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A new version of iOS always requires some adaptation time. But do I have to get used to it this?
Those of you who have downloaded iOS 15 may have noticed a new feature in iMessage. When someone uploads a photo, video, or group of photos, a upload icon will appear in the chat stream right next to the media. The icon is a small square crossed by a down arrow. Click the button and you’ll save the image to your Photo Stream, which Apple displays by changing the icon to a check mark.
My sister shared a photo of her dog, but I’m distracted by the ugly icon next to it.
Credit: screenshot: rachel kraus / mashable
Previously, to save an image someone sent you over text, you had to click to expand that image, click on the square with an up arrow icon, and then scroll down to the “Save Image” option. Photo”.
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This process was certainly a bit complicated and not that intuitive. I understand how difficult it may have been for some users to figure out. However, I cannot support the design and placement of the new method. It’s clunky, makes the tech too visible, and frankly it’s just a little ugly – something you really don’t expect from Apple.
Apple seems to have taken intentional steps to make iMessage more visual: it lets you select an icon for a group name, respond to texts with “heart” and “!! And represents people through their photos – or a photo of their initials, if you don’t select a photo for a contact, instead of just their name.
It also redesigned the way you send photos and videos in iOS 15. If you send more than one image in a single message, it stacks the images on top of each other. It looks more like a stack of photos now, which you can click to enlarge. This fixes the issue of a bunch of photos clogging your feed.
A stack of photos looks pretty and takes up less space in a visually pleasing way! But the download icon gets in the way.
Credit: screenshot: rachel kraus / mashable
But next to those “stacks”, in the middle of a lot of empty space, is the download icon. It’s a bit of an electric blue, so with my background in dark mode, it caught my eye right away.
I think what I’m taking issue with is that in a media stream it puts something that’s just utility in the middle of everything. It’s a small thing, but I found that seeing it annoys me. It shook me up from conversations, distracting me from the content.
Of course, the new location of the feature will be useful for people who just want to download images quickly. But even on the public services side, there are problems. Beside a stack of photos it downloads all the images which can be annoying if you are just trying to upload one. I also noticed that a tapback on a stack of photos overlaps the download icon, which looks like a UX traffic jam.
Beep beep, traffic jam iMessage icon.
Credit: screenshot: rachel kraus / mashable
Apple was clearly trying to make downloading photos from iMessage easier and more intuitive. But he did it without his usual thoughtfulness and style. I’m sure we’ll all get used to it. And I’m not angry, just disappointed.
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