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DockView is a desktop customization app that lets you take a neat trick from Windows and mimic it in Snow Leopard: with DockView running, when you mouse over an app's icon in the Dock, you can instantly see live thumbnail images for all the windows open in that app.
You can accomplish something similar without DockView, by clicking and holding a Dock icon for a few seconds, but DockView gives you a much quicker and less intrusive view, while allowing you to quickly flip between different apps in the Dock. Plus, DockView's ability extends to the Mac OS Application Switcher, the horizontal ribbon of apps you see when you hold down Command-Tab. When a thumbnail pops up, you just click on it to pull up that window, and keyboard junkies will be glad to know that DockView also shows a quick key combination you can use to pull up a given window. (For example, if you have three windows open in Mail, DockView will display three thumbnails with a key combo you can use to pull up each: Command-1, Command-2, or Command-3.) In addition to DockView's central schtick, it provides some nice extras like mini playback controls in iTunes (and similar apps) and, in the Dock, a list of the day's appointments in iCal.
You can tinker with DockView's preferences for more options (for example, to only show thumbnail previews when you're holding down a hot key, such as Control or Option), but many users won't need to go beyond the defaults. DockView is easy to try out with a free trial, although you'll need to register if you want to remove a fairly persistent nag screen.
Publisher's Description
From Kapeli:
DockView helps you visualize the windows you currently have open and easily find the window you are looking for by clicking CMD+Tab. Features: Live previews. The previews refresh constantly so you can keep an eye on windows without activating them. Activate windows. Click anywhere on a preview to activate the window. Close windows. You can use DockView to easily close windows. Control iTunes. Pause, play and skip songs. Customizable. The previews can be any size you want. No hacks. DockView doesn't modify the Dock or any system file.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 8 votes
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Current version:
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Results 1-8 of 8
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"great product"
Version: DockView 1.55
Pros
works perfectly in os x lion. uses very little CPU/RAM according to Activity Monitor
Cons
free version has reminder popup, but worth paying $7.99 to get rid off it.
Summary
amazing improvement working with multiple windows on 13" macbook pro
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"Greatness and good."
Version: DockView 1.55
Pros
Great rip off of windows 7
Cons
None. Perfect just as reviews say.
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"Love this product great to use"
Version: DockView 1.54
Pros
makes navigating on the desktop very easy
Cons
NO cons with the product.
Summary
They only accept payment via Paypal and as such I removed it off my system. I will not use Paypal VERY expensive for the seller and a HUGE invasion of privacy to the end user.
If they accepted CC as I suggested in a letter to them they would increase their sales of this GREAT product -
"By far the best of these utilities."
Version: DockView 1.53
Pros
Super stable, very active and responsive developer with more features coming! Shows the number of windows open for an app which is very helpful.
Cons
none that I can think of...
Summary
This thing is very cheap, light on resources and I use it daily. Hyper Dock is temporarily free and way less stable. Can preview minimized windows for applications and clicking on the preview opens them which is great.
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"Good but not the best"
Version: DockView 1.53
Pros
Gives you a good preview of whats going on on your open applications. Control of iTunes with mouse over. Check events on iCal.
Cons
Freezes constantly. If not purchased, annoying message appears constantly.
Summary
Good program for dock previewing but i strongly recommend HyperDock which is free and has better function.
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"I don't really appreciate the value of the app."
Version: DockView 1.29
Pros
Creates the above-dock bubble...
Cons
But so what?
Summary
Huh?
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"A refreshing expansion on OSX's core navigator."
Version: DockView 1.18
Pros
Although Windows converts will most likely be the ones who embrace this feature the quickest, I myself was also excited about the idea. It is designed very well, and has app-specific functions (play controls for iTunes). I bought a licence right away
Cons
As the application is in its early stages, some features still could be expanded upon. Development continues at a high rate. There are frequent updates (I believe three or four only in the past week), but the updater is non-invasive.
Summary
Although I left the Windows platform well before Vista came out, I do know that since Vista a hover over the taskbar would show thumbnail views of running windows to make navigation easier. DockView brings that feature to OSX, so for some it will be a reconciliation, while for others (like me) it is a welcome addition to the Dock.
I personally found the original thumbnail size of DockView to be way too large, but fortunately the settings allow you to customize the size. That is actually the power of this application: it looks very simple on the outside, but there are many settings you can control in the Preferences window. Usually I think twice before I buy an application, but this time I gladly paid the $8 for this one. -
"Has problems."
Version: DockView 1.12
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Nice idea, but this program needs more work. When I hover my cursor over an application icon using command-tab the window previews momentarily flicker on and off, making it difficult to select a preview. When I try to select a preview it doesn't activate the selected window. Computer: Mac Pro, 10.6.4.
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