Core77

The Apple vs. Samsung Battle, Long May It Be Waged (for the Sake of UI Design)

By Rain Noe - September 8, 2014

in Object Culture | UX

As designers, we find it amusing that there are Apple lovers that hate Samsung and vice versa. What the layperson doesn't seem to grasp is that the rivalry is good for the advancement of UI design. While Apple typically marches to their own drum, and reportedly had no interest in producing a smartphone with a larger screen, Samsung's dominance in that area has driven Cupertino to increase the size of the new iPhones they'll be announcing tomorrow; and in desperate anticipation of that event, Samsung has attempted to steal the march by announcing their new Galaxy Note Edge last week.

At first glance the unusual, asymmetrical, curved-glass design of the Galaxy Note Edge just seems plain weird. But look at this video by Marques Brownlee demonstrating the intended functionality:

Whether you love it, hate it, or think it needs more work, the point is that this kind of incrementally different UI design is experimental, evolutionary, and may not have appeared without the motivation of competition. If Apple's track record holds, their new iPhones (and/or iWatch) are bound to have one or two features that we couldn't have imagined a few years ago. Samsung knows this and consequently has to stretch their own imaginations, and we eagerly await the kitchen-sink-like moves this will engender. For us designers not toiling away in the UI trenches, we've got courtside seats to an entertaining match that should play out for years to come.

So whaddayou guys think for tomorrow—iWatch announcement or no? And anyone care to make it "interesting?"

o

Favorite This
Q
6

Comment

Comments

Alan Miller

10 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

One aspect which everyone forgets to highlight about this is the issue of tactile location. Simply put, it is easier to locate a thumb or finger along the edge of an object than it is to place a digit on a flat plane. For some of the use cases, it is also physically easier (depends on whether its two-handed use or not). But in terms of sticking your thumb on an icon, its easier with an edge, in the same way that its easier to operate the physical volume buttons which are along an edge.

It may even be possible, depending on how complex you let this edge interface become (and how loosely you pack it), to select actions from the edge without even looking at the icon. Congratulations again to Samsung for having the courage to go out on a limb with a new idea.
!Report as spam
hipstomp

10 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Stefan, cool idea--and it actually does have that. I couldn't find a photo of it I could use, but if you look around you'll find a shot of the clock feature. Pretty cool!

As for the iWatch, I'm pretty certain they'll announce it, but positive it's not in production yet, or we'd have seen leaks by now like we have with the iPhone 6. Rumors all point to a 2015 release, they must still be working out the kinks.

- Rain
!Report as spam
Toby

10 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I can imagine cases might expose the curved edge to make notifications visible. I wonder if the risk of breakage is higher?
!Report as spam
Stefan

10 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Could be a nice feature for the edge to have a night clock show only in the curved area. So next to your bed is the phone that shows the time in the right angle to you when you're in bed. So you don't have to push yourself up or reach for the phone to know the time. Maybe the rest of the screen could be a snooze button facing straight up just like a regular alarm clock. Many possibilities and ideas pop up when seeing this phone!
!Report as spam
Daniel Louder

10 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I think there will indeed be an iWatch-like device. I couldn't even begin to imagine what features it would have or how it would solve the issues of current, similar products.

As for the Apple/Samsung(/Everyone Else) competition, I'm excited for it. There need to be two (or more) opposing forces in the UI arena to experiment with new features and make incremental improvements. I certainly have my preferences, but I wouldn't wish that either of the heavy hitters absorb the other or otherwise drive them out of business. That their approaches are different also yields similar advantages. In my humble opinion.
!Report as spam
Sami azmi

10 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

iWatch will be true.
I feel nfc will b there on iWatch n iPhone. N a one touch setting transfer. ie. An iWatch app in the fone. Set the settings face n other things in the app. Tap it on the watch and here it goes. Just a futuristic thought
!Report as spam