Samsung Follows Apple and Lets Users Move Mobile Browser Address Bar to the Bottom of the Screen

[MacRumors]

Apple took significant flak from users when it moved Safari's address bar to the bottom of the screen in iOS 15, but Samsung apparently liked it enough that it's now added the same option to its own mobile web browser for Android phones.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1455711773802258437

As shown in the tweet above, the optional layout now appears in a beta version of the Samsung Internet app. To be fair to Samsung, Apple wasn't the first to move the address bar below the browser window. Google tried something similar in 2016 for its own home-grown browser before canning the idea following negative user feedback. Microsoft had a similar browser interface design on Windows Phone, and even Firefox has played with a bottom address bar on Android.

That said, Samsung's timing is a bit curious, coming in the wake of Apple's much-publicized and highly divisive Safari interface redesign. Apple made sweeping changes to Safari browser in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey, making numerous alterations to the organization and layout of tabs and other tools. Following a user backlash, Apple walked back the most controversial changes in successive betas, and made the position of the address bar optional.

Article Link: Samsung Follows Apple and Lets Users Move Mobile Browser Address Bar to the Bottom of the Screen

 

[n0va]

this is amazing news for all 4 samsung mobile browser users

 

[twistedpixel8]

Samsung: “shut your face we don’t copy Apple.”

 

[mystery hill]

Next they will bring the notch to their TVs.

 

[1Peace]

Am I the only one who switch it back to the top almost immediately?

 

[MacFather]

Internet Explorer on Windows Phone a decade ago.

View attachment 1901318

 

[ruka.snow]

Am I the only one who switch it back to the top almost immediately?

Maybe you have longer thumbs than the rest of us?

 

[Big Ron]

I don't think the 'movers and shakers' at Samsung have an original idea between them.

 

[chucker23n1]

Am I the only one who switch it back to the top almost immediately?

No. If you were, they wouldn't have provided that option.

 

[dralsadi0010]

Samsung: “shut your face we don’t copy Apple.”

do you know that they had it 2 years back before apple announce ios 15

 

[Nozuka]

Am I the only one who switch it back to the top almost immediately?

Took some getting used to. But i gave it a chance and now prefer it at the bottom. Easier to reach.

 

[Ubuntu]

I don't think the 'movers and shakers' at Samsung have an original idea between them.

Tbf they've had a few in terms of hardware (e.g. larger phones, foldable phones) but software wise I agree 100%, they're basically just trying to be Apple here.

 

[G3Blue]

Am I the only one who switch it back to the top almost immediately?

Why would you want it at the top?

 

[Damtoft]

Am I the only one who switch it back to the top almost immediately?

I mean why would you even do that? I think it was one one of the best changes ever to put it at the bottom!

 

[DFZD]

The bottom navigation bar was first introduced in experimental browser Opera Coast. So technically they both copied Opera and then numerous other browsers like Vivaldi on Android.

Personally I think this should happen more often, why not bring these amazing innovations to more users across different manufacturers?

Every Single manufacturer copied iPhone's notch after dissing it. But they all got rid of it once they realised how much R&D sweat Apple put into what's inside that hideous cutout. So copy someone else or don't copy but make It worth while for your users at least.

 

[Nozuka]

Why do people still care who had what first? If it's something good, it would be stupid not to integrate it as well and in the end the consumers will profit.

 

[mctrials23]

I know that it makes more sense from a UX point of view but I think that the notch makes it look horrible personally. Makes it unbalanced. I used it for a week or so and then changed back. I don't do a massive amount of web browsing on my phone though so probably isn't as beneficial for me as it is for some

 

[tfigs]

Am I the only one who switch it back to the top almost immediately?

Nope. I did as well. I went through the whole beta cycle with the different itineration of Safari. I gave them a chance, but I prefer the look of it on top. It has nothing to do with my thumbs or typing, the keyboard is still on the bottom. Glad they listened to feedback and gave the option.

 

[Serban55]

but i thought samsung phones let you do everything you wanted....

Lets Users Move...so even on samsung phones you were restricted like a JAIL​

 

[Damtoft]

Nope. I did as well. I went through the whole beta cycle with the different itineration of Safari. I gave them a chance, but I prefer the look of it on top. It has nothing to do with my thumbs or typing, the keyboard is still on the bottom. Glad they listened to feedback and gave the option.

That is a BIG mistake!

 

[newdeal]

I just wish an android browser had a shortcut to bookmarks right on the screen like safari does. I have no clue why they always seem to bury bookmarks two presses from the main browser window

 

[vinay427]

but i thought samsung phones let you do everything you wanted....

Lets Users Move...so even on samsung phones you were restricted like a JAIL​

There were numerous browsers on Android with address bars at the bottom for years now, and unlike iOS, Android permits different rendering engines. Samsung phones are in fact less restricted on this front.

 

[xxray]

People just hate change, even though the Safari iOS 15 design is way more ergonomic, quick to use, and less frustrating. Doesn’t make sense to have the UI at the top of a phone that you can’t even reach unless you use two hands.

 

[macintoshmac]

If the industry copies from each other, we call it bad. If they don’t, we end up with jarring experiences and maybe incomplete experiences.

Why is it bad that others are also providing the option now? Timing be damned. Dan is just being unnecessarily dramatic. It’s a good thing that users get that choice and people should just call it what it is - Industry moving towards bottom-located URL bars again like the decade-old Windows Mobile did.

We could interact with Tiles on that Windows OS on mobile. Information would be dynamically updated. Like Apple’s Widgets now.

Ideas are always copied if they make sense. How they’re implemented makes all the difference and ultimately serves to advance us towards something.

 

[MrGimper]

Samsung: "Can't innovate my ..... oh, actually no, no we can't"