Googles new Material Youis a beautiful departure from the current UI paradigm.
“I think it would be more likely to tempt away younger consumers.”
But the big deal is the look.
Since forever, computer user interfaces have looked like computer interfaces.
The original Mac used a desktop and documents metaphor, with a black-on-white, paper-like look.
While weve moved on in some ways, this central idea is still behind our computers.
And, yet, computing has changed drastically.
Most people now carry a smartphonea pocket computerwhich is far more personal than a desktop or laptop.
Material You recognizes this, to an extent.
It lets you redecorate like youd redecorate your home.
Buttons are bigger, animations bouncier, and, overall, it looks more personal, less functional.
And some accommodations are quite neat.
For example, the UI can automatically re-color itself to match your chosen wallpaper image.
“This is a totally new approach to adaptive design that strives to show the individuality of a user.
Due to endless customization, [it will become difficult to find] two similar Android phones.”
And Apple?
Users love to customize their phones.
Youll see charms hanging off kitten-ear cases, or sober, stitched-leather wallet cases.
Apple cleaned this process up in subsequent iOS updates, likely because it was so popular with regular users.
WidgetSmith is an app that lets you create custom widgets for the iPhone and iPad home screens.
Its absurdly customizable, and after it was seen in use on TikTok, app sales went nuts.
WidgetSmith saw50 million downloads in just a few months.
To say theres an appetite for customization on our phones is an understatement.
How will Apple respond to Material You?
But how far will it go?
On iOS youre pretty much limited to choosing your wallpaper.
Design is a big part of Apples brand, and every iPhone is an ad for that brand.
It would be quite something if Apple relaxed its tight grip on the design of iOS.
Too Far?
But does Material You go too far?
Or is Androids new look the beginning of big changes across computing?
This is a totally new approach to adaptive design that strives to show the individuality of a user.
“It really remains to be seen,” says Freiberger.
“I do think it’s different enough that it might fall into the novelty category.
But even if it does, some elements of it will survive to the next iteration.”
