Sony Vaio UX gets iPhone interface makeover
By Darren Murph 
posted Jul 17th 2007 10:10AM
posted Jul 17th 2007 10:10AM
Unfortunately, we could be seeing the early beginnings of a polarizing trend, as the oh-so-hackable Sony Vaio UX becomes yet another non-Apple device to sport iPhone-esque visuals. The aptly-dubbed uPhone boasts an interface that looks awfully similar to that found on Apple's handset (and a good deal better than those knockoffs, might we add), and relies on a well disguised flavor of Windows to pull it all off. Currently, the project is still a work in progress, and while he has got Skype, a calculator, and a few fancy slide transitions up and running, there's still work on the horizon. Head on through the break for a few short clips of the device in action.[Via DAPReview]
But damn it's chunky.
you people don't seem to realize that the Vaio UX is like an official-UMPC that has the power of a small laptop with a full Windows Vista installed on it. So it's just emulation you should be able to do this on a tablet PC too
Yes JT...but it's still just too big, isn't it? When people are developing stuff like this (http://habit47.vox.com/library/post/imagine-being-happy-yours-is-the-smallest.html) you sort of expect something REALLY powerful that you can still fit in your pocket, no?
See, this is the reason why innovation is at a stand still. What's the point of this? Interesting he can emulate the iPhone on his big brick. Ok, you managed to do that. Now what?
Why is everyone trying to copy exactly what Apple is doing?
They copy Apple to show that what Apple does is not unique to just their devices and thus, can be had for cheaper than Apple branded kit.
The thing that gets me is they should learn from Apple's UI design mentality and improve upon it, instead of making shite designs and then replicating it as per what apple made.
Cheaper ? Since when is Vaio UX cheaper than iPhone ?!
The last video with the full screen itunes coverflow looks best
But the Vaio UX costs around $1800 and is as bulky as a claymore mine.
Now there's a use for a UMPC that was previously undiscovered, make the screen explode outwards and destroy your enemies. Finally I've found a point to these useless devices.
And it doesn't have multitouch.
So? How many times do you actually use more than one finger at a time on the iPhone? Gimmicky "gestures" like pinching is about all it is good for.
I love the "me, too, me, too" stuff that's going on. It's being done by the same people who tout that their stuff is better because they can imitate Apple's UI. If Apple's approach to UI design ISN"T innovative, then can someone please do it first and better in a 1.0 design!
I understand that others want to show how it's possible to do everything the iPhone does on existing hardware. But as usual, it only serves to highlight that all the functionality in the world isn't enough to get MOST people to use something. Geez, even toilets pay close attention to aesthetics.
Excellent post, Rick.
i love that people are calling it a brick... ITS A UMPC its not even a frigging phone u morons... lets see the iphone to 1/1000th of what that umpc can do lol... oh wait it cant it only runs "widgets"
you are correct, my friend, but lets not forget that the app is attempting to make it look like a very well known phone. and the fact that it only runs "widgets" is a trade-off with security that the UMPC does not have. Security decisions aren't made by us (unfortunately) but it does have a purpose.
LOL anyone that says it running only widgets is a security decision is an idiot....
Hers the facts all iphones use the SAME ROOT PASSWORD... this root account has already been exposed and access to the filesystem made... so lets see now that hackers have access to the iphones root system ... how exactly is the system secure?
Granted, the tone of voice is a little grating but why is Chris getting voted down? What he's saying is true, this is a UMPC, it's a tiny windows computer, not a gigantic smartphone.
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
This reminds me of when my parents wouldn't buy me the GI Joe F-14 Tomcat plane and so I made it out of Legos instead. Kinda unsatisfying.
Would you not rather have a really good UMPC like the Vaio than a pretty mediocer cellphone like the iPhone?
Some people are strange.
Microsoft provides something called the "oragami experience" for UMPCs which is supposed to provide a UI tailoured for the form factor. It predates the iPhone's UI. However, it is more of a marketing gimmick than a serious attempt.
This person's attempts are appreciated as a way to synthesize and experiment with the best UI for this form factor (a small, full function PC).
Microsoft provides something called the "oragami experience" for UMPCs which is supposed to provide a UI tailoured for the form factor. It predates the iPhone's UI. However, it is more of a marketing gimmick than a serious attempt.
This person's work is appreciated as a way to synthesize and experiment with the best UI for this form factor (a small, full function PC).
dude seriously needs to get some album art in his iTunes...cover flow doesn't work well if you can't actually see what music it is :p
pretty neat though i think.
The appearance of iPhone reminds me of Clie PEG-TH50. How about you guys?
Can't find a good picture, but here is one:
http://www.page.sannet.ne.jp/lwol/TH55/PF_TH55_1.JPG
Why?
Exactly... why? The Sony Vaio UX running on OS X was sweet... but this??? Seems pointless.
It seems like half the people here don't understand that the iPhone interface is just a little application running, you guys make it sound like he had to install an new OS that can't do anything BUT what the iPhone can do. Most of this is just for fun, its not like the guy is going to be selling this as software or anything, he just wanted to show his work, and he feels (and so do I) that is cool to be able to run an iPhone like interface on the UX, congrats to him. And guess what, if he wants, he can close that application and do everything a normal computer can do, which is aprox. 100x more then an iPhone because its running a full OS.
Well said! Agreed!
Ooh, right, cuz those are my fingers on the video. Videos/Pictures doesn't really do it justice. Not saying that it is the end all be all launcher for the UX. A ton of work still has to be done. But for now, those videos are pre-historic'er than what I have going on now.
We got the exploding / imploding icon transitions going, auto-formatting the launcher on rotate (beat that iPhone and your portrait only launcher!), semi configurable (icons sizes, spacing and all).. But it's just been a busy week or 2 with all the flying and all.. just got back in town to see the many hits on the videos.. :D
Hopefully.. more to come!