The comprehensive redesign of the Apple browser Safari has apparently failed – even before the general release, which is expected for September. In the latest beta of iOS 15, Apple integrated several settings that reset Safari to the status of iOS 14, as developers report.
Address bar at the bottom instead of the top
The company is reacting to considerable and persistent criticism of the radical redesign: In order to create more space for web content, the developers merged the central address bar and important functions and positioned them as a floating bar at the bottom of the screen. This led to irritation among users because the URL entry could no longer be found in the familiar upper position.
At the same time, the new design caused problems when using some websites because the floating bar could cover up content. Important functions for reloading or sharing were only accessible via hidden gestures and multiple taps.
Apple already eliminated the first of the numerous problems of the new Safari design in previous beta versions, but in some cases caused new annoyance: The address bar was temporarily overloaded with functions, so that there were frequent operating errors.
Option switches back to the old user interface
With beta 6 for developers and the most recent public beta of iOS 15, users have the option to move the address bar back to the top of the screen. In addition, Apple has brought back the familiar tab bar, which includes quick access to bookmarks, sharing menu and tabs, among other things. The address bar floating over web content has been pulped. In the browser settings, users can now also prevent websites from coloring the Safari user interface. In landscape mode, Apple also gives the iPhone the option of separating the address bar and tab bar again – these were originally merged.
Apple’s withdrawal also underlines that radical redesigns of the user interface of central elements are hardly possible with a user base in the billions without offending a considerable part of the customers.
(lbe)
