What if iPhone had... Dashboard Widgets

In this concept we look at how widgets could make their way to the iPhone. Today, you bounce in and out of applications. We wanted to explore if a widget layer in the form of Dashboard perhaps could speed up the workflow, at least for simple tasks. 

For you to easier follow the demonstration we added a voiceover this time around. 


Thoughts not covered in the movie:

The triple pinch gesture can be invoked from anywhere on the iPhone. We feel this gesture is unique enough to be used as a systemwide shortcut. Although, since the gesture requires a two-handed action, we thought it would be convenient to be able to set it as a home button shortcut as well. This would be changed in the Setting - General - Home.

Dashboard could even be activated on the lock screen using the same gesture. However, if you have a password protected phone, this feature would be disabled to prevent unauthorized access.

Widgets should be connected to their app counter part. So a widget such as stickies should be connected to the Notes app. If you make sticky note, it would be visible in the Notes app as well.

In the case of the a widget where you need to enter text, the keyboard would slide up and the widget would be positioned above it.

The default setup of widgets could be the following: Calculator, Calendar, Clock, Converter, iTunes, Stickies, Stocks, Timer, Weather and Web Clip. In addition to that you would be able to download third party widgets from the App Store.

The Quick Settings widget in the movie is an example of a third party widget. It would allow you to quickly toggle settings that might drain your battery.

Let us know what you think!


About the What if iPhone had-movies:
In this series of concept movies we have explored some possible improvements in the GUI of a product that engage many people, the iPhone. We thought that it would be fun to hear what others think. But one must remember that Apple is a company that dont leave design issues to chance and there is probably good reason why the iPhone looks and works the way it does.

Follow us on Twitter:
‪http://twitter.com/ocean_sthlm‬

Thanks to Gustav Rosén (Singing Drummer) for letting us use his great song About You 6.
‪http://myspace.com/thesingingdrummer‬

High res image:
http://www.oceanobservations.com/images/iphonedashboard.jpg

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• iPhone
• widgets
• dashboard
• apple
• interface
• concept
• future
• product

[AceTracer]

The iPhone accepts exactly two fingers as input, so three finger swiping would not be possible on any current iPhone.

[oceanobservations]

@AceTracer If you try the App "Tesla" you will see that it's able to recognize up to five fingers on a iPhone 3G. Any more than five and it doesn't work. So we think three fingers shouldn't be a problem.

[0jfpz0]

its amazing how many if not all of your concepts have been implemented through cydia. you made the iphone/ipod touch better for many people.

[oceanobservations]

@0jfpz0 We're glad to help inspire others :)

[gyvez]

I installed it and it does not look like or work like the video. It freezes my screen to the point that I have to restart the iphone

[oceanobservations]

@gyvez I'm not sure what software you are referring to since this is merely a concept :)

[NevaehBeatez]

@nonexproductions it's European time

[MrEwweBerlin]

so its basically... "what if an iphone wouldnt be an iphone"?? get yourself an android smartphone haha

[belal03]

SOMEONE HAS GOT TO SEND THIS VIDEO TO APPLE !!!!!! that is soo elegant and simple I hope they do something like that in a future update

[Pesh01]

I love the time on the iphone...13:37!!

[taylorr1000]

Whats the name of the package you need to install viz cydia.

[DanimationPictures]

That's exactly what I was thinking about! I don't get why Apple didn't put this on iOS 5!

[tmgage1]

so it's multitasking? 

[Masterglitcher567]

This is mobile dashboard XD (from cydia)

[desenagrator]

@AceTracer You're a fucking retard! iPhone can support up to 5 multi-touch gestures, if not more.