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Patent: Multi-Sized Icon Interface for Mac OS X?
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Yes, I know what you were saying and I agree with it (that's why I quoted it). But the Amiga's ability to apply icons of different sizes does have something to do with the functionality described here. I regularly make big icons for main applications & important files and small icons for the less important, but related support application files and documents - in the same folder. (other files I don't need to click on have no icon)
I think you've made some very valid points.
IMO, I think this has more to do with a transformation of how you would interact with a full multi-touch device.
Minorty Report is only a few years away.
That was my first thought. Maybe an older patent Apple recently sent through for final approval, or maybe this is old information someone dug up and is misleading.
Personally, I don't see much of a big "oooo and awww" factor in varying icon sizes. Eh.
Appleinsider points to a recent patent application published from Apple which explores the use of different sized icons within one window. The relative size differences in the interface are said to reflect the relative importance of each icon.
Right now, users can globally change icon sizes in Mac OS X in all windows, but with the newly described system icon sizes could be used to adjusted based on user preference.
Apple's files patents for many ideas that are never actually implemented, but Apple's early multi-touch patents did first reveal technologies that made their way into the Apple iPhone.
uhh... seeing as how that window interface is from OS9 and before (yeh,,, OS9, as only recognizeable by the true mac fans... those who were around since the beginning
), this system can hardly be described as 'new'. i wouldn't be surprised if this was an innovation considered for the Newton.Hmmm, so are you stating that varying icon size would be more indicative of a multi-touch user interface in that individual icons can be resized much like photographs and such may be through the multi-touch iPhone?
It's official: Apple's decided OS X wasn't working out so we're going back to System 6:
lol God, I don't miss the GUI of the older systems. The scrolling and sizing bars make my eyes hurt, it's too much going on now compared to the more streamlined Aqua and brushed metal/candy bar GUI (although an update wouldn't hurt, hint hint).
Also possible they did not want to reveal too much of the new GUI and how these icons relate to the rest of the environment.
What about the device idependance capability? Does this not tie with that?
Simple
Ok this may sound dumb, but i LOVE how you can color code things in OS X. So is this really that complicated??? Just on a right click under Color Label, put Icon Size...
Color Label:
Icon Size:
Small Reg Large
That would be VERY simple and I would love it. Then you could resize according to your own preference. I wouldn't want it automatic or by file size, I think importance is much more relevant IMO.
Ok this may sound dumb, but i LOVE how you can color code things in OS X. So is this really that complicated??? Just on a right click under Color Label, put Icon Size...
Color Label:
Icon Size:
Small Reg Large
That would be VERY simple and I would love it. Then you could resize according to your own preference. I wouldn't want it automatic or by file size, I think importance is much more relevant IMO.
And Amiga OS (since 1985 or something).
The image doesn't demonstrate it perfectly, but icons can be any size.
I guess this is more for something that's more dynamic...
I guess, the real thing, with the help of CORE ANIMATION, may have a very natural feel to it
Leopard , oh Leopard, where are you?
Not really, it's based on the existing icon scaling. Sort of the same idea, but not.
Right.
Yes, you are barking up the right tree.
Count those years and look more closely at the implementations.
On MacRumors? You're kidding, right?
I was thinking the same thing. Different sized icons do not deserve a patent. I guess that's why the previous makers of the apps that did this in OSX did not have a patent on this idea, as it's not even a real idea.
Not on OS/2 but definitely on Amiga. I can't imagine why I would ever want multi-sized icons, but if I had the ability I might find a reason (kind of like how I never thought I'd use up a 320gig hard drive when all I had was a 9gig).
well, id rather that apple stick to a nice and simple design, not try to throw together interface jus to have an interface that is advanced. it has inconsistencies, but there is a reason that it is the most copied of interfaces on internet.
it is elegant, simple and does what it needs to. diff size of icons is good, but getting carried away by having game developers develop an gui is about as bad as it gets...
And this is supposed to warrant a patent?
Actually, I don't care -- I've always used the list view. It's the fastes, most effiecent way to work with folders/files.
Move on folks.
Actually, I don't care -- I've always used the list view. It's the fastes, most effiecent way to work with folders/files.
Move on folks.
Don't hate the player, hate the game.
Our patent system in America is out of whack. Imagine if Apple didn't patent this, then used the feature in its OS, then someone else comes along claiming they thought of the idea first and receives a patent on it due to prior work they did on the Amiga OS, then they sue the pants off Apple. You can't blame Apple for trying to patent every little software idea they think about implementing, you have to blame the patent system that gives patents out willy nilly.
