OS X 10.9 to Bring Enhancements to Finder, Safari, Multiple Monitor Support, and Multitasking

[mdelvecchio]

Are there any "power users" left on apple ? most of them have left for PCs as the MacPro isnt getting any love ?

please source your data, because i think youre FOS.

i write windows software and render 3D images....on an imac. and it flies. 27", 3.4 ghz i7 quad-core, SSD, 20gb ram, 2gb vram....no complaints.

 

[milo]

Although I hoped that "OS X 10.9 to Bring..." was followed by ZFS when I clicked on it

While ZFS would be great, it will probably never happen due to licensing issues. Although Apple should be able to create their own that has similar advantages, hopefully we'll finally see some real improvements to HFS in 10.9.

Well, if it's described as a port of the iOS feature...

It's not.

 

[JarJarThomas]

Well, if it's described as a port of the iOS feature, then yes, I am concerned. iOS does NOT permit apps to continue performing calculations while they're backgrounded.

And if you READ there is stated THEY ADD AN API TO USE IT !!!
And an iphone is NOT a mac. And it is strange to think that you are more intelligent than apple developers so you are the only one realizing "HEY removing background calculations could be something people don't like".

Apple is no moron.
If they add a restriction it has some clear advantages. Like using less batterypower on a phone if background calculations are forbidden.

They dont say "He we think of a new way to annoy people" even if some of the paid samsung posters sometimes wants to tell that to people

 

[deconstruct60]

.....
Also, enable launchpad scaling. When you have a 2560x1600 monitor(s), it sucks because the icons are the size of playing cards.

Fitt's law says bigger targets are easier to hit. If want smaller icons so that can increase number of icons on screeen to visually search through them then typing the name is more effective filter with same easier to hit targets.

The purpose of launchpad is not to roam around in it. It is to pick a target, hit it and get out. The faster that is done the more effective the application is. Smaller icons doesn't necessarily improve that traversal speed.

 

[mdelvecchio]

Well, if it's described as a port of the iOS feature, then yes, I am concerned. iOS does NOT permit apps to continue performing calculations while they're backgrounded.

please cite where this is labeled as a "port of the iOS feature".

oops, you cant, because they didnt. durrrr

 

[kemo]

Well, I hope its all good news as it's about time to finally bring something usable! Most of us, "power-users", still on SL, are getting actually hungry for better multiple monitor support.

 

[JarJarThomas]

Well, the same way i do it now? By swiping left and right with 4 fingers on the trackpad. Alternatively, by using the combination i have set up, ctrl+l/r arrow.

I just want to have a mechanism to put what i want on the monitors, and not have the stupid extended desktop.

I don't know what you mean here.
You CAN control what you seen on your monitors.
You grab a window, move it to a monitor. See there it is.

Only difference is if you say "Fullscreen" feature ... wich means "THERE IS ONLY ONE APPLICATION VISIBLE" than you don't have other aplications visible. But it doesn't prevent your application to spawn windows (multiple documents, tool bars) on the other screen.

What you can't do is mix desktops and monitors like
"ok monitor 1 and 2 are always desktop group 1, monitor 3 and 4 have their own desktops" Yes that's right. And i state that in some situations this would save some clicks if you use macos out of the box.
But for my part, working with 4 screens (up to 6 using the ipads sometimes) i used a small third party app for that. Thats perfectly fine.
Not everything has to be in the os, thats why there are third party developers

 

[LordDeath]

Good to hear that Apple is still working on its "real" operating system.

There are still some issues left:

• OpenGL 4.x Support.
• ZFS or another modern filesystem.
• NUMA support in the kernel for multi-socket systems like the Mac Pro.
• Updated Unix tools! Some of the CLI commands are very outdated because the upstream switched over to GPLv3 and Apple is still using the last available GPLv2 licensed version.
• Better software management: We still lack a reliable (and easy) way to uninstall installed software. I have seem some "Uninstaller.app" files bundled with the actual application and once I even had an "uninstall.sh" within the .dmg file.
• Support Suspend to Disk while external drives are connected.

I don't expect this, but I would welcome a (Linux-like) package management system like dpkg/apt-get or rpm/yum. If Apple doesn't want to do it they could at least give some support to the MacPorts or Homebrew projects. And please, please donate some of your infinite money to the FreeBSD project.

 

[Lance-AR]

I would like ZFS or native ability to combat bit rot.

 

[JarJarThomas]

Good to hear that Apple is still working on its "real" operating system.

There are still some issues left:

• OpenGL 4.x Support.
• ZFS or another modern filesystem.
• NUMA support in the kernel for multi-socket systems like the Mac Pro.
• Updated Unix tools! Some of the CLI commands are very outdated because the upstream switched over to GPLv3 and Apple is still using the last available GPLv2 licensed version.
• Better software management: We still lack a reliable (and easy) way to uninstall installed software. I have seem some "Uninstaller.app" files bundled with the actual application and once I even had an "uninstall.sh" within the .dmg file.
• Support Suspend to Disk while external drives are connected.

I don't expect this, but I would welcome a (Linux-like) package management system like dpkg/apt-get or rpm/yum. If Apple doesn't want to do it they could at least give some support to the MacPorts or Homebrew projects. And please, please donate some of your infinite money to the FreeBSD project.

Yes for OpenGL 4
ZFS ... well no. Because most older applications that rely on how the filesystem works would not longer work (just try to install eg. starcraft on a case sensitive file system). And unless i have multiple terrabytes i don't need it nor see a difference in reality
NUMA support well if the hardware needs it ok but for a notebook or imac ?
Updated unix tools ... install it. If you are a commandline user that should be easy for you. And it wouldn't break compatibility.

Uninstall ... well if the app is done right you don't need uninstall.
But a hook would be nice to allow an app to remove everything when dropped to the paper bin. But it depends on the usage. Sometimes i don't want to loose settings. Not so easy.
At least it is not windows where uninstall never works, even IF an uninstaller exists.

and NO NO NO for packet management like unix.
NEVER EVER. That would be a reason to quit it. There is only one thing worse than unix package manager. Thats windows dll hell.
But not much difference at all.

 

[theluggage]

Multi Monitor support and Finder improvements are promising after the disaster 10.7 introduced. Not keen on the idea of iOS-esske multitasking... seems a little pointless on a computer. I'd prefer my apps just to run normally in the background.

Simple work-around for 10.7 multiple-monitor "disaster":

Don't use the new "Full Screen" mode. Its mainly intended for smaller-screened laptops that benefit from an iPad-style 1-app-at-a-time mode, anyway.

You've lived without "Full screen" since System 7 came out, so what is the problem? Otherwise, multi-monitor in 10.7 is unchanged - just maximise the window as before (or install BetterSnapTool for more flexible window tiling).

The only problem I encountered was with Parallels who initially dropped their original 'full screen' mode in favour of the new system, without thinking it through. That's not what you want in a VM/emulator where you want the guest OS to completely take over one screen. They quickly back-tracked on that and made it optional.

Actually, Full Screen mode does support multiple monitors - you can drag control palettes etc. from the current application to the other screens. Makes perfect sense with something like Pixelmator.

Not to say that the rumoured changes are unwelcome and won't make Full Screen Mode more useful on multiple-monitor setups.

 

[milo]

And unless i have multiple terrabytes i don't need it nor see a difference in reality

HFS = file corruption
ZFS = checksumming, error detection and correction

Not that they're going to get ZFS, but if they did they could find a way to work around case sensitivity compatibility.

 

[tmroper]

It would be great to be able to use Siri on my iMac. In the long run, using it do regular OS things (open, save, find files, etc) could be more useful than trying to do a search for a restaurant on a noisy street.

 

[odedia]

- Ability to keep a dedicated Space or full-screen app open on a single monitor within a multiple monitor setup

That's all I ask! (Well, that and bring back ZFS for the love of god!)

Full screen apps on multi-monitor setup is such a waste of real estate.

 

[The Phazer]

So much nonsense... Apple has no say when it comes to when an app can be terminated.

Rubbish. The algorithm that decides when apps should or should not go is an Apple algotithm.

The ball is completely in the app dev's court. They are the ones who tell apple when to use automatic termination. Apple does not decide for anyone.

If an app can be automatically terminated is dependent on developers. When and why any given app is terminated if the OS has permission is down to the OS.

No way you can lose your work unless the app devs are morons.

There are plenty of devs who are morons.

What on earth does keeping the machine awake have to do with automatic termination?

If Safari is content to lose data and corrupt downloads in this way, why should I trust that Apple apps will terminate properly and are coded correctly without losing data?

Your argument that you're using a desktop only argues against bad battery life. Less CPU and RAM usage are still relevant on a desktop.

Not really, I have both to burn and I am better off manually managing it.

 

[MyMac1976]

The dual display issue has been here since 10.7. Fixing it isn't a feature, it's a bug fix and they should be embarrassed that it's taken two MAJOR OS releases to correct the issue.

I agree.

They should do something about the slow startup and shut down times, my old PB on 10.5.8 does it faster than 10.8

Oh, and a new file system, ZFS or similar.

ZFS would be nice!

 

[Haswell]

eyefinity-ish support would amazing. The ability to span a single window across multiple monitors would be a HUGE benefit for me.

 

[applefanDrew]

You may or may not have noticed that in iOS there is a difference between applications that are "officially" running (shown to the user as if they are running), and apps that are _actually_ running. iOS keeps background apps running as long as memory lasts, so if you switch between a few apps, they are all continuously running. But an app that you last used four weeks ago is still shown as if it was running, and you can use it as if it was running, but it has long ago stopped running, will be restarted when you need it, and continues where you left it the last time.

Completely false. All apps are frozen in the background except for VoIP, location, audio, etc

 

[Crzyrio]

What about Siri?

I want siri on my macbook

 

[Cougarcat]

As far as app switching/multitasking...
What's wrong with command+tab?

This is about pausing system resources for battery life / performance, not the UI.

I would love the ability to pause BG apps when entering a full-screen game. There are apps that do this now but you have to pause them manually.

 

[tmroper]

Are there any "power users" left on apple ? most of them have left for PCs as the MacPro isnt getting any love ?

Lots of people still using it for Photoshop, which probably doesn't always count as being a poweruser. But using it all day, with large files and many layers, does.

 

[2457282]

I like this rumor and all the comments in this thread. It is a reminder that the up coming conference is a DEVELOPER's conference so the focus is on the OS an how developers can use it. I do hope that new hardware is anounced, but I hope more that the folk do not lose sight of what this conference is about and who its for. Without commenting on specifics, continuing to improve the OS to keep it ahead of the rest is the key issue. There are a lot of comments about supporting this API or that, this device or that. However, it is my opinion that much better cloud integration across the entire OS (including better API in this area) and continual refinment of the UI is the critical issue. I say this for three reasons --

1. Apple continue to do well because it has made the platform excellent for developers and the profits for both Apple and the developers clearly supports this. Focusing on API and integration makes sense here.
2. Non-technical folks buy apple, because it works without thiking about it. In other words, people are willing to pay to get full intuitive UI and full Integration accross all their devices. Focusing here means improving the UI and Apple software like iWorks, but also making better use of icloud.
3. While Google and Samsung (and even Microsoft to a lesser extent) continue to throw features and specs out there, I firmly believe we are a point in the Tech history where specs are far out pacing the software and OS. Therefore having the latest CPU clocking at the fastest spead with the most megapixles, blah, blah, blah.... is not the most important factor the way it use to be. What is important are the two previous points. Just look at the specs that Samsung puts out and look at all the new "features" by the competition. Apple still makes more money for the developers and for themselves over everyone else, COMBINED. Why, because it is easier to develop, easier to use, and esier to integrate.

I hope that as we hear what they have in store in the new OS(es) and as they reveal the new hardware line over the course of this year, they contnue to focus on these items and do not fall into the trap of so many by trying to compete soley on the specs and gimick features.

 

[VulchR]

I hope (for the love of all things rational and sane) that Apple updates the Finder (and open and save dialogs) so that the column widths in the 'Column View' are automatically adjusted to reveal the full name of the files and folders in the rightmost column with data. Empty columns should not be displayed at all. It's bloody ^&$%*&%$ annoying to have a huge 27" screen only to have the Finder dedicating about 12 characters' worth of width in the most important column in the Finder window (along with equally sized columns to the right that are empty and need not be displayed).

 

[smithrh]

Fix the memory management!

My bete noire is memory management - it's still not completely fixed. Yes, it's better than what it was, but I still run into plenty of situations where I swap - sometimes excessively - when there's inactive RAM available in spades.

Very frustrating - even after going to 16G RAM, I run into this on a frequent basis.

 

[rwilliams]

Hopefully my 2008 aluminium MacBook will still supported.

I'm hoping for the same, but I'm not expecting it to be supported. Damn fine machine - 5 years old and still runs beautifully.