While we're sitting around
complaining about the lack of innovative user interfaces and experiences in modern consumer electronics, a man named Barton Smith is actually doing something about it. In 2008 the industrial designer hatched a concept for an OS called Locus which completely upends many of the use paradigms we're familiar with in current desktop or mobile operating environments. Besides looking absolutely beautiful, a major chunk of the Locus concept focuses around the idea of having separate, easily accessible workspaces for different settings, such as on a train, at home, while out with friends, etc. Each of those scenarios is stored in a set of "panels" which can change based on geolocation or by user choice, and has its own combination of desktop arrangement and application shortcuts. Locus also incorporates a Zune-like content browsing interface, and a project management UI based around real world interactions (something like
BumpTop, but cleaner). The whole concept is slickly put together and well thought out... but it doesn't just end with the software. Smith envisions this platform running on another concept of his: a portable computer called Stream. Stream would be a small, modular tablet / mobile device which can be docked in a variety of components, thus changing its functionality (along with Locus). It's fascinating stuff, for sure, and doubly intriguing considering Barton began developing these concepts so long ago (though the video below is brand new). Now where is the super-rich partner this guy needs to make this thing a reality?
Update: As noted in comments, Microsoft branding is shown at the start of this video, but this is
not a Microsoft product -- it seems Barton added the name and logo for effect.
Update 2: Barton Smith got in touch to fill us in on the Microsoft logo at the beginning of the video. In his words: "The reason for the Microsoft branding is because it was originally going to be for the Microsoft next Gen computer comp from 2008." Well, there you go!
posted February 8th 2010 12:21PM
Beautiful interface, and wonderfully thought out!
@zuluedison - I think I would prefer that running on the ipad
@zramdani I agree
this is what tablets should run on
NOT microsoft windows xp or 7
@zuluedison
It looks like a mash up of elements from Sense, WebOS, Zune and... eh, Mozilla Fennec.
@zuluedison this thing is a gnome shell clone
@zramdani agree 100%
@zuluedison
it is shit
@TonyMontana2367 Rather than just saying "it is shit" maybe give a reason as to WHY you think so. Then just maybe you won't get down ranked.
Reminds me of the Zune Software UI, "Minimalistic"
@zramdani me too!
@zuluedison Cheers. At the end of the day, it is simply a concept to exercise our minds as to what is possible. I'm not in any way suggesting this is perfect or the only solution, but I would love to have the opportunity to explore it more. Thanks again.
@saturnblackhole Gnome Shell? It sounded to me like Plasma Activities - or what they want to make it, anyway. Nepomuk integration still in the works, though :/
@zuluedison
Agreed. This is that perfect balance of Desktop and iPhone OS that the iPad would have kicked some major ass with. This is what a tablet should be.
hmmm very nice
@rimtutituki All someone needs to do now is actually FINISH AND RELEASE IT. You can't feed your family with concepts people!
...unless you're a designer, I guess :P
@Treefingers Well a lot of mobile OS's can be skinned. Looking at the top bar I though it already looked a lot like Android.
I'd love it if they put something like this on the Dell Mini 5.
Living room it could act as a controller for Stereo and TV.
Driving it could be the ultimate GPS.
Public Transit it could be a simple RSS reader, youtube player, or podcast player.
My mouth is already watering at the possibilities, this would be the ultimate MID device.
Very nice and it has Microsoft brand. Maybe Microsoft Windows Mobile 7 User Interface?
@DigitalEdge
This thing is probably linux based.
@DigitalEdge
I was just thinking that... what if that's it hahaha holy shit would apple, palm, and Google be getting a run for there money... I graduated from a touch pro to a palm pre... thanks to my wonderful experience with my pre I planned on sticking with palm but... if this interface is anything like windows mobile 7... I might have to reconsider.
After all I did like windows mobile when I had it... the only problem was it crashed almost everyday and my touch pro was very glitchy... especially after I downloaded all of those apps and emulators... never got the hang of flashing roms.
The ability to have the choice of what internet browser i wanted to use(sky fire), what interface(point ui and touchflo3d), among other things was, and still is unmatched... windows mobile had to be the most customizable phone I've ever owned, it just struggled with some stability issues...
Pretty awesome, but, maybe we don;t need a specific panel for when we are driving, eh!
@Edobe Sure we do, if you go with the docking idea, you get in the car, dock it, and have panels for radio/music with all your favorites just like any mp3 player. Then, of course, the GPS section.
@Coffee And have specific prefs for having calls go directly to speaker phone or voicemail. Or if you receive a new text have it read it out loud to you, same for emails.
@Coffee Ah yes, that makes sense. Well all and all this seems pretty awesome. It also looks pretty far along meaning we may see this implemented in the near future somewhere. Hopefully.
@Edobe I think for now its just a concept which means the look is hashed out but not the actual programming of the UI. It could still be a good while before we see this (if it ends up looking like this at all).
@Edobe I imagine fewer and larger buttons, as well as the specifics that others mentioned -- when driving, y'want to be able to reach out and stab without having to worry which of 30 relatively tiny icons you're trying to activate.
Delicious.
Isn't Microsoft the 'super rich partner' he needs to get this going? At the start of the video it said Microsoft Locus.
@werty1432k
I don't think the author actually watched the video at all because he did, he would of seen it, he didn't even mention anything about Microsoft in the posting even though the video clearly states, Microsoft Locus
@werty1432k
unless Joshua is a punk he hates to give credit where it's due
@lennie22
I am sure he did watch it but you know...
@lennie22 lol, I guess he didn't watch the video. (which he should have and you think he would have) Or maybe he just missed it.
@lennie22
Sure it had MS Locus as well as Safari Browser in the icons. It's a demonstrated concept. It looks great and I hope he partners with someone, but it seems to me that he's just covering his bases.
@lennie22 Josh just updated the post. Seems the guy who created this is just using the Microsoft name and branding even though he has no affiliation with them. Weird.
@werty1432k Looks like it may be based off of Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R3, which adds support for Silverlight and Silverlight based UIs.
@werty1432k The reason for the Microsoft branding - is 1 it was another challenge "ie what could it be if Microsoft added it to their portfolio" and 2 - it was originally going to be submitted in the Microsoft Next Gen Computer Comp.
Woah, sweet...give me a tablet PC with this GUI installed on it and I'll buy it in a second.
looks like mac os x dashboard... sry m8s...
I guess we have some bandwidth laying around somewhere that we could use...
Now where did I leave it...
Looks like iPhone OS meets Android meets Zune / WinMo.
@Jake Smith aka Microsoft finally gets us =D!
@N900 Except Microsoft didn't have anything to do with it since it's just a concept. He did a facebook redesign concept too. Hopefully someone picks up the idea though.
@Jake Smith Oh right, the loading screen is what threw me off =S. If MS or someone else picked this up and implemented it, it would kick ass though.
Microsoft needs to buy this and implement it in Windows desktop and mobile!
@rturius
No they don't need to buy it because it has Microsoft brand on it already which means this guy and Microsoft worked on it together.
When it has "Microsoft Locus (TM)" it means Microsoft already owns it and they created it.
@DigitalEdge umm... no, it's just this guys concept
@DigitalEdge Wow, you try to correct someone, sounding all clever as if you know the answer - but yet, you could not be more wrong.
i don't understand. i this a microsoft project? it does say "microsoft locus"...
@ralph961 It was originally going to be submitted in the Microsoft Next Gen Computer Comp.
cool, Microsoft tried something new.
And with this OS they must introduce Microsoft Slate (not HP Slate)! :)
Cool, cool!