Ideas for iOS 8 and beyond

[cmChimera]

I don't really understand why people want buttons back. I don't find it at all difficult knowing where to tap.

 

[BillyMatt87]

I don't really understand why people want buttons back. I don't find it at all difficult knowing where to tap.

Maybe for you but for a lot of people, just having plain text to indicate tappable buttons isn't that obvious and I think this is one of the areas where Ive's minimalism went too far. Having simple button borders clearly identify a touch target and it's practically GUI 101.

 

[notrack]

I don't really understand why people want buttons back. I don't find it at all difficult knowing where to tap.

As a user I don't want to get involved in thinking about how a UI works, let alone having to "learn" how it works. It should be intuitive and should guide me. The user shouldn't be challenged to consciously think about navigation. See-and-tap without reading and thinking. That's the purpose of icons, pictograms and buttons. Instant communication.

That's why I also think that the idea of "getting out of the way" by removing visual guidance aggressively isn't so smart. It demands too much attention in order to figure out what's going on. Maybe the iOS7 designers thought that the more they remove, the simpler it gets. I wouldn't agree to that.

The problem I see with iOS7 is that although the visuals of the non-content elements have been turned down to a minimum, there is even less focus on the content than before. Now everything is blended together on one white screen without distinction between relevant content and irrelevant elements like the top bar. The actual content should be presented separated from the lesser important things.

 

[cmChimera]

Maybe for you but for a lot of people, just having plain text to indicate tappable buttons isn't that obvious and I think this is one of the areas where Ive's minimalism went too far. Having simple button borders clearly identify a touch target and it's practically GUI 101.

I agree that it was GUI 101 seven years ago, but I think nowadays it's unnecessary with the proper framework.

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As a user I don't want to get involved in thinking about how a UI works, let alone having to "learn" how it works. It should be intuitive and should guide me. The user shouldn't be challenged to consciously think about navigation. See-and-tap without reading and thinking. That's the purpose of icons, pictograms and buttons. Instant communication.

That's why I also think that the idea of "getting out of the way" by removing visual guidance aggressively isn't so smart. It demands too much attention in order to figure out what's going on. Maybe the iOS7 designers thought that the more they remove, the simpler it gets. I wouldn't agree to that.

The problem I see with iOS7 is that although the visuals of the non-content elements have been turned down to a minimum, there is even less focus on the content than before. Now everything is blended together on one white screen without distinction between relevant content and irrelevant elements like the top bar. The actual content should be presented separated from the lesser important things.

Same as above pretty much. I don't think people have to think about how to the UI works. I think they already know.

 

[BillyMatt87]

I agree that it was GUI 101 seven years ago, but I think nowadays it's unnecessary with the proper framework.

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Same as above pretty much. I don't think people have to think about how to the UI works. I think they already know.

I believe that if Apple just puts a simple border around text to indicate it's a button, that would be fine. Nobody's asking them to use stitched leather or green felt to identify a touch target, just something simple and straightforward. Flat design/minimalism doesn't mean get rid of any sort of button indicator.

I appreciate that Apple implemented the button shapes in the accessibility section of the settings, but it completely seems that it's Apple's way of quietly admitting that designer/consumers were right but are too proud to put in back into the default UI.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Let Apple know since we are all the reason why they continue to be successful...

 

[cmChimera]

I appreciate that Apple implemented the button shapes in the accessibility section of the settings, but it completely seems that it's Apple's way of quietly admitting that designer/consumers were right but are too proud to put in back into the default UI.

I disagree. I think Apple gave an accessibility option specifically for the people who just have to have that visual indicator.

 

[hamis92]

The problem with Button Shapes, the accessibility feature, is that the shapes are bloody ugly as it stands. I would definitely use them if the implementation was more pleasing to the eye.

 

[C DM]

I agree that it was GUI 101 seven years ago, but I think nowadays it's unnecessary with the proper framework.

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Same as above pretty much. I don't think people have to think about how to the UI works. I think they already know.

You know what they say about leaving things from the past and not learning from them or simply thinking they are outdated without any specific reasons for it (beyond something overly simplistic "new stuff is just cool").

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I disagree. I think Apple gave an accessibility option specifically for the people who just have to have that visual indicator.

The problem with Button Shapes, the accessibility feature, is that the shapes are bloody ugly as it stands. I would definitely use them if the implementation was more pleasing to the eye.

They did it more because there were enough people out there that had some trouble with not making out controls easily (some older people, people with some disabilities, etc.), it wasn't done necessarily to bring buttons for everyone, which is why it's kind of in the form that it's in without being fleshed out that much.

 

[darngooddesign]

While I like iOS 7 I will say that the old "Back" button was beautiful.