Comments on: "iPhone HD" and the Problematic Shift to Resolution Independence? http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/ More of everything iPhone and iPad Fri, 25 May 2012 12:53:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jesse http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-99747 Jesse Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:13:12 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-99747 <p>I have the answer for you (9 months late) in 3 letters: SVG. To elaborate, any new hardware should have support for SVG at which point most graphics in most applications should be fine. Games are another story since they depend a lot on very customized graphics that were (or ought to be) designed specifically for the current resolution since scaling graphics up or down introduces a lot of issues and won't reproduce artwork very well. In addition, Apple has built a lot of features into say Mobile Safari (for which I mostly develop - again, SVG support here is great) that allow any resolution changes to be elegantly (and automatically) adapted to. In other words, this is the same issue that we in web development have always dealt with and the solutions for new Apple products will or ought to be similar to the solutions we've used to address what is an essentially infinite number of configurations. Look to the web!</p> I have the answer for you (9 months late) in 3 letters: SVG. To elaborate, any new hardware should have support for SVG at which point most graphics in most applications should be fine. Games are another story since they depend a lot on very customized graphics that were (or ought to be) designed specifically for the current resolution since scaling graphics up or down introduces a lot of issues and won't reproduce artwork very well. In addition, Apple has built a lot of features into say Mobile Safari (for which I mostly develop - again, SVG support here is great) that allow any resolution changes to be elegantly (and automatically) adapted to. In other words, this is the same issue that we in web development have always dealt with and the solutions for new Apple products will or ought to be similar to the solutions we've used to address what is an essentially infinite number of configurations. Look to the web!

]]> By: zeagus http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36342 zeagus Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:16:16 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36342 <p>"This is not worth dithering about (pun intended)"</p> <p>LOL!!!!</p> "This is not worth dithering about (pun intended)"

LOL!!!!

]]> By: striatic http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36296 striatic Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:22:12 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36296 <p>"Apparently he thinks the largest icons won’t be large enough for HD if they’re bitmap?"</p> <p>if that's the case, the post author is wrong. just a cursory glance at an app page in the iTunes app store and you can see that every app already has higher quality [100px] icon that could be used on a higher resolution home page.</p> <p>or apple could just use more icons per page at the current resolution.</p> "Apparently he thinks the largest icons won’t be large enough for HD if they’re bitmap?"

if that's the case, the post author is wrong. just a cursory glance at an app page in the iTunes app store and you can see that every app already has higher quality [100px] icon that could be used on a higher resolution home page.

or apple could just use more icons per page at the current resolution.

]]> By: icebike http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36273 icebike Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:56:42 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36273 <p>Tempest / Teapot.</p> <p>There are image formats that can contain multiple resolutions. This is not worth dithering about (pun intended) on TiPB given the nature of the news in the last few days.</p> Tempest / Teapot.

There are image formats that can contain multiple resolutions. This is not worth dithering about (pun intended) on TiPB given the nature of the news in the last few days.

]]> By: Steve http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36224 Steve Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:21:32 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36224 <p>Okay, the article DOES mention icons having to be redesigned. Apparently he thinks the largest icons won't be large enough for HD if they're bitmap?</p> Okay, the article DOES mention icons having to be redesigned. Apparently he thinks the largest icons won't be large enough for HD if they're bitmap?

]]> By: Steve http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36223 Steve Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:18:49 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36223 <p>@striatic:</p> <p>I don't think the "pixelated icon" image was necessarily intended to indicate icons as a problem (and the article doesn't mention them being a problem). I think it was just meant to compare the current iPhone's resolution with HD resolution.</p> <p>I brought up icons because (not being a developer) I was not aware that all apps had larger versions than what I see in iTunes.</p> @striatic:

I don't think the "pixelated icon" image was necessarily intended to indicate icons as a problem (and the article doesn't mention them being a problem). I think it was just meant to compare the current iPhone's resolution with HD resolution.

I brought up icons because (not being a developer) I was not aware that all apps had larger versions than what I see in iTunes.

]]> By: Omari James http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36214 Omari James Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:47:56 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36214 <p>Ok, so for the devs who don't have high res icons, Apple has to either let them know about the new hardware, or just have people do with low-res icons until devs release updated icons.</p> Ok, so for the devs who don't have high res icons, Apple has to either let them know about the new hardware, or just have people do with low-res icons until devs release updated icons.

]]> By: striatic http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36211 striatic Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:42:05 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36211 <p>uh.. the "pixelated icon" image here really misrepresents the problem.</p> <p>every single app in the app store already have a "large" sized icon for use in the app store? this can easily be resized down to what ever size is necessary, and look fine.</p> <p>most apps mainly use interface elements that are part of cocoa. they'll look fine.</p> <p>some apps use custom buttons, controls and backgrounds that can be replaced easily. we're talking less than a day's work for the vast majority of these apps, provided the icon designer has higher resolution versions of the icons, and only slightly longer if they don't. very easy to swap icons around.</p> <p>games would have the biggest problem with this, as they're more complex and are often very dependent on a specific resolution for display.</p> <p>but pixelated icons, in app and out, are not in any way a serious issue.</p> uh.. the "pixelated icon" image here really misrepresents the problem.

every single app in the app store already have a "large" sized icon for use in the app store? this can easily be resized down to what ever size is necessary, and look fine.

most apps mainly use interface elements that are part of cocoa. they'll look fine.

some apps use custom buttons, controls and backgrounds that can be replaced easily. we're talking less than a day's work for the vast majority of these apps, provided the icon designer has higher resolution versions of the icons, and only slightly longer if they don't. very easy to swap icons around.

games would have the biggest problem with this, as they're more complex and are often very dependent on a specific resolution for display.

but pixelated icons, in app and out, are not in any way a serious issue.

]]> By: sting7k http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36196 sting7k Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:05:56 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36196 <p>This is really one of the main issues I don't think there will be a major hardware update this year. They just had a year of devs getting to know the system and now they just gave them 1000 more tools and made it even better. Fracturing it now at this juncture would hurt a lot of the small ones who won't be ready. </p> <p>Any new iPhone will have to have a higher resolution screen to keep up with all the 480x800 screens everyone else is slapping on their phones. It would probably be best to wait another year when Apple can really improve with a mind blowing high resolution OLED screen, at which point lots of iPhone 3G contracts will be expiring, the economy will be on the up swing, and people will have tons of money to throw at Apple once again.</p> This is really one of the main issues I don't think there will be a major hardware update this year. They just had a year of devs getting to know the system and now they just gave them 1000 more tools and made it even better. Fracturing it now at this juncture would hurt a lot of the small ones who won't be ready.

Any new iPhone will have to have a higher resolution screen to keep up with all the 480x800 screens everyone else is slapping on their phones. It would probably be best to wait another year when Apple can really improve with a mind blowing high resolution OLED screen, at which point lots of iPhone 3G contracts will be expiring, the economy will be on the up swing, and people will have tons of money to throw at Apple once again.

]]> By: zeagus http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36182 zeagus Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:30:32 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36182 <p>@frog - then you haven't tried a phone with one :).</p> <p>@Olek - it wouldn't, actually, because each pixel would, as you say, be four. Thus the squarish aliasing effect. If the dpi were higher, its possible the effect might be partially alleviated, but it would still be noticeable methinks.</p> @frog - then you haven't tried a phone with one :) .

@Olek - it wouldn't, actually, because each pixel would, as you say, be four. Thus the squarish aliasing effect. If the dpi were higher, its possible the effect might be partially alleviated, but it would still be noticeable methinks.

]]> By: Olek http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36179 Olek Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:25:28 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36179 <p>zeagus - i agree. My solution is for the "old bitmapped" software. Btw. the bitmapped graphic or icons wouldn't look worse on the new resolution but exactly same as today.</p> zeagus - i agree. My solution is for the "old bitmapped" software. Btw. the bitmapped graphic or icons wouldn't look worse on the new resolution but exactly same as today.

]]> By: frog http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36177 frog Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:22:08 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36177 <p>I'm not convinced a higher res screen will be any use for at least a few years.</p> I'm not convinced a higher res screen will be any use for at least a few years.

]]> By: zeagus http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36176 zeagus Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:20:04 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36176 <p>Olek - the problem is aliasing. See the pic Renee posted above of exactly what you are talking about. People should be doing their art in vector formats or designing large and scaling down. In other words - What Steve Said(tm)!</p> Olek - the problem is aliasing. See the pic Renee posted above of exactly what you are talking about. People should be doing their art in vector formats or designing large and scaling down. In other words - What Steve Said(tm)!

]]> By: Olek http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36172 Olek Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:14:40 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36172 <p>I don't see a problem. The screen resolution of new iPhone could be twice so big - instead of 320x480 would go to 640x960 point. The hardware would render the "old" software twice so big on the screen. One "old" pixel would match four "new" pixels.</p> I don't see a problem. The screen resolution of new iPhone could be twice so big - instead of 320x480 would go to 640x960 point. The hardware would render the "old" software twice so big on the screen. One "old" pixel would match four "new" pixels.

]]> By: Steve http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36166 Steve Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:03:06 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36166 <p>Good boy! :)</p> Good boy! :)

]]> By: Rene Ritchie http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36163 Rene Ritchie Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:56:37 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36163 <p>@Steve,</p> <p>When I do icon or GUI work, it's all done in Illustrator for that very reason. Also, if we ever need to use iconography in print, on banners, etc. it pays not to have to start from scratch :)</p> @Steve,

When I do icon or GUI work, it's all done in Illustrator for that very reason. Also, if we ever need to use iconography in print, on banners, etc. it pays not to have to start from scratch :)

]]> By: Steve http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36160 Steve Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:47:05 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36160 <p><em>Any</em> designer who doesn't create original artwork in high-res is a hack. I'm not talking about 3D rendering (games, etc) or other elements that are obviously out of one's control, but rather that stuff which can be created in vector or high-res raster for future needs (icons, bitmap graphics, UI elements). I just laugh when developers have to constantly re-do things because they use Fireworks for all of their original artwork. You gotta plan for this stuff the best you can. You never know when it'll save you hours, if not days, of work.</p> <p>(and please don't flame me about re-developing apps. I know it's very time-consuming... I'm strictly speaking of preparing artwork only... for example: apps like Weighbot).</p> Any designer who doesn't create original artwork in high-res is a hack. I'm not talking about 3D rendering (games, etc) or other elements that are obviously out of one's control, but rather that stuff which can be created in vector or high-res raster for future needs (icons, bitmap graphics, UI elements). I just laugh when developers have to constantly re-do things because they use Fireworks for all of their original artwork. You gotta plan for this stuff the best you can. You never know when it'll save you hours, if not days, of work.

(and please don't flame me about re-developing apps. I know it's very time-consuming... I'm strictly speaking of preparing artwork only... for example: apps like Weighbot).

]]> By: Rene Ritchie http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36159 Rene Ritchie Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:39:35 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36159 <p>Chad, why are you raining on my post Saint Paddy's day HD parade? ;)</p> Chad, why are you raining on my post Saint Paddy's day HD parade? ;)

]]> By: Chad Garrett http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36157 Chad Garrett Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:24:59 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36157 <p>I don't think there is a need for this to happen anytime soon.</p> I don't think there is a need for this to happen anytime soon.

]]> By: CJ http://www.imore.com/2009/03/18/iphone-hd-problematic-shift-resolution-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-36155 CJ Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:20:49 +0000 http://www.theiphoneblog.com/?p=7612#comment-36155 <p>Man, that's going to e the biggest pain in the ass. Having to develop two different versions?</p> Man, that's going to e the biggest pain in the ass. Having to develop two different versions?

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