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Cover Flow
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<h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>Cover Flow was conceived by artist <a href="/facts/Andrew_Coulter_Enright/tbsbHqp9">Andrew Coulter Enright</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> and originally implemented by an independent Macintosh developer, Jonathan del Strother. Enright later named the interaction style <i>fliptych</i> to distinguish it from the particular Cover Flow implementation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p><p>Cover Flow was purchased by <a href="/facts/Apple_Inc./oTJYta3k">Apple Inc.</a> in 2006,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> and its technology was integrated into its music application, <a href="/facts/ITunes/pdXPE33T">iTunes</a> 7.0, which was released September 12, 2006.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> The name was previously "CoverFlow" without a space. </p><p>The last release of Steel Skies’ stand-alone application, version RC1.2, was released on September 10, 2006, and freely distributed until the end of the next day only; however, it remains available for download from MacUpdate. </p><p>On January 9, 2007, when Apple announced the <a href="/facts/IPhone/h5WeKRl9">iPhone</a>, it was announced that it would incorporate Cover Flow technology. </p><p>During the <a href="/facts/WWDC/hEjVWkoo">WWDC</a> Keynote on June 11, 2007, <a href="/facts/Steve_Jobs/fQpja1hx">Steve Jobs</a> announced that Cover Flow would be added as a view option in <a href="/facts/Mac_OS_X_Leopard/UmXw4H5x">Mac OS X Leopard</a>'s Finder. </p><p>On September 5, 2007 Apple announced that Cover Flow would be utilized in the third generation <a href="/facts/IPod_nano/qu97zee0">iPod nano</a> as well as the new <a href="/facts/IPod_classic/aFrmSCun">iPod classic</a> and <a href="/facts/IPod_Touch/PRJabx51">iPod Touch</a> models. Cover Flow was integrated into the fourth-generation <a href="/facts/IPod_nano/qu97zee0">iPod nano</a> by the use of an accelerometer which accesses Cover Flow when the iPod nano is turned horizontally on its side. </p><p>On March 14, 2008, <a href="/facts/Mirror_Worlds/JoE6Nuct">Mirror Worlds</a> LLC sued Apple for infringing on its patents (nos. 6006227, 6638313, 6725427, and 6768999) (Mirror Worlds, LLC, vs Apple, Inc; Texas Eastern District Court) <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> </p><p>On February 24, 2009, Cover Flow was also included with the public beta of <a href="/facts/Safari_(web_browser)/9R8v7tNl">Safari 4</a>, with the final version of Safari 4, released on June 8, using Cover Flow to browse history, bookmarks, RSS feeds, <a href="/facts/Bonjour_(software)/gFBhvEtj">Bonjour</a>, and the Address Book. </p><p>In April 2010, Apple was granted US <a href="/facts/Design_patent/nAh86lbN">design patent</a> D613,300 on the Cover Flow interface.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p><p>On October 1, 2010, Apple was ordered to pay $625.5 million to Mirror Worlds LLC for infringing <a href="/facts/Utility_patent/oVLkq68H">utility patents</a> relating to Cover Flow.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> On April 4, 2011, Judge Davis reversed the judgement.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p><p>With the release of version 11 of iTunes, Cover Flow was removed from the iTunes interface. </p><p>iOS 7 saw Cover Flow replaced by Album Wall.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> This feature shows tiles of album art in rows when the device is in landscape.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> This feature was removed with the release of iOS 8.4 on June 30, 2015. </p><p>In macOS Mojave, Cover Flow was removed from Finder and replaced by gallery view. </p> <h2 id="other-implementations">Other implementations</h2> <ul><li>The <a href="/facts/Open-source_software/HzTaB8E9">open-source</a> media player <a href="/facts/Songbird_(software)/hNRn5f9E">Songbird</a> offers a Cover Flow navigation add-on called MediaFlow.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a></li> <li>The open source <a href="/facts/Banshee_(media_player)/5UUUYmRv">Banshee</a> media player also offers a Cover Flow-like add-on called ClutterFlow,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> which is based on the Clutter toolkit.</li> <li>The proprietary media player <a href="/facts/MediaMonkey/8k1p9mwC">MediaMonkey</a> also offers a Cover Flow add-on called MonkeyFlow.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> It can either be embedded or run as an external remote application.</li> <li>Using <a href="/facts/Compiz_Fusion/lkBxCaUx">Compiz Fusion</a> (Shift Switcher),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> <a href="/facts/KDE_Plasma_Workspaces/ao7x6z7s">KDE Plasma Workspaces</a> (Cover Switch on <a href="/facts/KWin/Pkqdt6G8">KWin</a> 4.1 or later),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> or <a href="/facts/Cinnamon_(desktop_environment)/Rgl6NCMC">Muffin</a> on a <a href="/facts/Unix-like/YAKrAxzd">Unix-like</a> system, it is possible to switch between open applications with a Cover Flow animation.</li> <li>A Cover Flow-like interface was used by the graphical search engine <i>Search Me</i>.</li> <li>When selecting music or course in arcade edition of <a href="/facts/Dance_Dance_Revolution_X2/nW4VCd0N">Dance Dance Revolution X2</a> and later, a Cover Flow-style interface is used.</li> <li>The free jukebox firmware <a href="/facts/Rockbox/GgJ6s60v">Rockbox</a> also implements a Cover Flow-like album art viewer, called <i>"PictureFlow"</i>. However, PictureFlow is not part of the main UI, instead included as a demo.</li> <li>A Cover Flow-like interface was used in the built-in music player app for latest <a href="/facts/Symbian/gbRl35V9">Symbian OS</a> versions (Anna and above). <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a></li> <li>Reflection Music Player also implements a Cover Flow-like Music Player for the iPad <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130429114931/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reflection-music-player/id619871620?ls=1&mt=8">Reflection Music Player with Cover Flow on iTunes.</a></li> <li>The open source <a href="/facts/Ebook/yrBWpU8E">ebook</a> managing software <a href="/facts/Calibre_(software)/HHFeh7Lf">calibre</a> incorporates Cover Flow to browse through ebooks' covers.</li> <li>Open source multi-system game emulator <a href="/facts/OpenEmu/CSdCXzQQ">OpenEmu</a> includes a cover flow view.</li> <li>By default, the <a href="/facts/Nintendo_Wii/BxUgl2da">Nintendo Wii</a> <a href="/facts/Homebrew_(video_games)/jtWcUfBo">homebrew</a> application WiiFlow displays games in a Cover Flow-like interface.</li> <li>The proprietary <a href="/facts/Apple_Music/HdUFLRFz">Apple Music</a> player <a href="https://cider.sh/">Cider</a> features a cover flow view mode. <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"No cover flow in any program's open or sa… - Apple Community". <a href="https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7284898" target="_blank">https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7284898</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"The next version of macOS is macOS Mojave – TechCrunch". techcrunch.com. June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018. <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/04/the-next-version-of-macos-is-macos-mojave/" target="_blank">https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/04/the-next-version-of-macos-is-macos-mojave/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Dissatisfaction Sows Innovation". Archived from the original on March 31, 2005. Retrieved October 9, 2013. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050331055401/http://thetreehouseandthecave.blogspot.com/2004/12/dissatisfaction-sows-innovation.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20050331055401/http://thetreehouseandthecave.blogspot.com/2004/12/dissatisfaction-sows-innovation.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"The Fliptych Interface". <a href="http://thetreehouseandthecave.blogspot.com/2006/08/fliptych-interface.html" target="_blank">http://thetreehouseandthecave.blogspot.com/2006/08/fliptych-interface.html</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"CoverFlow". SteelSkies.com. <a href="http://www.steelskies.com/coverflow/" target="_blank">http://www.steelskies.com/coverflow/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Apple Purchased CoverFlow For iTunes 7". Archived from the original on May 20, 2008. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080520233029/http://macslash.org/article.pl?sid=06%2F09%2F13%2F1131238" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20080520233029/http://macslash.org/article.pl?sid=06%2F09%2F13%2F1131238</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Mirror Worlds, LLC v. Apple, Inc". <a href="http://dockets.justia.com/docket/texas/txedce/6:2008cv00088/108627/" target="_blank">http://dockets.justia.com/docket/texas/txedce/6:2008cv00088/108627/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"US Design Patent D613,300". <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/USD613300" target="_blank">https://patents.google.com/patent/USD613300</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Apple Challenges Big Award Over Patents". The New York Times. October 4, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2010. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/technology/05apple.html?ref=technology" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/technology/05apple.html?ref=technology</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Decker, Susan (October 4, 2010). "Apple Challenges $625.5 Million Mirror Worlds Patent Verdict". Bloomberg.com. bloomberg. Retrieved October 4, 2010. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-04/apple-challenges-625-5-million-mirror-worlds-patent-verdict.html" target="_blank">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-04/apple-challenges-625-5-million-mirror-worlds-patent-verdict.html</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"Judge reverses $625.5 million patent judgement previously awarded to Mirror Worlds". <a href="http://www.edibleapple.com/apple-wins-judge-reverses-6255-million-patent-judgement-previously-awarded-to-mirror-worlds/" target="_blank">http://www.edibleapple.com/apple-wins-judge-reverses-6255-million-patent-judgement-previously-awarded-to-mirror-worlds/</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Staff (2013). "iOS 7". Apple Inc. Retrieved December 29, 2013. <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1682" target="_blank">http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1682</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Klug, Brian; Saumitra Bhagwat (November 19, 2013). "The iOS 7 Review". AnandTech. Retrieved December 29, 2013. <a href="http://www.anandtech.com/show/7343/the-ios-7-review/4" target="_blank">http://www.anandtech.com/show/7343/the-ios-7-review/4</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>"Songbird MediaFlow Add-on". Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. <a href="https://archive.today/20130202180423/http://addons.songbirdnest.com/addon/238" target="_blank">https://archive.today/20130202180423/http://addons.songbirdnest.com/addon/238</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>"Banshee ClutterFlow Add-on". April 15, 2013. <a href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/clutterflow/" target="_blank">http://sourceforge.net/projects/clutterflow/</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>"MonkeyFlow Add-on". <a href="http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31402" target="_blank">http://www.mediamonkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31402</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>Plugins/Switcher Archived October 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine (Compiz Fusion Wiki), accessed October 29, 2007. <a href="http://wiki.compiz-fusion.org/Plugins/Switcher" target="_blank">http://wiki.compiz-fusion.org/Plugins/Switcher</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>Cover switch effect on YouTube (Martin Graesslin, video) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv1Nu4425g8" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv1Nu4425g8</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"Nokia 500 preview: First look". GSMArena.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023. <a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_500-review-644.php" target="_blank">https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_500-review-644.php</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>"Cider Release 2.4.0". Cider Collective. Retrieved May 9, 2024. <a href="https://cider.sh/" target="_blank">https://cider.sh/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>