Why You Will Prefer the Rounded Toggle Buttons of iOS 5

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Posted August 19, 2011 at 4:43pm by Shalom Levytam

Apple has modified the toggle buttons in its upcoming iOS 5 operating system to be round rather than rectangular.

Gizmodo explains that these rounded corners are easier on the eyes and easier for the brain to process because the fovea of your eye can process circles faster than squares. So apparently you will prefer the circular buttons because they don't make you work as hard.

Rounded corners also point inward and focus your eyes on the content inside an object. A squared edge is the exact opposite - it focuses your eyes on the stuff outside of the object. When you look at the rectangular buttons of iOS 4, you have to work harder to shift your gaze from the outside to the inside of the button. In iOS 5, there's little work involved. You look at the round button, your eyes focus inward and you make your selection with ease.

Compare the images below and let us know what you think!

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Why You Will Prefer the Rounded Toggle Buttons of iOS 5

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Sali - August 21, 2011 at 11:04pm

I prefer old one

Who1981 - August 21, 2011 at 9:33pm

Totally agreed

Chase Bradley - August 20, 2011 at 7:03pm

Ahaha notice how in iOS 5 they took out the part "to avoid substantial roaming charges". Lol they want people to not know what's going on and just leave it on! They want your money!!! lmao

John - August 20, 2011 at 2:57am

Well, its not that important, but it looks cool.

Noah - August 19, 2011 at 9:51pm

I fell more relaxed an my eyes don't tense when I look at the round button, but it does when I look at the rectangular one.

tomi - August 19, 2011 at 9:07pm

Yesterday using battery doctor i found out that it uses the same round toggles as iOS5!

budsal - August 19, 2011 at 8:43pm

holy sh!t. really? Is this the stuff of technological evolution? what a world!! who cares about those toggles anyway? don't we all just use SBSettings and rarely if ever use apple's built-in toggles.

soller - August 19, 2011 at 7:52pm

LOL that's what I call brainwash

farpthor - August 19, 2011 at 9:23pm

Can't wait to see Jobs's keynote on this subject: REVOLUTION! HIGHEST PERFORMANCE EVER! GROUNDBREAKING DESIGN! What a joke.

JuniorNM - August 19, 2011 at 7:46pm

Definatly round toggles look and feel much better when you compare both images side to side. Just before seeing these two images I'd rather square toggles, but now I've just changed my mind!!!

Chief Wiggum - August 19, 2011 at 7:44pm

So thats why American cops love doughnuts?

J - August 19, 2011 at 7:35pm

like boobies, butts. I can process those easily

Dave - August 19, 2011 at 6:55pm

I Totally agree, rounded buttons are easier a faster to visualize!

AleXxX - August 19, 2011 at 6:32pm

Now Samsung will have round toogle buttons...but a 'lil bigger...so totally new...

NeHoMaR - August 19, 2011 at 5:39pm

Circles are better, but need to be as big as "old" version.

liam - August 19, 2011 at 5:34pm

i wonder who did this research and what other shapes they tested, i want a cydia app for triangle toggles :-)

cdude - August 19, 2011 at 5:31pm

Wow.. this is revolutionary, how did we live without rounded buttons until now? I can't wait to upgrade. Actually heck with upgrading I will just definitely get an iPhone5 now to get rounded buttons! Yay... I am so excited - how will I sleep?

iPorwin - August 19, 2011 at 5:13pm

I love rounded toggles..

Will - August 19, 2011 at 5:01pm

I like the iOS 5 buttons more but that might be because I've been using iOS 5 for the past couple of months

TA - August 19, 2011 at 5:21pm

Shucks.... Almost can't wait for iOS 5 to be available.... Stevie.... We r waiting.

TA - August 19, 2011 at 5:24pm

Shucks...almost can't wait for iOS 5 to be available.... Stevie... We r waiting...