Microsoft: Cover Flow-like patent application
updated 09:25 pm EDT, Wed March 12, 2008
Microsoft Cover Flow
In response to Apple's chiding remarks regarding the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard launch – urging Microsoft to "start their photocopiers" – the Redmond-based software and electronics giant has applied for a patent to Cover Flow-style OS interface. The patent states that the idea revolves around "stacking data wheels" and is primarily designed for mobile environments, potentially the Xbox 360, according to an analysis of the patent by MacNN
The concept is expected to appear in mobile phones, the Zune MP3 player, and Windows Mobile PDAs. It is designed to function with various common mobile applications such as mail, calendar, contact lists, and instant messaging, among others.
In addition to internal resources, the patent application shows that web sites can take advantage of the concept by using a plugin module to simplify browsing content.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Ha ha ha.
Coverflow in reverse. Sure, it looks neat, but getting it to 'flow' nicely with a mouse is going to suck.
It's funny when they copy ideas, they can't make it exactly like Apple's idea, so it turns into a bastardized substandard revision.