Monday night, I, like many, spent watching Eplovskogo keynouta, which was supposed to show us "the future of OS X and iOS». This WWDC was special, because Apple did not show us anything new already in the autumn of last year. So, we are all waiting for this Conference with the special feelings.
Everyone understood that it was the announcement of iOS 7 will be the main event of the evening. It was around the new mobile operating system revolved most rumors, guesses and assumptions. This is not surprising, as iOS-devices used by over 600 million people worldwide, and it is for Apple iPhone product key. Competition in the mobile market is only strengthened. Still waiting for Apple's retaliatory steps - that will offer kupertinovtsy its users? How do they respond to the development of the Android and Windows Phone? What will iOS in the near future? All this had to be answered.
Change we need
It is clear that iOS 6 required shakes. Changes were really needed and they were predictable - Scott Forstall, who had previously posted for iOS, was fired and was replaced by Apple's mobile OSes became engaged Jonathan Ive and Craig Federighi. It was clear that the role of Johnny there was ever pretty. Prior to that he worked exclusively in industrial design eplovskih products. Now he was given carte blanche to redesign iOS.
We thought a lot about what is perhaps the new iOS. All its basic ideas I outlined in an article that talked about why in iOS 7 is not flat design. Of course, I believed in what he wrote, and he hoped that no flat UI in iOS 7 will not. It was obvious that the flat design - it's not that way, which is to go Apple. Yes, I skeuomorph all be fed, but maybe the problem was that, as it is used not in the fact of its existence ...
action Theater
So at 21:00 Moscow time. At the scene Moscone Center comes Tim Cook, who traditionally talks about Apple's success. Beginning no signs anything wrong. Showed a new OS X, the updated MacBook Air, Mac Pro. It was a very even level, especially pleased with the new OS X. Single respect I wish to express Craig Federici - he certainly did not Jobs, but a great orator.
And now, after all that Tim Cook decided to go to the iOS. «IOS - the mobile operating system, which like most people," - Tim began. He spoke about the numerous awards and reviews, again mocked the fragmentation of Android. It was a prelude to the nail of the evening.
"This is the biggest change in iOS since the release of iPhone», - the words of Cook shook monitors worldwide. And the screen is spinning roller. Calm and measured voice Quince says of the design. And then…
Then it happens unbelievable. We see a radical new iOS. We see that its design has almost nothing in common with its predecessor. We see that on the screen lock remained firm Slide To Unlock, but appeared Control Center and the new center of notifications. Application icons on the home screen to change beyond recognition... Stream all the new and unusual swept screen Moscone Center... The End.
The hall explodes with applause and cheers. They do not deceive - iOS 7 has undergone fundamental changes, it has nothing to do with skeuomorph, which we both pretty tired over the years. We must pay tribute Quince and his team - they really courageous people, I dare say, titanium eggs. To show this, you need to have great courage. And of course, they did a great job in all that time.
Pig in a poke?
Ive gave us all a surprise. But not all the surprises are pleasant. Or, let's say, a uniquely enjoyable. For me personally, the new design of iOS 7 - extremely ambiguous. For the first time in many years, I see something new from Eplan so.
Redraw everything. But it's not that I am a conservative and do not like new and interesting. Very much, believe me. But the design has to be meaningful. Every innovation must be meaningful, it should not be done "just so", just to change something. And I have the impression that in many ways to simply change everything, was made design of the new iOS. To Apple, they say, "psihanuli" after 6 years of conditional stagnation.
Complaints and suggestions
I will not tell you everything that I did not like it, otherwise this article can have a very large amount. I will highlight the most important:
- Plane. Yes, the new iOS 7 - is flat and it is not good. Some icons are simply awful. Terrible indicator of network reception. Terrible new camera interface. I do not like that in 90% of applications, white background, not black. Now it turns out that it is the white iPhone is standard, because it best suited the new iOS. And so on and so forth…
- iOS 7 is largely secondary. What I mean by this? Let's just say, in seven, EPL ponabrali all sorts of chips and ryushechek from other operating systems and shells for Android. Have you seen the new dynamic wallpaper? Yes this is a live wallpaper in Android, but that is not even in the fact that they stole the idea from Google. Very clearly reflects my thoughts Now this picture.
- "Best Design - a design as small as possible", - said the famous industrial designer Dieter Rams. And he was right. Because in iOS 7 that same design too much. he intrusive. Why was all this necessary animation a la "nozzle" at the opening of the application? Why were needed this wallpaper? Why this whitish and transparent? Why is Helvetica font changed to Helvetica Neue?
New target user on Apple version
I suggest that you imagine in your mind the target consumer of the new iOS. Who is he? Solid man? Not. Businessman? Not. A person who does not love an extra visual tinsel? Not. Children? Yes. Girls (and not all)? Yes. But is precisely this, and it was necessary to strive for? Is not this just what you need for Apple? Is it their way? I doubt.
Apple is not a cake
Sadly I realize that gone are the days when competitors stealing ideas from Apple. Now the opposite is true - Apple itself actively stealing other people's ideas. From a moral point of view it is certainly bad. But this whole situation saddens me, not because it is unethical. It is something else. In fact, Apple signs that to many it may not come by itself. She admits that the road ahead is too large bridge with the help of foreign developments. After that, somehow not comme il faut to talk about «Apple special way." It is simply not there. iOS from ideal patterns, has become a more-one mobile-axle.
It should be added also the fact that Apple is losing the initiative in innovation. Many features have been added in iOS 7 this year, we have been introduced years ago in other operating systems. Yet again, remember the very picture. At the same Android, and even in Windows Phone, it seems to me a real chance to significantly improve their position, especially considering how many defects in the functional aspect remains in iOS 7. Many essential functions as there was no and no. But this is a topic for another article.
They need to analyze what Apple's done, and draw lessons, mistakes, to learn how to do just not worth it. Especially in the odds of "green robot". Android and now is not inferior in many respects, but somewhere, and ahead of Apple's, and only with the release of the fifth version, Android can and does break forward.
The end
You know, I would not have believed it if I had read this text gave a month ago that I wrote it. And now I am fully aware of everything. For me, what I have described is a fait accompli. iOS has lost its "special path" and its "special role". The release of iOS 7, Apple itself has put its mobile OSes on the same level with the others.
Certainly, Apple had to tear templates and burn bridges and rebuild iOS, freshen it. They did it. But at what cost? While it is difficult to say. The first conclusions we can make some time after the release of iOS 7 final version. We'll see how the market will react to it and the buyers.
Well, personally, I'm starting to think about buying a second smartphone to another OS. Who knows, maybe months later, iOS 7 will start to like me more. But I do not think that my first impression will change much. Yes, I'm not a designer, and not the ultimate truth, and do not pretend to be the mentor or seer. I just use devices, software and services, and choose for themselves the best solution. And I just do not like what did Apple.