I thought the purpose of GUI guidelines were so the user had a consistant experience across applications, or would you rather them design something that looked strange in OSX?
I think the idea behind Apple's GUI guidelines is conformity and consistency not duplicity. Putting aside the issue for the moment of whether an Application must follow exactly the Apples GUI guidelines exactly anymore (or even if such an exacting thing exists anymore) there are very big differences in the way iMovie 6 works and iMovie 8 - I dare say they both follow the Apple GUI pretty well (with allowances for move into territory that was not covered in detail in the guidelines early on when the bulk of the design was done.) Both deal with video tracks and accompanying audio that are presented in timelines, both list media assets/resources and have tools for controlling them but from there they depart. The point I am trying to make here is although they deal with the same kind of resources and the end goal is similar (to make a movie) these can be accomplished without being clones.
You can design something for OS X that accomplishes the same thing as iTunes without using a photocopier (and does not look weird) and maybe, just maybe come up with a cool product at the same time. If not an entire product than at least some base ideas that can be improved upon for the next version. It appears Microsoft has just cloned iTunes (as the fine folks at Double Twist did - I assume 'cause it was safe). As much complaining as people do about iTunes and all the baggage it carriers I find it interesting that instead of improving on it they would rather copy what Apple has done.
Some end up liking the 'new' way the other the old but we all benefit due to innovation. Don't misunderstand me, I am not saying that every package that does the same kind of task has to be new but I do think Microsoft can afford to take a chance instead of turning on the copy machine every time.
BTW: the guidelines IMHO are more about a general look and feel that is gained by sweating the small details of each component and what components can, should and should not be used for and more importantly how to present the whole as a package that has discoverability as well as predictability (due to the consistent user interface). Its a big part of what makes Apple products like the Mac, OS X and iOS what they are instead of looking like the front window of an over-crowded pawn shop window that Windows and now Android tends to employ. I've got on my asbestos gear and kevlar vest so blast away!
Looking at the screenshot of that movie app, my biggest question is who the hell is going to pay to download a 2.2GB video to their phone? Even on wifi that's kind of crazy.
Warner Bros. has begun releasing software on the iOS App Store that includes hit movie titles, allowing the films to be released in countries where the iTunes store is not available.
This is just daft. Apple should extend the iTunes Movies store to these and other countries. It can't be that hard to strike distribution deals in each country around the world one by one.
So it sounds to me like a little more than just a movie being presented as an app.
Even if Cocoa Touch lets you make the best DVD extras ever, with mini-games and everything, that's irrelevant imho. The App Store should be for computer software: spreadsheets, drawing programs, email programs etc. Substantial computer applications.
Looks like Microsoft had the photocopiers out for the Windows 7 Phone syncing application.
Is it just me or does it just look like a very basic Mac App? I'm not really sure what there meant to have copied. It's the same kind of layout as iTunes but not identical and everything in it looks like standard Mac UI components.
You can design something for OS X that accomplishes the same thing as iTunes without using a photocopier (and does not look weird) and maybe, just maybe come up with a cool product at the same time. If not an entire product than at least some base ideas that can be improved upon for the next version. It appears Microsoft has just cloned iTunes (as the fine folks at Double Twist did - I assume 'cause it was safe). As much complaining as people do about iTunes and all the baggage it carriers I find it interesting that instead of improving on it they would rather copy what Apple has done.
I can see 3 possible reasons:
While MS does want to be present on Macs, they still don't care too much.
They are playing safe, since Mac users are already more than used to iTunes interface.
They don't want to give Mac users best possible experience at this point, only to let them use Windows devices on Macs.
I have recently played with Zune desktop app. I don't have device that will work with it so I cannot make complete judgement, but as it is - desktop application only - I do prefer it tremendously to Windows version of iTunes I am forced to use with my 3Gs.
Wait for Apple to stop these movie apps cos they bypass the iTunes Movie Store and let Studios price their movies instead of Apple pricing the movies in iTunes.
They are a win for the many areas without an iTunes Movie Store.
Comments
I thought the purpose of GUI guidelines were so the user had a consistant experience across applications, or would you rather them design something that looked strange in OSX?
I think the idea behind Apple's GUI guidelines is conformity and consistency not duplicity. Putting aside the issue for the moment of whether an Application must follow exactly the Apples GUI guidelines exactly anymore (or even if such an exacting thing exists anymore) there are very big differences in the way iMovie 6 works and iMovie 8 - I dare say they both follow the Apple GUI pretty well (with allowances for move into territory that was not covered in detail in the guidelines early on when the bulk of the design was done.) Both deal with video tracks and accompanying audio that are presented in timelines, both list media assets/resources and have tools for controlling them but from there they depart. The point I am trying to make here is although they deal with the same kind of resources and the end goal is similar (to make a movie) these can be accomplished without being clones.
You can design something for OS X that accomplishes the same thing as iTunes without using a photocopier (and does not look weird) and maybe, just maybe come up with a cool product at the same time. If not an entire product than at least some base ideas that can be improved upon for the next version. It appears Microsoft has just cloned iTunes (as the fine folks at Double Twist did - I assume 'cause it was safe). As much complaining as people do about iTunes and all the baggage it carriers I find it interesting that instead of improving on it they would rather copy what Apple has done.
Some end up liking the 'new' way the other the old but we all benefit due to innovation. Don't misunderstand me, I am not saying that every package that does the same kind of task has to be new but I do think Microsoft can afford to take a chance instead of turning on the copy machine every time.
BTW: the guidelines IMHO are more about a general look and feel that is gained by sweating the small details of each component and what components can, should and should not be used for and more importantly how to present the whole as a package that has discoverability as well as predictability (due to the consistent user interface). Its a big part of what makes Apple products like the Mac, OS X and iOS what they are instead of looking like the front window of an over-crowded pawn shop window that Windows and now Android tends to employ. I've got on my asbestos gear and kevlar vest so blast away!
The new App Store guidelines specifically ban apps that are just a single song, book or movie presented as an app.
However, they could make the excuse that it allows them to have special features and thus makes it more than just the movie.
It is a well know fact that M$ simply cannot create good software, much of its effort bordering on the incompetent and immoral.
I for one will NEVER use M$ nor Google garbage on my iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, MBP and Macs.
I think all Apple followers should follow suit. Why support the enemy.
Warner Bros. has begun releasing software on the iOS App Store that includes hit movie titles, allowing the films to be released in countries where the iTunes store is not available.
This is just daft. Apple should extend the iTunes Movies store to these and other countries. It can't be that hard to strike distribution deals in each country around the world one by one.
So it sounds to me like a little more than just a movie being presented as an app.
Even if Cocoa Touch lets you make the best DVD extras ever, with mini-games and everything, that's irrelevant imho. The App Store should be for computer software: spreadsheets, drawing programs, email programs etc. Substantial computer applications.
Looks like Microsoft had the photocopiers out for the Windows 7 Phone syncing application.
Is it just me or does it just look like a very basic Mac App? I'm not really sure what there meant to have copied. It's the same kind of layout as iTunes but not identical and everything in it looks like standard Mac UI components.
You can design something for OS X that accomplishes the same thing as iTunes without using a photocopier (and does not look weird) and maybe, just maybe come up with a cool product at the same time. If not an entire product than at least some base ideas that can be improved upon for the next version. It appears Microsoft has just cloned iTunes (as the fine folks at Double Twist did - I assume 'cause it was safe). As much complaining as people do about iTunes and all the baggage it carriers I find it interesting that instead of improving on it they would rather copy what Apple has done.
I can see 3 possible reasons:
- While MS does want to be present on Macs, they still don't care too much.
- They are playing safe, since Mac users are already more than used to iTunes interface.
- They don't want to give Mac users best possible experience at this point, only to let them use Windows devices on Macs.
I have recently played with Zune desktop app. I don't have device that will work with it so I cannot make complete judgement, but as it is - desktop application only - I do prefer it tremendously to Windows version of iTunes I am forced to use with my 3Gs.Wait for Apple to stop these movie apps cos they bypass the iTunes Movie Store and let Studios price their movies instead of Apple pricing the movies in iTunes.
They are a win for the many areas without an iTunes Movie Store.
I agree, it's true.