Apple Working On Automated Desktop Pictures

[aristobrat]

I don't mean to curb our enthusiasm (the idea sounds terrific) but isn't this a feature that "sort of" exists in Vista?

That's what I thought of too -- Microsoft's DreamScene.

Doesn't sound exactly the same, but IMHO, it's close enough that some people are going to say that Apple copied the idea from Microsoft.


http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/ultimate/default.mspx

More Windows Ultimate Extras coming soon

* Windows DreamScene, an Extra that enables you to use looped, full-motion video as your desktop wallpaper instead of a static image

 

[johnee]

since it sends commands to the GPU, would this require specific GPU processors? I know nothing about graphics processors/graphics programming.

 

[MongoTheGeek]

That's what I thought of too -- Microsoft's DreamScene.

Doesn't sound exactly the same, but IMHO, it's close enough that some people are going to say that Apple copied the idea from Microsoft.


http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/ultimate/default.mspx

Never mind that my Amiga did that back in 89.

 

[Object-X]

Welcome

Welcome to the new OS X UI. Apple is about to completely change the paradigm through which we interact with a computer.

 

[chabig]

I don't mean to curb our enthusiasm (the idea sounds terrific) but isn't this a feature that "sort of" exists in Vista?

Not to my knowledge.

 

[Alfawan]

Fractals anyone?

Sounds like a type of fractal compression. Might be useful for a device with a decent GPU, but low memory count...hmmm

 

[chabig]

That's what I thought of too -- Microsoft's DreamScene.

Doesn't sound exactly the same, but IMHO, it's close enough that some people are going to say that Apple copied the idea from Microsoft.


http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/ultimate/default.mspx

Not the same...if you're going to hold up DreamScene as an example, OS X has had the ability to do video desktops since Panther, maybe as far back as Jaguar. It's just not available by default for good reason.

 

[Objectivist-C]

Was this a real app, or simply just a concept? And if it's real, where does one find it?

You went to the application's homepage and you couldn't figure this out?

 

[nagromme]

I guess I don't get it. What the heck is so "jarring" when logging in/out of an account in Mac OS X??? I hope this is not the kind of stuff Steve meant when he said "Top Secret Features". I hope this is not what is delaying Leopard til October. I mean, DAMN! Instead of this crap why doesn't Apple do some things that matter - like make it easy to administer a network of 10,000 Macs! Like a real competitor to Active Directory. Like really pursue the enterprise. Like work on making generic PC drivers work with OS X so I can buy a mini tower from Dell for ~$600 and run a supported version of OS X.

This is a patent, among many others (most of which never become products), from some time ago. There is no indication that the concept is occupying Apple's time or killing anyone's puppy

That's what I thought of too -- Microsoft's DreamScene.

Doesn't sound exactly the same, but IMHO, it's close enough that some people are going to say that Apple copied the idea from Microsoft.


http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/ultimate/default.mspx

This isn't about video, but about procedural generation.

As for accusations of copying, head them off as follows: OS X has had dynamic desktop pictures in a general sense for years: you choose a folder and the OS will smoothly fade from one image to another at the speed you choose. At the fastest speed it's kind of a cool effect with Apple's "abstract" wallpaper category.

 

[KingofAwesome]

I wouldn't compare it to Vista's Dreamscene for two reasons - first, that seems to be looping a video clip, and second, it's just "coming soon" for those who bought the most expensive version. Granted, this idea of Apple's is currently not available either, but I wouldn't say Vista has it already.

 

[iZac]

Anyone remember a patent application a few years back which suggested a dynamic lit skin? (basically the hardware skin was covered in RGB LEDs or some such thing) It would allow the computer to react visually to user inputs / outputs etc. It sounds pretty similar, but this time in software as opposed to hardware

EDIT:

*boom*

link

 

[ortuno2k]

Ummm...I didn't really understand any of that stuff, but whatever I think it means sounds cool.

 

[Analog Kid]

since it sends commands to the GPU, would this require specific GPU processors? I know nothing about graphics processors/graphics programming.

No, just a common interface. Core Image piggybacks on Open GL which is a standard 3D graphics interface. If suitable graphics hardware isn't available, Core Image falls back on the CPU to do the heavy lifting.

 

[aristobrat]

I wouldn't compare it to Vista's Dreamscene for two reasons

Oh, I wouldn't either.

After seeing how some folks screamed that CoverFlow was a blatant ripoff of how Windows Media Player displays album art (which it most definitely isn't), I was just making the point that I think it's likely the same group of folks will probably scream about this vs. Dreamscene.

 

[debrey]

I can't believe I read a website that, in all sincerity, used the word "leveraging." I'm going to go wash myself.

 

[puuukeey]

/ducks
//actually sounds pretty cool... hope the forground changes though

 

[twoodcc]

sounds nice! looking forward to Leopard......but it's so far in front of me, i can't even see it

 

[Konradx]

Sounds interesting. Curious how many of the patents Apple signs they actually use

 

[whooleytoo]

Like most patents these days, it sounds vague enough to cover almost anything..

However, it could be interesting. As suggested above, using this to reduce desktop size when logging in remotely is a very clever idea.

Perhaps subtle Core-Animations on the desktop, a nice subtle water ripple across the desktop would be relaxing rather than distracting.

How about incorporating information into the desktop? Your desktop photo could be a landscape photo, which changes depending on the weather forecast? Details could be overlaid onto it.

However, based on the description it sounds most like your screensaver morphs slowly into your desktop when your Mac wakes.

 

[Analog Kid]

Duh. Just hit me: resolution independent UI.

Edit: Doh! Just hit me: this is about the background image, not the whole display...

 

[0098386]

Was this a real app, or simply just a concept? And if it's real, where does one find it?

Me too. Looked around the site and couldn't find a link anywhere.

 

[ckinyc]

Nice but

I would rather see improvements like:

- easier fonts management (for designer like myslef)
- bring back telephony...so we can use our Mac as an automated receptionist
- automatic file syncing betwen multiple Macs
etc...

 

[notjustjay]

I can't believe nobody has said it yet...

Multi Touch???

 

[noaccess]

This is the image included in the patent.

See the "Top Secret Project" folder on the desktop? What's described in this patent could be some of the Top Secret stuff... or the guys at Apple are just trying to stir us up, then at WWDC Steve's gonna show everyone the new GarageBand and add another entry for the 'Super Secret Apple Rumors' podcast. If anyone remembers that one. Funny guy

 

[MattInOz]

Probably this wouldn't address actually turning the computer on and off. The screen will still have to go from black to your desktop image at some point.

There are a couple of stages during the boot process where desktop changes completely from one image to another. As i understand it this happens as different parts take command EFI thru to User Space.

I'd imagine in an example of this patent that we would still get the grey screen with Apple Logo. from there each of the transistions from there could evolve out of the last. Say the shapes of the System Desktop could float in to place across the grey then the colour could then fade in. As a replacement to the little bar scrolling across the screen before the login window appears.