iOS 5 Revamped UI Mockup

[linkandzelda]

On "stock" iOS5, you only see the state of the app while navigating on the fast-switching dock. This has minimal function - if at all - simply because the app is not only paused, but you have just seen it.

Also, on the iPhone the notification center totally cover up the app. As such, even the current method notification does not satisfy this requirement of yours.

I believe its important for the user to see whats going on at all times. With the iPhone as it is now, you can drag down as much as you like of the notification bar, at least I think so you can on the iPad. You can also lift it up in an increment of your choice to reveal the app behind. With your method it's either all covered or all visible. The point being here users have the choice to show both or to see the app if they want too as well as looking at notifications.

My mock up was made on MS Paint, because my Photoshop skills are non-existant. The way I could mark the running app was, as such, limited. I believe there is a myriad of visual effects and eye-candy that would allow this design to look as appealing as anything Apple has gotten us used to. And indeed, this is not something Apple hasn't ever done: on Mac OS X, running apps have a small dot and/or a highlight below then, do they not?

Of course I understand what your saying. But it would have to be something noticeable and even if it looked awesome and smooth and beautiful, its still different and still out of place on the symmetries and size of each icon.

If you closed the running app, obviously the icon and respective the highlight would disappear. I also cannot see how having an icon totally to the left of the bar + highlight could be confusing as to which app is opened at the time. I didn't get your point on the Homescreen.

Well it was simple as, true the highlight would not be there, people could be confused as to why. After all if theres a highlight for all running apps then why not on the home screen. Some people would get consumed about this. Granted, I wouldn't and neither would you but from apples point of view they could.

If you close the running app from the bar, the app would be closed, and the highlight would go away. That's it. The "multification" (as you call it) screen would be left were it was, just like it should. Also, if a user is closing an app, I expect them to know they are closing an app (and as such, realize that in the background, the app is being closed.)

Realising and seeing/knowing are two different things. Can you close your eyes and drive a car? What if your in the dark, and you press a button and you expect it to turn on the headlights, but instead it does something else because it happens to be dark outside? This might be hard to understand but its like driving a car with your eyes closed, people need to see where they are going, they can't expect something to happen and then not know if it actually happened or not.

Then again, if that is an issue, one could always have the possibility of not allowing the user to close the app from the multitasking dock. All icons could wiggle and show the "forbidden" sign, except for the running app. One could even have an warning saying "You will close the running ________ App" pop-up." appear.

A popup? Having a popup on the screen is introducing too much UI elements to the user, They will have the notification centre with all notifications. Then the multitasking bar on the bottom, and now a pop up box which warns them about the app being closed. And again. What do you mean about the forbidden sign? Or are you talking about the x, not the - sign?

If the screen is accessed from the Homescreen, the left app will not have a highlight, because it isn't running. And seriously, thinking that a user would consider the homescreen an app is pretty unnapreciative of others. xD The only reason why Apple didn't put that icon by themselves is because they had another way of returning to that app. This method compromises that way, so it finds another, which I actually find very clear.

Granted it's clear and most people would understand that. But it isn't consistent. Having things inconsistent ups the learning curve. People have to remember that this happens here, but not here. Sounds harder for new users than it is and having it consistent is easier for users and easier for apple.

And, i've seen some pretty uneducated users which have no idea about computers, but my gran picked up my iPhone, and was able to use the Maps application to scroll around. Some things are understandable others not. Although i agree its not a major drawback, but it still has some impact and could cause potential confusion and loss of data from force closing an app.

I do not think it leaves the design unclean. I do agree though that taking the app would leave a flaw on the design. Perhaps a "Back" button near the top of the Notification Centre thingy would be another idea for returning to the running app.

Personally a back button is even worse and takes up valuable space on the iPhone screen. You would already have cut the space there is for reading notifications because the multitasking bar is there. Adding a back button, where would it go I can't see a place where it could freely go without impacting on the space and user experience of the notifications. Of course you can -put- one anywhere, but there would be space on each side which is valuable and needs to be used by notifications, widgets and other things.

I suggested both double-clicking the home button or long-clicking the home button. Double-clicking is already existing on the current iOS, and does not take that long.

Well a long click would take and 'feel' longer than two clicks and is certainly longer than a single tap above the multitasking bar.

A user would know they closed the app on my method just as much as a user would know that they closed an app on the current Apple method. Same goes for returning to the app. A user knows what app he is running, and by recognizing the icon, it is also logical that clicking it will return to it. Just like clicking an app on the current method returns to it, clicking on the respective icon on this method returns to it. It really isn't that complicated.

What if i just handed my granddad the iPhone and he, somehow manages to play Cut The Rope (or rather i gave it too him with the app running.) He would never of seen the icon before, hence would have no idea what it looked like. Having no app icon on the bar at all means no need to worry about the running app and what the icon looks like.

Also, about closing an app. Theres a difference between closing and force closing. Force closing won't save data but closing it using the home button will call the multitasking functions of the app which will save its state. This would be confusing to be allowed to force close an app while its running.

Really? You think extending all your thumb up, trying to hit the spot, and swiping it down is easier than just clicking a button where your finger naturally lays down?

It depends real but overall it could have an impact over long term use. what if the iPad/iPhone is laying flat then i would still have to press the button, rather than lift up my arm, i would just need to move and place my arm instead.

It's not about the swipe down gesture. It's about the UI. The way Apple implemented the notifications has been used by Google since 2009. I bet Apple wouldn't mind saving themselves a couple thousand bucks and the public ridicule of copying the "baby OS", at the expense of no feature loss and a simpler OS architecture.

The UI, your mockup can be seen to look exactly like the current iOS 5 notification centre, which looks like the android notification bar as well. The only difference is adding the multitasking bar to the equation and changing how its initiated. That leaves one thing left which is the gesture to activate it, seems to be the only thing that matters overall.

Not really a fan of it. You have some nice points, but it looks really sloppy. I much prefer to clean sleek style of iOS.

All you're doing is taking features from the Android OS and adding it to iOS. Which will never happen. At least not the way presented above.

Care to elaborate on what 'features' are have been taken and added, which are not currently in iOS 5?

 

[Blues003]

Not really a fan of it. You have some nice points, but it looks really sloppy. I much prefer to clean sleek style of iOS.

All you're doing is taking features from the Android OS and adding it to iOS. Which will never happen. At least not the way presented above.

Because there are 2 different mockups by different users, I am unsure this post is directed at me. Pointing out who the post is directing to or quoting could be useful to maintain some logic on the thread.

I will, however, assume this post is directed at me.

Once again, I do apologise for the style not looking as great as it should. My photoshop skills are below 9000, and I had to resort to MS Paint to cpy, paste, resize and colour stuff on my mock-up.

To me, the way this is organized makes sense. It gives you a "What I must do" section, on the top, but also a "What I was doing" section on the bottom. In one single screen and gesture, you can control what you were doing and what you are going to do. It allows you to keep track of your need-to-do and what you are actually doing. I imagine myself holding an iPhone, double clicking, and having that screen appear. And to me, it simply makes sense. It is also unifying... which is something Apple aims for: check OS Lion's Mission Control, instead of Spaces + Exposé + whatever else.

Regarding the import of Android features: actually, the very main motivation for my mock up was exactly to avoid an Android feature. I sincerely dislike how Apple used Google Android's way of checking notifications, and tried to figure out how to do it some other way.

 

[xAnthony]

Care to elaborate on what 'features' are have been taken and added, which are not currently in iOS 5?

Well, mainly the Widgets. Just from the pictures posted above, it looks Android stylish. It doesn't look anything like a product Apple would even think of releasing. Android is that Widget base still where you have the music controls, different app widgets, Wifi settings, battery settings, all on the home screen. iOS is the most user friendly OS out there, and making changes like the ones above can and most likely will push people away from the device.

You may have different opinions/views.

Because there are 2 different mockups by different users, I am unsure this post is directed at me. Pointing out who the post is directing to or quoting could be useful to maintain some logic on the thread.

It was directed at the OP. Not yours. To be honest, I got lazy of reading all the posts and I haven't even read yours yet.

 

[Blues003]

I believe its important for the user to see whats going on at all times. With the iPhone as it is now, you can drag down as much as you like of the notification bar, at least I think so you can on the iPad. You can also lift it up in an increment of your choice to reveal the app behind. With your method it's either all covered or all visible. The point being here users have the choice to show both or to see the app if they want too as well as looking at notifications.

That is indeed a limitation with my method.

Of course I understand what your saying. But it would have to be something noticeable and even if it looked awesome and smooth and beautiful, its still different and still out of place on the symmetries and size of each icon.

Why would it look assymetric? Why would the icons be of a different size?

Well it was simple as, true the highlight would not be there, people could be confused as to why. After all if theres a highlight for all running apps then why not on the home screen. Some people would get consumed about this. Granted, I wouldn't and neither would you but from apples point of view they could.

Linkandzelda, it's this simple: highlight = app is running, no highligh = no app is running. It seriously isn't that tough for anybody to grasp. Do you think that swiping down to check a notification is an instant for everybody? Do you think double-tappin the home button is an instant for everybody? It's not. Those require learning. And to be honest, this highlight thing requires a lot less learning than those gestures. If anybody can learn those iOS 4 features, they can learn this just as well or even better.

Realising and seeing/knowing are two different things. Can you close your eyes and drive a car? What if your in the dark, and you press a button and you expect it to turn on the headlights, but instead it does something else because it happens to be dark outside? This might be hard to understand but its like driving a car with your eyes closed, people need to see where they are going, they can't expect something to happen and then not know if it actually happened or not.

I am sorry, but I just cannot agree with this. You said it yourself: people know an icon is an app. If they close the icon, they close the app. Questioning like this makes no sense. People don't see the notification center and they know it's there. People don't see the other homescreens and they know they are there. People don't see the multitask bar and they know it's there. They operate in function of elements they do not see just fine.

A popup? Having a popup on the screen is introducing too much UI elements to the user, They will have the notification centre with all notifications. Then the multitasking bar on the bottom, and now a pop up box which warns them about the app being closed. And again. What do you mean about the forbidden sign? Or are you talking about the x, not the - sign?

I am talking about the - sign, I'm sorry. The pop up is merely a suggestion, BTW.

Granted it's clear and most people would understand that. But it isn't consistent. Having things inconsistent ups the learning curve. People have to remember that this happens here, but not here. Sounds harder for new users than it is and having it consistent is easier for users and easier for apple.

I only suggested not being close-able because you made a point out of people not understanding that... which I find ridiculous, as I explained early. By closing an app they are closing an app. Seriously? Do you think iPhone users wouldn't understand that?

And, i've seen some pretty uneducated users which have no idea about computers, but my gran picked up my iPhone, and was able to use the Maps application to scroll around. Some things are understandable others not. Although i agree its not a major drawback, but it still has some impact and could cause potential confusion and loss of data from force closing an app.

Questioning users understand clicking on a - near an app can close an app would mean questioning users understand clicking on an app can open that app. Or users understanding what the numbers near messages/mail/tweets mean. Or sers understanding that they can actually swipe homescreens. If users do not understand that then not only they can't use an iPhone, but they can't use a cellphone at all.

Personally a back button is even worse and takes up valuable space on the iPhone screen. You would already have cut the space there is for reading notifications because the multitasking bar is there. Adding a back button, where would it go I can't see a place where it could freely go without impacting on the space and user experience of the notifications. Of course you can -put- one anywhere, but there would be space on each side which is valuable and needs to be used by notifications, widgets and other things.

Once again, it's just a suggestion. My original idea is the highlight & close-able app, and I still think it's the best. It's also intuitive, and seen on other Apple products (like OS X).

Well a long click would take and 'feel' longer than two clicks and is certainly longer than a single tap above the multitasking bar.

Once this center was up, there would be no long nor double click. There'd be just single click to homescreen, or click-on-app to resume where one was. Long/Double Click would be used just as it was used on iOS 4 to open the multi-task bar. It really takes away no functionality. It's just like it has always been, except you now get access to two things with one gesture (double/longclick), instead of needing a double-click for one thing and a swipe done for the other.

What if i just handed my granddad the iPhone and he, somehow manages to play Cut The Rope (or rather i gave it too him with the app running.) He would never of seen the icon before, hence would have no idea what it looked like. Having no app icon on the bar at all means no need to worry about the running app and what the icon looks like.

Why would your granddad long/double click the home button, then longpress a multitasking icon, and then press a - sign on the highlighted app? Do you really think that's a reasonable argument?

Also, about closing an app. Theres a difference between closing and force closing. Force closing won't save data but closing it using the home button will call the multitasking functions of the app which will save its state. This would be confusing to be allowed to force close an app while its running.

I do not think it's that confusing, but I get your point. In any case, the Multitasking dock works just the same as it worked before. So if people knew how to close an app before, the know how to close an app now. And if they didn't, then they still don't. The highlight doesn't change that at all.

It depends real but overall it could have an impact over long term use. what if the iPad/iPhone is laying flat then i would still have to press the button, rather than lift up my arm, i would just need to move and place my arm instead.

This mockup was made mainly for the iPhone, so I think of it as the iPhone's main use. And I bet a large majority of users face situations like I described rather than the iPad/iPhone laying flat on a table. Do you use more your phone on your hand, while walking, while eating, etc, or your iPad/iPhone laying flat on a table?

The UI, your mockup can be seen to look exactly like the current iOS 5 notification centre, which looks like the android notification bar as well. The only difference is adding the multitasking bar to the equation and changing how its initiated. That leaves one thing left which is the gesture to activate it, seems to be the only thing that matters overall.

It is, indeed, the only thing that matters overall. UI means User Interface. It doesn't mean Looks. It's about the way things are done. And swipe-down-to-see-notifications is the way Google did it.

 

[linkandzelda]

Why would it look assymetric? Why would the icons be of a different size?

Simple lets have an example. We have 3 iPhone 4's on a table. They are identical in both width and height. Now lets put a Bumper case on one of them. Now 1 of them looks noticeably different and breaks the evenness of 3 iPhone 4's on a table. Let's apply this to the multi tasking bar. How do you propose to take an existing app icon, and then make it noticeably different without impairing the original size and colouring of the icon and still keeping it the same and symmetrical. Symmetric is about being the same on both left and right and it is, theres 2 normal icons on the left, 2 on the right simple as that.

Linkandzelda, it's this simple: highlight = app is running, no highligh = no app is running. It seriously isn't that tough for anybody to grasp. Do you think that swiping down to check a notification is an instant for everybody? Do you think double-tappin the home button is an instant for everybody? It's not. Those require learning. And to be honest, this highlight thing requires a lot less learning than those gestures. If anybody can learn those iOS 4 features, they can learn this just as well or even better.

A gesture to swipe down, will reveal important information. and its a lot obvious that people can see something moving with their finger. I think when a user reads "Hi Blues003, want to hang out today?" they know what that means, they know its a message too them and you can see that when you swipe down.

The highlighting as i said in my previous paragraph i think.

I am sorry, but I just cannot agree with this. You said it yourself: people know an icon is an app. If they close the icon, they close the app. Questioning like this makes no sense. People don't see the notification center and they know it's there. People don't see the other homescreens and they know they are there. People don't see the multitask bar and they know it's there. They operate in function of elements they do not see just fine.

Still, opening an app is different you have only one thing you can do. Thats tap it. Closing an app has more options. You can either press the home button or hold the app in the multitasking bar and press the x to force close it. Users might not know immediately the difference between the two types of closing and that force closing will lose the apps current state.

The other home screens are there people know they are there because of the dots.

I only suggested not being close-able because you made a point out of people not understanding that... which I find ridiculous, as I explained early. By closing an app they are closing an app. Seriously? Do you think iPhone users wouldn't understand that?

an iPhone user like myself, and most other people would understand that fine. But what about new users like, for example, my granddad when i handed him the phone. What about someone who goes out and buys an iPhone for the first time ever. We need to think about every type of user not just existing iPhone users.

Questioning users understand clicking on a - near an app can close an app would mean questioning users understand clicking on an app can open that app. Or users understanding what the numbers near messages/mail/tweets mean. Or sers understanding that they can actually swipe homescreens. If users do not understand that then not only they can't use an iPhone, but they can't use a cellphone at all.

I believe that those types of UI trends can even be discovered by accident. I can place my finger on the home screen and move it. I can go to press an app, hold it and move and oh wow the home screen moved with it. I just learnt a new feature. Also with numbers it's different. We have to look at the 2 UI elements, then look at the possible changes each can have. Can number badges change? yes they can as they increment. Can the - sign change? no it's static. If a number changes a user is most likely to know something is happening there.

Once again, it's just a suggestion. My original idea is the highlight & close-able app, and I still think it's the best. It's also intuitive, and seen on other Apple products (like OS X).

The thing with back buttons on iOS, they mostly always make the screen literally 'move' back to the previous screen. I think we can both agree that having a back button not do that adds to the inconsistentness of this proposal, and that making the notifications appear on the right side is also not very plausible (so that it would make sense to slide back onto the app with a back button.

Once this center was up, there would be no long nor double click. There'd be just single click to homescreen, or click-on-app to resume where one was. Long/Double Click would be used just as it was used on iOS 4 to open the multi-task bar. It really takes away no functionality. It's just like it has always been, except you now get access to two things with one gesture (double/longclick), instead of needing a double-click for one thing and a swipe done for the other.

I see the logical, and my suggestion was probably a bit farfetched. I do like the idea of only the need for one gesture than the need for 2.

Why would your granddad long/double click the home button, then longpress a multitasking icon, and then press a - sign on the highlighted app? Do you really think that's a reasonable argument?

Some users and old people will do things for longer, such as pressing a button on a house phone, or a number on the TV remote. This could cause confusion just like double clicking does on computers. Just saying ;p

I do not think it's that confusing, but I get your point. In any case, the Multitasking dock works just the same as it worked before. So if people knew how to close an app before, the know how to close an app now. And if they didn't, then they still don't. The highlight doesn't change that at all.

It just changes the whole 'force close' thing surrounding closing an app, saving data, and in fact how the whole iOS callable functions works when you close an app, not that it would be a problem for apple to change but it is different. Force closing the running app, while its in a visible paused state is more dangerous, just like turning off the computer via the plug on the wall.

This mockup was made mainly for the iPhone, so I think of it as the iPhone's main use. And I bet a large majority of users face situations like I described rather than the iPad/iPhone laying flat on a table. Do you use more your phone on your hand, while walking, while eating, etc, or your iPad/iPhone laying flat on a table?

It depends right now I don't have my iPhone in my hand while i'm typing it lays flat on my desk. (that is, my imaginary iPhone) my iPad is on the desk though flat.

It is, indeed, the only thing that matters overall. UI means User Interface. It doesn't mean Looks. It's about the way things are done. And swipe-down-to-see-notifications is the way Google did it.

May I quote from Wikipedia on the definition of UI:

"The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the machine which aids the operator in making operational decisions."

Look closely at the feedback bit and being able to make operational decisions. iOS has common traits throughout which the user gets aware of and knows how to spot them and then hopefully, how to use them all over the OS. For example a button in the iOS settings app, looks the same on another app we know we can click it. Another example you hold an app on the home screen, press the x to delete it. I assumed that was the case when I first saw the multitasking bar, and it turned out to be the case. To me that's effective feedback and adding a highlight doesn't -tell- me anything. It's not a symbol, it's not a number, it's not text its just to make the app stand out more rather than give me the feedback for an 'operational decision'.

This also brings me back to the point. Did Google patent the swipe down gesture? I'm no law expert but if they didn't, then i don't think they have a case against Apple.

 

[Blues003]

Simple lets have an example. We have 3 iPhone 4's on a table. They are identical in both width and height. Now lets put a Bumper case on one of them. Now 1 of them looks noticeably different and breaks the evenness of 3 iPhone 4's on a table. Let's apply this to the multi tasking bar. How do you propose to take an existing app icon, and then make it noticeably different without impairing the original size and colouring of the icon and still keeping it the same and symmetrical. Symmetric is about being the same on both left and right and it is, theres 2 normal icons on the left, 2 on the right simple as that.

The same way the did not alter simetry and sizes on OS X's dock. A highlight below or around the icon does not make it bigger, smaller, or of a different shape.

A gesture to swipe down, will reveal important information. and its a lot obvious that people can see something moving with their finger. I think when a user reads "Hi Blues003, want to hang out today?" they know what that means, they know its a message too them and you can see that when you swipe down.

The way I mocked it up, there is no more complexity to what it already is. I integrated no new function. The double click was already there, and is maintained. All that happened was that I introduced more to that double-click.

Also, the Swipe down is not obvious once you let the notification go away. There is no indication of the notification on the status bar, and as such, either one remembers there was a message to be read and checks the SMS app, or only by luck will the find the notification center. Or, like they should: they simply know how to access it. Curtiously, the very same requirement of my concept.

The highlighting as i said in my previous paragraph i think.

Still, opening an app is different you have only one thing you can do. Thats tap it. Closing an app has more options. You can either press the home button or hold the app in the multitasking bar and press the x to force close it. Users might not know immediately the difference between the two types of closing and that force closing will lose the apps current state.

I think that any user who wants to close an app will simply press the home button. In fact, I see no purpose in closing the highlighted app at all. If they want to choose another app, they do so. If they want to keep on the same one, they click the icon. If they don't, they press home and go to the homescreen. It really isn't that complicated.

The other home screens are there people know they are there because of the dots.

You really think the dots tell you that much? Also, there is no indication about the swipe-down-to-notification-center or to the multitasking dock. That doesn't stop people from using those features.

an iPhone user like myself, and most other people would understand that fine. But what about new users like, for example, my granddad when i handed him the phone. What about someone who goes out and buys an iPhone for the first time ever. We need to think about every type of user not just existing iPhone users.

Those type of users wouldn't be using the Notification Centre either, because they wouldn't access it. They would be clicking the notification as soon as it came up, accessing it from the lockscreen, or not using it at all, because they did not know how to use it. Swiping down isn't that clear without instructions.

I believe that those types of UI trends can even be discovered by accident. I can place my finger on the home screen and move it. I can go to press an app, hold it and move and oh wow the home screen moved with it. I just learnt a new feature. Also with numbers it's different. We have to look at the 2 UI elements, then look at the possible changes each can have. Can number badges change? yes they can as they increment. Can the - sign change? no it's static. If a number changes a user is most likely to know something is happening there.

- sign was not introduced by me. It was introduced by Apple. If its functionality is to be questioned, it's not a fault on my mock up, but on iOS 4 to begin with.

The thing with back buttons on iOS, they mostly always make the screen literally 'move' back to the previous screen. I think we can both agree that having a back button not do that adds to the inconsistentness of this proposal, and that making the notifications appear on the right side is also not very plausible (so that it would make sense to slide back onto the app with a back button.

Agreed.

I see the logical, and my suggestion was probably a bit farfetched. I do like the idea of only the need for one gesture than the need for 2.

Thanks. ^^

Some users and old people will do things for longer, such as pressing a button on a house phone, or a number on the TV remote. This could cause confusion just like double clicking does on computers. Just saying ;p

Once again, I used a feature introduced by Apple, not by me. Its functionality has worked fine so far, and as such, should continue working. Curiously though, I did present the long-button press option as well.


I'd like to notice how you keep pointing flaws to the double-click and -sign, while indeed none of those functions were introduced by me. I actually simplified the system by removing the need for a gesture that not only can conflitct with apps, but is also not-indicated at all on how to perform. There's not even a notice icon on the status bar for a notification. And could the swipe gesture be discoreved by accident? Sure. But so could the double-click.

It just changes the whole 'force close' thing surrounding closing an app, saving data, and in fact how the whole iOS callable functions works when you close an app, not that it would be a problem for apple to change but it is different. Force closing the running app, while its in a visible paused state is more dangerous, just like turning off the computer via the plug on the wall.

As I said before: "I think that any user who wants to close an app will simply press the home button. In fact, I see no purpose in closing the highlighted app at all. If they want to choose another app, they do so. If they want to keep on the same one, they click the icon. If they don't, they press home and go to the homescreen. It really isn't that complicated. "

May I quote from Wikipedia on the definition of UI:

"The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the machine which aids the operator in making operational decisions."

Look closely at the feedback bit and being able to make operational decisions. iOS has common traits throughout which the user gets aware of and knows how to spot them and then hopefully, how to use them all over the OS. For example a button in the iOS settings app, looks the same on another app we know we can click it. Another example you hold an app on the home screen, press the x to delete it. I assumed that was the case when I first saw the multitasking bar, and it turned out to be the case. To me that's effective feedback and adding a highlight doesn't -tell- me anything. It's not a symbol, it's not a number, it's not text its just to make the app stand out more rather than give me the feedback for an 'operational decision'.

And yet, it was Apple's way of signaling an open app on a far more complex OS, where they had a lot more screen estate and options (Mac OS X).

This also brings me back to the point. Did Google patent the swipe down gesture? I'm no law expert but if they didn't, then i don't think they have a case against Apple.

It's not only about lawsuits. I am not sure about the swipe-down-gesture patent, but Google could have a case regarding simple UI. I doubt Apple patented the square-with-round-edges shape of icon, and yet it sued Samsung's TouchWiz with that.

Apple is being and will be ridiculed publicly for what they did. A portion of its userbase has already manifested its discontentment with their decision. Apple is a company that takes (took?) pride in inovating. This time, it took pride in doing what others had already done before.

 

[Eso]

Well, mainly the Widgets. Just from the pictures posted above, it looks Android stylish. It doesn't look anything like a product Apple would even think of releasing.

There would be no default widgets; I imagine you'd download them from the app store.

 

[Jagardn]

I think the spotlight search screen should be eliminated. I've had my phone for years and have never used it.

I have over 100 apps on mine, I use it all the time. Trying to dig through a bunch of screens or folders is just crazy. Actually Spotlight/Finder are some of my favorite parts of OSX.

 

[Blues003]

I have over 100 apps on mine, I use it all the time. Trying to dig through a bunch of screens or folders is just crazy. Actually Spotlight/Finder are some of my favorite parts of OSX.

Jagardn, since you saw this topic, what are your views on my mockup as well?

 

[The Phazer]

Apple is a great company because it restricts choices.

It really isn't. It's good because it does good UI work. That's in spite of the fact it restricts choices, not because of it.

But it has gone too far with iOS - iOS now gets in the way of doing basic things by lacking fundamental functions.

Phazer

 

[linkandzelda]

The same way the did not alter simetry and sizes on OS X's dock. A highlight below or around the icon does not make it bigger, smaller, or of a different shape.

Because having it highlighted changes the size of the icons appearance versus the other icons. It will look different therefore not symmetrical. They should either all be highlighted or none.

With OSX theres a small dot right in the centre making it even. The dot isn't to the left is it?

The way I mocked it up, there is no more complexity to what it already is. I integrated no new function. The double click was already there, and is maintained. All that happened was that I introduced more to that double-click.

Also, the Swipe down is not obvious once you let the notification go away. There is no indication of the notification on the status bar, and as such, either one remembers there was a message to be read and checks the SMS app, or only by luck will the find the notification center. Or, like they should: they simply know how to access it. Curtiously, the very same requirement of my concept.

The point being you can have for example Spotlight. Your on the first page of the home screen. 2 methods to go to it. You can swipe left and start typing or you can press the home button once. In your case you would be saying, oh instead we will have spotlight come up with a long click or something. I'm not faulting the activation methods themselves, i'm faulting how they are used to activate features in this mockup compared to the original activations.

I think that any user who wants to close an app will simply press the home button. In fact, I see no purpose in closing the highlighted app at all. If they want to choose another app, they do so. If they want to keep on the same one, they click the icon. If they don't, they press home and go to the homescreen. It really isn't that complicated.

You don't see a 'purpose'? no need for a purpose but its still possible. Not only that, goes back to my previous statement. People need to see where they are driving at all times.

You really think the dots tell you that much? Also, there is no indication about the swipe-down-to-notification-center or to the multitasking dock. That doesn't stop people from using those features.

They tell you enough, they have the current dot brighter so it stands out the following dots on each side are the amount available.

Those type of users wouldn't be using the Notification Centre either, because they wouldn't access it. They would be clicking the notification as soon as it came up, accessing it from the lockscreen, or not using it at all, because they did not know how to use it. Swiping down isn't that clear without instructions.

Swiping down can still be discovered with 1 action. A user placing their finger and removing it with a downward action can initiate the notification centre. Maybe it's not that obvious but could be discovered.

- sign was not introduced by me. It was introduced by Apple. If its functionality is to be questioned, it's not a fault on my mock up, but on iOS 4 to begin with.

That - sign appeared when you wanted to remove the app from the bar. The x appears when you want to delete an app from the home screen, aka from the phone completely. Those 2 signs are used what would yours be? Having the - would make it no different than the others and having the x would disrupt the UI trends and make people think they were deleting the app. And lastly having nothing would disrupt the consistency of the bar and would not give users enough feedback for an operational decision.

Once again, I used a feature introduced by Apple, not by me. Its functionality has worked fine so far, and as such, should continue working. Curiously though, I did present the long-button press option as well.


I'd like to notice how you keep pointing flaws to the double-click and -sign, while indeed none of those functions were introduced by me. I actually simplified the system by removing the need for a gesture that not only can conflitct with apps, but is also not-indicated at all on how to perform. There's not even a notice icon on the status bar for a notification. And could the swipe gesture be discoreved by accident? Sure. But so could the double-click.

This isn't about using a feature which apple made or not. It's about using those features to replace a gesture, which is the future for touch screen devices.

As I said before: "I think that any user who wants to close an app will simply press the home button. In fact, I see no purpose in closing the highlighted app at all. If they want to choose another app, they do so. If they want to keep on the same one, they click the icon. If they don't, they press home and go to the homescreen. It really isn't that complicated. "

The point being again, being able to force close the running app is bad. being able to not force close is inconsistent and causes confusion. Having the icon not there is the simplest solution.

And yet, it was Apple's way of signaling an open app on a far more complex OS, where they had a lot more screen estate and options (Mac OS X).

The dock on OSX is different, it's simple because theres only 2 ever states its in. The app is either there with no dot = closed. Or its there with a dot = open. With your proposal you have 3 states. Not there = closed, there = opened but backgrounded and, there with a highlight = opened and the running app. It's no longer 50/50 so people can't say "Oh if it's not opened, then its closed". Wave bye bye to that simplicity.

It's not only about lawsuits. I am not sure about the swipe-down-gesture patent, but Google could have a case regarding simple UI. I doubt Apple patented the square-with-round-edges shape of icon, and yet it sued Samsung's TouchWiz with that.

Apple is being and will be ridiculed publicly for what they did. A portion of its userbase has already manifested its discontentment with their decision. Apple is a company that takes (took?) pride in inovating. This time, it took pride in doing what others had already done before.

I cannot help but agree to this, but pointing out that people who want to publicly ridicule should present a better solution that works for everyone. Congratulations on your attempt with the solution, but I think my points still stand as to why Apple would not use the design.

I should state though, that i LOVE the design and I've been an iOS user for a long time and would love to and be able to use this. Who knows, maybe I will make the Multification Center for the Cydia store ;p

 

[Blues003]

Because having it highlighted changes the size of the icons appearance versus the other icons. It will look different therefore not symmetrical. They should either all be highlighted or none.

With OSX theres a small dot right in the centre making it even. The dot isn't to the left is it?

The dot is in the centre of the icon, making it even. Here it'd be in the centre of the icon, making it even as well. Don't see the issue with that.

The point being you can have for example Spotlight. Your on the first page of the home screen. 2 methods to go to it. You can swipe left and start typing or you can press the home button once. In your case you would be saying, oh instead we will have spotlight come up with a long click or something. I'm not faulting the activation methods themselves, i'm faulting how they are used to activate features in this mockup compared to the original activations.

This makes no sense. I changed no gesture feature, and I even proposed a new gesture for situations like the one you gave of old people. In fact, I even took away an ambigous one. Once again, criticsizing my solutions is criticsizing Apple's solutions; I built on what they had offered already. I'm fine with you criticsizing them; just don't give me the responsability. It's not my fault a simplistic iOS is being crammed with new features to keep up with other OSs.

You don't see a 'purpose'? no need for a purpose but its still possible. Not only that, goes back to my previous statement. People need to see where they are driving at all times.

Just like they need to know that there's a notification center hidden up or a multitasking dock below.

They tell you enough, they have the current dot brighter so it stands out the following dots on each side are the amount available.

To anyone who "picks an iPhone" for the very first time, like you said, the dots say nothing. They're barely noticeable actually.

Swiping down can still be discovered with 1 action. A user placing their finger and removing it with a downward action can initiate the notification centre. Maybe it's not that obvious but could be discovered.

Same could be applied to my/Apple's method. It could be discovered.

That - sign appeared when you wanted to remove the app from the bar. The x appears when you want to delete an app from the home screen, aka from the phone completely. Those 2 signs are used what would yours be? Having the - would make it no different than the others and having the x would disrupt the UI trends and make people think they were deleting the app. And lastly having nothing would disrupt the consistency of the bar and would not give users enough feedback for an operational decision.

My sign would be -, obviously.

This isn't about using a feature which apple made or not. It's about using those features to replace a gesture, which is the future for touch screen devices.

Apple didn't care about removing that feature when putting a new gesture. If that was so important they'd have put a swipe-up gesture for the multitasking as well. And the only reason Apple put a new gesture is because iOS is bloated with features that it was not originally designed to handle. If it could, Apple would have avoided it: using gestures within apps is bound to cause conflicts between the iOS itself and the app.

The point being again, being able to force close the running app is bad. being able to not force close is inconsistent and causes confusion. Having the icon not there is the simplest solution.

I've already agreed on this.

The dock on OSX is different, it's simple because theres only 2 ever states its in. The app is either there with no dot = closed. Or its there with a dot = open. With your proposal you have 3 states. Not there = closed, there = opened but backgrounded and, there with a highlight = opened and the running app. It's no longer 50/50 so people can't say "Oh if it's not opened, then its closed". Wave bye bye to that simplicity.

Seriously? So you feel that having to learn a third meaning (3 is such a high number! What could a highlight mean?) is a worse solution than a) copying Google and being ridiculed, possibly sued, b) implementing app-conflicts, c) overloading iOS with more complex architectures.

Apple's simplicity doesn't mean it is aimed at dumb people (it's a smartphone, after all). It means it "just works". And if you ask if this mock up that question, the answer is pretty obvious.

I cannot help but agree to this, but pointing out that people who want to publicly ridicule should present a better solution that works for everyone. Congratulations on your attempt with the solution, but I think my points still stand as to why Apple would not use the design.

I'm not saying Apple would use the design. They obviously won't. Doesn't mean it can't be a better option than what they have right now. (which is my main point).

I should state though, that i LOVE the design and I've been an iOS user for a long time and would love to and be able to use this. Who knows, maybe I will make the Multification Center for the Cydia store ;p

 

[anti-microsoft]

I don't think that much needs to be changed, just a few tweaks here and there. Anyway, here's my mockup.

PS: For some reason Photoshop has decided to squash the compressed image so please excuse that.

 

[jayenh]

I don't think that much needs to be changed, just a few tweaks here and there. Anyway, here's my mockup.

PS: For some reason Photoshop has decided to squash the compressed image so please excuse that.

View attachment 293541

i'm not sure why there are shortcuts in the notification centre... isn't that what the dock is for? 4 apps that stay the same no matter what page you are on? if its for multitasking then if they are that well used they should be within 1 swipe of the multitasking list, of not you just click home and click it from your dock. i think that space would be better suited for common settings switches, similar to what some android devices do.