Steve hated everything before he loved it. Thats just the way he was. I can totally understand that. Get presented with a new product/idea and find all its flaws. To do that best, you start by hating everything! Anything that survives this kind of a process, something that sticks in your head, those are the great ideas and products!
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Former Apple TV Engineer Claims New Apple TV Interface Discarded 5 Years Ago [Updatedx2]
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He also really pisses people off. Steve had the rare ability to treat people like dirt and they'd still work their ass off to earn his approval, they won't do that for Scott. He's essentially Tracey Flick from Election.
I just bought an Apple TV for the first time this week.
I don't think I absolutely love the design, but I don't think I hate it either.
I think the new design just needs a bit more organization. The old menu-based interface would have become overburdened as they add more and more things, especially if they're adding apps in the near future. Rolling out this new design could be a pre-emptive thing to see how it works in the wild.
Anyway, it's always possible that Jobs would have turned around on his opinion of the new interface given the circumstances of the time. It wouldn't be the first time he did that. If they open an Apple TV app store, he may have preferred this version or something similar because of the apps. This keeps it similar to the iOS device app layout so people can have familiarity.
The Apple TV is still evolving anyway. It's still a "hobby", whatever that means to Apple.
With that said, the new interface can still be better.
I don't think I absolutely love the design, but I don't think I hate it either.
I think the new design just needs a bit more organization. The old menu-based interface would have become overburdened as they add more and more things, especially if they're adding apps in the near future. Rolling out this new design could be a pre-emptive thing to see how it works in the wild.
Anyway, it's always possible that Jobs would have turned around on his opinion of the new interface given the circumstances of the time. It wouldn't be the first time he did that. If they open an Apple TV app store, he may have preferred this version or something similar because of the apps. This keeps it similar to the iOS device app layout so people can have familiarity.
The Apple TV is still evolving anyway. It's still a "hobby", whatever that means to Apple.
With that said, the new interface can still be better.
Easier, But Worse Looking
While it does make it easier to navigate, it still looks terrible. Especially since it is no longer a constant UI across the whole OS. The *update only changed the way the home screen looks, the rest of the UI elements are still are the old [and better looking] menu based navigation bars.
Even if this does pave the way for apps, why in the world would they ever pick such an ugly set of colors for the not square (another bad choice) icons? Example, the horrid green for "Computers."
While it does make it easier to navigate, it still looks terrible. Especially since it is no longer a constant UI across the whole OS. The *update only changed the way the home screen looks, the rest of the UI elements are still are the old [and better looking] menu based navigation bars.
Even if this does pave the way for apps, why in the world would they ever pick such an ugly set of colors for the not square (another bad choice) icons? Example, the horrid green for "Computers."
True, now you have to remember that "Netflix" is the giant red button that says Netflix, "Radio" is a giant button that says "Radio" and "YouTube" is a giant button that says "YouTube". All for some reason located on the home screen. :roll eyes:
No company can change something and expect nothing to be said, even Apple. Change is inevitable yet we are naturally averse to it.
I just can't wait for all the legions of people who claim that the UI on iOS is boring and outdated, to be up in arms when/if Apple does a major overhaul. They'll hate it just because it's a natural reaction to oppose change, as well as because the prevailing wisdom will be that Steve himself didn't approve or disapprove of it.
I just can't wait for all the legions of people who claim that the UI on iOS is boring and outdated, to be up in arms when/if Apple does a major overhaul. They'll hate it just because it's a natural reaction to oppose change, as well as because the prevailing wisdom will be that Steve himself didn't approve or disapprove of it.
Five years ago? According to his biography, Steve Jobs changed his mind on a daily basis. Apple is trying to unify their design language across the board, and yes, that means using icons that look more like iOS in nature on the Apple TV.
It is said that Steve Jobs left Apple with 4 years of products in the pipeline. I am positive he had input on this UI.
It is said that Steve Jobs left Apple with 4 years of products in the pipeline. I am positive he had input on this UI.
There was a reason why Steve thought this Apple TV UI was total crap. Steve had a 6th sense about these things and an uncanny eye for design.
This UI plus the bigger and heavier iPad would never fly under his watch.
This UI plus the bigger and heavier iPad would never fly under his watch.
Indeed, especially after his much-reported ευρηκα moment about finally having cracked the TV question.
what's up with everyone quoting that if SJ is around, [insert new Apple product UI/hardware decision after SJ's death] will never happen? Give me a break... 
SJ left the company in good hands, to say bad about the current Apple management is as good as saying SJ didn't have the foresight to choose the right people to guide the Apple ship into the future.
SJ left the company in good hands, to say bad about the current Apple management is as good as saying SJ didn't have the foresight to choose the right people to guide the Apple ship into the future.
How many times do we have to explain that Steve saw and approved the iPhone 4S and iPad 3, if not every single Apple product released in the next two or three years.
The latest version is not great, could use some good UI designer. The type proportion is not balanced with the color and icons, the space between icons and the layout gutters is giving too much gap. The colorful palette distracts its role versus the news content on top.
I understand that the scalability of an interface is a great concern today as going from the iphone to a 60" TV screen, but there are limits to this marketing strategy. This latest update looks like a Roku update... it lacks an Apple touch. Apple should hire better designers.
I understand that the scalability of an interface is a great concern today as going from the iphone to a 60" TV screen, but there are limits to this marketing strategy. This latest update looks like a Roku update... it lacks an Apple touch. Apple should hire better designers.
Pretty sure, Steve approved of the design.
And even if he didn't, what is the problem?
I don't think there is any indication that Apple is slipping.
Even in the Steve era there were good and bad decisions, things that went better and things that did not go well.
Honestly speaking, I never really liked the mess, the iTunes store and the App store are. I buy all my music through the iTtunes store and whenever I open it, I wonder how cluttered it looks. Same goes for downloading movies. So much for UI Steve did approve of.
And even if he didn't, what is the problem?
I don't think there is any indication that Apple is slipping.
Even in the Steve era there were good and bad decisions, things that went better and things that did not go well.
Honestly speaking, I never really liked the mess, the iTunes store and the App store are. I buy all my music through the iTtunes store and whenever I open it, I wonder how cluttered it looks. Same goes for downloading movies. So much for UI Steve did approve of.
New Apple TV interface no bueno!
The very first instant I saw this interface I was shocked. Why is everything so horsey looking? Whats with the MASSIVE, multi-colored buttons? Is this for 3rd graders? My girlfriend didn't even find the lower buttons down off screen for two weeks.
I've been a graphic designer for over 15 years, this is bad design. Please don't tell me this is what we have to look forward too.
Come on Apple. We expect perfection every time.
The very first instant I saw this interface I was shocked. Why is everything so horsey looking? Whats with the MASSIVE, multi-colored buttons? Is this for 3rd graders? My girlfriend didn't even find the lower buttons down off screen for two weeks.
I've been a graphic designer for over 15 years, this is bad design. Please don't tell me this is what we have to look forward too.
Come on Apple. We expect perfection every time.
I think the new interface is a lot better than the old one. It's not great, but I don't think I could point to a TV interface that is.
Edit: The look might be less "classy" but I find it easier to move between all the things I use the AppleTV for. iTunes movies, Netflix, video podcasts, photos, and my computers are all on the screen and it takes fewer clicks to move between them than before.
Edit: The look might be less "classy" but I find it easier to move between all the things I use the AppleTV for. iTunes movies, Netflix, video podcasts, photos, and my computers are all on the screen and it takes fewer clicks to move between them than before.
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Do you realize how many changes occur to products at the last seconds - often requiring massive changes to manufacturing lines and supply chains?
So rest assured, that designs approved last year, will have been changed hundreds of times before they're in the first consumers hands.
What was approved, or decided then, may not remotely reflect the final product in the end. So if people are comforted by the thought of SJ approval, then keep that blanket close. However knowing the way things are really manufactured, the last device that can really back up that claim, would have been the 4S. Everything else, is too far down the road, and have not gone untouched.
Maybe he didn't like it 5 years ago because most of the icons that exist now wouldn't be there. The 2007 version of the Apple TV had no Netflix, MLB, NHL, NBA, WSJ, Vimeo, Youtube, MobileMe, Photo Stream, Flickr...and no App Store to suggest the prospect of future apps.
It's not like Steve rejected this idea on his death bed and Apple went ahead with it anyway a few months later. Things change in 5 years.