New Snow Leopard beta build includes screen recording capabilities, a certain je ne sais quoi

If you're keeping track of Snow Leopard's progress, you'll be pleased to know that a new build (10A335) has been released into the hands of devs (and consequently, the world). Most interestingly, however, is that it seem this new iteration has a handy screen grab feature that hasn't made an appearance until now -- namely, the native ability (under QuickTime) to "record" your on-screen activities. There are other third-party apps that handle this duty, like the classily-named Snapz Pro X, but the inclusion in this latest beta will almost certainly mainstream the function. It should come in handy if you're constantly trying to tell you parents how to change their network settings, or if you're thinking about producing your own version of You Suck at Photoshop.

[Via Mac Rumors]

[tmt345 Posted Apr 25th 2009 6:45PM]

I hope Snow Leopard doesn't turn into Windows 7 and get too flashy. Windows 7 is a hot mess, its way too flashy to get anything done and its very hard to multitask and that new "bar" causes more problems than it fixes, and no, I'm not going to turn Aero off because then its so ugly I can't look at it. Another thing thats still annoying is that Windows 7 is only pretty until you press control-alt-delete, because then you'll see the same interface that Windows has had for 20 years, why is Microsoft so lazy to update their interface. I still see icons from Windows 95 in Windows 7, get with the program Microsoft, stop using a 20 year old system, let alone not update the interface! I can't wait for this new Windows Cloud, because I think it will be the first Windows that isn't the same aging code that we have now. I hate using Windows at work, at home I use Linux for my home server and Mac for my desktop, a PS3 for my gaming/entertainment needs, and a Wii for keeping my books in place on the shelf.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:08PM]

It's too bad you have no idea what you are talking about. CTRL+ALT+DEL uses the same interface from 20 years ago? Get some glasses.

Hard to multitask? You use mac osx and cry about hard to multitask? OSX needs a taskbar badly, switching between a safari window thats behind another requires command-tab, wheras on Windows you just click the icon for the window in the taskbar or you can use windows-tab or alt-tab. Switching windows is cludgy in os x compared to windows; and it's quite easy for them to solve it - use the dock properly - when you click on the safari icon let us choose which open window to focus; same for other apps.

You cry about too flashy but then you don't want to turn aero off - right.

Let's stop pretending you even use windows. Be honest here you can't get over the fact Microsoft has 95+% of the OS marketshare and so want to MAKE UP excuses why you don't use it; and why others should flip over to your OS. Use what you want, stop trying to talk down what other people use to make yourself feel better about your choices.

[Templarian Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:24PM]

Have you even used the new interface it is centered around a quick and productive experience. I personally have 20+ applications opened right now (not counting explorer which is stacked with like 8), and the new interface updates make managing and going though my windows far faster. The general layout for a lot of the default application windows has changed greatly, there was no reason to change the Task Manager because it is already layed out in an easy to view interface. If you would have looked through any of the other windows you would have noticed they have shifted much of the interface to make it more intuitive to the not so computer savy users.

If your counting the new taskbars glow as flashy, that color rollover helps to visually distinguish which program group ones cursor is over. All of a certain application's windows will be the same colour.

/off topic

I don't use OSX, but sounds like a nice feature.

[Wwhat Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:25PM]

Plus PS3 for games seem an odd choice, for playing BD video ok, but games?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:28PM]

@PG

Ummm - You can already do exactly what you describe in OSX - if you leave the dock exposed, a simple right-click on the dock icon gives you a menu of the open windows. Plus there's Expose' to allow you to select from all the open windows, or just the open windows in the front-most application, or to move everything out of the way to get to the desktop. Oh - and spaces if you want to keep things organized on separate "screens".

All just as easy - or easier - as the Windows task bar. And, frankly, you lost me when you critiqued command-tab and then referred to Alt-Tab in Windows as if it was any different.

[Raul7 Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:52PM]

"Plus PS3 for games seem an odd choice, for playing BD video ok, but games?"
Much better than the kid games on the Wii and the RROD on the 360.

[tmt345 Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:53PM]

This might be a double post because the "add comment" button was messing up but:

@PG The way I was talking about control-alt-delete was misleading, I was talking about how if you press control-alt-delete you will see the same core Windows interface that Windows has had for decades. And OSX doesn't need a taskbar, it has an extremely efficient and easy to use features such as Expose and Spaces. I don't want to turn Aero off because then its too ugly, but when Aero is on its too flashy, maybe I'm just being picky? I do use Windows at work for 9 hours a day and dread it, and Windows has a 85-90% marketshare, which may not sound like a big difference from 95%, but it is. OSX is slowly but steadily gaining marketshare, so is Linux but in order for Linux to be a successful consumer level product it needs to have just one distro.

@Wwhat I have a PS3 because its the best all around entertainment solution, and not to rub it in, but it actually has a 2009 exclusive lineup, and it had a better 2008 lineup than the 360. The 360's graphics are starting to become dated anyways. All this is assuming your talking about the Xbox 360 anyway.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 25th 2009 8:10PM]

I know about the right click to show the menu then click again to select the window in osx, it's a clunky way to quickly switch between windows. Why should it take 2 clicks when I can just click the single taskbar icon in Windows to focus the app I want. I mentioned alt-tab, windows-tab because those are options are similar to the command tab in in OSX. Using expose is like using windows-tab in vista - too clunky to do quick task switching I don't need to see some animated screen showing all the windows - I just want to switch between apps that are behind others without having a whole show come on screen telling me about the bling bling offered in an OS.

Space is a nice option, I'll give you that. But switching between tasks in OSX is much more a cludgy method than it is in Windows or in Ubuntu.

Travis - Pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL shows what core windows interface? The one in Vista looks completely different from XP, XP's looks different from Windows 2000. Why do you care what ctrl+alt+del looks like anyway? Windows has such a huge marketshare that it can't change a user interface drastically, when you have hundreds of millions of users you cant' just up and change everything around; especially in business environments that would require retraining staff and become a huge cost; whereas with OSX and Linux on the desktop you have a much much smaller userbase where things can be changed and aren't used in 99.9% of businesses.

Windows marketshare is not below 90%. OSX worldwide is around 5% at most and Linux on desktop is under 1%. Server space is an entirely different issue where Linux dominates. OSX isn't gaining any marketshare in fact it is losing marketshare; most of the netbooks are so cheap and come with Windows XP it has cut most of the marketshare gains OSX had, and apple keeps reporting lower sales of mac's each quarter; while they gain marketshare with ipods.

Regarding turning off aero - there isn't that much different between having it on and off, you get slight transparency and a gloss effect; I could care less about it. You complain that you don't want something too fancy but then gripe about it not being too ugly.

You sound more anti-microsoft more than anything; it's okay I know it's 'cool and hip' to hate microsoft.

[Prospero Posted Apr 25th 2009 8:40PM]

TBH there are ALOT of icons from windows 95 STILL there.. freaking ridiculous.. theyl be there under the flashy skin when you install or change something..

like what the hell.. just make some new bloody icons!!!

[insky Posted Apr 26th 2009 12:07AM]

You obviously haven't pressed Ctrl+Alt+Del in Windows 7. I doubt you've even used Windows 7.

Just so you know what you're thinking of has been Ctrl+Shift+ESC Since Vista, and has looked completely different since then as well.

[groovedafied Posted Apr 26th 2009 2:25AM]

To all you guys:

Windows 7 is making their current toolbar useful. Even comparing multitasking with Expose, you get full screen window switching ala Aero Peek, which I found very intuitive. What better way to just simply hover your mouse over the common task icon that is Word or Internet Explorer to reveal live thumbnails, and when you hover, your screen will only focus to that window revealing in full pixels.

Spaces has been in Linux forever, and it's nothing new in OS X. There's even a app you can download to enable this within Windows as well, nothing special or innovative coming from any of the two major competitors that is MS and Mac concerning spaces.

And with the people crying over the icons, how about you get over yourself fast! One of the key things you can do is replace those icons you don't like with full large PNG icons. I'm actually glad they didn't touch the icons, because this tells me that they aren't focusing on small crap like that, but more focused on usability and optimization.

There's even a couple of you people that are rubbing off very smug right now, and it's quite noticeable when you sit there grinning that you have a Mac and a Linux box and want to broadcast this information. This is just as smug as seeing that image of a car with it's emblem replaced with a silly apple sticker. Seriously, does this face looks like it really cares? ~~> O_o Use what you want, if you don't like it, don't use and stop complaining. It's simple as that, get over yourselves, move on and let people who want the software talk about it.

[darkmax Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:13PM]

After more than 10 years of staying away from Apple OS, it still looks the same..... except fort he infusion of colors in the buttons.

[Joao Cagao Posted Apr 27th 2009 12:26PM]

are you saying OS9 & OSX look the same?

if so, troll on!

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 27th 2009 5:39PM]

You have zero experience with OS X, yet still feel compelled to tell the rest of us how it doesn't measure up.

Keep smoking that crack, buddy.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:28PM]

I wonder if this is leak was actually intended by apple to respond to the very positive reviews Windows 7 Betas have been receiving. Still, I think this feature is no big deal at all. There are tens of apps, especially for Windows, that can perform the "screen recording" function. Despite all criticism that Microsoft has received, especially for Vista, I can fairly say that they have been working hard and improving where they need to. The result is Windows 7. I would like to see apple admit that their operating system is not perfect! That it needs improvement in certain areas. I remember the Mac vs PC commercials used to focus on attacking Vista when it was coming out while telling how Mac OS is perfection. Despite my respect for apple's constant innovations, I hate this attitude of thinking they're better than everyone else.

[Tritium Posted Apr 25th 2009 8:44PM]

Yet Microsoft is implementing XP into Windows 7? I'm far from a fanboy, but your statements are contradictory. There are multiple apps for running different OS's. If anything, that should be perceived as imperfection. "Well, Windows 7 isn't perfect, so we're adding something better; something you already have." I'm looking forward to both OS releases, but to say that either is perfect is ignorant. To say that the company should come out and say that their OS is imperfect is even more ignorant.

[Prospero Posted Apr 25th 2009 8:52PM]

"There are tens of apps, especially for Windows, that can perform the "screen recording" function"

There are tens of apps, especially for OSX, that can perfom the "screen recording function."


please find me a quote form an Apple executive that claims that osx is perfect... go on.. look, then I shall understand your comment.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 25th 2009 9:29PM]

Sean,
I think the XP implementation into Windows 7 is not a bad idea. It is especially useful for software compatibility and will encourage many people who have been hesitant to upgrade to Vista to actually move on to Windows 7. Besides, I never said that Windows 7 is perfect. Of course it is not perfect. All I said is that there has been some hard work and improvement of many things in Windows 7. How is that calling it perfect?

"To say that the company should come out and say that their OS is imperfect is even more ignorant."

I agree. That would also be stupid, which apple is not.


James,
The title of this post focuses on the screen recording capability. What I am saying is that it is no big deal. Many apps can do it, on both Windows and – as you added—on Mac. That’s actually my point.

Also, I am not going to look for quotes from apple executives. What I am more interested in is actually Apple’s Advertisement schemes. When Vista was coming out, apple's ads where all attacking Vista instead of showing the merits of Mac OS. Whenever these ads attacked a function in Vista, they were bringing in, with that, the implicit argument that this disadvantage is not present in Mac OS. Consequently, the more Vista was criticized, the more the viewer is pushed into feeling that Mac OS is the refuge from all this Vista horror. Look, I am just saying, maybe it's fair sometimes to be positive and tell what good things you've got instead of just going around dropping shit on everyone and thinking you're the best. Humility is a virtue.

That's just my opinion, we can always respectfully disagree. Thanks for the responses.

[groovedafied Posted Apr 26th 2009 4:00PM]

@james:

"please find me a quote form an Apple executive that claims that osx is perfect... go on.. look, then I shall understand your comment."

So with Steve's keynotes saying "It's so advanced, it just works..." not good enough as a claim?

[dalew Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:36PM]

The picture is a mockup.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/03/07/a_peek_at_apples_new_quicktime_x_interface.html

[yopladas Posted Apr 25th 2009 9:36PM]

That's why it says ARTIST RENDITION on the bottom? It was just used to show some picture for the article, as there are none of the screen actively being recorded...

lol

[Ethan Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:37PM]

Hopefully this one will be less processor-intensive.

[tmt345 Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:49PM]

This might be a double post because the "add comment" button wasn't responding but:

@PG The way I was talking about control-alt-delete was misleading, I was talking about how if you press control-alt-delete you will see the same core Windows interface that Windows has had for decades. And OSX doesn't need a taskbar, it has an extremely efficient and easy to use features such as Expose and Spaces. I don't want to turn Aero off because then its too ugly, but when Aero is on its too flashy, maybe I'm just being picky? I do use Windows at work for 9 hours a day and dread it, and Windows has a 85-90% marketshare, which may not sound like a big difference from 95%, but it is. OSX is slowly but steadily gaining marketshare, so is Linux but in order for Linux to be a successful consumer level product it needs to have just one distro.

@Wwhat I have a PS3 because its the best all around entertainment solution, and not to rub it in, but it actually has a 2009 exclusive lineup, and it had a better 2008 lineup than the 360. The 360's graphics are starting to become dated anyways. All this is assuming your talking about the Xbox 360 anyway.

[tmt345 Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:50PM]

Crap, it didn't reply correctly

[tmt345 Posted Apr 25th 2009 7:51PM]

And now it got my name wrong, great...

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 27th 2009 5:17AM]

Is it me or how inovative has apple been when all their apps run in "windows" on a "desktop"? OK switch the windows icons to the left and make them circles, then throw in a nifty toolbar. how origional.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 25th 2009 8:31PM]

Nice feature - but here's a little known fact - Windows has had this feature for years - and I'm not talking Camtasia.

If you download Windows Media Encoder, which is a free download from Microsoft, not only can you convert and create video streams (and broadcast them), you can capture the screen with audio.

Here's a link to it:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 25th 2009 9:01PM]

Sadly, engadget dont care.

Anyway, this is the sad point with microsoft, unlike on mac, you can do everything, but its not obvious at first. There is really good technology but not enough marketing.

A sad day.

[Steveorevo Posted Apr 25th 2009 9:05PM]

Its a sad fact that you are either lying or ignorant. Windows Media Encoder does not do screen capture (as in the desktop) but 'video capture' from a video source... NOT THE DESKTOP.

FAIL
Reply

[chewbacha Posted Apr 25th 2009 10:31PM]

Haven't used it myself... but from wikipedia:

Windows Media Encoder is a freely downloadable media encoder developed by Microsoft which enables content developers to convert or capture both live and prerecorded audio, video, and computer screen images to Windows Media formats for live and on-demand delivery. It is the succesor of NetShow Encoder[1].

"computer screen images" sounds like desktop capture to me... anyhow, it's free so I guess I'll give it a whirl.

[chewbacha Posted Apr 25th 2009 10:44PM]

Wow!

I just downloaded and tried it out (~12 mb) and although the screen capture wasn't an option for me in the wizard, it was pretty easy to set up. The video it created was awesome (although the compression caused some of the text to get messed up when I scrolled a web page).. however, with some tweaking, I'm sure it could be better.

I'm very impressed.

[insky Posted Apr 26th 2009 12:47AM]

@Steveorevo

I sure hope you're calling your own reply "FAIL REPLY" and not Jeff Lewis's, because that would be hilariously ironic since Windows Media Encoder certainly does capture video from the desktop. Not only that but it also captures video from video thats playing on your screen as well...something the screen grab function in Snow Leopard probably won't have.

Your HATRED makes you look like a fool. We get it you HATE Microsoft, but theres a point where your HATRED blinds and contols you...or maybe it's the RDF. Take a breath, stop reading tech news, and ignore your friends that may happen to own Microsoft products. You can still HATE Microsoft, but don't let it control you. Come back when you can play nice and stop HATING.

EPIC FAIL

[niclet Posted Apr 25th 2009 8:42PM]

Well, well, Apple Hateboys are Go !

[Steveorevo Posted Apr 25th 2009 9:04PM]

Its a sad fact that you are either lying or ignorant. Windows Media Encoder does not do screen capture (as in the desktop) but 'video capture' from a video source... NOT THE DESKTOP.

FAIL

[chewbacha Posted Apr 25th 2009 10:46PM]

uh... yes it does do screen capture, I just tested it out. It's a free 12 mb download and quick install. You should try it out before saying people are failing.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 25th 2009 9:27PM]

Actually closer to the screen recording functionality of Windows Media Encoder.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 25th 2009 9:27PM]

Actally, you fail. If you actually used Windows Media Encoder, you'd know it does support screen capture. Microsoft even developed a codec, Windows Media Screen, for efficient encoding, however, on modern composited desktops, it is now generally better to use one of the Windows Media Video codecs.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/howto/articles/screencap.aspx

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 25th 2009 9:57PM]

...it *seems*...
I find it odd that that was the most captivating part of the article for me...
Damn grammar addiction.

[Ryan P Posted Apr 25th 2009 10:08PM]

This article created one of the bigger flame wars I've seen for a while.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 26th 2009 4:57PM]

Wut? You have no idea what you're talking about. What evidence do you have to support your claims? I'm waiting. ;)

/ just kidding.

[JoeJoeJoeJoeJoe Posted Apr 25th 2009 10:26PM]

From now on, anyone who uses "je ne sais quoi" in a sentence is a homo.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 25th 2009 10:37PM]

From now on, anyone who uses "Homo" in a sentence is not worth listening to. :p

Just sayin...

[insky Posted Apr 26th 2009 12:43AM]

@Steveorevo

I sure hope you're calling your own reply "FAIL REPLY" and not Jeff Lewis's, because that would be hilariously ironic since Windows Media Encoder certainly does capture video from the desktop. Not only that but it also captures video from video thats playing on your screen as well...something the screen grab function in Snow Leopard probably won't have.

Your HATRED makes you look like a fool. We get it you HATE Microsoft, but theres a point where your HATRED blinds and contols you...or maybe it's the RDF. Take a breath, stop reading tech news, and ignore your friends that may happen to own Microsoft products. You can still HATE Microsoft, but don't let it control you. Come back when you can play nice and stop HATING.

EPIC FAIL

[insky Posted Apr 26th 2009 12:45AM]

EPIC FAIL on me.

[insky Posted Apr 26th 2009 12:51AM]

TAKE TEN SECONDS TO LOOK AT EXACTLY WHAT THIS DOES BEFORE YOU MAKE YOURSELF LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT.

Just because you keep saying it doesn't capture video from the desktop doesn't make it so.

[insky Posted Apr 26th 2009 12:56AM]

Wow Engadget's commenting system really sucks tonight because I pressed reply on everyone of my failed comments above. I sure hope the reason it sucks so bad is because they're fixing it right now.

[RUGRLN Posted Apr 26th 2009 3:41AM]

So there is a new black theme right? Why aren't they releasing info about the new theme?!!?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 26th 2009 10:18AM]

This certainly won't be like camtasia, camtasia is more than about recording the screen, its about editing and encoding to a pretty high level..

This will be like many free screen recorders that you can find online, some not so free.. its a cool addition though, I don't think windows has one.. why not?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 26th 2009 10:54AM]

What? Are you fucking blind? Read some of the above conversations instead of only the main article.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 27th 2009 2:38PM]

Why would I bother reading any of the comments? sheesh dumb bastard.

p.s., you've got mental problems.. see a doc.