Should Apple offer a free OS X virtual machine inside every iPod?
The Butler Group, a European IT analyst, speculates that Apple could and should include a free 60-day evaluation of Mac OS X as a virtual machine pre-installed on every iPod with sufficient disk space. Their theory is based on Novell's current Linux desktop virtual machine distribution, Intel-based Macs right around the corner and the availability of a free VMware Player from EMC.
The immense popularity of the iPod makes it the perfect distribution method for a Mac OS X virtual machine. It gives Windows users a chance to really fall in love with the Mac OS without having to shell out any additional cash up front for new hardware or software and competes head on with the latest Microsoft Windows offerings.
Butler Group's 6-step plan looks like this:
- Follow Novell's example and build a 60-day evaluation version of an OS X virtual machine that will execute and perform well on Intel's latest chips.
- Stick the virtual machine (along with the free VMware Player) on every iPod with enough storage.
- License HP to build MacPCs ready for the big rush.
- Offer Windows XP users a discount voucher to purchase the full virtual Mac software.
- Sell more iPods.
- Sit back and count the money.
It's not as crazy as it sounds, actually, but I don't personally think Apple has any desire to go this route, no matter how "doable" it might be. Then again, I never thought they'd make the move to Intel, so what do I know...
What do you think? Could this be a viable way for Apple to achieve significantly higher market share or is it just the pipe dream of a bored analyst?