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

[NT1440]

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.

Without getting into the opinion of whether iOS or Android have a better UI (personally I think it's great that both have become so modernized), Android's UI overhaul has been 3 years in the making. There's a great piece on it at The Verge: http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/27/5...ow-google-discovered-what-software-is-made-of

This is the kind of thinking that I love. Seeing the rationale behind the design language that a company uses is always both insightful, and helps explain some of the changes that otherwise wouldn't be blatantly obvious. Regardless of me having little interest in Android, this is a very well done forward step for Google's UI.

 

[shanson27]

the best answer ever

 

[jhtrico1850]

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.

Windows Phone's colorless and sterile icons are terrible. The tile color scheme is more appealing than the disco neon of iOS 7 though.

 

[SpoonCody]

Without getting into the opinion of whether iOS or Android have a better UI (personally I think it's great that both have become so modernized), Android's UI overhaul has been 3 years in the making. There's a great piece on it at The Verge: http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/27/5...ow-google-discovered-what-software-is-made-of

This is the kind of thinking that I love. Seeing the rationale behind the design language that a company uses is always both insightful, and helps explain some of the changes that otherwise wouldn't be blatantly obvious. Regardless of me having little interest in Android, this is a very well done forward step for Google's UI.

I really enjoyed that video too. I love the idea of a layered look. It's like taking WP to another level (no pun intended).

For those complaining that they're stealing iOS' colors, I think that's rubbish. Number one, they're not as neon/bright, and number two, I see Material Design's colors as a natural progression of Google+. I mean, it mostly just reminds me of the colors of the Chrome and Google logos:

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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.

Placeholders! Interesting.

I'm not a big fan of the new shapes either. Wonder what the redesign will be if these are just placeholders...

 

[NT1440]

I really enjoyed that video too. I love the idea of a layered look. It's like taking WP to another level (no pun intended).

It's very interesting to me that all three platforms now use the metaphor of layering. I think this is because it's easy for users to understand, but more importantly from a concept standpoint it ties much closer to how these UI's are actually coded. Views upon views with popovers and the like.

 

[Zaft]

The top portion with the status bar looks like IOS6.

 

[Ddyracer]

The top portion with the status bar looks like IOS6.

Yeah, I hate it. Why not go 100 percent transparent? I watched many io vids and they were gushing about imagery. Well, having transparency lets images bleed through while giving you more screen real estate. Just add drop shadow so you can see the damn icons on the hypothetical status bar and done.

Also the black navbars in apps (still not gone) look ugly and a huge waste of space, i will be disabling them with gravitybox. You go through the effort of not having ugly bars in the lock screen in Android L; KitKat brought transparent bars, top and bottom on the home screen, now Google decides to go all colorful as well as adding transparency (im referring to giving devs choice in apps for the status bar) which is bewildering.

I will get used to it no doubt but I don't like it.

Rant out.

 

[MikeyMike01]

I've always hated iOS 7, but Android L looks terrific.

How can you have such different opinions about two things that look so similar?

 

[TechGod]

How can you have such different opinions about two things that look so similar?

Because Apple obviously.

 

[zbarvian]

How can you have such different opinions about two things that look so similar?

An eye for detail? There is a huge difference between the two in the way of typography, legibility and clarity, visual metaphors, animation, iconography, hierarchy, the list goes on.

 

[SpoonCody]

An eye for detail? There is a huge difference between the two in the way of typography, legibility and clarity, visual metaphors, animation, iconography, hierarchy, the list goes on.

I have to agree with zbarvian. Upon first glance, they look similar, but if you look more into it, they're actually not. If anything, I think Material Design mirrors WP more than it does iOS 7 or 8. It's WP but with a more layered look.

And as posted before, TheVerge has a great story on how Google arrived at Material Design. Spoiler alert: it has little, if anything at all, to do with iOS 7. Even the colors (which are for more muted than iOS) feels more like a natural progression of Google+, the Google/Chrome logo colors, and Google Now cards than it does trying to be "colorful" like iOS.

The concept of the Material Design is actually pretty neat, too.

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

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PS. Here's a nice Android L vs iOS 8 comparison article with lots of pictures: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Android-L-vs-iOS-8-first-look_id57664

 

[Apple blogger]

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).
These screen shots look like ios7 with an ios 6 type title bar.. And the last picture looks like windows 8
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

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The top screen shots look like ios 7 with ios 6 type title bars, and the bottom one looks like windows 8

 

[SpoonCody]

Another in depth article of the Material Design: http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...c-scrapbook-a-closer-look-at-material-design/

 

[jhtrico1850]

The top screen shots look like ios 7 with ios 6 type title bars, and the bottom one looks like windows 8

To an extent... Android L is more pastel, less neon. The icons are more symbolic too. Opening iMessage for example, the compose icon looks horribly cheap, or in Photos, Photos and Albums look really cheap.

Also, there's a lot of white space in Android L. Like the new Gmail (Which we can change). I hate the white space. It looks beautiful, but functionally, I prefer more screen real estate for me to use.

 

[TechGod]

I'm just sayin...

 

[bean dip]

I'm just sayin...

Microsoft. August 1st, 2012.
I'm just sayin.

 

[Technarchy]

Microsoft. August 1st, 2012.
I'm just sayin.

In what sense?

 

[Lloydbm41]

I'm just sayin...

Yep, this I believe is true. Google is copying the layed look employed by Apple, but I would also argue that the flat design was originated by Microsoft. Out of the 3 now, I think Google looks the best, although I'm not a fan of all the bright, white space. In the end, the best designs are copied, because it is what people seem to prefer. I don't fault any of the companies doing this. What I hate is Apple suing people for the exact same things it does. And it does an awful lot of it too.

 

[TechGod]

Yep, this I believe is true. Google is copying the layed look employed by Apple, but I would also argue that the flat design was originated by Microsoft. Out of the 3 now, I think Google looks the best, although I'm not a fan of all the bright, white space. In the end, the best designs are copied, because it is what people seem to prefer. I don't fault any of the companies doing this. What I hate is Apple suing people for the exact same things it does. And it does an awful lot of it too.

I don't recall Apple suing Google over L or the chrome cast. Or Android in the car.

I'm telling ya, Tim hasn't initiated a completely new lawsuit it's people like you holding the image that Apple sues everyone because of Steve Jobs.

To that I say "let it go"

 

[digi999]

I'm still keeping an open mind as I'm still on the fence about the new Android L stuff (I do like iOS7 much more, as I feel that it's way more colourful than Android).

One thing, for sure, though is that the black bar is unsettling (as are the icons) and the new Google Play Music app is just a disgrace. What is with all that black, any way? It just does not fit in ANY sense of the word. If that is the new design, I hope there's a way to use the old Music app. :\

 

[SpoonCody]

I'm just sayin...

What is this photo comparison 'just saying'? Just asking.

All I see on the iOS side is a layer of app icons, and the pull down notification center in front of it. Not exactly the same thing as seeing the layered look of Material Design on the Android side. If you really wanted to compare, you'd find a picture of Android with a layer of the home screen (presumably with app icons/widgets) and a second layer with Android's pull down notification shade. That'd be a more apt comparison to making your point, I think.

What that picture is telling me, if anything, is how different Android and iOS look. As for the quote, are we really going to play semantics and parse out who used what words to describe design on a smartphone? Besides, I find Material Design to be the one that truly gives a sense of depth with its more "physical" design concept. For example, all those layers you see in that picture of yours, that is just one page (like a person's contact info in the People app, for example)...

Are there similarities? Sure -- upon first glance. But if you really look at Material Design, you'll discover its pretty different from iOS, and comes from a very different line of thought. There are articles that go into what Google tried to do here and one can safely deduce it has little to do with trying to look like iOS.

It first stemmed from the idea of paper and ink (never ever heard Apple talk about iOS design being inspired by paper and ink -- am I mistaken?). Then you look at taking that idea to create layers or levels for each "piece of paper" or plane that represents different information. Then you add drop shadows to really give it depth, new animations and motions (again, where is iOS animated in the way Material Design is when you touch buttons and what not? Have you seen videos of the animation where color spreads out from your point of touch? It's quite clever and, more importantly, different than iOS. Picture below), and Android's colors (this too is pretty different -- less neon, less transparency, and more muted and solid. Colors that stem more from Google+ and Google Now cards than what's seen in iOS), and you suddenly discover a very different feel and look.

Don't forget to throw in the revised roboto font and the Floating Action Button look/usage. Android L's keyboard is, in my opinion, also far more aesthetically pleasing than iOS 8's new keyboard (and Android's had that suggestion bar way long time ago).

Seriously, check out those articles if you're curious. They're pretty interesting. This particular article says way more than what that single comparison picture tells, which, in my opinion, is not a lot:

Google Is Making Android A Beautiful, Dynamic Scrapbook - A Closer Look At Material Design

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...c-scrapbook-a-closer-look-at-material-design/

Animations:

 

[SpoonCody]

I don't recall Apple suing Google over L or the chrome cast. Or Android in the car.

I'm telling ya, Tim hasn't initiated a completely new lawsuit it's people like you holding the image that Apple sues everyone because of Steve Jobs.

To that I say "let it go"

I really like Tim Cook and his direction. One of my most favorite interviews of him had him being asked "What was the most important advice Steve Jobs left you with?" and Tim Cook replied "Not to try to be like him."

I think Jobs would've been proud. I wish I could find that interview again...

 

[jrswizzle]

I'm a huge fan of both iOS 7/8 and Android L. Really happy Google is pushing consistency across the OS - especially since I'm a stock guy. I like the flat icons/colors and the addition of transparency in various places to simulate depth.

Now I just need to get my hands on a Nexus 5 again.....maybe when the next version comes out there will be a firesale on the 5?

 

[AustinIllini]

These arguments are so annoying. The argument isn't "Which one came first?". The argument is "Which one is better?".

I swear, if car enthusiasts were as aggressive as phone enthusiasts, only Mercedes would exist and no one would be driving.

 

[TechGod]

What is this photo comparison 'just saying'? Just asking.

All I see on the iOS side is a layer of app icons, and the pull down notification center in front of it. Not exactly the same thing as seeing the layered look of Material Design on the Android side. If you really wanted to compare, you'd find a picture of Android with a layer of the home screen (presumably with app icons/widgets) and a second layer with Android's pull down notification shade. That'd be a more apt comparison to making your point, I think.

What that picture is telling me, if anything, is how different Android and iOS look. As for the quote, are we really going to play semantics and parse out who used what words to describe design on a smartphone? Besides, I find Material Design to be the one that truly gives a sense of depth with its more "physical" design concept. For example, all those layers you see in that picture of yours, that is just one page (like a person's contact info in the People app, for example)...

Image

Are there similarities? Sure -- upon first glance. But if you really look at Material Design, you'll discover its pretty different from iOS, and comes from a very different line of thought. There are articles that go into what Google tried to do here and one can safely deduce it has little to do with trying to look like iOS.

It first stemmed from the idea of paper and ink (never ever heard Apple talk about iOS design being inspired by paper and ink -- am I mistaken?). Then you look at taking that idea to create layers or levels for each "piece of paper" or plane that represents different information. Then you add drop shadows to really give it depth, new animations and motions (again, where is iOS animated in the way Material Design is when you touch buttons and what not? Have you seen videos of the animation where color spreads out from your point of touch? It's quite clever and, more importantly, different than iOS. Picture below), and Android's colors (this too is pretty different -- less neon, less transparency, and more muted and solid. Colors that stem more from Google+ and Google Now cards than what's seen in iOS), and you suddenly discover a very different feel and look.

Don't forget to throw in the revised roboto font and the Floating Action Button look/usage. Android L's keyboard is, in my opinion, also far more aesthetically pleasing than iOS 8's new keyboard (and Android's had that suggestion bar way long time ago).

Seriously, check out those articles if you're curious. They're pretty interesting. This particular article says way more than what that single comparison picture tells, which, in my opinion, is not a lot:

Google Is Making Android A Beautiful, Dynamic Scrapbook - A Closer Look At Material Design

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...c-scrapbook-a-closer-look-at-material-design/

Animations:

Image

Image

Looks like the joke went right over your head.