Apple UI Design Chief Alan Dye Leaving for Meta

[vantelimus]

But the Vision Pro replaces nothing. It doesn't have enough of the computing so that people pair it with their Macs instead of replacing Macs.

Actually the M5 AVP does have enough computing power. And it will run iPad apps. It doesn't have the same richness of apps available as the Mac, but neither does the iPhone nor iPad. An AVP (even the M2 AVP) will absolutely replace a home iPad. It also replaces a computer display when paired with a Mac–and it does so with such stunning superiority that I no longer need 4 monitors. As for "can you use" vs. "can you reimagine", the AVP has completely changed done exactly the latter. The limitations you are seeing with the AVP is that it is an early-adopter Pro device. If you aren't using your computer many hours a day, then you won't see its value. You'll just have to wait until the technology advances so that you can use the device more casually.

The upshot is that you might want to rethink your thesis that Apple has fallen off its path because the AVP doesn't cannibalize the Mac market.

 

[pacalis]

I started using Apple products for 2 reasons:

1. industry-leading UI design that was user-friendly and beautiful
2. "It Just Works"
3. Creating leading-edge first-party apps that showcased what their hardware was capable of

I personally think they've gone away from the first two.

Yes, but I'd add:

1b. Industry leading hardware design that was beautiful

Instead, they're turning into Intel 2000 to 2015. Margin and spec focused.

Like all companies ripe for disruption, they are charging too much for the performance few care about and so they've COMPLETELY BOTCHED whole product categories.

The 2015-2017 27" iMac, was like the Audi A4 or Q5. But now with the Mac Studio the only option is like you have to buy a Lamborghini Urus (audi parts, lamborghini prices and use case).

The 12" Macbook air was a beautiful design, just slow. 2lbs, smooth feet, a dream. So they bumped up the specs and put it all into a 2.7 lbs dad bod.

The cases for the 24" iMacs are gorgeous yet I don't see them anywhere. This is probably because 24" inches is too small and then if you pair it with a third party second screen, they whole set up is ugly as hell.

I'm not all complaints, the phone and ipads are fine. "Yay, same corners" said no one.

And the file integration between devices is frankly fantastic (though don't get me started on app safety, glass and AI integrations).

 

[pacalis]

Mostly product people leave because there is no real challenge at Apple. Its the same thing for years now. Just incremental updates and drip feeding standard features over years. E.g. They went year by year to make all 3 cameras 48 mp. That is the state of Apple.

When I use Apple products I see nothing but opportunity for improvement.

Product people might leave because Apple soul has been captured by the bean counters.

 

[MacGizmo]

Again, my expanded prediction on the evolution of Liquid Glass
Liquid Glass > Frosted Glass > Solid Glass

Liquid Glass > Frosted Glass > Solid Glass > BROKEN GLASS!​

 

[SebCohen]

So what now? Soapy Glass cancelled for iOS 27?

Its rumoured it’s called Semi-stable Translucent Jello

 

[SebCohen]

Why is there so little stuff like this on MacRumors? ACTUAL and factual critique of what we all love….(will they take this link down? They shouldn’t…)

Maybe a design blow-up is just what Apple needed - 9to5Mac

With Alan Dye departing for Meta, Stephen Lemay will have a rare opportunity to rebuild the company’s design culture from the inside out.

9to5mac.com

I feel this is particularly poignant:

"But I do feel that Apple’s overall UI design has been going relentlessly backwards for longer than it would have been acceptable at any other point in the company’s history."

Sincerely yours, me…

 

[SebCohen]

Liquid Glass > Frosted Glass > Solid Glass > BROKEN GLASS!​

The next will be called Antique Leaded Glass. A real American icon!

 

[SebCohen]

I'm starting to think Apple doesn't pay that great in terms of upper echelon tech companies. So many people leaving.

They just don’t want to be forced to use Liquid Glass 🖖🥸

 

[iPhoneFan5349]

Wow. Alan Dye pushing the travesty that is Liquid Glass ...and then going for Meta #micdrop

Hopefully it was a forced exit. That would mean they actually realized it was a mistake, which would be a surprise.

 

[Omega Mac]

Liquid Glass > Frosted Glass > Solid Glass > BROKEN GLASS!​

Yea I had "broken glass" in the line up but removed it 'cause that's covered by "liquid glass" already! 😉

 

[SeenJeen]

GOOD RIDDANCE.

 

[SeenJeen]

I rarely jump to the newest macOS (usually n-1) but usually iPhone/iPad are day one, or at least .1 version.

This time around I only updated my iPad to 26 and it's so painfully buggy and ugly with some of the worst UI/UX decisions I've ever seen that I probably won't update to 26 at all on my other devices.

This is MacBook Pro 2016-2019 levels bad.

 

[toxdoc]

Excellent. Let him go ruin some other company. Meta deserves him.

 

[pacalis]

Liquid Glass > Frosted Glass > Solid Glass > BROKEN GLASS > Angela Ahrendts Glasses​

Or too soon?