I’m not sure how I feel about this. 9 to 5 Mac have these shots of what appears to be a new unlock screen for the iPhone — one that looks very familiar to anyone who has used Android. This lock screen involves setting a pattern, then drawing it to unlock your phone. Here’s how 9to5 describes it:
Apple has already deployed this new lock screen internally for use in the employee ‘Apple Connect’ application for iOS devices.
There is no word on whether or not this new lock screen will make its way to iOS devices for users. We were told, though, that Apple will be pushing this lock screen down to some of their internal applications in the future. For example the applications retail-store employees use.
This is a pretty blatant crib of the Android design, with a few UI tweaks to make it look more iOSy. I do like the inclusion of the progress pie chart in the top right telling you how far you have to keep drawing, but other than that it’s a pretty straight lift of the Android version. Now, keep in mind that Apple does have the patent for “Unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image” which they’re using to sue HTC. Legally, they’re probably allowed to do this, but it still seems like a very odd approach, so directly aping an existing competitor’s product.
[via 9to5]
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I’d much rather see Apple put their effort into making the lock screen a useful conveyance for small bits of info/status – how many unread emails/texts have been received, upcoming schedule, outside temp/conditions, etc.
That looks to ugly to be from apple.