Is this the successor to Samsung's TouchWiz user inteface? Meet Iconic UX

posted by Peter K. / Oct 10, 2014, 3:41 AM

Arguably the most well-known and popular stock Android ROM out there, Samsung's TouchWiz, usually receives a lot of flak for a number of reasons – despite that it's among the most feature-rich Android user interfaces, Samsung's solution is not as intuitive and smooth running as some of its main rivals. Although it's getting better with each iteration, the hate-it-or-love-it TouchWiz is usually among the most criticized segments of a new Samsung device.

@evleaks' sneak peek of Samsung's alleged UI

Image: 1 of 3

Well, we don't know for sure if Samsung's aware of the downsides of its UI offspring (it most probably is), but it seems that the manufacturer might be secretly working on a TouchWiz substitute. Rumors and alleged screenshots initially made the rounds earlier this year, courtesy of the now-retired leaker extraordinaire @evleaks. They revealed a user interface that at first sight does not stray away that much from the more recent variations of TouchWiz.

Samsung has apparently filed in a patent regarding a conceptual user interface, dubbed Iconic UX, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office back in March, but details (and images) about said patent application emerged just now. Solely judging by the accompanying images, the user interface will allow Samsung users to navigate between various UI elements by swiping up or down, thus expanding or compacting a slew of UI categories, namely the calendar, the music player, the gallery, etc. All in all, it bears certain similarities with Samsung's Magazine UX.

There's no word when or whether said Iconic UX will debut on a Samsung device at all. The interface has little to do with the recently-released demo video of the purported Android L version of TouchWiz, so we might be dealing with nothing but a conceptual user interface, so take this with a fistful of the finest salt you can find. It could very well be a UI improvement for Samsung's own Tizen platform.

What's your opinion on the matter? Is a TouchWiz replacement such as this Iconic UX long overdue? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Samsung's Iconic UX

source: KIPRIS via Galaxy.nl (translated), GSMDome

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52 Comments

1. nohatenofanboy

Posts: 515; Member since: Jul 15, 2014

they have to change it bcuz its looking ugly and outdated. apple htc lg has changed their UIs.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 3:46 AM 16

3. neops

Posts: 297; Member since: Jan 28, 2014

Blinkfeel

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 3:52 AM 7

8. Industriality

Posts: 131; Member since: Sep 08, 2014

Sense is definitely the best UI for Android, LG (G3) is pretty good as well, very clean design.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 4:02 AM 10

17. Ashoaib

Posts: 3276; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

well lg is copy of touch wiz... they tried to offer all those features which samsung offers... but recently they have refind their UI and it doesnt look cluttered any more

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 6:03 AM 3

51. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

It use to be. But after I used Sense 5 I was solely disappointed. My very first Android was the HTC Droid Incredible and I loved Sense on it. But it got very bulky after that. I didn't like TW at first. I can't say I do or don't as I now have used 6 (Droid Charge, S3, S4, S5 Note 2 and 3) phone with it and own 3 myself (S3, Note 2 & 3). It could use some optimization and fine tuning. But I don't think they should change the UI/UX. I don't want to replace icons with Tiles period. The static icons of most UI's are never gonna go away. It's simply to simple to let go of. Anything wouldn't be more complicated, just bulky and take up to much screen real estate.

posted on Oct 13, 2014, 12:23 PM 0

13. AnTuTu

Posts: 1602; Member since: Oct 14, 2012

Looking forward to it. Hopefully some great features and improvements are coming.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 4:30 AM 0

14. nohatenofanboy

Posts: 515; Member since: Jul 15, 2014

samsung has to change ui. I think they can make very unique ui in terms of design and function. also it would be great if they lighten the ui. it would effect both speed and battery life

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 4:50 AM 0

27. Liveitup

Posts: 1798; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

Just like what HTC did with Blinkfeed Samsung has also made the jump from Icons to Live Tiles.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 7:25 AM 4

33. hurrycanger

Posts: 1759; Member since: Dec 01, 2013

Because whatever retangular widgets must be called Live Tiles for your purpose. ;)

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 9:29 AM 1

35. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

Technically, if htey are displaying live information instead of static icons, and are not widget extensions but part of the ui as its base functionality. Then...yea... First thought for me was, blinkfeed and live tile had a kid.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 11:33 AM 0

37. Liveitup

Posts: 1798; Member since: Jan 07, 2014

Widgets are clumsy and not aesthetically pleasing they don't fill your entire homescreen, we all know that these new homescreens are WP influenced, its clear as day.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 12:14 PM 0

44. The-Sailor-Man

Posts: 1095; Member since: Mar 25, 2014

So you are one of them: PA : "TouchWiz is usually among the most criticized segments of a new Samsung device" WHO CRITICIZE TW??? LOL Well, let's see......the tech media bashing Samsung in Apple's favor. All the other iboys pretending to be "disappointed samsung owners", and few brainwashed android freaks that want every day to flash some ROM. TW made Android so popular, and TW is the best thing that happened to Android. And the main reason for Galaxy success. Period

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 8:06 PM 1

2. vandroid

Posts: 405; Member since: Sep 04, 2012

"Feature rich" most features turn out to be very gimmicky and not useful.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 3:52 AM 6

5. maherk

Posts: 6773; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

And that's why almost everyone is "borrowing" these gimmicky features right?

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 3:59 AM 19

7. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

ikr. Even Google had to borrow Samsung's Knox and quick toggles in the notification shade from Samsung. #HatersGonnaHate

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 4:01 AM 20

12. vandroid

Posts: 405; Member since: Sep 04, 2012

Notice I did say useless, is Knox useless? No it isn't, youre right haters gonna hate but hey my crotch is a bit hot. Mind hopping off? Thanks

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 4:25 AM 2

19. shuaibhere

Posts: 1986; Member since: Jul 07, 2012

So what about air commands?? When moto copied it suddenly it became useful...so are mini apps now.... Haters who have never used TW in daily life dunno how functional it is...

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 6:19 AM 5

25. pookiewood

Posts: 631; Member since: Mar 05, 2012

The Crotch joke was lame. You brought it up why run from the fight when your argument falls flat? Most people don't like Touch Wiz because they have a seeded hate for Samsung.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 7:13 AM 4

30. synthetic_llama

Posts: 26; Member since: Jan 06, 2013

Yeah u lost this one. smh at your comment. "Even if you fall flat on your face.." i supposed your still moving forward though handroid. im out

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 8:41 AM 3

47. Dr.Hye

Posts: 95; Member since: Apr 16, 2014

Is this not the reason why google told samsung to eas up on all the extra features that samsung puts in their phones. Because it leaves no room for Google to added any new UI feathers. For example the pop up text messege on the screen or the pop up phone call. So if I'm in a middle if watching a video and a call comes in it pops up the call to offer you the options to pick up, speakerphone, or simply hang up.

posted on Oct 12, 2014, 12:26 PM 0

10. gigaraga

Posts: 1454; Member since: Mar 29, 2013

Not 'borrowing'. Copying.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 4:06 AM 5

6. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

Its only 'gimmicky' because you don't use it. I personally find UPSM, S-Health, Water-dust resistance, removable battery and multi-window very useful. The rest of the features I don't use. That doesn't necessarily mean they are gimmick but not useful to ME but could be useful to someone else.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 4:00 AM 12

15. Awalker

Posts: 1973; Member since: Aug 15, 2013

I had the S3 and S4 and I can honestly say there was nothing in Touchwiz that I needed or found useful. The UI felt overwhelmingly bloated and it bogged down both phones. I will probably never buy another Samsung device again unless they follow Motorola's "less is more" approach.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 4:51 AM 0

20. shuaibhere

Posts: 1986; Member since: Jul 07, 2012

Yeah..less is more...that is why they added air command from TW..

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 6:21 AM 6

31. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

lol...true dat +1 Someone give this guy a cookie =)

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 8:56 AM 1

18. Ashoaib

Posts: 3276; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

you are right, some people dont use some features and sometime dont even know that certain feature is available... for example, many colleagues of mine dont know what is wifi direct and they get amazed when I use Usb OTG... they didnt knew it that these features are also available in their phones except those who have iphones

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 6:07 AM 2

52. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

So!? Yes gimmicks aren't a bad thing. Some people will and have found them useful.

posted on Oct 13, 2014, 12:26 PM 0

4. Industriality

Posts: 131; Member since: Sep 08, 2014

FINALLY !!!!

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 3:57 AM 1

9. gigaraga

Posts: 1454; Member since: Mar 29, 2013

Just lighten the UI Samsung! Looks are good, could use some improvement, but TouchWiz is great. Let's hope this Iconic UX is even better!

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 4:05 AM 2

11. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

Doesn't look any better, All I'm seeing is different icons and lighter font. They better keep the stock Android L looks, lighten the framework, cut gimmicks and maintain their best in class functionality and features.

posted on Oct 10, 2014, 4:13 AM 4

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