Talk:Spotlight (Apple)

Update iOS image to iOS 8
I edited the end of the iOS 8 to reflect the changes made in iOS 8 to Spotlight Search. Could someone upload a screenshot of the new software, preferably showing a search for the word "Wikipedia" being performed? — Preceding unsigned comment added by BJM138 (talk • contribs) 02:36, 21 September 2014 (UTC)

Leopard screenshot
I have changed the image of the Spotlight search to one in Mac OS X Leopard. It shows the new definition section. Mister macphisto 12:12, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

Beagle
Why isnt the Beagle desktop search listed along with Google under see also. In fact, wasnt Beagle the first desktop search out there? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.238.97.165 (talk • contribs) 03:39, February 20, 2006

Where is the database stored?
Is there a way to monitor the size of the dictionaries? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.112.232.225 (talk • contribs) 23:29, May 20, 2006

This should be moved.
Spotlight is listed under the "Mac OS X" box in Applications. Spotlight is not an Application in the sense that you start it by clicking something, and quit it by clicking something else. Spotlight is always running in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and it would make much more sense to put it under the Technology section of that box. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Galendw (talk • contribs) 15:21, June 8, 2006

Mention Spotlight's problems and solutions
There's a discussion forum devoted to Spotlight on apple.com/support.

Almost all of the messages describe Spolight's unreliable search results. Typically, users are advised to disable Spotlight with a utility called Spotless, and alternate hard disk search applications are suggested.

I don't know if Apple officially acknolwedges Spotlight's problems or if they are working on improving Spotlight. Wikipedia readers would like to know. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bigvalleytim (talk • contribs) 23:04, June 28, 2006

Leopard features
Could someone help with this? I don't really understand Boolean stuff etc. and this Quick Look sounds just like normal file previews, but it'd be nice if someone more knowledgeable could clarify. Thanks

The Fish 19:49, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

Sorting of items
The "Leopard additions” section states: Spotlight Finder windows in Leopard are fixed to view and sort items by last opened date, filename and kind only. The choice is actually a little wider than this, at least in Snow Leopard, though still not complete: after doing a search, press Cmd-J (or View > Show View Options) to see the available options. ‘Size’ is not available in any view, ‘Label' is only available in icon view, others are available in all views.

Jamietshaw (talk) 11:41, 3 January 2010 (UTC)


 * Maybe we can clean up all the sections relating to operations/features, and point out some good links? Do we have a good example article of how to do this?


 * ie:


 * list features and notable limitations of the software
 * link to good instructional source(s) with all the cool tips/tricks/shortcuts


 * PolarYukon (talk) 13:29, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Booleans don't actually seem to exist in Tiger
the article states that "although not widely publicised" boolean searches are possible. I tried this in tiger (10.4.11) and it does not actually work. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.127.53.128 (talk) 21:03, 4 April 2008 (UTC)

Sneaky vandalism
Multiple instances of sneaky vandalism (Vandalism) on this article by IP users. This is resulting in repeated edits by other editors to remove bogus/uncited information. Would kindly suggest we lock the article to registered users, and/or warn the IP users, as appropriate based on Wikipedia protocols.

Current issue started with IP-edits on 8 June 2009.

I have added warnings to User talk:219.148.197.154, User talk:210.107.84.7, and User talk:124.155.211.116.

Thank you for your help! PolarYukon (talk) 06:24, 15 November 2009 (UTC)


 * Possibly the same editor, is now adding the same questionable information with a blog/unreliable source as a citation. Added warning to User talk:123.240.21.158.


 * Again invited editor to participate in discussions on this talk page.


 * PolarYukon (talk) 16:48, 22 November 2009 (UTC)


 * Just keep removing their nonsense. Eventually they'll give up and if they don't I'll lock the article to new/anon users. BTW I like how they are providing a source that doesn't actually back up what they are saying. AlistairMcMillan (talk) 21:05, 22 November 2009 (UTC)

Spotlight controversy
What does it mean in the article by "Controversy"? The section simply gives random information, and does not explain what the controversy is. WIll someone rename this section? i would, but I don't know what it should be called. Ratburntro44 (talk) 18:06, 10 August 2010 (UTC)


 * Fixed. It was vandalism from an anon account a few days ago. AlistairMcMillan (talk) 05:22, 11 August 2010 (UTC)

Does iOS use an index for search?
It seems iOS will not use any index for search. And when searching large volumes of data on iOS devices search can become quite slow. Do you know if iOS will use an index for search? (I could not find any references) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2.137.116.33 (talk) 19:37, 10 December 2011 (UTC)

Needs update
The article should be updated to reflect both Snow Leopard and Lion. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.167.237.113 (talk) 22:45, 19 December 2011 (UTC)

Disambiguation link?
I'm new to Wikipedia, so I'm not sure of the procedure. If it were simple I'd fix it myself. But I can't be the only person who thinks of a "spotlight" as a big light with mirrors designed to direct light at a certain place, not unlike a "searchlight" as the Wikipedia article calls it? I think this deserves at least a disambiguation link. --24.22.80.89 (talk) 11:39, 29 August 2012 (UTC)The internet


 * Hi, This article is clearly titled "Spotlight (software)". It's very unlikely someone is going to be confused by this article because they are looking for an article on a spotlight or searchlight. There is an article called Spotlight which is a disambiguation page that links "searchlight" right at the very top. AlistairMcMillan (talk) 20:11, 29 August 2012 (UTC)

Is this feature available on a PC?
I have a Mac and a PC. Spotlight is a great feature to find items on my MacBook Pro. But can I search my PC in a similar way? I have the latest upgrades to both. I can't find the answer to that question. JohnClarknew (talk) 02:45, 2 September 2012 (UTC)
 * I must be nuts. Been so long since I used the PC. Search, of course, by clicking on "start", and there's the search button right there. It's just not called Spotlight. JohnClarknew (talk) 03:30, 2 September 2012 (UTC)