“Apple’s chief executive Steve Jobs specifically highlighted a few new user interface changes coming in the next release of Mac OS X, but his presentation also revealed additional subtle but significant changes to how scroll bars work in the new Mac user interface,” Daniel Eran Dilger reports for AppleInsider.
“Jobs’ presentation focused on a few incremental evolutions, ranging from a more iPad-like implementation of full screen apps (Preview and iPhoto, specifically) to an enhanced version of Exposé named ‘Mission Control’ that better integrates with the Dashboard and Desktop views, and also does a better job of clustering apps’ windows together,” Dilger reports. “Apps’ clustered windows in Mission Control behave more like groups of photos on the iPad, another example of the cross pollination going on between iOS and the Mac OS X desktop. The new interface also blends Spaces’ virtual desktops into the user interface more cohesively in a way that will likely be accessible to a wider audience.”
Dilger reports, “The concept of full screen apps goes beyond the ‘heads up display’ full screen views the company has been experimenting with. Rather than presenting a single document full screen, with a normal menu bar, navigation controls and tool bar palettes that slide into view when the user mouses over the top and bottom of the screen, the new full screen view of iPhoto 11 presents a simplified, windowless interface with an iPad-like toolbar that’s always visible. There’s also subtle grey scroll bars.”
Read more in the full article, which includes Mac OS X Lion screenshots, here.
One thing I dislike in many forum comments – here and elsewhere – is the use of intense emotional language (“I hate —-“), rather than making concrete points backed with sound reasoning.
That said, I will hereby resort to such language …. one of the things I HATE about Winblows is its full-screen behaviour. I have my monitors set up as a multi-window workspace. I do NOT want iPhoto, or anything else, taking over my workspace.
@LateRegistrant
Allow me a moment to paws and consider the tail-end of your statement.
@LateRegistrant
Allow me a moment to paws and consider the tail-end of your statement.
Take pride in your operating system – use Mac OS X 10.7 Lion.
Take pride in your operating system – use Mac OS X 10.7 Lion.
I have heard that the only problem with Lion is that, after you install it, your Mac sleeps about 20 hours per day.
I have heard that the only problem with Lion is that, after you install it, your Mac sleeps about 20 hours per day.
@LateRegistrant
Oh, I see what you did there!
@LateRegistrant
Oh, I see what you did there!
I see a lot of problems for newbies who need visual reinforcement with OS 10.7 removing windows features.
Firefox has the ability to go full screen and I had to disable the option because newbies were getting stuck not knowing how to escape it.
Stuff like that annoys people who are honestly trying to learn, they think your trying to play games hiding things. They crave stability.
People get more comfortable and learn faster when the UI is consistent.
Out of sight, out of mind.
I see a lot of problems for newbies who need visual reinforcement with OS 10.7 removing windows features.
Firefox has the ability to go full screen and I had to disable the option because newbies were getting stuck not knowing how to escape it.
Stuff like that annoys people who are honestly trying to learn, they think your trying to play games hiding things. They crave stability.
People get more comfortable and learn faster when the UI is consistent.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Tee hee, I welcome these new scrollbars. Interface enhancements make my happy in my pantaloons! You betcha!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”snake” style=”border:0;” /> ™
Tee hee, I welcome these new scrollbars. Interface enhancements make my happy in my pantaloons! You betcha!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”snake” style=”border:0;” /> ™
Are there users of any other platform that would get so bent out of shape over a change in scrollbar look and behavior? LOL
I think Apple’s trying to bring a more unified experience across all their products. However, I don’t think they’ll completely remove current implementations either. Most likely it’ll be a setting in the preferences.
Personally, I haven’t used the scrollbars since I got my Magic Mouse (touch scrolling is SO much nicer), so the scrollbars are just taking up space.
Are there users of any other platform that would get so bent out of shape over a change in scrollbar look and behavior? LOL
I think Apple’s trying to bring a more unified experience across all their products. However, I don’t think they’ll completely remove current implementations either. Most likely it’ll be a setting in the preferences.
Personally, I haven’t used the scrollbars since I got my Magic Mouse (touch scrolling is SO much nicer), so the scrollbars are just taking up space.
“”All I ask is that in system prefs is that we can turn this useless BS off.”
You F-ing luddite. If you don’t want to use the two finger scrolling you’re actually stuck in 1991 and clicking and dragging on scroll bars to go up and down (or hitting the down key)
Old scrollbars are not needed. We have much better ways to up/down scroll
“”All I ask is that in system prefs is that we can turn this useless BS off.”
You F-ing luddite. If you don’t want to use the two finger scrolling you’re actually stuck in 1991 and clicking and dragging on scroll bars to go up and down (or hitting the down key)
Old scrollbars are not needed. We have much better ways to up/down scroll
A lot can change between now and WWDC 2011, when Apple will likely give a complete overview and an advanced copy to developers, with the official release a few months later (probably about August 2011).
It’s obvious that saving vertical space is a high priority. It’s the reason for the vertical “dots” in iTunes 10 (the main iTunes window no longer has a title bar), and putting “toolbar” buttons where the window title bar would be in the Mac App Store window (so it doesn’t have a title bar). I think not having a window title bar will become the norm in Lion for applications that have a primary interface window, rather than work through separate document windows. In addition to iTunes and the Mac App Store, there is iPhoto, iCal, Disk Utility, System Preferences, and many others that will probably get the same vertical space saving treatment. Maybe Apple will reconsider “tabs on top” for the Safari window too (which was an experiment tried during Safari 4 public beta – I liked it after a few days); that will save some vertical space by replacing the title bar with tabs.
After Lion, Mac OS X will probably go to “eleven” (no more cats names). At that time, I predict both the Menu Bar and the Dock will go away and be replaced (in functionality) by something else. That something else will not be fixed to the top and bottom edge of the screen and take up space continuously. Yes, I know you can hide the Dock and move it to the left or right edge, but bottom edge and visible is the way Apple expects most people to use it. As screens get larger (beyond 27-inch) AND as screens get smaller and proportionately wider (like the 11-inch MacBook Air), having key GUI elements at the extreme top and bottom (of a large screen) AND taking up space permanently (on a small screen) are usability issues that will addressed with something completely new. The changes in Lion are an interim step toward the “XI” (or whatever they call it).
A lot can change between now and WWDC 2011, when Apple will likely give a complete overview and an advanced copy to developers, with the official release a few months later (probably about August 2011).
It’s obvious that saving vertical space is a high priority. It’s the reason for the vertical “dots” in iTunes 10 (the main iTunes window no longer has a title bar), and putting “toolbar” buttons where the window title bar would be in the Mac App Store window (so it doesn’t have a title bar). I think not having a window title bar will become the norm in Lion for applications that have a primary interface window, rather than work through separate document windows. In addition to iTunes and the Mac App Store, there is iPhoto, iCal, Disk Utility, System Preferences, and many others that will probably get the same vertical space saving treatment. Maybe Apple will reconsider “tabs on top” for the Safari window too (which was an experiment tried during Safari 4 public beta – I liked it after a few days); that will save some vertical space by replacing the title bar with tabs.
After Lion, Mac OS X will probably go to “eleven” (no more cats names). At that time, I predict both the Menu Bar and the Dock will go away and be replaced (in functionality) by something else. That something else will not be fixed to the top and bottom edge of the screen and take up space continuously. Yes, I know you can hide the Dock and move it to the left or right edge, but bottom edge and visible is the way Apple expects most people to use it. As screens get larger (beyond 27-inch) AND as screens get smaller and proportionately wider (like the 11-inch MacBook Air), having key GUI elements at the extreme top and bottom (of a large screen) AND taking up space permanently (on a small screen) are usability issues that will addressed with something completely new. The changes in Lion are an interim step toward the “XI” (or whatever they call it).
Wow Ken1w – an actual discussion point – I commend you.
Optimizing vertical space makes a lot of sense with today’s wider screens. If you look at Mail for example there is plenty of space alongside buttons that the window title could be fitted into. Quicktime player already has look the edges and control. They appear whenever you mouse over them. It works but it a bit confusing at first. So is how to close a video window in iTunes.
Working with smaller screens is something that Apple has experience with the iOS and they clearly demonstrated they are going to bring in some of those elements.
Working with larger screens (especially connecting to TVs) will also benefit from the full screen approach. The new Apple TV interface works well for those applications.
I like the integration of the iDevices. It’s cool that I can control the AppleTV with the iPhone and even use the control touch screen area to move the selection on the TV.
Apple now have the hardware and the software to go even further on integration. The new Facetime app means my computer becomes a phone too. Sure you could do that with Skype but the implementation is easier the Apple way.
Tabbed apps make sense to me. It is a lot easier to jump from one window in Safari to another when they are tabbed. It is a lot tidier too. I would like to see that applied to all apps.
Wow Ken1w – an actual discussion point – I commend you.
Optimizing vertical space makes a lot of sense with today’s wider screens. If you look at Mail for example there is plenty of space alongside buttons that the window title could be fitted into. Quicktime player already has look the edges and control. They appear whenever you mouse over them. It works but it a bit confusing at first. So is how to close a video window in iTunes.
Working with smaller screens is something that Apple has experience with the iOS and they clearly demonstrated they are going to bring in some of those elements.
Working with larger screens (especially connecting to TVs) will also benefit from the full screen approach. The new Apple TV interface works well for those applications.
I like the integration of the iDevices. It’s cool that I can control the AppleTV with the iPhone and even use the control touch screen area to move the selection on the TV.
Apple now have the hardware and the software to go even further on integration. The new Facetime app means my computer becomes a phone too. Sure you could do that with Skype but the implementation is easier the Apple way.
Tabbed apps make sense to me. It is a lot easier to jump from one window in Safari to another when they are tabbed. It is a lot tidier too. I would like to see that applied to all apps.
One thing I know is when 10.7 finally comes.. It will change the game for os
One thing I know is when 10.7 finally comes.. It will change the game for os
PLEASE GIVE US BACK THE DESKTOP TRASH
PLEASE GIVE US BACK THE DESKTOP TRASH