iOS 7 is lifeless, graphically feels like a step back

[KenAFSPC]

Thats more complaining about the look. I happen to like it but thats just an opinion as is yours. Whats wrong with the OS though?

As others have stated repeatedly, the "look" of various UI elements plays a large role in usability, particularly when text is difficult to read and UI elements (such as buttons) blend together with backgrounds.

If we only cared about features/functionality, we would all be using Android. Android has always excelled in the features/functionality department while lacking when it comes to looks and usability.

 

[j0han]

It was time. It's about moving on.

The no-sayers are afraid of changes.

Good job, Apple! Keep it up, now release 5S!

 

[iapplelove]

After using ios7 on the iPad for a few days I could never go back to ios6. Everything is better and this is just the first iPad beta and second overal for the new os.

Yeah the icons are bright and colorful and honestly wouldn't be my taste in colors but the so is iOS is more efficient and fun you completely forget about the Easter egg app colors

 

[Paradoxally]

I'm only updating to ios 7 when there's a jailbreak, so I can get rid of those horrid icons and tweak the UI the way I want it. Right now it looks terrible and honestly for people with bad vision, this is no good.

 

[recklesslife85]

After using ios7 on the iPad for a few days I could never go back to ios6. Everything is better and this is just the first iPad beta and second overal for the new os.

Yeah the icons are bright and colorful and honestly wouldn't be my taste in colors but the so is iOS is more efficient and fun you completely forget about the Easter egg app colors

One thing that I think is way better on iOS 6 is the notification centre. The iOS7 version is horrid, so turned it off.

 

[iapplelove]

One thing that I think is way better on iOS 6 is the notification centre. The iOS7 version is horrid, so turned it off.

Yeah the new notification center is a bit bloated but I don't rely on it much.

 

[Ste Nova]

True, all I wanted was a way to turn bluetooth on and off without going through 3 screens.

why? I just leave mine on all the time

 

[cwwilson]

After using iOS 7 for a little while now, this is the right step for Apple... I don't think I could go back to iOS 6 without it feeling very outdated. They will polish this beta by the 6th or 7th one and it will be great.

 

[TheRainKing]

If I were listing the good and bad (that I've seen), it would be like this.

Good

New animations.
Weather app.
Transparency in video player app.
Control Centre.
New Notification Centre design.
New app store design.

Bad

Too much white.
New icon designs.
Settings app (the white and grey combo just looks bad).
Don't like the default wallpapers.

 

[VSMacOne]

One thing that I think is way better on iOS 6 is the notification centre. The iOS7 version is horrid, so turned it off.

It feels unfinished to me. I think Apple has some more stuff planned for NC that might not be showed until the Fall. Just look at all that room around the date and weather description...

 

[azentropy]

I expect beta's to have some bugs, so that doesn't concern me. I love the new features, hate the "new" look. While many think everything looks clean and elegant - I think it looks plain, boring, amateurish, hard to read/see in places and even downright confusing at times. If iOS versions had code names like Mac OS X this would be called iOS Craigslist.

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

This IOS looks as if it has a feel like its a rough draft. And yes I know it is a beta. But I think everyone believes that the imperfections of the design will be corrected by the release. I say yes and no. Subtle changes will be done. But other than that. This is what you are gonna get.

The best way to explain it, would be that it is a good concept by Apple. But they have stumbled on the implementation. But those of you who are expecting them to over correct some things. It's too late. You can make a subtle change, here and there. But it's too late to correct many of the inherent design faults included in the new IOS.

 

[spiderman0616]

Just updated to iOS7 and honestly I was expecting it to be a lot better graphically.

They went way overboard with the non-skeumorphism thing and basically nuked any sign of life throughout the whole iOS (and mistakenly tried to correct it with weird pastel colored icons).

Don't get me wrong, functionally it seems a lot better, but it is so god damned dull. All the small little lines outlining commands, the narrow thin text, and the pervasive use of black, white and gray with the complete lack of shadowing is just way overboard and takes "flat" to a whole new level. Just look at something like the stopwatch app (I use it a lot for running), it seriously looks like someone drew two circles on a piece of paper with the time displaying. Sure its just a stopwatch app, but why does it have to look like something out of Windows 95? Hello.. we have a retina display for a reason...

They just took the whole simplicity thing too far, and now instead of simple its just boring. Anyone else feel this way?

If Apple hadn't changed iOS, the whole internet would be up in arms that they are not "innovating" enough. You can't have it both ways.

 

[HitchHykr]

Looks pretty cool. A lot better than this.

See, I don't like all the green felt and I completely despise the looks of the fake leather in the calendar app in the latest OSX BUT can there be a happy medium between completely dull and way over-pimped apps? I'm all for change but not change for change's sake.

 

[VSMacOne]

See, I don't like all the green felt and I completely despise the looks of the fake leather in the calendar app in the latest OSX BUT can there be a happy medium between completely dull and way over-pimped apps? I'm all for change but not change for change's sake.

I really don't think the changes were made just for the sake of changing. I think Apple has a clear vision for the future, and iOS7 will help set the foundation for more years of app innovation from devs. I think we'll see some cool stuff.

 

[HitchHykr]

I really don't think the changes were made just for the sake of changing. I think Apple has a clear vision for the future, and iOS7 will help set the foundation for more years of app innovation from devs. I think we'll see some cool stuff.

Well, I think they over did it with the flatness thing and I think that's what most people are complaining about, not the new and improved functionality. And it's not that we don't want changes, that's silly.

 

[SeenJeen]

I linked pics before but something like this concept: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ESivYZXYqYE

Pretty much the opposite of what we have now, while still maintaining the simplicity.

This is much more compelling than iOS 7 -- besides the icons. They should have hired this guy and let Ive stick to hardware instead of putting him in a room with Photoshop.

The new design screams amateur.

 

[HCO]

Sorry but I'm in love with iOS 7.

 

[blackburn]

I gave up on iOS 7 after 20 mins with beta 2. That thing looks like those android launchers with all that animation crap (I know it can be disabled).

It's too flat in some places and looks confusing. The font anti-aliasing needs work (at least on non retina iPads), and the whole thing needs more contrast, it's too darned white, it hurts my eyes.

I do hate android but still I think the latest version is prettier than iOS 7.

I think I will keep my personal iPad on iOS 6 (and yes iOS 6 feels dated).

 

[sankyo]

What's really problematic is control center. It holds the music controls.

You can't access your music as fast as it could on iOS 6, you just can't.

 

[Gjwilly]

.... it's hard to tell which part is the app and which part is the system (status bar). That's wrong.

No, I'm sure that Ive would tell you exactly the opposite.
There should be no distinction between the app and the system -- it should all blend as one.
I think that that was a lot of the intention behind iOS7.
The iOS should simply melt away leaving only the apps and the user experience.
Like it or not that is the intention.

 

[applelurker]

I've been lurking these forums for a while.

I've been an iPhone user since 2007, and a Mac user since the early 90's... Steve Jobs said that the iPhone is 5 years ahead of anyone else, and he was right.

With iOS 7, one can see where they want to go with iOS in the next 5 years.

And that is playing catch up with Android. iOS 7 looks like an average theme for Android.

Is Apple trying to drive users away? They certainly did so to me; this is my last iPhone.

Google's integration and cloud syncing is much better than Apple's at this point.

And this ugly iOS 7 is the final nail in the coffin.

 

[sankyo]

I've been lurking these forums for a while.

I've been an iPhone user since 2007, and a Mac user since the early 90's... Steve Jobs said that the iPhone is 5 years ahead of anyone else, and he was right.

With iOS 7, one can see where they want to go with iOS in the next 5 years.

And that is playing catch up with Android. iOS 7 looks like an average theme for Android.

Is Apple trying to drive users away? They certainly did so to me; this is my last iPhone.

Google's integration and cloud syncing is much better than Apple's at this point.

And this ugly iOS 7 is the final nail in the coffin.

But.. did you use it yet..

 

[seong]

I've been lurking these forums for a while.

I've been an iPhone user since 2007, and a Mac user since the early 90's... Steve Jobs said that the iPhone is 5 years ahead of anyone else, and he was right.

With iOS 7, one can see where they want to go with iOS in the next 5 years.

And that is playing catch up with Android. iOS 7 looks like an average theme for Android.

Is Apple trying to drive users away? They certainly did so to me; this is my last iPhone.

Google's integration and cloud syncing is much better than Apple's at this point.

And this ugly iOS 7 is the final nail in the coffin.

As much as I would like to agree with you, here I am, sitting in a room full of 50 students, who wants to switch over to iPhone just because of iOS 7, here in Korea. I guess it all depends on how one views it.

 

[BaldiMac]

What's really problematic is control center. It holds the music controls.

You can't access your music as fast as it could on iOS 6, you just can't.

How do you figure that?