More or less. Microsoft, Apple and Google are all pursuing variations of what can be called flat design. There are many variations in flat design though. In t

More or less. Microsoft, Apple and Google are all pursuing variations of what can be called flat design. There are many variations in flat design though. In the small details, Google and Apple have as many similarities as differences. One of the differences is that Material relies heavily on shadows (one of the very few good design ideas from the first versions of Android). The most important buttons are usually elevated. Color is also used to inform the user. The accent color of the app is used to color clickable elements. I am currently in the process of implementing material design in a large scale mobile android app. So far it is going extremely well, the new design direction respond to many of our gripes with Holo and is good enough in order to be able to make a strong point with the product team in order to implement it instead of making a frankenmonster between iOS design & Holo like we did in the past. Time will tell how well it performs with our users.