Mobile Safari Interface Tweaked in iPhone 2.2

MacRumors · Sep 25, 2008, 01:42 PM

The release of the beta of the iPhone 2.2 brought few obvious changes to the iPhone's firmware. One tweak that was noted was that Mobile Safari got a bit of a refresh, moving the Google search bar into the title bar.

In the current version of the iPhone, the Google search only appears when you tap on the address bar.

Article Link

chr1s60 · Sep 25, 2008, 01:46 PM

I think I prefer it the way it currently is. The new version looks crammed and either way the user still has to click in the top bar to access it.

Topper82 · Sep 25, 2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chr1s60

I think I prefer it the way it currently is. The new version looks crammed and either way the user still has to click in the top bar to access it.

I 100% agree, this is stupid!

Focus on the stuff that matters Apple!! Google in the search bar but no copy & paste!?!?!? C'mon!

PoitNarf · Sep 25, 2008, 01:51 PM

The current implementation is definitely better.

cbrain · Sep 25, 2008, 01:53 PM

I like the current one, but the new one may grow on me, although it does look slightly crammed; I'd like the option to choose between them both.

slicecom · Sep 25, 2008, 01:54 PM

I don't like it. They should just make it all in one bar like Google Chrome.

tom5304 · Sep 25, 2008, 01:54 PM

I'm hoping 2.2 brings more stability to Safari. Right now Safari crashes on certain web sites within minutes, making my iPhone essentially useless for accessing these web sites.

djdole · Sep 25, 2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoitNarf

The current implementation is definitely better.

Agreed, although I'm not opposed to change and who knows, maybe there is an unforseen benefit to the new implementation (does the address-bar disappear if you click the google field, or visa-versa?)

But I think an even better decision would have been to just have the thin title line and have the address/google bar slide-down (appear) when you tap the title-line. That way more screen real-estate would be given to what the user actually wants to see (the webpage content).

NAG · Sep 25, 2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topper82

I 100% agree, this is stupid!

Focus on the stuff that matters Apple!! Google in the search bar but no copy & paste!?!?!? C'mon!

How about we stop assuming that there is only one person coding the 2.2 update.

zombitronic · Sep 25, 2008, 02:15 PM

I guess I'm the only one who likes this. One less tap to search.

MacTheSpoon · Sep 25, 2008, 02:21 PM

I think it's a good idea. That way you don't have to memorize where to tap for a Google search, it's visually indicated instead. Also more consistent with desktop Safari.

SleepyHead157 · Sep 25, 2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombitronic

I guess I'm the only one who likes this. One less tap to search.

maybe cut and paste will come from this since it's smaller and it would be user to copy and paste from that? just a guess

MacFly123 · Sep 26, 2008, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombitronic

I guess I'm the only one who likes this. One less tap to search.

I agree with you

It takes it from two taps to one. It does look a little cluttered, maybe they could make the search box a little smaller and have the boxes expand when you tap them like in landscape mode. But overall I think its a fine subtle improvement.

P.S. Isn't there anyone that wants the global landscape keyboard option anymore???

I still think they should add that among other things of course!

Daniel0418 · Sep 26, 2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombitronic

I guess I'm the only one who likes this. One less tap to search.

I agree but this is apples lame attmept to hide the fact that everything is laggy by cutting steps to get to the end result. Safari crashes so much they better fix it and they typing lags on it.

optophobia · Sep 28, 2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombitronic

I guess I'm the only one who likes this. One less tap to search.

that was exactly my thought when I first saw it

Topper82 · Sep 25, 2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAG

How about we stop assuming that there is only one person coding the 2.2 update.

With the stellar performace of the 2.X.X packages I wouldn't be surprised if they had only one coder. The point is, why do this?? Have you heard anybody complaining about the ease of use for the address bar?? Anybody on any forum anywhere??

Darkroom · Sep 25, 2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topper82

I 100% agree, this is stupid!

Focus on the stuff that matters Apple!! Google in the search bar but no copy & paste!?!?!? C'mon!

tell me about it... because it's so difficult to tap the search icon to get the google field...

i'm curious if the new mobile safari will allow post data from gmail?

MacGeek Pro · Sep 25, 2008, 02:35 PM

Yeah, I concur with most that it is fugly and crowded. The current implementation is far better.

Tom B. · Sep 25, 2008, 02:43 PM

I think what they really need to do is make the bar at the bottom thinner so that it wastes less valuable screen space. It could easily be half the size without losing any functionality or ease of use.

Sbrocket · Sep 25, 2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topper82

Focus on the stuff that matters Apple!! Google in the search bar but no copy & paste!?!?!? C'mon!

A code change like this would be made in a matter of minutes. Even if you factor in the decision process behind this, you aren't exactly talking development time hog here. Gimme a break.

Reiger · Sep 25, 2008, 03:01 PM

Everybody here seems to mis the point. This means that Mobile Safari is getting an overhaul. Since it is quite prone to crashing, this can only be an improvement I welcome.

It seems to me Apple has to be able to improve multiple things in one firmware. Push notifications will surely be one of them and we'll just have to wait and see what more is in store for us

macduke · Sep 25, 2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reiger

Everybody here seems to mis the point. This means that Mobile Safari is getting an overhaul. Since it is quite prone to crashing, this can only be an improvement I welcome.

It seems to me Apple has to be able to improve multiple things in one firmware. Push notifications will surely be one of them and we'll just have to wait and see what more is in store for us

No way. They added the (+) icon in the middle and the search icon, the ability to save images too, without overhauling Safari. Still the same old crashing crap. Not that it couldn't happen, but this small change does in no way mean that it is an overhaul.

I like this design. It will slide over, not drop down. Hasn't anyone ever used Safari in landscape? Same thing.

And to the guy who was saying you should get rid of the top system bar...why?? When you scroll down into the web page, the top address bar disappears completely. I'll agree the bottom row of buttons could be a little smaller.

Saladinos · Sep 26, 2008, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reiger

Everybody here seems to mis the point. This means that Mobile Safari is getting an overhaul. Since it is quite prone to crashing, this can only be an improvement I welcome.

It seems to me Apple has to be able to improve multiple things in one firmware. Push notifications will surely be one of them and we'll just have to wait and see what more is in store for us

Not at all. I agree that Safari does crash a lot, but interface code has almost nothing to do with the actual 'work' code. A change to the interface doesn't necessarily indicate any progress towards stability.

That said, we don't know where the crashes come from, as we don't have the crash log analysis tools Apple do. Bugs in interface code could potentially cause crashes - this is typically unlikely because interface design code is usually automated and fairly simple. However, if the number of mobile WebKit-based browsers is a testament to the engine's stability, it could well be interface code bugs that cause the crashes.

Stability is what MobileSafari needs.

ozthegweat · Sep 25, 2008, 03:01 PM

I think most of us don't like it, because we have been using the old layout for over a year now. For someone who uses an iPhone for the first time, it is much simpler to figure out how to get to the search field. Not everyone immediately recognizes the magnifying glass as the button to get to the Google search field.

But what I really would like to see in Safari is the possibility to save logins/passwords à la Desktop Safari, where you can autofill usernames and passwords.

Topper82 · Sep 25, 2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sbrocket

A code change like this would be made in a matter of minutes. Even if you factor in the decision process behind this, you aren't exactly talking development time hog here. Gimme a break.

If the decision process is anything like the app store decision process it's probably a huge waste of time.

Sep 25, 2008, 01:42 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Mobile Safari Interface Tweaked in iPhone 2.2 The release of the beta of the iPhone 2.2 brought few obvious changes to the iPhone's firmware. One tweak that was noted was that Mobile Safari got a bit of a refresh, moving the Google search bar into the title bar. In the current version of the iPhone, the Google search only appears when you tap on the address bar. Article Link

Sep 25, 2008, 01:46 PM	#2
chr1s60 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California	I think I prefer it the way it currently is. The new version looks crammed and either way the user still has to click in the top bar to access it. __________________ 15" MacBook Pro 3.06GHz, iPod 4G 20GB, iPod Classic 120GB, iPod Shuffle 4G, White iPhone 3G S⃣ 16GB,tv 160GB

Sep 25, 2008, 01:53 PM	#5
cbrain macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North-East, UK	I like the current one, but the new one may grow on me, although it does look slightly crammed; I'd like the option to choose between them both. __________________ "Bring on the trumpets!" Late 2006 iMac 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo i are MRoogle cat. please you step into MRoogle now. ToDo: Subscribe again.

Sep 25, 2008, 02:35 PM	#18
MacGeek Pro macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Vermillion, SD	Yeah, I concur with most that it is fugly and crowded. The current implementation is far better. __________________ MacGeek Pro 15-inch Unibody MacBook Pro, 2.4 GHz, 250 GB HDD, 4 GB RAM, 802.11n, 8x SuperDrive; iPhone 3G 16 GB Black

Sep 25, 2008, 02:43 PM	#19
Tom B. macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Staffordshire Uni, UK	I think what they really need to do is make the bar at the bottom thinner so that it wastes less valuable screen space. It could easily be half the size without losing any functionality or ease of use. __________________ MacBook \| 2.2GHz \| 4GB RAM \| 500GB HDD \| black SyncMaster 2343BW 2048x1152 \| Magic Mouse \| Bluetooth Keyboard iPhone 3G \| 16GB \| black

Sep 25, 2008, 01:51 PM	#4
PoitNarf macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern NJ	The current implementation is definitely better.

Sep 25, 2008, 01:54 PM	#6
slicecom macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada	I don't like it. They should just make it all in one bar like Google Chrome.

Sep 25, 2008, 01:54 PM	#7
tom5304 macrumors regular Join Date: May 2005	I'm hoping 2.2 brings more stability to Safari. Right now Safari crashes on certain web sites within minutes, making my iPhone essentially useless for accessing these web sites.

Sep 25, 2008, 02:15 PM	#10
zombitronic macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2007	I guess I'm the only one who likes this. One less tap to search.

Sep 25, 2008, 02:21 PM	#11
MacTheSpoon macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2006	I think it's a good idea. That way you don't have to memorize where to tap for a Google search, it's visually indicated instead. Also more consistent with desktop Safari.

Sep 25, 2008, 03:01 PM	#21
Reiger macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Netherlands	Everybody here seems to mis the point. This means that Mobile Safari is getting an overhaul. Since it is quite prone to crashing, this can only be an improvement I welcome. It seems to me Apple has to be able to improve multiple things in one firmware. Push notifications will surely be one of them and we'll just have to wait and see what more is in store for us

Sep 25, 2008, 03:01 PM	#24
ozthegweat macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Switzerland	I think most of us don't like it, because we have been using the old layout for over a year now. For someone who uses an iPhone for the first time, it is much simpler to figure out how to get to the search field. Not everyone immediately recognizes the magnifying glass as the button to get to the Google search field. But what I really would like to see in Safari is the possibility to save logins/passwords à la Desktop Safari, where you can autofill usernames and passwords.

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