Apple To Add Platinum Theme?

[MacRumors]

AppleInsider (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=676) has posted screen shots of Mail.app 2.0 in the most recent developer release (8A27x) of Tiger. In a blend of the two current themes available (Aqua & Brushed Metal) a platinum interface theme has emerged, with a smooth gradation of color in the menu bars. Other Mail 2.0 features are parental controls for filtering display of content on a per-application basis, iCal integration, and the ability to read email certificates. A single-window interface has also been implemented, doing away with the retractable mailbox drawer, and circular count badges are being used to show unread message counts within mailbox folders.

[ZombieChef]

I really like the "platinum design". How bout the rest of you?

[Music_Producer]

It looks allright in the screenshot..but I'm sure its much better when you see it in person. I personally love the current look of panther. Heck, anything Apple comes out with is always beautiful

[machan]

i think it's a definite improvement over aqua and brushed metal. cleaner, sleaker and cooler. matches the feel (if not also the look) of the aluminum enclosures and the new imac. hopefully apple has the balls to implement it across the board for tiger.

[Natron]

Ok...I'm sorry...but the first thing that came to mind when seeing the image was "Windows".

[Peter9]

looks a little plain to me, i dunno. i didn't like brushed steel right away either, so it's hard to say.

[feeze]

wow looks amazing, lest hope it fixes some of the errors people have been complaining about.

[Roller]

Not sure I like the docked folders on the left. I'd prefer to be able to put them on either side. Also, does the folder list get a vertical scroll bar when the list is too long to display? That would take up some of the space occupied by the message counts.

[Natron]

Upon closer inspection, I don't like it. I really don't know why, but I just don't like it. It seems really flat, and it just looks like Windows. Maybe I'll come to like it, I don't know, but I prefer brushed metal.

Or give us an option!

[ijimk]

As a mail user I am all for apple adding themes to apps and maybe updating and adding more colors to os x. All good move keep it up apple. :cool:

[----Bowie----]

Its ok... But not grate.

[wwooden]

I use Mail everyday and it will be nice to see a change happen in the visual design of it. I don't plan on using the parental controls, but I don't use ever feature of every program anyway.

[sockeatingdryer]

Heck, I want pure Platinum.

/Goodbye, OS 9, my friend...

[pyrotoaster]

Oooohhh...
It looks very sleek.

Nice... :cool:

[blueBomber]

it would be better if we could choose the theme of our os right in the system prefs

[macridah]

Me like. I can't wait until Tiger will be released. The screenshots I saw had potential ... I know it will just get better.

[Phat_Pat]

darn first post considered spam :(

well the theme looks really nice. Just the overall look of the whole OS is lookin' just amazing. i can't wait for this sucker to come out. it just looks neato :D

[narco]

Give me Mail 2.0 NOW.

A downloads folder? No stupid-looking drawer? And the look is absolutely amazing.

.narco

[iGary]

Ok...I'm sorry...but the first thing that came to mind when seeing the image was "Windows".

You're not the only one.

[broken_keyboard]

It looks like the pinstripes are making a comeback (check out the inactive window). They never fully left of course, but they did become very very subtle.

[Stella]

I loathe brushed metal so anything is a definite improvement and I like the look of the theme. However, I hope Tiger is theme consistant, unlike Panther - Aqua, Brushed metal. Almost as bad as Linux - KDE, GTK, Motif themes / looks etc etc...

Looking at the Mail screenshots, there is too much wasted space at the top of the window - title bar area, just like there is wasted space in the Finder Windows in Panther. Don't like that.

Also, I like the side bars.. means more real estate if I wish.. removal of side Bars is a definite negative imo.

[mikeyrogers]

Ok...I'm sorry...but the first thing that came to mind when seeing the image was "Windows".

Exactly. I saw Longhorn IMMEDIATELY when I looked at that huge title bar area. But is that really a BAD thing? :rolleyes:

[GFLPraxis]

Looks interesting. But I miss the sidebar :(

[iMeowbot]

If this is a stab at a new appearance (everywhere) for the textured flag, then yay. If it's a third "standard" look, make it go away. Now.

If it's just shoving bitmaps in the usual way, why? It's true that Mail has been a drab-looking program, but yeesh, it's . . . mail.

[dotnina]

Ok...I'm sorry...but the first thing that came to mind when seeing the image was "Windows".

I muttered this to myself when I saw the pics too. What's with all the different colors of grey there? Strange.

Personally I think the current Mail is fine ... could use an update, sure, but this isn't how I would have chosen to do it.

[Flying Llama]

wasn't this already seen at the wwdc '04 with automator? it also looks like what titlebars look like in panther just it's the whole thing... man i need to get more sleep...

[t300]

That is SO beautiful. I can't wait for Mail 2.0. One of my favorite apps, no doubt. This is great to see and I can't wait to see more apps with this theme.

[howard]

i like it

except, 3 window pane!! this is one time when i wish apple would copy microsoft.

[Jaz]

I like the Platinum look, but like others I saw a lot of another system in there <cough>outlook</cough>.

Everytime Apple does this though, we see something similar and then when we finally get our hands on it all we can say is "I see! This is how it SHOULD have been done!"

[applekid]

It appears it's only to match the current line of PowerMacs and Displays. It looks pretty flat and boring. I'm still a fan of Brushed Metal and Aqua. Platinum is a nice addition, but I would like Apple to give us the option to pick and choose our appearances. I'm annoyed by how the pinstripes were once there (10.2 and below), are now gone (10.3), and come back (10.4). This subtle changes are annoying. Give me choices!

But, from knowing Apple, they would never give us choices. I remember in the OS 8 days, Appearance came with a few themes, but Apple pulled them for the final release and Apple Legal stopped anybody that put them up for download.

[Chaszmyr]

It looks allright in the screenshot..but I'm sure its much better when you see it in person.

We're not talking about a physical thing here. Looking at a screenshot is the same as looking at the program.

[jeffbistrong]

I am using entourage, but i am debating weather i should switch back to mail and ical app becuase of how well it intergrates with each other . . . . i like entourage but is there a way to move all my info into mail and ical?

[Chaszmyr]

I like the platinum, however I don't necessarily like the rest of the design. I think the "drawer" things in applications are really cool, and I miss it.

(I am also a big fan of the current brushed metal skin, and wouldn't mind if Mail got brushed)

[broken_keyboard]

What is that little icon next to Inbox?

It is a countdown to next check, or is it how full your .Mac email is?

[~Shard~]

I think the Platinum is alright, but nothing special. It does remind me of Windows a little bit, but I guess that's not a bad thing - now when Longhorn comes out and resembles OS X it will be even more painfully obvious that Microsoft blatantly ripped Apple off... ;) :cool:

[meta-ghost]

i need/want to be able to compose mail in html dangit!

[mms]

I'm not using Mail right now so it doesn't really pertain to me (at least until Gmail gets POP support). But Apple going through various themes has throughly annoyed me. Pinstripes were good. I like the metal theme as well. But not when they're combined. For example, Safari uses metal, while the latest of Mail uses something else (but not pinstripes). I don't really care as much what theme they use (I take that back... anything but the GarageBand theme) as long as they keep internal consistency and keep it the same throughout all of their applications.

[howard]

We're not talking about a physical thing here. Looking at a screenshot is the same as looking at the program.

well except for the giant "www.appleinsider.com" slicing the entire picture

[g4cubed]

Did anyone else notice that it's squared off instead of rounded corners. Looks to much like windows for me. And as a few other have said, we should get to make the choice.

[AdamZ]

It totally thought it was "Windows" like. Maybe it was just the font/picture, but kinda ug. I totally have faith in our guys though, just don't want it to look like that. I especially like having the Mailboxes hidden away as it is in Jag/Panther. I only have 3 mailboxes, and enjoy the clean interface with them hidden away. I am sure though that there would be a slider on the edge of the pane to tuck it all away.

While I got your attention. With so many of us macheads feeling left out of a cool product that even "WINDOWS" users can enjoy, sorry our 2.5 year old computer has an Airport b, is it so wrong for us diehards to be able to experience a totally cool product like Airport Express!? Just don't leave some of us folks who rode this revoluition with you behind! My original iPod still works, this 1st gen flat/panel 700 imac still runs great, we've all kept up with OS X for you, come on Apple, we have chosen you; you are OUR solutions and our future plans, figure a way to through us a bone on this one. Airport Express is too cool!!

sorry 'bout that

[Mechcozmo]

Can you say...System 8.0?
Can you say...Copland?

Both of those had a theme remarkable simalar...called "Platinum"

Hmmmm. :rolleyes:

BTW, OS 8.6 is still my favorite Mac OS, behind 10.x.

Maybe someone at Apple is having a bout of noglista?

[ASP272]

I don't mind the change in the look. I am wondering whether or not the iCal integration actually handles Exchange calender events like Outlook. Does anybody have any clues on that yet?

[coolfactor]

i need/want to be able to compose mail in html dangit!

They've already stated that html email composition is supported in Tiger's Mail, so you wish (or demand) is granted.

However, can I take a stab at the only reason that you want html-based email is because that's the standard from the Windows world? If they only supported RTF-based email, we'd all live a little easier.

[howard]

i hope they make safari platinum, and itunes for that matter...hell all of there brushed metal apps. but really i think safari would look nice in platinum

[Elan0204]

I think the new Mail looks OK, but I would like it if Apple allowed you to choose a theme for the OS, and then have it applied consistently throughout all your apps. Most everything seems to be brushed metal at this point though, and I'm OK with how it looks. But, choice is always good.

[shawnce]

Did anyone else notice that it's squared off instead of rounded corners. Looks to much like windows for me. And as a few other have said, we should get to make the choice.

No it still has rounded corners on the title bar it is just hard to see in the screen shot with the white background they have it over and the close cropping done (and the jpeg compression artifacts don't help).

Zoom in on the corners to see...

[dashiel]

While I got your attention. With so many of us macheads feeling left out of a cool product that even "WINDOWS" users can enjoy, sorry our 2.5 year old computer has an Airport b, is it so wrong for us diehards to be able to experience a totally cool product like Airport Express!? Just don't leave some of us folks who rode this revoluition with you behind! My original iPod still works, this 1st gen flat/panel 700 imac still runs great, we've all kept up with OS X for you, come on Apple, we have chosen you; you are OUR solutions and our future plans, figure a way to through us a bone on this one. Airport Express is too cool!!


airport express works flawlessly in an 802.11b environment (regular not extreme airport). i have set up three networks with express' that mix and match 802.11b/g mac and pc without a single problem.

--

i quite like this new theme.


--

on a separate note, this has to be the worst spelled thread i've read in ages. i can usually ignore spelling mistakes, but for some reason this one was painful to read. come on guys if you're it's so easy to have safari check spelling as you type.

[rotorblade]

I agree. It's so... so... childish looking. It reminded me of Windows as well when I first saw it (and still does). Like you, I don't care for the single-window interface either. I prefer the drawer as well. With Stevo calling the shots, it's almost a given that everything in Tiger will eventually have an iTunes like window. If Apple keeps taking away real estate, I'm gonna have to sell my two 23" ACD's and buy two 30" ACD's. :)

[aswitcher]

I like it and think mail looks better. Hopefully there will be options to alter displays easily to allow for more room for message viewing.

I wonder if they will also do a large font / high contrast mode for visually impared...

[aswitcher]

Oh, and a second thought...

What if the platnium could change to different colours to match to ipod minis :)

[CubaTBird]

y can't apple give us the option to choose between aqua, brushed metal, or this new platinum in a sort of theme preferences kinda like in win xp?

[Xtremehkr]

About time, I like the mail app but it was time for an update. I never fully understood the need for a drawer as it never gets closed anyway. At least by anyone I know who uses it.

It needed a change though, and I guess this is what the .Mac subcriptions are being used for. I wonder how the intergration with iCal will work, iCal already emails events to me so that I don't forget. If they made it even better there will be no complaints from me though.

Possible colors for the future, Titanium? or has that been done? Maybe Anthracite gray? eh, that's just vanity, my car is that color.

Just as long as the theme is stylish and <u>simple</u>, oh please keep it uncluttered and well organized. I don't like Gmail for that reason. It comes with a lot of space and some novel features but it doesn't sync well.

Apple getting work from BMW to redesign the iDrive is pretty big news I thought. Look at BMWs reputation, it's outstanding and owners are easily able to afford Apple computers. When Apple starts designing for BMW, it is saying a lot about how good Apple is. Hopefully the two companies continue to collaborate.

It would be nice if Acura jumped on board as well, I like BMW but the next gen TL may be better than the 3 Series that it has been catching up with.

[ravenvii]

Yeah... looks cool... Still want to see it in person though - the image is too small and compressed to really see, you know?

AirPort Express does work with the older AirPort cards; I know - I have an iBook G3 with an AirPort card, works perfectly. Yeah, iTunes streaming is a bit iffy at times, but eh, what do you expect?

[Private Public]

well when I read the headline I thought Apple was going to ship a platinum theme with the aqua theme.

I'm like this. I have never been a fan of brushed metal and hope the finder, safari and maybe ichat would get it. but defenately safari and the finder.

though now with mail looking like it does users may not know if they are in mail or the finder. :p

[swissmann]

I like it. Good mix of color and metal style.

[rotorblade]

I never fully understood the need for a drawer as it never gets closed anyway. At least by anyone I know who uses it.

I'm just the opposite. I never leave the drawer open; instead only opening it when I need it. I also prefer having the drawer on the right side, not the left. As it stands, I at least have the option of which side the drawer is on. With this new interface, I'm stuck with a window which in all likelihood is fixed to the left side. I liked having a choice. Now I have to live with Steve's choice.

[daSilVetZ]

it looks good.. but IMHO it looks alot like the WinBlows XP silver theme :/

[BrianKonarsMac]

maybe apple should try and a create a UNIFORM look to the GUI before they start making a seperate "theme" for every application...several gloss styles, shadows, buttons, etc. is ridiculous...if nobody noticed this "platinum" theme was introduced in 10.3 a la the title bars...this isn't even a theme...they just made Mail no longer fit any of their own GUI guidelines...

did someone just hear a toilet flush?

[S.Snake]

That's starting to lean towards the theme I'm using on shapeshifter

[Private Public]

I'm just the opposite. I never leave the drawer open; instead only opening it when I need it. I also prefer having the drawer on the right side, not the left. As it stands, I at least have the option of which side the drawer is on. With this new interface, I'm stuck with a window which in all likelihood is fixed to the left side. I liked having a choice. Now I have to live with Steve's choice.

I'm a right drawer person myself I think because 10.0 was like that I can't remember that far back but the left side is more logical because you read (assuming english here) from left to right so you see inbox, message and not messages, inbox.

what would be cool is if it is developed like a drawer and the developer just works on that separately. so you can make your app have it or not (hide) and have a preference to have it be on the left and the right.

[Jovian9]

I do not like the looks of this platinum. It has a windows feel to it. Hopefully if Apple goes that way they will do some refining to it. Though I am a huge fan of the brushed aluminum look. I wish Apple would give you the option to change the themes to either brushed aluminum, aqua, or platinum.

[AoWolf]

I miss transparency, wish they would put more of it back in. To be honest the the GUI changes are what I look forward to most in an os update. I was never crazy about brushed metal so more of this would be cool.

[Xtremehkr]

With this new interface, I'm stuck with a window which in all likelihood is fixed to the left side. I liked having a choice. Now I have to live with Steve's choice.

Damn you Steve, you drawer nazi. ;)

[broken_keyboard]

There doesn't seem to be anyone here arguing against the cookie cutter style GUIs that toolkits result in.

A software entity should be an integrated whole - and this includes the GUI. The theme of the GUI should be the theme of the app.

I am all for custom GUIs. If you can do what you want with a Toolkit then fine, but if you are compromising because of it then it is out the window. literally :)

[paulypants]

Looks much better than current Mail to me...

[kcmac]

I agree. It's so... so... childish looking. It reminded me of Windows as well when I first saw it (and still does). Like you, I don't care for the single-window interface either. I prefer the drawer as well. With Stevo calling the shots, it's almost a given that everything in Tiger will eventually have an iTunes like window. If Apple keeps taking away real estate, I'm gonna have to sell my two 23" ACD's and buy two 30" ACD's. :)

I see the iTunes like window being a good thing. The more app windows look similar, the more familar and intuitive they become. Especially for the average user. There has been a lot of experimenting in the multiple versions of OS X to date in both windows, drawers, widgets and colors.

Seems to me Apple is starting to hone in on some consistency and Tiger will add to this focus. Someday I suspect Apple will give us some choice in theming but there is still much they have to do to reconcile inconsistencies in the look and feel of this OS. Platinum is nostalgic and comfortable and I hope it replaces brushed aluminum.

I can't wait for Tiger.

[OnceUGoMac]

So, Apple went from light blue, to silver, to gray. Kind of boring.

[dontmatter]

ACK!!!! GET RID OF THE STRIPES ALREADY!!!!

They ruin the minimalistic look of mac OS, just ruin it. Apple, you have so much design right. So far ahead of microsoft. Please don't make me buy shapeshifter to make my computer look nice.

[cb911]

"smooth gradation in the menubars"?

whos' got a pic of a menubar? it's certainly not in those screenshots over at AppleInsider, they're only the Mail window shots.

anyways, doesn't this just look like the whole 'Spotlight' interface? i say good if they carry that out through the whole OS. it's kind of looking like that 'Spotlight' theme that's already out. looks sweet IMO. :D

even better than any new themes, give us a built in theme changer, and an easier way to allow users to make their own themes. :cool: perhaps include it in the Dev. tools? ;)

[howard]

So, Apple went from light blue, to silver, to gray. Kind of boring.

i like it!

i'm not a big fan of flashy colors (ie: windows blue and green crap)

[LimeiBook86]

Looks pretty friggin' awesome to me!! ;) Looks a bit Windows-ish, but then again Windows was copied off of Mac OS so it's all good!

:cool: :rolleyes: :D

[Porchland]

I think the new Mail looks OK, but I would like it if Apple allowed you to choose a theme for the OS, and then have it applied consistently throughout all your apps. Most everything seems to be brushed metal at this point though, and I'm OK with how it looks. But, choice is always good.

Don't forget GarageBand and its LOVELY Volvo-wagon-style wood panels. I hope that goes bye bye in iLife '05.

[dontmatter]

Apple getting work from BMW to redesign the iDrive is pretty big news I thought. Look at BMWs reputation, it's outstanding and owners are easily able to afford Apple computers. When Apple starts designing for BMW, it is saying a lot about how good Apple is. Hopefully the two companies continue to collaborate.

It would be nice if Acura jumped on board as well, I like BMW but the next gen TL may be better than the 3 Series that it has been catching up with.

What? I know the ipod thing, but what's the source on BMW redesigning idrive, and this soon, and with appple? Please, let them redesign the rear end of the 5 and 7 series, first. Otherwise this is a statment of BMW loosing their panache rather than appple gaining.

[g4cubed]

No it still has rounded corners on the title bar it is just hard to see in the screen shot with the white background they have it over and the close cropping done (and the jpeg compression artifacts don't help).

Zoom in on the corners to see...
Thanks, it's a little better looking after taking a closer look. They needed a different color background for sure.

[mim]

i need/want to be able to compose mail in html dangit!

Please - don't do this. Mail currently supports 'rich' format which will let you include colour/font/images if you need. HTML mail was a bad idea, invented by a bad company (microsoft of course).

[nagromme]

This is NOT a third theme. It's just Aqua's white look evolving--and we saw this long ago with Tiger's System Preferences.

From what I see, this is just the WHITE theme that we already have, modified in one way: the line between the title bar and tool bar has been removed, so the title bar gradient is now the background for both.

Yes, that title gradient is darker than other bright white elements--but that was already true ever since Panther. (Right down to the way stripes appear when inactive.) This is ONLY a removal of the visible division between the tool bar and window title. A minor evolution. (Mail itself has changed in other ways, but that does not make a new overall window scheme. And individual buttons and highlights continue to evolve--just as with Jaguar and Panther. Still not a third theme--by that standard, OS X already includes numerous themes with different button and tool styles.)

Also, this is NOT the first we've seen this. Tiger's System Preferences has shown this new title bar style ever since it first appeared months ago.

I really like it--it looks cleaner and you can probably drag the window by the whole top area--and so I hope the new title bar look quickly spreads to all the white apps--otherwise there will be a visual inconsistency for a while. (As you can see now with Tiger Mail's own prefs not using the new tool bar style.)

But this change would ONLY affect apps with a toolbar anyway--so many windows would not change at all.

I posted the same at AI and predicted that AI's headlines on this issue would set off a cascade of complaints about Tiger having three themes. Now MacRumors is repeating the misunderstanding :) Look at what's really changed, though: just the tool bar. (For the better!)

[Mr.Bob]

This is the right track to be on. There is a large dislike for brushed metal by some and this is a natural evolution for me. Just makes me wonder how worried MS must be with Longhorn not avaailable at best until 2006 and OS X interface just better (and getting better with Tiger by mid-2005).

I can see the next OS X update (Lion) coming out right after Longhorn with the best of all interfaces, taking MS a year or two to copy just to catch up again.

Apple has the high ground and MS won't catch the innovative rabbit this time around......

[nagromme]

Please - don't do this. Mail currently supports 'rich' format which will let you include colour/font/images if you need. HTML mail was a bad idea, invented by a bad company (microsoft of course).

HTML email is often abused, but MS didn't invent HTML, it's a standard, and why should we close it off from email? Online newsletters etc. can be composed with much better layout control in HTML than in RTF. No, that's not the most important thing on earth, but it does show that RTF is not a true replacement for HTML.

Email apps should also have a setting to block images EXCEPT from certain sources. So at the top of an email with linked images, Mail would have two options: "Show Images" and "Always Show Images From This Sender."

Then you have your spam blocking AND rich, formatted--even Flash-enabled--newsletters, greeting cards etc. when you want them.

PS, I agree with removing the drawer from Mail. Drawers are a useful concept, but if you don't show/hide a drawer often, that's a sign that you may as well just make it part of the window.

[beatle888]

i think its a step in the wrong direction. first impressions was microsoft (hope bill isnt being to personal there).

clunky, childish layout. this is way off for apple. the only thing i can think of is apple is going to make us deal with a more windows look in order to keep the casual windows user from shying away.

this is the worst ive seen. LOL as a matter of fact im typing this from my girlfriends windows machine and the new theme looks much like IE for windows.

how sad. apple is compromising in areas that made them so unique...interface design. they need to tighten it up, have a talk with their designer or SOMETHING.

and as another poster said...whats with the super large icon bars and all that waisted space? sucks.

[Xtremehkr]

What? I know the ipod thing, but what's the source on BMW redesigning idrive, and this soon, and with appple? Please, let them redesign the rear end of the 5 and 7 series, first. Otherwise this is a statment of BMW loosing their panache rather than appple gaining.

Excuse my excitement, it is just a rumor, but a good one if it turns out to be true.


Apple flavored BMW iDrive?

Auto enthusiast web site Auto Spies has published an article containing an unconfirmed rumor that Apple is aiding BMW in a redesign of its iDrive for the next BMW 7-series. Introduced by BMW in 2001, the iDrive is a combined pioneering driver information/entertainment system, but has been met by a severe lack of customer satisfaction. If you have any further details on subject, please let us know.



http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=3374&categoryId=10

that is the link to the article above.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=670

that is the link to get to that page.

And here is an excerpt from the article:

On a serious note, the 7 will come with BMW's new 3.0-litre 6-cylinder engine and high-energy electric motor as standard as a hybrid being one of the first models offered. Initial interior designs are also very different, but sadly BMW are committed to the i-drive, though a rumor that Apple is helping in a redesign is unconfirmed.

There are some sketches out on the www but from what I have been told, they are outdated current 7 series drawings so nothing useful can be gained from them.

[virividox]

im not sold bleh

[beatle888]

im not sold bleh


good point. it isnt going to be the interface that gets me to buy tiger.

[QFace]

it's so easy to have safari check spelling as you type.

how do u get safari to check spelling as you type?

[må¥å]

how do u get safari to check spelling as you type?

Edit > Spellings > check spellings as you type.

[må¥å]

By the way I think the image is a FAKE, since look at the first image on the far right at the scroll bar. Tells me its a FAKE.

[mim]

By the way I think the image is a FAKE, since look at the first image on the far right at the scroll bar. Tells me its a FAKE.

Hmmm? Looks pretty right to me. What are you seeing?

Assuming that it is real there are a few things that look really nice - an "unread" folder (like a sort by unread mail I guess), and smart folders (today's email, etc). The idea of system wide smart folders in Tiger is pretty cool.

[HiRez]

I've come to sorta like Brushed Metal over time, after really loathing it at first. However, I think the texture should be toned down, much like the pinstripes were in Aqua between 10.2 and 10.3. That would sort of be a compromise between Brushed Metal and Platinum, which I think looks pretty dull and I agree with others when they say vaguely Windoze-like. I also wish Apple would make the UI they use for their pro apps -- like FCP and Motion -- available for developers to use in Interface Builder.

The larger issue is that Apple has made so many exceptions to and variations from their own UI rules that they no longer have much credibility as the interface gurus. There is some real innovation there, but it's so inconsistent and muddled I think it has confused both users and developers alike. Having all the Java-based Dashboard widgets floating around in Tiger is only going to make it worse. Fortunately they continue to employ clowns as M$ who have such a loose grasp of design, who continually make OS X look amazing by comparison no matter what Apple does.

[BrianKonarsMac]

By the way I think the image is a FAKE, since look at the first image on the far right at the scroll bar. Tells me its a FAKE. nice spot. i too am thinking it's a fake now. the adjustable divider splits the scroll bar in half, as well as the scroll bar only having ONE directional arrow (that is also active for a mailbox that does not exceed the limit of the inbox "window"). anyone have an explanation for that? :confused:

[Rower_CPU]

By the way I think the image is a FAKE, since look at the first image on the far right at the scroll bar. Tells me its a FAKE.

It is odd that the top pane (message list) has a vertical scrollbar, but the list of messages doesn't appear to extend beyond the displayed area, and there's an odd section that looks truncated.

Although, with a pre-release OS, it's not impossible for there to be GUI glitches like that.

[BWhaler]

I think these screen shots are fake. Totally fake.

If you look at the new widgets, they are bright, multi-colored. I predict this is the way each new OSX app is going to be, each with their own unique bright color. Mail in bright red. iCal in dark green. Preferences in flashing yellow.

Seriously, this new platinum look is just a decoy to throw Microsoft off so they copy the wrong thing in Longhorn

[Natron]

Hmmm? Looks pretty right to me. What are you seeing?

Assuming that it is real there are a few things that look really nice - an "unread" folder (like a sort by unread mail I guess), and smart folders (today's email, etc). The idea of system wide smart folders in Tiger is pretty cool.

1) Look at the scroll bar next to the last 3 message listings.
2) There is no way to scroll through the message.
3) The bottom corners are funky.

[BrianKonarsMac]

I've come to sorta like Brushed Metal over time, after really loathing it at first. However, I think the texture should be toned down, much like the pinstripes were in Aqua between 10.2 and 10.3. That would sort of be a compromise between Brushed Metal and Platinum, which I think looks pretty dull and I agree with others when they say vaguely Windoze-like. I also wish Apple would make the UI they use for their pro apps -- like FCP and Motion -- available for developers to use in Interface Builder.

The larger issue is that Apple has made so many exceptions to and variations from their own UI rules that they no longer have much credibility as the interface gurus. There is some real innovation there, but it's so inconsistent and muddled I think it has confused both users and developers alike. Having all the Java-based Dashboard widgets floating around in Tiger is only going to make it worse. Fortunately they continue to employ clowns as M$ who have such a loose grasp of design, who continually make OS X look amazing by comparison no matter what Apple does. preach the gospel brother!!! amen to that. apple has really turned the UI into a nasty, fermenting witch's brew of elements...i like some of it, other parts i don't, but the inconsistency is just unacceptable. i too don't understand why they don't use the pro app design for OS X, it's far better, more "high-tech" if you will, which is the look everyone wants to go with the sleek hardware.

[BWhaler]

I don't mind the change in the look. I am wondering whether or not the iCal integration actually handles Exchange calender events like Outlook. Does anybody have any clues on that yet?

I am with you 100%. I hope to God Apple makes iCal a serious and professional quality program.

It doesn't need every bell and whistle on the planet. Just make it comercial quality.

[må¥å]

IMHO I still think its a FAKE, or some sort of ploy by Apple or Apple Insider, to get some traffic. Compare this Mail to the previous mail application, yep I know some things are bound to change however not so radically. Compare for yourself and you will see a lot that is wrong with this image. I have noticed:

1) the weird scroll bar (even for a alpha or beta these scroll bars have not changed so I see no reason for bugs with it).

2) No OutBox weird.

3) look at the search field there is now downwards pointing arrow even if there is nothing typed in the search field it still has one. compare with the current mail.app


Seems either AI or they source has pull some sort of PS hack, smart folders YEAH you can copy paste them easy.

This doesn't seem like Apple style, to go from Aqua and then Brushed Metal to this, and then AI calling it platinum. :rolleyes:

Not buying it for a second, until I actually see something with better screenshots. Look at the window active and inactive, no email messages, now look at the side bar there it is looks the same as the active window, except hold on nothing in the trash or anywhere else.

Seems like an attention grabber by AI for now, until further proof. We all remember that FAKE iMac leaked pictures in the elevator in Paris AP. :rolleyes:

[pascalpp]

nice spot. i too am thinking it's a fake now. the adjustable divider splits the scroll bar in half, as well as the scroll bar only having ONE directional arrow (that is also active for a mailbox that does not exceed the limit of the inbox "window"). anyone have an explanation for that? :confused:

Can't be certain, but it's possible that whoever made these screenshots was removing some email messages in order to protect their anonymity, and in so doing, accidentally messed up the screenshot a bit. I'm inclined to think the screen shot is real.

[sorryiwasdreami]

You're not the only one.

You aren't either.

That really makes me think of windows xp/longhorn. It really looks like it's trying to be a windows app. Sorry for the downer.

[Zaty]

I really like the interface and was already looking forward to using Mail 2.0 until it turned out it might be a fake. Oh well. I hope that Mail will get iCal integration.

[nagromme]

Opinions on Mail 2 itself a side (looks good to me!) this so-called "new theme" isn't some major thing, it's a minor (but welcome) refinement of Aqua white.

If you think that refinement is a fake, look at the link below at Apple.com, where it has been shown for months. (I'm not sure why AI implies the new title bar style is something never-before-seen. Mail 2 is news, the "new theme" is old.) The other elements seen in Mail 2 echo things we've seen before too--from Apple, not MS. (Any resemblance to Windows is because MS has copied Apple.)

If you think Mail 2 specifically is a fake in these images... could be, sure. But AI does have a good track record lately. They may even have taken the shots themselves off a build of Tiger. Visual glitches could indicate a fake... or they could indicate a work in progress, which Tiger is.

See the "new theme" (aka, new toolbar blended with the SAME OLD Panther title bar) in Tiger's System Preferences:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/tiger/search_prefs.html

(And why are people calling this "Platinum"? It has no name from Apple because it's NOT a new theme. It's a new toolbar style as Aqua white evolves.)

[GFLPraxis]

It totally thought it was "Windows" like. Maybe it was just the font/picture, but kinda ug. I totally have faith in our guys though, just don't want it to look like that. I especially like having the Mailboxes hidden away as it is in Jag/Panther. I only have 3 mailboxes, and enjoy the clean interface with them hidden away. I am sure though that there would be a slider on the edge of the pane to tuck it all away.

While I got your attention. With so many of us macheads feeling left out of a cool product that even "WINDOWS" users can enjoy, sorry our 2.5 year old computer has an Airport b, is it so wrong for us diehards to be able to experience a totally cool product like Airport Express!? Just don't leave some of us folks who rode this revoluition with you behind! My original iPod still works, this 1st gen flat/panel 700 imac still runs great, we've all kept up with OS X for you, come on Apple, we have chosen you; you are OUR solutions and our future plans, figure a way to through us a bone on this one. Airport Express is too cool!!

sorry 'bout that

Excuse me, uh, what? Airport Express works fine with 802.11b (the old Airport), it just runs at B speeds instead of G. What's with your little rant about a nonexistant problem?

[ssamani]

Has anyone noticed that brushed metal has been dropped from the .Mac home page and also from the some of the Preference screens that used to be brushed metal. The Mail page was always Aqua, but on a quick look only the menu bar at the top is still brushed metal.

Sanj

[Stof]

I think the look of the Mail window in de screenshots is horrific! A step back in GUI design (and that is a step towards Windows...).

[edesignuk]

Looks slick, I like it.

[MacFan26]

I think the look of the Mail window in de screenshots is horrific! A step back in GUI design (and that is a step towards Windows...).
That's pretty much what I thought too. Well, maybe not horrific, but it does look like Windows. Same thing involving the menubar with that blue XP look. I suppose it doesn't really matter all that much though, but I don't like that it seems like everything new in Tiger resembles Windows...

[dahacouk]

No more drawers!

That was fast! Apple must be reading our Apple Mac OS X Wish List (http://daha.co.uk/daha/Apple_Mac_OS_X_Wish_List).

If I may also draw your attention to other requests:

Hide Folders
When running IMAP mail system folders like .mailboxlist should be hidden and not shown in the Mailboxes draw listing.

Use This Mailbox For
Should enable user defined groupings.

HTML Status Bar
When viewing HTML emails there should be an HTML status bar so that when you mouse over a link you can see where it is going to take you before you click on it.

RSS
Implement subscription based RSS in Mail to compliment the browser based viewing in Safari

Also, where has the folder bookmark bar gone that you can see in an earlier version of Mail 2 (http://images.appleinsider.com/images/mail2.jpg)?

Cheers Daniel

[spinko]

... they have done away with the "drawer" which in IMHO was just an awkward appendice. I quite like the new theme, it's clean and bright. There is still a Aqua scrollbar on the right side though. I find it too narrow and "slippery" due to its wet look. Hope they also include a window resize zone on the edges of the windows.

Oh, and just one more wish for the mail.app: please allow for draging e-mails out of the list and onto the Desktop (like Entourage does)...
..
positive move !

[rdowns]

While I got your attention. With so many of us macheads feeling left out of a cool product that even "WINDOWS" users can enjoy, sorry our 2.5 year old computer has an Airport b, is it so wrong for us diehards to be able to experience a totally cool product like Airport Express!? Just don't leave some of us folks who rode this revoluition with you behind! My original iPod still works, this 1st gen flat/panel 700 imac still runs great, we've all kept up with OS X for you, come on Apple, we have chosen you; you are OUR solutions and our future plans, figure a way to through us a bone on this one. Airport Express is too cool!!

sorry 'bout that

You are mistaken. .b and .g products work together flawlessly. I have a .b Airport, a .b iBook, a .g iMac G5 and a .g Airport Express. Go get an AE, it is awesome; stream iTunes to stereo and wireless printing.

[AmigoMac]

You're not the only one.

Hi there! me too, the first screenshot gave me a thought about longhorn... :confused:

[AdamZ]

Excuse me, uh, what? Airport Express works fine with 802.11b (the old Airport), it just runs at B speeds instead of G. What's with your little rant about a nonexistant problem?

The problem is that they no longer sell the Airport Cards, which can be found on ebay for more money than an Extreme. I love my Mac. I would never buy anything else, but I am feeling left out of some of the fun. Perhaps that new upcomming standard 802.11n will solve some of our woes. Will Apple make the next version of Airport compatible with both older Airport and Extreme computers? Or will we just have to wait to get a "new" computer to enjoy Wireless?? I know this is probably best on a different post, but this really upsets me. My friend got an Express and a $30 b card and uses it with his Windows network in his home flawlessly. He teases me. It just seems like knowone else is as concerned. Are all of your computers less than 2.5 yrs old. It's crazy for us to be shut out of a period of time that early adopters helped create.

[gooddog]

Ok...I'm sorry...but the first thing that came to mind when seeing the image was "Windows".

***************************

You're absolutely right.

I thought "Windows" too. :(

The sharp corners SUCK -- it is the radiused
corners and rounded edges that lend touchability to the iPod and all iMacs.

It is one of the VERY few things that RealPlayer has going for it.

The color looks wahed out and overly void rather than minimalist.

"Windows, Windows, Widows, Windows..."

Get off it guys --- do it right.

---gooddog

[gooddog]

good point. it isnt going to be the interface that gets me to buy tiger.

*******************************

of the Beauty with a wart on her nose.

If this ships, I will have to find a skin/theme third party to hide it --- Great !!!


---gooddog :eek:

[gooddog]

Exactly. I saw Longhorn IMMEDIATELY when I looked at that huge title bar area. But is that really a BAD thing? :rolleyes:

*******************************

Yes, affirmative, Si, Oui, Ja, correct : it is a bad thing.

---gooddog

[Palad1]

Please please please, someone confirm that it is just a desig attempt and in no way final...

Apple designers can come up with something better, this doesn't appeal to me in any way, and just screams longhorn when you look at it... :confused:

[brap]

Nice.

Looks like Thunderbird.

[johnnyjibbs]

It's not a new theme, it's simply an extended aqua "fusion" title bar (like seen in Panther Aqua).

I hate it. It's better than a brushed metal mail but not much. And what the hell has happened to the lovely side panel? :eek:

When Panther came along, Apple updated its interface guidelines to accommodate the new brushed metal Finder: "Brushed metal used when immitating a real life object, blah blah blah and also when there is a sidebar used". The new Mail app disobeys this by having a sidebar next to the main window content in an aqua style and it indeed looks far more like Windows *HORRID* :mad:

I can just about cope with the interface inconsistencies with Panther but Tiger appears to be making a right mess of it. Just like the System Prefs appear to have a deeper aqua title bar even though they have the flat brushed metal style buttons (as opposed to the 3D back and forward ones seen in Aqua apps like Preview or the load/save dialogues).

EDIT: In fact, Tiger is starting to look a huge mess, but I guess yet more elemnts will change. The new look stuff looks very flat like Windows but yet they still have the nice (but now out-of-place in Tiger) scroll bars that are more 3D in nature.

And you'd better be able to put the mailboxes "sidebar" on the right hand side. :mad: :eek:

[Diatribe]

And you'd better be able to put the mailboxes "sidebar" on the right hand side. :mad: :eek:

Hehe, I was just gonna post this when I read your post. What's up with changing things like that. Where's the GUI guidelines on that one? I can't believe they just put it on the left hand side. WHAT FOR?

And I agree it is definitely not the prettiest design ever. But it is not final, so there's hope. Hopefully some ADC members write Apple about how bad this looks.

[MacSA]

Too much wasted space around the icons in the top window....

[ChrisH3677]

As others have said, it looks Windows. It's just a fade from one color to another which MS have been doing for years.

I notice that this Platinum theme has already crept into Panther, and have commented previously I thought it looked like the Windows XP "Silver" theme. (If you've got Panther, open say Preferences and notice the window bar. It's Platinum)

One thing I liked about OS X was first Aqua and then Brushed Metal. I like them coz they're textures and that adds a lot of class to the GUI.

Simple colors and color fades cheapen the GUI - eg Windows.

Come on Apple, if you're going to do Platinum, make it look like the real thing.

[wrldwzrd89]

When I saw this, I thought...YES! This is what Apple should have done all along. I suspect that Brushed Metal was just a temporary thing, and that both the original Aqua and Brushed Metal will be replaced by this new appearance. It'll be coded in such a way that calls to Brushed Metal/Aqua interface gadgets will simply be redirected to Platinum gadgets so that existing applications, including Apple's own, don't break.

[brap]

I can just about cope with the interface inconsistencies with Panther but Tiger appears to be making a right mess of it....
Some enterprising 3rd party will have a hack you can use to skin the OS, so if you hate it that much it should be fixable. I do agree with the chopping and changing theory though, Aqua used to be so standardised...

At the end of the day, it's the under-the-bonnet improvements in Tiger which should save it. Here's hoping.

[iChan]

Its ok... But not grate.

grate? as in grated cheese. yes, the new interface is so bad, it grates. I don't like it, don't like it at all.

[johnnyjibbs]

When I saw this, I thought...YES! This is what Apple should have done all along. I suspect that Brushed Metal was just a temporary thing, and that both the original Aqua and Brushed Metal will be replaced by this new appearance. It'll be coded in such a way that calls to Brushed Metal/Aqua interface gadgets will simply be redirected to Platinum gadgets so that existing applications, including Apple's own, don't break.
Thing is, it won't replace Brushed Metal. It will be in addition to. We've now got 3 different GUIs in there, although I suspect that this is what the new Aqua is becoming. BTW, when I saw this, I thought...NO! And I still think NO!

[wrldwzrd89]

Thing is, it won't replace Brushed Metal. It will be in addition to. We've now got 3 different GUIs in there, although I suspect that this is what the new Aqua is becoming. BTW, when I saw this, I thought...NO! And I still think NO!
The only problem with that is that Brushed Metal and this new appearance look too similar - one being a lighter version of the other one. I don't think Brushed Metal can survive very long if this appearance gets widely used.

[Diatribe]

I think it's plain wrong to use 3 interface types in the first place. Either replace brushed metal or aqua with it. Secondly, what's up with the hideous blue circles around the numbers next to the mailbox? This is so windows style. Arrrgh, me not likey, me not likey at all.

[Chappers]

Ok...I'm sorry...but the first thing that came to mind when seeing the image was "Windows".

Same here.

[harmless]

i need/want to be able to compose mail in html dangit!

And I want a filter that automatically dumps HTML mail!

[Stella]

By the way I think the image is a FAKE, since look at the first image on the far right at the scroll bar. Tells me its a FAKE.

Oh, I do hope you are joking.

The artifacts you are talking may well be caused by the compression in the image.

Additionally, i could probably give you any image and you'd pick a hole in it.

[timnosenzo]

I like it! Now if they can get iCal to interface with Exchange... :rolleyes:

[denm316]

I like the look, Apple has the most amazing people when it comes to design, both interface.

Now maybe the new G5 powerbooks will be platinum enclosures...LOL... :)

[cr2sh]

It looks like the pinstripes are making a comeback (check out the inactive window). They never fully left of course, but they did become very very subtle.

Indeed. Who wants platinum and pintstripes? Seems kind of gawdy to me... like black cars with gold badging. :eek:

[jcshas]

I've never really been able to get used to the whole "brushed metal" look so this is a nice compromise. A nice clean look to it!

[Lord Bodak]

I don't like it. Too much wasted space at the top, too much wasted space on the side. Although I assume a switch to small icons on the mailbox list is an option... it had better be, cause I have a ton of mailboxes and couldn't deal with that.

[gekko513]

Oh, and a second thought...

What if the platnium could change to different colours to match to ipod minis :)
That would be nice ... It would make it easier to spot the right window in exposé.

[dave_lister]

Photoshop is a killer app. If someone was faking a screenie, they'd make sure they did a pristine job. I agree with whoever said they are just protecting their anonimity, and bodged a cut and paste effort to add/remove some emails...

[ASP272]

It almost appears to be an updated Outlook Express.

[Windowlicker]

Ok...I'm sorry...but the first thing that came to mind when seeing the image was "Windows".

you're not the only one. i thought the same.. it's not bad though. it looks pretty much like netscape navigator (anyone remember that product?) but a bit sleeker. conclusion: it's ok, but not really an improvement in my opinion. guess I have to get to use it before any further claims.

[wdlove]

I am using entourage, but i am debating weather i should switch back to mail and ical app becuase of how well it intergrates with each other . . . . i like entourage but is there a way to move all my info into mail and ical?

I'm sure that like anything else the Platinum Theme will grow on us. From the picture at Apple Insider its really hard tell what the finished product will look like. Will take a wait and see attitude.

Currently I'm using Entourage also. With my current setup the Mail applicaton won't work. We seem to have a compatability issue with our Earthlink DSL, Wireless, and Mail.

[a_iver]

Just don't take brushed metal from safari. It looks so good. Makes me feel like drinking coffee for some reason.

[BWhaler]

I like it.

It amazes me that with each and every OSX upgrade, the refinements while appearing modest, really take OSX to the next level. Going back to Jaguar nowadays is simply painful. And while using Jaguar, I thought it was a really solid OS.

So, I look at the new Platinum in Tiger, and I suspect it is going to be an amazing look. I like the screenshots, but more importantly, the new functionality and display of mail looks amazing.

The Apple magic is more subtle than we give it credit for. I am really looking forward to Tiger. Everything we have seen so far give me a lot of optimism. (With the one exception of iCal, which still appears to suck from the betas. I pray Apple has something up their sleeve for iCal.)

[age234]

For those who somehow don't see the flaws in the "screenshot", here's a summary:

http://unusualstudios.fnw.us/tyler/mailflaws.png

My thoughts are that it's OK, if it replaces metal. Then there's just regular aqua and "toolbar aqua". That would be fine and consistent. Yup, aqua calculator, aqua Safari, aqua Finder, aqua iTunes. That's what I think. I like brushed metal, but it's not worth throwing out consistency for it. I thought Apple wanted to make a UI that calls attention to the contents of the window, not the window itself. Metal draws your attention to it.

[Frobozz]

AppleInsider (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=676) has posted screen shots of Mail.app 2.0 in the most recent developer release (8A27x) of Tiger. In a blend of the two current themes available (Aqua & Brushed Metal) a platinum interface theme has emerged, with a smooth gradation of color in the menu bars. Other Mail 2.0 features are parental controls for filtering display of content on a per-application basis, iCal integration, and the ability to read email certificates. A single-window interface has also been implemented, doing away with the retractable mailbox drawer, and circular count badges are being used to show unread message counts within mailbox folders.

Well, we've come full circle. We're now back to a modified OS 9 theme. Sheesh.

[Frobozz]

My thoughts are that it's OK, if it replaces metal. Then there's just regular aqua and "toolbar aqua". That would be fine and consistent. Yup, aqua calculator, aqua Safari, aqua Finder, aqua iTunes. That's what I think. I like brushed metal, but it's not worth throwing out consistency for it. I thought Apple wanted to make a UI that calls attention to the contents of the window, not the window itself. Metal draws your attention to it.

I agree for the most part. I think that Apple should drop it's 3 themes and consolidate. I don't understand why there are so many. This would make 4! Apple, what the heck! Think about it... we have Aqua, which is basically just for windows and 3rd party apps. We have the pro application UI, which is dark gray with smaller interface elements. We also have brushed metal, which is for utility applications... which still baffles me how Safari fits in that category. Ugh.

[Frobozz]

For those who somehow don't see the flaws in the "screenshot", here's a summary:
http://unusualstudios.fnw.us/tyler/mailflaws.png

I think your points on the inconsistencies are very good ones. My only caveat is that this is a beta and is completely subject to graphical irregularies and bugs. I work at a software company as a UI and web designer and wouldn't be surprised to see the things you are pointing out in early UI development. Not saying that's an end-all be-all answer, but it does make this screenshot plausible.

[johnnyjibbs]

For those who somehow don't see the flaws in the "screenshot", here's a summary....
You're right. I've also noticed that when you compare the 'in focus' and 'out of focus' images in different tabs of Safari, most things remain in the same position such as the toolbar icons and the inbox, etc but take a look at the drafts mailbox, second down on the mailbox pain. In the out of foucs shot, it is in a slightly different position relative to the inbox, which again is inconsistent. This has blatantly been "Photoshopped".

[spinko]

I don't like it. Too much wasted space at the top, too much wasted space on the side. Although I assume a switch to small icons on the mailbox list is an option... it had better be, cause I have a ton of mailboxes and couldn't deal with that.

space is nice to have

[interactiondork]

I personally don't care for the new design at all, but it has strengths and weaknesses.

Removing the drawer and adding the sidebar solves a problem common to new users: closing the drawer and not knowing how to reopen it (don't laugh, it happens). Apple has also added the special views for new mail and flagged mail, which I'm sure many users will benefit from.

On the other side many users find the drawer an asset since they leave mail open all the time in the background and tend to leave it closed with the in box selected.

Presorting mail into "new" and "flagged" also presents a problem for users with multiple accounts because you are no longer exposing them the the account/folder structure it's going to present a problem finding those messages again once they leave the "new" view. If you don't know which account it was in from memory you may end up clicking around a few mail boxes trying to find it again.

In which case, sticking with the current account-centric structure, and sorting mail to show new messages first is going to be a much better option.

I personally hope they will revert back to the old mail design, I stopped using Entourage in favor of Mail because I was looking for a simple, clean, efficient mail application. I don't use features like sorted view for "new" and "flagged" (something I've never user) or certificates and do not want advanced features cluttering my application window. Corporate mail clients and personal mail clients have different usage needs, Apple might be wise to start looking at splitting the application into two, or two modes: Mail and Mail Pro.

[Palad1]

Gosh, you _are_ right...

To all the naysayers: look at the scrollbar, where are the up/down icons gone?

Oh look, there's one on top of the window, and ... none at the bottom... hmmm. how do I scroll down?

And aren't these scroll buttons supposed to reside on the lower side of the scrollbar, NeXT to one another?

[age234]

Just for fun, here's what I think the Finder could look like if Apple went with the Aqua-only route. Pretty slick, if I do say so myself:

http://unusualstudios.fnw.us/tyler/aquafinder.png

NOTE: This is NOT a screenshot of Tiger. Also note the text on the status bar - it tells the size of the selected file. This should be added regardless of the UI, because why would I want to know the available space when I have file(s) selected? Shouldn't it tell the size of the selection? Makes sense to me. Why go to Get Info just to find the size?

[42gb]

I don't think it looks much differnt than aqua. It looks like the merged the title bar with the button bar. Big whoop.

[mulletman13]

This sort of menu bar has been posted all ready on numerous screen shots over the past few months.

Point and case:

http://images.appleinsider.com/images/tiger8a2accountssmall.gif

Personally I feel it is a little bland without any sort of texture to it, for me that's always set apart OS X windows from Windows.... windows. I adored the brushed metal appearance and wish that would come standard across the GUI, but if this is in store... it just seems a little too... boring. Apple has always been about good design and while this may be slated as good design (In no way is this as gaudy as XP's silver theme), it just seems a little odd to me. If it's included in the final release, all right, we'll all get used to it. But if it's implemented half-assed like Brushed, then I think I'd still prefer brushed. Personally I think that the menu bar at the top of the screen should be changed to accompany this new theme, if a new one is implemented. A 'Platinum' bar on top with a chromed Apple would look all right-- I just wish we could have limited choices. Ah well, my .02

Edit: Hrmm... I dont know if you can really call this a copy of Longhorn, because think of the last time that MS genuinely tried to copy the Aqua OS ...... Internet Explorer 5.0...... that was their attempt to match and conform to the OS....... yet it was a complete and utter failure and came across realllllly cheap and ugly looking. :)

[Lord Bodak]

space is nice to have

Not all of us have huge monitors. I have a 12" PowerBook-- the main focus of a mail reader should be the message list and the message itself. Toolbars and mailbox lists need to be designed with that in mind. Look at the mailbox list in the current Mail.app and tell me this new thing with the giant icons is going to make the new version work better on my display. It's not possible.

[AidenShaw]

Also note the text on the status bar - it tells the size of the selected file. This should be added regardless of the UI, because why would I want to know the available space when I have file(s) selected? Shouldn't it tell the size of the selection? Makes sense to me. Why go to Get Info just to find the size?

You've made it work like the status bar on Windows Explorer.

You are right, it's a *very* handy feature to have immediate feedback on the number and total size of files in the selection.

By the way, another "error" on the "screenshot" is that the header says that there are 10 messages in the folder - but I count 11 !

[Josh]

I think its too plain.

The #1 thing I like about OSX's UI is that windows and other graphics seem to have a texture. They look like real objects you could touch and feel.

I wish everything was a consistent brushed metal - I love it.

When you open iTunes, look at it, and imagine reaching in and touching it. You could feel the cold metal, and as you slid your finger across it you would feel the subtle ridges and bumps of the brushing.

Now look at the mail screen shot. Imagine touching it just the same. What would it feel like? No one knows - it has no texture and does not resemble anything from the real life.

I once asked a friend who uses windows, "If you could touch your start bar, what would it feel like?"

His reply was "Boobs"..lol...but all joking aside...you dont know what the windows interface would feel like, and thats the same impression I get with the new mail screenshot.

Edit
I was just looking at Tiger on Apple's site, and I am not liking the things they are doing with the UI.

The menu bar is getting a glossy finish - which is nice, but I'd rather have brushed metal

But then notice spotlight, and the apple icon. They are shiney blue eyesores in the top corner of the screen. Those have got to go. Those chunks of blue are very distracting, which so far hasnt been a concern in OS X ui.

[JGowan]

I don't know what you people are talking about. Mail hasn't been brushed metal. It's been a combination of pinstripes/aluminum this whole time.

[wtmcgee]

as long as they're moving toward a uniform look, I'm all for it. If this is going to be the 3rd type of interface we're going to have to look at, I'm going to be pissed. I hope that that this is going to be the "new aqua" basically, replacing the current look.

[network23]

Yeah... looks cool... Still want to see it in person though - the image is too small and compressed to really see, you know?

AirPort Express does work with the older AirPort cards; I know - I have an iBook G3 with an AirPort card, works perfectly. Yeah, iTunes streaming is a bit iffy at times, but eh, what do you expect?

There are links under the small screenshot linking to several different larger images of Mail 2.0

[ashon3611]

The new theme really looks like windows with the silver theme on WinXP... anyways the iDrive was mentioned in Fortune a couple of issues ago when they were talking about BMW's research team in California, so I wouldnt be suprised if they were working together.

[Mac Dummy]

It does look all that different from Panther's Mail Brushed metal or silver its all the same to me.

[stylo]

Hey look at this really new thing, that's not new at all. Apple has shown this "theme" for 3 whole months already:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/tiger/search_prefs.html

Yes, it's new for Tiger, but it ain't new to those of us with our eyes open.

[meta-ghost]

Please - don't do this. Mail currently supports 'rich' format which will let you include colour/font/images if you need. HTML mail was a bad idea, invented by a bad company (microsoft of course).

ok, but tell me how to do the following in rich format:
i have a small business and i'd like to have my email sig contain a graphic (my logo/business info). everytime i send it out to a windows user it comes as an attachment and not nicely inserted in the message. i'm not blaming apple, i just want this bit to work.

[myapplseedshurt]

If this is a stab at a new appearance (everywhere) for the textured flag, then yay. If it's a third "standard" look, make it go away. Now.

If it's just shoving bitmaps in the usual way, why? It's true that Mail has been a drab-looking program, but yeesh, it's . . . mail.


I know this doesn't have anything to do with this thread, but I love your sig... :) I know it's origins, but it's very original... somewhat dark for a mac usr though.... but I think the same way :cool:

[shellspeare]

The new theme really looks like windows with the silver theme on WinXP....


i totally agree. I was hoping it would be more unique :rolleyes:

[ojames]

For those who somehow don't see the flaws in the "screenshot", here's a summary

kasper jade from Apple Insider posted a note saying he edited the mail list in the screenshot to protect sources and he has reposted new unedited shots for those who thought yesterdays were fake so u can see them here;

http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=683084#post683084

ojames

[Rower_CPU]

kasper jade from Apple Insider posted a note saying he edited the mail list in the screenshot to protect sources and he has reposted new unedited shots for those who thought yesterdays were fake so u can see them here;

http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=683084#post683084

ojames

Thanks for the info - that helps to put the fake theory to rest.

[JGowan]

I think with the iApps being brushed metal, Mail should, too.

[HiRez]

To those you you thinking brushed metal is going away in favor of platinum or whatever, you are forgetting one very important thing: Steve Jobs loves brushed metal. If not for him, there's a good chance it wouldn't exist in the first place, or survive. I've come to accept it, I don't quite think it's the "travesty" or "eyesore" that many do, but something's not quite right about it too. Anyway, I'll bet anything that brushed metal is still there in Tiger, looking more-or-less the same.

[Josh]

I think with the iApps being brushed metal, Mail should, too.


That would be so awesome!

I think EVERYTHING should be brushed metal, except for contextual menus and dialogs, which could be a non-pinstriped shiny light transperent grey.

[Skiniftz]

Looks ok - almost like Outlook.

[jayscheuerle]

So, Apple went from light blue, to silver, to gray. Kind of boring.

And the difference between silver and gray is?

[wrldwzrd89]

And the difference between silver and gray is?
Not much. I mentioned this in an earlier post in this thread.

[afehrenbach]

Did anyone else notice that it's squared off instead of rounded corners. Looks to much like windows for me. And as a few other have said, we should get to make the choice.

This is pretty interesting... the top corners of the application screens are rounded but the bottom corners are squared off... :confused:

[Private Public]

That would be so awesome!

I think EVERYTHING should be brushed metal, except for contextual menus and dialogs, which could be a non-pinstriped shiny light transperent grey.

NOOOO!! :p

Again I hate brushed metal. if Apple goes any deeper with Brushed metal I'm going to be so pissed. the new stuff is slick and minimal no brush lines, no pinstripes, just a nice gradient. it would match an iMac or Power Mac.

forget windows anyone see this and think back to the audio player with PB?

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/4q00/macosx-pb1/images/mp-remote.jpg

[bousozoku]

Hey look at this really new thing, that's not new at all. Apple has shown this "theme" for 3 whole months already:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/tiger/search_prefs.html

Yes, it's new for Tiger, but it ain't new to those of us with our eyes open.

That's a good catch. :)

The fact that they're showing SystemPreferences like that could signal that the whole of the GUI will be changed, which wouldn't be a bad thing. Consistency is the one thing that Mac OS X has always lacked, even when it was only using Aqua. I'm sure that the new metal can be rendered more quickly too, which is probably as much their goal as emulating the latest hardware covers.

Now, if they'd allow us to add a little colour to the smooth metal, that would be a good thing, too.

[mixgrafix]

Everyone could make there themes the way the wanted them.......but I care about stability and security much more than anything else.

[johnnyjibbs]

I think with the iApps being brushed metal, Mail should, too.
Yikes! I'd rather stick with the Mail they have here and, from what I have said earlier in this thread, I am not a fan of it in the slightest!

(I'm not saying I hate brushed metal though - I think it works well in iTunes and Safari).

[jet_silver]

Should read "In a bland"... Am I supposed to get worked up about another twiddling of the mail interface? It's more colorful, but that is not the same as better.

Feh, everything posted so far about Tiger makes me think of those sad, moth-eaten animals that drowse in the sun, at the zoo.

[pcharles]

Ok...I'm sorry...but the first thing that came to mind when seeing the image was "Windows".

It does not look anything like Windows and the bright jellybean look. If anything, it looks more like a beautified version of Solaris. The only Windows app that looks like this is iTunes.

[pcharles]

Exactly. I saw Longhorn IMMEDIATELY when I looked at that huge title bar area. But is that really a BAD thing? :rolleyes:

Cool thing is this will be released months, if not years, before Longtooth. So, who looks like who?

[Porchland]

I was just looking at Tiger on Apple's site, and I am not liking the things they are doing with the UI.

The menu bar is getting a glossy finish - which is nice, but I'd rather have brushed metal

But then notice spotlight, and the apple icon. They are shiney blue eyesores in the top corner of the screen. Those have got to go. Those chunks of blue are very distracting, which so far hasnt been a concern in OS X ui.

I hadn't noticed until I stopped to look that Panther uses at least three different finishes:

1. Brushed aluminum: Used in Finder, Safari, iCal, Address Book, folders, etc.

2. Platinum: As far as I can tell, Panther is using this only for Mail.

3. Dark metal with Volvo wagon wood paneling: Thankfully, only GarageBand.

Apple Insider has taken down their screen shots of Mail 2.0, but I recall it looking similar to Mail.

[ChrisH3677]

It does not look anything like Windows and the bright jellybean look. If anything, it looks more like a beautified version of Solaris. The only Windows app that looks like this is iTunes.

try looking at Windows XP with the Silver theme

[AidenShaw]

try looking at Windows XP with the Silver theme

It's actually called the "Silver Color scheme"....

Context-click on desktop, -> "Properties" -> "Appearance" and select the "Silver" option in the "Color scheme" listbox.

I dislike the cartoon-blue scheme, and the green is shockingly ugly. Silver's not too bad.

Too bad they don't have one in a warm pastel - you know, something that goes well with a beige box. :rolleyes:

[beatle888]

space is nice to have


when your talking about information design the proper use of space is important which this designer seemed to ignore. proximity, proportion and the use of negetive and positive space are important aspects to a nice feeling in a design. this in junk...

someone mentioned netscape....thats a great comparison. god that sucked and this is worse cause apparently its from apple.

[Macs R Us]

Well I can hope for a Platinum theme but I hope its not like the IIe Platinum:)...

[Diatribe]

I don't quite see where Apple is heading with all the GUI changes, but I guess no one will until Tiger is released. As of now I don't really like it, especially not all those extremely colored Dashboard gadgets. Those are just plain ugly, I feel like a child in a candy store. That goes for mail too. It looks far more colored than the old one. I don't like too many colors, I like it simple. If I want colors I go buy windows.

[QFace]

Dark metal with Volvo wagon wood paneling: Thankfully, only GarageBand.

I rather like the GarageBand theme, but only for GarageBand... it would be an awful theme systemwide. That being said, I never use GarageBand, and would love to be able to change individual program's themes and themes systemwide depending on my mood. That would be bitchin'

[ssamani]

Has anyone noticed that brushed metal has been dropped from the .Mac home page and also from the some of the Preference screens that used to be brushed metal. The Mail page was always Aqua, but on a quick look only the menu bar at the top is still brushed metal.

Sanj


They've actually now, as of this morning, dropped metal from the .Mac menu bar as well. Looks like brushed metal is on its way out for sure.

Sanj

[HiRez]

It's curious, over at AppleInsider, where the original image for this article was, the posts almost unanimously like the new "theme", or look. But here, I'd say there's more posts with a negative view of it than positive (even though the +/- ratings don't reflect that). Why is that? I'd think we'd be basically the same people...

[johnnyjibbs]

Well it must be true because the images are now gone - taken down by the request of Apple Legal.

[aswitcher]

Well it must be true because the images are now gone - taken down by the request of Apple Legal.

Ooo. :)

[Diatribe]

Well it must be true because the images are now gone - taken down by the request of Apple Legal.

Funny thing is they are still up in their forums. The link given here earlier still has the pics up. But interesting that Apple cares.

[Stella]

Well it must be true because the images are now gone - taken down by the request of Apple Legal.

No ****.

Give some people a authentic screenshot of your OSX machine and some people will scream 'fake'. Some times they piss me right off with their 'Oh, its a fake, there is a single pixel out of place, so it can't be real

[mda01aqt]

sorry.....was that a screenshot of xp sp3? well looks like it. would be great if we had the option to chose the theme.

[Windowlicker]

I don't quite see where Apple is heading with all the GUI changes, but I guess no one will until Tiger is released. As of now I don't really like it, especially not all those extremely colored Dashboard gadgets. Those are just plain ugly, I feel like a child in a candy store. That goes for mail too. It looks far more colored than the old one. I don't like too many colors, I like it simple. If I want colors I go buy windows.

Those gadgets indeed are ugly as hell. I really hope they will be changed before the final version, though I doubt it because Apple already has them on their Tiger page. The good side of this is that because the gadgets are html (or are they), there surely will be loads of cool gadgets by enthusiasists and such.

[wdlove]

Funny thing is they are still up in their forums. The link given here earlier still has the pics up. But interesting that Apple cares.

I agree that Apple does care. I'm sure that the final product will be awesome.

[AidenShaw]

I agree that Apple does care. I'm sure that the final product will be awesome.

:) Step a little further away from the RDF, and you'll be able to see more clearly. :)

I'm not sure how a minor change to the background textures for the mail reader can qualify as "awesome", but then maybe I'm guilty of critical thinking. :)

My tongue's in my cheek, but "I'm sure it will be awesome" sounds like the bleating of the sheep.

[KindredMAC]

I still can't believe I've only heard like 5 people complain about the AQUA Blue in the upper corners of Tiger so far..... I caught that the first day and almost had a cow. It junks up the GUI too much. I thought that the AQUA Blue or AQUA Gray Apple was a nice touch but a frickin BLOCK of BLUE in the upper corners is just plain gawdy!

Now Mail 2.0.... I agree, it looks just like a Windows App. Apple needs to calm down with the changes to the GUI. Original AQUA was extremely nice for the 2-3 years it was out and then Brushed Metal was an interesting change, but come on..... Brushed Metal is only getting a 18 month shelf life????? They should have waited for 10.5 to bring out a new look.

Alot of people JUST got used to Brushed Metal.....

Slow down Apple....please......just a teeny tiny bit....

[johnnyjibbs]

I still can't believe I've only heard like 5 people complain about the AQUA Blue in the upper corners of Tiger so far..... I caught that the first day and almost had a cow. It junks up the GUI too much. I thought that the AQUA Blue or AQUA Gray Apple was a nice touch but a frickin BLOCK of BLUE in the upper corners is just plain gawdy!

Now Mail 2.0.... I agree, it looks just like a Windows App. Apple needs to calm down with the changes to the GUI. Original AQUA was extremely nice for the 2-3 years it was out and then Brushed Metal was an interesting change, but come on..... Brushed Metal is only getting a 18 month shelf life????? They should have waited for 10.5 to bring out a new look.

Alot of people JUST got used to Brushed Metal.....

Slow down Apple....please......just a teeny tiny bit....
It sounds like even Apple can't decide what it likes. I agree with you about the Spotlight thing in the corner (and also the Apple menu blue block) although I don't think it's half as bad as the new Platinum Mail 2.0, System Prefs, Spotlight results windows and Sync Manager interfaces (lets not pretend this was just made up now with Mail).

One thing though, does that now mean that the Mail toolbar is fixed and we're now stuck with it? Or will it jump inconsistently like the Panther Finder when you press the little widget on the top right of the window. (Note the major Panther GUI gaff in the Finder: the status bar for brushed metal is on the bottom in line with iTunes, etc but in the simple finder window it's on the top, in line with aqua, like Panther Mail, etc)

[mms]

I liked aqua... I liked pinstripes just fine... it took me a while but now I like brushed metal just fine... But not when Apple is so inconsistent with itself. For example, they made Safari, iTunes, and Finder metal, but not Mail.app, which used to drive me crazy. They then come out with a horrible look for GarageBand (thank god it seems it won't proliferate throughout the entire system). Before they manage to standardize all of its own applications, it goes on to the next theme. Consistency makes everything look a lot better. That's a fact I'm sure few people will argue against. And yet the brilliant minds at Apple can't seem to grasp that simple fact. I don't care what new theme they come out with if they can't keep it consistent throughout the whole system. And a new theme so often is bad in that third-party developers can't keep up. They need to be able to make their apps look good in a theme consistent with the rest of the system, but why bother when a new one comes out at the next system upgrade? If Apple can't do it themselves, there's no way they can expect other companies to keep up with the GUI changes. And all this detracts from the quality and user experience of the computer as a whole.

[anonymousbrit]

Since they were up for a while, I'd assume everyone already has the pics downloaded. If not, they can be found here (http://www.theanonymousbrit.com) (my site), as Apple Legal has now stepped in and forced AppleInsider to take them down. I personally quite like the interface, but that's just my opinion.

Edit: For a laugh, I've put up the old screenshots that hit the web a few months ago.

[johnnyjibbs]

I'd imagine that if they stick with this for mail then they will make that the interface for the Finder. It makes sense for consistency's sake. I guess it is slightly growing on me but it's still a bit too Windows for me. Considering the Spotlight results windows look like this then I could easily see the Finder sporting this look instead of its brushed metal, which I think doesn't suit it.

[cslewis]

They look a bit too similar for comfort...

http://blog.bretherton.net/images/15/r_Longhorn.jpg

I think it will be bad for apple to have a GUI very similar in ornamentation to Longhorn. It will just strengthen the assumption by the PC owning masses that OS X is just a slightly different variation of Windows.

[shidoshi]

Now Mail 2.0.... I agree, it looks just like a Windows App. Apple needs to calm down with the changes to the GUI. Original AQUA was extremely nice for the 2-3 years it was out and then Brushed Metal was an interesting change, but come on..... Brushed Metal is only getting a 18 month shelf life????? They should have waited for 10.5 to bring out a new look.


It's all opinion. I thought that Aqua as it used to be was TERRIBLE. The pinstripes were just awful looking, and far to over-stated. Of course, this is all in my opinion. So, the more we get rid of the pinstripes, the happier I am. Aqua isn't going exactly where I'd take it - I'd like something that resembles the theme SmoothStripes - but overall I'm happy with the changes being made. Personally, I like the new Mail 2.0, and don't really see the Windows XP connection. Sure, Mail 2.0 and the silver XP color scheme may both be based on grey, but they are quire different in a whole host of ways.

Oh, and I haven't seen anybody say this, so it has to be said - pinstripes are NOT making some sparking return for Tiger or whatever. From those screenshots, it seemed like pinstripes were around for titlebars when they weren't the current target, which is exactly how Panther works.

[aswitcher]

A little off the subject, but I really hope that mail, addressbook, ichat and anything else that uses pics/tars allows more than the current stamp sized images to appear as an option. I want my pics of people to appear an inch or more not the current half inch or less, so I can clearly see them quickly.

[MacFan26]

A little off the subject, but I really hope that mail, addressbook, ichat and anything else that uses pics/tars allows more than the current stamp sized images to appear as an option. I want my pics of people to appear an inch or more not the current half inch or less, so I can clearly see them quickly.
Yeah I'd like to see that too. Especially in iChat, I can hardly see my friends icons, and I hate that it doesn't support animated icons. They're so common and I can't believe that this isn't already implemented.

[isaacc7]

What is all the whining about? Honestly I had no idea what you guys were talking about with all this talk about "brushed metal" pinstripes, platinum, etc. When I finially figured out what you were talking about I couldn't believe it. WHO CARES? I never noticed that crap before and I'll probably not notice it again. I like the Mac OS because of the way it works, not the way it looks...

Isaac

[sirjimithy]

What is all the whining about? Honestly I had no idea what you guys were talking about with all this talk about "brushed metal" pinstripes, platinum, etc. When I finially figured out what you were talking about I couldn't believe it. WHO CARES? I never noticed that crap before and I'll probably not notice it again. I like the Mac OS because of the way it works, not the way it looks...

Isaac

Amen dude. While the aesthetically pleasing look of OS X defines a lot of its 'personality' I agree that the way it functions and performs are the main strengths. Personally I like the screenshot of the new mail app. Looks like a much nicer, more intuitive interface. If you don't like the colors of the title bars, buttons, etc, then wait a few weeks after the release for the updated version of Duality or Shapeshifter.

[QFace]

I'm a very superficial person... I need OS X to look good. In fact, the main reason I bought my power book is because it looks pretty.

[JDOG_]

Yeah this platinum thing kind of came out of nowhere. I see platinum looks all over the place, whether it's the top bar of my firefox browser, the top of the system preferences or a few others I can't quite think of right now. What's the big deal? I can't believe this is page 1...there's got to be something else going on right now.

How about more on that illusive iPod mini update that was supposed to happen in early september?!? Blegh. :mad:

[~Shard~]

I'm a very superficial person... I need OS X to look good. In fact, the main reason I bought my power book is because it looks pretty.

Well, lucky you then - you got a nice looking laptop which, as an added bonus, also kicks ass! ;) :cool:

[beatle888]

What is all the whining about? Honestly I had no idea what you guys were talking about with all this talk about "brushed metal" pinstripes, platinum, etc. When I finially figured out what you were talking about I couldn't believe it. WHO CARES? I never noticed that crap before and I'll probably not notice it again. I like the Mac OS because of the way it works, not the way it looks...

Isaac


you must be new not only to macrumors but to the mac itself. apple has always been about the look and feel and how it ties in with workflow-interface design and functionality. apple usually focuses on everything, not just how it works as you put it.

the quality of a computer users experience is more then how something functions.

[~Shard~]

you must be new not only to macrumors but to the mac itself. apple has always been about the look and feel and how it ties in with workflow-interface design and functionality. apple usually focuses on everything, not just how it works as you put it.

the quality of a computer users experience is more then how something functions.

Very true and well put. Apple has always been about "the complete experience", tying aesthetics, form, function, ease of use, integration and overall experience into each other, on many different levels, to result in the end product, which is magnificent if I do say so myself.

Damn, Macs are cool! :cool:

[ifjake]

the only thing i don't like is taking away the drawer. i like drawers in apps like iCal, Preview, and Mail. there's extra information there, but you can elegantly put it out of sight if you don't need it, return to a simpler window veiw. simplicity is what i think apple has absolutely right, on brushed metal, aqua or whatever. platinum, sure, fine, but the nondrawer is what catches my eye in a not so positive way. keep it simple.

[bousozoku]

Amen dude. While the aesthetically pleasing look of OS X defines a lot of its 'personality' I agree that the way it functions and performs are the main strengths. Personally I like the screenshot of the new mail app. Looks like a much nicer, more intuitive interface. If you don't like the colors of the title bars, buttons, etc, then wait a few weeks after the release for the updated version of Duality or Shapeshifter.

Using hacks to change the appearance detracts from the stability of the system since they have to break into places they're not supposed to be. While they may seem to work well enough, there is still a difference in stability between what Mac OS X provides as base and are add-ons are in use.

I am in favour of using themes but I will wait (too long) for Apple to make up their minds rather than face instability and lose work. They have been finding their way to a default look-and-feel for several years now--since the days of black and white, really--and I'd like to see one theme, as this is not supposed to be a jumble of ideas but an operating system and applications.

[wrldwzrd89]

Using hacks to change the appearance detracts from the stability of the system since they have to break into places they're not supposed to be. While they may seem to work well enough, there is still a difference in stability between what Mac OS X provides as base and are add-ons are in use.

I am in favour of using themes but I will wait (too long) for Apple to make up their minds rather than face instability and lose work. They have been finding their way to a default look-and-feel for several years now--since the days of black and white, really--and I'd like to see one theme, as this is not supposed to be a jumble of ideas but an operating system and applications.
Me too! I would rather not use a hack, since I'm happy with the various appearances of Mac OS X applications we have already (haven't seen the "wood panel" look yet though).

[Palad1]

(haven't seen the "wood panel" look yet though).
Trust me, you don't want to see it ...

GarageBand really needs a lot of screen estate and this l&f just takes too much place on a pb15.

Okay, now I sound just like a whiner.
I still love apple for the whole osX experience, but hey, you know what they say: The devil is in the details

[sirjimithy]

Using hacks to change the appearance detracts from the stability of the system since they have to break into places they're not supposed to be. While they may seem to work well enough, there is still a difference in stability between what Mac OS X provides as base and are add-ons are in use.

I am in favour of using themes but I will wait (too long) for Apple to make up their minds rather than face instability and lose work. They have been finding their way to a default look-and-feel for several years now--since the days of black and white, really--and I'd like to see one theme, as this is not supposed to be a jumble of ideas but an operating system and applications.

I agree. It absolutely causes a noticable dip in stability, but if how elements of the OS look is that big of an issue...

[mgbaron]

Personally, I don't really understand what the big deal is here. Functionally, the new mailbox appendage is equivalent to my ever prevalent mail drawer and looks like it takes up about the same amount of screen real estate.

After reading these posts I was expecting to see something really new for mail, and it just isnt there.

I do have one small criticism and that is that I don't like the additional "grab" space that surrounds the application (ala itunes). If it has to be there, then its too big. Personally, I would prefer it was not even there and hopefully they allow me to do that via preferences.

[Gee4orce]

High time that Apple opened up the theme API and settled this whole argument for once. Let people freely and easily choose which theme they would prefer to use, even on an application-by-application basis.

[ssamani]

What is all the whining about? Honestly I had no idea what you guys were talking about with all this talk about "brushed metal" pinstripes, platinum, etc. When I finially figured out what you were talking about I couldn't believe it. WHO CARES? I never noticed that crap before and I'll probably not notice it again. I like the Mac OS because of the way it works, not the way it looks...

Isaac
Whilst I generally agree, there are times when Aqua vs Brushed Metal vs Another look matter on "the way it works". Examples:

- Brushed metal windows can be dragged from anywhere on the brushed metal (at least they used to be, not checked recently). Aquau windows can only be dragged from the title bar.
- Translucent menus combined with Aqua pinstripes could make things unreadable.
- My pet hate: a lot of iApps that used brushed metal don't use the Cocoa standard Toolbar. In Finder (both), Mail (Aqua), Backup (brushed metal), Sherlock (at some point one or the other), most Cocoa Third Party Apps all have toolbars that are configurable in exactly the same, consistent, very Mac like way. Safari, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, Address Book, etc. are all brushed metal and none of them use the standard, newbie friendly, Mac-like consistent toolbar. Safari is the worst with a configurable toolbar that works completely differently from other Cocoa apps. At least the iLife apps can claim they have the most suitable interface for their tasks (questionable in my eyes). Safari and Address Book have no excuse.
- There are others, which I can't recall

The key issue for long time Mac users is consistency. A key tenet of Classic Mac OS's greater ease of use was consistency. Preferences were always in Edit/Preferences (now App Name/Preferences), not Tools/Options, File/Options, Edit/Configuration, etc. or all the mess you get in Windows. The point being that computer users would find it easier to use cos once they learned one app, other apps would work the same way. The mix of Aqua and Brushed Metal and in particular the lack of consistency in the use of BM is felt to contradict this shrine of Mac usability.

Whilst it is not, in my mind, as bad as the whole Toolbar thing, Aqua vs BM can effect how it works and therefore consistency and as a result, ease of use.

Sanj

[JT3MacManiac]

hey, i saw today the pictures were removed....anyone still have the originals?

[crazedbytheheat]

Did anyone else notice that some of the images appear to have a pie graph next to the Inbox? As a .mac user, I think it would be great to automatically see how much space is being use for mail to know if you should get rid of some messages or resize. Could just be the editing of the image, though. I'm really looking forward to the smart lists as well. I almost always just look at the new mail.

Now if they just had the equivalent to Entourage project center I'd be set, though maybe spotlight will take care of this.

[Cochrane]

My pet hate: a lot of iApps that used brushed metal don't use the Cocoa standard Toolbar. In Finder (both), Mail (Aqua), Backup (brushed metal), Sherlock (at some point one or the other), most Cocoa Third Party Apps all have toolbars that are configurable in exactly the same, consistent, very Mac like way. Safari, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, Address Book, etc. are all brushed metal and none of them use the standard, newbie friendly, Mac-like consistent toolbar. Safari is the worst with a configurable toolbar that works completely differently from other Cocoa apps. At least the iLife apps can claim they have the most suitable interface for their tasks (questionable in my eyes). Safari and Address Book have no excuse.

I agree that it a usual toolbar is best in the way it works, but metal windows should have different icons, in my opinion. Safari's and Finder's toolbar icons look nice, with their sunken button style. However, XGrid Blast with usual Cocoa icons on a metal surface, it just looks horrible and it seems like Automator will get the same crap.

Something different: Did you notice that in Mac OS X, there are at least seven different types of buttons?

Usual, one-line button (called "Push Button" in Aqua Human Interface Guidelines), the one found on dialogs, for example
The coloured help button
A square button with round corners
An old square button with square corners
A new button with square corners (found on the font panel or in System Preferences-> Users)
An Aqua button, sunken into a metal surface (like in Safari, controls in iTunes, Quicktime Player)
A Metal Button (for example, for adding playlists in iTunes)
A kind of inline Button, appears inside a text and has an oval shape. Comes in a variety of colors, can be found in Adress Book
Various Pictures you can click on (the lock in System Preferences, toolbar items etc.) (not quite a button, I know)


And it appears that Tiger is going to add some kind of Platinum-Theme-Button, which can be seen in screenshots where you select further options for a smart folder in Finder, for example. Oh, and I probably forgot some others already in the system (and third-party-apps add even more).

Not that this is confusing me, but it is not quite what you'd call a consistent interface, is it?

[johnnyjibbs]

I agree that it a usual toolbar is best in the way it works, but metal windows should have different icons, in my opinion. Safari's and Finder's toolbar icons look nice, with their sunken button style. However, XGrid Blast with usual Cocoa icons on a metal surface, it just looks horrible and it seems like Automator will get the same crap.

Something different: Did you notice that in Mac OS X, there are at least seven different types of buttons?

Usual, one-line button (called "Push Button" in Aqua Human Interface Guidelines), the one found on dialogs, for example
The coloured help button
A square button with round corners
An old square button with square corners
A new button with square corners (found on the font panel or in System Preferences-> Users)
An Aqua button, sunken into a metal surface (like in Safari, controls in iTunes, Quicktime Player)
A Metal Button (for example, for adding playlists in iTunes)
A kind of inline Button, appears inside a text and has an oval shape. Comes in a variety of colors, can be found in Adress Book
Various Pictures you can click on (the lock in System Preferences, toolbar items etc.) (not quite a button, I know)


And it appears that Tiger is going to add some kind of Platinum-Theme-Button, which can be seen in screenshots where you select further options for a smart folder in Finder, for example. Oh, and I probably forgot some others already in the system (and third-party-apps add even more).

Not that this is confusing me, but it is not quite what you'd call a consistent interface, is it?
Yes I agree. I hate to say it, but I think Windows has a more consistent GUI than Apple in a lot of respects.

[wrldwzrd89]

hey, i saw today the pictures were removed....anyone still have the originals?
I assume you didn't read the whole thread. Look here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=1070782#post1070782).

[maya]

Apple, seems to be all over the place with its GUI. :)

Seriously though, I might be one of the very few people who likes the GUI being refined. Its a pleasant change from one X.X to another. It makes me look forward to one of the little parts of the Mac OS. To notice something new, in the GUI and fiddle around. :)

Do I like those so called 'Platinum" theme, don't know as of yet, too early to tell really, might grow on me or not. However I like the other various buttons that X.X has included the metal, glass, square and rounded cornered buttons, etc. It all build the personality of X.X really. Instead of having the same old buttons repeat, its a nice touch to be honest.

Hopefully there refine this platinum theme and include it in Tiger.

I will however have to agree with some people here since I want to option to show and hide my inbox and also the option of while side right or left I want it in. Use a java web based type floating window for this so people can move the window live to which side they want it on in the main window with the option of hiding it as well.

Shoot I should patent this idea. ;) :D

[Detlev]

As others have said, it's not that big a news item. The new form has been on the Apple site. Look at the menu bar here (http://www.apple.com/macosx/tiger/spotlight.html). It's bevelled, and somwhere around there the System Preferences showed the new theme.

Does anyone imagine they will update the look of the website to match their final choice? It's do for a makeover.

[virus1]

as we have seen before, in the tiger screenshots, this theme is already being used. Somone obviously grabbed that and made a crappy photoshop job, then sent it to appleinsider... Or were you sleeping through WWDC?

might i add that i got my hands on a developer release of tiger from wwdc, and mail is much better, but nothing like that.

[virus1]

Using hacks to change the appearance detracts from the stability of the system since they have to break into places they're not supposed to be. While they may seem to work well enough, there is still a difference in stability between what Mac OS X provides as base and are add-ons are in use.

I am in favour of using themes but I will wait (too long) for Apple to make up their minds rather than face instability and lose work. They have been finding their way to a default look-and-feel for several years now--since the days of black and white, really--and I'd like to see one theme, as this is not supposed to be a jumble of ideas but an operating system and applications.

very true. I was betatesting a to be released software last week and according to the crash logs, about 80 percent of the bugs i found was caused by shapeshifter... If that was what you were talking about...

[Nextstep OS X]

Any Theme Available?

I like the new theme, where can i get it, can someone make it? :D

[bousozoku]

very true. I was betatesting a to be released software last week and according to the crash logs, about 80 percent of the bugs i found was caused by shapeshifter... If that was what you were talking about...

Indeed, it is an prime example.

I've been watching people make hacks to various operating systems for over 20 years. With most new operating system releases, the hack fails and sometimes, unintentionally accesses code that was not meant to be. Mostly, they are minor glitches but I've seen disk partitions removed, in extreme cases.

[virus1]

Indeed, it is an prime example.

I've been watching people make hacks to various operating systems for over 20 years. With most new operating system releases, the hack fails and sometimes, unintentionally accesses code that was not meant to be. Mostly, they are minor glitches but I've seen disk partitions removed, in extreme cases.

funny, funny, funny