[maemo-developers] Launch image to increase feeling of responsiveness (a la iPhone)

[From: Michael Wiktowy]

On Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 3:55 AM, Kalle Vahlman <kalle.vahlman at gmail.com> wrote:
> 2008/3/9, Michael Wiktowy <michael.wiktowy at gmail.com>:
>
> > It is an interesting idea but I can see how some might be ambivalent
>  >  to Apple's implementation. Spending more resources (storage space for
>  >  bogus images, non-zero CPU time and battery life) and *actually*
>  >  slowing application launch just to give the *perception* of speed may
>  >  not be the correct direction to head.
>
>  Storage space, CPU time and battery life sound a bit artificial
>  arguments here. I doubt that showing an extra image on startup would
>  cut your battery life in any noticeable way.

Those arguments may be weak (and that is why I use the terminology of
"non-zero" as opposed to "substantial") but they are not artificial. I
am not arguing against the basic concept of showing things to users
early. That is a very good thing to do. I am arguing against adopting
the same marketing-centric solution that Apple uses. In showing an
fake image of the UI, you are impacting performance *at best* by zero
and at worst by some measurable amount. You might as well just show an
advertisement while an application is loading and make some money at
it (and that is precisely what Apple seems to be doing with the
stock-ticker dummy screen ... the only thing interesting to look at is
the Yahoo! logo). I would prefer an engineering-centric solution to
achieving the same result while impacting performance *at worst* by
zero.

It is similar to strapping tail-fins onto a Cadillac to make it *look*
aerodynamic (and maybe cause it to be slightly less-so) when you you
could actually streamline the curves instead to make it *actually*
aerodynamic and look aerodynamic too; even though the actual fuel
economy probably won't be impacted much.

/Mike