By Dan Moren

April 14, 2016 5:38 PM PT

Another sign points towards “MacOS” rename

Note: This story has not been updated for several years.

Update: Apple has since changed the language back to “OS X,” but Ars and others still have the original screenshots.

More evidence that “OS X” is not long for this world, caught by Ars Technica, among others. From Apple’s new environmental programs page:

Years of use, which are based on first owners, are assumed to be four years for MacOS and tvOS devices and three years for iOS and watchOS devices. More information on our product energy use is provided in our Product Environmental Reports. [emphasis added]

This after a text string in OS X 10.11.4 made a similar reference, and CFO Luca Maestri used the term in January’s Q1 2016 conference call. And, of course, fearless leader Jason Snell made the suggestion last summer.

Interestingly enough, the written versions have been “MacOS” not “macOS”, though many–myself included–thought the company would want to standardize it with iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. One reason they might not? “Mac” is still a specific, trademarkable term, while watch, TV, and the letter “i”…not so much.

[Dan Moren is the East Coast Bureau Chief of Six Colors. You can find him on Mastodon at @dmoren@zeppelin.flights or reach him by email at dan@sixcolors.com. His latest novel, the supernatural detective story All Souls Lost, is out now.]

If you appreciate articles like this one, support us by becoming a Six Colors subscriber. Subscribers get access to an exclusive podcast, members-only stories, and a special community.