02 Jan 2003 | JF said...

pple said that its technology could adapt to display input and output, for example. Or, the chameleon Mac could change color to let you know that a specific task or event was taking place.

Sounds very interesting, but isn't that what the screen is for?

02 Jan 2003 | f5 said...

Sounds very interesting, but isn't that what the screen is for?

Who says it'll have a screen? Maybe it's another 'lifestyle' product that one doesn't plant oneself directly in front of...

02 Jan 2003 | fajalar said...

If it is a computer (in the sense of, user inputs something, device outputs something (repeat as necessary)) why do we need yet more user feedback?

If it is not a computer (though given the current state of technology even your toaster can be a computer) why do we need yet more user feedback?

reads patent application

I think it leads toward a computer... Claim #38: The computer system as recited in claim 32 further comprising: a display; and a display controller configured to process display commands to produce text or graphics on the display.

02 Jan 2003 | fajalar said...

I wonder what computers would look like if early commercial radios had been designed differently.

02 Jan 2003 | neal pert said...

what the world needs now...
force feedback mouse (that changes colors)

02 Jan 2003 | Mike said...

Great. I hope to god this is just a rumor. Apple should try devoting all of this 'eye candy' time to getting OS X to finally work properly and putting out pro-level desktops with some decent processor speeds.

02 Jan 2003 | shoog knight said...

I agree - this doesn't sound all that beneficial, though it would garner some ooos and aaahs. I can tell you one thing that hi-definition 30" lcd monitors are on the way.

02 Jan 2003 | Darrel said...

I wish they'd stick a second button on the mouse/trackpad before diving into psychedelic cases.

02 Jan 2003 | ek said...

Man, I am with you on that one Darrel. It's one thing to not include two button mice with the machines since you can always buy a replacement two-button mouse, but it's very frustrating that Apple won't incorporate a second button on their laptops. If they're still afraid that people won't get it they could always make the default behaviour for both buttons the same (i.e. a left-click).

02 Jan 2003 | ek said...

A big part of the problem for Apple vis-a-vis the pro space is that they're still largely beholden to Motorola for their processor architecture. They could switch exclusively to IBM, but that would mean throwing out the whole Altivec thing since IBM refuses to include the instruction set in their processors. Supposedly they have their own multimedia instruction set, but if Apple were to adopt that it would make developers who are already in a huff even more unhappy.

I'm sure that OS X could be further optimized, but I don't think that any big speed gains can be had without a substantial increase in processor performance. Last I heard nothing big is going to happen on this front until the latter portion of 2003.

But who knows, Steve Jobs always seems to have a trick or two up his sleeves.

02 Jan 2003 | hurley said...

Well, I just got rid of the two-button mouse that I bought for my i-book and am back to using the trackpad. Once you get used to control-clicking with a one-button trackpad (same as a right-button click on a two-button mouse or trackpad), it's really no more effort than right-clicking.

02 Jan 2003 | SU said...

They could switch exclusively to IBM, but that would mean throwing out the whole Altivec thing since IBM refuses to include the instruction set in their processors. Supposedly they have their own multimedia instruction set, but if Apple were to adopt that it would make developers who are already in a huff even more unhappy.

Not 100% true from what I've read elsewhere. The IBM PowerPC 970 supports AltiVec in some form and may yet become the G5 sometime in 2003.

02 Jan 2003 | dmr said...

Dual 1ghz, 1gig ram seems to run OS X and company as it ought to, but considering they are still $2k+ it's a bit unreasonable still. I would just like to see some cheaper prices on their pro boxes. Having bought a single proc 800mhz g4 3 months before they made the same priced system a dual 800, I'm a tad bitter.

02 Jan 2003 | ek said...

Ah, I guess I've been a bit behind on the news. Doesn't help that IBM calls their implementation SIMD instead of Altivec.

Interesting thing about the 970 is that it supports both 32-bit and 64-bit addressing. The only problem is that it sounds like some modifications will have to be made to the OS even to operate in 32-bit mode. And transitioning to 64-bits will likely be a long road. It would be a lot to ask of developers who are still grappling with the move to OS X.

In any case, perhaps Apple will take this opportunity to move their pro box naming away from their processor naming? How about just "PowerMac" without the processor generation designation?

02 Jan 2003 | pb said...

I agree. OS X needs a ton of work. The whole thing feels very unpolished and not conducive to being used efficiently. The Help system is laughably bad. Every app (even Apple ones) have a differen key combination for preferences. The DVD player inexplicably uses a bunch of function key equivalents rather than command key or, better yet, just keys. The doc is lame. No scroll wheel on the mice (a thousand times more useful than a right-button although I think it's finally time for a right-button). etc.

02 Jan 2003 | ek said...

Uh oh, I hear the can of worms being opened! ;-)

Back to the chameleonic chassis thing, though gimmicky, I think it could be interesting and if it leads to more sales of Apple's consumer Macs that means more money that can go towards improving OS X and the pro machines.

To f5's point, this could also be very interesting on a non-traditional computing device such as a PDA/phone. It would be neat to be able to assign colors or patterns to specific callers. So you could see without opening your phone who's calling, even if it's on silent mode.

And imagine a next-gen iPod that shows iTunes-like visualizations on the surface of its case? That would be trippy with the lights off!

As for a traditional computer, one useful application would be if the case could pinpoint parts of itself that are not working properly or display colors as diagnostic codes. So, instead of just displaying a screen dump the box could turn purple indicating that there's a memory problem, or green indicating that there's a problem with the drive, or what have you.

It would make tech support calls easier; "my computer is green!"

02 Jan 2003 | SU said...

FYI... More info on the PowerPC 970 is available here and here. Altivec is simply a type of SIMD.

02 Jan 2003 | Darrel said...

"Once you get used to control-clicking with a one-button trackpad"

That would be fine, excempt for that stupid 'fn' key on the laptop which COMPLETELY screws up any 'finger memory' I had when reaching for the alt/command/cntrl key on the desktop. Of course, switching back and forth between Macs and PCs doesn't help with that either.

As for the PPC chip, It sounds like Motorola is done. They aren't going to improve what they have. It sounds like Apple is serious about IBMs offerings come next year, or will convert to the intel format (as it is known that Apple keeps an intel-friendly of OSX in development on par with OSX).

And OSX can still be optimized for speed. That's for sure.

02 Jan 2003 | david said...

i cannot remember where i saw this, but a while back i read an article about a small device (i think it was a small sphere) whose sole functionality was to sit on a desk and change colours in response to data. one example given in the article was setting the device to change colors to reflect how one's stock portfolio was doing.

perhaps apple has the same idea: a computer that can be set to change colours/patterns to respond to some sort of data stream. imagine a computer case that could tell you at a glance how your stocks were doing, or whether you have any appointments coming up, or whether your favourite weblog was recently updated. there's a lot of potential here.

02 Jan 2003 | ek said...

For those who are curious, SIMD stands for Single Instruction Multiple Data [streams].

Though Altivec is simply a type of SIMD architecture, what's confusing to me is don't the instructions for any particular SIMD architecture have to be hard coded into the processor itself? My understanding is that this is what makes a processor able to perform these instructions so quickly.

If this is the case, wouldn't IBM have to have specifically adopted Altivec? If so I don't understand why they seem to be so evasive about it.

02 Jan 2003 | ek said...

To JF's point, though, it seems that things like how your stocks are doing or upcoming appointments could be better handled via the computer's display. Though I guess the case could continue to present data even while the computer is sleeping (though it wouldn't really be sleeping then, since it would have to be able to receive and process data).

02 Jan 2003 | ek said...

Back to the PPC 970 thing, the downside is that they're still only talking about 1.8 to 2 gigahertz upon its release, which isn't due until the second half of this year.

Considering that Intel is already beyond 3 gigahertz this doesn't seem all that exciting.

I know, I know, gigahertz technically doesn't amount to all that much, but to a lot of people it does.

02 Jan 2003 | SU said...

Though Altivec is simply a type of SIMD architecture, what's confusing to me is don't the instructions for any particular SIMD architecture have to be hard coded into the processor itself?

They're in a separate vector execution unit which, I think, actually operates using 128 bits instead of 32 or 64. The IBM architecture includes all the Altivec SIMD instructions, plus a bunch more. At least that's my understanding. So it's more like Altivec+ than the set of instructions in the Motorola G4.

02 Jan 2003 | Phil Oye said...

Of course the computer's display is better used to present that information like your portfolio performance, but only if your are looking at your screen. The idea is "ambient computing".

By moving information into the periphery you can monitor things without having to stare at the screen. If a device/wall/ceiling in your office glowed and pulsed to indicate the weather, stock performance, network traffic, email arrival, etc., then you aren't chained to your computer for this information.

There are many potential applications for this, but I have no idea what is up Apple's sleeve.

02 Jan 2003 | ~bc said...

this could be cool or cheesey

In Apple We Trust

03 Jan 2003 | alisha said...

"Apple should try devoting all of this 'eye candy' time to getting OS X to finally work properly..."
---
youre a man of great words Mike. Ive never had such an unstable mac, since the 0SX. When the pc crashes or acts stupid, its no big deal - I just go with the flow. But when the mac crashes I get furious. And Ive had to shut off the sleep modus because it closes all my programs. And it runs pretty unstable when connected to my G3. But Im happy with a lot of other improvements, like the click-away windows.
---
"I wish they'd stick a second button on the mouse/trackpad before diving into psychedelic cases."
---
I went to the wacom pencil, about 3 months ago and Im never going back! Its so much better. Its the best 80 euro Ive ever spent.
---
"Having bought a single proc 800mhz g4 3 months before they made the same priced system a dual 800, I'm a tad bitter."
---
almost happened to me with the G4. I ordered and waited for weeks. I called finally and apple told me "no, we dont carry the single processor anymore." I was pissed. I told him Im tired of apple doing whatever the hell they want and not informing the customer. He told me, sorry all I could get was the dual processor now. It cost about 300 euro more so I said ok. looking back, it was an good deal, but it still doesnt make thier behavior correct. thats how apple operates - theyre quite arrogant.
---
"imagine a computer case that could tell you at a glance how your stocks were doing..."
---
then mine would be always black.
I dont like the ambient computing color thing because Id always forget what color is for what. I need a messages.

03 Jan 2003 | fajalar said...

Phil Oye said... If a device/wall/ceiling in your office glowed and pulsed to indicate the weather, stock performance, network traffic, email arrival, etc., then you aren't chained to your computer for this information.

But you would still be tied to it because you would have to be in a line of sight, and you would have to go over to the 'regular' display to understand/react. If you (general 'you') are trading stocks, better to set up the computer app to sell at 16 than rely on a pulsing red friendly computer.

T'would be best if the computer alerted you in the spoken language of your choice, "Don't Panic, but you are about to lose your fortune (little as it is) if you don't say 'Sell' right now."

So far I only see this as a way to look different (one of the parts of the patent app talked about how all computers look the same). But wither 'dalmation' and 'flower power?'

I could see it on the iPod. Essentially bringing to the casing the same idea as iTunes has with the light display to music. I can't remember what it's called as I rarely use it.

03 Jan 2003 | Bill Brown said...

Great. I hope to god this is just a rumor. Apple should try devoting all of this 'eye candy' time to getting OS X to finally work properly and putting out pro-level desktops with some decent processor speeds.

I hear this sort of argument about all sorts of issues. Do you not realize that hardware engineering and software engineering are two completely different and distinct specializations? It's not like Apple had these hardware engineers working on Finder labels, but pulled them off in order to work on case mods.

I suppose Apple could have fired the hardware guys and replaced them with software developers, but that's an enormous undertaking what with training and integration with the larger team. Further, there is a certain point where it doesn't help to add more developers to a problem. I don't know if Apple has reached it, but they'd be in a better position to decide such things than you or I.

That would be fine, excempt for that stupid 'fn' key on the laptop which COMPLETELY screws up any 'finger memory' I had when reaching for the alt/command/cntrl key on the desktop.

I recently found an open-source kernel extension called uControl that is an absolute gem for a laptop user. It adds several different behaviors and allows keyboard remapping. You can make the fn key be a ctrl key or the ENTER key be a command key, which I've done. But the best part is that you can set it up so that pressing a modifier key of your choice will turn the trackpad into a scroll wheel, vertically and/or horizontally. That has made my surfing much, much easier.

03 Jan 2003 | Darrel said...

Bill...many thanks for the link. Downloading now...

As for getting pissed for Apple coming out with newer, better, cheaper a week after you purchase it, well, that's life. I think that has happened to me every single time I've purchased a Mac. I guess I am just getting used to it.

I am pissed off about the leaking votage from the TiBooks. It's pretty annoying. Now I have to purchase two new power supplies (about $150) to fix a problem that really shouldn't be there to begin with.

03 Jan 2003 | Darrel said...

votage= voltage = I meant to say 'current'

03 Jan 2003 | Patrick said...

I'm thinking more along the lines of "wallpaper" for the casing. And pulsing "waves" around the firewire port when data is going from the iPod to the Mac or around the usb port when uploading pictures from your camera.

03 Jan 2003 | Mike said...

Alisha & Bill Brown

I don't really have stability problems with OS X, it just doesn't feel finished. It has the potential to be so great, but just seems like it's being hurt by Steve Job's visions of Next ressurection in the form of the new Mac OS.

But that's not really my issue either. It comes down to this: Apple is becoming a style over substance company. It's about look how cool this i-lava-lamp-mood-mac is, instead of doing sensible things like adding a pro-level interface to OS X. Sorry, but Aqua is crap. It sucks up CPU cycles and adds an overhead of drop-shadow mayhem that I don't want. Hell, even Windows XP has that option (and clear type is pretty nice on XP, compared to OS X's anti-aliasing hell).

Bill, I do see your point, and I fully understand it. There just seems to be a large focus shift toward looks over functionality. Anyone that sat throught the Public Beta, 10.0 and the free 10.1 "upgrade" will probably agree with me. While looks sell, and I applaud Apple for wanting to be a bigger player in the game, it's starting to hurt them in the quality department.

03 Jan 2003 | Darrel said...

Keep in mind that OSX is very much a child of the Next team. They've had to slowly bring in class Mac functionality.

I think they should/could/need to do that faster, but that seems to be the biggest problem that people have with OSX.

There's a lot of great things with OSX that I absolutely love, but the handful of missing Mac-standard features still frustrates me when I need it.

As for Aqua being bloated, well, I think that's true of any GUI OS (except Be). Remember, OSX isn't a pro OS. It a Pro AND consumer OS, so they need to appeal to both parties.

03 Jan 2003 | tomas said...

Hey Darrel could you provide some more information about the leaking current problem? Maybe a URL? Thanks.

03 Jan 2003 | kageki said...

The PowerPC 970 looks very promising. Hopefully Apple will license OS X to IBM.

03 Jan 2003 | Darrel said...

tomas:
http://macintouch.com/pbg4reader15.html

apparently, the original TiBook powerblocks aren't grounded, so a certain amount of current leaks through the Ti's shell.

I always had an odd 'tingly' feel on my palm wrests that I likened to running your hand on smooth glass. It's smooth, but there's a bit of friction.

It wasn't until I read that report and though to lift my feet of the ground, and voila! problem gone.

So, now that I KNOW the tingling is electricity, it makes me a bit uneasy, needless to say.

03 Jan 2003 | ek said...

Wow, I'm really surprised to hear that they won't cover the cost of repair on that -- seems like a fairly serious issue.

On the topic of Apple licensing OS X to IBM, I can't see Apple doing it and I can't see IBM wanting to do it. Big Blue seems very committed to Linux these days and I believe I heard that Linux is on track to overtake Apple's OS market share at some point this year. Can't say that I see much benefit to it to either party (why would anyone buy an overpriced, ugly IBM Mac OS X machine when they could buy and overpriced, pretty Apple Mac OS X machine? ;-).

03 Jan 2003 | Darrel said...

Apple would never license the OS to IBM (or anyone for that matter). They will most likely be purchasing their PPC chips from them, though.

03 Jan 2003 | Scott said...

For all you frustrated OSX users Jeffrey Zeldman has short OS X Switcher's Guide that you might find helpful.

03 Jan 2003 | ek said...

Hey Scott, thanks for the link, I hadn't seen that. Very cool of Zeldman to pull that together!

04 Jan 2003 | alisha said...

this is great! thanks scott! thanks zeldman! (as always, Zeldman shares his wealth of knowledge) anyone know of any other "os x for dummies" thats online?

04 Jan 2003 | JF said...

Zeldman didn't mention Launchbar -- the most amazing OS X utility I've found. Basically, Launchbar lets you type what you want anywhere anytime. Here are some examples from the Launchbar site: Type OW to launch OmniWeb, AHN to open the "Apple Hot News" web page, BM to write an email to "Bob Miller" or HP01 to locate a folder named "Holiday Pictures 2001".

06 Jan 2003 | Jay said...

Launchbar rules. I just paid for my copy yesterday. Everybody using OS X should download it and learn how to use it and configure it. JF is right - it's the best utility add-on I've heard of.

06 Jan 2003 | Michael S said...

I have that current leaking problem...oh wait, that's currency leaking! Hahaha!

I think Apple has to make some business decisions that have nothing to do with a better/faster/fixed GUI. If making a computer that can match the owner's drapes sells more units than tweaking the OS, then that could be the emphasis.

08 Jan 2003 | gianni said...

This is why they got the patent...
http://www.apple.com/powerbook/index17.html