Exclusive: Leopard to feature major user interface overhaul

Apple's next generation operating system, code-named Leopard will see a major user interface overhaul sources told MacScoop, a few hours before the World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) kicks off.

The user interface will impact the whole system as well as applications running on it, not just the Finder, sources added.

With less certainty, sources told MacScoop that Leopard could leave the Aqua user interface, including the branding, in the dust.

No details were provided on the look-and-feel of the user interface itself. Sources only mentioned a few features such as much improved file previews and better integration with Spotlight as additionnal features.

A few months only after Apple first mentions the Leopard commercial name for the first time during WWDC 2005, MacScoop / MacosXrumors was the first to predict a major revamp on the Finder's user interface. The report already mentioned improved previews and better tighter Spotlight integration but did not go as far as hinting at a possible replacement of Aqua.

In a few hours only, the WWDC 2007 kicks off with a presentation performed by Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs who is expected to reveal the still secret features in Leopard.