If you needed proof that dropping Computer from Apple Computer, Inc. was a big deal, then yesterday’s announcement that Apple are delaying the release of Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) to October 2007 was that proof.

It’s convenient to use the diversion of resources to work on the iPhone as primary reason for the delay, because it was clear to many, even prior to the announcement of the iPhone, that Leopard wasn’t developing in a way that made the Spring 2007 release date look feasible. I just expected that maybe, unlike most other tech companies, expected shipping dates ended up being actuals.

Apple have now put “key” Mac OS X people on the iPhone, hence the delay to Mac OS X 10.5. That’s fine for me, because the iPhone is definitely the bigger deal. And let’s face it, Mac OS X 10.4 is, bar a few niggles, a fine operating system.

In my experience, when one project vital to a company looks like slipping, that company assigns inexperienced people from other projects in order to retain the original shipping date. That date is met, then we get into the “repent at leisure” phase, which basically re-does all the stuff done by these extra people. But, at least we can state that we met our milestone, huh?

Apple have, according to the press release, assigned “key” people, which I hope means that the initial iPhone launch will be successful. Because with something this revolutionary, Apple will only get one chance to get it right.

Update: in any case, during the summer months you should be outside, not stuck indoors drooling over a new software package. Our friends in the US can be outside, drooling over their new iPhone instead.