Will Apple reintroduce design to iOS 9?

[vista980622]

I completely agree with you. Like I have said earlier. it is unacceptable to force a UI design on the consumers. There should be options in Apple. If you want the classic UI, you should be able to have it. Comprehensive UI. Just like you, I have given up and, am going to Android. I'll still have a iPod Touch but, will pretty much stick with the 4th gen cause it maxes out at iOS 6!

Btw, this is how angry I am at iOS 7 (I rescinded some icons to reflect the good old days)

This inspired me to rethink what iOS 9's new multitasking feature would look like if Apple sticks to the iOS 6 design...

 

[TRDmanAE86]

This inspired me to rethink what iOS 9's new multitasking feature would look like if Apple sticks to the iOS 6 design...

View attachment 562754

Wow that is amazing! Keep up the great work

 

[KALLT]

Some call the iOS 7 design bold, I call it bland. It's all in the eye of the beholder. However, whichever you prefer, we're basically beholden to the aesthetic of a single person for both hardware and software now. Committees are a wretched way to get things done, but the point of a compromise is that (most) everybody can live with it. When Ive picks some new idea, you've no choice but to go along with it, unless you want to go Android.

Would that Apple would give SOME choice, even if it's exactly the same basic design only darkened a bit. That would likely drop the volume of complaints by a huge factor. I tend to take umbrage when my betters tell me I'm too stupid to make any choices for myself. As it is, it's almost certain that when my iPhone 5 dies, my next phone won't have an Apple on the back; but it's not for me wanting Android, it's feeling Apple doesn't want me as a customer.

I'm curious as to how Apple would do it, even if they want to. When I remember the days of custom themes on OS X and Windows, I always have to think of how poor most of it looked when taken as a whole. When I started experimenting with Linux and installed Linux Mint, I did not like the interface, but there were themes. I installed perhaps 50 of them but none really felt right, there were always shortcomings one way or another, be it sloppy work, technical limitations or designs that didn't really fit.

So what would Apple have to do to make such a thing possible? They would have to build an entire theme engine into it and it would probably be an extremely complicated process for them. What jailbreak developers do is not what Apple would do, they have it easier. Apple would have to work on a general solution that doesn't worsen the iOS experience. I think it would ultimately be an unrewarding project for Apple, though I agree that they should loosen up a bit and allow more choices where they make sense, starting with at least a dark mode (which should be relatively easy for them).

This inspired me to rethink what iOS 9's new multitasking feature would look like if Apple sticks to the iOS 6 design...

View attachment 562754

Is the bottom iPad's UI properly scaled? I actually think that it doesn't look all that shabby. Apple probably would have got rid of the linen texture, just as in Mavericks.

 

[TRDmanAE86]

I'm curious as to how Apple would do it, even if they want to. When I remember the days of custom themes on OS X and Windows, I always have to think of how poor most of it looked when taken as a whole. When I started experimenting with Linux and installed Linux Mint, I did not like the interface, but there were themes. I installed perhaps 50 of them but none really felt right, there were always shortcomings one way or another, be it sloppy work, technical limitations or designs that didn't really fit.

So what would Apple have to do to make such a thing possible? They would have to build an entire theme engine into it and it would probably be an extremely complicated process for them. What jailbreak developers do is not what Apple would do, they have it easier. Apple would have to work on a general solution that doesn't worsen the iOS experience. I think it would ultimately be an unrewarding project for Apple, though I agree that they should loosen up a bit and allow more choices where they make sense, starting with at least a dark mode (which should be relatively easy for them).

I understand your position but, Apple is more advanced than that. For example, do you remember when you could not even set a wallpaper, download apps from the App Store, nor, even move your stock OS apps around? It's 2015 and, code can be comprehensively engineered efficiently. Code can also be condensed to fit. How did they shrink iOS 9's storage size? Also, how can you on other OS's choose the font type? Does this require brain surgery to preform?

Finally, if that does not work, how about they make a "classic line" for Apple? Or, if you want, you can tether to the iTunes to download the classic UI or, modern one?

Anything is possible and, I hope with iOS 9 Apple wakes up and, gives us UI personalization!

 

[jonblatho]

So what would Apple have to do to make such a thing possible? They would have to build an entire theme engine into it and it would probably be an extremely complicated process for them. What jailbreak developers do is not what Apple would do, they have it easier. Apple would have to work on a general solution that doesn't worsen the iOS experience. I think it would ultimately be an unrewarding project for Apple, though I agree that they should loosen up a bit and allow more choices where they make sense, starting with at least a dark mode (which should be relatively easy for them).

Not only that, but they'd have to do it in a way that wouldn't screw up existing apps—even the new system font alone in iOS 9 is causing lots of trouble for apps that haven't been updated for it (i.e., most third-party apps). I can only imagine the havoc wreaked by retheming iOS on such a scale.

 

[KALLT]

It's 2015 and, code can be comprehensively engineered efficiently. Code can also be condensed to fit. How did they shrink iOS 9's storage size? Also, how can you on other OS's choose the font type? Does this require brain surgery to preform?

It's not a matter of not being able to do it, but to do it in such a way that it doesn't interfere with the overall polish and cleanliness of the system and allows even inexperienced users to profit from it. Maybe it actually is a very complicated process, depending on how the system and UI classes are designed and coded. When iOS 7 was released, several old apps suddenly looked weird and I don't mean that in a design-sense. Images overlapped or didn't fit anymore, things didn't always work properly anymore. Especially in apps by developers that didn't use Apple's UI classes to design their apps, the experience was just not uniform. On the particular topic of fonts, fonts bring a whole range of problems. The kerning or spacing can be different, some fonts may not fit properly anymore. If the UI elements don't contemplate such a thing, the experience may not be good. Developers would need to implement and consider that users may screw around with the design that they spent a lot of time designing. Interface design is difficult and to get such a theme engine right, it would have to be placed deep within the system and the SDK to make this work.

 

[vista980622]

I'm curious as to how Apple would do it, even if they want to. When I remember the days of custom themes on OS X and Windows, I always have to think of how poor most of it looked when taken as a whole. When I started experimenting with Linux and installed Linux Mint, I did not like the interface, but there were themes. I installed perhaps 50 of them but none really felt right, there were always shortcomings one way or another, be it sloppy work, technical limitations or designs that didn't really fit.

So what would Apple have to do to make such a thing possible? They would have to build an entire theme engine into it and it would probably be an extremely complicated process for them. What jailbreak developers do is not what Apple would do, they have it easier. Apple would have to work on a general solution that doesn't worsen the iOS experience. I think it would ultimately be an unrewarding project for Apple, though I agree that they should loosen up a bit and allow more choices where they make sense, starting with at least a dark mode (which should be relatively easy for them).


Is the bottom iPad's UI properly scaled? I actually think that it doesn't look all that shabby. Apple probably would have got rid of the linen texture, just as in Mavericks.

Yeah, I think there's something wrong with the scaling, but it was 2 a.m. in my time zone when I made it...

 

[TRDmanAE86]

Yeah, I think there's something wrong with the scaling, but it was 2 a.m. in my time zone when I made it...

It is very slight but, overall no matter what, I like your masterpeace

 

[DrBlueBox]

To see iOS 7/8/9 doesn't have any design is ridiculous. The entire thing is based on design, simplicity IS design, just because it lacks the over the top Skeuomorphism it doesn't mean it's not design.

iOS 6 and backwards was good, I liked it at the time. It looked great. But iOS 7 and beyond is much better in my opinion. It's simplistic, easy on the eye. Skeuomorphism isn't popular anymore like it was when iOS was first introduced. The market trend has been towards flatter, cleaner looks, hence iOS 7.

Flat and clean is design. Skeuomorphism is design. Everyone has their own preference. Saying "ios 7/8 isn't design" just shows blatant ignorance to what design actually is.

 

[HippieMagic]

I actually like simple design when it comes to UIs. Art is an expression of the artist and an extension of their feelings. It doesn't have to be OF anything. It can be a glob of paint on canvas and it is still art. If it makes you feel something, even anger or disgust because it isn't what you think is art, then it is art.

For the record design is basically anything that has purpose, planning, meaning, thought, or intention behind it. It is impossible for iOS to not have SOME design to it even if it isn't something you like.

 

[jonblatho]

This inspired me to rethink what iOS 9's new multitasking feature would look like if Apple sticks to the iOS 6 design...

View attachment 562754

Not saying your work is bad (it's very nice, actually), but I'm going to have nightmares. Thanks.

 

[Tycho24]

I understand your position but, Apple is more advanced than that. For example, do you remember when you could not even set a wallpaper, download apps from the App Store, nor, even move your stock OS apps around? It's 2015 and, code can be comprehensively engineered efficiently. Code can also be condensed to fit. How did they shrink iOS 9's storage size? Also, how can you on other OS's choose the font type? Does this require brain surgery to preform?

Finally, if that does not work, how about they make a "classic line" for Apple? Or, if you want, you can tether to the iTunes to download the classic UI or, modern one?

Anything is possible and, I hope with iOS 9 Apple wakes up and, gives us UI personalization!

iOS 9 shrunk in size using the new "App slicing", it has ZERO to do with condensed code. It, in essense, takes a universal app & only gives you the pieces of it you need. Previously, in a universal app, you'd have three copies of each image file, for example... the one you need & the ones you'd need if you were using a different iOS device. Now, only the resources your device needs are packaged. It's a repackaging trick, NOT an efficient coding feat.
With regards to customization... look at MySpace vs Facebook layouts. MySpace let you have crazy backgrounds & all kinds of fluff that looked like a steaming pile of you know what. Yes, fb looks pretty much the same for everyone, but it's not an eyesore.
The same applies here: dark mode would be cool, anything more & it will be jarring using another iOS device with weird fonts, incorrect spacing everywhere, etc.

 

[vista980622]

Not saying your work is bad (it's very nice, actually), but I'm going to have nightmares. Thanks.

Why nightmares though?

 

[Bomb Bloke]

Previously, in a universal app, you'd have three copies of each image file, for example... the one you need & the ones you'd need if you were using a different iOS device. Now, only the resources your device needs are packaged. It's a repackaging trick, NOT an efficient coding feat.

I for one was taking it as granted that they'd've been doing that since... well, pretty much forever, and am not impressed to hear it's not the case. Are you sure about that?

I mean, I realise apps in the app store haven't had that option - hence why we see "regular" and "HD" versions of apps - but Apple knows exactly which textures are suitable for each ipsw. Surely they wouldn't've been consuming their customer's valuable storage space with data they know won't ever be loaded?

 

[jonblatho]

Why nightmares though?

Let's just say I wasn't particularly a fan of the old design language.

 

[Tycho24]

I for one was taking it as granted that they'd've been doing that since... well, pretty much forever, and am not impressed to hear it's not the case. Are you sure about that?

I mean, I realise apps in the app store haven't had that option - hence why we see "regular" and "HD" versions of apps - but Apple knows exactly which textures are suitable for each ipsw. Surely they wouldn't've been consuming their customer's valuable storage space with data they know won't ever be loaded?

Yes. I'm certain.
It was deeply covered in one of the developer sessions this year. I slightly oversimplified it. It is a bit impressive.
It wasn't only app slicing, iirc... that was one leg of a three-legged stool.

 

[jonblatho]

Yes. I'm certain.
It was deeply covered in one of the developer sessions this year. I slightly oversimplified it. It is a bit impressive.
It wasn't only app slicing, iirc... that was one leg of a three-legged stool.

App slicing lets apps download only the resources needed for that device. On-demand resources allow apps to start with a basic level of resources and only pull more as they're needed, and eventually delete unused resources to free up space. Bitcode allows the App Store to automatically reoptimize apps for new devices and processor capabilities without necessitating any work from the developer.

All three enable smaller app downloads.

 

[AustinIllini]

This inspired me to rethink what iOS 9's new multitasking feature would look like if Apple sticks to the iOS 6 design...

View attachment 562754

That is both hideous and poorly designed (that's not your fault, obviously. That is exactly what iOS 6 would look like). So glad iOS doesn't look like that anymore.

 

[TRDmanAE86]

That is both hideous and poorly designed (that's not your fault, obviously. That is exactly what iOS 6 would look like). So glad iOS doesn't look like that anymore.

That is what We were trying taking a crack at before Comprehensive Design. Right now, there are still people who miss the old UI. I am one of those. There is a reason why 2/3 of my Apple devices are on iOS 6. As users, we should be able to select how our devices express our personality through UI

 

[AustinIllini]

That is what We were trying taking a crack at before Comprehensive Design. Right now, there are still people who miss the old UI. I am one of those. There is a reason why 2/3 of my Apple devices are on iOS 6. As users, we should be able to select how our devices express our personality through UI

Why? It's not your software. Does your background not reflect your personality? Your phone is a tool that only you use. If you want to "express your personality" through second rate software, I suggest you go to the Android board here.

 

[Tycho24]

App slicing lets apps download only the resources needed for that device. On-demand resources allow apps to start with a basic level of resources and only pull more as they're needed, and eventually delete unused resources to free up space. Bitcode allows the App Store to automatically reoptimize apps for new devices and processor capabilities without necessitating any work from the developer.

All three enable smaller app downloads.

Thank you! Lol, couldn't remember the other two...
At any rate, how this refers back to the op, is that none of these technologies have anything to do with changing the entire OS so that it can be "skinnable" & run random ugly fonts at a system level, instead of the one Apple just designed, etc. Yes, it is technically feasible... but not easy, and with a RAPIDLY diminishing return.

 

[vista980622]

That is what We were trying taking a crack at before Comprehensive Design. Right now, there are still people who miss the old UI. I am one of those. There is a reason why 2/3 of my Apple devices are on iOS 6. As users, we should be able to select how our devices express our personality through UI

Also rocking an iPod touch (5th gen) with iOS 6.
Love both LegacyUI and ModernUI.

 

[MonkeySee....]

This inspired me to rethink what iOS 9's new multitasking feature would look like if Apple sticks to the iOS 6 design...

View attachment 562754

Awful.

Not your effort but the way it looks.

 

[deluxeshredder]

This inspired me to rethink what iOS 9's new multitasking feature would look like if Apple sticks to the iOS 6 design...

These are pretty rough sketches, unworthy of the design in question, but they are enough to get the idea. It feels like some kind of cool concept premium UI, not a legacy UI.

That is what We were trying taking a crack at before Comprehensive Design. Right now, there are still people who miss the old UI. I am one of those. There is a reason why 2/3 of my Apple devices are on iOS 6. As users, we should be able to select how our devices express our personality through UI

I love the classic iOS design every bit as much as I did in 2007 and I hate the modern iOS design every bit as much as I did in 2013.

I wanted a Tiger-to-Leopard-style iOS 7, not a "Cars 2" iOS 7. iOS 8 and iOS 9 cleaned much of the mess and even made the new design somewhat more bearable, but they still provide zero incenitive for me to switch from Android.

 

[Michael Goff]

Coming back to this thread reminded me how much worse the old iOS looked.

Thank you.