Canola (software)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Canola 1.0 browsing music |
|
| Developed by | Instituto Nokia de Tecnologia |
|---|---|
| Initial release | November 29, 2006 |
| Latest release | Canola i18n [1] / February 12, 2007 |
| OS | Internet Tablet OS |
| Type | Multimedia |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | http://openbossa.indt.org/canola/ |
Canola is a software application that acts as a full-screen media center for the Internet Tablet OS and Linux. The application is able to play media stored locally on the device, and also find media on remote servers using the DAAP and UPnP protocols. It is also possible to subscribe to Podcasts and Photocasts, such as Flickr and Picasa Web.
Contents |
[edit] User Interface
Canola UI is now on its second version and it was fully redesigned. While the first version was simpler and really more oriented at desktop media centers, version 2 was built from scratch with a bigger focus on the touchscreen ui itself. So no focus areas, better user of spaces and a cleared design in the end to provide a more flexible and powerful UI then its predecessor.
The biggest source for inspiration on the version 2 was really the observation of users of version 1 and their feedback. The team was quite happy to be able to create something that truly builds on top of the user's expectations while being able to go beyond their expectations in several points. The design team of Canola is a strong advocate of User Centered Design, but at the same point realizes that focus and simplicity are really complicated to be maintained when too much users are involved.
Canola UI version two is now running towards maturity and the design team is already working on version 3 where more learned lessons will be integrated into its core.
[edit] Canola 1 UI
The user interface was designed to be used with two thumbs instead of a stylus. This interface is known as the 2TTS UI. As such it requires almost no precision and is suited both to right or left handed usage. Canola is also usable for users who prefer the four-way rocker and other hardware keys.
The 2TTS UI has been strongly influenced by MediaStage Software for the Mac, Apple's Front Row (the default theme), Sony's PSP XMB user interface, and a lot of other media related software. The difference lies in the fact that users are able to touch icons, drag bars and also use key sequences to execute hidden commands (such as home and end keys to go to the beginning or end of a long list).
[edit] Themes
The version 2 brought a much more advanced theme engine based totally on Edje from the EFL project. This gives Canola a lot of flexibility when it comes to themes, and users are able to download the theme design sheet from the developer's corner in the official website, and experiment with it freely.
The new theme engine also enable users to change themes in a animated way, without needing to restart the application to see the changes.
The following themes are available at the moment: [1] Green Marbles, the Default Theme. Designed By Patricia Montenegro from INdT's Concept Design team.
[2] Graphite Theme, pre-installed. Designed by Alisson Santos from INdT's Concept Design team.
[3] The DeepBlue Theme. Icons by Everaldo/Yellow Icon Modified (to keep pespective) by Tiago Buarque, from INdT's Concept Design team.
[4] The Simple Theme(RED). Designed by Miguel Peres from INdT's Concept Design team, also the author of Canola1's WoodBox theme.
[5] The Simple Theme(Black). same as (RED)
[edit] Canola 2
Currently, a beta of Canola 2 (currently beta 9) is being tested. It includes support for third-party plugins and, as the first version did, multiple themes.
[edit] Plugins
Currently, a Last.fm plugin and a YouTube viewing plugin are available for download.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- ^ "garage: Canola: Project Info:" (in English). maemo.org. Retrieved on 2007-09-18.
[edit] External links
Sites / Reviews
- Official site, with one click download
- Review of canola on Mike's AV Media, Anytime, Anywhere blog
- second part of the review
- Canola in Maemo Application Catalog
- ThoughtFix: Canola in action
- launch post on INdT's Marcelo Oliveira blog
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![[3]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081204185514/http://openbossa.indt.org/canola/images/thumb_add_01.jpg){kind=link}
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