Kasper Jade
People familiar with the matter say the next developer build of the software will unleash some of the biggest changes to the next-gen OS since Apple first previewed the software to developers at last June's Worldwide Developers Conference.
Among the changes under consideration for the new build is a striking overhaul to the Mac OS X user interface, which is expected to surrender its platinum theme. Apple has reportedly been working on this new interface since day one, despite public claims that Snow Leopard would forgo forward-facing improvements for a focus strictly on under-the-hood enhancements.
Still, those familiar with the situation say it's not clear whether management has given the green light to include the UI changes in an incremental developer build. The concern is that those changes will inevitably leak on the web, and therefore they may preserve them for an official demonstration during the company's spring Worldwide Developers Conference.
These latest reports add to previous claims that similarly predicted Apple would eventually wrap Snow Leopard in a new interface rumored to go by the code-name "marble." Details were sparse, but speculation pointed to the adoption of the smoother iTunes-style scrollbars and a move towards a darker chrome motif for application windows alongside an inverted menubar with light text on a dark background.
Interface elements and colors of the rumored "Marble" theme.
It's possible that Apple may have already tipped its hand to this end earlier this month when it included the first external builds of its QuickTime X Player with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard build 10A286. The software included a new minimal interface consisting only of a titlebar, leaving all playback controls to reside in floating interface overlays.
An artist's mockup of the minimal QuickTime X Player window interface with the "trim" tools overlay.
The titlebar itself (seen in the artist rendition, above) is reminiscent of the iPhone's semi-transparent black glass interface but is also capable of adopting hues from the video frames playing beneath it. Although seen in the rendering as sporting a purplish hue (due to the underlying blue video frame) the titlebar appears glass-black when set atop a white or tan-colored video frame.
Story Highlights
- Next Snow Leopard builds to include big changes
- Snow Leopard to be wrapped in new interface ahead of launch
- WWDC to offer finalized preview, release date
- Snow Leopard to hit retail within two months of WWDC
- Upcoming iPhone OS 3 beta to activate live Push Notification support
As it stands, Apple reportedly plans to use its WWDC 2009 to preview a feature complete version of Snow Leopard and announce a formal release date. Based on the current status of the software, those familiar with the project say the company will need approximately two months from this public preview to fine tune the software. Assuming WWDC takes place in June, that would suggest a release around August.
In somewhat related news, company engineers are also racing to deliver a new build of iPhone Software 3.0 to iPhone and iPod touch developers. One of the big features destined for this build is said to be live support for Push Notifications through Apple's servers, which is currently undergoing some final internal tests.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
122 Comments
I can't wait, the new features of snow leopard + these new mac pros is going to make the machines scream. It's also time for a new interface. I've felt like things have gone downhill since 10.0 and dropped downhill since 10.2. A few things have been added for the better, but it's still not right.
I welcome these UI changes and also welcome any Finder UI updates. FTFF please ...
I keep reading, in articles and posts, that Apple isn't going to introduce new features with 10.6.
This isn't true. Nowhere did Apple say this. They did say that they would be concentrating on rewriting the OS, and adding features under the hood, many of which we now know about.
But there are features we, as consumers, will see as well. There are features that we've already seen hints of in Leopard that developers only are working with. This includes the many times over the years discussion of resolution independence. That's a possibility.
I also can't believe that Apple would wait until the last minute on showing to developers a wholly new GUI. They will have to see this enough in advance. They may have to rework their own interfaces as a result.
I'm sure we will see features, some major. How many is another question.
I also can't believe that Apple would wait until the last minute on showing to developers a wholly new GUI. They will have to see this enough in advance. They may have to rework their own interfaces as a result.
I'm sure we will see features, some major. How many is another question.
They will see those changes at WWDC and have roughly two months. For the most part their UI's will change along with the OS if they wrote a normal Cocoa Application. As much as I hate to say this, Apple can / will do whatever they want. They've screwed us devs many times over.
WWDC cannot come soon enough!
Can't wait to see what Snow Leopard and the iPhone 3G v2.0 will look like!
... This includes the many times over the years discussion of resolution independence. That's a possibility....
Yes, please!
Snow Leopard may be MAINLY focused under the hood, but user-facing changes are always welcome too.
I'll be sorry to see the shiny blue scrollbars go, but I'll withhold judgement until I see the feel of the UI as a whole. Change is always jarring, but also fun!