[maemo-developers] [maemo-developers] RFC: Redesigning the HildonApp+Views

[From: Tommi Komulainen]

Hi,

There's a bit of a problem. People want more eyecandy and flashy
gimmicks related to application windows, but the current design makes
those things difficult to implement without making a big mess.

Therefore we're going to implement new widget(s) in parallel with the
current HildonApp and HildonAppView that would support those new
features. Existing applications will not be affected, but they won't be
getting the benefits either. Eventually App+Views are going to be
deprecated and dropped altogether.

Essentially the change would be to introduce a new widget (maybe
HildonWindow or something) that would replace current HildonAppView. The
new widget would be a real GtkWindow / toplevel X window which will
require code changes when migrating the the new API, but in the longer
term, once we drop the old views, reduce overall complexity.

Below is a rough, unordered list of goals for (or because of) the new
widget. Feel free to comment if you think there's something important
missing:

      * unmodified gtk+ applications using GtkWindows will be accessible
        through the task switcher
      * porting from GtkWindows to the new API should be trivial to get
        the basic looks, not more complicated than currently to get the
        toolbars etc. look and feel as with AppViews
      * the new API should be as similar (toolbars) as possible, or in
        places more sane (key handling, fullscreening) than with
        AppViews


We have lots of specific requirements that may or may not align with
yours, but if you have ideas how the new API could be made work better
for you, we could take them into account when considering the design and
implementation.


-- 
Tommi Komulainen                            <tommi.komulainen at nokia.com>