It has emerged that Apple’s iPods could be bundled with free virtual Mac software.
Here’s how this situation came to be:
* Apple decides to put Intel processors inside every Mac, starting in 2006.
* Novell encourages users to try its Linux desktop by offering it as a ‘virtual machine’.
* Apple’s iPods ship with virtually nothing on them – what a waste of space!
* VMware (an EMC company) launches its free VMware Player.
So here’s what Apple should do:
1. Follow Novell’s example and build a 60-day evaluation version of an OS X virtual machine that will execute and perform well on Intel’s latest chips.
2. Stick the virtual machine (along with the VMware Player) on every iPod with enough storage.
3. License HP to build MacPCs ready for the big rush.
4. Offer Windows XP users a discount voucher to purchase the full virtual Mac software.
5. Sell more iPods.
6. Sit back and count the money.
Is this ever likely to happen? Well apparently there’s no technical reason why not. Indeed the GPL PearPC project already supports OS X on its PowerPC emulator, so how difficult can it be now Apple is moving to Intel?
The big question, however, is this: is Apple brave enough to give it a try? Even if the idea were to flop, it would be a huge spoiler as Microsoft readies Vista for launch next year – and remember that Microsoft does offer Virtual PC for the Mac!
With Apple clearly viewing itself, and being viewed by many, as an innovator, making this relatively easy leap should be no problem for the company. Indeed, surely a company claiming to be at the cutting edge of consumer electronics would welcome such a challenge.
Source: OpinionWire by Butler Group (www.butlergroup.com)
