11.28.07
Goals for OS2008
While the new OS2008 is the most user friendly and simplified experience we’ve had to date, there are things I’d really like to see both Nokia and the developer community do to keep / make things consistent and easier to use. These are not in any particular order, but are all things I’ve been thinking about regularly since first getting the N810. Each one will add to the list of improvements we’ve already received. I look forward to hearing your comments and seeing what else you think should be added to the list.
- Every device does not have a keyboard, but every application should support basic shortcuts for Close (CTRL+W) and Quit (CTRL+Q). Enable additional keyboard shortcuts as well … this has not been how the tablet has worked to date, but the keyboard is a such a compelling way to control the N810, I am always looking for more ways to keep my thumbs driving.
- Scrolling in menus (system or application) should let me move all the way around whether I decide to go up or down.
- The menu button should work or not work in an application, rather than only work on the main screen. (i.e. Modest message view vs. Folder)
- Finger taps should be the preferred and optimized mode for things. I can still use the menus when they are smaller, but icons and general UI widgets should be designed for fingers.
- Use a repository for your application. I’ve installed plenty of .deb files but these do not restore today when you backup and update your device. Applications installed from repositories, however are able to re-install easily. Repository based applications can also provide an update notice within the Application Manager. Early stage Garage apps as debs is OK, but as things progress we really need a repo system. Perhaps the Maemo team can help create one the community can manage.
- There are system UI alerts as well as a programmable LED on the N810. Take advantage of these things to let the user see what’s happening with applications that provide notifications I would really like to see either an application based preference or a system level control panel that lets us define how we want to see notices for applications by type. (email, rss, im, voip, mauku, etc…) The N800 has an LED as well but I am not sure it’s programable in OS2008.
- Let us set default applications for things. I thought I read that the release of Modest will have a setting to replace the default email application in the same way we chose the browser engine when MicroB was released. I should be able to also choose a default voice app (I have three + a SIP account enabled now), IM and RSS reader for starters.