Check out what LoopRumors is saying about Mac OS X 10.3. What jumps out at me is the words 'system-wide metal interface'.
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10.3 according to LoopRumors
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I have been fearing this would happen for some time now, it probably first crossed my mind when iChat came out in metal (the first app that, to me, really didn't fit the whole idea of metal) but really sunk in with safari. Although in some ways I like Safari's interface, the metal interface/theme scares me. There seem to be no real guidelines as to how a metal app should look. Compare the metal interfaces in the current apps we have now: Safari, iChat, iTunes, Quicktime, iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto. There are some glaring issues with consistency just amongst these apps, and these are made by Apple no less. For example: iTunes & iCal have 1px. thick borders separating the metal area from the window content, the rest do not (look at iChat, Safari's bookmark view, or iPhoto, and compare it to iTunes). Safari's silver-textured buttons are inconsistent with the [Aqua-style] top row buttons in iTunes & Quicktime, but do fall in line with the pasted on row of buttons at the bottom of iChat. At least to me it looks as though those buttons were hastily pasted on, with no outline or recessed border, they seem almost out of place. What about the aqua drop-downs and scrollbars? Lack of customizability within apps (ie toolbars)? inconsistent borders surrounding apps (again: iTunes vs iChat vs Safari)? Consider the repercussions of allowing third-party developers to use this completely unguided interface. It completely destroys one of the few advantages that the Mac has left: consistency between applications. Already, OS X is feeling much less refined and more of a Frankensteinian, pasted together creation, much like, dare I say, Windows. While Aqua is not without problems, it is at least consistent. Finally, with metal, much of what has drawn so-called switchers to Apple (including me) in these later years will be lost: Who would really switch platforms for such a boring interface? No more drag and drop/toolbar customization, nicely-rendered photo-realistic toolbar icons, title-bar transparency, and the simple elegance (even if a bit gooey) of the Aqua interface.
I know some hate Aqua, but metal is not the answer.
I know some hate Aqua, but metal is not the answer.
I totally agree. Metal is pretty ugly, and I, for one, would really rather not have to live in it. But I'm not a big fan of aqua, either.
I know that the pinstripe-aqua theme was designed to look like the old iMacs, and that now that those are gone, we need to update it; and I know that the trend of at least the professional hardware is toward metal designs. But why not have the interface reflect the iMacs and the iBooks? An interface like that might look very much like the "Milk" theme at this address - http://homepage.mac.com/max_08/ - and I'd be very happy for that.
I know that the pinstripe-aqua theme was designed to look like the old iMacs, and that now that those are gone, we need to update it; and I know that the trend of at least the professional hardware is toward metal designs. But why not have the interface reflect the iMacs and the iBooks? An interface like that might look very much like the "Milk" theme at this address - http://homepage.mac.com/max_08/ - and I'd be very happy for that.
Quite awful, I'm afraid.
Who really wants the 1970s audio equipment look? What happened to bold themes? Why are we stricken with such design disasters from such an innovative company?
I think I'd be satisfied if they just kept bringing the performance enhancements and eliminating bugs. Obviously, they need to use Rendezvous more to integrate applications. If they have several desirable external devices with Rendezvous, it would certainly generate enough envy that they might generate some sales.
Who really wants the 1970s audio equipment look? What happened to bold themes? Why are we stricken with such design disasters from such an innovative company?
I think I'd be satisfied if they just kept bringing the performance enhancements and eliminating bugs. Obviously, they need to use Rendezvous more to integrate applications. If they have several desirable external devices with Rendezvous, it would certainly generate enough envy that they might generate some sales.
I've mentioned this once before, but I guess I'll repeat it here. I think Apple may be just using the metal interface for non-pro apps (iTunes, iChat, Safari, etc). Take a look at Keynote. It uses Aqua. And OS X in general still maintains an Aqua interface. If Apple releases an office suite per the rumors, I'm fairly confident that it will have an Aqua interface. I also think (pure speculation here) that Apple might be gearing up to release their own professional mail and scheduling client as well...I had this idea when word of a metal interface spreading to Mail.app was announced (not to mention increased development of Exchange support by Microsoft). It kind of all came together. I dunno, maybe I'm not making any sense...oh great, my eyes have crossed. None of the major sites have mentioned anything about a pro mail app when speaking of the new iWorks/Appleworks bundle though, so don't take any of this to heart. Just random thoughts....
the looprumors article is a complete fabrication based on what anyone can assume will happen by the time 10.3 is released. keep in mind that i have nothing against looprumors and visit the site every once in a while.
1. system-wide brushed metal: i'll guarantee you that this is false and just meant to bring traffic to the web site.
2. support for 64 bit processors: gee, really? if the 970 debuts anytime soon, you can be sure that apple will not make the mistake it made with the ppc and wait 4 years to support the new processor natively in the os.
3. quicktime 6.5: this is merely assuming that quicktime will be at a higher version number in 4-5 months than it is now. not too risky a bet.
4. ichat 2.0: the video-conferencing plans for ichat have been known for a while now; there's nothing new here.
5. safari GM: makes sense.
6. updated iapps: at least a few iapps are usually updated with or soon after any big os release.
the rest go without saying. someone posted a list of almost exactly the same features on the adium boards about a month ago. be wary of anyone who prefaces his crazy idea with what you already know (or want to hear) because it's just an attempt to make it more believable. maybe i just really hope they're wrong about the brushed metal thing and it's made me all snippy, who knows?
1. system-wide brushed metal: i'll guarantee you that this is false and just meant to bring traffic to the web site.
2. support for 64 bit processors: gee, really? if the 970 debuts anytime soon, you can be sure that apple will not make the mistake it made with the ppc and wait 4 years to support the new processor natively in the os.
3. quicktime 6.5: this is merely assuming that quicktime will be at a higher version number in 4-5 months than it is now. not too risky a bet.
4. ichat 2.0: the video-conferencing plans for ichat have been known for a while now; there's nothing new here.
5. safari GM: makes sense.
6. updated iapps: at least a few iapps are usually updated with or soon after any big os release.
the rest go without saying. someone posted a list of almost exactly the same features on the adium boards about a month ago. be wary of anyone who prefaces his crazy idea with what you already know (or want to hear) because it's just an attempt to make it more believable. maybe i just really hope they're wrong about the brushed metal thing and it's made me all snippy, who knows?