Pushing iOS
jaymachalani.com
Pushing iOS
1–10 of 90 posts
Re: Pushing iOS
#2Couldn't all that he wants be provided by implementing a "native" Apple UI/UX on top of Android? It feels like all his points have been solved by Android for quite some time.
Still, I like this block concept... it's a good compromise between widgets & actually starting the app.
Re: Pushing iOS
#3Android widgets..unless I'm missing something here.
Re: Pushing iOS
#4As users become more proficient with interfaces, it's nice to see functionality evolve from a simple "off | on" to a gradient between "less and more".
Re: Pushing iOS
#5Android widgets..unless I'm missing something here.
They're widgets without:
- the need to install something explicitly (separate from the app)
- the need to name them "widgets" (to the user they're just a fancier icon), which reduces the apparent complexity to the user
- they are completely invisible unless invoked by the user, thus preserving the simplicity iOS
- they have a natural and fixed size that helps preserve the visual aesthetic of the grid layout, without special efforts by the user
...and probably more - that's just off the top of my head.
I don't know if they're a good idea, by the way. But it's not good to just dismiss them as "android widgets".
Re: Pushing iOS
#6I have yet to see a situation where widgets are actually useful.
Re: Pushing iOS
#7Nicely done, I am impressed.
Because everyone is mentioning that's like Android's Widget-Concept, and Android already solved this - that's not the case in my opinion. I think it's too complex for users to know what a "widget" excatly is. This is more the concept of: Show me a little bit more than the app-icon - and that's it. Imho the user would understand the concept immediately and don't have to know what actually a "widget" is, or how to remove it.
Re: Pushing iOS
#8I have yet to see a situation where widgets are actually useful.
I find them useful. Here's how:
- Weather info. Before heading out for the day I can see instantly if I might need a jacket or umbrella later.
- Tube status. I can see at a glance if there are any problems on any underground lines. If there are, I can click on the problem line to get more detailed information with a single touch.
- Calendar. Shows me my schedule for the day.
- Music. Control playback without having to launch an app.
I also have widgets I tend to only use when I'm travelling, showing currency and timezone information.
Re: Pushing iOS
#9Android widgets..unless I'm missing something here.
They're widgets without: - the need to install something explicitly (separate from the app) - the need to name them "widgets" (to the user they're just a fancier icon), which reduces the apparent complexity to the user - they are completely invisible unless invoked by the user, thus preserving the simplicity iOS - they have a natural and fixed size that helps preserve the visual aesthetic of the grid layout, without…
It reminds me of Action Launcher's "shutters". You have an icon on your homescreen, and swipe on it to show the relative widget.
Not the same concept, but still closer than normal widgets.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actionlaun...
Re: Pushing iOS
#10Couldn't all that he wants be provided by implementing a "native" Apple UI/UX on top of Android? It feels like all his points have been solved by Android for quite some time. Still, I like this block concept... it's a good compromise between widgets & actually starting the app.
Yes, a custom Android launcher would be able to implement this (though it might be a little tricky to figure out how to make the transition between app icon and widget since some apps don't have widgets, some have multiple widgets).
Given the way the Android community has picked up on these sorts of things in the past, I wouldn't be too surprised if someone creates a launcher that implements this relatively soon.