Comments on Real Software: Apple's Next Big Thing

Geoff, I am a fan of realbasic and the work you an...

2009-10-24T13:43:48.776-05:00

Geoff,
I am a fan of realbasic and the work you and the rb guys have done. I haven't developed an app yet, but want to. I've also been a Mac/Apple user since the early 80's. I've seen that you mentioned more than a year ago a plea that Apple will work with companies like yours so that you can compile for more platforms than just PC's. The change you are writing about here is where you know (& therefore I'm sure you're working towards positioning rb!) computing is going... smartphones and smart entertainment/educational devices... TV's & tablets that were the PC of old and the UI gets smarter with multi-touch inputs in addition to keyboard/mice.
I have never run a successful software company like you have, and I see the wisdom in waiting to speak of the future the day you ship product. Maybe I have mentioned it somewhere, but I would like to hear your version of the future, after pointing to where computing is going, of where rb is going. (I'm sure the finish of the Cocoa transition will probably give you more room to talk.) As a one-man shop, I would prefer to invest in a programming platform that has 5 years written all over it. Realistically, that may be a day gone by. But for rb to remain relevant, it will have to follow the most used devices forward... and that probably won't be the desktop nor the laptop down the road. Again, I am a great admirer of what you and your employees have done at rb. May you live long and prosper.

Thanks for the dates. You are right. They didn'...

2009-10-22T08:46:59.183-05:00

Thanks for the dates. You are right. They didn't go into the music distribution business the day they introduced the iPod. I didn't say that. I'm sure they had every intention of it from day 1 though. It probably took 18 months to get the music industry to agree.

Most people don't know this but Apple did not come up with the idea for the iPod. The guy that did wasn't working for Apple and he took it to a lot of companies in the computer industry all of whom turned him down before he went to Apple. Apple simply recognized the value in the idea.

Yes, I'm a fan of Apple. It's hard not to be a fan of a company that does such innovative work and is making so much money in a down economy. They are in an enviable position. But I didn't write this letter because I'm a fan of Apple. I wrote it because they are an important player in our industry and I can see where they are going next. This is our blog and it's where we share our thoughts on what we are doing and what the industry is doing.

> When Apple introduced the iPod, they > ent...

2009-10-22T07:39:33.122-05:00

> When Apple introduced the iPod, they
> entered the music distribution business.

No, they didn't.

Oct-23-2001: Apple introduces the iPod
Apr-28-2003: Apple introduces the iTunes Music store

There was a year and a half gap between the introduction of the iPod and Apple's entrance into the music distribution business.

At its introduction Apple positioned the iPod as a means to carry your existing music collection in your pocket.

Apple might have planned to enter the music business from day 1, but they didn't do so until 18 months later.

Nonetheless, this was a beautiful love letter to Apple. If there is an Apple Fanboy of the Year award you certainly have a very good chance of winning!

Meanwhile, while we are waiting for apple's ne...

2009-10-20T17:32:00.516-05:00

Meanwhile, while we are waiting for apple's next big thing, could we have something for their current one?

(A cross compiler for realbasic for the iPhone would be really nice - like adobe has done for flash)

According to Engadget the display can be used with...

2009-10-20T15:56:11.741-05:00

According to Engadget the display can be used with external sources and the 27" model is wall mountable.