Agree with spreading categorically for mass market users. Makes it easier not having to remember where apps may be placed if you know what category that app is and which hs it belongs to.

As to saving time by reducing one click, per action not much. But for using the phone for more than a day, it makes the user experience much more pleasant. One click is what s3 has been aiming for (though in a different context, but same in another way by trying to reduce the number of clicks it takes to get from A to B. It’s so much more convenient not digging in menus or folders, and this coming from a folders fan.

On the other hand the folders thing may work better for different types of users with different mindsets. Folders give the option for potentially 320 apps accessible (per grid dependent) in 3 clicks. menu-folder-item. If you know item placement extremely well, this could rival speed of one click. Folder hunting though, even if appropriately labelled still stumps some people.

The main problem I’d see with the homescreens is too many active live apps/widgets eating the battery, though this could be worked around v easily. Another you mention is bugs – I’d be worried about any possible slow down.

I like them. I can have that in my N900.

I’m just saying that from the main homescreen I have my 27 most accessed apps/sites. Unlock, one click. BAM. Efficient. No menu, no swiping.

If going to folder route, that’s Unlock>Menu button>Folder>Item. That’s 3 clicks.

The N900 way – Unlock>Item. One click

Even if I were to swipe either left or right that’s only two clicks/actions which is faster than the folder route.

The 27 items – yah I use them frequently. I think if people get their heads around it, it could make things easier for a whole loada people (especially if homescreen became intuitive and added most used items on its own – like that Symbian bot app).

Before, people said folders were just for power users. Now with folders in iPhone/iOS4 it’s the most revolutionary thing since sliced bread.

It may not be the idea, more the implementation/execution.

I think, if you want to give such shapes, you have to scroll or swipe to access the widgets in that shape, which ofcz, is more eye-candy, but little slow and cumbersome than seeing the widgets already laid out on the screen.

Someone already makes that kind of skin for symbian for 3-D carousel, i forgot the name of that company.

Do you really use all the 27 frequently on the homescreen? May be? because you are a power user(like me), but majority don’t, i can guarantee. Nokia needs to think about majority, not minority.

Essentially swiping across multiple homescreens is equivalent to scrolling or swiping across applications home-screen. I think,more the home-screen is less crowdy, the better it will be for someone to glance and use than screen.

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Jay Montano :
One of my N900 homescreens has 27 items (widgets/bookmarks/shortcuts) with space for more.
This has reduced my need to ever need to go into menu.
All of my most used apps/sites can be accessed within one click from unlocking the homescreen.
It’s very efficient. Anymore I can swipe left/right for other homescreens.

This has reduced my need to ever need to go into menu.

All of my most used apps/sites can be accessed within one click from unlocking the homescreen.

It’s very efficient. Anymore I can swipe left/right for other homescreens.