Mac OS X Updates and Next Generation Finder Development

[MacRumors]

Apple has reportedly started testing of a Mac OS X 10.4.5 update (Build 8H5), but also appears to be working on the "next generation versions" of Finder with a focus on advanced search features, navigation, and performance/responsiveness.

Apple has recently posted a Job description looking to hire a Finder Software Engineer. The interested candidate should be able to:

- Participate in all of the various stages of feature development from design brainstorms, through feature development, all the way to fixing that last critical elusive bug under a tight release deadline.
- You will be required to produce clear designs, excellent implementation and tight code.
- Deliver tight, well implemented features, fix bugs and develop Finder into the best file browser on the planet.
- Work on performance and responsiveness of the Finder, making it feel lightweight, fast, snappy and pleasant to use.

While it's unclear if this job description applies to Mac OS X 10.5, Apple did announce at WWDC 2005 that the next version of Mac OS X 10.5 would be called Leopard and would be released in Late 2006/Early 2007. A preview is expected at WWDC 2006.

While little information about Mac OS X 10.5 has leaked out, one early Page 2 report claimed "extensive use of Spotlight alongside an improved user interface and performance improvement."

 

[neoserver]

This sounds very exciting.. I'm glad to hear that there is at least SOME work being done on the finder to make it better. While it isn't so bad right now, it does need some work that could make it better.

advanced search features, navigation, and performance/responsiveness.

I wonder what these Navigation changes would be, personally i think the finder is okay right now in terms of navigation. Performance/Responsiveness improvements would be a big plus..

While little information about Mac OS X 10.5 has leaked out, one early Page 2 report claimed "extensive use of Spotlight alongside an improved user interface and performance improvement."

If this is so, i'll be buying Leopard the day it comes out. Just for the improved Finder.

I can't wait!

 

[Bubbasteve]

The sooner the next update comes out the better.. especially for my intel iMac

 

[Silencio]

They misspelled "TEH SNAPPY". How are they going to get a talented software engineer now?

But seriously: it seems that with every major revision of Mac OS X, there's talk emanating from inside the company that they're cleaning up Finder so that it runs faster and smoother, but we haven't seen a whole heckuva lot of progress yet. Far too many glitches and inconsistencies still remain from all the way back to the 10.0.x days. Get it done, already!

 

[Super Dave]

I would personally like a plugin architecture for previews, so that more file formats could have a Finder preview.

David

 

[BlizzardBomb]

Any improvement is welcome, let's hope Leopard doesn't disappoint!

 

[Jesus]

I spent 4 months waiting for MWSF, now I have to wait another 5 anxious months.

Well, at least it will be better than Vista if this is true.

 

[iJaz]

Leopard is going to beat the crap out of Vista since it seems like Tiger already is better than Vista. It will be an embarrasing moment for Micro$uck when Leopard is released.

 

[AndrewMT]

How about a decent way to look at images in a folder? You would think with iPhoto and Aperture, Apple could have a better way to view images, like in Windows XP.

 

[Yebot]

Microsoft having a more-advanced OS than Apple ...



... is like a cart that pulls a horse.

 

[walkingmac]

to be honest...

shouldn't this be expected with a new OS release? Don't get me wrong, I am all for continuing work the Finder. It just seems that a 2 yr old can predict that Apple will be working on the Finder these areas. If memory serves me, every release of OS X has seen improvements to the Finder so is the fact that the next generation of Mac OS X would see the next generation of the Finder?

 

[crudsponge]

it would be nice to see the finder REALLY work with iLife. Where you could preview songs (maybe 30 seconds), preview pictures better.... etc.

I think that's what really needs to be done, is the Finder NEEDS to sync with iLife and programs. The whole flow of Leopard would be better then. If this happened, everything will be easier to navigate through.

 

[jeremy.king]

In my opinion, it would be a lot easier to acquire Pathfinder and integrate it into the OS. Why waste money on new development?

 

[emulator]

Microsoft having a more-advanced OS than Apple ...



... is like a cart that pulls a horse.

Unfortunately, the file system is kinda better. I'd take a working CTRL+X any time that moves my files.

 

[nagromme]

Does this mean the Finder will KNOW when a file is modified?

So that when I click it again in the date-sorted list it doesn't skitter out from under me causing me to open the wrong file? That would be so sweet

I like the current Finder a lot if those "elusive bugs" like date responsiveness were gone.

Also: LoopRumors.com has had 3 rumor reports (at least 1 more expected) on future Leopard features:
http://www.looprumors.com/Pages/leopardinfo08302005.html
http://www.looprumors.com/Pages/leopardinfo09142005.html
http://www.looprumors.com/Pages/leopardinfo01242006.html
Mostly minor things, but they sound good to me.

And the BIGGEST--not to mention confirmed--Leopard rumor is the scalable res-independent UI (and in the process of making that, I'm sure they'll unify the themes better--ONE metal please!--to save themselves needless work). The feature is hidden in Tiger for developers to test with (and Quartz Debug in the dev tools can enable it). Here's official word from Apple:
http://developer.apple.com/releasenotes/GraphicsImaging/ResolutionIndependentUI.html

How about a decent way to look at images in a folder? You would think with iPhoto and Aperture, Apple could have a better way to view images, like in Windows XP.

I'm quite happy with image browsing in Tiger. I have icon view (set to 128x128) with image previews, and I have slideshows with contact sheet, also right in the Finder. For more advanced browsing and printing with an Info inspector and thumbnails beside the large view, I just open in Preview.

 

[EGT]

I'm pretty happy with Finder now but it needs a little freshen up, minor bug improvements etc.

I wonder what else 10.5 will have.

 

[2nyRiggz]

Sounds nice...lets get it going.


Bless

 

[iDM]

Leopard is going to beat the crap out of Vista since it seems like Tiger already is better than Vista. It will be an embarrasing moment for Micro$uck when Leopard is released.

Well when the vast majority of business and home users have no idea what OS X does or how it even looks for that matter I don't think the release of 10.5 to a very very minority group of us Mac nerds is going to be a huge disappoint to Microsoft. I'd say there has got to be 25-30% of the market saturated by Apple Computers before Microsoft starts to feel like they are being "embarrassed." Now make note, I do not mean Microsoft is not worried I'm sure they see Apple as a potential threat but I think they are far from being embarrassed.

About Finder why don't they just build Spotlight into it?

I'd also like to see as someone else mentioned quick and clear previewing of files.

 

[ITASOR]

I love my OS X updates! Bring on 10.4.5!

 

[camnchar]

I would settle for the ability to change the view settings to put all of the folders on top of the column, instead of alphabetically mixed in with the files.

 

[nagromme]

While they're at it, allow Column View to sort by date!

That's really the only reason I use anything BUT column view. It's great, does the job of many windows in a very efficient and easy-to-see way... but it's always alphabetical, which is usually not the most helpful sort for me.

 

[aegisdesign]

How about a decent way to look at images in a folder? You would think with iPhoto and Aperture, Apple could have a better way to view images, like in Windows XP.

It's not quite the same but Tiger gave us a slideshow mode just like iPhoto. It could be improved though by not having to select the images first.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Steve Finder

Perhaps have a human face that looks like Steve Jobs that interacts using Steve's real voice and you can talk back and he will hear you. No windows or anything, just Steve.

Introducing the new finder. Boom!

 

[Dr. Dastardly]

Everyone knew the Finder was in dire need of a total overhaul. Its the only thing IMO that Windows had over OSX.

I thought this would be included in 10.5 but we might even see it sooner. Doubt it but we might.

 

[iDM]

Perhaps have a human face that looks like Steve Jobs that interacts using Steve's real voice and you can talk back and he will hear you. No windows or anything, just Steve.

Introducing the new finder. Boom!

I like it, maybe instead of eyes they could be video cameras that monitor your activities and moods to play different itunes stuff