Why are developers obsessed with changing to white background iOS7-themed app icons?

[JayLenochiniMac]

I'm seeing an increasing number of app icons switching to white background, e.g., eBay, Chase, CardStar and most recently, Dropbox. From what I can see, only seven of Apple's apps (out of 18?) actually have white background. While CardStar's new app icon is a welcome change from its previously colorful, cheesy design, Dropbox's icon change was unnecessary (solid blue to blue on white) as if developers are trying too hard to mimic Apple's new design.

Please note that I'm not complaining about the new icons, just wondering if developers are given a set of instructions on how to design their app icons to be more iOS7-like?

 

[204353]

If I'm not mistaken, developers actually do have guidelines that they're meant to follow. I'm sure they changed with iOS 7 and so the devs are updating their app designs and icons to match.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

If I'm not mistaken, developers actually do have guidelines that they're meant to follow. I'm sure they changed with iOS 7 and so the devs are updating their app designs and icons to match.

Interesting that Apple is actually dictating the design and style of 3rd party app icons.

 

[plainwhitetay]

I'm seeing iOS 7's main driving point is how simple and "bare minimum" it's supposed to look. I guess a logo on white is more simple than a white logo on some other color?
And I'm think the guidelines are recommendations more so. How can apps like Dropbox and Pandora follow the same guidelines as Instagram and Tweetbot?

 

[NT1440]

Interesting that Apple is actually dictating the design and style of 3rd party app icons.

Guidelines are not requirements, they are only rules that Apple lays out to help designers fit in with the iOS ui, but they are not mandatory.