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.
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.
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.
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
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
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: 1595; 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: 1756; 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
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: 6717; 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
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
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: 1962; 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
18. Ashoaib
Posts: 3269; 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
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.
