iPhone UI is "liquid", keyboard rocks: Chicago Sun Times article.

[kmrivers]

Pretty good article in the Chicago Sun Times from a journalist who got to play with the iPhone. Very good article and he seems to ask some good questions. Including:

1. 3rd party apps
2. Browser plugins
3. OS X details

On Apps:

5. Apple will keep a very tight rein on software development.

I asked point-blank if third parties would be able to write and distribute iPhone apps and was told, point-blank, no.

However, it appears that there'll be some third-party opportunities. I'm going to take a guess that iPhone software will be distributed the same way as iPod games: no "unsigned" apps will install, but apps will start appearing on the iTunes Store after successfully passing through a mysterious process of Apple certification -- one that ensures that they meet a certain standard of quality and won't, you know, secretly send your credit-card info to Nigeria.

The lockdown on software is an area of ongoing suspicious interest. I noticed that the iPhone's pre-release browser was missing some plug-ins. I asked if Real and Macromedia et al. would be writing media plug-ins for the iPhone's Web browser, and was told that no, the browser would ship with plug-ins, but Apple would be writing them all in-house. Odd, that

On OS X

6. The iPhone runs the same OS as the Macintosh. And not in the way that Windows Mobile is, I suppose, technically, if you want to split hairs about it, classified somewhere in the Microsoft Windows phylum.

Nope, everything I've learned (both in official briefings and "you and I never spoke, all right?" sort of discussions) says that it truly does run Leopard, the upcoming 10.5 OS that will be released for the Macintosh late in the spring.

Those spiffy UI animations, for instance, come courtesy of Leopard's Core Animation suite.

So will it run Mac software? Nope. The iPhone runs OS X, but it's an iPhone, not a Macintosh. And it stands to reason that the OS on the iPhone doesn't include any bits that it doesn't need.

And no, the iPhone's Widgets aren't the same as the Mac's Dashboard widgets. But they do use DashCode and other desktop widget tech, so who knows? I'm really hoping that widgets will be more open to third-party developers than apps.

Source: http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/215441,CST-FIN-Andy18.article

 

[Malatesta]

a good read.

 

[surur]

Full of superlatives. "Protein-rich" is it. Obviously an fanboy.

Surur

 

[kmrivers]

Full of superlatives. "Protein-rich" is it. Obviously an fanboy.

Surur

You my friend are an sad person. :shake:

 

[bruckwine]

Actually the article sounds like it was written by someone on treocentral.com..like maybe in the iPhone thread lol...not sure how informative tit was comapred to Pogue's article (well ok if you read Pogue's you learnt nothing new here except it's a scaled-down jaguar and not tiger - just an opinion i guess)..that may have been more objective.

 

[kmrivers]

Actually the article sounds like it was written by someone on treocentral.com..like maybe in the iPhone thread lol...not sure how informative tit was comapred to Pogue's article (well ok if you read Pogue's you learnt nothing new here except it's a scaled-down jaguar and not tiger - just an opinion i guess)..that may have been more objective.

That clearly says it is based on Leopard (next Mac OS coming in Spring). Which was obvious from the keynote, since core animation is new to leopard and the iPhone has it.

 

[surur]

They keep calling it full OSX, but I wonder how much is common between the two OS's. They dont have the same apps, they dont run the same code (e.g. widgets). The OS is less secure than OSX. The UI is completely different.

How much is really the same between the two?

Surur

 

[bruckwine]

That clearly says it is based on Leopard (next Mac OS coming in Spring). Which was obvious from the keynote, since core animation is new to leopard and the iPhone has it.

my bad..did I say Jaguar?! I meant Leopard..I get confused with all these felines..how about orangutan to show REAL evolution? lol!

 

[kmrivers]

They keep calling it full OSX, but I wonder how much is common between the two OS's. They dont have the same apps, they dont run the same code (e.g. widgets). The OS is less secure than OSX. The UI is completely different.

How much is really the same between the two?

Surur

1. They don't run the same apps I am guessing because this version is running on an Arm processor (which is assumed).

2. They can't run the same code again because of the arm. Although I question that they arent the same "code" persay.

3. You have no evidence to support that it is less secure.

4. It is a phone. They made a new UI for the phone. They werent going to throw a keyboard and mouse at the thing.

The things that are the same are most likely the kernel. Mac OS X specific tech. I really don't know.

But they obviously don't need the whole OS. That would be a waste. As the iPhone wouldn't utilize most of it.

What is the point of arguing what it is anyway? Why would they feel the need to lie? This is what I am talking about. You have nothing better to do then doubt what is in the phone. Ridiculous man. :shake:

 

[Pearl_Diva]

They keep calling it full OSX, but I wonder how much is common between the two OS's. They dont have the same apps, they dont run the same code (e.g. widgets). The OS is less secure than OSX. The UI is completely different.

How much is really the same between the two?

Surur

I think you should try a test unit then give a full review of the OS. Only then will you truly know if it has limitations or not.

 

[surur]

If the API remained the same and fully intact, the apps can simply be recompiled. If not they would need to write little mobile versions of Itunes and Notes and Calculator etc.

It must be less secure if, according to Jobs, 3rd party apps need to be tightly controlled to prevent them wreaking havoc. Or does OSX also need apps pre-approved by Apple?

Again, I suspect there is much less OSX in there, and certainly not enough to call it full OSX.

Surur

 

[surur]

I think you should try a test unit then give a full review of the OS. Only then will you truly know if it has limitations or not.

How would one know from using it? The UI has no resemblance. One could not recognize familiar applications. One can not test for compatibility with other software. Can you drop to the command prompt and type jobs and see whats running?

There is really no way of knowing except either having the code or believing Apple. Such is the advantages of a closed and tightly controlled system.

Surur

 

[Pearl_Diva]

You've prejudged the OS a lot, before testing it completely, is what I meant.

When the test unit comes out for display in Apple stores, I'm going to look at it myself. I also want to test the thickness and screen to see if they're too delicate. And see just how good or bad the interface really is. This is why I haven't made any real judgements about these, except I believe protection maybe necessary due to thinness and the screen.

 

[bruckwine]

One issue in that article..he said you can't use it with latex gloves (like what is used in labs) so he doubts it can work with a screen protector?! Is he serious??

 

[kmrivers]

If the API remained the same and fully intact, the apps can simply be recompiled. If not they would need to write little mobile versions of Itunes and Notes and Calculator etc.

It must be less secure if, according to Jobs, 3rd party apps need to be tightly controlled to prevent them wreaking havoc. Or does OSX also need apps pre-approved by Apple?

Again, I suspect there is much less OSX in there, and certainly not enough to call it full OSX.

Surur

Well if it makes you feel better to think it isn't OS X. Have a ball.

 

[kmrivers]

How would one know from using it? The UI has no resemblance. One could not recognize familiar applications. One can not test for compatibility with other software. Can you drop to the command prompt and type jobs and see whats running?

There is really no way of knowing except either having the code or believing Apple. Such is the advantages of a closed and tightly controlled system.

Surur

Resemblence to what? It is based on LEOPARD, which no one has seen the final UI for. Not even snippets.

Familiar apps? It is a phone. Last time I checked a Mac was not a phone. They do share the widgets which look pretty much identical.

You can't drag and drop. Ok we know this. No command prompt. Sorry.

Besides, developers will be able to make apps. At that point we will know won't we?

I am sure the details will come out rather quickly when it releases. Won't matter to know though.

 

[samkim]

One issue in that article..he said you can't use it with latex gloves (like what is used in labs) so he doubts it can work with a screen protector?! Is he serious??

Another reviewer, maybe Pogue, said you can't use your fingernails or wear gloves. It has to be your skin.

 

[Pearl_Diva]

Oh so that may mean a screen protector would hamper the touch screen? Not good if screen isn't made scratch resistant.

 

[whatever7]

Give me break. An OSX that runs on a different CUP is not the same OS. None of the current OSX existing app can run on it.

Unless it comes with a software emulation layer like the "classic" environment that let you run universal binary. Why keep insist that it's OSX. Steven Jobs can brand anything OSX, it's Apple's own brand.

 

[whatever7]

Another reviewer, maybe Pogue, said you can't use your fingernails or wear gloves. It has to be your skin.

That sounds like the touch sensitive buttons on the 3 gen iPods. I couldn't use it when my glove is on.