Confusing UI in iOS7 • Hacker News Board

Re: Confusing UI in iOS7

#71

Post by post_break » Tue, Sep 24, 2013, 5:02 PM UTC

Pxtl wrote: post #12

I'm actually surprised that there's so little visual consistency there... this stuff usually would be handled by reusable widgets - which, of course, gives you consistency for free. Still, people bag on Apple's design problems because Apple's stuff often feels almost perfect. I tried out a BB Q10 the other day and I couldn't even figure out how the heck you get to the home screen. I got stuck in the voice-search app…

That reminds me of the first time I picked up an iPhone. I opened the Maps app and couldn't for the life of me figure out how to close it. 30-45 seconds of just staring at the thing. Then I saw the home button.

Re: Confusing UI in iOS7

#72

Post by benstein » Tue, Sep 24, 2013, 5:05 PM UTC

ripter wrote: post #9

andyhmltn wrote: post #2

Nice post. The one that REALLY annoys me is reminders. If I want to add a reminder, I would assume subconsciously I have to press the add symbol. But that adds a new list. To add a new item you have to tap an empty white box with no visual cue . Brilliant.

I hate that. I also hate the the details button for a reminder is a blue "i" with a circle. To me that means Info, not edit or details.

I've been collecting inconsistencies, usability issues, and accessibility issues in iOS7. Screenshot this for me? http://ios7yucky.tumblr.com

Re: Confusing UI in iOS7

#73

Post by marinosbern » Tue, Sep 24, 2013, 5:08 PM UTC

I have a very small tidbit to contribute to the list of inconsistencies. If you were at WWDC or watched the videos online, you will have noticed the same theme being hammered in again and again: "iOS7 puts the user's content first", "we have taken away all the chrome and UI distractions to allow the user to focus on the content" etc. If you have tried to adjust the volume while watching a video, however, you may have noticed that the volume popup has a very thick blur behind it, basically obscuring the content at the center of the video you are watching for 3 seconds or more, which in several occasions (e.g. news interviews where people's faces were completely blurred out) forced me to go back to the piece I missed.

What I find particularly unsettling about this is that the user doesn't even need any kind of visual feedback. The only feedback that truly matters is the one from his ears. Imagine if your TV obscured a big chunk right in the middle of the screen every time you adjusted the volume. I find this deeply distracting and in direct contrast with the iOS7 design philosophy portrayed by its designers.

Re: Confusing UI in iOS7

#74

Post by zenocon » Tue, Sep 24, 2013, 5:10 PM UTC

terabytest wrote: post #11

Finally a post that doesn't just say "iOS7 BAD". Pretty well motivated, and I can agree with it in part. The inconsistencies it shows with the red button are confusing indeed (I just tried it on my iPad, the button in the stopwatch will change state when you begin touching, the one in the timer changes state when you lift your button, which is confusing because it doesn't work as expected). The one thing I don't agre…

> You just need to put a small amount of thought in using it.

Isn't "Don't make me think" widely accepted as a design mantra to aspire to?

Re: Confusing UI in iOS7

#75

Post by sbuk » Tue, Sep 24, 2013, 5:11 PM UTC

mason55 wrote: post #59

EGreg wrote: post #29

Is it just me or is all that gray stuff kinda ugly? And I thought WE started the gray trend way back when... (see http://qbix.com ) :) I think iOS 7 is Apple's Vista :-( Except instead of functionality gaffes, it's the UI changes that no one really wants.

I must be the only one who loves it. It just feels so much nicer to use. There are the little annoyances, sure, but things like the Reminders app were in iOS 6 anyway.

You're absolutely not.

Re: Confusing UI in iOS7

#76

Post by Aldo_MX » Tue, Sep 24, 2013, 5:13 PM UTC

I'm glad I bought my mother an iPhone 3GS, why? because it won't upgrade to iOS7 and she won't have to relearn how to use it again.

Re: Confusing UI in iOS7

#77

Post by rescripting » Tue, Sep 24, 2013, 5:13 PM UTC

jmcatani wrote: post #68

Pxtl wrote: post #12

I'm actually surprised that there's so little visual consistency there... this stuff usually would be handled by reusable widgets - which, of course, gives you consistency for free. Still, people bag on Apple's design problems because Apple's stuff often feels almost perfect. I tried out a BB Q10 the other day and I couldn't even figure out how the heck you get to the home screen. I got stuck in the voice-search app…

In my UX design classes, we would use the phrase "You can't polish a turd" to describe this situation.

Could you elaborate? Right now it sounds like you've made a snap judgement without actually trying it.

Re: Confusing UI in iOS7

#78

Post by nobodysfool » Tue, Sep 24, 2013, 5:15 PM UTC

Jare wrote: post #17

iOS7 apps are littered with this kind of stuff. In truth, I doubt iOS7 is any more confusing to a newbie than the original iOS was, and since there's so very little to do in most places, it doesn't take much experimenting to learn. The most grating thing to me at an intellectual level is the lack of consistency, but part of the smartphone experience is using apps which often have their own styles anyway (especially g…

"In truth" implies you have a fact to share, when in fact, it's just your opinion. Better to use "In all honesty" since you were being a bit dishonest in saying that "IOS7 apps are littered with this kind of stuff".

Re: Confusing UI in iOS7

#79

Post by melange » Tue, Sep 24, 2013, 5:16 PM UTC

jamra wrote: post #63

melange wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Except this doesn't seem to be borne out in reality. I have installed it for people in their 60's, 70's and 80s who find a Mac barely usable, who have had no trouble at all with moving to iOS7 after using iOS6.

Any change can be construed as kicking a percentage of users to the curb. I just don't think it's reasonable to hold back design for them. If they learn, great. If not, maybe it's a sign that you should be spending more time teaching your grandma. PS. Your grandma says you never call. She knows you're busy but still, a phone call once a week never killed anyone.

"Any change can be construed as kicking a percentage of users to the curb."

True! But not by a rational person.

Re: Confusing UI in iOS7

#80

Post by robterrell » Tue, Sep 24, 2013, 5:17 PM UTC

My biggest gripe with iOS 7 is how I can't predict that a UI element is tappable. With every new app (i.e. every app I already have that has been updated for iOS 7 and automatically upgraded by the iOS without me really knowing) I find myself having to tap various bits of UI stuff to figure things out. What's fascinating to me is seeing how my 2 year old does with it.