Since its launch in 2014, Google has consistently updated its Material Design guidelines. With the introduction of Material Design 3, app developers are advised follow the new standard for UI elements. Although the adoption of these guidelines, even within Google’s own apps and Android system components, can be slow. Now, recent reports show that Quick Share (formerly known as Nearby Share) has started incorporating Material Design 3 progress bars, indicating a wider implementation of the new design philosophy.
Evolution of Material Design
Google introduced Material Design 3 in 2021 to enhance and streamline the design language for a seamless user experience. Since the launch, Google has been consistently enhancing design components to meet the Material Design 3 criteria. Recently, the focus has shifted to improving sliders and progress bars, crucial for user engagement and response.
Google’s approach to progress bars
The new progress bars in Material Design 3 have rounded corner segments and an endpoint indicator. While most Android app developers are slow to adopt these changes, Google’s own apps like Photos and the Play Store have already implemented the updated design elements.
Quick Share embraces the Material Design 3
Quick Share is now using the Material Design 3, with progress bars clearly visible during file transfers. The UI now has an indeterminate circular progress bar for “Connecting” and a determinate progress bar for transfer completion status.
Material Design 3 is not limited to Android, it has the potential to expand to other platforms. With the recent release of a desktop client for Quick Share, users are looking forward to a unified design experience on all devices. Google is constantly improving its design language, so users can look forward to more enhancements and standardizations throughout its ecosystem.
Global rollout and implications
Surprisingly, the addition of the Material Design 3 progress bars in Quick Share seems to be enabled by a server-side switch, allowing for a smooth transition without the need for a recent app update. According to the source, the design change is being implemented globally, seen in countries like India and Germany. Although Google aims for improved user experience with Quick Share aligned to the Material Design 3 standards, no specific timeline given.
