[twint7787]

I know most of the discussion here is usually focused on hardware and since some issues were addressed, and some were created, regarding the software chatter has died down. However, I was wondering if anyone was feeling like I do, that MS needs to deliver a little update to WP/Metro/Modern design aesthetics. I'm still perfectly happy with the design now but I hate when people stagnate with design. There are small things that could be addressed that don't really add much to the design and are actually less functional.
Second question. There was an article written about how WP can't just be another 'me too' phone. To which I got to thinking about notification center and how MS put it at the top to be like everyone else but with phones getting bigger and bigger it makes less and less sense to put it there.
So with those little nuggets I wanted to know what people thought about design and where things are headed and what people think MS should do.

[Nerdy Woman]

Personally, I like the design and the flexibility to personalize my start screen. I'm not sure what "small things" you are referring to.

Unless your running a 1520, your phone is still small enough that the notification center swipe down makes sense. It's not so much about being like everyone else as being intuitive to use. People coming from other OSs are familiar with the behavior so it's functional where it is. Making it different for the sake of making it different just adds to frustration.

WP is not just another "me too" phone. With several models sporting Qi support, NFC, automated syncing with OneDrive and PC apps, not to mention cameras that make you want to put your point-and-shoot on ebay, there is more than just good looks that differentiate WP from everyone else. Sadly, Microsoft has not exploited unique features in advertising and now, they are no longer unique. Case in point: Samsung is running ads about their Kid's Corner function on Samsung Galaxy and last year, it was a BFD when Find My Phone functionality was added to Android and iPhones (as an installable app). Geez, my 920 came with both those features installed and ready to roll.

Changing design is not a small matter when everything on the screen is about functionality. Our mental schema keeps a map of where things are and how to use them. An analogy would be your local supermarket. You know where to find everything... until they change the store layout.

[twint7787]

Personally, I like the design and the flexibility to personalize my start screen. I'm not sure what "small things" you are referring to.

Unless your running a 1520, your phone is still small enough that the notification center swipe down makes sense. It's not so much about being like everyone else as being intuitive to use. People coming from other OSs are familiar with the behavior so it's functional where it is. Making it different for the sake of making it different just adds to frustration.

I currently have an 8X which is only a 4.3 inch screen and I do not think swiping down from the top makes more sense then swiping from the button or long pressing the windows button (just random ideas). What if you own a 1520? Does it still make sense? Without crying a little, the best example I can give you is webOS. Yeah I know it's dead. However, the first time I used the phone everything about navigating that phone felt right. Like somehow my brain already knew how to navigate it. It was THAT intuitive. I think there is still a lot of room for companies to improve their UI, MS included.

WP is not just another "me too" phone. With several models sporting Qi support, NFC, automated syncing with OneDrive and PC apps, not to mention cameras that make you want to put your point-and-shoot on ebay, there is more than just good looks that differentiate WP from everyone else. Sadly, Microsoft has not exploited unique features in advertising and now, they are no longer unique. Case in point: Samsung is running ads about their Kid's Corner function on Samsung Galaxy and last year, it was a BFD when Find My Phone functionality was added to Android and iPhones (as an installable app). Geez, my 920 came with both those features installed and ready to roll.

I am going to have to disagree with you here. I think WP is another me too phone. Basically all phones behave and operate the same nowadays. That's not necessarily a bad thing but in the markets where MS really wants to succeed (US), they have little to differentiate themselves with the competition. NFC, OneDrive, and Wireless charging can be found on other phones; sometimes all it takes is a change in backing. All cameras are also getting better and better and I think it is such a marginal area that you are not going to win over many users just because your camera is a little bit better. If at all.

Changing design is not a small matter when everything on the screen is about functionality. Our mental schema keeps a map of where things are and how to use them. An analogy would be your local supermarket. You know where to find everything... until they change the store layout.

I agree that changing design is not a small matter but your point doesn't really cover what I am discussing. Visual aesthetics have nothing to do with the mental map in your brain. In fact it is a non-factor because if the design was to be changed your apps would presumably still be where they are and it would not take you very long to re-map your brain if it required it. Think more iOS 6 to iOS 7. I am talking strictly visual. It does not need to be a radical departure but the OS has basically gone unchanged sans the new parallax scrolling.

[HeyCori]

I (and a lot of people here) have been using the Dev Preview program for so long that we forget that most users just got WP8.1 a few months ago. The extra column, image backgrounds, new volume controls, enhanced multitasking screen, Cortana and other changes are still new. Some AT&T Lumias didn't officially get 8.1 until the end of July. It was weird walking into stores with my decked out, Dev Preview phone and seeing all the devices that were stuck with 8.0. Especially knowing that most users had a long wait before getting 8.1. And now I'm on 8.1.1. and can take advantage of app folders, further enhancing the start screen. For those of us "in the know," the UI updates are already old news. For many users, they're just getting a taste of all the new features.

[Bobvfr]

I love the design of metro, especially on WP, if you want to change your look maybe put a picture in your tiles, if you choose the right picture it can be stunning (I have gone back to plain Xbox Green tiles on my 1520)

The biggest design issue is with W8/8.1 as you are stuck with odd and often non matching tiles, would be nice if you could set a colour like in WP.

Bob

[sumton]

I do think they should introduce design update on windows phone 9

[twint7787]

I'm just saying the OS is going on 5 years with a lot of the same visuals. I think parallax scrolling is really cool but things like folders are enhancing the functionality of the phone not really changing the look. Like I said earlier think iOS6 to iOS7, or the new Android L. I think MS got a lot right with metro fresh out of the box but they can't stay stagnate.