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iPhone OS 4.0: A full GUI makeover?
- Thread starter TheSpaz
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agreed, and so do apple. that's why they added expose, stacks, new dock etc etc etc to tiger and leopard, and why they are adding further to that in snow leopard.
i don't think they would completely change the way in which the phone is used or move things around to much, but they need to evolve it like they have done with os x, which is what i suspect they will do with 4.0. apple like that microsoft is constantly trying to play catch up with the eye-candy and usability and i think they'd prefer to be in that same situation in the mobile market with the other manufacturers.
A) if you think the iphone (the actual device) looks dated - you've got issues. It's not at all.
B) As I've said before - there are (in the scheme of things) very few people who have been with the iPhone since 1st generation and those who feel the UI is dated are in the minority.
I am NO Apple fanboy - but the bottom line is - the iPhone could do with some OS improvements - but the actual user experience / physical form of the unit are FAR from dated or boring. It's clean and slick.
Are there other cool UI's out there on other phones. Perhaps at first glance. But it's pretty much a facade. For ultimate usability for the masses - once you get past one or two of their cool screens or animation effects - it falls flat in comparison.
The iPhone is also easily adopted for use. People that would never dream of using a smart phone are able to benefit immediately with a small learning curve.
The actual phone looks great. I was not on that "zomg matte finish FTW" bandwagon that was driving through here before the 3GS was released. I was also not on similar bandwagons (such as the "zomg front facing cameraz!!" and "OMGDIZZLE!!!! no m0re chr0me!!!!!11one1!"). I think the iPhone looks fine the way it is. Its sleek, and if Apple changes the physical design every iteration, they will run out of ideas. Look at the Macbook, or Macbook Pro. Quite a long time between major changes. Heck, the PowerBook G4 looked just like the first Macbook Pro's up until they became unibody.
However, the UI looks dated to me. Sure its because I have used it since the 1st gen iPhone and iTouches (kill me, I think that name is fine), but so have others. Minority, maybe but none the less it looks dated to me. Think about Steve, and the other Apple engineers who work on the iPhone and have used the thing since prototype stage. They have been looking at the same UI for as long as some of us have, even longer actually, and they are the ones with the power to change it. Chances are if some of us feel its dated, those who originally created it also want to freshen things up a bit.
One of the main reasons I refuse to use Windows XP is because of the look. Windows XP has looked the same since 2001. I remember when it first came out, I was in middle school. That long ago, and it still looks the same. I refuse to use it purely for that reason.
If the iPhone keeps up its trend of stale UI, I will do more swapping between my iPhone 3GS and my Android G1, simply for the UI change. UI is a major factor that goes into my purchases. I care about the UI just as much as I care about hardware quality. That is why I hate the Nokia E71, hardware is nice and sturdy but the UI (and the OS) totally suck. Thus, I hate the phone.
Thanks for your well thought out response. I can understand where you're coming from. As a new iPhone user (had the touch for over a year) I can understand (to a point) that you want some change. I think a refresh and customization and some more functionality (like folders) would solve that problem. When I say that the UI doesn't need a complete change - I mean exactly that. The WAY the phone works and the core functionality is probably second to none which is why (plus the apps) the phone has done so well. If Apple start mucking around with the inherent functionality (the core functionality) then I think they'll be shooting themselves in the foot.
But I think the majority of people here aren't looking for a UI (from an engineering point of view) but rather more cosmetic/additional functionality point of view. Does that make sense?
As for your Windows scenario - I'll play devil's advocate by saying that Microsoft gained more than it lost by keeping the similar UI on Windows XP because both businesses and individual users didn't have to worry about getting a new computer and having to relearn how to use it. There are far more people in the marketplace who like the latest and greatest but also want to feel comfortable. Liken it to those that like to travel but hate getting lost?
Fact is - XP has gotten pretty stable over the years and is a solid OS - that's why it hasn't changed. Microsoft tried and failed with the ME edition, and some others. They refined XP to work the best they could.
Look at all the commentary about VISTA and when it was introduced - all the confusion about requirements, which edition, etc. Consumers, in my opinion, would rather avoid confusion and just get something newer and better without trying to figure out what that is...
Then there are those that just get the latest and greatest because they think they should, status or whatever and don't even use a computer, device, whatever to its capacity because they are limited in their previous knowledge and don't care/bother to go beyond that.
Oh, great analogy. I am so crushed.
No-one said people don't care about aesthetics. The point is that in their designs, it's clear that Apple care about UI design a great deal and that aesthetics plays a part of that - but only a part. Apple have consistently demonstrated their focus on 'the user experience' as a whole, where design changes are made primarily to accommodate new functionality, not simply for aesthetic appeal.
The problem with an aesthetics approach only is that what appeals to one user will not appeal to another.
In that context, the notion that the iPhone UI is outdated is nonsensical, because it performs the function it is designed to perform well very. That there are things it could do better or ways in which it could be improved is inarguable, but it points to the fact that when it changes, those changes are likely to be evolutionary, not revolutionary, and that they will largely be tied to changes in device functionality more than anything.
I do agree with this. XP is successful because its look remained unchanged. The iPhone OS can be the same way. Look at OS X over the years. Same general idea, menu at the top, dock at the bottom. However the look of everything drastically changed while keeping the same usability, or making it easier to use. The iPhone could be the same way. Breathe some new life into it, give it a visual facelift, but keep things the same. Don't do a Word 2003 to Word 2007 change (aka the ribbon bar), but do a OS X 10.4 to 10.5 change, nice visual updates while retaining the navigation and structure.
No, it is successful, still, because it works. It works because it's (largely) unchanged.
erm, ultimately you are saying xp is successful because it remained unchanged... which is what he said. the 2 main reasons vista flopped is because they added eye candy that hogged too much of the machines resources (they felt they had to because of os x, which does the eye candy part right... looks nice, doesn't slow down the system), and they moved stuff around simply for the fun of it (like add/remove programs as one example, why rename it?)
i think those of us who are thinking logically, including the person you are arguing with, are saying that the basics will remain, they will just make it more appealing to the eye. like leopard is to tiger, and like snow leopard is to leopard, which i don't think is so hard to imagine. its not going to require people to completely relearn how to use the phone, it will just make some tasks simpler, and at the same time add another layer of gloss or shine so that it looks more appealing.
Why do you people think UI-change means function-change? I don't necessarily think the iPhone's functions need to change (except for Folders), but why not make the interface look better while keeping the same usability? The buttons, the color, the graphics... it's time for something refreshing.
Mac OS X has seen the same type of refreshes. The way you USE Mac OS X hasn't changed much but the look of OS X changed quite a bit from Tiger to Leapard. We have unified windows now, translucent menu bar, no more stripes... stuff like that. The interface got refined.
I like the way the iPhone OS works... but, how it LOOKS is looking kinda... primitive. Stuff like the flat white buttons (like in Settings) and striped backgrounds? It could look so much better. I was thinking of maybe changing the iPhone OS to look like me.com.
Hate to say it but the Palm Pre looks more up-to-date than the iPhone. The iPhone is stuck in 2007-mode.
Mac OS X has seen the same type of refreshes. The way you USE Mac OS X hasn't changed much but the look of OS X changed quite a bit from Tiger to Leapard. We have unified windows now, translucent menu bar, no more stripes... stuff like that. The interface got refined.
I like the way the iPhone OS works... but, how it LOOKS is looking kinda... primitive. Stuff like the flat white buttons (like in Settings) and striped backgrounds? It could look so much better. I was thinking of maybe changing the iPhone OS to look like me.com.
Hate to say it but the Palm Pre looks more up-to-date than the iPhone. The iPhone is stuck in 2007-mode.
They look fine to me.
It wasn't really changed at all, it just looks prettier.
So jailbreak and use themes, since that's all you're really saying.
Addendum: Jailbreak or get a Pre.
Perfect analogy actually (well close to) - As a word user for years - 2007 still boggles my mind. Microsoft didn't slowly alter it's UI - it was a DRASTIC change. I still have issues trying to do things I used to be able to do without thinking. Features were changed, menus altered, etc. It might be snazzier and be a full on revolution in the software - but tell that to the millions of business users who are now spending much longer to get the same work done because they couldn't simply migrate to the newer software with added functionality.
I feel the same way with the Adobe suite. I do like a lot of the new features - but they completely changed the UI and it can get frustrating at times when I am not able to (or don't see how I can) do the same things I used to be able to do quickly and efficiently. They either removed the functionality or changed it so dramatically that I'm sometimes at a loss as to how to do them.
They look fine to me.
It wasn't really changed at all, it just looks prettier.
So jailbreak and use themes, since that's all you're really saying.
Addendum: Jailbreak or get a Pre.
"It wasn't really changed at all, it just looks prettier." -- Ummm... that would mean it was changed. Lemme break it down in terms you can understand then... I want the iPhone UI to look prettier.
Theming the iPhone using WinterBoard slows the iPhone down... I'd rather look at the default theme than have a slower phone. Also, I'm not going to switch carriers and buy a Palm Pre for a new interface.
New UI doesn't mean a whole new layout.
Right now I just want some folders... and maybe a "sort alphabetically" button. Honestly if I had those I'd probably buy more apps. I'm sure I can get those via jailbreaking but yeah... much rather have it native since I don't care to dink around with Jailbreaking...
Well, to be fair, when something is deeply broken, sometimes you need to scrap everything and start fresh.
There's a video/powerpoint you can view that describes the problems with Word. It was -broken-, man. The drop-down menu paradigm was fine for a program with like 50 features, Word started balloning like crazy and you ended up with sub-menus inside of sub-menus that took you to dialog boxes with 6 tabs that each had sub-dialog boxes.
I can't speak to your Adobe example.
Apple threw everything out with OS X (and I mean everything) -- was that a bad idea?
Me too and I would keep more on my iPhone too. Right now it is just way too cluttered.
At the end of the day - the iPhone is still modern and hip no matter what you think to the majority of people in the world.
The Pre looks more up to date only because you don't and haven't used it for more than a year.
Even if the Pre WAS more up to date vs the iPhone UI - I'd take the reliability and functionality of the iPhone over the UI of the Pre any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
I played with the Pre a few times and have to say that beyond the first couple of swipes and such - it was still plagued with a problematic user EXPERIENCE. Like putting a fresh coat of paint on a condemned house (sorry Pre). It might look cool - but once you start using it - it reveals itself to be not all that great.
You keep going on about a change in usability.
You're easily younger than I am. Please do not attempt to talk down to me.
As long as you don't go insane with thematic elements, no, it does not. Design your icons (and dock background) to look how you wish and change those.
A complete interface change would require developers to update their app icons to match, and I can't see people changing 50,000 apps just because Apple wants them to look different.
No, it's not the same. Success hasn't been the result of the look remaining unchanged, but the stability and predictability of the product. The fact the look did not change was a function of that also - a consequence, not a cause.
If you read what I've written, you'll note I am saying much the same as you - except that from my time observing Apple, I'm saying that the visual elements will change more as a result of underlying functionality rather than purely for aesthetics. My primary point was that just because the UI is two years old now, doesn't mean it's any less functional than it was or of itself needful of changing.
Age means nothing, fyi.
Er, you are missing the entire point here skipper. Themes are stupid, simple as that. At least thats how I feel. Yeah, it changes the way your dock, background, and icons look, but BIG DEAL. Enter into the contacts app, and you have the same look. Buttons, backgrounds, lists, etc within core applications look the same. That is what I feel needs a main refresh. Maybe add a home screen, I don't know, but its looking stale.
Not to mention the selection of themes out there if you do jailbreak is just awful, and you will end up with many icons that don't match, etc. Themes are not a solution to this quandary.
Then why ever change a UI. The core functionality that was included in the original UI will never, ever go away. That isn't the point of a UI change. Why doesn't Vista look just like XP? Why doesn't Windows 7 look just like Vista? Why doesn't Leopard look identical to Tiger? After all the previous revisions were functional, so why the change?
I doubt we will see any major UI changes to the iPhone. I mean, look at the iPod line; the core navigation hasn't changed since the iPod was first released 8 years ago!! They've added features, but the basic use is still the same.
I do think folders would fit in just fine with the current iPhone UI, and still be intuitive since we all use computers everyday and understand the concept of folders.
As mentioned before numerous times, I'd like to see more info presented on the lock screen. Letting us know if we have emails, the weather for the day, any appointments coming up, etc. this is all stuff that would work with Apple's own apps, so they should be able to add it fairly easily.
I'd also like to see notifications be less intrusive to the current task, not dropping right on top of what you're doing. I'd like to see emails presented like notifications too.
I do think folders would fit in just fine with the current iPhone UI, and still be intuitive since we all use computers everyday and understand the concept of folders.
As mentioned before numerous times, I'd like to see more info presented on the lock screen. Letting us know if we have emails, the weather for the day, any appointments coming up, etc. this is all stuff that would work with Apple's own apps, so they should be able to add it fairly easily.
I'd also like to see notifications be less intrusive to the current task, not dropping right on top of what you're doing. I'd like to see emails presented like notifications too.
ok, that must be why they made all the windows look the same, started using that see-through black, added transparency, and gave us a mirror effect dock. those are changes made for nothing more than looks. they don't add or improve functionality.
I know. I'm always on that end of the argument. Go figure.
So change them within the UI itself. When the iPhone calls, say, a back button, have the original image replaced with one of your own. It's no different than theming.
So, what part of the visual elements will change more as a result of underlying functionality rather than purely for aesthetics are you having problems with? Where is it written that Apple don't change visible components for aesthetic reasons? It's that they don't primarily change for purely aesthetics, not that they never do.
By the way, aside from the menu bar, transparency has been in prior MacOS versions before Leopard, and they have been 'standardising' on a GUI-look over several versions (and still not really managed yet).