Apple's Fingerprint Scanner

If you pay any attention to the tech industry or even watch or listen to the news, Apple always seems to make the headlines. Apple has recently released its 7th iPhone, the iPhone 5s (we don't understand the numbering system).

The new iPhone 5s is sporting the identical body to the iPhone 5 with a few new features. The main feature we will be talking about today is the controversial fingerprint scanner. The tech giant has explained that the fingerprint scanner is supposed to increase the security on the phone as well as create a more streamlined User Experience (UX) for unlocking your phone, instead of entering in the cumbersome 4 digit pin. But is it necessary? 

From all the comments and feedback from Apple's millions and millions of iPhone users, we could not imagine a finger print scanner being the at the top of that list for things to change. 

A hot topic over the past year was the uprise in stolen cellphones, particularly iPhone 5. Was this enough of a boost for Apple to take action and implement a state of the art finger print scanner? Is the general public really in that big of a risk? 

The way we view it is that the majority of the users do not even use a password at all. Apple mentioned in their latest keynote, around 50% of users do not use or set up a password at all. Will the fingerprint scanner be that big a of a game changer that people will go out of their way to set up their fingerprint scanner for additional security? We think yes. Despite 4 digits being short and very quick to type in, a one touch finger print scan is that much easier.

However we think that the finger print scanner was not just about basic security upgrades. We feel that Apple has a long term plan to integrate their passbook feature with credit cards and mobile payments.

NFC has not kicked off nearly as quickly as anticipated and we are sure every major retailer in the world is just waiting for Apple to jump on the wagon. But it seems that Apple might be taking a different route and trying to set the precedent  of mobile payment methods. We think that the finger print scanner will be the first piece to the puzzle. 

Apple is fantastic at earning their customers loyalty and trust, what better way to do it then implementing state of the art security into their phones that one day will store all credit card info and different payment options.

We believe Apple is on to something big but will only be as big as how receptive the market is to their ideas.

Wearable Tech

Here at UI/UX Trends Blog, we like to stay on top of all kinds of tech trends. An obvious emerging trend is the increasing hype and prooduction around wearable tech. Watches and glasses are no longer just your plain old fashioned accessories. They now have the ability to be something more than that. They have the potential to be as good, maybe even better than your mobile phones.

With the release of Google Glass, there is much more capability and variety in terms of mobile browsing and the app world. With Google Glass, the practicality behind hands-free mobile browsing is a reality. This does not limit to only mobile browsing, this also creates opportunities for hands-free apps and software to be integrated with the Google Glass. With watches, there are a number corporate companies that have jumped on the wagon for making smartwatches. With companies such as Sony, Samsung, and Apple who is planning to release the "iWatch" It is no question that both Google Glass and smartwatches are going to be a trendy accessory tech geeks are going to rave about.

How does this all correlate with User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX)? With these new tech devices, designers and developers will have to approach UI and UX in an appropriate manner towards these devices. With having quite a new way to interact with these smart devices, it'll be very interesting to see how the interface and experience will be approached.

The question is, how successful will these products really be? The transition from moving to mobile and changing it to your watch or glasses is definitely not a practical thing to do and definitely takes time. Not to mention, there is very few notable apps that are available for these devices as of now.

We believe that there lies a huge potential in making these devices as effective as our mobile phones today, however, it will take quite some time. The software and app developers will be a vital role in pushing these through.

What's your opinion in the movement behind wearable tech, and do you believe it will be as successful as mobile phones?

Sliding Webpage Panels

(Image Source: HongKiat)

Sliding Webpage Panels are cool and many people use it to showcase their work. How does this trend work and how can it change the internet today and in the future? You can learn more about this on our website: uiuxtrends.com

Social Media Badges

(Image Source: WebTreatsETC)

Social Media Badges like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc... are seen on many website out there and it is one of the biggest marketing trends on the Internet. This is one of the most effect ways to drive more traffic to your website. You can learn more about this on our website: uiuxtrends.com

Say goodbye to Skeuomorphic design.

Flat design has been a big trend in web design for a while now. With Apple's launch iOS7 we see that this trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Say goodbye to Skeuomorphic design and hello to bright colours and flat icons. This trend creates a clean and mordren feel to the design of any website. What do you think of this trend? let us know! For more on Flat design and more UI and UX trends head over to our website!

Web Design Trend Combos

Fixed header bar on websites are becoming more and more popular because it makes the website more user friendly. That’s want UI and UX is all about!

Most of the time this techniques is used with a few other very common design trends like CSS Transparency, Infinite Scrolling, and Single-Page Web Design.

Also Responsive Web Design is the most popular design trends out there on the Internet. Everyone one wants their website to be viewable on any platform no matter the size of the screen.

There are many stunning website that uses a combination of these design trends. Check out the latest design trends on our website, uiuxtrends.com

Let us know which combination of these trend you have used on your designs.

CSS Transparency

Many designer out there has used CSS Transparency in one way to another to make their website more attractive and modern looking. Plus it’s a technique that helps a web designer save a lot of time.

The way that this was done in the past was creating the transparent image you needed in Photoshop which was very time consuming and it doesn’t always turn out right. The way it is done now is just a few lines of code and it will work exactly how you want it to. You can learn more about it on our website, uiuxtrends.com

Please feel free to share how you used CSS Transparency on your web designs. Look forward in seeing your awesome work!

Background Alterations

What's a technique one can use to emphasize a specific element? A technique to let the user focus in only one specific subject? Background alterations.

Background alterations vary from darker overlays, blurs, opacity, just to name a few. It is usually used when there is a pop up box, confirmation box, usually used when there is an action from the user to be involved.

Automatically the user's eyes will focus into an element that is much more dominant and obvious, it is how the human eyes work. Things that are much more obvious will grab our attention and the background alterations is perfect for doing the job.

However, what are some techniques do you guys use to let the user focus on a specific subject/ element?

Importance of Typography in Flat Design

Flat design is becoming more and more prevalent in todays modern web design. However with flat colours, minimal patterns, drop shadows or gradients there is a lot of opportunity to be creative with your typography. Keep in mind that your webpage is an informational piece that you are trying to convey to the user. The most important part of the page are the words that are on it. Interesting typography is a key elelement to keep the readers engaged with your website. Learn more on our site uiuxtrends

Let us know how you use flat designs on your websites or interesting and effective techniques that you use in your typography.

Mobile and Web Hierarchy

In one of our articles, we discussed mobile hierarchy and its importance.
We came up with a few elements that covers what a successful mobile hierarchy should have, such as:

• focused similarity - a main theme or grouping for elements
• proportional sizes - significance of elements pertain to its size
• negative space - creates a sense of flow and lets the users' eyes rest 
• page weight - the less a page weighs, the better in terms of functionality and accessibility

What are some key elements to a successful hierarchy in your opinion?

Using Vector Icons and Shapes

It is no question that the incorporation of vector shapes and icons are incredibly dominant in today's user interface. One can get a sense of what an interface's theme is with the help of these vectors.

The usage of vector icons are usually used in mobile apps, logos, web/ mobile navigation, or skills in one's portfolio. Usually being .png's, preserving a design's transparency. Vector shapes are used for emphasizing elements or to guide the user's eyes into a specific area. They are incredibly effective and can be used in a rather subtle or flashy way.

There is no sign of this trend slowing down at the current moment. However, do you think this trend will last in the long run or will it fall short?

It's finally here!!!!

Our website is finally complete!. We are very excited to be able to share our knowledge and skill with the world. We would like to invite all of you to come and visit our website and to take a look at all the latest trends in web and mobile .  Feel free to leave any comments that you have or if you have found some alternative material that you would like to share with us we would be very grateful and possibly add it to our website. Thank you again and we hope that you enjoy what we have done.

UI/UX Trends Under Construction

Welcome to the begging of something great. We are 4 students who are currently taking the New Media Design and Web Development course at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. We are currently in the middle of creating our first website together as a team. Our website is based around current and upcoming UI/UX trends that we feel are the key components to developing and designing a fresh new look and feel for todays sites. Stay tuned and we will keep you up to date when our site is ready to launch.