What would be very cool on OSX is if the dash could literally be a version of ios with all my apps spread across the screen.
It sounds like a cool idea, but iOS apps are made for a 'direct look and touch' interface. Yes, some motion based iOS game apps would work great, especially with an iphone or touch as the controllers, but, most other apps can't be used unless you touch the on screen content directly while looking at the same idevice screen.
That being said, including a section for apps for motion based games for the Apple TV would be great!
I find them very useful and I used to use them every day, multiple times a day.
With the inception new Magic Mouse however, my use of them has been cut in half, since there isn't a button to access them literally under your finger anymore.
I wish they would add a tap or a double-tap to the Magic Mouse that simulates the third button.
I sure would if it was an option in iOS. I would like to be able to check the weather or stocks or scores or whatever without having to open an app. That's the one Android thing I wish iOS had.
You people are seriously confused about what a widget is and what iOS is. Almost every app on iOS qualifies as a "widget" when you use the functional definition, and *all* web apps on iOS qualify no matter what definition you use. Web OS could easily be described as a widget OS.
A widget is just a small custom (usually) web-based app that does one thing and one thing only and has a simple unique interface for that purpose.
Talking about whether Android has widgets, or iOS does, or who had them first is just plain silly and kind of misses the point entirely.
In one example, Mac OS X is shown with a "Party Planner Widget," which would allow attendees to RSVP or add information such as what food they will be bringing to a gathering.
This sounds very similar to what Google was attempting to do with Google Wave. One of the examples actually showed a party invitation Wave with an RSVP widget and people adding information such as what food they were bringing.
Google Wave failed (creating a separate system and limiting access to it is not a good way to launch a new communication tool), but they did have some cool ideas in Wave which I hope to see again in the future.
... I use multiple Weather widgets, stock widgets (since they only hold so many in a single widget), the convertor app (which I find easier and better than using the calc app or an online convertor). ...
Well, yeah, I assume some people use them, or no one would bother making them. But, for example, for weather, I just use weatherbug (the version without the alerts, nice because it uses local weather station data) which gives me the temps in the menu bar, and forcastfox, which gives a bit more information. (Although, these days, I'm just as likely to grab my iPad or iPhone if I want more than just the temp.) I don't have stocks that I watch regularly, and conversions I either use the calculator app (which is normally always running) or convertbot on the iPhone.
I don't think it's the concept of widgets that isn't useful, just that the ones available with Dashboard don't seem that useful for me. (And, I never liked the context change required to use them.) The Apple Remote app is sort of a (useful) widget (as are many iPhone apps), and a widget for the desktop that would allow you to, for example, set up rentals on AppleTV for later might be useful if you have AppleTV. So, that type of widget, where you can control various devices around your personal ecosystem, using other devices, might be useful, especially if the widgets run cross platform and don't necessarily need to be installed.
I find them very useful and I used to use them every day, multiple times a day.
With the inception new Magic Mouse however, my use of them has been cut in half, since there isn't a button to access them literally under your finger anymore.
I wish they would add a tap or a double-tap to the Magic Mouse that simulates the third button.
I think you might be able to accomplish that with BetterTouchTool: http://boastr.net/
It sounds like a cool idea, but iOS apps are made for a 'direct look and touch' interface. Yes, some motion based iOS game apps would work great, especially with an iphone or touch as the controllers, but, most other apps can't be used unless you touch the on screen content directly while looking at the same idevice screen.
That being said, including a section for apps for motion based games for the Apple TV would be great!
Yes - I understand that iOS is a touch based system but in my ignorance I imagine it would be possible to create an environment where the mouse interacted with the apps much like a finger does. In which case ios apps would become the new widgets, I guess. Specially useful if what you did on OSX/iOS would sync via mm to the i-device version of the ap. But as I said, my imagination here is firmly rooted in ignorance.
Actually I often forget that I have a bunch of widgets in dashboard. I just popped up dashboard and frankly the only thing I can remember using recently is a character code tool. Part of this lack of interest is due to iPhone, it is often easier to grab it and get the info required.
Speaking of which if I where to get an iPad i would need widgets there or replacement apps for the iPhone apps I use a lot. The clock app is a big one as i use it for timing, alarms and of course as a stop watch. On iPad i would not care if it was an app or a widget but Apple does need to provide the infrastructure to make the app/widget viable. A weather widget is also used frequently on the iPhone also, but again on iPad it doesn't matter how it is implemented.
In the end I'm not sure I see the point. Especially with trying to maintain state across multiple devices. Currently widgets on the Mac are pretty much a waste, that sort of functionality is what iPhone is good for. Besides whos server is this stuff going to sit on? The types of apps where this might be useful, banking comes to mind, would require some very significant assurances of security.
I'm just trying to figure out uses where having your widget state on a server would be worth the trouble. Seems pointless to me.
The current Dashboard scheme prevents you from using Widgets as the same time as Mac OS X apps. This seems, to me anyway, like the way to keep widgets around while you're working in other apps.
For example, in the diagram, you see a Party Planner Widget. You could click over to iCal to see whether the 18th is a Saturday or not, then continue working in the Party Planner Widget. Simple example, but it makes Widgets a whole lot more useful bringing up Dashboard to move back and forth between Widgets and apps.
And cloud-based Widgets would give Apple a safe and sane way to experiment with cloud services in general starting with, maybe, Mac OS 10.7. After a year or so of gaining experience and continuing to build out the MobileMe infrastructure (or whatever other cloud services they would need) they could roll cloud services deep into Mac OS 11.0. (I predict that they will drop the "X" and just call it Mac OS 11.)
I wouldn't be terribly shocked if Apple then began to name their OS releases after types of clouds. Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus, Nimbus, Cumulonimbus, Altostratus, Altocumulus, etc. Just to remind people that they're heavy into cloud computing.
You bet. Its just that most people call them "Apps" now.
There is actually something to that. Checking movie times and using a calculator, as well as other tasks, are much easier for me to complete by grabbing my iPhone even whilst in front of my Mac.
You people are seriously confused about what a widget is and what iOS is. Almost every app on iOS qualifies as a "widget" when you use the functional definition, and *all* web apps on iOS qualify no matter what definition you use. Web OS could easily be described as a widget OS.
A widget is just a small custom (usually) web-based app that does one thing and one thing only and has a simple unique interface for that purpose.
Talking about whether Android has widgets, or iOS does, or who had them first is just plain silly and kind of misses the point entirely.
Bookmark this, people.
Thanks, Prof., for saving me having to say this, and probably saying it less eloquently.
You people are seriously confused about what a widget is and what iOS is. Almost every app on iOS qualifies as a "widget" when you use the functional definition, and *all* web apps on iOS qualify no matter what definition you use. Web OS could easily be described as a widget OS.
A widget is just a small custom (usually) web-based app that does one thing and one thing only and has a simple unique interface for that purpose.
Talking about whether Android has widgets, or iOS does, or who had them first is just plain silly and kind of misses the point entirely.
However, an App, as its now defined by iOS, is typically far more than a widget, and the apps that used to be adequate but are now seen as near worthless, are the apps that still perform like widgets. (Weather, Stocks).
I could be putting random coincidence together, but I have a sneaky feeling Woz is fiddling around at Apple again. A few years ago he started a company that was doing just this sort of thing. Then at the iPod event the other week, Jobs takes the time to point him out to everybody, while everybody knows he always shows up at those things. Now this. It could be he's put together an idea for the company and they're playing with it now.
Comments
What would be very cool on OSX is if the dash could literally be a version of ios with all my apps spread across the screen.
It sounds like a cool idea, but iOS apps are made for a 'direct look and touch' interface. Yes, some motion based iOS game apps would work great, especially with an iphone or touch as the controllers, but, most other apps can't be used unless you touch the on screen content directly while looking at the same idevice screen.
That being said, including a section for apps for motion based games for the Apple TV would be great!
Does anybody use Widgets?
I find them very useful and I used to use them every day, multiple times a day.
With the inception new Magic Mouse however, my use of them has been cut in half, since there isn't a button to access them literally under your finger anymore.
I wish they would add a tap or a double-tap to the Magic Mouse that simulates the third button.
... They are nothing new and seriously lacking on the static screens of iOS 4.
I'm guessing you don't really know what a widget is or you wouldn't say this.
I sure would if it was an option in iOS. I would like to be able to check the weather or stocks or scores or whatever without having to open an app. That's the one Android thing I wish iOS had.
You people are seriously confused about what a widget is and what iOS is. Almost every app on iOS qualifies as a "widget" when you use the functional definition, and *all* web apps on iOS qualify no matter what definition you use. Web OS could easily be described as a widget OS.
A widget is just a small custom (usually) web-based app that does one thing and one thing only and has a simple unique interface for that purpose.
Talking about whether Android has widgets, or iOS does, or who had them first is just plain silly and kind of misses the point entirely.
In one example, Mac OS X is shown with a "Party Planner Widget," which would allow attendees to RSVP or add information such as what food they will be bringing to a gathering.
This sounds very similar to what Google was attempting to do with Google Wave. One of the examples actually showed a party invitation Wave with an RSVP widget and people adding information such as what food they were bringing.
Google Wave failed (creating a separate system and limiting access to it is not a good way to launch a new communication tool), but they did have some cool ideas in Wave which I hope to see again in the future.
... I use multiple Weather widgets, stock widgets (since they only hold so many in a single widget), the convertor app (which I find easier and better than using the calc app or an online convertor). ...
Well, yeah, I assume some people use them, or no one would bother making them. But, for example, for weather, I just use weatherbug (the version without the alerts, nice because it uses local weather station data) which gives me the temps in the menu bar, and forcastfox, which gives a bit more information. (Although, these days, I'm just as likely to grab my iPad or iPhone if I want more than just the temp.) I don't have stocks that I watch regularly, and conversions I either use the calculator app (which is normally always running) or convertbot on the iPhone.
I don't think it's the concept of widgets that isn't useful, just that the ones available with Dashboard don't seem that useful for me. (And, I never liked the context change required to use them.) The Apple Remote app is sort of a (useful) widget (as are many iPhone apps), and a widget for the desktop that would allow you to, for example, set up rentals on AppleTV for later might be useful if you have AppleTV. So, that type of widget, where you can control various devices around your personal ecosystem, using other devices, might be useful, especially if the widgets run cross platform and don't necessarily need to be installed.
I find them very useful and I used to use them every day, multiple times a day.
With the inception new Magic Mouse however, my use of them has been cut in half, since there isn't a button to access them literally under your finger anymore.
I wish they would add a tap or a double-tap to the Magic Mouse that simulates the third button.
I think you might be able to accomplish that with BetterTouchTool: http://boastr.net/
It sounds like a cool idea, but iOS apps are made for a 'direct look and touch' interface. Yes, some motion based iOS game apps would work great, especially with an iphone or touch as the controllers, but, most other apps can't be used unless you touch the on screen content directly while looking at the same idevice screen.
That being said, including a section for apps for motion based games for the Apple TV would be great!
Yes - I understand that iOS is a touch based system but in my ignorance I imagine it would be possible to create an environment where the mouse interacted with the apps much like a finger does. In which case ios apps would become the new widgets, I guess. Specially useful if what you did on OSX/iOS would sync via mm to the i-device version of the ap. But as I said, my imagination here is firmly rooted in ignorance.
Does anybody use Widgets?
You bet. Its just that most people call them "Apps" now.
Mac OS X Dashboard widgets? I don't find them useful at all.
There are some useful ones, but they are pretty much dead since iOS apps got all the good press.
Does anybody use Widgets?
Actually I often forget that I have a bunch of widgets in dashboard. I just popped up dashboard and frankly the only thing I can remember using recently is a character code tool. Part of this lack of interest is due to iPhone, it is often easier to grab it and get the info required.
Speaking of which if I where to get an iPad i would need widgets there or replacement apps for the iPhone apps I use a lot. The clock app is a big one as i use it for timing, alarms and of course as a stop watch. On iPad i would not care if it was an app or a widget but Apple does need to provide the infrastructure to make the app/widget viable. A weather widget is also used frequently on the iPhone also, but again on iPad it doesn't matter how it is implemented.
In the end I'm not sure I see the point. Especially with trying to maintain state across multiple devices. Currently widgets on the Mac are pretty much a waste, that sort of functionality is what iPhone is good for. Besides whos server is this stuff going to sit on? The types of apps where this might be useful, banking comes to mind, would require some very significant assurances of security.
I'm just trying to figure out uses where having your widget state on a server would be worth the trouble. Seems pointless to me.
For example, in the diagram, you see a Party Planner Widget. You could click over to iCal to see whether the 18th is a Saturday or not, then continue working in the Party Planner Widget. Simple example, but it makes Widgets a whole lot more useful bringing up Dashboard to move back and forth between Widgets and apps.
And cloud-based Widgets would give Apple a safe and sane way to experiment with cloud services in general starting with, maybe, Mac OS 10.7. After a year or so of gaining experience and continuing to build out the MobileMe infrastructure (or whatever other cloud services they would need) they could roll cloud services deep into Mac OS 11.0. (I predict that they will drop the "X" and just call it Mac OS 11.)
I wouldn't be terribly shocked if Apple then began to name their OS releases after types of clouds. Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus, Nimbus, Cumulonimbus, Altostratus, Altocumulus, etc. Just to remind people that they're heavy into cloud computing.
You bet. Its just that most people call them "Apps" now.
I use the iBank widget and two or three others all the time. Why launch a program when you can get the information in or out with a widget?
Thanks! I use iBank for Mac and iPhone for every financial transaction I make and didn?t know about this widget.
You people are seriously confused about what a widget is and what iOS is. Almost every app on iOS qualifies as a "widget" when you use the functional definition, and *all* web apps on iOS qualify no matter what definition you use. Web OS could easily be described as a widget OS.
A widget is just a small custom (usually) web-based app that does one thing and one thing only and has a simple unique interface for that purpose.
Talking about whether Android has widgets, or iOS does, or who had them first is just plain silly and kind of misses the point entirely.
Bookmark this, people.
Thanks, Prof., for saving me having to say this, and probably saying it less eloquently.
1. SBSettings.
2. Widgets from a SBSettings-type panel.
Also, Dashboard widgets on a Mac are almost completely useless. They take longer to load than most iPhone apps, and are easily forgotten about.
You people are seriously confused about what a widget is and what iOS is. Almost every app on iOS qualifies as a "widget" when you use the functional definition, and *all* web apps on iOS qualify no matter what definition you use. Web OS could easily be described as a widget OS.
A widget is just a small custom (usually) web-based app that does one thing and one thing only and has a simple unique interface for that purpose.
Talking about whether Android has widgets, or iOS does, or who had them first is just plain silly and kind of misses the point entirely.
However, an App, as its now defined by iOS, is typically far more than a widget, and the apps that used to be adequate but are now seen as near worthless, are the apps that still perform like widgets. (Weather, Stocks).
That would be unbelievably cool.