Airbnb's Summer 2022 Redesign Adds New Categories and Split Stays

Airbnb is undergoing a major app redesign this summer, which its CEO Brian Chesky calls "the biggest change in a decade." The new changes are rolling out to users in the US today and will let users search for accommodations based on categories and plan trips that include more than one home.

The presentation, and specifically an introduction video for the Sumner 2022 launch included in Chesky's tweet, looks like it draws directly from Apple's product launches over the past 20 years, which we see as a collaboration with famed former Apple designer Jony Ive. see as. Will expect from the doing company and its firm Lovefrom. When asked if I'm involved in the redesign, Airbnb spokeswoman Liz Debold Fusco initially said "yes" but did not provide further details.

After this post was published, Fusco contacted The Verge, saying, "This design is not from Ive's team."

"Overall, being able to tap into the expertise of one of the world's most renowned designers, Jony Ive, is an incredible opportunity for Airbnb," Fusco said. "We can't share much on our work with them, but stay tuned."

The Categories feature essentially acts as a filter for a stay, which includes some elements including camping, surfing, amazing views, bed and breakfasts, and the countryside. Airbnb is highlighting its design category, of which it says more than 20,000 homes have been "selected for their iconic architecture and interiors." In this category would be the homes of architects such as Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier. Another category, OMG!, persists based solely on how unique and interesting they are.

In addition to categories, Airbnb is also offering split stays. This option will let users split their time between multiple stays in the same area if one stay is not available for the entire time of their trip. Airbnb says it will help you discover split steps by "intelligently connecting" two homes that come with similar location, property, and amenities.

The company is also rolling out a free protection plan called AirCover, which gives users access to a security line, and also comes with some safeguards against scams. This includes Booking Security Guarantee, Check-in Guarantee, and What-What-Booked Guarantee. If the stay you booked wasn't as you expected, or if you're unable to check into the stay, Airbnb says it will refund you or get you a "same or better home." This also applies to booking cancellations made by the host within 30 days of your planned check-in.

Even without confirmation of Ive's hand in the redesign, we can't help seeing her fingerprints. Airbnb left Ive shortly after leaving his longtime position as Apple product designer, and announced a multi-year partnership with him and his design firm LoveFrom, which includes Ferrari and its holding company. There is arrangement with Exor as well.

In an interview on Decoder in 2021, Chesky said, "Johnny and I are working together on thinking through the whole Airbnb design and ecosystem – trust, reviews, profiles, payment systems, how the whole thing works together." does." Asked when we might start seeing Ive's work, Chesky replied, "Definitely 2023. Some things could happen next year."