Apple granted patent on Mac OS X Dock

Apple now has a patent for the Dock in Mac OS X, shown here in the controversial left position.

(Credit: Apple)

It took quite awhile, but Apple has finally received a patent on one of the most recognizable features of Mac OS X.

The Dock--the panel that holds launchers for Mac OS X applications--has been deemed patent-worthy by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Apple first applied for the patent in late 1999, and AppleInsider notes the concept itself dates back to Apple CEO Steve Jobs' work at NeXT Computing.

Since there's really not much else to note about this announcement, let's do a quick survey: right Dock? Left Dock? Center Dock? I'm a center Dock man myself, although I have flirted with the left side.

[mbenedict]

Glancing through the patent, I think if we get into litigation, what patent ends up covering is the dock magnification feature, not the dock itself.

Here's an example of prior art on the dock:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:RISCOS_4_scr.png

Wikipedia claims the Acorn had a dock as early as 1987 (they called it "icon bar"). Users can "dock applications and directories on the icon bar for convenient access" (cites Acorn Users Guide.)

[M C]

That's basically a Windows Start bar you're looking at. Have they gone after MSFT yet?

[Penguinisto]

There is prior art, but not in your example image. Try again?

Here, try this one instead: http://en.wikipedia.org/?title=WindowMaker

- it's been around since before OSX was commercially released.

[lenrooney]

Prior art would be NEXTSTEP OS which first appeared in 1986 and has long been considered the 'inspiration' for the Windows Task Bar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NeXTSTEP

[rcpmac]

I hang left... er that is "doc" left with Hiding and magnification on. It is the least active mousing area on my desktop si i never unhide it by accident.
-24" intel 2.4 GHz imac.

[talmy]

Left on my notebook (to maximize height of documents) but bottom on iMac, which has plenty of area.

[Pete Bardo]

I personally believe that all software patents are invalid. Docking tool bars are nothing new.

I'm a pc user primarily and find the magnification feature annoying, but that's just me. I prefer the bottom position.

[ckurowic]

Then don't use the magnification feature....

[DrtyDogg]

I'm a right doc on my macbook, center on my PC.

[IgnatiusTheKing]

Bottom on "square" monitors (dual setup on a Mac Pro), left side on widescreen monitors (iMac, MacBook)

[jture]

Bottom center for me ...

[rawhead]

Right side of screen, stuck to the bottom, if only for the reason that I WANT MY TRASH CAN AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT, DOGGONIT! (sorry, couldn't resist the all caps rant).

[colshefsky]

center dock all the way

[ncalishome]

Center dock on my macbook for sure... but I much prefer Windows running Ultramon on my 3 screen setup. I hope Apple makes the dock more viable in a multi-screen setup. If anyone knows of any addons for OS X I'd appreciate the tip.

[mdwychoff]

@ncalishome
Docker from http://www.blocksoft.net/ lets you tweak selected OS X dock settings.
FWIW, I used it to change my dock background color to aquamarine, homage to the original iMac. It also makes the application 'ON' indicators far more visible than in the default gray color.

[Grem135]

prefer the dock top center on my XP and Vista machines, dont care where you put it on macboxes

[sanenazok]

Wow a discussion of positions...can you imagine what the comments would be like if MSFT got a patent on the Windows taskbar? All heck would break loose.

In my opinion, the patent is next to useless...the claims REQUIRE that the size of the icon increase when the mouse pointer moves near it. In other words, anyone can copy the application bar, just have a different proximity effect.

[M C]

If it's taken them 8 years to get a patent, Apple probably had to successfully fight a challenge or two, so it probably carries more weight than it would have if they'd received it within a year.

I'm a left side man myself.

[sanenazok]

No, the longer a patent takes the less valuable it is. Apple did not have to respond to third party challenges (it's impossible to "oppose" a US pending application like in Europe), just exchanged arguments back and forth with the patent examiner. In every response (and there must have been dozens) Apple "gave up" another part of the invention which is why the patent claims are so narrow and easy to avoid.

[Vegaman_Dan]

I prefer no dock at all. I find the things to be annoying and take up real estate. Thankfully Apple and MIcrosoft both make it possible to make them hide away for people like me.

[Grem135]

BTW, did i mention its an OSX dock i use at top of screen on XP and Vista?

[Dalkorian]

We know, it's OK. Now go run and tell your mommy you need another juice box.

[ServedUp]

Bye bye Vista Side Bar. Bye bye.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Rocket Dock for PC is free...and better. And best of all I didn`t have to get a Mac !
http://www.rocketdock.com/

[ServedUp]

Bye bye. Rocket Dock. Bye bye.

[anilsudh]

Hey mental case. Run before they find you and give you electric shock treatment.

[Goodbye Helicopter]

slow day for c-net

[SJSzlj]

Hidden on the left side for my desktop, hidden on the bottom for my laptop.

[alenas]

Because Apple shares are going down like crazy - so apple decided to patent their own shares...Everyone who owns apple shares will have to return them to the patent holder :)

[DarkHawke]

Well THERE'S a ridiculous thing to patent! Oooo! It's a set of icons I can use to run apps! BFD! Apple may have popularized the GUI, but Windows for all its under-the-hood faults has a far easier and more effective interface. From the Start menu to the system tray to the unparalleled task bar, the Windows GUI from XP forward is so much more intuitive and oriented towards getting things done, not to mention far more customizable. I'll never understand why there are so many Windows users that are so hot to make Windows look like OS X. It's like trading in a steak for a hamburger!

[Dalkorian]

That's the funniest thing I've read all morning, thanks. Start menu even ... LOL!

[DarkHawke]

If superior GUIs make you laugh, Dalkorian, then laugh on, my friend. Laugh on.