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Google Cleans Up Gmail App With An All-White Redesign (engadget.com)
While Gmail on the web was significantly redesigned last year, the app for Android and iOS stayed relatively unchanged, with the exception of an update last year that removed the bold colors in favor of an almost entirely white look. Engadget reports that a redesigned Gmail for mobile is starting to roll out today and it will be available to all Android and iOS users in the coming weeks. Engadget reports: Functionally, the new Gmail mobile app isn't wildly different than what came before. There's a button in the lower-right corner to compose a new email, just like before -- it's just white with a multi-colored "plus" sign, the same glyph that shows up in Gmail and Drive on the web. The iconic top red bar is now white, and the whole top area is a search bar; the old app required tapping a smaller target to get into search. Finally, there's a shortcut right to the account switcher on the main page. Previously, switching accounts required opening the sidebar, but now that option is front and center.
A few features that came to the web version of Gmail make their way to mobile today. Probably most recognizable is that attachment previews will show up below the messages, making it easier to both find messages with attachments and get a sense of the content. For those that prefer to see more messages, Google also has "comfortable" and "compact" density options that remove attachment previews and avatars, respectively. The large red phishing warnings that Gmail on the web shows also now show up in the app. Visually, it looks just like you'd expect if you've tried any of Google's recent mobile apps -- it's basically all white, with the new Google font throughout.
A few features that came to the web version of Gmail make their way to mobile today. Probably most recognizable is that attachment previews will show up below the messages, making it easier to both find messages with attachments and get a sense of the content. For those that prefer to see more messages, Google also has "comfortable" and "compact" density options that remove attachment previews and avatars, respectively. The large red phishing warnings that Gmail on the web shows also now show up in the app. Visually, it looks just like you'd expect if you've tried any of Google's recent mobile apps -- it's basically all white, with the new Google font throughout.
Wow, perfect. So not only does it look more bland**, but now that phones are beginning to move to oleds we get MORE white in the UI? Good thinking!!!
**not sure why everyone seems to think it's good to not having lines denoting the borders of anything, whether it be separators between emails or the edges of a button.
The current crop of UX designers seem to be following the philosophy of listen to what your audience wants and make sure to avoid that at all cost. We've gone from vivid intricate icons to stick figures in shades of grey!
"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
n/t
THAT"S WHAT I NEED! Instead of using color and shapes to help me distinguish various functions and areas on the screen, just make it all white on white with white trim. ITS SO SIMPLE A CHILD COULD DO IT!
Whatever it was, make it different.
This is not only a method that ensures work for UI designers. It genuinely works. Most people will recognize "new" vs "old", and want "new". "New" just looks better than "old". Always.
Eventually UIs will have white text on pale grey backgrounds before the next crop of designers develops green text on a black background and we will all know that this new green screen design is the pinnacle of novel user experience development.
Hotblack Desiato’s and his band Disaster Area would prefer an all black on black interface ...
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
"It’s the wild color scheme that freaks me out,’ said Zaphod, whose love affair with the app had lasted almost three minutes after the download. 'Every time you try and operate these weird white controls that are labeled in white on a white background, a little white light lights up in white to let you know you’ve done it.’"
"But remember, most lynch mobs aren't this nice." (H.Simpson)
-- Joe
I can't be the only one that finds a dark background and white text easier on the eyes. It is just more comfortable. Modern UIs are like staring at a bright light bulb all day. I guess they are fine outdoors and under bright lights, but in normal inside lighting conditions, especially in a home all white is just annoying. Paper products are like this because paper is inherently light, and reflected light works well there. Computers are shining lights into your eyes, it is a completely different medium - I wish manufacturers would realize this - they killed off paper now stop trying to imitate it.