UI
Latest
Samsung's Galaxy S21 series updated to One UI 4 with new Android 12 features
Following the beta launch in September, Samsung has released its One UI 4 software update with new features from Android 12 like the Privacy Dashboard.
Android Auto can now realign Google Maps for right-hand drive cars
This one's for you, Brits.
Xbox remote play is open to everyone on Android devices
The new Xbox Android app can help you set up your Series X/S console.
Microsoft's new Xbox UI stretches across One, Series X, PC and mobile
A new Xbox experience will connect the Xbox One, PC, mobile apps and -- once it launches in November -- the Xbox Series X.
The PS5's dashboard will have ‘a whole new visual language’
The PlayStation 5 was finally unveiled last week and whatever you make of the design, we can probably agree that it’s something of a departure from the console’s previous iterations. Now, PlayStation’s head of UX design has said we can expect the same for its user interface.
Hulu is rolling out a new home screen to Apple TV and Roku users
The most obvious to viewers will be that each “tray” can display different-sized tiles. The different sizes provide a much-needed visual break to keep you from getting some “scroll fatigue.”
Windows 10 UI updates have been spotted in a Microsoft promo video
Windows 10 now has one billion active monthly users -- likely thanks in part to the deprecation of Windows 7 in January. To celebrate the milestone, Microsoft's chief product officer, Panos Panay, shared an Instagram video recounting the various iterations of Windows' UI. The look of Windows 10 could keep evolving, it seems, as some eagle-eyed viewers spotted new types of windows, interfaces, and menus.
'The Outer Worlds' is about to get a fix for its tiny in-game text
If there's one major criticism of The Outer Worlds, it's surely the bewilderingly tiny text size used for menus and dialogs. Squinting and scooching does not make for enjoyable game play, and for those with visual impairments, it renders the game unplayable. But that's about to change.
'Death Stranding' update will fix tiny, hard-to-read text
One of the more prevalent criticisms of Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding is that the onscreen text is often pretty small and difficult to read. Kojima Productions has been working on a fix for the issue, and you'll be able to increase the font size.
This is the new Steam Library
Take a good look around, folks. This will be the home of your PC video game collection for the next decade or so, if history is anything to go by. The new Steam Library, complete with a fresh hub for events and a redesigned Categories section, will launch in public beta on September 17th. And, it's bringing a few other goodies along for the ride.
Standalone Cortana app available to Windows Insiders
Microsoft has been distancing Cortana from Windows for months. First, it split the virtual assistant from search in Windows 10. Then, a beta version of a standalone Cortana app appeared on the Windows Store. And starting today, Windows 10 Insiders are able to test the new Cortana app beta in Windows.
Apple adds system-wide dark mode for iOS 13
As expected, Apple's newest mobile operating system, iOS 13, will include a system-wide dark mode. The company announced the change at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) today. While the feature has been circulating through the rumor mill for months, it's still one of the most notable changes to come out of this year's conference.
Google's swipeable Wear OS Tiles offer info at a glance
Swiping is one of the easiest and most intuitive gestures in the touchscreen armory, especially when you've got limited space. Google clearly gets that, having added swiping to Google Fit and Google Assistant on Wear OS smartwatches. Now, it's announcing Tiles, a new quick-access interface for more watch functions.
Former Gmail designer builds Chrome extension to declutter your inbox
Despite Google's attempts to improve Gmail, the web version remains hectic and cluttered. While that might be frustrating to users, it's especially irritating for Michael Leggett, one of Gmail's former lead designers. Finally fed up, Leggett launched Simplify, a free Chrome extension meant to streamline your inbox.
iOS 13 may include system-wide dark mode and undo gesture
With Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference less than two months away, more details about what iOS 13 might have in store are emerging. It could add a system-wide dark mode, deeper multitasking options, an undo gesture and updates for the likes of Safari and Mail, according to 9to5 Mac.
The Polestar 2's infotainment system is powered by Google
Volvo's all-electric performance car brand, Polestar, tweeted out a teaser link for Google's new HMI (human machine interface) system which is expected to debut in the automaker's upcoming Polestar 2 later this year.
Netflix refreshes TV interface with a handy navigation bar
Netflix is giving its TV interface a fresh lick of paint with an update that should make navigation a little easier. A new bar on the left of the screen lets you jump to the TV show and movie catalogs, depending on what you're in the mood for. You can also check out all of the latest content Netflix has added in the New tab. So, when the new seasons of Orange is the New Black and Stranger Things arrive, you'll know where to find them quickly. The bar lets you access search and My List in a flash too -- you'll no longer need to scroll through a bunch of rows in the home screen to find everything you've saved for later viewing.
ASUS stuffed a screen into the ZenBook Pro 15's touchpad
Remember Razer's Switchblade UI? Remember Windows SideShow? If you ever dreamt of a computer with its own secondary display, then ASUS' New ZenBook Pro is the device for you. In place of a traditional touchpad, the company is adding the ScreenPad, a 5.5-inch touchscreen that can even run its own apps. That's the headline feature, at least, of the company's latest flagship laptop aimed at creative professionals.
MIT researchers turn water into 'calm' computer interfaces
Our lives are busy and full of distractions. Modern computing. with its constant notifications and enticing red bubbles next to apps, seems designed to keep us enthralled. MIT Media Lab's Tangible Media Group wants to change that by crafting "calm interfaces." The Tangible Media Group demonstrated a way to precisely transport droplets of liquid across a surface back in January, which it called "programmable droplets." The system is essentially just a printed circuit board, coated with a low-friction material, with a grid of copper wiring on top. By programmatically controlling the electric field of the grid, the team is able to change the shape of polarizable liquid droplets and move them around the surface. The precise control is such that droplets can be both merged and split. Moving on from the underlying technology, the team is now focused on showing how we might leverage the system to create, play and communicate through natural materials.
Everyone will soon have to use the Google Calendar redesign
If you've been avoiding the visual refresh Google recently gave to the web version of Calendar, your time is almost at an end. Starting January 8th, users of G Suite and Google Domains will be automatically switched to the new design. Anyone who opted out manually won't be forced to use the new Calendar until February 5th, but all users will get the upgrade on February 28th.
