Mac-Beta-8: Why is it not possible to move the settings-window?

Terylon · March 2022

In the current beta it is not possible to move the settings window. And it is not possible to bring the main window to front.

1Password Version: 8.6.0
Extension Version: Not Provided
OS Version: macOS 12.2.1
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viswiz · March 2022

You might have noticed as well that the preferences ‚window‘ doesn’t even have an ordinary window frame with stop lights top left. It uses an out of place X as close button. The reason is that the whole user interface is built using web technologies instead of a native user interface toolkit. Overly simplified one could say it‘s just a kind of local website.
When the tests of 1PW8 started there were lots of complaints here in the forum and on other sites. AgileBits made it quite clear that they could better adapt 1PW8 to macOS but don’t want to spend the needed development resources.

Terylon · March 2022

Yes, I noticed that and wondered. Is it the same technology like the ugly TIDAL app is using? This seems to be also a webpage in a window. A cheap solution.

viswiz · March 2022

Probably, many cross platform applications nowadays use a technology called electron. It's basically the browser engine of chrome.

Savanni · March 2022

The settings view is a modal that we are displaying within the main window, not a separate window. We did in the past work with multi-window setups, but we found that did not work well. We found that the modal strategy reduced confusion and also solved some state management bugs that were otherwise quite tricky.

viswiz · March 2022

@Savanni preferences on macOS use windows in almost all cases and not modals. Furthermore modals on macOS don't use any window decorations especially not a Windows like 'X' top right. In the rare case that an application has only a couple of preferences a modal is used like in "Softwareupdate".

1Password before version 8 respected these basic macOS UI principles.

volts · March 2022

@viswiz you want to hear something really wild? Apple is using WebViews in some macOS preference panes now.

https://blog.jim-nielsen.com/2022/inspecting-web-views-in-macos/

You'll recognize them as the jankiest preference panes. :-(

Terylon · March 2022

All is well. I was just expressing my opinion and trying to give constructive criticism.

viswiz · March 2022

@volts yes, I know and it‘s not limited to preference pances😉 Even some of Apple‘s macOS Apps are webview based. But at least they respect the most basic UI concepts…

dgbeecher · March 2022

I wish at least that the X button to close the settings window were in the upper left -- ie, where the close button is found in every other Mac app I'm familiar with.