Apple’s new operating systems for mobile devices and computers will not launch simultaneously, 9to5Mac has learned from sources familiar with the matter, but that’s not necessarily surprising, even though iOS and OS X will be tied together more than ever once iOS 8 and Yosemite are released.
Apple is said to launch iOS 8 in September, followed by Yosemite a month later, according to the publication. Sources revealed that Apple’s OS X update required additional resources from the iOS team this year, in order for Yosemite to be completed by fall. In 2013, iOS 7 and Mavericks launched a month apart because Apple called up OS X engineers to work on its mobile OS, according to the publication.
While one of iOS 8’s and Yosemite’s most interesting features is the Handoff continuity feature, the fact remains that not all iOS device buyers also happen to be Mac owners. At WWDC 2014, Apple said it sold over 800 million iOS devices so far, adding that its Mac installed base is at around 80 million. Thus, while Handoff will certainly have a lot to offer to iPhone users who have OS X computers, it’s not necessarily a good reason for Apple to have a joint iOS 8 and Yosemite launch.
Moreover, it’s not clear whether all existing Macs will be able to actually support continuity features. Apple also doesn’t plan to merge iOS and OS X, according to various statements it made of the matter.
Most importantly, the iPhone maker has never launched new iOS and OS X versions at the same time, allowing each OS to shine without having to compete for attention with a different Apple product. Instead, the company has given new devices that are released about the same time with a new OS version their own spotlights.
Apple will surely follow the iOS 8 public release with the highly anticipated iPhone 6 launch this year – just like it did in previous years – and it’s unlikely the company wants to have any other new products, such as new MacBook models, come out at the same time with its 2014 flagship handset. The company doesn’t even launch new iPads at the same time with new iPhones, even though the upcoming iPad generation will also run the same last-gen iOS version out of the box.
Furthermore, Apple is also rumored to launch new MacBook Pro and Air models this year, and what better time to have them in stores than when Yosemite launches? After all, Apple’s OS X releases come free of charge for existing Mac owners, with Apple making money from new laptops and desktop sales.
