Apple's annual developer conference WWDC, begins on Monday and will see the unveiling of iOS 9 and the next version of desktop software OS X.
Two years ago, Apple moved away from their habit of naming the desktop software updates after big cats (Leopard, Snow Leopard and Mountain Lion) and instead starting a new trend based on landmarks in California. This began with surfing resort Mavericks and then moved to Yosemite last year.
On Monday we will have the third iteration of this latest set of names, so the question is: what will be next?
Now, Apple clearly puts a lot of thought into this, but doesn't mind having a joke about it too, as the first two minutes of last year's WWDC keynote prove.
Os X Wiki
While going with a safe option is all well and good, it would be great to see something a little more creative; Google do it with their Android generations being named after sweets, so why not really go for an OS X Ranch Cucamonga just to throw us off.
Speaking of 'Next,' the naming of OS X 10.9, as the upgrade would be numbered, remains a mystery. Although some Apple enthusiast blogs speculated last fall that it could be designated 'Lynx'. OS X now seems like an outdated brand compared to Apple's other platforms. Similarly, keeping 'ten' in the name suggests that OS X's version number has been stuck for 15 years now.
- My MacBook Pro is Mac OS X version 10.5.8, what is the next software that I need to upgrade to in order to get to the software I need for the new iTunes 10.7, which requires 10.6.8 or later? Do I need snow lepoard? I'm confused on what the differences are. When I click on 'software update' it says there are no updates.
- Mac OS X 10.0 was released on March 24, 2001, for the price of US$129. It was the successor of the Mac OS X Public Beta and the predecessor of Mac OS X 10.1. It is the radical departure from the classic Mac OS and was Apple's long-awaited answer for the next.
On the sensible side, Apple has trademarked a host of names that could be used. They are: Redwood, Mammoth, California, Big Sur, Pacific, Diablo, Miramar, Rincon, El Capitan, Redtail, Condor, Grizzly, Farallon, Tiburon, Monterey, Skyline, Shasta, Sierra, Mojave, Sequoia, Ventura, and Sonoma.
Yes, they're nice names for an operating system but we would much rather see one of these up in lights.
Malibu
Bringing a bit of LA glamour to the hipster, northern California firm that is Apple, OS X Malibu would certainly be a change of direction, evoking thoughts of Barbie and celebrity beaches house rather than translucent Finder windows. The native desktop wallpaper could be a nice beach shot too.
Hollister
A very good way to start a court battle over trademarks and copyright, OS X Hollister might cause one of two phone calls from the guys at Abercrombie & Fitch. The retail stores would have to get darker and more beachy as well.
Lompoc
Yes, it is an unusual sounding word, and indeed name for a town, and that's partly why we love it. In case you're interested, the city's name comes from the Native American word for ‘lagoon'. It's also known as the flower seed capital of the world and holds a flower festival every year in June.
Red Bluff
Next Os X Names
A small town of only about 14,000, Red Bluff is actually widely known for its rodeos (one of the biggest in the west apparently). The name would also lend itself to a major colour overhaul of OS X, which is not something Apple are necessarily against. They've produced limited edition red versions of devices before to support the fight against Aids.
Palo Alto
A nod to the company's heritage, it was in the garage of Steve Jobs' parents' home in Palo Alto that the formative years of Apple took place. Naming the next OS X after the place where it all began would be a nice way of bring things full circle. Or seem a bit soppy.
All this aside, according to those in the know; the hot favourite is either Mojave or Sequoia. All will be revealed on Monday night.
