Even in the most recent preview of iOS 15, Apple continues to work on the design of an important app – and breaks its own specifications in the process. Testers have recently been able to install the fourth beta version of the upcoming operating systems for iPhone, iPad & Co on their devices.
The new beta versions of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, watchOS 8 and tvOS 15 have been available for installation by developers and participants in the public beta program for a few hours. The biggest change affects Apple’s own Safari browser again .
Since the presentation of iOS 15 at WWDC at the beginning of June, the company has had to accept criticism of the design and the resulting problems with operation. Changes had already been made in the third beta , but they were only a start. The fourth beta now shows further adjustments, but these again cause criticism.
APPLE’S SAFARI BROWSER: CRITICISM OF CHANGES IN IOS 15 CONTINUES
As a few weeks ago, the problems with the design iPhone and iPad or Mac are shared. In Safari for iOS, the developers have worked on the new address bar again. Important functions are no longer hidden behind a menu item, but can be tapped directly in the bar that is still attached at the bottom.
For example, the controls for reloading and sharing are now directly accessible. However, these many controls in Safari from iOS 15, some of which are extremely small, ensure that Apple breaks its own design guidelines. In these so-called “ Human Interface Guidelines ”, the company recommends, for example, that interactive elements should have at least a tapable area of 44 x 44 pt. In the case of the reload button, however, it is only 27pt in width, as a tweet from Willam Key shows:
SAFARI IN IPADOS 15: NEW TAB DESIGN ALSO IN THE TABLET
If Apple had
already revised the design of the tabs in macOS Monterey Beta 3, this adjustment now also applies to iPadOS 15 . The criticism is the same in both versions of the browser. For example, it is still extremely difficult to see which tab is currently active. The gray tones chosen by Apple differ only minimally.
Since the latest update, the address line has been separated from the actual tabs again on the iPad. However, this option can be restored in the settings if desired.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT: FINAL VERSIONS WILL BE RELEASED IN AUTUMN
On the one hand, it is to be welcomed that Apple is accepting the criticism and trying to improve the design of Safari. On the other hand, many observers wonder why Apple showed these designs in public in the first place when the problems were obvious.
It remains to be seen what further adjustments the company will show in the coming betas. Apple had already informed various media representatives behind the scenes about these upcoming changes. The final version of iOS 15 will be presented next fall. It will probably be that time again in September, when Apple will most likely present the iPhone 13 .
