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Material Design (Android L) vs iOS 7/8 (Flat)

J

jhtrico1850

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 5, 2007
186
32
What do you guys think about Google's latest design announcements? Overall, I prefer iOS 7's clean, albeit jarring interface, over iOS 6's gawdy realism. Still, looks like Google did a complete job on the UI (Reminders, Share button, Game Center still look horrible).

The color scheme of Material Design seems neon like iOS, but a little more muted, and less jarring. Overall, glad to see the convergence in design.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/27/5...ow-google-discovered-what-software-is-made-of

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8TXgCzxEnw

material-design.png


Material_calendar_gif.gif
 
Google clearly has a better understanding of modern design and usability.

I do not like cards though, but the other visuals.
 
I really really like this new design language. I actually think I prefer this to iOS 7/8.
 
They're both really nice. I really like iOS except for the colors, but I think android l is a notch nicer. Though I'm not a fan of the new look of notifications.
 
Won't know until the final build but I'd say Google have done quite a good job. It's not massively daring but it makes a lot of sense.

It's good that Apple and Google are pushing each other.
 
I haven't played with L yet. But you have to remember L isn't complete and a lot of the apps haven't even updated to support it.

I'll withhold judgment until I play with the final version of L this Fall.
 
In addition to the visuals, Google is strongly emphasizing transitions. I was like, everything seems to flow... Then I realized I disabled Parallax lol. Re enabled it, hopefully battery doesn't die. Enabling it is a lot less jarring to use iOS too :)

Parallax is kind of fast though, Android L seems smoother.
 
I like the new style. But i wonder why they have changed to those "PlayStation-style" navigation buttons. It will be confusing if you don't know the button placement from previous versions.
 
ignatiushk said:
I like the new style. But i wonder why they have changed to those "PlayStation-style" navigation buttons. It will be confusing if you don't know the button placement from previous versions.
Click to expand...

While I agree they are definitely playstation style, I like them MUCH more than the previous UI buttons. I never liked the look of the home or back buttons on Android, no clue why but they are completely unappealing to my eyes.
 
NT1440 said:
While I agree they are definitely playstation style, I like them MUCH more than the previous UI buttons. I never liked the look of the home or back buttons on Android, no clue why but they are completely unappealing to my eyes.
Click to expand...

I didn't really like the default navigation buttons either, as the last Android phone i had was a LG G2. I kinda like the nav buttons LG has in their skin better.
 
I think the old icons, while more intuitive, were ugly.

I don't really see how circle signifies Home, but I think the better appearance trumps the initial ambiguity.
 
jhtrico1850 said:
I think the old icons, while more intuitive, were ugly.

I don't really see how circle signifies Home, but I think the better appearance trumps the initial ambiguity.
Click to expand...
In the design world, associating an action with a simple symbol (especially a shape) creates long term ease of use once the transition period is over. I think it makes good sense, while acknowledging that transition can be difficult for some.
 
I think HTC did it best with their button look on sense 6. The icons don't look short and wide like on stock, but are more familiar than the triangle, circle, square on l.
 
Well, personally I thing the redesigned UI is an improvement vs. the current style but still don't love it. I see far too much empty space, much of it white and font size seems too small. The transitions are nice, tie everything together a bit better and do like the layering effects. If forced to choose between L and iOS 7/8, I still prefer iOS, but too each their own of course.

I don't like the geometric shapes used for the home buttons at all. They aren't intuitive and don't tie into the new design at all IMO. Are an arrow, home icon and stacked boxes really that complicated? I find the new shapes the most jarring element of the changes.
 
I find Android's design more visually appealing, especially all the animations, but of course Google has to go out and ruin it by making inconsistent apps, if the developer preview is anything to go by, which it's not since it isn't a complete build, so it's too early to tell. But I honestly don't have much hope that the design will be consistent throughout the apps considering Google's track record with design.

And what's with the changing circular and square touch feedbacks in the same place? In the dialer, pressing one button gives a circular touch feedback and a square one on the other. In the notification tray, when you swipe down the settings, press any button and it's circular but when you press the notifications button then you get a square touch feedback. Not sure why it's done that way. Hopefully gets fixed in the final release.
 
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tbayrgs said:
Well, personally I thing the redesigned UI is an improvement vs. the current style but still don't love it. I see far too much empty space, much of it white and font size seems too small. The transitions are nice, tie everything together a bit better and do like the layering effects. If forced to choose between L and iOS 7/8, I still prefer iOS, but too each their own of course.

I don't like the geometric shapes used for the home buttons at all. They aren't intuitive and don't tie into the new design at all IMO. Are an arrow, home icon and stacked boxes really that complicated? I find the new shapes the most jarring element of the changes.
Click to expand...

I don't like them either. I don't see how a circle represents a house. I mean, I don't live in a circular house. Luckily, some people are saying these are just placeholders. This article has a comment that says these are just placeholders. I'm still not too sure though.
 
Circle could represent Center...

But what does square represent? It doesn't matter though, the 3 are eventually easy enough to understand.
 
Has Google copied the cover art color of the fonts and background from iTunes 11 ? :eek:

Bildschirmfoto-2014-06-30-um-15_02_27.jpg
 
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I've always hated iOS 7, but Android L looks terrific. Clean, modern, fresh, but with some clever animations and use of depth/tactility. Very thoughtful design, perhaps a little too constraining for developers. It's amazing that in about one year Google completely usurped the design throne that Apple had held for years.
 
shanson27 said:
The colors for the fonts and background from iTunes 11, You don't see that, looks the same
Click to expand...

The font and color choice as well as the more flat look of "L" makes the two different. Also, I should add that they both copied Microsoft. With apple copying W7 and android W8.
 
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