Thread: N9 [Shipping]: It's finally here [for some]!
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abbra is offline abbra
2011-09-09 , 07:35
Posts: 182 | Thanked: 540 times | Joined on Aug 2009 @ Finland
#5475
Originally Posted by marxian View Post
There are a couple of problems with using the live multitasking vs homescreen widgets:

1. The live multitasking is less flexible. Neither the user nor the developer can choose the size of the 'tile' or where it is located. The latter could be an issue when there a large number of applications running.
There are two tile sizes in N9/50. Application is provided with information that it runs in switcher by the system and it can display its content accordingly. The fact that most applications don't do it is not an excuse.

Originally Posted by marxian View Post
2. The live multitasking view is non-interactive, so you can't replicate the features of a search widget or media widget, for example.
There is a search app available. Also, don't forget about status bar on top, it expands on touch and is expandable by third-party widgets which can add other functionality (media, search, etc) without any issues.

What's more important is that interaction with any input-related widget would assume instantiating virtual keyboard. At this point widget becomes merely a launch point -- virtual keyboard would occupy good part of the screen estate and ideally input line would also adopt to remaining space meaning it becomes a real full screen application. So non-interactivity of a launch point is not really an issue.

Originally Posted by marxian View Post
The point regarding the icon grid is that it's an inefficient method of finding your chosen application, once you have a large number installed. It should only be required as a last resort, for those applications that you don't often use. One of the complaints about the iPhone is that users have to frequently scroll through a long list of applications. Meego-Harmattan adopts a similar approach, and exacerbates the problem by omitting the option to save bookmarks within the browser application (at least in the version I'm using). If you have 50 web bookmarks plus a large number of applications, it's going to be a PITA.
N9/50 has a search application that allows you to search through your device's content. That includes all applications as well. When search application is launched, it shows you list of content items you have accessed recently, including those of recently launched apps. By typing into a search input line, you'll also get that list compacted to items relevant to your search phrase (type 'jpg', for example, and you'll see all jpegs on the device _and_ applications capable to process jpegs, like Gallery).

More importantly, Tracker exposes this information to all other -- third-party as well -- applications and they can take this information into account when organizing their own views.

Originally Posted by marxian View Post
These issues aren't dealbreakers, they just make the UX less flexible than what I prefer, but I'm happy with the general concept of swiping to minimise/close applications, because it works well. Marko Ahtisaari explains what I dislike about the UX in a single sentence: “I know we have out simplified the iPhone”.
You really need to play with the device.
 

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