Concept Video Demonstrates Apple Watch-Style Interface on iPhone - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Concept Video Demonstrates Apple Watch-Style Interface on iPhone

by

Apple's upcoming wearable, the Apple Watch, takes advantage of a unique interface that arranges apps with circular icons in a cluster-based design for quick and easy access with the device's included Digital Crown, or scroll wheel.

YouTuber Lucas Menge has created a mockup of what the Apple Watch interface might look like when translated to a larger device, like the iPhone. As with the Apple Watch, Menge's concept lets users zoom in and out on the app landscape, viewing one small cluster of apps or all the apps installed on the device.


The interface incorporates app names, which deviates from the design on the Apple Watch, and simple swipes allow users to scroll through the apps installed on the phone. Tapping when zoomed out will zoom into the area that's been tapped, and when zoomed in, a tap on an icon launches an app.

Menge, whose design was inspired by a mockup post created by 9to5Mac's Michael Steeber, has published his prototype code for the design on GitHub. Apple Watch, with its unique Watch OS operating system, will be available beginning in early 2015.

Top Rated Comments

155 months ago
this is not handy. way too confusing... one must remember every position of their apps.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
155 months ago
Change for the sake of change is stupid. This looks cool, but it doesn't do anything better than the current grid, infact it does most things worse.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mw360 Avatar
155 months ago
this is not handy. way too confusing... one must remember every position of their apps.

I disagree. With this, you can potentially lay out your apps in a more irregular shape, which takes much better advantage of your evolved ability to memorise the layouts of natural landscapes. Grids are for computers, not human minds. I bet tests would show users able to find their apps far quicker in this layout.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmChimera Avatar
155 months ago
anything is better than the current setup.

who's going to swipe to page 9 to launch an app that they barely use?
Folders are your friend.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
155 months ago
Doesn't suit it so well without a digital crown.

hmm? the whole point of digital crown was to not obstruct the screen when zooming. the phone has plenty of screen estate, so it should be fine.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
155 months ago
No, just no. The only reason people are liking it is because it's different.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....
Everything New Your iPhone Can Do on iOS 27 Feature 1

50 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27 - Out Now!

Monday September 14, 2026 10:48 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 27 this week, and despite the company's focus this year on refining its flagship operating system and nixing bugs, there are still many additional features to explore, not least of which is Apple's new context-aware Siri, re-tooled for the generative AI era. Which iPhones Support Every iOS 27 Feature? This year's major iPhone software update isn't all about AI, though,...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...