The Omni Group

is it an information manager, like devonthink or yojimbo….

Notes/Information manager to compete with stickybrain and yojimbo.

Its OO with some sexy KGTD implementation or something of the sort, aint it?

Guess the first:

A steamroller and a jackhammer.

Guess the second:

Some sort of sticky-note, personal data tracker.. thing.. yeah.

Guess the third:

An annoyingly blurry application.

A project tracker that integrates with iApps.  WIll contain “note program” functionality (yojimbo) but only as a secondary (or teriary?) function.

Oh, oh, I know!

It's name will begin with “Omni”.

Cake?! Did you say cake? I want cake. Please send me some cake. Chocolate would be great!

Wait, that must be a hint about Brand New Secret Product. Well, the only cake related software I remember was Cakewalk. So, I'm guessing this Brand New Secret Product is related to music.

Maybe its a sound effects app, because someones among us need to produce new sound sets for Xounds.

I think it is an information manager.

I see a screwdriver on the left and what could very well be a black cockroach on the right. We will however pretend the mystery item on the right is another piece of power tooling. And they both rest on what appears to be a plaque with checkboxes.

I want to say it is a utility for repairing damaged OmniOutliner files but something tells me I'm way wrong…

FJ

PLEASE, PLEASE be Omni-based project/ task management software.  I hope that my ealier requests for this are what you are referring to in this blog.

Yes, I will gladly take it for a test drive for you.

Jason

A softphone app. Maybe Skype integration.

Or possibly as everyone else on the planet is guessing, a GTD-specific app.

Can I include two guesses?

Guess one: A project/task manager. (Jumping on the bandwagon, there.)

Guess two: A newsreader. Obviously not just ANY newsreader, but a really good one.

I think the first guess is more likely, tho.

Starting with the second clue I've used a little detective work, to determine what the icon most likely represents. The black foreground bowling pin-shaped object looks a lot like a Shmoo (http://www.deniskitchen.com/thestore/bios_shmoo.html). Now, I've only seen pictures of white shmoos but since this one is black, I'm assuming that it is most likely an African shmoo. Africa has a lot of sun so the high saturation of the yellow rectangle casting a shadow behind the shmoo suggests that it is a mirror but that there is some atmospheric haze since the shadow is blurry (a dusty haze from the African savannah?) The angle of the shadow is rather severe so that suggests early morning or late afternoon but the dusty haze implies late afternoon.

Now going on to the other clues:

“Some of you have asked for this product. Repeatedly.” Not many people have seen Shmoos for some time now so this is why the request for the product is limited to “some of you” rather than “everyone” or “most of you.” “Repeatedly” implies that no other company has as of yet realized the opportunities in developing applications relevant to this subject matter. Another piece of the puzzle falls into place.

“It is NOT a replacement for Mail. Or a word processor.” Note that this clue does not say that the application cannot do at least some word processing nor that its contents cannot be used in an email application.

So what we have is a subject that many are not familiar with; an icon that combines subject matter with a sense of time in an exotic locale; and an application that does not send email and is not specifically I word processor. Since this still leaves some small room for error, I'm going to hedge my guess a little by suggesting two possibilities: an application for tracing Shmoo geneaology or for analyzing Shmoo taxonomy for Shmoo ranchers. (And, knowing the good OmniGroup people always seem to provide value-added in their products, I wouldn't be surprised if this application would not also useful for unicorns, bandersnatches, etc.in addition to other great features.)

I prefer the prize money in cash, small denominations. Thank you.

I'm going to jump on the GTD bandwagon. Holy crap, would that be awesome.

It's an Oni map editor!  Finally!

Ooooh!  No, it's a CoreImage enhanced Oni, with a dozen new levels you snuck out of Bungie's back door, and the big walking mech is finally there!  And the mech is piloted by Eddie Izzard!  In high heels!

I got it its nothing, this is just a trick to see want we want you to make and then you will make it, ok if not its another awsome product that I will want to buy but then not and regret it. I love you Omni!

It's either a standalone KGTD-type program, or a dessert topping. Or possibly a replacement for Stickies (the yellow colour gives it away…)

Can't wait to use Omni's version of MacJanitor!

Is it an alarm clock style alert system for Stickies?

A little bit of image munging and scaling and it looks like the same layout as the OO3 icon.  The black snowman throws me for a bit of a loop though :)

http://static.flickr.com/56/188328863_f8ff951598_o.gif

I think it's a workflow/scripting application.

“If I'd known you were coming, I'd have baked a cake.”

Sounds like a project/task manager to me.  ;-)

OmniBook

It's a vector illustration app. 

Or a database app, maybe a front end for locally run SQL.

If it IS a new GTD focused app, I'll definitely lay down the cash.

Well, I've asked you guys to replace Lotus Improv just about every time I've seen you for the last four years…  I think I've also asked you to replace Intuit's product line, but they're making some great improvments lately.

-jcr

It is a synchronization application.  Sync two folders/drives/disks together.

I'm thinking it's a note-taking/organizing program.

•Spreadsheet

•PIM

•multimedia organiser

Oh, right, my guess.  Umm…a digital junkdrawer?

How about a WYSIWYG editor for MySpace pages? No?...

I have to go with the information/data manager app. Like StickyBrain or Yojimbo but integrating the Address Book and enabling the quick sending of data to phones and email.

I'm going to guess what I'd like it to be: a spreadsheet.

Though I think an information organizer would be more likely.

I think it's a GTD related application that can handle projects and tasks.

One word: OmniOrganizer (a.k.a. SOHO [crap] Organizer killer)

:)

I'm also think that it is some sort of Project/Information Management system.  Hopefully with good iCal/Entourage/Mail/whatever else you want to use integration.  And here's to hoping that it will be neatly integrable with Quicksilver.

OmnikGTD

It's an iWeb/RapidWeaver/Sandvox type web site creation app.

I strongly believe this is some sort of Note-taker/information manager. Very freeform. But has a lot of templated workflows possibly. The yellow blob looks a little like a legal pad. So maybe it's designed to be like a legal pad of paper.

It's a web design app

Blog editor with a backend for notes. Kind of Yojimbo or Sticky Notes with full blog functionality.

As a follow-up to my project/ task manangement guess, I would like to say that the icon looks like a legal pad (w/ 3 viewer panes) and an hourglass on top. - I guess you can see anything you want if you believe in it enough.

Come on OmniPM!

It's a roll of film.  The app will be a photo library organizer, one like Apple's iPhoto.  ... that or it's the Cheat from homestarrunner.com. :D

My bet is on a 3D drafting app e.g. for designing your house, or a backyard shed,...

info/music/media - organizer/manipulator/futzer. Oh Crap, just let me test it!

I'm going to guess that it's a GTD app, if only because I'd really like to test that.

I'd bet my Great Aunt Petunia's fortune that it is a killer Getting Things Done app.

Randy

I would guess it is some kind of GTD application. OmniOutliner + kGTD = OmniOrganized!

OmniWeb. OmniGraffle. OmniOutliner.

Not Email. Not Word Processor.

It's a tablet-looking thing. OmniNotebook-freeform-stuff-holder. On steroids.

Some type of blogging/podcasting software?

An app that makes your whole screen get annoyingly blurry?

I'll tell you what it is - OmniAwesome. According to my sources, not only is the new application better than both science *and* religion, but it's also better than OmniGroup (which is of course, impossible).

I have a feeling it could be a GTD-ish project app, and therefore it MUST be called *OmniDone* - because it means 'All Done'.

But that would be strange, because OmniOutliner is *already* a GTD-ish project app, *AND* a knowledge management program (that I personally prefer 100x to Yojimbo). It's just smart folders and clones away from kicking everyone's asses at everything, so why would OmniGroup abandon it?

The blurry black thing clearly (alright, blurrily) isn't an hourglass, it's a pair of sunglasses. I'm thinking that this is something that we haven't seen before. I have the feeling that if it's not a project management or something of that nature it will be a program that makes something that programmers can do easily accessible to non-programmers.

I'm guessing that it is a database application that makes use of CoreData, but not just any database application. It will have some geewhiz feature like the ability to see your tables graphed out in 3D.

Hello, I'm a french fan of omnigroup and I will love to test the new product ! I can help you to fix “bugs” for the french version too.

I'm hoping for GTD as well…

I am also hoping it will be a Cocoa-based personal finance management app—a Quicken killer, and one that supports multiple currencies.  At least it has been repeatedly requested, many times.

Could it be a recipe holder/organizer?

OmniCrypt perhaps?

Then again it looks like a legal pad with a pen laying over it, so OmniNotes? Who knows.

i betcha it's some new type of automobile…

audio recording app

It's a Yojimbo GTD web browser toaster manager that imports Quicken files and converts them into podcasts

I'm crossing my fingers for a seamless app that incorporates Ethan's collection of applescripts known as kGTD.  I've been using the kinkless system for the past year, and Ethan's MIA status the past 2 months on the forums certainly lends credence to a possible partnership with Omni for a new app?

It's obviously OmniOmni, the ultimate in everything.

OmniCalc - the spreadsheet with a heart!

Please, oh please let it be an affordable, lickable spreadsheet application. Please?!?

I also agree that it's a project/personal/time/info manager thing. Or maybe it's OmniOffice.

I'm guessing it's an application that will blur application icons.

OmniProject!

It's a photoshop blur filter!

(that uses core image)

Please, please let it be a GTD app!

OmniSaber makes your mouse cursor sound like a light saber whenever you move it. Optionally each click of the mouse button elicits an audio CP30 quote. “Oh Dear!”

Based on your hints, I would have to agree with alot of the folks here that it is some type of Information Manager. I would say it would be something like OD4Contact where there is an integration of the iApps. What I hope is that the product would allow me to pull up Mail of a contact in my Address Book as well as events, notes, todo, and documents attached to a contact. In fact, maybe you bought OD4Contact and are going to release OmniContact!

address book

OmniRecipe

or maybe an OmniEBook, but thats more of what i want than what i think it is.

Now how cruel is this? I am ready to plunk down the cash for Yojimbo and now I see this.

This is killing me.

OmniSpreadsheets. Clearly.

It's a utility app that “locks” (password secures) folders.

One word - Omniscient.

It knows all!

It's a one-dimensional drawing app. :)

Or… it's OmniProject/OmniTime.  I think the black blob on the right is an alarm clock, or a coffee cup full of sharpies/pencils/rulers or something.  (Though you'd think the legal pad would be sideways…)

I see a pint of lager held by someone wearing black gloves!

OmniYou'reMyBestFriendYouKnowThatDon'tYou?

OmniMindMap ... integrates with OO3 and doesn't cost as much as Mindjet software (but is much better, obviously)

GTD? Yes please, but with the work Kinkless is doing ...?

OmniInThePalmOfMyHand - OO3 on a PDA! With a conduit. And fried onions.

Just _not_ an information manager like DevonThink, PLEASE!

(Guess who just bought DevonThink Pro?)

It's a blogging application which will interface with all the other Omni Apps.  Making the lot a sort of OmniLife.

I think it is a Front Row/Media Central killer.  Looks to me like a tivo with a popcorn bucket in front of it :-)

umm…an RSS agregator?

I also vote for a GTD app, because I'm in love with kGTD and making a specialized version of it would be awesome.

I would like to see functionality à la MS Entourage Project Center, but implemented in a less cumbersome way - I really liked the ideas behind that application, just not the way it forced me into using entourage. So…

A project/information manager called omniProject?

It is a spreadsheet application. Since it has been rumored that Apple will release one with iWorks you guys figured it was time tom come out the closset with your own.

Finally, somebody has the courage to release a product with a blurry icon. Perfect icons are so 2001…

I think it is a project management tool. I pray that it is a project management tool. I currently use OmniOutliner Pro + kGTD to keep my life in order, but with large time-line based projects at work and a complete paucity of strong productivity enhancing project management tools the thought of an Omni tool to ease my pain makes me all hot and flush with concentrated excitement.

I'd love to see a good project management software or a replacement for yojimbo.

Get me in the test team! :-)

Magazine or Comic Archiver

I too think it is a PodCast creation application. One that can records/edits the audio, maybe upload podcast to server and create RSS feed. omnicast, omnipod are most likely names.

I'm sending that blurring icon the folks at CSI with the instruction… “Enhance this”. They can make ANYTHING clear, I've seen it.

I have two guesses:

A) Along with a vast array of others, I'm guessing a GTD standalone program. Mostly because Ethan has been very, very quiet lately ...

2) If not, I'm guessing it's a new, incredibly improved iCal replacement. With decent PDA synching.

III) failing that, it's a HPDA, and you're putting a big one over on us.

Not to repeat other comments, but people on the OmniOutliner forum/listserv are always asking for OmniProject. (And we're never wrong :), so send me the beta!)

Self fulfilling prophesy I hope; slick GTD/project organisation.

If that isn't so I bet any eagle eyed software developer with an eye to their next dollar will put it top of the list for the next, next big thing…

Then or now, I'll give it a try.

it's a PIM/Sync tool!

I don't know why, but while reading trough the comments one thing that I was thinking of was a Reference Manager. I am not too sure of my guess, it may be just the thing I am longing for most of all as EndNote is painfull to use…

A compression tool that doesn't suck.

Looks like I'm not the first one who heard about this and immediately thought “omniGTD: gimme gimme gimme!” - chuck in a spot of Stickybrain (or Yojimbo, whatever's yer poison) and I'm in 'streamlining my indispensible apps' heaven…

(failing that, omniPorn Manager… no?)

I am going to jump on the GTD system for two reasons:

1) It is a great idea and would sell very well and has no real competition (something that OmniGuys like)

2) Eric (who built the orginal kGTD) has done NOTHING in months which leads me to believe they are working together.

BZ

...taking a look at the icon again this morning (hoping you would update us on who was getting the closest w/ their guesses) it looks like an old-fashioned phone.

So, I could use contact management software from Omni too- along with new the OmniPM of course.

Guesses in order:

1. I think it is an omniGTD application as well. Perhaps with iCal integration? (maybe even Tracks integration?)

2. If not, maybe a Yojimbo-style personal information manager.

3. A financial manager would be the third guess, as the market is still unsettled in the mac arena and someone with the resources and know-how could make a lot of money trying to kill Quicken.

4. Project management application similar to Basecamp or ActiveCollab but in Cocoa-deliciousness!

It's OmniBus, a Project Gutenberg browser.

The black blob(s) remind me of microphones… I wish it was an audio notes recording app that interprets your speech, and indexes it for spotlight, however, it's a lot more likely to be a podcasting-type app.

I hope it's an address book / contact management link to Outliner. If you can do that, you're very close to having the perfect all-round PIM and Document management / outliner solution. PIMs now - think Chronos Organizer - don't handle the notes and attachments well. Outliner does. Combine and address book, calendar and KGTD and you've got it! (I hope.)

OmniPotent: V1Agra* for hot overseas loving lucky!

I think it's a project/task management app. I know I've requested something like a number of times. I like the name someone posted above. OmniBook. Cool. :)

It's an image editor, dedicated to blurring icons.

Guess #2:

Otherwise I'm hoping for something along the lines of Yojimbo. Something that can manage your sensitive info, general docs, notes, but in a task based style. And more intuitive than Yojimbo. “Organize the things in your life with OmniLife.”

It's an RSS/Atom/News reader-tool-thing?  Even a little?  Surely is uses syndication in some way…

Omni's icons are always incredibly detailed and descriptive. The icons themselves fully capture what the app does.

So the black thing definitely looks like a hand (hold up your left hand, pretending to be holding something). The black part on the left is your thumb, the black part on the right is your three middle fingers, and the black part on the bottom is your pinky.

So the question is, what is the yellow thing? It consists of darker yellow and some lighter blotches. The darker yellow is a bit too dark to be a standard legal pad color. It is more of the YellowPages color.

This little analysis doesn't get me anywhere though. The whole hand thing, however, leads me to think that it is some sort of a “handling/managing” type of app.

[...] The crew at Omni has created quite a stir with their latest software release tease. Many are guessing that it will be some sort of KGTD-on-steriods app. Somehow, I don’t see this being the case. [...]

Is it a podcasting application?  Or maybe a complete personal information management tool.  Yeah, that's it. 

Moe.

I STILL WANT ONI!!! OH AND DID I MENTION ONI ALREADY? I WANT ONI, NOW! GIVE US BETTER/FINAL/NON-CRASHING ONI…. I'll never beg but this time…

it is either some type of Information Manager or an awesome GTD app.

I think it's a PDF editor, let's you type text and highlight on PDF files, like PDFPen but better.

I vote for a project management application. Send me a beta copy!

Hmmm..

..It's clearly OmniProject or OmniTask - a beautifully iconned project manager app, to take on and crush MS Project beneath its pixels !!

Muhahahahahahahahahahahhaahhaha..

Why not ??

I remember reading somewhere that OmniGraffle was done by people involved in Visio, before it was a MS app - and look how OmniGraffle tramples over Visio.

Peter

FTP-App like Transmit but better!

I believe it's an application for controlling coffee makers over the Internet.

More seriously, the black smudge on the right looks like a bootprint. And although the Doctor would remind us that a bootprint doesn't look like a boot, I'm going to run with it anyway, and suggest that it's OmniJackBootedThug, a secure file deletion utility.

It's OmniFinder, of course. :-)

I think it is a GTD app using Kinkless because his blog has been quiet since April, so I think he has gone in with Omni after their promotion of it

[...] Teaser Omni did it, so I’ll give in to peer pressure and do it too (I’m very suggestible). Here’s the (tentative) icon for my next upcoming application, which I really hope to have in beta before WWDC. I’m just not busy enough with three projects (yah, right!), so I need a fourth. [...]