I've been consistently disappointed with iOS since 7.0 and while the iPhone hardware is as beautiful as ever, the software running on the phone is ugly both inside and out.
I really wish that Tim Cook would come to his senses and realize that firing Scott Forstall was a HUGE mistake considering how vital he was with creating the iOS that I used to love. Craig Federighi seems to be a nice guy and a charismatic keynote speaker, but he also seems to be pretty incompetent when he comes to his role as software chief. Having Jony Ive and his design team take control over UI was also a terrible move on Cook's part. While nobody can deny Ive's abilities as an industrial designer, he and team cannot design UI to save their lives. Forstall on the other hand, knew what he was doing on both the UI and UX aspects and was honestly the closest thing to Jobs in terms of personality and work ethic. Apple needed both Ive AND Forstall for balance and to retain the Apple that Jobs rebuilt which Tim Cook is now gradually destroying because he lacks vision and only cares about profits and pleasing Wall Street.
A popular phrase on this forum is "Steve would never have allowed this" and that completely rings true when it comes to Cook's boneheaded decision to fire Forstall over an unlabeled beta of an in-house map service which obviously improved over time. The whole Apple Maps debacle pales in comparison to iOS 7+. Steve Jobs would never have fire Forstall not just because he saw a lot of himself in him, but because he was skilled and efficient and produced mostly quality software that help up to Apple's standards. In retrospect, skeuomorphism is also much more visually pleasing and functional than a flat, childish and lifeless UI. iOS devices became less enjoyable and much less fun to use after iOS 7.
iOS 6.1 was the last good iOS release, it was stable and beautiful (the way it should always be).
And yes, I know Forstall was apparently difficult to work with and an *******, but guess what? So was Steve Jobs! Apple needed and still needs an executive with the mentality of Jobs to keep things in line and they had that in Scott Forstall. Jony Ive has way too much control and power now and Tim Cook said that by firing Forstall would increase collaboration but in reality, it was just an excuse to let Ive do whatever he wants with no checks and balances.
Apple with their seemingly endless wealth and resources should either re-hire the man who made iOS possible and great or at least hire engineers and UI designers who actually know what the F they're doing.
#BringBackForstall
Lol comparing my 6.1.2 4S to my "beta phone" 8.x 4S, you can see the flaws of the Jony Ives Era. iOS 7.0 till 7.1 was the worst! In my school with iPad 2's, all the kids who took the plunge all saw there iPad's freezing on them in the middle of class! Sometimes, we had 6 or 7 iPads freeze up during class!
When IOS 6.x first came out, I was shocked about the downgrade in preformance and the New UI and, hated it! However, after 7.x came out, I appriciated 6 and, hated 7 with a soul! I then thought that Apple's iOS could not get worse (Preformance wise) and, Boy was I wrong lol!
After 7.1, I hit my sweet spot in Apple. 7.1.2 has been bulletproof reliable (just like 6.1.2 on my 4S!) And, the only reason I am keeping my iPad Air I is because of the nested folders! Without it, I'd be long gone!
iOS 6 had its flaws and problems (Apple Maps) but, we all make mistakes and, I agree, I miss Forestall (and the old UI!) Steve Jobs would have never fired him or, Allowed Jony Ives to redesign iOS completely! Right now, he is probally crying in his grave seeing the degression of his company!
Overall, I miss the Steve Jobs Era of Apple. He showed "TRUE" innovation with the iPhone AND iPad and, created the tablet market we love today! He did not copy companies as friviously as Apple Today and, as a genius, kept the company alive.
Now in the Jony Ives era, I've lost faith in Apple. Right now, I'm getting a Android phone and a Android Tablet (chinease iPad Air clone with 64GB of memory and is duel booted between Windows 8.1 and KitKat) (Android OS 4.4.2) (I hate Windows 8.1 a ton but, I like it better than iOS 8-9)
Apple's getting pretty redundant right now and, even with the Apple Watch and the iPad Pro, I'm tired of there shenanigans!
