Critics: "Vista" An Apple Copycat

(CBS)  Microsoft hopes improved security and flashy new features in its new operating system, Vista, will spur consumers.

But, reports CBS News Technology Correspondent Daniel Sieberg, some analysts say those features aren't so new.

"It kinda like hits you between the eyes," remarks New York Times technology columnist David Pogue. "I don't mean to imply that Vista is nothing but copies from Apple, but there are some certain similarities that are unmistakable.

"One of the most useful features in Vista (gives you) every program, document, e-mail, address book entry from your entire computer ready to go. And … the same thing (is) on the Macintosh.

"Another great new feature in Windows is this thing called 'Photo Gallery.' On the Macintosh -- same exact thing, but it's called 'iPhoto.' "

Vista has what Pogue says is a highly-touted new feature, "The Sidebar," consisting of what he calls "individual, single-purpose, dedicated little programs; one (for example), for the weather report, one for your stock portfolio, one for notes. They're useful … but also highly similar to the same things on the Mac," called "Widgets."

Apple's home computers only represent a fraction of the market, Sieberg points out, but its ever-present iPod dominates the landscape of digital music players. And, when Microsoft introduced the Zune, its own music player, last year, many industry watchers felt it was nothing more than an iPod imitator.

"I'm not saying, by the way, that Apple doesn't also steal from Microsoft on occasion. They do," Pogue adds. "But, does it really matter? No, it doesn't. Because what happens is, both operating systems get better, and these definitely are improvements (in) Vista."

The leaders of both companies are now billionaires, Sieberg notes, so it's hard to say there were any losers.

[michael6]

finally, windows capabilities (games, win32 programs) with the great look and feel of mac. just my opinion

[ljocampo-2009]

The biggest problem with Vista, but yet to be recognized by the average consumer, is the restricted nature of Vista's DRM (Digital Rights Management). Microsoft has embedded their DRM deep into Vista and it will affect every subsystem and driver in the OS and its peripherals to keep you in line. If you think 1984s Big Brother has you now, just wait. Once the market complacently accept this DRM, it will be as captivating as DOS was to business.

[patelunas-2009]

hey am i the only person that heard the moning show start at 7am with a story of the delay of the release of windows vista delayed ? I swear i heard the gentleman this morning say that between 7am and 7:25am est. some one please answer thak you.

[fredhetz]

Whatever Microsoft's strengths are, inventiveness and creativity are not among them. I am not bashing Microsoft as much as I'm saying that they make acceptable products that are far from the cutting edge; from jump their M.O. has been to wait for others to innovate and then they come out with their own version (e.g., iPods lead to Zune, Playstation 2 leads to Xbox, etc.). That they are so brazen in borrowing from Apple is no surprise. That they are adding nothing to field at this point should be of great concern.

[Razzl]

We'll see in 3 years or so whether Microsoft will seem visionary for having introduced an operating system for the quad-core processors and 1-terabyte drives with 4 gb of memory which will may well be commonly available by then. In the meantime, the too-high hardware performance bar which this os throws up at current owners runs the grave risk of reviving competition to their monopoly. The millions of gamers whose online games can't be played on Vista, the home users who can't upgrade aging computers, and the savvy users who will give a closer look at Apple and Linux will make their decisions this year and next, and having once switched, will not be gotten back for a generation. The automobile industry provides the blueprint for this trajectory.

Some of what happens this year will depend upon how savvy the competition is about its opportunity--Apple will have to fill out its product line with some cheaper product, linux developers will have to rush completion of their Windows downloaders before too many novices crashing their os set them back for good. And Microsoft will have to move very quickly to address consumer unhappiness with the configuration to keep their finger in that *** of competition...

[headsup123]

I have used Microsoft for years, but a little over a year ago I switched to Apple. I haven't had any problems with this system, probably one of the best systems I have ever used. We don't have any virus protection added to it and don't need it. It's been great. Go Apple!!

[furrutia-2009]

Interestingly enough, when I clicked on the page to watch the video, Windows Media Player came back and said the video was in a format it didn't recognize. Clicked on it a second time and, lo and behold, it worked.

Will this work better on Vista? We sure hope so...

[one_american]

Telitlikitis:

Yes, you need to tell us how that relates to Windows Vista, Apple, or any other technology for that matter...