The real reason for iOS 7's strange looks

[Xeyad]

I don't think Apple meant to design iOS 7 just for the Asian market. They surely didn't sit in meetings and said 'hey, let's make iOS 7 have neon colors so Asians buy more of our stuff'

However, because the colors have more "pop" now, and lots of new animations throughout the OS, I think iOS 7 will have more appeal in the Asian market. It's not racism, but different markets with different demographics have different tastes. With the new design, I think Apple is definitely going for the younger crowd, who were asking for years for a new design and some extra features like control center. The older demographic, and non-English speakers may have some hard time with iOS 7 because most visual elements were replaced with text, and a flat user interface that you can't relate to in real life.

The fact of the matter is that no one has a clue yet how the market will respond to iOS 7 until it gets installed on those hundreds and hundreds of millions of iOS devices around the world and see how the average user reacts to iOS 7 in terms of opinion, statistics, and ultimately sales of next gen products.

 

[xcodeaddict]

Explanation?
This version of iOS was designed especially for the taste of the Asian market. Nothing wrong with this. But it is a little hard for a European, to live with such colors and combinations of colors!
Could become a dealbreaker.

Says... who?

Hello Jony?

 

[Tysknaden]

After having seen the possible impossible rear-shells for the lowcost iPhone, I am even more sure of having been on the right track. This incarnation of the OS is designed to complement the phone's looks.

 

[YahonMaizosz]

How do you define an Operating System design to be Asian, European or American?

 

[bushido]

How do you define an Operating System design to be Asian, European or American?

maybe this is what he means? lol idk

 

[xraytech]

Explanation?
This version of iOS was designed especially for the taste of the Asian market. Nothing wrong with this. But it is a little hard for a European, to live with such colors and combinations of colors!
Could become a dealbreaker.

Huh?!?

I don't understand you reasoning, AND I'M ASIAN!!!

----------

After having seen the possible impossible rear-shells for the lowcost iPhone, I am even more sure of having been on the right track. This incarnation of the OS is designed to complement the phone's looks.

Huh?!?

So going by that line of thinking, Apple will also redsign the iPhone 5 to compliment iOS7?

 

[maxosx]

It's a certain grown cultural taste for prefering certain colors and combinations of colors - and does have nothing to do with racial ideas.

Well said. The collective lack of acceptance and appreciation of cultural differences is a sad commentary regarding the arrogance and narrow mindedness of some members of the Apple community. The word ignorance comes to mind.

 

[joemeetsjane]

it was actually since iOS 5 that the asianification happened.

lockscreen. camera shortcut.

see us go loco.

 

[HCO]

negative. this look is there look of the future, i and i enjoy it, and where they see it going from here.

 

[Jett0516]

it is not designed for asians
it is not designed for americans
it is not designed for europeans

it is designed for...hipsters

 

[falconeight]

Saying iOS 7 was designed for Asians is like saying the big gulp was designed for Americans.......wait it was never mind.

 

[TyPod]

 

[Ste Nova]

can someone photoshop ios7 onto a pink iphone?

 

[xraytech]

That makes a lot more sense than what the OP states.

 

[vannibombonato]

Can anyone explain to me what makes a design “Asian,” “American” or “European?”

Asian is a joyful mess, American is functional, European is stylish.

 

[Tiger8]

Explanation?
This version of iOS was designed especially for the taste of the Asian market. Nothing wrong with this. But it is a little hard for a European, to live with such colors and combinations of colors!
Could become a dealbreaker.

How about simply because this is the new trend in design? Even in fashion, summer/fall 2013 are all about bold colors that don't mix well usually. I resisted it first, but actually it's kinda growing on me.

Maybe the original inspiration is Asian culture, but this is a global design trend now.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Tumblr site imagines popular apps after redesigns for iOS7 http://www.tuaw.com/2013/07/01/tumblr-site-imagines-popular-apps-after-redesigns-for-ios7/ http://ios7redesigns.tumblr.com/

 

[Smith288]

Asian is a joyful mess, American is functional, European is stylish.

I dunno... Watching House Hunters International I'm fairly convinced Europeans have zero style when it comes to kitchens and bathrooms.

 

[johannnn]

I know two chinese girls and they absolutely hate the looks of 7

 

[falconeight]

Hold on I have a call on my android.....it has a stylus.

 

[Parise]

Nothing "Asian" about it. TouchWiz was designed for Asians. It's so ugly and full of pictures (like in filters) and gimmicks.
iOS and stock Android come from American companies and you can easily tell they're way more aesthetic.
By the way, I'm not American or something... I'm from Israel.

Ugh I cannot stand TouchWiz. Its gross and amateur looking.

 

[munakib]

The reason it looks "strange" is because Apple is trying to be ahead with the fashion trend of our generation. Loud Colors are the next big thing, look around you - all your fashionable friends are wearing red/lime green pants - funky colourful shirts. Apple's one strong differentiator had always been "style" and design (apart from the better hardware) and I am sure they are taking cues from other design industries.

I personally dont agree with this new loud color choices - as I associate Apple with a strong/mature brand style which I became a fan of because of Ive's previous work. If he thinks the market is looking forward to a more colorful future, then thats the bet he made. I will only consider picking up the next iPhone if there is a confirmed Jailbreak so that I can replace every part of this immature/youthful design and put it my own work.

 

[gr8tfly]

…
I personally dont agree with this new loud color choices - as I associate Apple with a strong/mature brand style which I became a fan of because of Ive's previous work. If he thinks the market is looking forward to a more colorful future, then thats the bet he made. I will only consider picking up the next iPhone if there is a confirmed Jailbreak so that I can replace every part of this immature/youthful design and put it my own work.

I agree. It's like "casual" Friday - permanently. One of my first comments to a friend, who happens to be an Apple employee, was: "Can you picture walking into the boardroom with this?". He had to agree it was a stretch.

I come from a professional background (engineer, ret.) and it would be a bit embarrassing to see some of the glaring neon up on the projection screen. Thankfully, a Keynote presentation wouldn't be tainted and the meeting could go on as if nothing happened (except for dealing with the tears leftover from the prior eyestrain).

I will say that people can get used to just about anything, and would probably end up accepting it as normal, but losing the aesthetics that very well complemented Ive's hardware designs, is, well, a loss.

Whereas I consider Apple's hardware designs works of art in their own right (I enjoy having them in my life even if powered off), iOS 7 stands by itself. Alone. No friends. Etc. etc…

 

[HMI]

Well said. The collective lack of acceptance and appreciation of cultural differences is a sad commentary regarding the arrogance and narrow mindedness of some members of the Apple community. The word ignorance comes to mind.

I also think it has been a negative side-effect of globalization and forced political-correctness, that being the incorrect correlation that "equality" means that all things are "the same". A world without any differences between countries, cultures, and genders is not a very interesting world.

Why would anyone be motivated to travel the world if literally everything were exactly the same as their own "home" country. It means as an "ignorant" American, I could appreciate the generalized "commitment to family" of Latin America", the "taking time to appreciate the small/finer things in life" from Europe, and the "wisdom to work hard and collaborate with others" from Asia. Well, I could if I could afford to travel somewhere.

The US has a lot of problems, and those are just a few examples of things I wish we would learn from others around the world.

I'm glad we're not the same. It would mean there would be nobody left to learn from. Thank you non-Americans for having a sense of pride for the best parts of your countries and cultures, and expressing those valuable qualities to other countries. It shows that we are not done learning.

I don't think "equality" should mean we all need to become the "same" in all things, but that we view and treat each other with the same human value, and find areas and opportunities within ourselves to learn, and change, and grow.

 

[maxosx]

I also think it has been a negative side-effect of globalization and forced political-correctness, that being the incorrect correlation that "equality" means that all things are "the same". A world without any differences between countries, cultures, and genders is not a very interesting world.

Why would anyone be motivated to travel the world if literally everything were exactly the same as their own "home" country. It means as an "ignorant" American, I could appreciate the generalized "commitment to family" of Latin America", the "taking time to appreciate the small/finer things in life" from Europe, and the "wisdom to work hard and collaborate with others" from Asia. Well, I could if I could afford to travel somewhere.

The US has a lot of problems, and those are just a few examples of things I wish we would learn from others around the world.

I'm glad we're not the same. It would mean there would be nobody left to learn from. Thank you non-Americans for having a sense of pride for the best parts of your countries and cultures, and expressing those valuable qualities to other countries. It shows that we are not done learning.

I don't think "equality" should mean we all need to become the "same" in all things, but that we view and treat each other with the same human value, and find areas and opportunities within ourselves to learn, and change, and grow.

Kudos for an exemplary post.

You've summed it up quite nicely.

I concur