Forum Discussion
Discussion - Updating our interface with Fluent touches
Thank you so much for all your feedback on the overall design of the new version of Edge, as it is invaluable to our getting the experience right. A common thread through this feedback has been a lot of discussion about the definition of “Fluent” design, and how it should apply to Microsoft products, so we wanted to share an update to provide some clarity. As opposed to a specific or static set of design rules, Fluent is intended to be an ever-evolving design system across Microsoft products. As the world around us continues to evolve, including devices, interaction models, user habits and expectations, the Microsoft design system must also evolve to meet the changing needs of our users. This means Fluent will not necessarily always represent everything that it did several years ago when the look and feel of the legacy version of Edge was first developed. You can learn more about the current direction of Fluent by visiting the Fluent Design System Page, which provides a summary of the design system as a whole, as well as how it applies to different platforms, applications and controls across Microsoft.
If you browse through the Fluent guidance at the link above, you’ll note that the new version of Edge is aligned with the current direction Fluent is going, and we will continue to evolve along with the design system and Microsoft as a whole. While Edge may be one of the first to put some of these new Fluent elements into practice, you will continue to see other products across the company update to reflect this direction as well. For example, you’ll notice that the latest Fluent designs are characterized by rounded corners across objects and controls, and the new version of Edge is consistent with that guidance. Another example is that there isn't a pivotal focus on transparency in the latest Fluent designs, and surfaces of the new version of Edge reflects this.
This is not to say we will never consider incorporating such aspects into our designs going forward, or perhaps offering options to customize the look and feel, but there are no plans to incorporate these elements into the default experience for all users at this time. However, there are other design investments on our roadmap to continue aligning with the broader Fluent direction, such as updating icons and illustrations across the product. Please continue to send your feedback on the overall Edge look and feel, including preferences and pain points, as we are always open to learning more and updating our direction based on the needs of our users.
- The Microsoft Edge Team
Reza_Ameri-Archived yes and no 🙂
I agree there has to be an option for touchbased devices but when done properly it shouldn't offer options to customize. It will only lead to more things developers have to take into account.
I have edge on my iphone and ipad and it works perfectly. I don't feel the need to change something.
However, for Desktop version of Microsoft Edge , for example for Windows , the story is different, some people might not want big icons if their device doesn't support touch, consider Tablet mode in Windows 10 as example.
In addition, customization is advantage, so in general for desktop it should support touch and normal size because there are devices which work as Tablet and Desktop , but we might have another option to make it smaller (but this part is subjective and personally I don't like small icons but we need to check who like this feature).
- Spoiler
Reza_Ameri-Archived wrote:
Well, actually Microsoft Edge on mobile devices is different with Microsoft Edge desktop and in that case it must support touch because touch is the only way to interact with tablet and mobile like iPhone or iPad or even Android devices.
However, for Desktop version of Microsoft Edge , for example for Windows , the story is different, some people might not want big icons if their device doesn't support touch, consider Tablet mode in Windows 10 as example.
In addition, customization is advantage, so in general for desktop it should support touch and normal size because there are devices which work as Tablet and Desktop , but we might have another option to make it smaller (but this part is subjective and personally I don't like small icons but we need to check who like this feature).Not really, I can connect a USB hub using OTA cable to my Android phone and connect my gaming mouse and keyboard to my phone, done that before, works perfect. USB C.
plus, with Samsung phones, new ones, offering Dex feature which creates a desktop experience on bigger screen with Windows 10, it makes more sense to use keyboard and mouse.
customization is definitely not an advantage. what is the best and an advantage is to make something, 1 thing, that is in the middle and is best for everyone.
scalability is however a different thing, I think Microsoft should include the address bar, top bar, ellipsis menu and related contents to the zoom level in here: edge://settings/appearance
so we will be able to scale down/up the whole UI, it won't break anything, just UI elements should be responsive.
websites UI are response now, so why shouldn't browser UIs be.
- Not agree, let me give you an example, in Microsoft Office, there is touch mode, when you press it, icons will become bigger. So if you use Microsoft Office (e.g. Word) using mouse and keyboard , you are fine but use in tablet, it is hard because user couldn't press menu correctly and we need to use touch mode. Same for tablet mode in Windows 10.
In addition, from experience most users would switch to legacy Microsoft Edge in tablet because its icon are touch friendly instead of using Internet Explorer or Chrome because interacting with them in touch device are difficult.
What I am saying is simple, we need one style and it is based on analysis and feedbacks and Microsoft Edge team would know. However, touch friendly option is mandatory requirements. There are many touch devices and this option is needed. Such feature is already available in Microsoft Office and Windows 10 and it is followed by UX and UI standards and based on software engineering concepts.- Spoiler
Reza_Ameri-Archived wrote:
Not agree, let me give you an example, in Microsoft Office, there is touch mode, when you press it, icons will become bigger. So if you use Microsoft Office (e.g. Word) using mouse and keyboard , you are fine but use in tablet, it is hard because user couldn't press menu correctly and we need to use touch mode. Same for tablet mode in Windows 10.
In addition, from experience most users would switch to legacy Microsoft Edge in tablet because its icon are touch friendly instead of using Internet Explorer or Chrome because interacting with them in touch device are difficult.
What I am saying is simple, we need one style and it is based on analysis and feedbacks and Microsoft Edge team would know. However, touch friendly option is mandatory requirements. There are many touch devices and this option is needed. Such feature is already available in Microsoft Office and Windows 10 and it is followed by UX and UI standards and based on software engineering concepts.That's not true.
currently the new Edge is more touch friendly than Chrome because of the bigger UI and depending on tablet/PC, the DPI and Windows scaling take care of everything.
on 4K monitor for example, Windows automatically uses 150% scaling and 1080p it uses 100% recommended level.
on tablet things don't look the same way you see them on PC.
