i'm really surprised to find myself more impressed with microsoft's metro style than ios. i wish android had gone with something extremely minimalistic like this.
At first I was really impressed with the Metro-style home screen. But as I watched this video, actually, for the first time, having now seen Metro several times, I realized that there was something about it I didn't like: I think it came down to the constant movement on the home screen. It actually reminds me of web banner ads. Now I'm sure that's configurable but I think I understand why that wouldn't be desirable. Of course that said I'm sure that's the kind of thing some people will love.
Live tiles are great; on my Windows Phone 7 I can get a lot of context just by looking at few tiles in the "root" display (time, the next meeting I'm in -- hopefully not many -- email count, etc.)
I used an iPhone for a couple of years, and would hate to go back.
I was surprised how static and dull the iPad looked; just a bunch of dead icons that don't do anything for you. Reminded me a lot of the desktop in Windows 3.1
The other thing to realize is that you don't stay on the home screen for long. You see if there are any inrestesting notifications and then move on to what you want to do.
I'm of a mixed opinion about this. I agree with you somewhat that iOS initially does look cluttered compared to Metro but Metro is also lacking obviousness as others have mentioned in this thread. It's a difficult balance that one deals with in design. I'd like to see if the average user, in particular kids, have any trouble navigating the UI. There is something to be said when even a two year-old can use the iPad.
That said, I could not be more impressed with Metro when it comes to search functionality, contracts and being able to view two apps at once.
Many things in iOS are pretty unobvious too. E.g. I didn't know the iPad keyboard could be split like that before I saw this video. It took me a while to figure out how to delete items in a tablecell (swipe horizontally). Most of my friends don't know you can double-tap home, press & hold running app icons to close them. I see no difference in per-app settings in Metro being a swipe right feature than iOS Settings > AppName. And remember, all of these features are for managing the OS. The app themselves can implement any features they want. 3-year-olds don't change brightness, they play Angry Birds.
What you are referring to are essentially shortcuts or an easier way to accomplish a task. You can still operate an iPad without the knowledge of these shortcuts. With Metro, my comments are relating to basic functions of the OS.
I agree with you on settings. I find them confusing on iOS because some have the settings within the app and some have them in the settings app. Metro's way is much better but it's still hidden to the average user unless they know it's there.
E.g. I didn't know the iPad keyboard could be split like that before I saw this video.
You'll have to find another example of non-obviousness in iOS. The split keyboard isn't even in the iOS you've been using, unless you're running a beta release of iOS 5.
I am on iOS5. I knew it was coming too. I even looked through Settings > General to see if there was a way to set the keyboard layout. I didn't think about doing a [press & hold] on the key I use all the time to hide the keyboard.
I listed delete tablecell & close application as two initially non-obvious examples. Two more examples for new users: Refresh for new email/events by dragging down the top rows and making folders on home screen by dragging one app over another. I'm not saying these are bad gestures - they're all very clever and once you know about them, they become second nature. I'm just saying I see no difference between having to learn/figure these out the first time and Metro's new gestures.
The iOS slide-to-unlock is certainly easier but didn't they patent it?* If the most obvious way of unlocking a screen is patented, others have to find either something even more obvious for everyone (not easy) or rely on something less obvious but not patented.
I have yet to read a negative review of this but then it's coming sometime next year. Anyway, competition is good and MS is usually good at fighting in the trenches for years, so you can never rule them out. .
MS also makes or will make money each time an Android phone is sold
You should see Engadget's preview on it, and also listen ThisIsMyNext's latest podcast. They all complain about how inconsistent and messy it is to get back from one "desktop" mode to the Metro mode. They should've kept them separated as OS's.
Thanks! Just read read Engadget and it's amazing how many people agreed with that. Shows desktops are not going anywhere for a long time. Maybe MS will add a 'module' so it's a full desktop when needed? If you want to do any meaningful work a desktop is a must.
And let's face it, with all their faults Windows works pretty good. It ain't easy to make an OS that works with all printers.....scanners and everywhere in the world. My desktop is 4 years old and works perfectly.
This video might have felt different if they had not chosen that atrocious, noisy background image for the iOS springboard — and had they adjusted the brightness on each device to be more similar.
