Leopard is Coming--What Do You Think the Top Secrets Are?

[GodBless]

Steve Jobs promised us "Top Secret" Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard features. What do you think they are? (Be sure to also comment on what you'd like them to be aside from the poll in this thread.)

[siurpeeman]

Steve Jobs promised us "Top Secret" Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard features. What do you think they are? (Be sure to also comment on what you'd like them to be.)

remember, steve promised 3 ghz powermac g5's a year after the g5 was released. apple doesn't always do what it says it will, and i'm beginning to think these secret features will prove to be empty promises. i'm hoping i'm severely wrong on the matter; i just don't want to get my hopes too high. i'm already happy with time machine, spaces and an improved spotlight and safari. anything else really is just gravy. as for "secret" features i'd want, i'd only really like to see the end of brushed metal across all apps. i don't ask for much.

[nagromme]

remember, steve promised 3 ghz powermac g5's a year after the g5 was released. apple doesn't always do what it says it will, and i'm beginning to think these secret features will prove to be empty promises. i'm hoping i'm severely wrong on the matter; i just don't want to get my hopes too high. i'm already happy with time machine, spaces and an improved spotlight and safari. anything else really is just gravy. as for "secret" features i'd want, i'd only really like to see the end of brushed metal across all apps. i don't ask for much.

Keeping your hopes low is a smart move :) I expect a new or significantly-enhanced Finder, and res-independent UI. Nothing else (at least nothing big).

But re the 3GHz G5 being late... that was IBM that didn't keep the promise. Nothing Apple could have done to make that come true without IBM. Leopard, on the other hand, is Apple's own product, in their own control.

Of course we all know what lengths Apple went to to take control AWAY from IBM after such delays :)

[EricNau]

Personally, I'm hoping for TV recording capabilities, but that's the last thing I'm expecting.

I'm not expecting much... maybe a updated UI, Finder, and Res. Independence.

I'm also starting to think iLife & iWork will be included with Leopard, at a new price of $199.

[GodBless]

Personally, I'm hoping for TV recording capabilities, but that's the last thing I'm expecting.

I'm not expecting much... maybe a updated UI, Finder, and Res. Independence.

I'm also starting to think iLife & iWork will be included with Leopard, at a new price of $199.

According to this link (http://developer.apple.com/leopard/overview/) Apple has not kept Resolution independence as a "Top Secret" feature--it's a sure thing.

[OllyW]

The biggest secret at the moment seems to be the release date :D

[GodBless]

The biggest secret at the moment seems to be the release date :DGood one! ;) :D

[siurpeeman]

According to this link (http://developer.apple.com/leopard/overview/) Apple has not kept Resolution independence as a "Top Secret" feature--it's a sure thing.

another not so secret feature is quick look (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNGnCmKPhyo) (time 3:31).

[GodBless]

another not so secret feature is quick look (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNGnCmKPhyo) (time 3:31).That certainly was an interesting video as were the other videos that the user posted but some of them were inappropriate such as the "daemon" reference and the shaking of the rear in the "World of Warcraft" game demonstration (Kind of ironic that the word demon is in the spelling of demonstration isn't it?).

[rockstarjoe]

Not a secret feature, or even anything that exciting, but I sure would like it if the Finder was improved to handle network shares better. A "Reconnect at Login" box a la windows drive mapping would be sweet. :rolleyes:

[twoodcc]

i really hope a new finder is born with Leopard

[wrldwzrd89]

I think that Apple's going to deliver some new must-have built-in application(s) that integrate with the iPhone or deliver some new experience to make our lives easier. These innovations will require a new Finder, which I think Apple's also preparing behind the scenes. Neither of these things significantly impact the overwhelming majority of developers - that's why Apple is able to keep them secret.

[atari1356]

another not so secret feature is quick look (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNGnCmKPhyo) (time 3:31).

Nice, I hadn't seen that before... Quick Look will be very useful.

[cwedl]

integrate ical, mail and sickies - productivity hub for the mac. new finder interface, msn support in ichat, updated front row, like apple tv.

[Queso]

integrate ical, mail and sickies - productivity hub for the mac. new finder interface, msn support in ichat, updated front row, like apple tv.
If the integrated productivity app had some form of MAPI-compatible interface for Exchange, something reverse engineered rather than licensed from M$, Apple would be onto a major winner. Especially if they then released the reverse-engineered code to the OSS community :D

Don't know about he MSN support though. MSN is bigger outside the US than within, and we all know how US-centric Apple's priorities can be.

I'm expecting something that ties in with Google's applications in some way. Eric Schmidt being invited onto the board of Apple has to have something major behind it.

[dswoodley]

I think the "secret" features are vapor or are coming in future increments. Given that every Apple exec says 10.5 is shipping in the spring, they are running out of time real fast just to have 10.5 as demoed ready. To add in new features at this time would be a truly difficult task. I'll keep my expectations low.

[Zimmy]

A redesigned Finder is a good guess, being this the midway point (10.5) we will see something completely different.

Zim

[mrkramer]

I think that if there actually is anything it will be iLife, and possibly iWork sold a s part of the OS.

[a456]

An agreement with MS and the Parallels firm to bundle Vista and Parallels with every copy of Leopard. Amazon are slashing the price of Vista, it's practically being given away anyway.

And, Leopard on a Stick - the ability to carry your OS X desktop wherever you go on a USB stick or iPod and plug it into any PC, which will then work like your Mac.

[iJawn108]

another not so secret feature is quick look (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNGnCmKPhyo) (time 3:31).

Notice the pink?

there will be themes forsure.
http://i7.tinypic.com/2qau1k3.png

We're going to see quicktime 8,Updated Finder,i life and iwork built in,blu-ray support... thats about it as far as comercial features.

[Skrilla™]

Notice the pink?

there will be themes forsure.
http://i7.tinypic.com/2qau1k3.png

We're going to see quicktime 8,Updated Finder,i life and iwork built in,blu-ray support... thats about it as far as comercial features.

yikes, i hope they do more than themes, I'm hoping for a totally new GUI. It really hasn't had an overhaul in a while.

Some of these responses are pretty funny :D

[mrgreen4242]

Not a secret feature, or even anything that exciting, but I sure would like it if the Finder was improved to handle network shares better. A "Reconnect at Login" box a la windows drive mapping would be sweet. :rolleyes:
Yes, finder improvements are a must. I want, like you, better network shares, and tighter integration of Spotlight into the finder (easier to use smart folders, multiple finder windows that self organize, whatever else those crafty Apple software engineers can think of).

integrate ical, mail and sickies - productivity hub for the mac. new finder interface, msn support in ichat, updated front row, like apple tv.
Dunno about the rest, but Front Row seems like a sure thing to update. I predict more integration with the iTMS store and DVD Player. An Apple TV like interface, or at least pieces of that design, would make sense.

A redesigned Finder is a good guess, being this the midway point (10.5) we will see something completely different.

Already commented on the Finder bit, but just pointing out that 10.5 doesn't mean they are halfway through. The A.b designations in software aren't decimal numbers, they're just using the . as a separator between major and minor revision numbers. This is the fifth version of Apple's 10th OS. They could easily go to 10.10 then move right onto 10.11.

An agreement with MS and the Parallels firm to bundle Vista and Parallels with every copy of Leopard. Amazon are slashing the price of Vista, it's practically being given away anyway.

And, Leopard on a Stick - the ability to carry your OS X desktop wherever you go on a USB stick or iPod and plug it into any PC, which will then work like your Mac.

No way they'll bundle Vista... the COULD become an authorized reseller and sell it as an option, but no way it's included with Leopard. I do, however, think they will buy/license Parallels and have virtualization built into 10.5 with fast user/OS switching, full hardware GPU support, Windows in a box, Windows apps running side by side with OSX apps, without the Windows desktop, etc.

Oh, and can you show me where Vista is being massively discounted? I see it on Amazon with a ~5-10% discount, but it's still really expensive...

You can already do home directories on an external drive (like an iPod) but I'm not sure why you'd want to carry the whole OS with you? I'd like to see a setup where I can plug in my 1gb flash drive, though, and have OSX automatically copy the most needed gig from my user files over. All of my preference files, my most recently and often used documents, any apps I pre-designate to be included, any photo albums or iTunes playlists I say should be included (like you top 25 rates, 25 most played, 25 recently played, and your 'last roll' in iPhoto) for example.

MS tried to do something kinda sorta like that with the old Briefcase system, but with the improved metadata OSX has available it seems like it could do a much better job.

Aside from Finder and Front Row improvements, plus what we know about (Quick Look, Time Machine, Spotlight, Resolution Independent UI, etc) my best guess is that they will introduce some new input systems. Perhaps a mouse gestures based shortcut system, or improved voice command system allowing the computer to better understand natural speech.

Hm, I'm going to hold out against hope that they bundle QTP with the OS now, since they are adding more and more media features which need people to be able to do video conversions, etc.

I'm not holding my breath for them to integrate iLife and iWork into the OS. They get $160 or so for each user who buys those, and most people will get one or both. Why would they cut those sales, or increase the price of the OS and cut potential OS updates for those who just want the OS? Makes no sense. Most I can see is them doing a package of all three for a discount. Say $199 for all of them, assuming the standard $129 for Leopard, $79 each for iLife and iWork separately.

[zombitronic]

Bumptop style "weighted" and dynamic icons. Picture icons are still thumbnails of the image, but when opened, instead of just appearing as an original size image, the icon will dynamically resize up to original size of the picture.

[mrgreen4242]

Bumptop style "weighted" and dynamic icons. Picture icons are still thumbnails of the image, but when opened, instead of just appearing as an original size image, the icon will dynamically resize up to original size of the picture.

I'm not sure exactly what Bumptop is, but you made think that they could/should give OS objects weight, and surface texture that would change how they interact based on some sort of physics model. Just as an example, things that you "pick up" for drag and drop could have increased "friction" when you move over areas that they can be dropped onto, slowing them down and making them change in appearance somehow.

Not sure how you would make that useful, but it seems like the next step in UI (after doing 3d compositing for obvious visual layering and transparency as OSX does) would be making the elements move realistically. Shrug.

[GodBless]

I forgot to put it in the poll but I am guessing that Apple might be making an interface emulator (similar to W.I.N.E. which runs on Linux) in order for Windows programs to run on the Mac with the least resources and with the easiest transition between Windows programs and OS X Applications. I would really like that because with W.I.N.E., purchasing Windows wouldn't be necessary to run programs designed for Windows on a Mac.

[zombitronic]

http://www.bumptop.com

[playaj82]

I'm hoping for more eye candy. Some Beryl type FX.

And.....I NEED better iSync support

[puckhead193]

I would love themes and dock customizability.
I really think that something like a real time windows emulator will be included. Like insert a disk and the program opens fine, no need to start windows
I have a feeling that ilife will be included for this year to get people to upgrade cause its going to incorporate more ilife apps into the OS

[GodBless]

http://www.bumptop.comWow, I linked from that site to a neat video software demonstration of that new technology here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0ODskdEPnQ).

[matthew24]

Streaming audio as an OS X functionality rather then a iTunes functionality. So I can stream audio from any application to my stereo. (Quicktime, DVD player etc..)

[QCassidy352]

I voted for "a new finder," and "other." I think the "other" secret feature will be a leather case for your Leopard install DVD that is embossed with an :apple: and costs $100.




:D

[Queso]

I forgot to put it in the poll but I am guessing that Apple might be making an interface emulator (similar to W.I.N.E. which runs on Linux) in order for Windows programs to run on the Mac with the least resources and with the easiest transition between Windows programs and OS X Applications. I would really like that because with W.I.N.E., purchasing Windows wouldn't be necessary to run programs designed for Windows on a Mac.
Remember WINE isn't perfect though, so most people would probably still end up needing Parallels. Doing this might also kill Apple's development environments as software companies could save costs and write only one version of the software using Windows tools.

Now if they released XCode for Windows you'd be talking :cool: Imagine all those Windows developers learning how to write XCode apps on their PCs, then finding porting it to Mac takes only a few hours and a recompile.

And as the other Steve likes to say "Developers!! Developers!! Developers!!......" ;)

[GodBless]

Remember WINE isn't perfect though, so most people would probably still end up needing Parallels. Doing this might also kill Apple's development environments as software companies could save costs and write only one version of the software using Windows tools.True, but it would be useful for some programs that wouldn't be programmed for OS X anyway and plus professional developers who already develop for OS X wouldn't settle for only making only a Windows version when the OS X programming environment is better (and so are the results of using the OS X programming environment).

Now if they released XCode for Windows you'd be talking :cool: Imagine all those Windows developers learning how to write XCode apps on their PCs, then finding porting it to Mac takes only a few hours and a recompile.Yes that would be great for everyone--Windows users and Mac users alike but Windows' design isn't currently ready for it.

And as the other Steve likes to say "Developers!! Developers!! Developers!!......" ;) Link. (http://www.ntk.net/media/developers.mpg) ;)

[Zwhaler]

I don't know. but I have a feeling that Leopard will be revolutionary. I guess we will just have to wait and see what those Top Secret features are...

[GodBless]

I don't know. but I have a feeling that Leopard will be revolutionary.You might be right but if you are then Apple really did a good job with confidentiality this time.

[lexus]

I hope they release a auto sorter for files and folders.;)

[GodBless]

I hope they release a auto sorter for files and folders.;)It's called Spotlight categorization and it's already part of Tiger.

[Cromulent]

Personally I think they will just introduce a new UI to replace (or compliment) Aqua. With Apple delaying the new iLife, iWork and the pro apps it is feasable that they could all have a new UI designed for Leopard.

[BigPrince]

I said touch screen more out of want then think. lol

[GodBless]

I said touch screen more out of want then think. lolWith all of the attention of Jeff Han in the rumors I wouldn't be surprised if Apple was up to something besides the iPhone touch screen wise--also with a new and revolutionary iMac rumored it would all come together. Plus with Tiger having a lot more to offer than Leopard has been said to offer so far (and with less development time than Leopard) Apple has to be up to something as far as one or more major new features--if it is true that Apple is developing advanced touch screen technology then they did a good job with confidentiality because nobody suspected anything until now. (I give a lot of credit to bigraz's post linked here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=3460291#post3460291).)

[Queso]

Link. (http://www.ntk.net/media/developers.mpg) ;)
I so love watching that clip. It's the embarrassed "Should we clap or not?" reaction from the crowd that really makes it :D

[Hobofuzz]

http://www.bumptop.com

I've already discussed with people on youtube in comments for the videos for that thing about why Bumptop is useless.

The biggest point being: There are no filenames visible. Just icons. The desktop on a computer is a metaphor and nothing more. It's not supposed to be LITERALLY a desktop, and bumptop tries to do just that: make the desktop on a computer a literal desktop. There's a reason we organize our files in folders and don't throw them around on our desks. The day Apple even considers using Bumptop is the day I stop buying Apple products.

[czeluff]

you know the "pinching" function on the iphone, where u can grab the Google map and spread ur fingers apart to enlarge the map?

I've come to the conclusion that Leopard WILL implement this on the touchpad. Theres absolutely NO reason that this wouldn't work on the current touchpads.

(Example: you have your Google street map loaded, but you want to zoom in on a specific spot. You simply drag the cursor to the area you want to zoom in on, and then place two fingers together, and drag them apart from one another.)

cz

[synth3tik]

I wouldn't mind seeing an Aqua replacement, also, maybe making spotlight more of a network search thingy.

[GodBless]

I've already discussed with people on youtube in comments for the videos for that thing about why Bumptop is useless.

The biggest point being: There are no filenames visible. Just icons. The desktop on a computer is a metaphor and nothing more. It's not supposed to be LITERALLY a desktop, and bumptop tries to do just that: make the desktop on a computer a literal desktop. There's a reason we organize our files in folders and don't throw them around on our desks. The day Apple even considers using Bumptop is the day I stop buying Apple products.I don't think all of BumpTop's ideas are bad. Apple could develop something much better that is similar and usable from a little inspiration from something like this development that BumpTop made. Apple made handhelds usable with the iPod, they are making touchscreen usable with the iPhone (and possibly the iMac (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=289267)) so I don't see why Apple couldn't use BumpTop's ideas but advance them a bit and streamline them to make features from them that actually work quite well.

[zombitronic]

I've already discussed with people on youtube in comments for the videos for that thing about why Bumptop is useless.

And The Hobofuzz spoke thy word, and it was so. Dude, you have to realize that Bumptop is an idea and "that BumpTop is a work-in-progress research prototype". And it's a cool idea. Bringing physics into the UI.

The desktop on a computer is a metaphor and nothing more. It's not supposed to be LITERALLY a desktop, and bumptop tries to do just that: make the desktop on a computer a literal desktop.

So we should never move beyond that metaphor? In the early days of computer UI desktops, there's no way that they could have literally performed as a physical desktop. But if that was never hoped for or speculated as a possibility, you have to wonder why it got the name "desktop" and not "colorforms" (those vinyl, reusable stickers that came with cheap cardboard backdrops).

But hey, everyone's entitled to an opinion...and mine is that I hope and think we have the ability to create and use something better than a 2-D UI.

[psychofreak]

another not so secret feature is quick look (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNGnCmKPhyo) (time 3:31). Thats definitely worth watching...

I forgot to put it in the poll but I am guessing that Apple might be making an interface emulator (similar to W.I.N.E. which runs on Linux) in order for Windows programs to run on the Mac with the least resources and with the easiest transition between Windows programs and OS X Applications. I would really like that because with W.I.N.E., purchasing Windows wouldn't be necessary to run programs designed for Windows on a Mac.

Have you checked out Codeweavers (http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/)? They have support for quite a few apps...

[GodBless]

Have you checked out Codeweavers (http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/)? They have support for quite a few apps...It's $60 dollars and Apple could make something more streamlined with their OS so I think it has been considered by Apple--they just might decide to do it later (or maybe even not at all in order to encourage developers to make more native Mac OS X Applications--but it could grab more attention to the Mac OS X programming environment when ugly and poorly designed Windows programs are run next to the slick and streamlined Mac OS X Applications at the same time).

[ghall]

Well, my only thoughts on what the secret features may be are what I would like to see. That being said, here's my Leopard "secret feature" wish list:

-The iTunes 7 UI is applied system wide
-More ways to customize UI, besides Aqua and Grey
-No more brushed metal
-Faster Dashboard
-Faster Boot Times (no, 20 seconds is too slow for me!)
-Write support for the Windows NT files system (to easily send files to Boot Camp partition)
-A UI for FrontRow that is similar to the :apple:TVs
-An option for all windows behind the active program to be trasparent
-An interface that takes full advantage of the power of Core Animation

And Apple, if I don't see every single thing on that list in Leopard, you will have a very angry customer to answer to! :D

[Manic Mouse]

-New Finder
-New Front Row
-New UI? (looking less likely as time goes by...)

[Georgie]

you know the "pinching" function on the iphone, where u can grab the Google map and spread ur fingers apart to enlarge the map?

I've come to the conclusion that Leopard WILL implement this on the touchpad. Theres absolutely NO reason that this wouldn't work on the current touchpads.

(Example: you have your Google street map loaded, but you want to zoom in on a specific spot. You simply drag the cursor to the area you want to zoom in on, and then place two fingers together, and drag them apart from one another.)

cz

They might incorporate it, but I wouldn't bet on it. It's not comfortable. Try it (and imagine the screen reacts appropriately).

I am very comfortable on my MBP using my middle finger to point and my middle and ring fingers to do anything that requires two, like scrolling or right-clicking. Some people prefer their 2nd and 3rd fingers, but you never see anyone scrolling around with their thumb and their pointer, not on a laptop, and that's because the laptop sits flat on the surface in front of you (almost always). The iPhone is different because you hold it in your other hand in a position more natural for the thumb and pointer to work together. Plus, the iPhone has a vertical orientation, which is conducive to using the thumb and the pointer together, whereas your trackpad as a horizontal orientation, which is more conducive to using two other fingers that have a more horizontal orientation between themselves. At a normal arm-angle, I find my 3rd and 4th fingers are most parallel to the orientation of the trackpad, which is why I favor them. (Speaking of the trackpad, I love how large Apple has made them, and I get so frustrated using the relatively small trackpads on your average pc laptop.)

So Apple might incorporate this pinch-technique to their software, but I doubt it. There's unlikely anything technical stopping them from it, however it's not a comfortable experience for the user. And besides, two-finger scrolling on a Google Maps image already zooms in and out. Pinching literally on the image makes some intuitive sense, but that necessitates Apple adding touch screens to all their laptops. Pinching on the trackpad is no more intuitive then two-finger scrolling, I posit.

[GodBless]

-New Front RowThat's not a Top Secret feature--click here to see (http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/).

[GodBless]

making spotlight more of a network search thingy.This is already a guarentee--click here to see (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNGnCmKPhyo).

[foxxlet]

I think apple will release new cinema displays with built in iSight cameras, and leopard will support these and portables with some kind of basic gesture additions to the OS.

For example, point up and left with your right arm to display dashboard.

[zombitronic]

Then why did you open the door with this statement following statement?

Mere sarcasm, humor, and irony, my friend.

[iJawn108]

I wonder what song they will use for the leopard intro video bytecry was soooo good. :p

[Nitromaster]

I think they are planning to include compiz with all plugins or at least make a version of compiz for macosx,
at least thats what im hoping,

[wrldwzrd89]

I think they are planning to include compiz with all plugins or at least make a version of compiz for macosx,
at least thats what im hoping,
What on earth is this compiz you speak of? :confused:

[QuarterSwede]

What on earth is this compiz you speak of? :confused:
Compiz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiz), and of course, Google is you're friend.

[QuarterSwede]

The one thing I'd really like to see is print selection. I've yet to find anything that works as easily as in Windows ... and I REALLY HATE to say that! I mean, how many lines of code would that be?

[GodBless]

The one thing I'd really like to see is print selection. I've yet to find anything that works as easily as in Windows ... and I REALLY HATE to say that! I mean, how many lines of code would that be?I assume you mean print screen. The Mac is much better than Window--guaranteed--here are the keyboard shortcuts:

command+shift+3 - Print screen and save it to the desktop
command+shift+control+3 - Print screen and save it to the clipboard
command+shift+4 - Print selection and save it to the desktop
command+shift+control+4 - Print selection and save it to the clipboard
command+shift+4 (and then press spacebar once) - Print window, menubar, icon or etc. and save it to the desktop
command+shift+control+4 (and then press spacebar once) - Print window, menubar, icon or etc. and save it to the clipboard

I'd like to see Windows beat that! ;)

[lu0s3r322]

built in alarm clock that can wake the computer from powered off state as part of leopard or an itunes update

[iJawn108]

built in alarm clock that can wake the computer from powered off state as part of leopard or an itunes update

That's already part of the OS and and you can do the alarm-clock with automater

[lu0s3r322]

wow, i just figured that out. ok well then i dont want anything then haha no just kidding.

i'd say that apple will add a windows mode to run them side by side AND have the possibility of using that feature with spaces to have a windows space and a leopard space

[toneloco2881]

I assume you mean print screen. The Mac is much better than Window--guaranteed--here are the keyboard shortcuts:

command+shift+3 - Print screen and save it to the desktop
command+shift+control+3 - Print screen and save it to the clipboard
command+shift+4 - Print selection and save it to the desktop
command+shift+control+4 - Print selection and save it to the clipboard
command+shift+4 (and then press spacebar once) - Print window, menubar, icon or etc. and save it to the desktop
command+shift+control+4 (and then press spacebar once) - Print window, menubar, icon or etc. and save it to the clipboard

I'd like to see Windows beat that! ;)
I may be mistaken, but I think he/she is referring to the inability of OS X to print a "selection" of highlighted text, page etc. For instance, if I go to mapquest and want to print off some directions, instead of being able to highlight just the portion of the page I'm interested in and print, I have to print the ENTIRE page, subsequently wasting more of my ink. It's a pretty glaring omission in such a sophisticated OS. Just like thumbnails for movies and videos in the finder.

[Erasmus]

Well, having seen my first example of Windows Vista Aero interface, I hope Apple upgrades the Finder graphics to leap over Vista.

Of course, I expect Apple to do this without sacrificing functionality, which Microsoft have done. But I do love the blurring effect that windows have when located over things. No doubt Apple can do something cooler, and program it better so it doesn't require a super graphics card.

[Mr Skills]

I wish the difference between the active window and inactive window was just a little more obvious - like the whole of any inactive window being 20% darker.

This would really help beginners 'get' the idea of working with windows, and encourage them to use more features of the OS like drag-and-drop. So many people just work with one window stretched to fill the screen and then get confused when it disappears behind another one.



.

[wrldwzrd89]

Well, having seen my first example of Windows Vista Aero interface, I hope Apple upgrades the Finder graphics to leap over Vista.

Of course, I expect Apple to do this without sacrificing functionality, which Microsoft have done. But I do love the blurring effect that windows have when located over things. No doubt Apple can do something cooler, and program it better so it doesn't require a super graphics card.
Resolution Independence, a known Leopard feature, plus finishing Quartz 2D Extreme, a feature first deployed in preliminary form in Tiger but never finished, will be enough to leapfrog Vista, methinks. :D

[sionharris]

you know the "pinching" function on the iphone, where u can grab the Google map and spread ur fingers apart to enlarge the map?

I've come to the conclusion that Leopard WILL implement this on the touchpad. Theres absolutely NO reason that this wouldn't work on the current touchpads.

(Example: you have your Google street map loaded, but you want to zoom in on a specific spot. You simply drag the cursor to the area you want to zoom in on, and then place two fingers together, and drag them apart from one another.)

cz

Hold control and then place two fingers on your trackpad. Move them up and down.

Isn't it amazing?

The 'pinch' on a track-pad would not be intuitive to use, whereas the current 'zoom' feature is.

[iBunny]

I just want it to be faster when you resize windows... no more jerking motion.

Windows can Do this just fine.. why cant OSX?

[Kilamite]

Better font smoothing - small fonts etc in Tiger suffer badly, aren't as sharp. Fair enough you can adjust this, but it is still pretty bad AA.

[macinfojunkie]

In addition to the new features we are already aware will be in Leopard, I'd like to see the following.

Expectations

I expect enhancements and subtle improvements to the following:


Finder: It desperately needs an update and feature enhancement. It is like a fisher price toy compared to Windows explorer - WE is the biggest feature of Windows I wish Apple would copy. The finder has not changed much in the last 10 years. It is not all bad, but could make managing files on multiple volumes and directories an easier task.
Updated UI look: Not a top priority for me, but it would be nice to re-decorate the desktop a little just to give a more constant look and feel across all the apps and dialogue boxes. I expect at the very least a new look for what we already have even if there is not a drastic overall. If they provide themes they must be optional and/or low CPU impact. Some of the Windows themes take up a lot of resources.
Improved network interoperability: Mac OS X has improved greatly with recent updates, but it still has hiccups if network resources are not available. This should not happen and I'm hoping for improved performance where in this area.
UI customisation: greater control over the sizing of icons, menu items and window display.
Spotlight: Despite numerous fixes it is still not quite as instant as Apple make out. Why should it need to wait until all the drives I have which are in a sleep state wake up before starting to display results. It is much better with 10.4.9, but there is still room for improvement. Also shy must the search result window be a cut down finder window. It means I have to go through more hoops to manipulate my files once I find them. at least give me the choice of the kind of results window I get.
Safari: Better support for ASP and Java web-sites. there are still a ton of web-sites where Safari spits the dummy - why is this the case when IE and Fire Fox seem to manage fine. And I don't want to run Fire-Fox. I just want Safari to work better.
Home-drive: I want to be able to move default locations about without resorting to root and manipulating pLists files. and I don;t want the defaults to overwrite my settings when my itunes folder or aperture library happen to be off-line and I launch the application inadvertently. Give me a file/folder management system which does not assume everything is on a single internal hard drive. Can't be that hard can it?
Firewall: Improved interface to firewall which makes it easier to manage a machine with complex rule sets.


Hopes


Disk management: Come on, where it the defrag utility! This should be built into Mac OSX. I've never had a problem with the built in Windows version, but I've had some issues with 3rd party Mac defrag tools. I'd love to see Apple provide this functionality built into OSX. Whilst they are at it they could add more robust directory management tools to Disk Utility.
NTFS: ability to write to NTFS partitions.
Performance: Some optimisation of the OS code so that it runs even faster on existing hardware than Tiger does.
Remote Control: Built in VNC/ARD console with improved performance. I know the client is there, but for those with a few macs at home it would be nice to have something built-in without having to use VNC. I'm not prepared to pay a few 100 bucks for that when. Windows has it built in so should Mac. OS X.
Front Row: Inclusion of add on IR box and remote so that older macs can use front row legitimately.
User Interface: Totally customisable UI with regards to resolution independence and the location of items on Macs with multiple displays.


Dreams


i386 virtualisation: apples has acquired parallels on the qt and is busy working at integrating coherence or WINE type mode straight into OSX. Boot-camp is still there if you want raw power for games etc., but a sand-boxed virtual Windows environment without Windows. I don't actually think this will happen, but it would be so sweet since it would enable Apple's market share to skyrocket - especially in the enterprise space.

[ThomasJefferson]

The new finder is back-engineered from a Uranium PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator.

[macinfojunkie]

The new finder is back-engineered from a Uranium PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator.

I'm sure it is. Thanks.

[wkhahn]

What I would most like to see is way to legally add my DVD's to my iTunes Library without having to resort to Handbrake or Mac the Ripper. Wrap a little FairPlay around it so it can't be copied (after all you already own it on a disk) to make the studios happy and you would really see :apple: TV take off. Make it a function of the OS to drive sales/switches.

And the ability to install any commercial application that was written for XP. Maintain a list of support apps and make the OS check thats the desired app is on that list. If not, it refuses to install. Still provided BootCamp, but this would be more for the people who don't want to have to buy a new copy of Office or Quickbooks when they switch and for those that don't feel comfortable (technically) installing Windows on a partition. Basically a couple of features aimed at switchers that have benefits for those of us already here.

[dartzorichalcos]

I want Blue-ray support.

[Veritas&Equitas]

Per ARS today, inside sources at Apple say probably won't ship 'til June. Gross.

[DavidLeblond]

What I would most like to see is way to legally add my DVD's to my iTunes Library without having to resort to Handbrake or Mac the Ripper. Wrap a little FairPlay around it so it can't be copied (after all you already own it on a disk) to make the studios happy and you would really see :apple: TV take off. Make it a function of the OS to drive sales/switches.


Would never happen. You can't assume that the person owns the disk, what about rentals?

[05elstonc]

does anyone have the Core Animation session video from WWDC '06? I know it was sent to the Select ADC members through iTunes if they wanted it.

[05elstonc]

ZFS is a big hope of mine. Also some super nifty iPhone integration tricks!

[qua]

I'm beginning to think that the "top secret" ingredient to Leopard has been hinted at in one of the recent new Mac ads, the one about Microsoft and all the bloatware – demo. programs. If both iLife and iWork, in full working order, are included not only on new machines but system disks – the ad all of a sudden has real punch. And with a spreadsheet in iWork, that saves to and reads excel, it would be quite handy. At the same time, no need to give beta testers a crack at things.

[yg17]

Would never happen. You can't assume that the person owns the disk, what about rentals?

What about CDs? iTunes imports those and you can't be certain the person owns it

[wrldwzrd89]

I'm beginning to think that the "top secret" ingredient to Leopard has been hinted at in one of the recent new Mac ads, the one about Microsoft and all the bloatware – demo. programs. If both iLife and iWork, in full working order, are included not only on new machines but system disks – the ad all of a sudden has real punch. And with a spreadsheet in iWork, that saves to and reads excel, it would be quite handy. At the same time, no need to give beta testers a crack at things.
That is a very interesting idea... and one that would truly revolutionize how people use their Macs. I would assume that the price would be increased if such a thing happened... but I hope the price increase is no more than the combined prices of Mac OS X, iLife, and iWork separately... in fact, I hope it's a little less than that combined total. If it was, I'd buy it instantly...

[psychofreak]

Remote Control: Built in VNC/ARD console with improved performance. I know the client is there, but for those with a few macs at home it would be nice to have something built-in without having to use VNC. I'm not prepared to pay a few 100 bucks for that when. Windows has it built in so should Mac. OS X.Its going to be in the new iChat :)

[QuarterSwede]

I may be mistaken, but I think he/she is referring to the inability of OS X to print a "selection" of highlighted text, page etc. For instance, if I go to mapquest and want to print off some directions, instead of being able to highlight just the portion of the page I'm interested in and print, I have to print the ENTIRE page, subsequently wasting more of my ink. It's a pretty glaring omission in such a sophisticated OS. Just like thumbnails for movies and videos in the finder.
Bingo. That's exactly what I meant. Sorry it took 2 months to respond! :D

[Macmadant]

Apple would never integrate something like WINE, why would they give an excuse for not developing for the mac, if it was so easy to just run a app developers would just think oh we don't need to port a mac version, they can just use the windows version

[psychofreak]

Apple would never integrate something like WINE, why would they give an excuse for not developing for the mac, if it was so easy to just run a app developers would just think oh we don't need to port a mac version, they can just use the windows version

I don't know...a lot of people stay with Windows because the ONE app they use requires the OS...

[Manic Mouse]

What about CDs? iTunes imports those and you can't be certain the person owns it

I don't get this either. Why can't I import my DVDs onto iTunes like my CDs? It's not as if I can even buy stuff off the iTunes store since I don't live in the US. Which makes thE :apple: TV useless.

Get it sorted Apple.

[romarcin]

New features in Safari:

- switching off loading of picture, animations,...
- better pdf support - zooming with keyboard shortcuts

[ArkabaS]

Would anyone else besides me love to see Growl or a growl-like notification system built into the core of the OS? I absolutely love Growl and can not live without it. It is very nice knowing what your computer is doing, especially when multitasking or changing input devices or networks.

As far as confirmed features, I am most excited about Spaces. If they ingeniously merge Spaces and Expose, they may just have the best windows management experience ever. Like if you could close stuff from Expose as in Dashboard. The possibilities are endless and the impact will be tremendous, even more so than a revamped finder. Plus, no one really innovates on this front. Gnome's multiple desktop feature sucks big time. The only really nice thing I have seen recently on this front is the live preview system in Vista, very handy.

[DavidLeblond]

What about CDs? iTunes imports those and you can't be certain the person owns it

CDs aren't encrypted. DVDs are. To allow the DVD to be ripped, you need to decrypt it which may not be illegal but it would not make the movie execs happy. Unhappy movie execs = no iTunes movies = no additional revenue for Apple.

[FrankBlack]

Not a secret feature, or even anything that exciting, but I sure would like it if the Finder was improved to handle network shares better. A "Reconnect at Login" box a la windows drive mapping would be sweet. :rolleyes:

Yes!

I'd also be happy with a built-in printer test page. I'd like to see it as a toolbar item in the Printer Setup Utility. Select your printer, then click on "Print a test page". Any reason Apple could not produce the coolest printer test page in town?

[heyisa]

seamless opening of windows (& vista ) apps from within OS X. This will be huge. Sorta like having a better version of parallels built in and standard.

[GodBless]

Apple would never integrate something like WINE, why would they give an excuse for not developing for the mac, if it was so easy to just run a app developers would just think oh we don't need to port a mac version, they can just use the windows versionApple already supports Boot Camp. A WINE-like Application makes more since and would be much better for programs that will be Windows only--a feature like this would be especially useful for programs that are no longer in development and are still really useful.

Plus people from the Windows side of the mountain already have a lot of software--many people don't want to switch over to the Mac and have to buy some their software from scratch just to get Mac licenses on the software that wasn't dual licensed for both the Mac and the PC.

I can list many more reasons why Apple should and would decide to develop a WINE-like application for Mac OS X Leopard--or even Mac OS X 10.6.

[GodBless]

New features in Safari:

- switching off loading of picture, animations,...
Here is something that you can already do with Safari:

1. Click on to the "Safari" menu
2. Click on the "Preferences..." option
3. Click on the "Appearance" tab
4. Uncheck the box titled "Display images when the page opens"

This should at least partially meet your criteria.

- better pdf supportPerhaps you aren't using the most up-to-date version of Safari which does have fair PDF support but if you are using the latest version of Safari I do agree that a few major improvements can be made (such as adding the keyboard shortcuts command+= to zoom in and command+- to zoom out of PDFs). Also command+[ (the back keyboard shortcut) doesn't work for me when I am viewing PDFs in Safari. I'm not sure if it's because I have Safari plug-ins or not but it certainly is annoying.


- zooming with keyboard shortcuts
Try this:

1. Press command+option+8 (to toggle systemwide zooming on and off)
2. Press command+option+= (to zoom in when systemwide zooming is on)
3. Press command+option+- (to zoom out when systemwide zooming is on)

This feature works great for viewing videos in Safari. :)

[GodBless]

Yes!

I'd also be happy with a built-in printer test page. I'd like to see it as a toolbar item in the Printer Setup Utility. Select your printer, then click on "Print a test page". Any reason Apple could not produce the coolest printer test page in town?Yes I have a reason--Apple wouldn't be able to make a universal print test page standard because Apple would need to know more about each printer brand and style to make a proper test page. Leave this job to the printer manufactures--most of the manufactures will probably do it much better than Apple. If Apple went back to manufacturing printers again however--then--bring on the test page for Apple printers Apple!

[GodBless]

seamless opening of windows (& vista ) apps from within OS X. This will be huge. Sorta like having a better version of parallels built in and standard.Yes--that's the WINE-like application that we've been talking about in this thread. Wouldn't it be great to have? :)

(I first brought WINE up in this thread on post #25 (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=3462317#post3462317).)

[Queso]

Yes I have a reason--Apple wouldn't be able to make a universal print test page standard because Apple would need to know more about each printer brand and style to make a proper test page. Leave this job to the printer manufactures--most of the manufactures will probably do it much better than Apple. If Apple went back to manufacturing printers again however--then--bring on the test page for Apple printers Apple!
Although I agree they should leave it to the printer manufacturers, can I just point out that Microsoft have a standard test page on Windows? If the printer driver is installed correctly (the thing being tested) the actual test page layout is universal. That would go for OSX too.

[wrldwzrd89]

Yes--that's the WINE-like application that we've been talking about in this thread. Wouldn't it be great to have? :)

(I first brought WINE up in this thread on post #25 (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=3462317#post3462317).)
CrossOver for Mac already fills this need. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be too happy if Apple stomped all over their territory...

[indraunt]

Finder and Spotlight intergrated together better into one app that has much drawn from iTunes. Essentially, you can do away with folders altogether, all images are lumped together, all documents, all music, all video, etc etc. Then you create 'playlists' of various items like in itunes.

[elppa]

I think multi touch is an outside chance.

I don't subscribe to the "there is nothing new" theory because that is so un-apple like and goes against the history and culture of the company.

The thing I love about technology is that (so far) there is nearly always room for improvements, or new and better ways at looking at things.

Something will be cooking!