Snow Leopard touchscreen "evidence," trademarked Apple chat bubbles
"Evidence" of Snow Leopard's possible touchscreen connection
Snow Leopard features a new, larger on-screen software keyboard that is accessed more easily than in Leopard. The soft keyboard can also be expanded to take up the entire width of the screen. The new operating system also features the publicized "Expose" feature, which allows users to easily switch between different open windows within the same application with a finger-sized preview pane.
Cult of Mac sees these additions as signs that Snow Leopard, or a version of it, could play a significant part in Apple's long-anticipated, yet-to-be-announced touchscreen tablet device.
"Snow Leopard includes a big virtual keyboard that looks clearly designed for typing on a touchscreen," the report states. "Itâs a big, bold version of the iPhoneâs virtual keyboard with large keys that scream 'type me!'"
To see the keyboard in Snow Leopard, go to System Preferences and choose Keyboard, click the box "Show Keyboard & Character Viewer in menu bar," and then enable "Show Keyboard Viewer" in the menu bar option on the top right of your screen.
What operating system the device might run is unclear, though sources have told AppleInsider that the much-anticipated tablet will sport a 10-inch screen and debut in early 2010.
Developer blasts Apple for App Store troubles
In a profanity filled, not safe for work rant, developer Joe Stump said an update to his application Chess Wars was denied because the chat bubbles in the software were too similar to those in the official iPhone SMS application created by Apple.
Stump said he was upset because of a lack of communication from Apple. He alleged that he tried to reach out to the company after "weeks" of silence. The application was updated in an attempt to fix "show stopping bugs" that were only discovered after the software was initially released.
Stump said an Apple representative told him that the chat bubbles used in the iPhone SMS software are trademarked. The employee reportedly told him that he could make the bubbles "less shiny" to be in compliance.
This latest example joins a number of incidents in recent months in which developers and pundits have become publicly critical of Apple's App Store policies and alleged lack of clear communication
52 Comments
Stump is an idiot. If part of your app copies the look and feel of one of Apples apps then don't expect it to pass muster.
Stump is an idiot.
and apple, obviously, even more so...
The OS has had an on-screen keyboard for some time. Improving it means nothing accept that it needed improving. This is neither evidence nor hint of a touchscreen device
As for the developer, it seems that ripping off Apple's intellectual property is reason enough for rejection. It seems the fix was simple enough. I honestly do not understand the hoopla over this. Also, how is it that the submitted app was full of "show-stopping" bugs? Why was the developer in such a rush? I am getting tired of these half-baked attempts at a media grab every time a developer gets his nose bent out of shape. The madness has to end.
This is ridiculous, Apple wants to retain rights to the look and feel of their iPhone.
The developers who wish to have consistency on the platform between their product and the phone. This is generally in the OS developer's best interest as well, all of them have look and feel guidelines for consistency.
There is absolutely nothing stopping Apple from extending to all iPhone products a license to use certain Apple trademarks to keep a consistent look and feel; but disallow the use of it on outside platforms.
Apple has been designing for touch for a while I feel.
If they are going to use Snow Leopard, then how do you model a command click or control (right) click using touch? especially in the dock where a press and hold does something different to a right click. Some interesting questions to answer.
The one thing which annoys me about the new software keyboard is that you can no longer change the font, which means it is a little harder to find out how to type certain characters using Dingbat typefaces.