I'm inclined to share a lot of the points made by TheSpaz (though I wish you hadn't chosen that name!)
I'm a big big fan of Apple purely because of its OS. Whenever Apple hardware has seemed overpriced, insufficient or whatever, I've remained with a Mac purely on the strength of its OS. But that doesn't mean everything Apple does in OSX is to be welcomed.
Having used Macs since OS7, I tend to agree that the focus on user interface design and simplicity has slowly been getting more and more replaced by pretty shiny eye candy and "oooh! aaah!" effects. The forthcoming sidewalk dock divider is absolutely emblematic of this shift - utterly out of place, adds nothing to the user experience that a simple line couldn't do more easily, more elegantly, and more effectively - but ooooooooh, it's 3D!!!
It's not the Apple I once knew, which I think is a shame. You expect this approach from design novices - to be handed a box with transparency, reflectivity and 3d effects, and for them to just chuck as much of it in as they can get away with.
Ok that's a huge exaggeration I know, Apple aren't that bad. But it's a subtle shift in direction that I've noticed, and I'm not alone in picking up on it.
Yes I know pretty shiny things have played a big part in getting Apple noticed again. But I can't help wonder if they've gone too far in sacrificing some of that elegant simplicity and usability that once sealed their reputation as the masters of user interface design.
Also agree with your points brianus about the unified look. Will have to see how I get on with it once I'm using it reguarly on day-to-day work, but at the moment I'm suspecting they've made the user experience slightly more difficult than easy.
