Former iOS Chief Scott Forstall Surfaces After Quiet Year of Traveling and Philanthropy

[duck apple]

Finally, a lot of issues, such as the obtuse people not knowing what to tap (as if you really don't know after using a smartphone for however many years), can be fixed by proper iOS 7 app design. iOS 7 apps are supposed to have a control color, eg. yellow for Find My Friends. EVERY control should have that color, and non control text should be black. Apple's most recent updates do this well.

OK, you defend too much for iOS7 and you are going to pay for it.

Look at the UI of the new control center:



Now, tell me how can I open the 'Music' app like I did in iOS 6? I can't.
You need to press the 'Play' button to start playing a song to have the UI displaying the name the currently playing track (under the progress bar). That name (in bold white text) is the 'button' for invoking the music app. What a obvious thing!

Again, at the same control center, look out the side by side 'Air Drop' and 'Air Play' rectangle areas.

Oh, I see, they are clickable buttons.

But, in contrast to the standout Air Drop button with bold white text and icon, why the Air Play button looks nothing like a clickable button?

Even more funny, when I captured the screen dump, there was not any Air Drop peer around but I got the brighten up Air Drop button; in contrast, there is actually an Air Play server around, yet the Air Play button is flat and plain.

What a genius!


Now look at how Music player present all the artist, track, album etc. that match your search:



All the name of the found tracks are in gray color except the matched term is highlighted in black.

Since when users are suppose to interact with gray-out item?

 

[brinary001]

Too bad you're wrong about that. Maps was just a spark that lit Forstall's ouster. Perhaps if you did some reading, you'd know the real reason he was fired. But no, it's easier to make assumptions and blast Apple.

Hahaha way to completely take my quote out of context so it would appear I hate Apple and picked only on Forstal. You left out my saying Jony Ive replicates his mishaps now and again (i.e. nobody is perfect). And I actually did read quite a bit about the incident; especially when it was first announced. Word to the wise, don't just assume someone is poorly educated on a matter merely because they voice an opinion juxtaposing your own.

 

[Bibbler]

I honestly don't understand people that prefer iOS 6 over iOS 7. It seems like the majority of people like iOS 7, and this forum seems to bring out the vocal minority. I know iOS 7 isn't perfect, but it's so much better and a step in the right direction.

So your example of "better" and "a step in the right direction" it to show some picture of the UI that you think look prettier????

I'm little more concerned that both my iPhone 4 and 5 have slowed down noticeable since I installed the update - the iPhone 4 almost to the point of being downright sluggish.

I know I differ from most users here in that I prefer functionality over magical, elegant, sexy, and gorgeous. Obviously you disagree as your proof of "better" was to post a couple images of iOS 6 and iOS 7....

 

[macchiato2009]

"Efrati doesn't have any news"

an idiotic news about no news, that's so interesting

 

[biocide]

When ios7 finally gets a jailbreak, the first thing I will do is search Cydia for apps/tweaks that restore some of the functionality and interface of ios6. The tenure Ive has had as head of software/UI is the best proof ever that being good at one thing doesn't necessarily mean you'll be good at doing other things as well.

 

[iKane]

The only people I've seen who like iOS 7 only use terms such as "modern" and "better" without any reasons. I have a pile of specific usability problems that get on my nerves all the time. Not just the interface, but the design of some of the new features. Ah well, some people will love anything new for modernity sake.

I love iOS 7. I like the fact that you can share more than one image at once from Photos. I like the burst mode on my 5s and the way that's implemented. I like the fact the phone uses the gyroscope which makes my phone feel a little bit alive, and actually feels a bit boring with it turned off. I like the fact that I can add a gradient to the bottom of any image to add a splash of colour to my dock. I like the fact that it's opened up a whole new era for new developers to get in on an already saturated App Store. I like the fact that Safari has a unified search and address bar. I like the fact I can view a filter in real-time while taking pictures but still remove it a year later if I don't like it. I like the fact that I can quickly move about between month, week and day in the calendar. I like the fact that the Reminders app is now actually useable. I like being able to quickly access Airplane mode etc from anywhere. I like being able to AirDrop holiday snaps to my partner on the plane on the way home. I like the way the theme of the whole phone seems to change when you change your wallpaper; for instance the passcode entry always looks amazing while you're tapping in numbers. I like the fact that Spotlight is accessible from anywhere on the home screen, and I actually use it now. I like being able to dismiss notifications. I like being able to quickly see what my first appointment is tomorrow. I like the new high-quality Siri voices (although I wish we had some British ones).


There are of course loads of things I have issues with, but there were way more issues with iOS 6 for me than there are with iOS 7.

 

[Mums]

I know he's not very popular here but I wish him well, and I acknowledge that regardless of anything he started the iOS revolution.

What good is popularity really?

 

[Nahaz]

When this article used the word "Surfaces", I thought they were going to say he had joined Microsoft's Surface Team.

 

[proline]

Regardless of elitist opinions, general public isn't impressed by icons that look like created by a 3rd grade. Honestly, I haven't talked to anyone who thought iOS 7 looks impressive. I know what you're talking about and understand where you're coming from, but the overall UI visual concept is too out of touch from the general public who don't share the same delicate taste.

An interesting comment. I agree with you that Apple's iOS 7 artwork tends to appeal more to creative people who understand aesthetics than it does to the general public and much more than it does to computer programs who think they understand aesthetics. That said, there are some caveats. First is that iOS 7 is a truly smashing hit in Japan where Apple's market share is soaring. The second is that icons aren't there just to look good. They are supposed to be a tool to find something. Having a single color, single shape design makes them faster to identify, so even those who think they aren't pretty should realize they are more useful (also nice not to have the gloss on the top half which further obscures the icon and intentionally makes them all look the same).

 

[Neodym]

Yes, because Forstall was the SOLE person who designed iOS....and Jony Ive is NOW the sole person designing iOS.....*facepalm*

Did you ever work in a bigger company? Forstall and Ive as respective heads / responsible persons define(d) the boundaries for the people actually doing the design. It's those boundary decisions that count - and they are being taken by the respective heads, not the normal employees.

7 is an amazingly bold and well designed UI.

Bold - yes, but in a negative way. Well designed - (very) questionable!

Go look at OSX 10.0 and see how much it has evolved. The same will happen with 7

That thought makes me shudder! 10.4 was the pinnacle of the fresh and (positively) bold Aqua design - all later revisions improved under the hood, but dulled down horribly - not only visually, but even functionally (just think of the uniform, grey-in-grey folders).

Did Ive take design responsibility for OSX after Forstall got assigned to iOS in 2005? Could explain this degradation...

The majority of iOS users are quite happy with iOS 7.

How do you figure? Apple blocks the path of downgrading to iOS 6, so it's hard to tell if users are really happy or rather locked in after having been curious or been taken by surprise with unwanted iOS7 upgrades...

 

[ElTorro]

Nope. Never.

Ive is on the right track with iOS 7. It's lightyears ahead of every other mobile OS in terms of UI, ease-of-use and of course raw performance.

You can keep saying it, but it won't make it true. Every single iOS 7 user I know hates it with a passion. It was certainlya step backward, so I do agree that Ive ' s next major version will be better. From where it is currently, there is only one way to go: up.

 

[subsonix]

The second is that icons aren't there just to look good. They are supposed to be a tool to find something. Having a single color, single shape design makes them faster to identify, so even those who think they aren't pretty should realize they are more useful (also nice not to have the gloss on the top half which further obscures the icon and intentionally makes them all look the same).

That is not at all true, first of all they don't have a single color and there has always been a single shape. Regardless, those constraints doesn't automatically makes it easier to identify an icon by themselves.

 

[Neodym]

icons aren't there just to look good. They are supposed to be a tool to find something.

Mostly agree, though they are _also_ supposed to look good!

Apple's iOS 7 artwork tends to appeal more to creative people who understand aesthetics

So all people who dislike iOS7 are no creative people and just too dumb to understand its aesthetics? Elitist much, eh?

Having a single color, single shape design makes them faster to identify

Say WHAT? Please tell me that you forgot to set sarcasm tags...

, so even those who think they aren't pretty should realize they are more useful

...obviously not. *sigh* I had really been thinking that the era of monochrome computing was gone for good.

 

[dec.]

I really like iOS7. There's only one major head scratcher, imho. When I access the quick settings menu to adjust the screen brightness, the background gets dimmed, so I cannot see in real time what the actual screen brightness is while I am adjusting it.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Come back Scott! We apologize for demonizing you and calling your Skeumorphism a "thing of the devil". We retract it! All of it!

Please come back. Save us!

Speak for yourself man. I don't hate iOS 7.

As for Forstall, who cares? He is loaded and never has to work again. I didn't think anyone wondered where he went but I guess I was wrong.

 

[Sy7ygy]

You mean like Android or Windows Phone 8?

He means viable alternatives.

Besides, I love iOS 7.

 

[krye]

Traveling and Philanthropy aka Unemployment

Unemployment? Hardly. Didn't this guy have like $100 million in stock? I think he's set for life.

 

[HurryKayne]

Traveling and Philanthropy aka Unemployment

Traveling an Philanthropy AKA
i got a lot of money and i'm enjoining my life.

 

[unplugme71]

Traveling and Philanthropy aka Unemployment

I'd travel and do philanthropy being unemployed any day of the week with the salary/bonuses he received!

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Traveling an Philanthropy AKA
i got a lot of money and i'm enjoining my life.

Exactly. Give the mind a rest. Help people. Come back to new ideas and start something!

 

[hindmost]

True, that's the only context you can use the word 'surfaces'. Well spotted.

Image

You right to 'rolleyes'.

'Surfaces' has been used in the Intelligence Community and other Government circles for decades. And of course it refers to a person who once was known to the group but subsequently had a lowered profile, but who returns to the attention of his group or the masses in general.

 

[SusanK]

I know he's not very popular here but I wish him well, and I acknowledge that regardless of anything he started the iOS revolution.

I am curious as to why Scott is so unpopular on this forum. If Ii didn't know better I would think he had horns, cloven hoof and a tail from reading this forum.

What's the deal? Maps excuse is lame. Gotta be something else.
Thanks

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i do prefer ios 7's design though, but it seems he contributed a lot to apple to be fired like that. Surely there's more to the story?

+1

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His contributions to Apple were huge. Rumor has it, he became combative, disruptive within the executive staff during and after Jobs' passing. To keep the harmony on that team, Cook let him go.

u

Skully made that same mistake years previously.

 

[azentropy]

Probably not the place for it but...

I really disliked iOS7 in the first betas - the text was too small/thin. Icons are plain and boring. Floating blue text instead of obvious buttons, too much "white" etc. As the beta progressed and there became options for larger type, bold type etc. and few icon tweaks I became more neutral. I really like some of iOS7 functionality though. I've installed it on all my iOS devices and of course didn't have an choice when purchasing new devices.

My niece broke her iPad 2 recently and I had to replace the screen. She still had iOS6 and after using it for a bit I realized how much BETTER I liked the iOS6 UI.

Oh well, no going back...

 

[mabhatter]

His contributions to Apple were huge. Rumor has it, he became combative, disruptive within the executive staff during and after Jobs' passing. To keep the harmony on that team, Cook let him go.

And that's the real issue now. Tim and Jonny are all about harmony and smooth operations so they can have tidy books and art. Shiller and Cue are great at what they do, but their plates are full up. They are all good solid managers... But you need somebody to replace Steve in the "rock the boat" position. That's where Scott is the youngest guy on the team and its "not his place" to act like that ... Yet.

He needs to take 5-7 years to do something "great" And also gain credit outside Apple's shadow. Scott may be the "true heir" to Apple's spirit, but he's just the "little brother" right now.

 

[brianvictor7]

You guys talk like you worked for him...we have absolutely no idea why he was fired. I'm guessing maps was the final straw.

True we weren't there. We only have what got reported in the news. We heard that Scott wasn't easy to get along with. And it is also true that it takes two to tango: we don't know how other egos contributed to the problems. Still there is a reason why things get said. While something like jealousy or simple misunderstandings on the part of his coworkers may account for some of the issues that leaked out, generally we earn our reputations for good or ill. But you have a very good point: we don't *know* so we'd do well to be humble.

 

[YanniDepp]

Like 'notes icons need more contrast'. No, they're supposed to be low contrast so they don't distract.

That's the worst reasoning I've heard in a long time. Even on an Apple website.

Seriously. Do people want iOS to be designed for the dumbest of the dumb? Can people not intuitively learn what is a button and what isn't when there are only 3 pieces of text on screen and one is a title? Can people not learn when something is selected/highlighted?

That's genius! Absolute genius. Yeah, let's throw away familiar designs that people know how to use, and make people learn anything again.

Older versions of iOS, while a bit heavy on the detailed graphics, were designed by people who knew human-computer interaction. It was obvious what could be clicked and what couldn't. You could tell the status of anything just by looking at it (except the AirPlay icon in iOS 5's Music app).

It could have been refined. Tweaked. Improved.

Throwing it all away and starting again was a mistake.