Apple to announce OS 10.7 (probably) on October 20(engadget.com)
engadget.com
Apple to announce OS 10.7 (probably) on October 20
http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/13/apple-to-hold-media-event-october-20th-well-be-there-live/
126 comments
Given that OSX has got to a fairly stable point, what would you want to see in a new version of OSX that would make you want to upgrade?
It's time to break up iTunes.
Like a bank that has become too big to fail, iTunes has become this massive hub that manages everything from audio and video syncing to mobile file and app management. Mobile device interaction not relating to multimedia needs to be offloaded to a renovated iSync, or better yet, Finder needs to be updated to integrate the iOS anti-filesystem. Photos, apps, app files -- all hierarchically listed with MacFUSE-like simplicity, but probably with a more context-appropriate UI than the standard Finder view.
Like a bank that has become too big to fail, iTunes has become this massive hub that manages everything from audio and video syncing to mobile file and app management. Mobile device interaction not relating to multimedia needs to be offloaded to a renovated iSync, or better yet, Finder needs to be updated to integrate the iOS anti-filesystem. Photos, apps, app files -- all hierarchically listed with MacFUSE-like simplicity, but probably with a more context-appropriate UI than the standard Finder view.
I like the idea of Finder handling multiple types of filesystems. Seems like an elegant solution to this problem to me -- move device management out of applications and into the operating system, where that should be.
The elegance of that solution seems too much for Apple to ignore.
I wonder if this could prompt Apple to adopt Fuse as a means of filesystem abstraction in Finder?
The elegance of that solution seems too much for Apple to ignore.
I wonder if this could prompt Apple to adopt Fuse as a means of filesystem abstraction in Finder?
Snow Leopard was all about the internals. UI changes were not a priority.
Apple has presumably learned much from their iOS work that will inform their thinking about how people want to interact with a device. I don't think we'll see a touch-the-screen interface, but we might see an interface that is less file/application oriented and more task oriented. It won't be a replacement, but it might be a new direction.
Oh, and some gradients and textures will be slightly different and 10,000 blogs posts will be written about that.
Apple has presumably learned much from their iOS work that will inform their thinking about how people want to interact with a device. I don't think we'll see a touch-the-screen interface, but we might see an interface that is less file/application oriented and more task oriented. It won't be a replacement, but it might be a new direction.
Oh, and some gradients and textures will be slightly different and 10,000 blogs posts will be written about that.
> Snow Leopard was all about the internals.
God, they fubared that. I can't count the number of times my wife complained about Snow Leopard's constant WIFI problems. It's sad when my iPhone has better connectivity then her MBP.
God, they fubared that. I can't count the number of times my wife complained about Snow Leopard's constant WIFI problems. It's sad when my iPhone has better connectivity then her MBP.
I turn my WIFI on and off at lest 5 times a day.
Just to add more points to the dataset. I've used my laptop on a linksys, checkpoint, two different rebranded qwest routers.
Has anyone had such problems and then everything magically worked when switching to an apple airport express or airport extreme?
Has anyone had such problems and then everything magically worked when switching to an apple airport express or airport extreme?
[deleted]
We need to get our iPad looked at, too. It constantly has problems, but my iPhone4 has no issues with local wifi connections. Between the iPad and the MBP, it's a crap shoot with connectivity.
I also complain to my wife that she needs to stop going on and offline all the time. She doesn't appreciate that. =)
Edit: For those that think no problem exists: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/ipad-wifi/
I also complain to my wife that she needs to stop going on and offline all the time. She doesn't appreciate that. =)
Edit: For those that think no problem exists: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/ipad-wifi/
Has it occurred to you that multiple devices having wifi issues could be your wifi setup?
Yes, and we've looked into that as well. We've tried multiple routers (we returned 2 prior to this one, thinking it was the routers at fault), and in each case the problem was always the same: iPad and MBP. Both of these have cases that can be searched for online, and lots of other people have these problems. For the MBP, it had something to do with Snow Leopard, as downgrading seems to help somewhat. For the iPad, their are other reports of it being a energy saving issue. We don't have issues with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone4, or the iMac when it's on the wireless.
We also considered the location of the router, but both the iPad and MBP suffer the problem even if they are in the same room as the router.
We also don't experience the problem on a netbook we have that runs both Linux and Win7. However, we don't use it that often, but it's never had the problem whenever we did use it.
It could simply be a hardware issue, but as I said, we aren't the only ones having this problem.
We also considered the location of the router, but both the iPad and MBP suffer the problem even if they are in the same room as the router.
We also don't experience the problem on a netbook we have that runs both Linux and Win7. However, we don't use it that often, but it's never had the problem whenever we did use it.
It could simply be a hardware issue, but as I said, we aren't the only ones having this problem.
The bug mentioned in that Wired article was fixed in 3.2.1
There were other wifi related bugs, too, fixed in 3.2.2. And people still continue to be plagued with wifi issues with the iPad. Just go to the support forums and see.
Rewrite Finder, again.
It has stupid limitations — files in use, can't put item to trash while trash is emptied. Still has only read-only support for FTP, locks up with WebDav, can't browse ZIP, etc.
Copying in Finder is much slower than with cp. On Samba drive it may need 10-20 seconds to replace 2kb file.
It handles permission errors erratically (sometimes asks for permission, sometimes fails, sometimes asks and fails anyway). UI for permission change is weak.
I could rant about Finder whole day.
It has stupid limitations — files in use, can't put item to trash while trash is emptied. Still has only read-only support for FTP, locks up with WebDav, can't browse ZIP, etc.
Copying in Finder is much slower than with cp. On Samba drive it may need 10-20 seconds to replace 2kb file.
It handles permission errors erratically (sometimes asks for permission, sometimes fails, sometimes asks and fails anyway). UI for permission change is weak.
I could rant about Finder whole day.
While I agree about Finder getting the shaft, have you checked out Pathfinder? http://www.cocoatech.com/
I'm not the same person but I did try it.
For me it was quite a disappointment because one of my main beefs with finder is the atrocious performance even on modern hardware and especially when network mounts are involved. Sadly pathfinder turned out to be even slower!
I don't need zillions of buttons and special "features". First and foremost I want a lean and fast view into my files, everything else is secondary.
As much as I hate windows; up to this day the windows explorer remains the most bearable graphical file browser that I have used.
For me it was quite a disappointment because one of my main beefs with finder is the atrocious performance even on modern hardware and especially when network mounts are involved. Sadly pathfinder turned out to be even slower!
I don't need zillions of buttons and special "features". First and foremost I want a lean and fast view into my files, everything else is secondary.
As much as I hate windows; up to this day the windows explorer remains the most bearable graphical file browser that I have used.
The only good thing about the Finder is the column view. Otherwise I find myself missing Windows Explorer, circa Windows 2K when using the Finder.
I would love to see them release a Mac App Store. Of course, if they made it the only way to get new programs on a Mac, I would never upgrade, but I think providing a central market-place for software could be a very useful thing for a lot of users. Also, as a developer, I would love for there to be a way to sell apps that gives me the ability to reach a wide market, and also keeps me from having to run my own DRM system, or even my own payment system. The iOS app store is far from a perfect system, but I think this would still be a net win for developers. I think it would especially be good for iOS developers who need to have a traditional PC counterpart to their mobile app.
Of course, my pipe dream would be if they would release a Windows app store at the same time, with as little friction as possible for releasing apps on both platforms. I doubt that Apple would do that, but who knows.
Of course, my pipe dream would be if they would release a Windows app store at the same time, with as little friction as possible for releasing apps on both platforms. I doubt that Apple would do that, but who knows.
Syncing. Syncing should be pulled out of iTunes and made a core feature of the operating system.
Support for over-the-air syncing of devices.
DLNA. I use MediaLink to stream from my MacBook Pro to the Sony PS3.
My USB scanner doesn't work when plugged into the Airport Extreme.
Basically, everything related to syncing, sharing, streaming, and networking in general should be improved.
The future of the Mac is connecting to the iPhone, iPad, AppleTV, MobileMe, and other devices.
Support for over-the-air syncing of devices.
DLNA. I use MediaLink to stream from my MacBook Pro to the Sony PS3.
My USB scanner doesn't work when plugged into the Airport Extreme.
Basically, everything related to syncing, sharing, streaming, and networking in general should be improved.
The future of the Mac is connecting to the iPhone, iPad, AppleTV, MobileMe, and other devices.
- A new Finder. I want tabs (like TotalFinder) and two instances in the same window, so that drag+drop doesn't require multiple windows. Like this: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12925/finder.png
Other than that, I'd like to see it continue to get faster. Booting, opening apps, etc.
Other than that, I'd like to see it continue to get faster. Booting, opening apps, etc.
You probably realise this, but using spring-loaded folders Finder does allow you to navigate while dragging and dropping.
See http://kb.iu.edu/data/aehp.html
See http://kb.iu.edu/data/aehp.html
> " two instances in the same window, so that drag+drop doesn't require multiple windows."
Why wouldn't you just use copy/paste?
Why wouldn't you just use copy/paste?
Well, then I'm left with two copies and I have to go back and delete one. If OSX had a cut/paste, that might work better. Even so, with the way Finder currently works, it's easy to have 10-15 Finder windows going at any moment, so cmd+` can be a pain.
... it doesn't have cut/paste?
It has copy/paste for files, but you can't "cut" a file. This is a continual source of frustration for Windows power users who come to the side with cookies. My guess is Apple doesn't think "cutting" a file makes sense: you are actually moving the file or deleting the file. However, why it would suddenly make sense to "copy" but not actually have "copy" do anything is still confusing to me.
The menus have cut, but I have never figured out how to use it.
Facetime compatible iChat would be nice.
More gestures for the magic trackpad.
Improved Time machine (I want all to see all previous versions of a particular file, not row through a timeline of a directory.).
Improved automation (Automator is still not natural enough, lots of clicky dragging.).
Frameworks start to encourage 3rd party applications to continuously auto-save like iOS apps.
Don't want to see but will probably see: Lots of "social" junk, like Ping for iWork or something that nobody will actually use.
More gestures for the magic trackpad.
Improved Time machine (I want all to see all previous versions of a particular file, not row through a timeline of a directory.).
Improved automation (Automator is still not natural enough, lots of clicky dragging.).
Frameworks start to encourage 3rd party applications to continuously auto-save like iOS apps.
Don't want to see but will probably see: Lots of "social" junk, like Ping for iWork or something that nobody will actually use.
Facebook chat is actually available through Jabber. Its not obvious, though.
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=2010021113085350...
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=2010021113085350...
Not faceBOOK, faceTIME.
Maybe a UI overhaul. They've been teasing us for years with iTunes. Time to finally ditch Aqua.
Maybe something MacRuby related? Maybe making it a first class language?
Maybe something MacRuby related? Maybe making it a first class language?
When I select "restart" (edit: at least when installing system updates), the computer should save application state and reboot instead of every application asking me stupid questions like "are you REALLY sure you want to quit web browsing?".
I want to select "restart", go to the kitchen, get my dinner, come back, and the computer be rebooted and my applications restored the way they were before.
Also, the developer tools should include a good package manager instead of having to use Homebrew or Macports (both of which are flawed in various ways).
I want to select "restart", go to the kitchen, get my dinner, come back, and the computer be rebooted and my applications restored the way they were before.
Also, the developer tools should include a good package manager instead of having to use Homebrew or Macports (both of which are flawed in various ways).
That's what sleep is for. The primary use of restart is resetting your computer's state, so it would be counter-intuitive to retain it.
The primary use of restart is to install system updates. Having my applications' states reset only means I have to go in and restore their states by hand every time Apple decides to release a new version of Safari.
I actually can't think of any time I've even used restart to reset my computer's state in the past couple of years.
I actually can't think of any time I've even used restart to reset my computer's state in the past couple of years.
Why do you think the updates require a restart? To reset the computer's state. I think the problem to be solved is updates requiring a restart (which is unacceptable in this day and age)
Yes, I have some idea of how computers work. And it would be fantastic if the OS could hot-load patches instead of needing a reboot.
It would also be acceptable if Safari could just remember what tabs I had open and reopen them instead of asking me stupid questions when I run Software Update and then canceling restart when I don't answer.
It would also be acceptable if Safari could just remember what tabs I had open and reopen them instead of asking me stupid questions when I run Software Update and then canceling restart when I don't answer.
Yeah, I'm going back to Linux because I realize I miss apt-get more than all the goodies and bling OS X brings to the table. I checked and Ubuntu 10.10 will install happily on My Macbook 5,2 and I've checked my app list: Skype for Linux? check, Spotify for Linux? check, OpenOffice? duh, Chrome? yup, Tweetdeck? there's Gwibber, the list goes on ... Textmate I'll miss and Preview.app is super-duper but apt-get install I miss you!
In addition to Fink, there is MacPorts. Between the two, you can get a lot of things installed just as easily as on Linux. Of course, proprietary software is still proprietary.
To each their own, but Fink is literally a port of dpkg/dselect/apt-get to OS X.
I'd think that could cause problems if the system frameworks or other libraries are changed by the update, but the apps are restored into RAM from the pre-update memory image.
Yeah you would want it to be a little smarter than I described, but not too smart. Web browsers would remember their tabs and windows, office programs would autosave and autoload temp files, etc.
I imagine there's a hundred tiny problems which make it infeasible, and it would require API changes, but damn would it be nice.
I imagine there's a hundred tiny problems which make it infeasible, and it would require API changes, but damn would it be nice.
Mostly it would require all of the apps you use to release new versions that support checkpointing their internal state when asked to by the OS.
There's basically no way for the OS to do that for them, they'd each have to implement it themselves in a manner specific to the application.
There's basically no way for the OS to do that for them, they'd each have to implement it themselves in a manner specific to the application.
The reason package management works better on Linux is not because there's a better package manager program. Rather, it's because there are hundreds of developers for Debian, Fedora, et al who put serious time into making sure the packages themselves work well. Few OS X users really care about Unixy packages, and even fewer actually work on one of the package managers, so bugs just don't get ironed out enough.
I don't see much Apple is likely to do to help. They could bless a package manager as official, include it in OS X, and pay for build-boxen and for people to work on it; but you'd still need a lot of community involvement, and that's not Apple's cup o' tea.
Apple could also just make a few things easier about building nix packages: Currently the OS X linker will automagically look for libraries in /usr/lib and /usr/local/lib by default, this should become easier to turn off so that packages don't end up with hidden dependencies on stuff the user threw in /usr/local. * A lot of libraries that are extremely common on other nix aren't included in OS X, eg: readline, iconv, gettext. But many of these are GPL3, so don't count on Apple being helpful. Universal, backwards-compatible binaries are currently a PITA to build from the command-line. You need to specify the SDK, DEPLOYMENT_TARGET, and compiler separately; and then if you ended up using different SDKs for different architectures, you need to use lipo to combine the results. Some way to specify all this stuff at once, and use sensible defaults would be great: 'gcc --sdk=ppc/gcc-4.0/10.4 --sdk=x86_64/clang/10.6 ...'
I don't see much Apple is likely to do to help. They could bless a package manager as official, include it in OS X, and pay for build-boxen and for people to work on it; but you'd still need a lot of community involvement, and that's not Apple's cup o' tea.
Apple could also just make a few things easier about building nix packages: Currently the OS X linker will automagically look for libraries in /usr/lib and /usr/local/lib by default, this should become easier to turn off so that packages don't end up with hidden dependencies on stuff the user threw in /usr/local. * A lot of libraries that are extremely common on other nix aren't included in OS X, eg: readline, iconv, gettext. But many of these are GPL3, so don't count on Apple being helpful. Universal, backwards-compatible binaries are currently a PITA to build from the command-line. You need to specify the SDK, DEPLOYMENT_TARGET, and compiler separately; and then if you ended up using different SDKs for different architectures, you need to use lipo to combine the results. Some way to specify all this stuff at once, and use sensible defaults would be great: 'gcc --sdk=ppc/gcc-4.0/10.4 --sdk=x86_64/clang/10.6 ...'
One thing they can do is package-manage the Ruby/Python/Perl/Apache/vim/emacs/gcc/etc. that either comes built into Mac OS X or gets installed with the developer tools. Current package managers either have to work around that (Homebrew) or maintain an entirely separate repository (Macports).
OpenGL 4.0, like the rest of the world.
Fixing all the problems that OSX is still plagued with. On a daily basis. Here are problems I deal with that are Apple related, almost on a daily basis:
* iChat and Bonjour. I cannot, for the life of me, get my iMac and my wife's MBP to chat, let alone do anything else iChat says it can do. I've not found a solution. I can occasionally see the MBP on my iMac, but I cannot do anything with it.
* Make iLife make sense. Videos are stored in iPhoto, but need to be transfered to iTunes to send them to the AppleTV. But I need to create them in iMovie. iMovie is for editing movies. iPhoto is for editing pictures, but also organizing movies. Movies are also organized in iTunes. Also, plugging in a devices starts up iPhoto by default. Setting this up silently isn't easy to discover.
* System Preferences. The best way to demonstrate the complete craziness of this is to explain that to disable the Remote Control, you need to go to the Security panel. I'm not even going to mention that fact that certain panels literally lie to you. No, that keyboard command you say I should use doesn't actually do what you say it does.
* Window Management. Sure, their are programs you can install for this, but it should be something handled by Apple.
* Fix Safari so I can log into their support pages. I'm mean, it's evil that I need to download Firefox so I can log into their support pages. Yes, I've cleared the cache in Safari, and cookies, etc.
Apple does great on the polish, and their system sits on top of a solid foundation, but in between that, the meat, is lacking.
Sure, OSX is stable, but it's still frustrating by default.
* iChat and Bonjour. I cannot, for the life of me, get my iMac and my wife's MBP to chat, let alone do anything else iChat says it can do. I've not found a solution. I can occasionally see the MBP on my iMac, but I cannot do anything with it.
* Make iLife make sense. Videos are stored in iPhoto, but need to be transfered to iTunes to send them to the AppleTV. But I need to create them in iMovie. iMovie is for editing movies. iPhoto is for editing pictures, but also organizing movies. Movies are also organized in iTunes. Also, plugging in a devices starts up iPhoto by default. Setting this up silently isn't easy to discover.
* System Preferences. The best way to demonstrate the complete craziness of this is to explain that to disable the Remote Control, you need to go to the Security panel. I'm not even going to mention that fact that certain panels literally lie to you. No, that keyboard command you say I should use doesn't actually do what you say it does.
* Window Management. Sure, their are programs you can install for this, but it should be something handled by Apple.
* Fix Safari so I can log into their support pages. I'm mean, it's evil that I need to download Firefox so I can log into their support pages. Yes, I've cleared the cache in Safari, and cookies, etc.
Apple does great on the polish, and their system sits on top of a solid foundation, but in between that, the meat, is lacking.
Sure, OSX is stable, but it's still frustrating by default.
How about some god damn support for usb webcams in iChat?
iLife and Safari are updated outside of system releases, so I wouldn't bet too heavily there. iChat will get an update though, surely with FaceTime support baked in.
I agree there are some core apps that have been neglected but overall usability in OSX in my opinion is still far better than the alternatives. The biggest issue seems to be that some applications have matured well beyond their original GUI so as new features have been added some of the simplicity has been lost. My guess is many of the core apps (Mail, iCal, iTunes, etc) will end up looking a lot more like their iOS equivalents.
I know iLife and Safari are updated outside the OS, but they are still shipped with new Macs. They are apart of the system you get when you open the box and plug it in. And they add to the frustration.
Essentially, I find it sad that my wife and I find it easier to email each other things rather than use something like iChat or file sharing. I can't count the number of times we're both online, but one can't see the other, or neither can see.
The problem is the foundation is mostly fine. They really need to start working on making the system easy to use though. Their are a LOT of areas were the polish is gone, and all you're seeing are warts.
Essentially, I find it sad that my wife and I find it easier to email each other things rather than use something like iChat or file sharing. I can't count the number of times we're both online, but one can't see the other, or neither can see.
The problem is the foundation is mostly fine. They really need to start working on making the system easy to use though. Their are a LOT of areas were the polish is gone, and all you're seeing are warts.
Have you tried playing with firewall settings? My wife and I had issues syncing our computers until we got the firewall setup right.
iLife isn't really part of OSX, even though it comes pre-installed. It usually gets a separate release on it's own so they can sell upgrades to people on older versions of OSX. The videos / iPhoto issue is annoying, but derives from the addition of videos to the iPhone. I'm not sure how they are going to handle that better.
It sounds like (based on this and a different comment) that you just don't like your Macs.
iLife isn't really part of OSX, even though it comes pre-installed. It usually gets a separate release on it's own so they can sell upgrades to people on older versions of OSX. The videos / iPhoto issue is annoying, but derives from the addition of videos to the iPhone. I'm not sure how they are going to handle that better.
It sounds like (based on this and a different comment) that you just don't like your Macs.
In reverse:
Oh, I like my Macs. I like the environment. However, it's not all roses and unicorn kisses as some make it out to be. The problem is when you want to do something remotely outside the default. Like, for instance, if you plug in your iPhone and you don't want iPhoto starting up and stealing focus, then it's a headache. Smart defaults work best, defaults that don't interrupt your workflow. Look at TimeMachine. It works without disrupting you. Awesome. It's their when you need it, but doesn't pester you. I complain, but their are also a lot of things I like.
As for the Firewall: I've tried so many things. Yes, the firewall was one thing I checked. I don't know. I spent too much time on it already that the thought of going back and spending more time is frustrating.
Oh, I like my Macs. I like the environment. However, it's not all roses and unicorn kisses as some make it out to be. The problem is when you want to do something remotely outside the default. Like, for instance, if you plug in your iPhone and you don't want iPhoto starting up and stealing focus, then it's a headache. Smart defaults work best, defaults that don't interrupt your workflow. Look at TimeMachine. It works without disrupting you. Awesome. It's their when you need it, but doesn't pester you. I complain, but their are also a lot of things I like.
As for the Firewall: I've tried so many things. Yes, the firewall was one thing I checked. I don't know. I spent too much time on it already that the thought of going back and spending more time is frustrating.
Like, for instance, if you plug in your iPhone and you don't want iPhoto starting up and stealing focus, then it's a headache.
Go into Image Capture and change the preference to not start iPhoto when it is connected. The reason it does this by default is b/c your iPhone has a camera so everytime you connect your iPhone the 'smart default' is 'hey there are pictures, let's suck 'em down 'n back 'em up!'.
Go into Image Capture and change the preference to not start iPhoto when it is connected. The reason it does this by default is b/c your iPhone has a camera so everytime you connect your iPhone the 'smart default' is 'hey there are pictures, let's suck 'em down 'n back 'em up!'.
I know how to do it now. =) I set it to auto-import and it does it without loading up iPhoto. I also realize why it does this. The problem is iPhoto does this, but their is no obvious connection for going into Image Capture from iPhoto to change this feature.
I'm afraid you seem to be caught in a misery well. It's like a gravity well, but with misery. I don't know how this happens to people, but it does.
Your iChat and Safari problems are... unusual, to put it mildly. (Moreso the Safari issue, which seems to be unique to you.)
Your iChat and Safari problems are... unusual, to put it mildly. (Moreso the Safari issue, which seems to be unique to you.)
Two things. One is a possibility, and one is a dream.
1. The Finder is going to change. What is becomes I don't know, but I think the filesystem will be further downplayed as Apple tries to take its vision of user friendliness even further. This is the possibility.
2. Window management goes away. Imagine software that didn't need its UI sorted and resized. Personally I hate even thinking about where something should rest on a screen. Given that there are tons of legacy applications out there that use windows in a variety of ways I don't see this happening. This is the dream.
-- Edit:
Graphics drivers that are on par with Windows should probably be added to the "dream" category.
1. The Finder is going to change. What is becomes I don't know, but I think the filesystem will be further downplayed as Apple tries to take its vision of user friendliness even further. This is the possibility.
2. Window management goes away. Imagine software that didn't need its UI sorted and resized. Personally I hate even thinking about where something should rest on a screen. Given that there are tons of legacy applications out there that use windows in a variety of ways I don't see this happening. This is the dream.
-- Edit:
Graphics drivers that are on par with Windows should probably be added to the "dream" category.
How would window management go away in a desktop OS? By having only fullscreen apps à la iOS/Android?
I don't see that feasible or desirable. In a small format it works, but on a desktop I very often want to see multiple windows at the same time. (say, reading documentation with code, or multiple files open at once)
I don't see that feasible or desirable. In a small format it works, but on a desktop I very often want to see multiple windows at the same time. (say, reading documentation with code, or multiple files open at once)
A 10/GUI style horizontal window scroll is quite feasible with the new touch mouse and trackpad.
Sure, but the 10/GUI is managing the windows though. It's a different way of doing window management, but that's still what is it. I'm curious to know if ary had something else in mind.
I do. No window management.
The recent praise full-screen applications got at the 10.7 sneak peek doesn't resonate with me, but perhaps it will with others. What I want are applications that intelligently manage screen real estate themselves. My thoughts on this are still somewhat unpolished, but what I'd really like to see is automatic management based on need and importance. Clear, standard notifications (and as few as possible), cooperation between apps when two or more run on the screen, and a clear way to navigate between them. All the while there would be no title bars or min/max/close buttons to be found.
This isn't a call for more iOS in OS X (although it seems to be going that way) so much as it is a call to acknowledge the limitations of user ability and patience. It's something I think about a lot.
The recent praise full-screen applications got at the 10.7 sneak peek doesn't resonate with me, but perhaps it will with others. What I want are applications that intelligently manage screen real estate themselves. My thoughts on this are still somewhat unpolished, but what I'd really like to see is automatic management based on need and importance. Clear, standard notifications (and as few as possible), cooperation between apps when two or more run on the screen, and a clear way to navigate between them. All the while there would be no title bars or min/max/close buttons to be found.
This isn't a call for more iOS in OS X (although it seems to be going that way) so much as it is a call to acknowledge the limitations of user ability and patience. It's something I think about a lot.
Just one thing: bring back the leopard exposè!
I installed snow leopard and reverted back to leopard just after 3 hours as I couldn't stand the new (non proportional) exposè.
Yes, I'm exposè addicted...
I installed snow leopard and reverted back to leopard just after 3 hours as I couldn't stand the new (non proportional) exposè.
Yes, I'm exposè addicted...
That's a good question. I'm guessing that UI tweaks will be the order of the day:
- I remember when the Dock was a new idea; will there be a similar revelation in task management?
- The "Spaces" feature could use some work to bring it up to par with similar functionality in Ubuntu.
- Complete the transition to 64-bit for every single Apple sub-system|program.
- Tighter integration/control of external stuff: AppleTV, Airport Express, etc.
- I remember when the Dock was a new idea; will there be a similar revelation in task management?
- The "Spaces" feature could use some work to bring it up to par with similar functionality in Ubuntu.
- Complete the transition to 64-bit for every single Apple sub-system|program.
- Tighter integration/control of external stuff: AppleTV, Airport Express, etc.
- Tighter integration/control of external stuff: AppleTV, Airport Express, etc.
Not that I have any hope of seeing this, but I would extend it to iPhones, iPad, etc. for things like sharing clipboards, using the computer's mic/audio to pick up the phone, direct access to the iPhone's camera from the desktop... basically make the relationship between the computers and devices more symbiotic.
Not that I have any hope of seeing this, but I would extend it to iPhones, iPad, etc. for things like sharing clipboards, using the computer's mic/audio to pick up the phone, direct access to the iPhone's camera from the desktop... basically make the relationship between the computers and devices more symbiotic.
Proper filesystem-level encryption would be nice.
File Vault is a poor hack. Needs logout to free disk space. You can't sudo into file-vaulted account. It makes Time Machine nearly useless: you can only restore entire home directory at once. It won't backup anything in home while you're logged in.
File Vault is a poor hack. Needs logout to free disk space. You can't sudo into file-vaulted account. It makes Time Machine nearly useless: you can only restore entire home directory at once. It won't backup anything in home while you're logged in.
A working modern version of samba in the server version might be a nice touch
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I must admit, one thing I've become absolutely dependent on in Windows 7 is when you press Start you can do a quick lookup of the program you're after by typing a few characters.
Sure OSX has the Finder and Spotlight but it's not quite as quick and convenient, in my experience.
But my big request is this: implement the TRIM command in the OS to open up the SSD choices. This is long overdue.
Sure OSX has the Finder and Spotlight but it's not quite as quick and convenient, in my experience.
But my big request is this: implement the TRIM command in the OS to open up the SSD choices. This is long overdue.
To reply to the point raised by several people: yes I know about CMD-Space (this is what I meant by Spotlight but I guess that can mean more).
Somehow it just doesn't seem as good. Maybe it's the single keypress. Maybe it's that Start also has pinned and commonly used items on it (CMD-Space is just a box you can type in so really it's half the functionality of Win7's Start button).
Somehow it just doesn't seem as good. Maybe it's the single keypress. Maybe it's that Start also has pinned and commonly used items on it (CMD-Space is just a box you can type in so really it's half the functionality of Win7's Start button).
According to http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/apple/2010/07/01/mac-ssd-pe... :
"We started off this article making it intentionally limited in scope as we weren't expecting, in a OS that doesn't support TRIM, to find anything all that interesting. What we found was the exact opposite: an OS that doesn't appear to be affected by SSD performance degradation [...]"
"We started off this article making it intentionally limited in scope as we weren't expecting, in a OS that doesn't support TRIM, to find anything all that interesting. What we found was the exact opposite: an OS that doesn't appear to be affected by SSD performance degradation [...]"
an OS that doesn't appear to be affected by SSD performance degradation
That may be true, but there isn't enough information in that article to tell. I think their other theory — that the Samsung SSD is essentially pre-degraded — is more likely to be correct.
That may be true, but there isn't enough information in that article to tell. I think their other theory — that the Samsung SSD is essentially pre-degraded — is more likely to be correct.
They've only benchmarked 3 systems that don't support TRIM. That doesn't seem like a good way to prove that TRIM won't improve performance.
"Two thumbs down." I'm not rating your comment or spotlight or the start button. Rather, that's my mnemonic for Command-Spacebar, which brings focus to the spotlight search field. I can launch Terminal in 5 keystrokes: CMD-Space t e ENTER. Is the Start button really significantly better?
I use the same keystrokes to trigger Quicksilver, which some may prefer over Spotlight.
And I use the same to trigger LaunchBar, Quicksilver's super-fast (and non-free) competitor. :) http://obdev.at/products/launchbar
I'm actually using an OCZ Vertex II SSD with my Macbook Pro right now and I have nothing but good things to say.
Don't worry about trim, just get a drive that supports on-board garbage collection and dive in!
Don't worry about trim, just get a drive that supports on-board garbage collection and dive in!
> not as quick and convenient
Do you press ⌘-Space to open Spotlight? I'm not sure how it can get more convenient...
Do you press ⌘-Space to open Spotlight? I'm not sure how it can get more convenient...
Well on Windows 7 it is just one button (the Windows button), so I guess the Spotlight equivalent is twice as inconvenient. ;-)
The two buttons needed to trigger spotlight are right next to each other, so you can bring it up by rolling your thumb from one to the other, which is at most 50% more inconvenient than just pressing the first button.
Can you press them both at the same time if you have a fat thumb?
After extensive testing (that is, a quick test), the answer is definitely "yes, you can". :)
The command key does need to register first, though. How easy that is depends a bit on what style of keyboard you have.
With the old full-travel desktop keyboards, it's a bit awkward.
With the pre-"chiclet" laptop keyboards, where there is no significant gap between the keys and the edges are simply beveled, it's pretty easy and smooth.
I don't have a chiclet keyboard handy at the moment to test, but it probably isn't any more awkward than the full-travel keyboards.
With the old full-travel desktop keyboards, it's a bit awkward.
With the pre-"chiclet" laptop keyboards, where there is no significant gap between the keys and the edges are simply beveled, it's pretty easy and smooth.
I don't have a chiclet keyboard handy at the moment to test, but it probably isn't any more awkward than the full-travel keyboards.
I use Quiksilver for this purpose. It's as easy as Spotlight, but I've found it to be faster for the specific purpose of launching apps.
There is nothing quicker than Quicksilver http://blacktree.com/?quicksilver, which the developer of has now continued work at Google with Quick Search Box http://www.google.com/quicksearchbox/ .
You might try this: From the Finder, Cmd-Shift-A, which opens the Applications folder, then your first few characters, then Cmd-Down to open.
It seems like a lot of keystrokes, I know, and you have to switch to the Finder and it only works on initial characters (e.g. LIghtroom, not LightRoom) -- but since there's no search involved it "feels" extremely fast, which is often the thing that trumps all else.
It seems like a lot of keystrokes, I know, and you have to switch to the Finder and it only works on initial characters (e.g. LIghtroom, not LightRoom) -- but since there's no search involved it "feels" extremely fast, which is often the thing that trumps all else.
my guess is a touch display on a new mac book pro line
That's where I'd put my money, too. Several weeks ago I was sitting at my laptop and I wanted to scroll down on a web page I was reading. I instinctively wrapped my hand around the bottom-right corner of my monitor and brushed the screen with my thumb.
A week later I was in an Apple store and a young kid walked up to an iMac and said "ooh, I bet this is a touch screen". It wasn't, of course, but it made me wonder if Apple hasn't been quietly training a generation of people to expect to be able to touch the screen. Maybe that's what the much-maligned glass displays has been about: user preparation for the inevitable day.
A week later I was in an Apple store and a young kid walked up to an iMac and said "ooh, I bet this is a touch screen". It wasn't, of course, but it made me wonder if Apple hasn't been quietly training a generation of people to expect to be able to touch the screen. Maybe that's what the much-maligned glass displays has been about: user preparation for the inevitable day.
Touch screen is perfect for iPad, makes no sense for laptops (at least in current form factor).
Also, MacBooks have wonderful multitouch trackpads…
Two words for 10.7: Touch.
Ok, that's one word, but you get the point. Multitouch trackpads and gestures in 10.6 are only the start.
Ok, that's one word, but you get the point. Multitouch trackpads and gestures in 10.6 are only the start.
And to save you asking the obvious first question: the announcement has a picture of a lion on it.
Lion: King of beasts.
Lion: King of OS X big cat releases -- Last 10.x?
Lion: King of OS X big cat releases -- Last 10.x?
One could go in almost any direction, like bible codes[1], by trying to infer things from the nature of the particular cat in question.
For example, "Lions are unusually social compared to other cats,"[2] which means that MacOS X Lion could have social networking as its main feature. Just pick what you hope for the most and find a way to tie it to the critter.
I only wish they had gone with "Liger".
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_code
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion
For example, "Lions are unusually social compared to other cats,"[2] which means that MacOS X Lion could have social networking as its main feature. Just pick what you hope for the most and find a way to tie it to the critter.
I only wish they had gone with "Liger".
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_code
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion
Nah. I think alternate interpretations would be comparatively obscure, at least in the US/UK :-)
There was nothing leopardy about Leopard and nothing tigery about Tiger so I would expect there to be nothing liony about Lion.
If they had a sense of humour they'd release "OSX Kitten" after "OSX Lion"
Maybe they will finally implement resolution-independent UI and release some Retina notebooks, who knows?
There's already a higher-resolution 15" MBP available, would be great to see more of that.
There's already a higher-resolution 15" MBP available, would be great to see more of that.
I tend to think that Retina on larger screens (iPad sized and larger) still a ways off for cost and gpu/battery reasons.
I mean, doesn't a 30" monitor require dual-link capability to feed that resolution? A retina display on even an iPad sized screen would approach that type of resolution.
I mean, doesn't a 30" monitor require dual-link capability to feed that resolution? A retina display on even an iPad sized screen would approach that type of resolution.
DisplayPort tops out at 17.28 Gbit, which is enough for 4540 x 2837 at 60 Hz. At iPhone 4 DPI (326), this would be a 17" screen.
The dual-link thing only applies to DVI, which Apple doesn't even use externally anymore, let alone internally. Also, the success of AMD's Eyefinity shows that modern GPUs can handle very high resolutions effortlessly for anything other than complicated 3d rendering. 2D and simple 3D (of the sort that might be used by a compositing window manager) are too easy.
The only limitation is that producing very high DPI displays in large sizes with acceptable defect rates is extremely expensive.
The only limitation is that producing very high DPI displays in large sizes with acceptable defect rates is extremely expensive.
A 15" laptop would need something like 4000×3000 pixel to equal the current iPhone’s resolution. (A 30" screen would accordingly need something like 8000×6000 pixel.)
I don’t even know whether that‘s currently feasible below the price of a small car or something like that. I wouldn’t expect 300+ ppi (“Retina“) screens anytime soon but resolution independence sure would be nice. (And later maybe some 200+ dpi screens.)
I don’t even know whether that‘s currently feasible below the price of a small car or something like that. I wouldn’t expect 300+ ppi (“Retina“) screens anytime soon but resolution independence sure would be nice. (And later maybe some 200+ dpi screens.)
A Mac "Retina" display wouldn't necessarily have to be 326 dpi like the iPhone 4's: computer displays are usually quite a bit further away from the user than iPhone displays.
I'm not really looking forward to that. With each upgrade comes that little bit of agony about the unix underpinnings: what are they going to do to the default python install? Ruby? ...
Add MacPorts (/opt/local/bin) to the front of your path and you have fully updated versions of all of your favorite UNIX goodies such as Emacs, Clang and Python.
In 2009, Apple added a video camera to the otherwise perfected iPod Nano. It was a sign: While one might have had to be quite prescient to imagine exactly what would come after it, it was obvious that Apple felt it had reached the end of what could be innovated with that form factor. The 2010 reinvention of the Nano was the only logical next step, at least for Apple.
In 2009, Apple released Snow Leopard, whose emphasis on optimization and subtle improvement seemed to signal the same kind of state for the operating system as the addiiton of a camera signaled for the Nano.
I think it's safe to say that what comes next will be fairly big.
I have a suspicion that among other things, 10.7 will introduce some new conventions to the basic problems of window management (though I might be a little biased). Apple has been at the forefront of dealing with it ever since Exposé debuted with 10.3, but in the years since the iPhone, iOS has thrown this problem into sharp relief. Part of me hopes they might even announce something that bears a resemblance to 10/GUI's linear window management -- I've unfortunately proven I can't really do much with the concept myself so far.
In 2009, Apple released Snow Leopard, whose emphasis on optimization and subtle improvement seemed to signal the same kind of state for the operating system as the addiiton of a camera signaled for the Nano.
I think it's safe to say that what comes next will be fairly big.
I have a suspicion that among other things, 10.7 will introduce some new conventions to the basic problems of window management (though I might be a little biased). Apple has been at the forefront of dealing with it ever since Exposé debuted with 10.3, but in the years since the iPhone, iOS has thrown this problem into sharp relief. Part of me hopes they might even announce something that bears a resemblance to 10/GUI's linear window management -- I've unfortunately proven I can't really do much with the concept myself so far.
I have a suspicion that among other things, 10.7 will introduce some new conventions to the basic problems of window management (though I might be a little biased).
For anyone not sure why mortenjock is biased, I recommend viewing his concept video 10GUI http://10gui.com/video/
The recent Magic Trackpad would tend to support your ideas here.
For anyone not sure why mortenjock is biased, I recommend viewing his concept video 10GUI http://10gui.com/video/
The recent Magic Trackpad would tend to support your ideas here.
Wow that is so cool.
Out of curiosity, how do you think you'd react if Apple implemented something that closely resembled 10/GUI? Do you have any patents for it?
Didn't they interview you for a job at one point? Did they indicate if they were experimenting with new desktop UI frameworks?
Didn't they interview you for a job at one point? Did they indicate if they were experimenting with new desktop UI frameworks?
Off the top of my head, I guess I'd just count myself among the ranks of the inventor of Cover Flow, the creators of Konfabulator, and the creators of Quicksilver. It happens, and the best thing to do is just to double down and never stop thinking, exploring, and making. As disappointing as it might be, it would be an enormous validation.
My experience with the Apple recruitment process didn't tell me much about the company's plans for the desktop (I didn't get far enough to sign an NDA), but I did learn something important: Their interaction designers, the concept guys whose explorations eventually filter down into shipping products... are also developers. Apple hires the best of both worlds, idea people who don't even stop to sketch ideas out on paper but head straight to XCode and an NSWindow. That's literally their process.
The best thing that came of it was that it inspired me to set out to learn Objective-C and Cocoa. I'm not as far with it as I'd like to be yet, but it's opened my eyes to the possibilities of becoming a designer/developer. Even if, in the future, I'm still the archetypal designer looking for a technical co-founder, hopefully I'll be good enough that I can at least carry my own weight.
My experience with the Apple recruitment process didn't tell me much about the company's plans for the desktop (I didn't get far enough to sign an NDA), but I did learn something important: Their interaction designers, the concept guys whose explorations eventually filter down into shipping products... are also developers. Apple hires the best of both worlds, idea people who don't even stop to sketch ideas out on paper but head straight to XCode and an NSWindow. That's literally their process.
The best thing that came of it was that it inspired me to set out to learn Objective-C and Cocoa. I'm not as far with it as I'd like to be yet, but it's opened my eyes to the possibilities of becoming a designer/developer. Even if, in the future, I'm still the archetypal designer looking for a technical co-founder, hopefully I'll be good enough that I can at least carry my own weight.
More importantly, you'd have an intimate understanding of the trade-offs required for various designs. Of course, the flip side is that you have to learn to ignore those trade-offs at times or else you start designing based on trade-offs instead of trying to push the limits.
FWIW, I'd love it if Apple did something like 10/GUI.
FWIW, I'd love it if Apple did something like 10/GUI.
> I think it's safe to say that what comes next will be fairly big.
My feeling is that this unlikely because it doesn't seem like they've had enough time or resources to dedicate to something big. It's been one year since the release of Snow Leopard and since that year they've released an OS on a new hardware platform and a heavily updated iOS for the iPhone.
I think it's far more likely that this is an incremental release focused on user concerns with perhaps some other new software.
My feeling is that this unlikely because it doesn't seem like they've had enough time or resources to dedicate to something big. It's been one year since the release of Snow Leopard and since that year they've released an OS on a new hardware platform and a heavily updated iOS for the iPhone.
I think it's far more likely that this is an incremental release focused on user concerns with perhaps some other new software.
I wish they would get rid of the absurd "mount a disk before you run an installer" paradigm. Installing an app downloaded from the web, Windows vs Mac:
Windows:
1 - Click a download link
2 - Yes, I'm sure
3 - Run
4 - Next, Next, Next, Finish
5 - Delete the setup file
OS X:
1 - Click a download link
2 - Yes, I'm sure
3 - Open a finder window
4 - Open .dmg file, and it mounts
5 - Open the mounted image
6 - Run the installer (or drag it somewhere, depending on the app)
7 - Continue, Continue, Finish
8 - Unmount the image
9 - Delete the .dmg file
Windows:
1 - Click a download link
2 - Yes, I'm sure
3 - Run
4 - Next, Next, Next, Finish
5 - Delete the setup file
OS X:
1 - Click a download link
2 - Yes, I'm sure
3 - Open a finder window
4 - Open .dmg file, and it mounts
5 - Open the mounted image
6 - Run the installer (or drag it somewhere, depending on the app)
7 - Continue, Continue, Finish
8 - Unmount the image
9 - Delete the .dmg file
In fairness, steps 1-5 or some subset of them are combined into one or two, depending on your browser.
I agree the description is a little unfair, but the point is sound.
This is how it should work
This is how it should work
1. User clicks download link
2. Browser downloads a standard cross-platform .zip file, decompresses in a temporary directory
3. Browser notifies OS.
4. OS looks in Info.plist for instructions on where to install, possibly mpkg for more complex installers
5. OS prompts user for permission to install and possibly run the app, or passes user over to Installer.app for complex installs
6. Temporary files are deleted
1. Click download link
2. Click "Install and Run"A lot of application DMGs feeling they have to give the Finder window a custom background image directing you to drag the .app to /Applications/ does indicte the paradigm is a bit shabby.
Much of the time, it's just:
1 - Click a download link
2 - Do other things until the DMG opens automatically
3 - Click and drag the application into the link to /Applications right next to it
4 - Yes, I want to run this downloaded application, the first time you run it.
Deleting the .dmg is something that I don't do as part of this process, but as part of a separate garbage collection process every few weeks.
1 - Click a download link
2 - Do other things until the DMG opens automatically
3 - Click and drag the application into the link to /Applications right next to it
4 - Yes, I want to run this downloaded application, the first time you run it.
Deleting the .dmg is something that I don't do as part of this process, but as part of a separate garbage collection process every few weeks.
Disk images are one of the most confusing things about day-to-day Mac OS X use, no question. The next time you're at a relatively non-technical friend's house, apple-click on Firefox or Chrome in their Dock. Dollars to donuts, it resides on a disk image.
Apple got rid of disks, why not get rid of the images too?
Apple got rid of disks, why not get rid of the images too?
TBH, both Windows and Mac feel painful these days.
Ubuntu:
1 - Select package(s)
2 - Click Apply
(or use the command line to reduce to 1 step)
Ubuntu:
1 - Select package(s)
2 - Click Apply
(or use the command line to reduce to 1 step)
Just dropping some speculation here, as many are wondering what Lion can possibly offer that's new (and I don't mean a fix, but new).
Touch. Deep integration with touch. As you see with the release of the Magic Trackpad, Apple is retiring the traditional mouse paradigm and moving on to versatile and complex gestures to aid in window management. Four finger swipe for expose and show desktop has been godsend for productivity, as has three fingers up and down for switching between h/m files in xcode. Let's not forget swipe to go back and forth in browsers, pinch to zoom, rotation, etc... None of which is possible with the standard mouse.
And peruse through Apple's touch gesture patent library and you will see that they haven't implemented a fraction of what they have patents to. You have neat stuff like three finger pinch (possible to close/hide a window, save), non-adjacent finger scroll (ex. thumb and ring finger, note that Magic Trackpad is big enough for this one, but existing options on MBP are not), and several others involving rotation and unconventional finger combos. Expect for these gestures to be baked deeply into the new iMovie, iPhoto, and iTunes. Seriously, can you imagine alternate paradigms for simply grabbing video from a bin once you account for different numbers of fingers involved in the drag?
A preview of Lion with these features will allow them to sell the next generation MBP with a new, much larger trackpad to accommodate the new focus on touch and touch gestures. If Apple scores a hit with this new focus on touch, it will be another competitive headache for thin, underpowered clients that serve up web content and can't handle advanced video and photo editing, not to mention lack large surface areas for touch gesturing.
What's in it for Apple:
If you think about this from a competitive standpoint, most of Apple's competitors want to lift computing into the cloud--Google with Chrome OS, HP with WebOS, and even MSFT with Ballmer's pronouncements of "cloud speed". Apple's strategy, and profits, are vested in adding weights to computing to take advantage of powerful, local, GPU and CPU intensive tasks, thus slowing, or even reversing the shift towards browsers and web applications, in keeping us grounded in powerful, local machines. If Apple finally figures out a way to get your mom editing video with powerful and intuitive new touch gestures, how is a web application going to respond to this from the confines of a browser? How is Microsoft going to coordinate with clone makers to agree on standard sizes and performance of computationally complex multi-touch trackpads? Touch and media editing all the way.
Touch. Deep integration with touch. As you see with the release of the Magic Trackpad, Apple is retiring the traditional mouse paradigm and moving on to versatile and complex gestures to aid in window management. Four finger swipe for expose and show desktop has been godsend for productivity, as has three fingers up and down for switching between h/m files in xcode. Let's not forget swipe to go back and forth in browsers, pinch to zoom, rotation, etc... None of which is possible with the standard mouse.
And peruse through Apple's touch gesture patent library and you will see that they haven't implemented a fraction of what they have patents to. You have neat stuff like three finger pinch (possible to close/hide a window, save), non-adjacent finger scroll (ex. thumb and ring finger, note that Magic Trackpad is big enough for this one, but existing options on MBP are not), and several others involving rotation and unconventional finger combos. Expect for these gestures to be baked deeply into the new iMovie, iPhoto, and iTunes. Seriously, can you imagine alternate paradigms for simply grabbing video from a bin once you account for different numbers of fingers involved in the drag?
A preview of Lion with these features will allow them to sell the next generation MBP with a new, much larger trackpad to accommodate the new focus on touch and touch gestures. If Apple scores a hit with this new focus on touch, it will be another competitive headache for thin, underpowered clients that serve up web content and can't handle advanced video and photo editing, not to mention lack large surface areas for touch gesturing.
What's in it for Apple:
If you think about this from a competitive standpoint, most of Apple's competitors want to lift computing into the cloud--Google with Chrome OS, HP with WebOS, and even MSFT with Ballmer's pronouncements of "cloud speed". Apple's strategy, and profits, are vested in adding weights to computing to take advantage of powerful, local, GPU and CPU intensive tasks, thus slowing, or even reversing the shift towards browsers and web applications, in keeping us grounded in powerful, local machines. If Apple finally figures out a way to get your mom editing video with powerful and intuitive new touch gestures, how is a web application going to respond to this from the confines of a browser? How is Microsoft going to coordinate with clone makers to agree on standard sizes and performance of computationally complex multi-touch trackpads? Touch and media editing all the way.
Expanded trackpad gestures are a good idea, though geeks who are big in to keyboard shortcuts can already have a pretty great experience. You can do all your window focus and visibility with the keyboard. Add a 3rd party utility like SizeUp/Divvy and you have movement and reizing, too.
So they're going to announce 10.7 about the time I finally get around to installing 10.6 (if all goes according to plan).
I own 3 macs, but I'm still amused that a pre-announcement of an announcement generates so much discussion.