Has anyone talked about the design of the 6 being a tribute to the original iPhone?

[appleii.c]

I compared the original to the silv 6+!

Started from the bottom now we're here.....

Image

Is that the silver or the space grey? Kinda looks like the color of my SG6.

 

[mcdj]

What are you even blathering about?

Do you need a definition of arguing? What part of what I said isn't clear?

As someone in visual media, I understand that creatives aren't always the best communicators, or the most adept at reading for comprehension, so I'll spell it out for you nice and plain like.

The OP asks "has anyone talked about the design of the 6 being a tribute to the original iPhone?", a topic perhaps worth discussing as a theory. But he adds, "Pretty cool, I have a lot more appreciation for the design now.", which I took to mean that either he sees it as fact, or that perhaps someone from Apple was quoted as saying so.

Assuming no one from Apple is actually saying the 6 is a tribute in the classic sense, then it is in fact NOT a tribute, it merely uses design language Apple has been using all along, in various forms for various products, with rounded corners and rounded edges being the most obvious elements in common with the 2G.

There is an antenna band that is in the same general area the black plastic was in on the 2G. Does that make it a tribute? The camera hasn't moved in 7 years. Does that make it a tribute? The volume buttons are back to pill shaped from round. Is that a conscious attempt at a tribute, or could it just possibly be that the new phone is too thin for round buttons because round buttons would be too small on such a thin phone?

I could go on, but you're the busy designer with enough free time to pedantically ask people if they're blind (AKA starting arguments), and you're the one with the "plethora" of design cues that you seem to want to argue make the 6 an intentional homage to the 2G, so let's hear them.

I'm all ears, since my eyes clearly don't work.

And just in case all this blathering doesn't make any sense to you, being a designer and all, here's my tl;dr position...

The iPhone 6 has design elements that Apple has used on and off throughout the short history of the iPhone. That does not automatically make it a direct or purposeful tribute to the 2G. Is it evolutionary? Obviously. Arguing that would be a fool's errand. Is it a pointed homage? No.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Do you need a definition of arguing? What part of what I said isn't clear?

As someone in visual media, I understand that creatives aren't always the best communicators, or the most adept at reading for comprehension, so I'll spell it out for you nice and plain like.

The OP asks "has anyone talked about the design of the 6 being a tribute to the original iPhone?", a topic perhaps worth discussing as a theory. But he adds, "Pretty cool, I have a lot more appreciation for the design now.", which I took to mean that either he sees it as fact, or that perhaps someone from Apple was quoted as saying so.

Assuming no one from Apple is actually saying the 6 is a tribute in the classic sense, then it is in fact NOT a tribute, it merely uses design language Apple has been using all along, in various forms for various products, with rounded corners and rounded edges being the most obvious elements in common with the 2G.

There is an antenna band that is in the same general area the black plastic was in on the 2G. Does that make it a tribute? The camera hasn't moved in 7 years. Does that make it a tribute? The volume buttons are back to pill shaped from round. Is that a conscious attempt at a tribute, or could it just possibly be that the new phone is too thin for round buttons because round buttons would be too small on such a thin phone?

I could go on, but you're the busy designer with enough free time to pedantically ask people if they're blind (AKA starting arguments), and you're the one with the "plethora" of design cues that you seem to want to argue make the 6 an intentional homage to the 2G, so let's hear them.

I'm all ears, since my eyes clearly don't work.

And just in case all this blathering doesn't make any sense to you, being a designer and all, here's my tl;dr position...

The iPhone 6 has design elements that Apple has used on and off throughout the short history of the iPhone. That does not automatically make it a direct or purposeful tribute to the 2G. Is it evolutionary? Obviously. Arguing that would be a fool's errand. Is it a pointed homage? No.

Why are you expending so much effort attempting to argue about something no one is arguing about? "Tribute," "homage," "evolution..." Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

And the 2G?

 

[mcdj]

Why are you expending so much effort attempting to argue about something no one is arguing about? "Tribute," "homage," "evolution..." Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

And the 2G?

Wow. I dated a woman just like you. Any time she felt threatened or it looked like she might lose an argument, she changed the argument. Didn't last long. Nevermind.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Wow. I dated a woman just like you. Any time she felt threatened or it looked like she might lose an argument, she changed the argument. Didn't last long. Nevermind.

You didn't even notice that I just said the exact same thing to you that you said to me. No wonder she dumped you.

 

[aziatiklover]

Is that the silver or the space grey? Kinda looks like the color of my SG6.

Re-read what I wrote! You even quoted.

 

[bmac4]

My wife has the white iPhone 5. To me it looks absolutely stunning. It's a great look and I don't discount it. I have two iBook G4s at home and an iMac G5. All white. They look great too.

But as much as I can appreciate them and your preference, my own preference leans toward black. Sadly, black is just not an option with any model of iPhone after the 5.

So you just prefer the black in phones? I can understand that. I know there are a lot of people that want black cables to go with there black iPhones. Will you not get another iPhone unless they go back to a real black?

I just feel like white just says Apple. I don't know I just associate white with Apple.

 

[eyoungren]

So you just prefer the black in phones? I can understand that. I know there are a lot of people that want black cables to go with there black iPhones. Will you not get another iPhone unless they go back to a real black?

I just feel like white just says Apple. I don't know I just associate white with Apple.

Yeah, black is my preference. I tend to stick with my phones for a long time. Going to my iPhone 5 was a want, not a need. And since I still like it, really enjoy it and it does everything I need it to do I don't see any need to upgrade until I must. Unless of course there is something that motivates me. And Space Gray does not motivate me.

I mentioned a mod for anodizing the 6/6+ to black. That may motivate me once we get our tax refund next year. We'll see.

And I totally get what you mean about Apple and white. There is an association there. As I recall, the first white iPhone was extremely popular and almost impossible to get when first launched. And from all accounts Jobs didn't care for black.

But, yes, that's my preference (black).

 

[impulse462]

Yeah, black is my preference. I tend to stick with my phones for a long time. Going to my iPhone 5 was a want, not a need. And since I still like it, really enjoy it and it does everything I need it to do I don't see any need to upgrade until I must. Unless of course there is something that motivates me. And Space Gray does not motivate me.

I mentioned a mod for anodizing the 6/6+ to black. That may motivate me once we get our tax refund next year. We'll see.

And I totally get what you mean about Apple and white. There is an association there. As I recall, the first white iPhone was extremely popular and almost impossible to get when first launched. And from all accounts Jobs didn't care for black.

But, yes, that's my preference (black).

Any link to that mod?

 

[TH55]

Do you need a definition of arguing? What part of what I said isn't clear?

As someone in visual media, I understand that creatives aren't always the best communicators, or the most adept at reading for comprehension, so I'll spell it out for you nice and plain like.

The OP asks "has anyone talked about the design of the 6 being a tribute to the original iPhone?", a topic perhaps worth discussing as a theory. But he adds, "Pretty cool, I have a lot more appreciation for the design now.", which I took to mean that either he sees it as fact, or that perhaps someone from Apple was quoted as saying so.

Assuming no one from Apple is actually saying the 6 is a tribute in the classic sense, then it is in fact NOT a tribute, it merely uses design language Apple has been using all along, in various forms for various products, with rounded corners and rounded edges being the most obvious elements in common with the 2G.

There is an antenna band that is in the same general area the black plastic was in on the 2G. Does that make it a tribute? The camera hasn't moved in 7 years. Does that make it a tribute? The volume buttons are back to pill shaped from round. Is that a conscious attempt at a tribute, or could it just possibly be that the new phone is too thin for round buttons because round buttons would be too small on such a thin phone?

I could go on, but you're the busy designer with enough free time to pedantically ask people if they're blind (AKA starting arguments), and you're the one with the "plethora" of design cues that you seem to want to argue make the 6 an intentional homage to the 2G, so let's hear them.

I'm all ears, since my eyes clearly don't work.

And just in case all this blathering doesn't make any sense to you, being a designer and all, here's my tl;dr position...

The iPhone 6 has design elements that Apple has used on and off throughout the short history of the iPhone. That does not automatically make it a direct or purposeful tribute to the 2G. Is it evolutionary? Obviously. Arguing that would be a fool's errand. Is it a pointed homage? No.

No, it is obviously an homage, it's clearly not just "little touches" and hints of various design features from "over the years" It's the entire design of the phone. It has the exact same look, it's just thinner and bigger. No other iPhone has that distinct look, if it was one or two things I might agree but it's almost the entire design.

 

[eyoungren]

Any link to that mod?

Give me a bit. I can't seem to find it in any recent thread I posted in so that tells me I saw it but didn't post in that thread.

Of course, I can't remember the thread title and with the blizzard of iPhone 6 activity here…well I might have to try Google.

EDIT: Of course, now I can't find it. I'll keep looking.

EDIT2: Sorry man, I just can't find it. No idea what thread I saw it in.

 

[Surf Monkey]

No, it is obviously an homage, it's clearly not just "little touches" and hints of various design features from "over the years" It's the entire design of the phone. It has the exact same look, it's just thinner and bigger. No other iPhone has that distinct look, if it was one or two things I might agree but it's almost the entire design.

Pretty much. How do we know this? Because eyes.

 

[mcdj]

No, it is obviously an homage, it's clearly not just "little touches" and hints of various design features from "over the years" It's the entire design of the phone. It has the exact same look, it's just thinner and bigger. No other iPhone has that distinct look, if it was one or two things I might agree but it's almost the entire design.

Other than minor things like being made from 3 distinctly contrasting materials, a fat chrome beveled bezel, and the entire bottom third of the back being black, you're right. Exact same look.

Jony Ive and Co. clearly set out to replicate the 2G, so that 5 people on a forum somewhere could discuss it.

If you want an example of a true homage, check out some of the Omega Speedmaster reissues. Or the latest mechanical Leica. These are companies that use actual dies, parts, machinery and techniques, etc. to faithfully represent a very specific model from their history.

There's a difference between an homage and a nod. Sure, you can argue the iphone 6 is a nod to the 2G, but to call it a deliberate tribute is a stretch IMO.

Hell, you could call every Apple product made since 2001 a nod to the original 5GB iPod. Their design DNA touches everything they make. They constantly recycle good ideas and morph them into new products. No one can argue that.

If Apple did actually pull out the old iPhone 2G shell, stuff it with the latest chips and screen, and called it the iPhone Classic, it would sell like hotcakes, no doubt. The iPhone 6 is selling like hotcakes too, but not because it's an iPhone Classic.

 

[eyoungren]

Nevermind. I'm a moron.

 

[Daniel3102]

1. Space Gray. No black (the black front doesn't count, I'm talking about the metal case).
2. iOS 8. (Give me iOS 6 back please, I'm only on iOS 7 because I replaced my iPhone).
3. Those fugly antenna lines. To each his own, but I do NOT care for that look at all.
4. Non-flush camera. Seriously? The phone is so thin the lens has to bulge out? I've heard rumors that it's to allow for future attachments to the lens, but it's still ugly to me.
5. It's curved. I much prefer the boxy side look of my iPhone 5 and the chamfered edges.

I do however appreciate the size of the 6+. But, honestly that's about it. This is not one phone I wish to spend the next two or more years with.

Now, to be honest, there was one thread where a poster showed a mod that would anodize the phone to a jet black. It's an additional $300 and I do believe it makes the phone look a lot better. Being able to execute on that option as part of getting a 6+ would be a motivator for me to buy a 6+.

Space gray is not black and I much prefer black for my phones.

I agree with you on every point! I wish I had a slate 5!!! I LOVE the stealth look of the slate 5. I also think the 6 is pretty ugly compared to my 5s. I think the 6 looks too much like a 5th gen iPod touch! I, also, do not like the rounded edges. I much prefer the chamfered edges

 

[Surf Monkey]

Other than minor things like being made from 3 distinctly contrasting materials, a fat chrome beveled bezel, and the entire bottom third of the back being black, you're right. Exact same look.

Jony Ive and Co. clearly set out to replicate the 2G, so that 5 people on a forum somewhere could discuss it.

If you want an example of a true homage, check out some of the Omega Speedmaster reissues. Or the latest mechanical Leica. These are companies that use actual dies, parts, machinery and techniques, etc. to faithfully represent a very specific model from their history.

There's a difference between an homage and a nod. Sure, you can argue the iphone 6 is a nod to the 2G, but to call it a deliberate tribute is a stretch IMO.

Hell, you could call every Apple product made since 2001 a nod to the original 5GB iPod. Their design DNA touches everything they make. They constantly recycle good ideas and morph them into new products. No one can argue that.

If Apple did actually pull out the old iPhone 2G shell, stuff it with the latest chips and screen, and called it the iPhone Classic, it would sell like hotcakes, no doubt. The iPhone 6 is selling like hotcakes too, but not because it's an iPhone Classic.

Well, it's a good thing you don't get hung up on excessively strict definitions.

PS: you're wrong.

 

[Daniel3102]

1. Space Gray. No black (the black front doesn't count, I'm talking about the metal case).
2. iOS 8. (Give me iOS 6 back please, I'm only on iOS 7 because I replaced my iPhone).
3. Those fugly antenna lines. To each his own, but I do NOT care for that look at all.
4. Non-flush camera. Seriously? The phone is so thin the lens has to bulge out? I've heard rumors that it's to allow for future attachments to the lens, but it's still ugly to me.
5. It's curved. I much prefer the boxy side look of my iPhone 5 and the chamfered edges.

I do however appreciate the size of the 6+. But, honestly that's about it. This is not one phone I wish to spend the next two or more years with.

Now, to be honest, there was one thread where a poster showed a mod that would anodize the phone to a jet black. It's an additional $300 and I do believe it makes the phone look a lot better. Being able to execute on that option as part of getting a 6+ would be a motivator for me to buy a 6+.

Space gray is not black and I much prefer black for my phones.

And I would LOVE to get iOS 6

 

[appleii.c]

Re-read what I wrote! You even quoted.

HA, yes I read it the first time! It just looked a little darker than the silver/whites I've seen. I wondered if you might have mis-typed.

 

[myscrnnm]

No, it is obviously an homage, it's clearly not just "little touches" and hints of various design features from "over the years" It's the entire design of the phone. It has the exact same look, it's just thinner and bigger. No other iPhone has that distinct look, if it was one or two things I might agree but it's almost the entire design.

What? Apart from the features all the other iPhones have had (rounded edges when viewed from the front, circular home button, Apple logo on back), the only thing the iPhone 6 and iPhone 2G have in common is that they both have an anodized aluminium back. Gone is the large chrome bezel, squircle icon on the home button, staggered speaker holes, large plastic antenna enclosure, recessed headphone port, et cetera. The 6 is an evolution of all the iPhones that came before it, like every other iPhone.

 

[Surf Monkey]

What? Apart from the features all the other iPhones have had (rounded edges when viewed from the front, circular home button, Apple logo on back), the only thing the iPhone 6 and iPhone 2G have in common is that they both have an anodized aluminium back. Gone is the large chrome bezel, squircle icon on the home button, staggered speaker holes, large plastic antenna enclosure, recessed headphone port, et cetera. The 6 is an evolution of all the iPhones that came before it, like every other iPhone.

Set one next to a 5 or a 4 and say that.

Yeah. Didn't think so.

 

[myscrnnm]

Set one next to a 5 or a 4 and say that.

Yeah. Didn't think so.

And say what? Everything I said still applies.

 

[mcdj]

Well, it's a good thing you don't get hung up on excessively strict definitions.

PS: you're wrong.

Since you're clearly (convinced that you are) so wise about design, how about dispensing with the cheap easy glib comebacks, which do nothing but put your expertise into doubt, and spend a few precious seconds of your time into actually articulating your point of view? I've done it several times in this thread. I have yet to see you do it once.

We get it, you like the one liners. It kinda seems like that's all you're capable of.

 

[Traverse]

I do like it, but the box design was an Apple signature. However, that design on large phones would be unwieldy. I hated the Space Gray color that replaced the Slate version with the 5S. It's just looked dirty and plain. I do, however, like the slightly lighter space gray on the 6/6+. I like the contrast between the black front and light back.

I also like the antenna lines. Without them the back would just be one slab; they add character. The exception is the gold model. Why Apple used white bands on the gold back confuses me.

 

[google]

More like a tribute to the iPod touch which has not been updated for over a year.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Since you're clearly (convinced that you are) so wise about design, how about dispensing with the cheap easy glib comebacks, which do nothing but put your expertise into doubt, and spend a few precious seconds of your time into actually articulating your point of view? I've done it several times in this thread. I have yet to see you do it once.

We get it, you like the one liners. It kinda seems like that's all you're capable of.

They're all your posts have warranted so far. For example: your comments about Leica using the same equipment to cast parts for modern cameras as they used for older issues. That's not "hommage," man. That's re-issue. Furthermore, I have actually been pretty verbose about this. The fact that you're only focusing on the posts where I got a few licks in on your sorry argument doesn't mean I haven't.