Inside Mac OS X Lion: New Spotlight and Quick View features
In Mac OS X Lion Apple has integrated Spotlight search features with Quick View for previewing results, allowing users to see documents and metadata inline while performing a search.
Quick View popovers in Spotlight, Stacks
The new Spotlight-integrated Quick View is reminiscent of Google's search results previews; simply mouse over results and previews (or additional information, for items that can't be previewed) are displayed as a popover.
Popovers are a relatively new user interface convention Apple began using in Snow Leopard's iCal to associate and tie information that would normally be presented in a floating panel window with a specific item on the screen.
Apple has also made significant use of popovers in the iOS interface, particularly on iPad where presenting or setting information about an item in a popover makes the new 'cartoon speech bubble' concept a perfect fit for the simplified computing experience of the hands-on iOS, without necessitating any additional user interface chrome to close, adjust, or manage the specialized new windows.
In Lion, popovers now provide a Quick View of Spotlight search results, including documents, web pages, contacts, emails and media files, and can also expand word definitions via Dictionary or present metadata for apps, preference files, and other items that offer nothing to preview.
Quick View popovers are also visible from within Stacks, allowing users to target items with the mouse or arrow keys, and then hit the spacebar to present a preview or more information about the item.
Quick View popovers in Spotlight, Stacks
The new Spotlight-integrated Quick View is reminiscent of Google's search results previews; simply mouse over results and previews (or additional information, for items that can't be previewed) are displayed as a popover.
Popovers are a relatively new user interface convention Apple began using in Snow Leopard's iCal to associate and tie information that would normally be presented in a floating panel window with a specific item on the screen.
Apple has also made significant use of popovers in the iOS interface, particularly on iPad where presenting or setting information about an item in a popover makes the new 'cartoon speech bubble' concept a perfect fit for the simplified computing experience of the hands-on iOS, without necessitating any additional user interface chrome to close, adjust, or manage the specialized new windows.
In Lion, popovers now provide a Quick View of Spotlight search results, including documents, web pages, contacts, emails and media files, and can also expand word definitions via Dictionary or present metadata for apps, preference files, and other items that offer nothing to preview.
Quick View popovers are also visible from within Stacks, allowing users to target items with the mouse or arrow keys, and then hit the spacebar to present a preview or more information about the item.
Comments
That ultra saturated pink/purple backdrop is the worst image imaginable behind the Apple UI.
My personal fav is still the "Leopard Aurora" wallpaper from 10.5. It's sleek, modern, but also understated. Has bright and dark in all the right spots.
I?ve been using a 1px x 1px black (#000000) image for my backgrounds for as long as I?ve been able to change my desktop background. Not a fan of something I don?t want to look at distracting me from being productive.
I?ve been using a 1px x 1px black (#000000) image for my backgrounds for as long as I?ve been able to change my desktop background. Not a fan of something I don?t want to look at distracting me from being productive.
Couldn't you just go into the Solid Colors folder and use black?
Couldn't you just go into the Solid Colors folder and use black?
In other OSes, sure, but in Mac OS X they?ve only had a handful of solid colors to choose from without the option for the color palette. Oddly, if you choose not to fill the screen with the image you get the color palette.
Why would anyone have DivX player/converter installed?
Possibly for AppleTV compatibility. Wouldn't want to watch a feature length movie on my computer screen...
Possibly for AppleTV compatibility. Wouldn't want to watch a feature length movie on my computer screen...
Can you explain that?
Can you please choose a more neutral desktop image for these screen grabs before Apple sends you a C&D letter?
That ultra saturated pink/purple backdrop is the worst image imaginable behind the Apple UI.
Absolutely right! It's unfitting!
All it does is add yet another conflicting interface element and adds more bloat to an already hugely bloated OS!
Explain, please.
I just hope they've fixed the freaking Exposé back to the style it had before Snow Leopard, with all windows sharing the same zoom level and being arranged in a way that best fit the screen. I HATE the evenly-spaced grid-view.
From what I have learned on the Interwebs Expose is gone - replaced by Mission Control. And Mission Control shows not only windows but windows, full-screen apps, and multiple desktops - basically everything.
And even though it is kind of a grid overall, it is different to Snow Leopard in that app windows are grouped together. And each group has the app icon on it. But no it doesn't go back to the effect of zooming out while maintaining relative sizes.
From what I have learned on the Interwebs Expose is gone - replaced by Mission Control. And Mission Control shows not only windows but windows, full-screen apps, and multiple desktops - basically everything.
Actually, Expose can be re-activated in system preferences (as can overlay dashboard), thankfully.
Actually, Expose can be re-activated in system preferences (as can overlay dashboard), thankfully.
Overlay dashbord, yes, but I can't find where you can enable the old Exposé All Windows (not that I need it since I like the new Exposé All Windows much better).