15% off XPS M1330 & M1530 laptopsNovember 9, 2005 11:16 AM PST
Apple tries to patent 'tamper-resistant software'
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The Mac maker has applied for a patent to cover a "system and method for creating tamper-resistant code." Apple describes ways of ensuring that code can be limited to specific hardware, even in a world in which operating systems can be run simultaneously, in so-called virtual machines. The patent application was made in April of 2004, but only made public last Thursday.
In its application, Apple describes a means of securing code using either a specific hardware address or read-only memory (ROM) serial number. Apple also talks about securing the code while interchanging information among multiple operating systems. Mac OS X, Windows and Linux are called out specifically in the filing.
"This invention relates generally to the field of computer data processing and more particularly to techniques for creating tamper-resistant software," Apple says in its patent filing. Specifically, Apple refers to the technique of "code obfuscation," in which software makers employ techniques that make it harder for those using debuggers or emulators to figure out how a particular block of code is working.
Apple's patent application comes as the company prepares to offer its Mac OS X operating system for Intel-based chips, with the first machines slated to go on sale next year.
Historically, the company has had to worry less about the Mac running on non-Apple hardware because it has used different chips and other components from those that power Windows PCs. With its move to Intel chips, though, the innards of the Mac will become more similar to those of its Windows-based counterparts.
The company said it is not planning on supporting Windows or other operating systems on the Intel-based Macs it sells but has also said it doesn't plan on taking steps to prevent Mac owners from running other operating systems.
"We won't do anything to preclude that," Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller told CNET News.com in June.
However, Schiller also said Apple has no plans to allow its operating system to run on non-Apple hardware. "We will not allow running Mac OS X on anything other than an Apple Mac," he said. An Apple representative declined to comment Wednesday on the patent filing. Clearly, though, Apple is gearing up the intellectual property push around the Intel move.
The company has reportedly been beefing up the technology that constrains the Intel versions of Mac OS X to run only on authorized machines, to this point a set of test Macs given to developers. The company has also applied for a trademark on Rosetta, its technology for running existing Mac programs on the Intel chips.
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Apple you need to stop relying on the hardware as your cash cow and copy the market leader which is Microsoft.
Separate the software from the hardware. You cater to the masses and not to the selective few with your hardware offering. I give you credit, you?re hardware design is among the elite but I can?t and will not shell out money for something proprietary.
Steve Jobs, you started NEXT as a platform independent software company. Follow that strategy with MAC OS X. As a user of MAC OS X, WINDOWS, and Linux, I really like Apple?s value proposition. You know how to take an operating system that is difficult to understand and market to the masses. I like the fact you?ve taken UNIX from the GEEK realm and placed it on every desk with every computer. Do not stop there.
Remember your Think Different campaign. Maybe you need to ?THINK DIFFERENT?. NO HARDWARE lock in.
I know you want to control the quality of the OS with the interaction of the hardware. Do not underestimate you user base. Most of us are all technically savvy.
Salam,
Nael Mohammad
for dual-booting Mac OSX and WIndows (and/or Linux, so triple-
booting).
Allowing the Mac OS to run on non-Apple boxes? Bad for Apple.
Hence the patent mentioned in the article.
Allowing other OS's to run on a Macintel with little effort beyond
an installation? Great for Apple. Not necessarily bad for MS.
Realize that this means Apple is confident its OS will come
across as superior (I think it already does).
I like Apples, I always have, ...heck, I still have practically every "Apple ][http://" model ever made. And, I still periodically power them-up, ...just for sentimental reasons (In fact, I am looking for a set of original "Integer-Basic" ROMS to restore an owner-upgraded "Apple |http://" model ever made. And, I still periodically power them-up, ...just for sentimental reasons (In fact, I am looking for a set of original "Integer-Basic" ROMS to restore an owner-upgraded "Apple ][+" to its original "glory").
I also love "OS-X". But, Apples biggest problem has always been their seemingly-uncontrollable lust for control, through proprietary-technologies. That is why they "lost" the "personal-computer war" in the first place (sorry, but 5-percent market-share is due, very much, to a certain Steves repeated refusal to allow his "Insanely Great", and many admit, superior-technologies, out into the larger world, ...un-tethered to Apple, ...where it could be driven by more than just "Apple Computer").
This, long-term, behavior has also resulted in the "price problem", which Apple is still trying to conquer.
But, if they (Apple) keep trying to force the industry into an unwanted (by consumers) direction, for their own benefit, Apple is just going to remain a "bit-player", who is constantly admired (and copied) but never is the "player" they really should be.
Fortunately, I've learned that the fastest way to destroy your own
credibility is to become irate or start throwing insults.
The second fastest way to destroy your credibility is to admit that
you prefer/own Apple computers.
I'm only guilty of the latter.
As long as Apple locks up the ability to run OS X on its machines, all the "IBM PC-Compatible" guys had better look at new revenue streams.
For Apple this is totally a 180 degree turn from the clone licensing days.
I have to agree with Nael. I do not believe Apple will make much noise, as far as market share, until they release their OS to run on ordinary PCs. The hardware is irrelevant. The money is in the software, in this case, OSX. There can be no clearer evidence of this than Microsoft. Think about it, when we compare the market share of Apple, Linux, and Microsoft, we aren't comparing the hardware. We are comparing how many computers are running the OS.
Will Apple eventually take this route? I hope so. Competition breeds better products and innovation. And no they are not competing with Microsoft right now, not with 5% of the market. Most people who don't like Macs would buy a stand-alone copy of OSX. I can almost guarantee it. They are anti-Apple because of the hardware/software combination. Offer it alone and Apple market share will climb at a fast rate.
Oh yeah, it has to be able to play video games! People love chalking up video, photo, and music editing, but it's the gamers and enthusiats who really propel the PC market. Besides the business market of course.
My .02
- The Real Reason
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by R Me
November 12, 2005 8:29 AM PST
- The real reason Apple want ot use Intel chips is that R&D is a large chunk of Apple's expenses and to make it up cuases a disproportionant price gap between Intel and Apples based computers. To use Intel chips would greatly boost Apples bottom line. As a wise man once said, why invent the wheel? Maybe at one time when MAC's were superior in performance(due to win-bloat?) developing your own chip made sense but now that chips are fast enough it no longer matters.
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