Opinion: Here’s Why Apple’s (Most Likely) Changing OS X’s Name to MacOS

I’ve been working on Google Chrome all day today trying to get a separate website of mine up and running since I no longer have Flash on my Mac and need it to use certain functions. As I was surfing the internet for some images, I accidentally clicked on a web link which was infected. Luckily, I have Avast Mac Security installed (note that I’m in no way affiliated with Avast) on my computer which blocked any viruses from leaking in. However, when a certain prompt showed up on my screen, it said that the destination of the blocked bug was somewhere which yet again hints that Apple is renaming OS X to “MacOS”.

Yes, I’m aware that there’s plenty of other apps in the Mac software world that feature this same referral. In fact, the public has surely informed me of this. Nonetheless, this little discovery I made today got me thinking: could this be one of the reasons why Apple is changing the name of OS X?

Okay, okay, let me back up. Previous rumors have suggested that Apple is changing the name of OS X to MacOS due to certain referrals found both inside OS X El Capitan and Apple’s own website. This has introduced the new theory that at WWDC 2016, we’ll be seeing the introduction of MacOS 10.12 and not OS X 10.12. To assure skeptics out there that this may not be true, it’s been noted that developers like to refer to OS X as MacOS while coding their apps. Now, you’d think that if Apple didn’t want them to do this or if the OS didn’t support such a line of code, they’d be greeted with some type of error while working in order to keep their app more in line with the assigned operating system. However, it’s never been reported that this has proven to be true. So, it might make sense that Apple has been sticking to the MacOS branding for a while now and has been hinting at it explicitely right in front of our faces without anyone noticing. Think about it.

And while you’re thinking, take this into consideration: one of the reasons why this error has never been returned is because when applications run on a Mac, OS X looks for files under “MacOS”. Why would this be true and not have OS X be looking for data under “OS X”? Well, because underneath the OS X name, the Macintosh operating system is really (still) MacOS. Since version 10.0, Apple has been referring to the software as OS X. This was to make referring to the Mac’s OS more simpler, however it ultimately failed at that since the public usually calls the software, “Oh-Es-Ten-Ten-Dot-Eleven”. See that error highlighted? We’re saying “Ten” twice. That wasn’t intended, as it was simply to be called “Oh-Es-Ten-Dot-Eleven”.  So, to address this, Apple may begin to refer to this piece of software as simply, “Mac-Oh-Es-Ten-Dot-Twelve”. Doesn’t that make more sense? And the more you begin to look at this, OS X is simply looking more and more like a nickname.

Another reason why Apple may be changing OS X’s name is to keep it in line with other OSes Apple offers. This seems to be the most popular theory amongst consumers, as it makes the most sense. There’s iOS which runs on “i” devices, watchOS which runs on the Apple Watch, and tvOS which runs on the Apple TV. If you were a novice to Apple and their naming scheme, wouldn’t you assume MacOS would run on the Mac? And since Apple’s always trying to make stuff even simpler than it has to be while looking for new customers, this transition in title’s may be their next step in that process. Again, OS X just looks like a nickname for MacOS, doesn’t it?

All in all, it just seems that Apple is finally making things less complicated and is beginning to stick to OS X’s roots and start calling on our good friend MacOS again. Some people might like it, while other may hate it. However, no matter which way you look at it, there’s a good reason for changing this OS’ name, espiecially since OS X is just basically a nickname.

Featured image: Andrew Ambrosino via Medium