Apple's 'Wobbling' Home Screen Icons in 1.1.3

[MacRumors]

As further evidence to the authenticity of GearLive's iPhone 1.1.3 firmware photos and videos that were leaked over the weekend, Hrmph.com dug up a patent application that was published in August of last year that clearly shows Apple's describing how one might allow customization of icons, and specifically describes varying the positions (wobbling) of the icons to indicate that the icons may be moved by the user.



Hrmpf compiled an animated gif demonstrating this wobbling effect, which looks identical to the 1.1.3 demo video. While it's certainly possible the images/video could simply be based on this patent application, it was not widely publicized at the time, and the description of wobbling icons is only obvious in retrospect.

One interesting description of the original patent application is that Apple suggested that icon movement could be elastic, allowing users to "throw" icons into the indended location.

Upon breaking contact with the touch-sensitive display, the respective icon may resume varying its position. In some embodiments, the respective icon can be “thrown,” so that the final position of the respective icon is different from the point at which the icon is released. In this embodiment, the final position can depend on a variety of factors, such as the speed of the “throw,” the parameters used in a simulated equation of motion for the “throw” (e.g., coefficient of friction), and/or the presence of a lay out grid with simulated attractive forces.

The leaked version of the firmware does not have this capability according to GearLive.

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[MarlboroLite]

lol imagine if the iphone actually looked like that brick!

[miketcool]

Originally Posted by MarlboroLite

lol imagine if the iphone actually looked like that brick!

Using that hand and making it to that scale as well? I am sure deep in some R&D lab there is a prototype that looks like that. Either that, or Apple knew some copycat company would make an iPhone wannabe with those proportions...

[thesdx]

I think the jiggling icons are quite cool. It adds that extra touch (no pun intended) that Apple always seems to put in their interfaces.

[jb510]

This patent, especially the "throwing" part, reminds me of the BumpTop desktop.

http://bumptop.com/

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/131

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0ODskdEPnQ

[tennismanclay]

looks cool, i will be getting my iphone next christmas, so hopefully every missing feature everybody is talking about will be in there by then. (above post) although i doubt it. But seriously apple how long does it take to put in small stuff like mms that i use almost everyday. I know of 2 people at my school that chose a sidekick or something over a iphone because the iphone cant take video and and cant handle pictures in text messaging. I hate my razor, but at least it can take video and copy and paste text. Im not against apple at all, i just think its silly that a phone can be times invention of the year, but it cant take a video. Apple has done a great job on the iphone, it just seems they need to update the little features everybody wants.


i love how technology advances.


-clay

[qntmfred]

AppleInsider had a post about this in August
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...interface.html

[Drumjim85]

While it can't be "thrown", it is attached to a grid, so when released it could not end up where you last touched it ..

[Flight102280]

Is there a gps, voice dial, voice recorder, flash based safari (that doesnt crash), video camera, camera flash, mms, ichat, custom background, gif picture support, iphone games, louder speaker phone, copy and paste patent somewhere in there? If so please let us know, I have an iphone but Im starting to miss my Nokia each day, I dont use maps, stock, clock button, notes, or even you tube (on my phone) that much. And I HATEEE web apps (on the edge network).

[Drumjim85]

Originally Posted by Flight102280

Is there a gps, voice dial, voice recorder, flash based safari (that doesnt crash), video camera, camera flash, mms, ichat, custom background, gif picture support, iphone games, louder speaker phone, copy and paste patent somewhere in there? If so please let us know, I have an iphone but Im starting to miss my Nokia each day, I dont use maps, stock, clock button, notes, or even you tube (on my phone) that much. And I HATEEE web apps (on the edge network).

1. how could apple patent a camera flash or mms ?
2. if they could / would / did ... it would be in a different patent application..

[Nicky G]

This offers some insight into how long it takes a relatively basic GUI technology to make it from patent application into an actual device.

[Flight102280]

Originally Posted by Drumjim85

1. how could apple patent a camera flash or mms ?
2. if they could / would / did ... it would be in a different patent application..

Hopefully for the next iphone, you can use ichat and have video conference kinda like the nextel phones

[twoodcc]

cool. looks like this is coming to the iPhone soon. looking forward to it

[Masquerade]

this patent is patetic. they got a lot of things that can do with core animation also why shake icons remembers me mariopaint???

[swrdfghtr]

This patent can't be valid. There's clear prior art: Weebles wobbled, although they did not fall down.

[SheriffParker]

Nobody better try to copy this wobble business.

[Stella]

Originally Posted by Drumjim85

1. how could apple patent a camera flash or mms ?
2. if they could / would / did ... it would be in a different patent application..

You've not seen other patents that have been approved but obviously prior art?!

[macuserfan22]

What about the already existing ability to move and change icons on the Music screen (Artist, Podcast, Genre, etc.)? Apple can just use that technology for this purpose...

[japanime]

Originally Posted by macuserfan22

What about the already existing ability to move and change icons on the Music screen (Artist, Podcast, Genre, etc.)? Apple can just use that technology for this purpose...

I was unaware of this feature until reading your post. (Yeah, I failed to RTFM ) Quite useful. Thanks for pointing it out!

[shawnce]

Originally Posted by Stella

You've not seen other patents that have been approved but obviously prior art?!

Patents can cover a very similar but unique implementation of existing related prior art / patent. ...granted some patents do get granted that really shouldn't given prior art and being obvious.

[SFC Archer]

Originally Posted by Flight102280

Is there a gps, voice dial, voice recorder, flash based safari (that doesnt crash), video camera, camera flash, mms, ichat, custom background, gif picture support, iphone games, louder speaker phone, copy and paste patent somewhere in there? If so please let us know, I have an iphone but Im starting to miss my Nokia each day, I dont use maps, stock, clock button, notes, or even you tube (on my phone) that much. And I HATEEE web apps (on the edge network).

I am so tired of this whinin, bitching, moaning and complaining about something that has been known since June 29th. If it doesnt fit your need then buy the friggin Nokia, Crackberry or Treo that will fit your pathetic way of life. Christ I am surprised your were able to give up the bottle or tit. Not every dang thing in life is going to be YOUR way so get over it.

GPS...Learn to read a map
Voice Dial...Not needed, pull over if driving
Voice Record...Why? you want to hear yourself whine some more
Flash...Used in Ads and spam...Why?....not needed!
Video Camera...Buy one or else you cry about the quality of something that will be worthless if activated...and we don't need to watch your self made porn.
Camera Flash...For what? Use a dang camera if you want flash
MMS/iChat...use your stupid phone as a phone and learn how to communicate again, or use email as it was designed, to send friggin pictures of you whinin

I can go on and on and on...if it doesnt fit your needs then dont buy the stupid phone and why do you want a louder speaker...you dont seem to want to use the phone anyway.

Wow...this is so amazing that users just can't get over the fact that this is a different digital device and thus it works DIFFERENT!!! Adapt and overcome and get a friggin life!!!

Happy New Year!

[ArtOfWarfare]

Originally Posted by SFC Archer

GPS...Learn to read a map
Voice Dial...Not needed, pull over if driving
Voice Record...Why? you want to hear yourself whine some more
Flash...Used in Ads and spam...Why?....not needed!
Video Camera...Buy one or else you cry about the quality of something that will be worthless if activated...and we don't need to watch your self made porn.
Camera Flash...For what? Use a dang camera if you want flash
MMS/iChat...use your stupid phone as a phone and learn how to communicate again, or use email as it was designed, to send friggin pictures of you whinin

Apple advertises the iPhone as the only thing you need in your pocket. You're suggesting that people should carry their iPhone, a map, a camera, and a recorder with them even though Apple says you shouldn't need all these other things. What unapple like thoughts you have.

[SFC Archer]

Originally Posted by ArtOfWarfare

Apple advertises the iPhone as the only thing you need in your pocket. You're suggesting that people should carry their iPhone, a map, a camera, and a recorder with them even though Apple says you shouldn't need all these other things. What unapple like thoughts you have.

It is the only thing I need in my pocket. I have OPENED my MIND and adapted. I used to carry a PDA w/Camera, An MP3 player and a TREO. I used the Treo as a phone cause that was all it was good for and even then it sucked. I couldnt buy music with or watch videos on the MP3 and the PDA was my Calender, Address Book and Video player because the Treo wouldnt work right. All of that is now in the iPhone and works perfectly since I got it on iDay.

Almost every single car made, now has GPS in it and gives you directions while driving. Google on the iPhone gives me a great reference to where things are because "I can read Maps" and know how to navigate without being "told" how to get there. If I see the "Kodack" moment then I take a picture. The rest of the time I use a camera for a camera if I want family pictures or scenery,etc...not a thumb nail that "ALL" cell phones take. And never in my life have I had a need to "record" myself or someone else. I can spell, write and know how to make notes if I need to remember something. NONE of these things are Necessary to have on any phone when there are better out there and designed for that use. You Will NEVER get all of this stuff that everyone dreams about in one package...it is just not possible and to have it work to the expected level, and still be thin and all that other crap that people want.

And sorry to disappoint you, but I am proud to NOT be an apple fanboy! I am realistic and have learned to use what I have to the best that it can be used. If it aint there and I need it "Then I BUY the DEVICE that has it" not sit here and whine about every missing thing that doesn't meet my personal needs.

Based on my needs and use....the iPhone has EVERYTHING that I need and/or use on a daily basis and I haven't got lost, missed a picture or had to record myself yet.

[chr1s60]

Originally Posted by ArtOfWarfare

Apple advertises the iPhone as the only thing you need in your pocket. You're suggesting that people should carry their iPhone, a map, a camera, and a recorder with them even though Apple says you shouldn't need all these other things. What unapple like thoughts you have.

Reading a map can be done in the maps application in iPhone. GPS is nice, but really isn't needed nor is carrying a map. Apple also never addressed the iPhone replacing a recorder or a video camera. With what the iPhone already has it replaces the need to carry a few objects. Some of the constant demands for GPS, voice recorder and video camera seem pretty dumb to me since the addition of them wouldn't really be of high enough quality to replace the need for another device.

[SFC Archer]

Originally Posted by chr1s60

Reading a map can be done in the maps application in iPhone. GPS is nice, but really isn't needed nor is carrying a map. Apple also never addressed the iPhone replacing a recorder or a video camera. With what the iPhone already has it replaces the need to carry a few objects. Some of the constant demands for GPS, voice recorder and video camera seem pretty dumb to me since the addition of them wouldn't really be of high enough quality to replace the need for another device.

Amen Chr1s, rstansby and SolRayz (applause)...I agree with all of your posts 100%.

Users fail to realize that the more garbage you throw into one device lowers the quality of not only pictures or battery life or a multitude of other problems or that the more you put into one device increases the odds of crash's and application freezes...look at the Treo.

I agree with the taking time to develope, test and try (cause there are still some issues) to get it right the first time. A video camera on a phone is So So So pointless...the quality is not worth even trying to watch...look at some of those utube videos that are just downright terrible.

The iPhone is not perfect and NO cell phone, smartphone or whatever the next gadget is will be perfect for everyone. That is why you have a CHOICE and can buy the device that will fit your needs!

Again...Great posts!