Free, ad supported version of OSX being investigated

Seth Weintraub
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October 22, 2009
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Apple patented a method for putting ads into the OS X last year which was revealed today by MacRumors and Engadget.  This one has Steve Jobs' name on it so it might have some significance.  While this initially seems waaaay out of character, there might be some interesting possibilities here.

 

First, this type of OS could be used in a super low cost Mac.  Just as Microsoft is crippling its Windows 7 to go on Netbooks, Apple may be looking for ways to subsidize the cost of building a machine and selling it for less than $400. 

Also, could this be a hint that Apple is considering releasing OS X, at some time in the future, for Generic PeeCees?  While Apple makes most of its money on hardware -and therefore can afford to sell its OS for cheap and not enforce "Genuine Advantage" type OS security, it could allow an ad-supported "free" version of the OSX to hit the marketplace. This would eliminate the need for people to Hackintosh their computers and also allow apple to compete with the ChromeOS in the Netbook arena.

 

Comments (8)

Kev Orng (not verified) | October 22, 2009 - 9:36am

I'll buy the ad-free version, thanks!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 22, 2009 - 9:37am

lord jesus what a horrible idea

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 22, 2009 - 9:58am

" could this be a hint that Apple is considering releasing OS X, at some time in the future, for Generic PeeCees? "

why do people ever even consider this would ever happen?!?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 22, 2009 - 10:16am

Imagine if OSX was released as a free version for generic PC's for a moment...

A free version supported by ads. (which people would block anyway)

A FREE version of a pretty well reviewed OS running on all that generic hardware would, I'd bet, put a pretty big dent in Window's marketshare and keep Ballmer up at night. If the Ad-supported version is free and PC only I'm almost willing to support it just to reduce M$'s marketshare and boost Apples.

Competition is king right?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 22, 2009 - 10:58am

But will it blend?

9to5Mac Admin (not verified) | October 22, 2009 - 1:21pm

i could see some interesting things happening with this. the first would be that people would find a way to block/stop the ads from occurring. second i would assume mac hardware sales to decline because everyone would just put the free OS X on their petty little pc's.

Canada Chas (not verified) | October 22, 2009 - 1:40pm

might be for Apple TV. Get some content for free?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 22, 2009 - 1:57pm

That's perfect! I'd watch them at work!