).

  8. Tallest Skil - 10 years ago

    Fire this worthless moron.

    Shouldn’t be too hard to comprehend: he’s a complete idiot, he ignores fact; no reason to keep him employed.

    • Kire IV - 10 years ago

      What I want to know is who the hell do you think you are to ask for someone to lose their job? I’ve seen your username and posted drivel on several websites. Personally I would like to see you lose all access to the internet you jackass.

  9. Eric S. (@InspiredCode) - 10 years ago

    Although I could see additional convergence between the operating systems, the device described is ridiculous. These “analysts” are paid for this?

    • Eric S. (@InspiredCode) - 10 years ago

      If there is truth to this, best I can figure is they are describing a new AirPlay feature. Maybe allow a keyboard to connect via Airplay or something… I could also see a new redesigned keyboard accessory for the iPad. However a docking station with a display is ridiculous.

  10. What I want to see is an iPad Air becomes just a screen when you plug it in a Mac hardware… Somehow when it’s unplugged, it becomes and iOS device but when plugged in it becomes a screen…

    Someone mentioned it here – no need to carry two different things if can be done in one device.

    • …oops I mean, it becomes an iOS device.

    • Rich Fusinski (@fusinski) - 10 years ago

      YES, exactly. There is no reason why I shouldn’t be able to dock my iPad into something like a Mac Mini and have cross-device access to the file systems.

      • Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

        Well, you are wrong. There are many reasons.

        The number one reason is that iOS doesn’t have a file system, so connecting to another file system is actually a real problem when you don’t have a file system on the device you are connecting.

        You also can easily have “cross-device access” to files already. It’s called … “iCloud.”

        The way Pages or Numbers for instance, saves all it’s files in the cloud and gives you instant access, editing and collaboration across a variety of OS’s and platforms is really the solution for this kind of problem. A solution that is already here if you use Apple’s productivity apps instead of Microsofts, and a solution that will soon arrive even for old fogies like Microsoft.

      • Mr. Grey,

        I can do all that and I’m savvy when it comes to iWork iCloud stuff… but when I want to create a new Pages or Keynote document, I’d like to use the physical mouse and keyboard. Touch and gestures in editing in an iOS device is not natural to me. I still require the magic mouse so I can be proficient in Creating from scratch.

      • Rich Fusinski (@fusinski) - 10 years ago

        Dude, iOS absolutely has a file system.

    • focher - 10 years ago

      I know the popular meme, but in this case there (really) is an app for that.

  11. Jack Gnasty - 10 years ago

    Microsoft tried it, and it’s not working out so great. Device form factor is a function of intended use. A notebook with touchscreen is a novelty. The form factor of a notebook/laptop allows it to be portable, but it’s not a handheld or mobile device. Big difference. So you lose the real functionality of the touch interface. We use notebooks in stationary situations which allow much more precise functions and interactions with a mouse or touchpad. Nobody is walking around and simultaneously using a notebook. By contrast, nobody is trying to perform precise and intricate functions with a mobile device. Nobody is asking for the ability to use a mouse while using an iPad in a crowded mall or starbucks.

    There will never be a convergence of hammer and saw. I don’t see a convergence of mobile tools and non-mobile tools.

    • Jack, you’re comparison of hammer and saw is totally misleading. Hammer is for pound and saw for cutting, well I do get your point. iOS devices are just a variation of Macs, they are portable with the touch functionality versus the mouse…

      Convergence of iOS and Mac devices would be more compared to hacksaw and a power saw

  12. Rich Fusinski (@fusinski) - 10 years ago

    My iPad Air with quickly detachable Zagg keyboard cover is my favorite computing device EVER. If it was just a little bit more capable, I could toss my Macbook in the trash. This whole devices don’t need to be converged business is bunk. Try it and I guarantee you that you will think it is awesome.

    • Jack Gnasty - 10 years ago

      What additional capabilities are you looking for?

      • Rich Fusinski (@fusinski) - 10 years ago

        Full feature productivity apps. And here’s the thing–I’d be totally satisfied if I could run some lightweight OS X virtually with Office and other apps installed. There are some apps that can already give me access to a virtual desktop, but lag and the lack of the iPad accepting a bluetooth mouse are killers. The technology is literally almost there.

  13. I’m not sure if I was the only one to read something entirely different from the ‘analyst’s’ predictions? I was imagining being able to dock my iPhone/iPad at a desk and be able to use the OSX skin on the Monitor (not touch screen) and peripherals, yet continue to use iOS (and take calls etc) on my mobile device. If an iBeacon of sorts knew when my device was within 3ft of my desk, and automatically Airplay’d out OSX to the monitor, and automatically attached my Bluetooth peripherals, then I’d be a pretty happy guy. Even better with a charging pad on the desk too :). The computing power in a mobile device for that to be a comfortable experience isn’t quite there yet, but the moment I have a Quad core 4Gb iOS device in my pocket it’d be the same as the laptops we’re currently using at work :)

  14. Jerry Fisher - 10 years ago

    I’m not a marketing genius or social scientist, but it has occurred to me that Apple’s bread and butter comes from the market that first joined Apple by buying things like the iPod, then the iPhone and iPad. The iOS was their first introduction to Apple.

    Eventually they might “graduate” to a Mac but then they are faced with an OS that isn’t entirely familiar and doesn’t quite operate like the friendly device in their pocket or purse. Call it a hunch, but I’m pretty sure Steve Jobs saw that coming years ago and planned accordingly.

    Logically, it makes more sense for iOS and OS to merge at some point in the future. It would be a strong draw to consumers that they can seamlessly move from their handheld to their Mac without changing how they interact with either device. It would be less jarring to have the same general appearance for the apps they use. There would be the added bonus of purchasing many apps just once instead of at least twice.

    There will be the folks who’d complain that the merged OS is a sop to the masses, but then again, Apple makes the far greater part of its income from those masses, not the complaining minority. For better or worse, money talks. Apple stands to save money in their R&D by only needing to work with one OS instead of two as well. (Just to throw this nerdy reference in, but when is the last time anyone used a mouse or keyboard in Star Trek or Star Wars? Janeway from ST Voyager doesn’t count as she was in a situation where there was no other way to interact with what she would have considered a charming antique The same goes for Scotty).

    The naysayers can either resist change and watch as less software becomes available to them in the future or jump ship to another platform and go through the tedium of relearning an OS and purchasing all new copies of the software they’ll need. At that point, Windows and Linux are both moving in the same direction of convergence and they may well find it is easier to just stop resisting the inevitable and get on with things.

    • Jack Gnasty - 10 years ago

      It’s not about ‘naysaying’, it’s about technical understanding. Whether Apple provides the desired functions in their respective operating systems, or they do it by creating a unified OS, what difference does it make if the functionality is there? I don’t think anybody is saying they don’t want their devices to communicate or have a bit of cross functionality. But those with a technical understanding of how are built know there will not be a unified OS any time soon.
      Saying ‘anything is possible’ is just as uninformed as ‘it will never happen’.

  15. Mark Demarsico - 10 years ago

    just about sounds like ubuntu phone… i don’t think apple will do this, i think they would lose mac sales witch i think they already are since ppl like iOS… but if this did happen i think it would be limited… iOS devices can already do just about anything, alls it really needs is a file system and be able to download things like music and video and from there push those downloaded items to all your devices ex. download a song from say hot new hiphop, it then goes to my music player and then goes to iCloud so i can access that music from my mac and my iPhone.. thats really all iOS needs to do… like i said you can do so much with iOS already that having osx inside it wouldn’t really be needed… if anything when you doc your idevice maybe you can just rework it to make more of a desktop experience…. but not just when you doc it to a big monitor but say when you put your iPad in a keyboard case… it would give apple a chance to make there own..

  16. Christopher Brown - 10 years ago

    NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Windows 8 is a failure because of the convergence of tablet and computer. We don’t need both on one device! You pull out a laptop to type a report, NOT YOUR iPAD! Look I love Apple and everything they do, I have never had a problem with their changes but this one is just not one that I will accept. I am sorry but the PC industry is just taking a turn for the worse. If you are going to combine the two, you might as well not use an iOS 6 look!

  17. Shaun G - 10 years ago

    It’s always dangerous to take what Apple exec’s say as gospel. Didn’t Steve Jobs say they would never make a smaller iPad or that they had no need to build a larger screen iPhone.

  18. Jake (@apcorom) - 10 years ago

    please not merge iOS and OSX.

  19. Mohan Rawat - 10 years ago

    that will be a welcome change.I lost my first iphone 4s which was daughter gifted me and have not been able to afford to buy a new one. I will then probably be forced to the new one. Since I have in my proud potions a Mac Pro and Macbook pro with apple made applications like FCS2, LogicPro, Not to speak of ilife applications Pages, Numbers and Key Note (which I bought , they are free now. I had to even buy Motion5. Yes lets see when it happens…….

  20. b9bot - 10 years ago

    Cook, Federighi, Schiller, all said this isn’t going to happen. I don’t see why the media keeps trying to push this. Especially when you see the disaster that Microsoft has made of Windows 8. I personally don’t want the OS of both to be the same. My iMac is a desktop and I want to use it as such. I don’t want a touch interface that doesn’t work with my desktop taking up hard drive space when it can’t be used anyways. I especially don’t want that interface plastered in my face when I can’t use it. This would be a disaster!

    • focher - 10 years ago

      I’m not too sure that they never said “this” isn’t going to happen, because it’s not clear what “this” could mean. At their cores, both iOS and OS X are pretty much the same. The libraries on top are what is different. I’m not sure it’s beyond the real of possibility that Apple could offer a device – remember, the iPad Air’s compute and graphical power is not far away from a laptop from a few years ago – that uses touch when it’s an “iPad” and switches to support OS X applications (that are converted to Arm binaries) when docked with a keyboard / mouse.

      All that being said, I don’t think it’s happening any time soon.

  21. reynoutvab - 10 years ago

    I can use the launchpad on my Macbook. I get the icon interface of iOS of all my apps on my Mac.
    So far so good. When I start an app, I go back to the “old” Mac OSX desktop. Why???
    So Apple please let me choose what I would like to use: desktop or launchpad. Don’t switch choose for me.
    With the Dock/command+Tab or with 4 finger swipe (for full screen apps) I can switch apps. This will mimic for iOS user the app selection and switching.

  22. Untitled (@Untitled_007) - 9 years ago

    But Apple said they’re not going to merge iPad and Laptops together last year.

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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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