Today I learned that there's a word for what I absolutely HATED about some computer UI design: Skeuomorphic. That this scourge can be identified by name, and that a large proponent of it at Apple has been fired, gives me great optimism about the future of Apple software.
Like most things, a tiny bit of it is OK (like having a little picture of a metronome in the metronome button in Logic), but it's gotten way out of hand (not so much in Logic though).
I feel the same way. I didn't know all those cheesy retro gimmicks had a name. For years, I had just been calling them "cheesy retro gimmicks". Skeuomorphism took a bit of research on my part, but it was like a revolation to learn about.
I think the news that Forstall being fired is probably the biggest news out of Apple HQ since Steve's passing. I always remembered hearing that where Jobs went, Forstall followed - and Steve saw something in Scott.
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I think I'm ok with this already. Looking back at most of what Scott was involved with, I can say that a lot of what his team did, I didn't like.
I think the biggest part of this was changed over the first few iOS versions - the original Calculator app that was a ripoff of an iconic calculator. Just like the Clock is on iPad app - which Apple also got flack for.
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THANKFULLY Apple got rid of that YouTube app with the retro TV. I felt that was always a slap in the face to Google and YouTube - a stick-your-tongue-out, take-that to anyone who tried to find something positive about YouTube on iOS devices.
Does this mean we can get rid of the...
1) Retro iPad clock
2) Retro microphone in Voice Memos
3) Retro Calendar appearance (and awful leather stitching across all apps)
4) Retro leather look that also plagues Find My Friends
5) Retro Contacts application on the Mac
6) Retro Game Center table appearance
7) Retro Passbook paper shredder - the ultimate cheese-fest eye-candy
8) Retro lined paper and leather binding in Reminders
The stuff I wouldn't mind keeping...
1) Camera shutter
2) Appearance of the Compass app
3) Apple Trailers red and gold color scheme
4) Woodgrain themes of iBooks, iTunes U, and Newsstand
Everything else is just... cheesy retro gimmicks...
Ok. I feel better now.
