“My eyes!!! It felt like someone had dragged a cheese grater across my eyeballs when I saw the iOS 7 home screen, with its horrendous icons that looked like they were designed by a committee from the National Association of Gals (NAG) or…gasp!…Lisa Frank! Yes, iOS 7 comes perilously close to looking like Lisa Frank’s ‘Stuff Girls Love’ site,” Jim Lynch blogs. “The minute that you enter the iOS 7 home screen, you realize that it has been designed for a gaggle of giggling 13 year old girls. Most of the icons are a mishmash of pastels that exude emotionally incoherent inconsistency.”
“The color scheme is almost unbearable if you’re a man that appreciates the stronger, richer and more detailed icons in iOS 6. The first time you see the iOS 7 icons, it feels like somebody kicked you in the balls with no warning and for absolutely no reason,” Lynch writes. “There’s a real gender issue with the iOS 7 icon color scheme. The iOS 7 beta icons practically ooze estrogen! The manly, solid colors and design found in iOS 6 have been chopped off as viciously as Lord Varus’ balls and cock in Game of Thrones. In short, iOS 7 is a clam-o-rama of soft pastels that overwhelm male eyeballs, while bathing men in a sea of soft, limp nothingness.”
Lynch writes, “The Game Center icon is…bubbles. Ugly, girlish pastels-from-hell-bubbles. Yuck! First of all, what do bubbles have to do with gaming? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Second, gaming is known as one of the few communities that is still mostly masculine in its perspective and sensibilities. So what was Apple thinking by slicing off Game Center’s balls like this? It seems pretty clear that Johnny Ives and his designers have ZERO knowledge about the sensibilities of gamers. I suspect that none of them is a gamer, and probably could care less about inflicting this dick-less version of Game Center on male iOS gamers.”
MacDailyNews Take: To illustrate his argument, Lynch uses the Apple screenshot example seen below on the left. An iPhone 5 running iOS 7 owned by one of our male staffers is on the right:
Jim Lynch’s canned iOS 7 example on the left vs. a MacDailyNews iPhone 5 running iOS 7 on the right.
“If this is Johnny Ives’ work then it seems pretty clear that Scott Forstall was the alpha male at Apple. Or maybe it was Steve Jobs, or Jobs and Forstall together who put a masculine stamp on iOS? Either way, it’s pretty clear that iOS has totally lost its balls in iOS 7. What exactly does Ives have against men, anyway?” Lynch asks. “Let’s not forget Tim Cook here either. There’s no doubt that Cook had to go along with feminization of iOS, he’s the CEO of Apple and has final say in any changes to iOS. It’s long been rumored that he’s gay, and that’s fine. But come on, Tim! There are all kinds of gay guys out there, some gay guys are very masculine in their sensibilities. After seeing iOS 7, I’m betting that Tim Cook isn’t one of them. Come on, Tim! Butch it up a little bit please, and fix this mess before it’s unleashed on the male public.”
“I wonder if Apple is aware of any of this? Did they give any thought at all to how iOS 7 would be perceived by men that aren’t San Francisco or New York metrosexual types? I doubt it. If they had then they might have at least offered an alternative color scheme more suitable for masculine men,” Lynch writes. “Yeah folks, iOS 7 really is that bad visually. Your mileage may vary, however. Especially if you are a thirteen year old girl, metrosexual beta male, or a member of NAG. iOS 7 screams ‘girl power!’ and I suspect it will have a lot of men running for the exits to Android or Windows Phone, if the final release looks the same as the beta.”
We haven’t seen this much misogyny since the last meeting of the He-Man Woman Haters Club – for which – forget Alfalfa – we hereby nominate Jim Lynch for president!
(Good Jobs, we hope Lynch’s intention was to be satirical.)
For those here, to defend Jony Ives lousy effort proves most fans are stupid lemmings. The new look is unappealing. New for the sake of new is so wrong. As a Apple Fan I am extremely embarrassed to use this on my iPhone 5. It just doesn’t fit.
I’m a male graphic designer and am impressed by the new look in iOS7. It’s the best looking UI I’ve seen on any device.
Absolutely agree with you.
“Generally a good direction–am a fan of simple, meaningful symbols that fill a space, such as Music and Weather. It’s better — more iconic, less illustrative.” – Susan Kare
Suggests in need of improvements but on the right track.
Apple WANTS us to FEEL photo, to FEEL camera, to FEEL what safari is not RECOGNIZE the app by its visual communication but to FEEL what the app does.
I am not sure the screen shot you share at cult of mac is got much FEELING and at the same time I am not buying the Touchy & Feel-ly of flattened graphics either. Still the system alone has amazing new features.
Best thing yet. Who knew so many males were so deeply invested in colour palettes? Resistant to change? Defensive of their masculinity, even? I must visit a local pub or two and eavesdrop to try to learn more about this puzzling resentment and sudden burgeoning of design expertise, twisted somehow into a new swagger.
First Apple.
Now hannahjs.
Marginalizing males is not a good thing.
Ha ha, you make me laugh. A male designer and you are impressed that this is the best you’ve seen… you just?
a flaming gay is what you are
dont be so fcukin retarded
look at those obnoxious buttons
Android is better balanced
As a graphic designer you know criticism is a common source of feedback. It’s the process. Simplicity in graphic design is good communication so long as it is done well.
Just re-watch WWDC 2013 Apple intro again.
Focus/Thousands of No’s/Every Yes is simplified/We start over/And not until everything we touch/Enhances each Life it touches/Do we then sign it; Designed by Apple.
Its a very powerful statement of process that Apple claims to see themselves.
NOW compare Ives section on iOS7
At the end Ives admits, it marks a beginning. Well beginnings are not solutions or refinements so focussed so precisely simplified and complete. Beginnings are roughs, fresh starts, unexplored territory. Review Ives “flowery presentation” specifically on refining and designing with a grid and text. Then listen to the end statement.
Fruity-tooty lift your leg and do a beauty?
iOS7 looks shit. Such an elegant device running on cheap perfume. Its an embarrassment yet you lemmings will eat whatever is branded Apple.
A structure that is coherent and applied through out?
Refining the typography – its much larger. Okay. But thinner text on washed out backgrounds conflicts with readability.
Redesigning all the icons. Please. A grid system helps but not for the designs within that space nor the colours used. Flat / Comical / Amateurish. Very poor design that communicates worse then before. The WWDC 2013 logo was far more exciting and powerful with fruity-tooty colours, neither masculine nor feminine – just fresh. Look how the airplane wing touches the baby blue edge in Passport. Irritating. Its not good work – graphically.
This UI interface of icons is not consistent or coherent. We got pastel colours that are translucent on some buttons and solids on others. We got Gradated button backgrounds, solid ones and heavily detailed filling the button where others are so cluttered and extremely unrefined. Look at Newsstand. Amateur. Ugh. No iOS7 is not good work on the surface. Its a work in progress. Its a mess as Jim Lynch says. Ives talks the talk… but has not provided the walk.
Ives is a wonderful and articulated in his presentation but his team does not follow the belief expressed by the new definition of Apple… Mathere. That Focus and speaker, like a teacher
The official commercial…
Lynch uses the “balls sliced off” ref over and over, drags out his anti-feminist agenda (“NAG” for “NOW” is a right-wing talk show meme) into the middle of a tech debate, so he’s a biased idiot.
However, I really don’t care much for much the new i0S “design language” myself. Just trying to read the time (and much else) in that trendy skinny font when you’re out in the sun, for example, is going to be a real challenge.
And IMO the screens, icons and chat bubbles, e.g., look generally washed out and drab for no particular -or at least no particularly good reason I can discern. Though I’m hoping some of the inconsistencies and dullness get tweaked before the final release.
OS X Mavericks, OTOH, except for the obscure place name, seems quite nice looking, polished, well-designed and well, OS X-like.
So it can’t all be Ives, though his design aesthetic and personal “preciousness” about not only “form is function” (a notion which led to all the ugly Bauhaus socialist-informed (people’s housing) architecture still dotting Europe and some American cities – NYC’s notorious “projects” e.g.) has helped bring us devices where minimalism and design dictum (or “dicta” actually) overrule both form and function.
And personally I type two-handed, NTM I watch media “no-handed” once they’re started.
Yes, Lynch is right.
The new look is a step back, uninspiring and flat as a highway frog.
Ive abandoned Steve’s rich representational vision and brought us to a flat, linear, uninspiring iOS7.
How about a “classic” option at upgrade time?
I truly am an Apple Fan but not a foolish lemming. The feature set in iOS7 has got some real wonderful things. That I do like. However, I don’t like the look or feel Jony Ives has done. The elegance of the Hardware does not match the Software. Honestly, I can not believe iOS7 is real. This has to be a joke; right?
Here’s a taste of reality, all my employees will switch over to Ubuntu, it looks and feels more unified and the security is better then Apple.
Show me a Ubuntu phone in the wild, they’re as rare as an iPhone 5S.
The only connection with masculinity for Skueomorphism is that it’s PANTS.
I want clear, clean symbology – like the current Airport utility. It can be colorful, shaded etc. just not made to look like wood, felt, denim and other textures that add nothing.
PS. The ‘linen’ look – is perhaps the one exception I find appealing as a background.
It does not matter if Ubuntu is available yet.
Ubuntu has great development and design – its well established iconology is consistent and in no way is it representing a masculine gender nor does it fail to clutter or over dressing with skuemorphism.
The principles of design that Apple is marketing itself “Designed by Apple in California” perfection though focus, simplicity through refinement, everything we touch needs to touch your life… what message there is being expressed does not match what state the UI is in. Its work in progress. Its looking unrefined, it looks amateurish. Its a beginning.
This is not Apples’ best work, however the system under the hood and the philosophy is grand. Yes, I like that portion a lot. Yet the visual part of app icons is very poor. The work is not good. Control Center, inspired by Android – those icons and functionality are far better then the graphics of the base apps. Control Center is coherent and consistent.
The Calculator app does not use the new system font.
Game Center bubbles is truly lame.
All of you know Lynch is right… you just can’t accept it.
You drank Ives Kool-aid. Fruity-tooty inconsistent new beginning.
Lets hope over time things will improve again.
Okay I would be happy with that option.
A choice on graphics “classic or modern” at the upgrade time… still obtaining all the new features in iOS7 but with the old graphics…. that can’t be too hard to do – its not much to ask for.
Good idea.
Totally agree.
Design option button: Steve Jobs classic look or Ive’s anorexic girly pastel modern redux.
Mess, what mess?
An upgrade option button to continue classic icons or the thin look is a problem?
“These are the same people who have been complaining ios was outdated and needs an overhaul.”
No complaint with Steve’s rich and illustrative design.
The look of iOS 7. Now we’re talking.
Yeah I think Apple is going to be forced to back peddle on iOS 7 in time and do a Classic Coke impersonation. If they’d have given people a choice, that’d be one thing or not locked them out of downgrading for fear there would be a mass exodus.
BTW… Apple’s biggest mistake was in firing Scott Forstall. Why? Because he was already making moves in changing the UI and keeping it clean and uncluttered looking. The Skeuomorphics wasn’t even his choice as much as what Steve Jobs wanted. Just like Tim Cook and Joni Ive ‘Invented Everything (and Steve and Scott just stole the credit)’ wanted Scott to take the fall for!!!
“Lynch is so right in his opinion.”
You could not have said it better. Stupid lemmings, drink the Apple lemonade and close your eyes.
The new look simply sucks!
Completely agree. Absolutely hideous. This is what happens when you put a hardware guy in charge of software. Unbelievably bad in my opinion.
This took 6 months for Ives. Is he a useless UI designer?
The truth seems Ives let the Marketing staff begin the creative process. And his team will iron this crap out later as it is preliminary work. He better, his peers back in England have something really well evolving. Ubuntu.
Just look how an Icon that is intended to be a button fills the space. It is not overly decorative. They are beautiful sophisticated and better do not play to any one culture or gender. These icons communicate well. And simplicity is not see as primary colours and childish shapes. iOS7 is looking beautiful under the hood but the dressing is totally embarrassing.
However, the defence here obviously expresses Mac Fanatics will accept shit work on the merits of Apple. Lemmings in deed. Fools. Stupidity. Control Centre is great, but it really is influenced by Android. Apple no longer is in the lead.
The plan to meld OSX and iOS into a more seamless experience is lagging in OSX Maverick and I believe that is a wise thing looking at the appearance alone with iOS7.
“And simplicity is not see as primary colours and childish shapes. iOS7 is looking beautiful under the hood but the dressing is totally embarrassing.”
Could not agree more. The look is girly thin pastels and outline graphics from a hundred years ago.
I’m a huge Apple supporter, but they lost their minds on the new look.
Jony, get to work on improving battery life in my iPhone and leave design to Steve’s legacy vision.
Think different, Apple. Classic or modern look upgrade option button. CHOICE!
I, for one, would have preferred being given a choice. It’s not like that’s not possible.
Think different, Apple. Classic or modern look upgrade option button. CHOICE!
DT-
Coming from another Apple fanboy I appreciate your honesty and agree too many lemmings here are blinded by Apple devotion.
The new look is a step back to last century. Thin, girly, pastel — Helvetica Neue?
Classic option button, Apple.
Is this design intended to extends into OSX?
Will it look this way on my new Mac Pro – ugh.
He sounds like an idiot. Sorry just no other way to say it. A homophobic idiot with no sense of aesthetics. Maybe he’s in the closet himself. Hopefully he can come out and be happy someday.
Actually, I have changed my mind from my previously stated desire to have new and fresh. Now I agree very much with Jim Lynch. I was looking for ward to new and improved, but I downloaded one of the screen picts to my iPhones photos, looked at it full screen and immediately cringed! Ack! It is very candy like, very cartoon like, and very feminine. Try it on your own phone. I guess on the bright side iOS 7 will secure the feminine, the youngsters, and the non-techie. Thereby keeping the iPhone relevant to the majority of potential users, but UGH the sacrifice!
It’s crap. The icons are bland boring and flat. I want my old UI back. Of course I jailbreak and have even cooler icons. I like the 3d aspect but the rest is crap.
Why did this get approved? It looks like windows had a baby with android
He is right. It is very puny and frankly ugly, in a lot of people’s opinions.
During the WWDC presentation, did you notice there was no cheering and not one person applauding when they first showed the new iOS 7 screenshot? In fact, the audience was dead silent…did you notice? I think they were all waiting for the punch line that never came… I know I was.
You mean “Lisa Frank”… ly Ugly? Yeah…. anyone that sees Lisa Frank Designs for kids knows where Joni Ive ‘Invented Everything’ got the design cues from. But hey….. Microsoft and Nokia already had taken design cues from late 90’s iMac’s, so he had no choice but to copy Lisa Frank’s designs! O_o
Seriously though the color palette is so bad with IOS 7 that I am forced to get reader glasses to see the white text on bright green. The color palette choices are horrible example clarity. And now for the biggest screw-up of all: the brightness must be turned up to 100% in order to see details. So much for a getting any value out of a retina display.My favorite apps are soon to be available on Windows Phone. I am going to be forced to switch to Windows Phone because I just can’t read white text on the notification bar.
APPLE: Please save us from your bright light palettes. Give us black dark backgrounds. They are easier to read and don’t blind us at night.
Not necessary “chick’s”. Verge’s chief editor Joshua Topolsky called design “childish”. Overblown, variegated icons. Not everyone will like this style, that is for sure.
However, this is not the end of the world, Apple will survive. 🙂
And, maybe next year, iOS 8 will have more mature design style. Or maybe something will be adjusted in the following three months before supposed release of iPhone 5S in September.
Why is that? So if i get in an accident i can just pick up my car and put it my brifecase? Because thats all that is left of those tiny things if they get in a wreck.
I agree with the bright colors and bubbles. What they should do is make a dark and a light theme. Cause there is just way too much white in ios 7. I do like the transparent layers but come on apple its 2013 already and we still can’t at least pick themes?!?!
I agree 100% That is my 2nd reason for Jailbreaking. First is tethering without paying my carrier a bunch of extra money just because i want to use my phone as a hot spot.
I do not understand why we cant have themes we can choose to make the phone our own. Not everyone wants the same colors and icons. I even change my themes every so often when i get tired of looking at that theme.
APPLE ITS 2013 and we cant change the way our phone looks? Give me a break. That is stupid.
Apple does not want to allow this so their phones would not look like a mess when every Joe Schmoe will abuse theme settings. As Jobs has put it, customers pay Apple to make choices for them.
The problem emerges if the choices that Apple make are not the best any more. UI issue is not that serious, so Apple will be fine anyway, but if tastes issue will diverge even worse than this time, then Apple will have to allow themes as they will admit that they can not do universal choices for everyone in this field.
if Apple offers later an apology in an app to customize
then Apple admits to failure
if Apple does nothing and stands behind this design they only embarrass themselves
They still can do some changes without blatantly going to either of those two ways.
whats the solution?
either offer customization OR tell the world we did our best
what changes can be made to avoid these options?
ahhhh yes, revert to classic
IM sorry but you can do themes without messing up things. Its a simple tap to go back to stock look if need be. All the theme does is allow me to have better background and MUCH BETTER ICONS. What in the world was someone thinking here? I mean YUCK the icons went from very stand out to android look. I heard for years now how everyone hates the gody look of windows 7 phones and the look of the samsung androids. Now apple has copied them.
HOnestly
Semi-live Wallpapers: It’s almost like live wallpaper on Android, but even more so like 3D Image Live Wallpaper that has been on Google Play for a while. Yes, you can get down with Apple’s fancy new wallpaper feature today, on Android.
I think iOS 7 looks like a balance between webOS and Microsoft’s design language (which I’ll call Metro, like everyone else outside of Microsoft). It is not completely flat and squared off like Metro, the UI is not multitasking-based like webOS, and it doesn’t fit content into cards like Google Now (and Google+, the Play Store, Google Play Music, etc.). While Android fans have often complained about Apple stealing ideas from Android, this version of iOS seems to be devoid of influence from Google in terms of design.
iOS 7 isn’t just influenced by webOS and Windows Phone, though; Android’s donations are clear in a number of areas. Notification Center is still, for all intents and purposes, a crummy version of the Notification Drawer in Android with a few cues from the Me tile in Windows Phone. AirDrop is essentially the same thing as Wifi Direct, DLNA or NFC sharing (sans the bumping). Quick Controls is similar to Quick Settings except it has a heavier emphasis on media and looks more like a messy jailbreak tweak that Ive’s team mocked up in Photoshop for 10 minutes and then coded the night before WWDC. Tabs in Safari is a complete rip off of tabs in Chrome (although I will say that Apple’s version of it makes differentiating between tabs much, much cleaner).
I don’t have it yet, but has anybody tried (if it is still there)invert colors under accessibility? Maybe that will mute the whites a bit.
Apple’s insistence that only one color scheme for icons is ridiculous. I can only hope that Apple realizes that allowing customers to customize their iOS devices is a very good thing. Permitting customers to change the colors and designs of their icons and wallpapers is the ideal and does not alter the underlying functionality of the device.
Apple’s orginal motto was to “Think Different”. Fanbois need only think alike. The monotonous consistency of fanboi atitude is evidence of their inability to develop an independent thought or conjure the slightest spark of imagination. Too bad Apple seems to want to encourage this vapid existence of homogeniety. You, however, will fit in quite well.
That’s a great idea. I actually think the current theme is totally cool, and no longer looks like last decade… but it looks great only on a white iPhone. I have the black one, and it’d be nice to have a dark theme.
Right on Craig. It has nothing to do with estrogen but everything to do with choice. I can’t wait until all the new palette supporters start complaining about eye strain, the giant light in their bedroom at night coming from iOS7, and the battery draining max backlight needed to see detailed white text against a bright green status bar.
The dumb thing is he’s just comparing it to the stock icons shown in Apple’s screenshots. Once you configure your phone with your own apps and backgrounds, it can look as “masculine” as you’d like.
That’s probably the closest that little thing would ever get to a female, if he’s viewing porn that is. Probably an Oedipus complex anyway.
Brain-dead, insulting responses are so typical of some Apple fanbois. “silverhawk1” disagrees with an article critical of Apple, so proceeds to grievously insult the author using pathetic and aggressive sexual language.
Insulting is typical of fanboy in general, whatever their Idol is.
retarded false response,
those are the pre-installed base apps – one can stuff these shitty designed icons in a folder though
Jonny Ives should be forced to sign
an apology letter or be fired.
Wait a minute, no, I take that back, fire Cook.
No, that “honour” goes to the juvenile flamebaiters and trolls on Facebook and the like.
This is a close second, because although it doesn’t use b****, c***, etc, it makes up for it in length (ooh, another slam–he writes long rants to compensate for something… 😀 )
Oh that’s right, you have a problem with anything American. Don’t you prick?
There is only one American thing that I have a problem with and it is even questionable that it is truly American: the GM who writes such tripe on this forum.
Did you know that Canada is in North America? So is Mexico and Central America and South America are also ‘American’. Don’t use the term ‘American’ so loosely. The USA is not the only part of the Americas.
“…real gender issue” appears to be Mr. Lynch’s. Ball’s in your court!
Thats like saying if I painted your trim (removed the trim and just painted it on giving it a flat look) and bumper bar (got rid of all the crome and made everything square) pastle pink you just need to cange the main car body’s color. Just excuse me while I go vomit… Lol love Lynches take as he at least stands for something. Does Appe expect all developers to make thier icons this way? It does make iOS look like Andriod, whats with that?
“Lol love Lynches take as he at least stands for something. Does Appe expect all developers to make thier icons this way? It does make iOS look like Andriod, whats with that?”
—
By “mak[ing] iOS look like Android”, one can only conclude that Android was the first “estrogen-addled mess designed for 13 year old girls.”
You’ll need to be careful with that blowtorch logic.
Logic? Who cares about logic. A crap interface is exactly that – CRAP. This isn’t the only outspoken post out there about the unappealing bright white text on bright backgrounds that are hard to read. It’s a #PALATTE REVOLUTION
Actually, on Control Center, pulled up from the bottom, it is white gauze, while Calendar which is pulled from the top is a grey, or black based gauze, so it does kind of make a difference to me while looking at it, but hey, this is a first beta, so let’s see what becomes of it.
I’m excited about the new functionality, but the polka dots aren’t doing it for me. I’ll have to use it to give a final verdict, hopefully there will the option to change the background. If you’re not happy tell Apple, that approach worked with OSX Beta.
I have not seen iOS 7 close up but I am more interested in the new functions rather than “manly” colors. “Bubbles” for Game Center does seem kind of lame. I wonder what they were thinking? Al in all, it seems to me that a theme choice would be an easy fix i. e. “manly” theme, “girly” theme.
Wailing, wringing of hands, loud criticism, ignorant reviews – time to celebrate cuz these are all signs that Apple has done it again!!! We got a glimpse of a clean and sparkling future and the whimps among us are scared and whimpering about what they see. Grow up you old farts!!
Lol, what a bunch of hypocritical BS. These are the same people who have been complaining ios was outdated and needs an overhaul. Apple finally pulls the trigger and now they complain some more. Hey here’s an idea, why don’t all you complainers STFU and find something worthwhile to complain about… Like gas prices or the price of beef? Grow the hell up, and enjoy your iphone.
Jim Lynch is way over the top but he does have a point. Even my wife didn’t care for the pink text in the music player in iOS7. However, hopefully, Apple will allow the user to change the color of the text.
Though poorly presented, Lynch’s points are all valid. The new icons, color scheme, fonts, blurs, and lack of borders does NOT look attractive to most of the adults — men and women — with whom I’ve discussed the new iOS.
iOS7 features are great, but the polarizing styling clearly will do nothing to win converts from other platforms.
The colors seemed bright and cheerful to me. It did not threaten my manhood or make me feel like I needed to hate it because my wife and daughter also liked it. I wonder what his relationship with his father was like. What was his relationship with his mother like? Most men are not defined by color but by their character. There is help out there.
Well, Apple’s design team struck a vein of interest! Think about this: do adults get in shouting matches and fist fights over design principles in a museum, at a dinner party with their friends, or in a national referendum in which prominent proponents or detractors could risk suffering a career-ending defeat? Would the outcome force an abhorrent design aesthetic on unwitting naifs? What’s at stake? The future of design, of esthetics, of philosophy? I don’t
Absurd, of course. Your comment is closer to the mark, I think: it’s personal, and exhibits the universal aversion to change
All his emotionally comments missed the points. Colors, icons, these are simple design elements that’s easy to update. What we should really looking is the design rules, design thinkings and what it suggests for abrand new iOS. Some thoughts: http://linwangge.wordpress.com/2013/06/12/what-exactly-apple-did-with-ios-7/
Well, iOS 7 seems more like the taste of a 10-year-old girl to me (rather than a 13-year-old). But, after thinking about it for a bit, I realized that I don’t have to personally identify with the color scheme. I think of it like a very cute daughter. It will be pleasant having her around, and I’m secure enough that I couldn’t care less if my phone screen seems “girly” to others. (Though I can’t imagine too many males in their teens and twenties will see it the same way.)
Here’s what i wrote on his blog…so the other closeted “masculine” men with beards will know…
“so basically you are saying you are too insecure as a man in your masculinity to use iOS7.
Your whole article denigrates femininity, stating iOS7 was designed by and for pre-teen girls and now you backpedal saying there is nothing wrong with femininity as long as it’s not on my manly iPhone. You have serious issues man, I would consult a therapist, unless you think a blog is therapy. Nice to see you live vicariously through your manly iPhone you had no part in designing, producing or input what-so-ever. Sorry to hear your bro-mance is over.
Apparently the iPhone is an extension of your penis. I’d say just go ahead and go get a Galaxy 4 so you can at least brag that it is 5”.
With the title of your article (which is insult to real writers that actually write articles with substance, instead of this petty, and yes juvenile, even more juvenile than the girls you think iOS7 is designed for drivel) it is clearly just another drive-by hit whore piece, but that would an insult to real whores which clearly have more class than you represent in this “article”.
And to top it off you bring Tim Cook’s sexuality into this as if that was a factor in the design. I mean come on, this is 2013, not 1913, try to act appropriately. The fact you even bring up Cook’s sexual preference in an opinion piece about the design of iOS7 clearly shows your personal closeted issues, your level of maturity and the fact that homosexual men can act/rise to a level of masculinity, obviously you speak from personal experience. “
this dude is pissed off from the last time he tried to get in touch with his feminine side…………and was stuck in the bathroom for an hour and a half putting on his “face”
They are arguing about the meaning of the colour of each other’s car, and how it informs their essential identity and place in their social group. It’s the “personal” in personal computing. They’re insisting on their desired shade of nail polish. The thing has attained the status of an entitlement program, and they should be ashamed.
Pastel colors?! iOS 7 makes use of varying combinations of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors from the basic RGB color wheel. There is nothing pastel about the colors in iOS 7. Lynch sounds like your run-of-the-mill “Make the logo bigger and fill the white space with more text!” kinda guy.
To much pink? Really? Care to point out where all the pink is? I’ve copied the preview screen into my photos, and I have it open right now, on my iP5, exactly as it will appear when installed, and I can see precisely one app icon with pink in it, which shades to mauve at the bottom; the iTunes Store app.
Music is rich red/orange, other than that, the predominant colour palate is blue-green. Everybody seems to conveniently forget that the wallpaper is easily changed; for those wishing to reinforce their overwhelming masculinity, you can use the Mötörhead logo instead.
Or a nice photo of your own dick…
Something that nobody here seems to have picked up on, you can take a 360 degree pano photo, set it for your wallpaper, then as you turn, the pano will move across the background.
The type used, Helvetica Neue, is actually larger than the current type, which is also white, so why is the type such an issue for so many? If you have a light wallpaper, then of course white text is less readable. Easy answer? Use a darker wallpaper, for Chris’sakes!
Truly, there are some really dimwitted people on here. (Rolls eyes).
Splendid riposte! I appreciate what you say. You are objective, observant. Too many others are shrill, negligent. Continue your sternness, it is needed.
He’s not wrong, folks. The color scheme needs some work. Hence ‘beta’. I don’t know if I would have gone overboard with it as he did, as he should know most people wouldn’t know a joke if it hit him in the face, but I get his point.
It is disturbing to realized that there are so many philistines in our world! They have fixed mindset oriented in the past, even violating the first law of nature ” The Only Constant Is Change”! They should rather strive to learn and understand the very essence of shapes and colors.
“you realize that it has been designed for a gaggle of giggling 13 year old girls. Most of the icons are a mishmash of pastels that exude emotionally incoherent inconsistency.”
The whole premise of the article is wrong at its core. There are inherent differences in preference between men and women which are true to greater or lesser degrees on an individual basis, obviously, but leaving aside for a moment Lynch’s sexism and adolescent brain, he’s just wrong on the content. Yes, some of the color choices in iOS 7 seem to be more in keeping with what we generalize as feminine, but the flatness, the starkness, the more cold and businesslike nature of iOS 7 is much more typically masculine than it is feminine. One of the most often heard complaints about the skeuomorphism that has been cast aside was that it existed to make the OS feel more hospitable and cozy to people like… umm… dare I say, 13 year old girls and women. Yes, some of the imagery was masculine, but the textures, the softness, the touchable feel of the icons and controls, were all designed to pull in an audience which is uncomfortable with cold grey windows and text based controls.
Here, in iOS 7, we have a mobile operating system which sheds the touchy and feely in its controls and functions. Apple has decided that the world is now acquainted with the operation of touch based devices, and that the functions can be less adorned, more utilitarian, more manly, if you will. Gone are the gooey text bubbles in Messages. Who do you think was more pleased by the cuteness of that, now vanquished? Men? Gone is the pretty flower in the Photos icon. Was that put there for men? I say to you that much of the old revered iOS was created with the very idea of making it appealing to those who would more likely have been put off by a purely functional interface, including, but not limited to, women.
So what have they done? They’ve stripped some femininity from the implementation of functions, made them harder and colder, but given it back in depth. The icons are flat and less touchable, but they float above something beautiful. Apple has merely traded. There is still a balance. Function has tilted one way, the experience another. Textures are found in different dimensions from where they were before. I don’t like the new icons, but not because they seem less manly. I’m more bothered by the fact that they are more Windows-like, condescending to me as a user with their PlaySkool colors. Feminine? Maybe, but they harken more to my memories of building blocks and jumbo crayons than they do to things girlish.
Outstanding analysis. Would brave Achilles have recoiled from such displays? How about Hector, or Agamemnon? I think not. The Trojan War was fought not over Helen’s choice of décolletage, but over Helen herself.
Now everybody keep your pants on!!! Step away from the window. Though I myself do not love this new design or even like it, does anyone even remember the first iteration of osx and how it was all watery and how it has evolved well I believe os7 will evolve into a more earthy looking os more akin to male sensibilities. Hell one can eventually just jailbreak it and do what one wants with it and if that never pans out well maybe just maybe my next phone WILL remain a 4 or a new android or windows phone. That would be sad but hey when your girlfriend or wife shows you the door you just go, right?
Photos – now proud as a peacock or is that the NBC logo either way it represents a colour wheel not photos
Game Center – another failed icon – looks more like PartyLand helium filled birthday balloons or gum balls in other words conveys the wrong communication – thats what graphics are – communication
Compare the amount of detail in Clocks and Camera to the overly simplified Messages and Weather. Notes is stripped down yet still conveys something relating to a note pad, reminders what the heck man
Calandar – uhmmmm dull
Passbook – lets shrink icons so tiny only a retina screen can display this icon – irresponsible design
Settings – now takes the sophisticated look of an inner pocket watch – extremely detailed and out of place
Newsstand – hello did you get your daughter to make this icon Ives?
if Mail can have so many extra lines to define an envelope, why can the phone not have some parting lines too
Safari – is unsophisticated thats a basic compass yet look at the Compass App – overly detailed
Oh my lord, please, someone tell me the truth. This wasn’t done by Jony Ives. It not good work. Tim is confident Jony taste is the best huh. Come on. Its inconsistent work. Its all over the place. In deed it’s a mess. T
his is an embarrassment to Apple and it’s irresponsible as to graphic communication, iconography and user interface design.
Thankfully, iOS has developed great features though.
What a freakin’ joke Apple. It sucks. And, I am embarrassed to update my iPhone 5 – super slick sexy $700.00 phone now to such an immature unsophisticated Ui.
Some people’s taste is in their mouth. Now I think Jony Ives is HOT and understands simplicity and elegance. But I don’t think these things were not consumer tested. Maybe Neanderthals won’t buy the best phone in the world because its too colorful but the Samsung and Windows desktops or mindless and cheap looking.
That’s his opinion. I was feeling the same as many others about apple until the keynote and I was pleased with it! I’ve been using Mac since the 90’s, maybe late compare to many of you guys but I know what I like and want! Whoever doesn’t it, pick something else, or shut the F up. Very simple!
All misogyny and stereotyping aside, I admit that I, too, don’t like the new look. If iOS started this way, most of us would count iOS 6 to be a more mature, elegant, and sophisticated appearance (excluding perhaps some of the skeuomorphisms).
MDN’s screenshot ‘take’ further illustrates the point, although I think they were trying to say that it could be ‘manned up’ with the version on the right. I still think it looks tacky and, immature, and underdeveloped. I wish Apple had given a choice of icon appearances (new vs old), while still adding all the new functionality. I have a concern that some people will withhold from upgrading just as happened with Windows 8. If I upgrade, for the first time since 1984 it will be with reluctance.
I totally agree that the iOS 7 icons stink. The fonts are also almost unreadable, especially on that ridiculous light blue background. From where I stand, it’s hard to argue with the author’s basic premise: designed for 13-year-old girls.
I watched the Keynote and the first thing I thought when I saw the demo was… gee, it looks just like my daughters bedroom (which she decorated when she was 13). It’s crisp and clean which I like but it’s, without a doubt, feminine.
I could not agree more. I think I actually started to cry when I saw the iOS 7 video. What’s next? Bringing back those black and white only monitors from the Mac II? This is an absolutely horrific UI and its totally embarrassing. How did this EVER get approved? I’m in absolute disbelief and I almost think its got to be a joke.
I am a 20 year Apple fan. Have about every product they make. But I agree with the article. The colors are definitely what my early teen daughter would have picked. There is something gay or metrosexual going on here. I do not see the appearance as having been improved. And all the mocking of the leather and skeumorphic stuff, they are now setting themselves up to be mocked for looking like a Toys R Us girls game. This is clearly designed for a feminine audience.
Here’s a simple solution.
If you hate it – don’t upgrade in the fall – or get a different phone.
If you love it – upgrade in the fall
Endlessly debating your like or dislike for a TELEPHONE is a clear indicator of a bigger problem in your lives.
For all of you criticizing iOS 7. You won’t get far here. This is fanboy central. Most people here are delusional and incredulous. They will not believe anything negative about Apple.
Here’s the thing fanboys. If this iOS 7 really is, in fact, too feminine for the average male, Apple may lose sales/marketshare in aggregate. We’ll have to see.
I’ve been using iOS 7 for the past few days constantly, and I like a lot about it but there’s also lots of things I just hate. The colors for one thing aren’t working for me either.
And Helvetica Neue font for system fonts? Are you fucking kidding me Apple? You realize this is a tiny screen that has zillions of different backgrounds as I move through the world? Everything in iOS is literally impossible to read. And when the sun is shining against the screen? Ha! Good luck.
This is especially so for contacts. My god that font is thin and it looks like a mess of illegible text in lists and for instance looking at someone’s contact card. This is terrible.
I also hate the new Safari. It’s fucking brutal. The URL bar at the top as a hit area is just too thin and the shuffling of the webpages like a rolodex is stupid. If they moved away from skeumorphism, they should have done something more clean and simple here.
Design by committee folks, it’s all over iOS and it feels just weird and kinda wrong.
I feel like they took a step forward, and then two steps back.
Lynch is far out on his own personal journey of insecurity and gender issues. Lynch, don’t blame it on Apple, because that is called mirroring your own inner problems
Lynch knows it’s a beta, and if not too stupid, he should know it’s most likely not going to be the final version or probably not even the only theme available in the final version.
Look, this theme presented suits the white version of the iPhone. Actually I didn’t see this beta version presented on a black iPhone?! Did you? Will we see a “masculine” version for those insecure ones? Of course, we would not want to see Lynch and his likes going over to the candy colored Android or Windows phone, would we?
Lynch is just hit whoring, and seems to be surprised by how much estrogen he experiences within.
I think this where Tim Cook sinks or swims. If he listens to the wails of “too feminine” and changes iOS7’s look, he doesn’t deserve to be Apple’s CEO. If he sits back, laughs at the ridiculous panic, and releases iOS 7 as-is then he’s absolutely the right man to fill Steve Jobs’ shoes.
Lynch hits the nail on the head, especially with his comment that iOS7 “[bathes] men in a sea of soft, limp nothingness.” As a gay man, that’s exactly how I view female sexuality (i.e., there’s nothing down there). But for straight men, isn’t that exactly what they seek from women? They should be flocking to iOS7, with all its femininity.
I have waited a while to see if the new logos will grow on me. Sadly, I have come to accept that I dislike the new flatness in iOS7’s graphics. Take a look at the ‘Settings’ logos, in iOS 6, it is one of the nicest logos ever made; iOS7 Settings – WTF!
Head to head, here is my $2 opinion on which icons are best at communicating its purpose and engaging the user:
Settings: iOS6, Maps: iOS6; Photos: tie; Camera: iOS7; Calendar: iOS6 – thin font is iOS7sucks balls; Messages: iOS6 (close); Reminders: iOS7; Notes: iOS6; Newsstand: neither – they both suck; Passbook; iOS6 – by along shot; Weather: iOS7 – should show the temperature; Clock: tie; Videos: iOS6; Safari: iOS7; Stocks: iOS67; Mail, Phone, Music: small preference to iOS6. I do like the new Compass logo in iOS7.
My general views on the iOS iconography are as follows:
1. I do not mind the light helvetica Neu in the small fonts, but hate the large skinny font.
2. I do prefer a bit of texture and depth to a pure flat design
3. I do like the half moon reflection on logos – when used. I am going to miss this effect
4. A little bit of skeuomorphism is not all that bad; when used appropriately, they help convey meaning.
5. The background graphic will make a big difference on the feel of your phone due to the flatness of the icons. A strong, textured background will pop up against the flat icons.
6. Generally, iOS6 graphics are superior to iOS7 graphics as far as engaging the user
7. Generally, iOS6 icons entice you to touch them due to their graphic depth and teture; flat iOS7 icons – not so much
8. I concur with the dislike of the pastel color scheme and the juvenile style.
9. I agree that the Game Center icon is horrid, and what’s up with using selective reflections?
10. Why screw around with something that isn’t broken: the iconography in iOS6. As far as I can tell, we can still have all the advances of iOS7 with iOS6 logos.
This Jim Lynch person is a tool, though the He-Man Women Haters Club is awesome, mainly because variations of such behaviors are expected from 6 and 7-year-old boys; not so much from functioning (and functional) adults.
As a devout Android user for many years I could make multiple comments here but will instead bite my tongue. The title of the article says it all and is EXACTLY what I have been saying for years when people ask why I do not have, nor will ever have, an iphone\ipad…I am not a 13 year old girl.
Oddly enough my 13 year old daughters have their ipods but MUCH prefer my Android phones. What I still cannot understand for the life of me is why the rabid apple fans are so happy about a company TELLING them how to use the device instead of ASKING them what they want to do with it…but now that big brother…scratch that…big bully Jobs is not at the controls possibly there is a chance, albeit very slight, that there might actually be an apple product that I would even consider using (however minimal).
“Second, gaming is known as one of the few communities that is still mostly masculine in its perspective and sensibilities” Actually female gamers rank at about 45% of the gaming audience with most female gamers being older gamers at that. In other words, adult female gamers outrank teenage boy gamers.
Really? Lefty, bla bla bla Ronald Reagan. I’m as left as it gets not at all Reich Wing like you but I also dislike this imposition but not enough to buy into Samdungs plastic ripoffs. I actually thought it was a corpo-fascist dictate. To each his cool-aid.
The more I know the monied class the more I understand the guillotine. – GBS
Lefty, bla bla bla is anyone that doesn’t worship at the altar of political correctness is immediately stereotyped as “Reich Wing.”
You presume too much, typical of the all knowing dogma you digest daily from your media masters and know nothing about my political leanings or voting record. I’m not the issue.
Anyone from any party is free to dump on the first liberal PC (piece of crap) OS design.
Focus on what we are talking about here and stay on topic …
Ah what a laughable joke you are. Aren’t you the pot calling the kettle black!!! In your case it is black shirt obviously. You say I presume when you in turn Ass-ume conservative pion donkey boy. I fully know what you are and am calling you down clown I strongly sugest you take your own advice and you keep on topic and stop marinating your opinions on these boards with your monied masters wast matter. I believe you are one of those paid lemmings to brainlesly spread your tea party hate vomit about progressives everywhere and anywhere you can so do us all a favor the 99.9% ers and go roll yourself at the feet of your holders and leave us be already.
The more I know the monied class the more I understand the guillatine. GBS
Obsessed with money masters much from only one side? Next your going to tell me limousine liberals are poor and no Democrats are wealthy money masters. Uh, huh.
Again, you presume too much. But then again, your not allowed to be a card carrying liberal unless you’re a know it all and liable to be revoked if unable to tell everyone how to live by your standards.
“Freedom!”
–William Wallace, Braveheart
I must admit that as soon as I saw the iOS 7 screen on Apple’s website my first reaction was “Gay.” (No racism at all, but the world is still better with gays using men stuff than the contrary), however the guy who wrote that text was just so exaggerated. I do hope I’m posting wrongly because I don’t know shit about him or I don’t get the joke, because he sounds like a gay himself.
Yeha man! I’m exactly what this guy thinks will love ios 7! I’m 16 years old, and super duper Girly! But, any “Girly” girl knows that you NEVER use a starch white background, have gradients going all over the place, and nothing but primary colors.
M
Ios 7 is a colorful mess, it looks like a children’s toy, it’s not cute, it’s not professional…. I don’t really know what it is, other than migraine inducing.
Lynch is exactly right. Who ever likes this abomination of girly pastels and fluorescents is gay, and any graphic designer that thinks this is balanced, consistent and fits the Apple user base as a whole needs to go back to school or move to a different profession. I’m afraid for anyone to walk by me and see my screen if I’m using my phone. iOS7’s design was a big win for Android that’s for sure because if I was using Android I’d be making fun of this crap as well. I really wish I hadn’t downgraded from iOS6 because I’m guessing it isn’t possible to upgrade back to it. Either they fix this crap and start really innovating again or I’m moving over to Android or Windows. My Surface Pro already won me over my toyish iPad 4, which I returned after never using it again. I will do it again unless they get their balls back into the nutsack.
I completely agree that this design is horrible. It looks more babyish to me, like a child’s toy. I would not describe the color scheme as pastel, since the hallmark of pastels is a slight reduction in saturation. These colors are pretty much as florescent as is possible to achieve on a digital screen. The art director needs to be fired. He sucks.
Apple is trying to recycle an old idea – from back when they released imacs in different colors. Now they are producing cheap plastic phones in neon colors trying to catch lightning in a bottle once again. When I saw these new cheap neon colored plastic phones, I said right away that their target market must be kids and young girls.
Unfortunately, they have also redesigned their iOS and changed the colors and icons to match their new cheap neon colored plastic phones and they upset alot of loyal customers in the process.
While Jim might be a little over the top in this article, he’s absolutely correct in his premise. This is a huge marketing failure. I am a 50 year old man. I want a phone that looks like it belongs to a 50 year old man – not a 12 or 13 year old girl. Apple is not providing that anymore.
I am about to get rid of my iPhone because they have taken it from something I used to enjoy using to something I don’t even want to turn on now.
I’ve owned a mac in one form or another since 1986. And if they make these kind of changes to the Mac OS, I will stop using a mac, too.
The new UI is a cheap veneer. It’s trendy neo-mod. pure fashion, no soul. It’s graphic design for the sake of graphic design. Who’s fault is this? This was not designed for human interaction.
Could this be a well conceived marketing ploy? This move by Apple is reminiscent of when Coca-cola decided after decades of success as number one, they would stop making Coca-cola, and instead start selling Pepsi cola under the name NEW Coke.
I totally hate it. My first computer was an Apple II+ in 1983 and I feel like I’ve been betrayed big time. I used to literally hold up my phone’s home screen and tell people it was a well balanced (colors) piece of art. That was iOS 6. iOS 7 looks like a child tripped on a box of crayons, you know, the ones for two year olds that have 7 or 8 one centimeter thick giant crayons. I absolutely hate the white border around the new safari icon. It looks half finished. What the hell were they thinking? This is what happens when arrogance and personality cults become more important than your average user base.
“What the hell were they thinking? This is what happens when arrogance and personality cults become more important than your average user base.”
Well said!
Under Cook and his liberal lemmings the look of iOS7 has nose dived into the toilet. Both visually and more importantly, functionality. For example: just try and decipher the weather app teensy icons.
They don’t get it.
They don’t see the error of their ways.
They no longer care about mass appeal, kids, seniors or flyover people using the software.
And at the end of the day, the erudite simply smugly moves on … to only caring about girls, gays, thin unreadable text and stick figure design.
Steve is rolling in his grave because his mass appeal design approach is R.I.P.
Joseph “Goeb”bels go away you’ve been unmasked nobody cares for you reich wing drivel. You and your teabagger buddies blew it. Long live Obama!!! And many more like him!!! He won you lost get over it Jethro.
Well, well, well. Another self-righteous closed minded lefty filled with hate and demonstrating overwhelming empathy and understanding for the opposing team. Good to read you don’t play insulting word games or mock people you don’t know when they express an opinion you don’t agree with. The topic here and you obviously missed it is the ugly, eyesore, thin, flat, rainbow colored balloons, unreadable teensy mess that is the borrowed look of iOS7. Like we need a retina display and a 64-bit chip to run outline icons and anorexic fonts. Talk about an epic WASTE of POWER. You like it, I hate it. Got it?
In case you missed the wisdom of @buddhabandit, insight such as this deserves repeating:
“This is what happens when arrogance and personality cults become more important than your average user base.”
The point is, and its obvious you don’t get it, is that you can’t stop tinting your comments with neocon cool aid colouring. I said my peace on this matter a long time ago and save for your kind of fascist propaganda I wouldn’t bother with it anymore. What we can’t stand is your habit, payed or otherwise, of using these venues to spread your ignorant hateful politics.
I don’t like OS7 either. It’s all Herr Bushes and Rhomsfelds fault!! See how stupid that sounds. Now read understand and learn.
Before Ios7 I wore boxers. Now I am a panty man. I can’t stop. Pink, floral reds, lavenders. It is horrible. They just match my iPhone sooooo well. I can’t install ios6. That train has passed. Next stop, stilettos.
He sounds insecure in many ways.
Who the hell is Jim Lynch, and why should I care?
Lynch is so right in his opinion.
For those here, to defend Jony Ives lousy effort proves most fans are stupid lemmings. The new look is unappealing. New for the sake of new is so wrong. As a Apple Fan I am extremely embarrassed to use this on my iPhone 5. It just doesn’t fit.
I’m a male graphic designer and am impressed by the new look in iOS7. It’s the best looking UI I’ve seen on any device.
Absolutely agree with you.
“Generally a good direction–am a fan of simple, meaningful symbols that fill a space, such as Music and Weather. It’s better — more iconic, less illustrative.” – Susan Kare
Suggests in need of improvements but on the right track.
Apple WANTS us to FEEL photo, to FEEL camera, to FEEL what safari is not RECOGNIZE the app by its visual communication but to FEEL what the app does.
I am not sure the screen shot you share at cult of mac is got much FEELING and at the same time I am not buying the Touchy & Feel-ly of flattened graphics either. Still the system alone has amazing new features.
Best thing yet. Who knew so many males were so deeply invested in colour palettes? Resistant to change? Defensive of their masculinity, even? I must visit a local pub or two and eavesdrop to try to learn more about this puzzling resentment and sudden burgeoning of design expertise, twisted somehow into a new swagger.
First Apple.
Now hannahjs.
Marginalizing males is not a good thing.
Ha ha, you make me laugh. A male designer and you are impressed that this is the best you’ve seen… you just?
You’re Fired too.
http://www.ubuntu.com/phone
a flaming gay is what you are
dont be so fcukin retarded
look at those obnoxious buttons
Android is better balanced
As a graphic designer you know criticism is a common source of feedback. It’s the process. Simplicity in graphic design is good communication so long as it is done well.
Just re-watch WWDC 2013 Apple intro again.
Focus/Thousands of No’s/Every Yes is simplified/We start over/And not until everything we touch/Enhances each Life it touches/Do we then sign it; Designed by Apple.
Its a very powerful statement of process that Apple claims to see themselves.
NOW compare Ives section on iOS7
At the end Ives admits, it marks a beginning. Well beginnings are not solutions or refinements so focussed so precisely simplified and complete. Beginnings are roughs, fresh starts, unexplored territory. Review Ives “flowery presentation” specifically on refining and designing with a grid and text. Then listen to the end statement.
Fruity-tooty lift your leg and do a beauty?
iOS7 looks shit. Such an elegant device running on cheap perfume. Its an embarrassment yet you lemmings will eat whatever is branded Apple.
A structure that is coherent and applied through out?
Refining the typography – its much larger. Okay. But thinner text on washed out backgrounds conflicts with readability.
Redesigning all the icons. Please. A grid system helps but not for the designs within that space nor the colours used. Flat / Comical / Amateurish. Very poor design that communicates worse then before. The WWDC 2013 logo was far more exciting and powerful with fruity-tooty colours, neither masculine nor feminine – just fresh. Look how the airplane wing touches the baby blue edge in Passport. Irritating. Its not good work – graphically.
This UI interface of icons is not consistent or coherent. We got pastel colours that are translucent on some buttons and solids on others. We got Gradated button backgrounds, solid ones and heavily detailed filling the button where others are so cluttered and extremely unrefined. Look at Newsstand. Amateur. Ugh. No iOS7 is not good work on the surface. Its a work in progress. Its a mess as Jim Lynch says. Ives talks the talk… but has not provided the walk.
Ives is a wonderful and articulated in his presentation but his team does not follow the belief expressed by the new definition of Apple… Mathere. That Focus and speaker, like a teacher
The official commercial…
Lynch uses the “balls sliced off” ref over and over, drags out his anti-feminist agenda (“NAG” for “NOW” is a right-wing talk show meme) into the middle of a tech debate, so he’s a biased idiot.
However, I really don’t care much for much the new i0S “design language” myself. Just trying to read the time (and much else) in that trendy skinny font when you’re out in the sun, for example, is going to be a real challenge.
And IMO the screens, icons and chat bubbles, e.g., look generally washed out and drab for no particular -or at least no particularly good reason I can discern. Though I’m hoping some of the inconsistencies and dullness get tweaked before the final release.
OS X Mavericks, OTOH, except for the obscure place name, seems quite nice looking, polished, well-designed and well, OS X-like.
So it can’t all be Ives, though his design aesthetic and personal “preciousness” about not only “form is function” (a notion which led to all the ugly Bauhaus socialist-informed (people’s housing) architecture still dotting Europe and some American cities – NYC’s notorious “projects” e.g.) has helped bring us devices where minimalism and design dictum (or “dicta” actually) overrule both form and function.
And personally I type two-handed, NTM I watch media “no-handed” once they’re started.
Yes, Lynch is right.
The new look is a step back, uninspiring and flat as a highway frog.
Ive abandoned Steve’s rich representational vision and brought us to a flat, linear, uninspiring iOS7.
How about a “classic” option at upgrade time?
I truly am an Apple Fan but not a foolish lemming. The feature set in iOS7 has got some real wonderful things. That I do like. However, I don’t like the look or feel Jony Ives has done. The elegance of the Hardware does not match the Software. Honestly, I can not believe iOS7 is real. This has to be a joke; right?
Here’s a taste of reality, all my employees will switch over to Ubuntu, it looks and feels more unified and the security is better then Apple.
http://www.ubuntu.com/phone
You go girl.
Show me a Ubuntu phone in the wild, they’re as rare as an iPhone 5S.
The only connection with masculinity for Skueomorphism is that it’s PANTS.
I want clear, clean symbology – like the current Airport utility. It can be colorful, shaded etc. just not made to look like wood, felt, denim and other textures that add nothing.
PS. The ‘linen’ look – is perhaps the one exception I find appealing as a background.
It does not matter if Ubuntu is available yet.
Ubuntu has great development and design – its well established iconology is consistent and in no way is it representing a masculine gender nor does it fail to clutter or over dressing with skuemorphism.
The principles of design that Apple is marketing itself “Designed by Apple in California” perfection though focus, simplicity through refinement, everything we touch needs to touch your life… what message there is being expressed does not match what state the UI is in. Its work in progress. Its looking unrefined, it looks amateurish. Its a beginning.
This is not Apples’ best work, however the system under the hood and the philosophy is grand. Yes, I like that portion a lot. Yet the visual part of app icons is very poor. The work is not good. Control Center, inspired by Android – those icons and functionality are far better then the graphics of the base apps. Control Center is coherent and consistent.
The Calculator app does not use the new system font.
Game Center bubbles is truly lame.
All of you know Lynch is right… you just can’t accept it.
You drank Ives Kool-aid. Fruity-tooty inconsistent new beginning.
Lets hope over time things will improve again.
Okay I would be happy with that option.
A choice on graphics “classic or modern” at the upgrade time… still obtaining all the new features in iOS7 but with the old graphics…. that can’t be too hard to do – its not much to ask for.
Good idea.
Totally agree.
Design option button: Steve Jobs classic look or Ive’s anorexic girly pastel modern redux.
Mess, what mess?
An upgrade option button to continue classic icons or the thin look is a problem?
“These are the same people who have been complaining ios was outdated and needs an overhaul.”
No complaint with Steve’s rich and illustrative design.
The look of iOS 7. Now we’re talking.
Yeah I think Apple is going to be forced to back peddle on iOS 7 in time and do a Classic Coke impersonation. If they’d have given people a choice, that’d be one thing or not locked them out of downgrading for fear there would be a mass exodus.
BTW… Apple’s biggest mistake was in firing Scott Forstall. Why? Because he was already making moves in changing the UI and keeping it clean and uncluttered looking. The Skeuomorphics wasn’t even his choice as much as what Steve Jobs wanted. Just like Tim Cook and Joni Ive ‘Invented Everything (and Steve and Scott just stole the credit)’ wanted Scott to take the fall for!!!
“Lynch is so right in his opinion.”
You could not have said it better. Stupid lemmings, drink the Apple lemonade and close your eyes.
The new look simply sucks!
Completely agree. Absolutely hideous. This is what happens when you put a hardware guy in charge of software. Unbelievably bad in my opinion.
This took 6 months for Ives. Is he a useless UI designer?
The truth seems Ives let the Marketing staff begin the creative process. And his team will iron this crap out later as it is preliminary work. He better, his peers back in England have something really well evolving. Ubuntu.
Just look how an Icon that is intended to be a button fills the space. It is not overly decorative. They are beautiful sophisticated and better do not play to any one culture or gender. These icons communicate well. And simplicity is not see as primary colours and childish shapes. iOS7 is looking beautiful under the hood but the dressing is totally embarrassing.
However, the defence here obviously expresses Mac Fanatics will accept shit work on the merits of Apple. Lemmings in deed. Fools. Stupidity. Control Centre is great, but it really is influenced by Android. Apple no longer is in the lead.
The plan to meld OSX and iOS into a more seamless experience is lagging in OSX Maverick and I believe that is a wise thing looking at the appearance alone with iOS7.
“And simplicity is not see as primary colours and childish shapes. iOS7 is looking beautiful under the hood but the dressing is totally embarrassing.”
Could not agree more. The look is girly thin pastels and outline graphics from a hundred years ago.
I’m a huge Apple supporter, but they lost their minds on the new look.
Jony, get to work on improving battery life in my iPhone and leave design to Steve’s legacy vision.
Think different, Apple. Classic or modern look upgrade option button. CHOICE!
I, for one, would have preferred being given a choice. It’s not like that’s not possible.
Think different, Apple. Classic or modern look upgrade option button. CHOICE!
DT-
Coming from another Apple fanboy I appreciate your honesty and agree too many lemmings here are blinded by Apple devotion.
The new look is a step back to last century. Thin, girly, pastel — Helvetica Neue?
Classic option button, Apple.
Is this design intended to extends into OSX?
Will it look this way on my new Mac Pro – ugh.
hope f—cking not
iOS and OSX were to eventually
join but i see X still has
the old Safari icon
Jim Lynch clearly needs to get laid.
With his estrogen-a-phobia I doubt he will ever get laid.
By a manly man, seeing as he can’t handle anything that’s remotely feminine.
So does Donald Trump (preferably by someone on the Ubuntu team)
He sounds like an idiot. Sorry just no other way to say it. A homophobic idiot with no sense of aesthetics. Maybe he’s in the closet himself. Hopefully he can come out and be happy someday.
Actually, I have changed my mind from my previously stated desire to have new and fresh. Now I agree very much with Jim Lynch. I was looking for ward to new and improved, but I downloaded one of the screen picts to my iPhones photos, looked at it full screen and immediately cringed! Ack! It is very candy like, very cartoon like, and very feminine. Try it on your own phone. I guess on the bright side iOS 7 will secure the feminine, the youngsters, and the non-techie. Thereby keeping the iPhone relevant to the majority of potential users, but UGH the sacrifice!
It’s crap. The icons are bland boring and flat. I want my old UI back. Of course I jailbreak and have even cooler icons. I like the 3d aspect but the rest is crap.
Why did this get approved? It looks like windows had a baby with android
Some people have way too few important things to worry about.
The OS looks gay, Apple is doomed.
“Do you think maybe he’s compensating for something?”
Joany Ives = overrated
I couldn’t disagree more! I love the new look. Only the game center design sucks in my opinion. Looking forward to the change.
Insecure?
Not!
You just don’t see it.
He is right. It is very puny and frankly ugly, in a lot of people’s opinions.
During the WWDC presentation, did you notice there was no cheering and not one person applauding when they first showed the new iOS 7 screenshot? In fact, the audience was dead silent…did you notice? I think they were all waiting for the punch line that never came… I know I was.
You mean “Lisa Frank”… ly Ugly? Yeah…. anyone that sees Lisa Frank Designs for kids knows where Joni Ive ‘Invented Everything’ got the design cues from. But hey….. Microsoft and Nokia already had taken design cues from late 90’s iMac’s, so he had no choice but to copy Lisa Frank’s designs! O_o
Seriously though the color palette is so bad with IOS 7 that I am forced to get reader glasses to see the white text on bright green. The color palette choices are horrible example clarity. And now for the biggest screw-up of all: the brightness must be turned up to 100% in order to see details. So much for a getting any value out of a retina display.My favorite apps are soon to be available on Windows Phone. I am going to be forced to switch to Windows Phone because I just can’t read white text on the notification bar.
APPLE: Please save us from your bright light palettes. Give us black dark backgrounds. They are easier to read and don’t blind us at night.
Somebody has their head up their arse
-sent from my iPhone running iOS 7
I guess Mr. Lynch prefers having something more masculine in his palm. To each his own.
Probably because he’s disappointed with the amount of masculinity he feels when he grabs himself… or looks in the mirror.
Nothing to do with Mr. Lynch personable attributes.
He called it correctly.
While the overall functionality of iOS 7 is promising, the look of the UI is likened to a Miata. It’s a chick car.
Not necessary “chick’s”. Verge’s chief editor Joshua Topolsky called design “childish”. Overblown, variegated icons. Not everyone will like this style, that is for sure.
However, this is not the end of the world, Apple will survive. 🙂
And, maybe next year, iOS 8 will have more mature design style. Or maybe something will be adjusted in the following three months before supposed release of iPhone 5S in September.
I had a ’90 Miata for 10 years, more of a chick magnet!
Everybody wants one! 😉
Hey C1 — how do you like the color scheme? Does it make you feel like kicking out mirrors? 😉
Why is that? So if i get in an accident i can just pick up my car and put it my brifecase? Because thats all that is left of those tiny things if they get in a wreck.
I agree with the bright colors and bubbles. What they should do is make a dark and a light theme. Cause there is just way too much white in ios 7. I do like the transparent layers but come on apple its 2013 already and we still can’t at least pick themes?!?!
I agree 100% That is my 2nd reason for Jailbreaking. First is tethering without paying my carrier a bunch of extra money just because i want to use my phone as a hot spot.
I do not understand why we cant have themes we can choose to make the phone our own. Not everyone wants the same colors and icons. I even change my themes every so often when i get tired of looking at that theme.
APPLE ITS 2013 and we cant change the way our phone looks? Give me a break. That is stupid.
Apple does not want to allow this so their phones would not look like a mess when every Joe Schmoe will abuse theme settings. As Jobs has put it, customers pay Apple to make choices for them.
The problem emerges if the choices that Apple make are not the best any more. UI issue is not that serious, so Apple will be fine anyway, but if tastes issue will diverge even worse than this time, then Apple will have to allow themes as they will admit that they can not do universal choices for everyone in this field.
either way,
if Apple offers later an apology in an app to customize
then Apple admits to failure
if Apple does nothing and stands behind this design they only embarrass themselves
They still can do some changes without blatantly going to either of those two ways.
whats the solution?
either offer customization OR tell the world we did our best
what changes can be made to avoid these options?
ahhhh yes, revert to classic
IM sorry but you can do themes without messing up things. Its a simple tap to go back to stock look if need be. All the theme does is allow me to have better background and MUCH BETTER ICONS. What in the world was someone thinking here? I mean YUCK the icons went from very stand out to android look. I heard for years now how everyone hates the gody look of windows 7 phones and the look of the samsung androids. Now apple has copied them.
HOnestly
Semi-live Wallpapers: It’s almost like live wallpaper on Android, but even more so like 3D Image Live Wallpaper that has been on Google Play for a while. Yes, you can get down with Apple’s fancy new wallpaper feature today, on Android.
I think iOS 7 looks like a balance between webOS and Microsoft’s design language (which I’ll call Metro, like everyone else outside of Microsoft). It is not completely flat and squared off like Metro, the UI is not multitasking-based like webOS, and it doesn’t fit content into cards like Google Now (and Google+, the Play Store, Google Play Music, etc.). While Android fans have often complained about Apple stealing ideas from Android, this version of iOS seems to be devoid of influence from Google in terms of design.
iOS 7 isn’t just influenced by webOS and Windows Phone, though; Android’s donations are clear in a number of areas. Notification Center is still, for all intents and purposes, a crummy version of the Notification Drawer in Android with a few cues from the Me tile in Windows Phone. AirDrop is essentially the same thing as Wifi Direct, DLNA or NFC sharing (sans the bumping). Quick Controls is similar to Quick Settings except it has a heavier emphasis on media and looks more like a messy jailbreak tweak that Ive’s team mocked up in Photoshop for 10 minutes and then coded the night before WWDC. Tabs in Safari is a complete rip off of tabs in Chrome (although I will say that Apple’s version of it makes differentiating between tabs much, much cleaner).
I don’t have it yet, but has anybody tried (if it is still there)invert colors under accessibility? Maybe that will mute the whites a bit.
Apple’s insistence that only one color scheme for icons is ridiculous. I can only hope that Apple realizes that allowing customers to customize their iOS devices is a very good thing. Permitting customers to change the colors and designs of their icons and wallpapers is the ideal and does not alter the underlying functionality of the device.
For those who don’t have a life I would agree.
Apple’s orginal motto was to “Think Different”. Fanbois need only think alike. The monotonous consistency of fanboi atitude is evidence of their inability to develop an independent thought or conjure the slightest spark of imagination. Too bad Apple seems to want to encourage this vapid existence of homogeniety. You, however, will fit in quite well.
That’s a great idea. I actually think the current theme is totally cool, and no longer looks like last decade… but it looks great only on a white iPhone. I have the black one, and it’d be nice to have a dark theme.
Right on Craig. It has nothing to do with estrogen but everything to do with choice. I can’t wait until all the new palette supporters start complaining about eye strain, the giant light in their bedroom at night coming from iOS7, and the battery draining max backlight needed to see detailed white text against a bright green status bar.
The PALETTE REVOLUTION is on!
Put me down to join the front lines. Viva! The PALETTE REVOLUTION is on!
This is about the most ridiculous, asinine and infantile thing I have read in a long, long time.
The dumb thing is he’s just comparing it to the stock icons shown in Apple’s screenshots. Once you configure your phone with your own apps and backgrounds, it can look as “masculine” as you’d like.
He wants his penis on his phone.
That’s probably the closest that little thing would ever get to a female, if he’s viewing porn that is. Probably an Oedipus complex anyway.
Brain-dead, insulting responses are so typical of some Apple fanbois. “silverhawk1” disagrees with an article critical of Apple, so proceeds to grievously insult the author using pathetic and aggressive sexual language.
Insulting is typical of fanboy in general, whatever their Idol is.
retarded false response,
those are the pre-installed base apps – one can stuff these shitty designed icons in a folder though
Jonny Ives should be forced to sign
an apology letter or be fired.
Wait a minute, no, I take that back, fire Cook.
No, that “honour” goes to the juvenile flamebaiters and trolls on Facebook and the like.
This is a close second, because although it doesn’t use b****, c***, etc, it makes up for it in length (ooh, another slam–he writes long rants to compensate for something… 😀 )
He probably has a very long, big car. If you know what I mean..
Sounds like short man complex. Probably has lifts in his shoes. Will never buy the larger iPhone because he has small hands.
He also likely drives a GM car like you.
Oh that’s right, you have a problem with anything American. Don’t you prick?
There is only one American thing that I have a problem with and it is even questionable that it is truly American: the GM who writes such tripe on this forum.
Did you know that Canada is in North America? So is Mexico and Central America and South America are also ‘American’. Don’t use the term ‘American’ so loosely. The USA is not the only part of the Americas.
“…real gender issue” appears to be Mr. Lynch’s. Ball’s in your court!
I think Lynch has very small balls… its a shame any guy has to go through life dangling peanuts like this. lets wish him out best men…
He sensationalizes his position but I can see what he means. The pastels will take some getting used to.
Eh, I agree, the color scheme is horrid and makes it difficult to look at. Looks like my dog threw up a pile of neon markers.
Stupid. All that innovation and they screw it with this horrid color palette.
He’s right! It was right there in the keynote, innovation comes from Phil’s ass.
Thanks Steve for making me choke! LOL! I still think Apple is very innovative, but so is your joke.
I like the new colors. I wish it had multiple user capabilities though
As he screams at the top of his lungs in front of his velvet picture of dogs playing cards and drinking beer.
I think somebody was up waaaayyy too late eating beef sticks and drinking cheap beer . . . .
how did you access my FaceTime?
All he has to do to change the colour scheme is change the desktop to a colour of his choice, everything in front will blend with it.
Thats like saying if I painted your trim (removed the trim and just painted it on giving it a flat look) and bumper bar (got rid of all the crome and made everything square) pastle pink you just need to cange the main car body’s color. Just excuse me while I go vomit… Lol love Lynches take as he at least stands for something. Does Appe expect all developers to make thier icons this way? It does make iOS look like Andriod, whats with that?
“Lol love Lynches take as he at least stands for something. Does Appe expect all developers to make thier icons this way? It does make iOS look like Andriod, whats with that?”
—
By “mak[ing] iOS look like Android”, one can only conclude that Android was the first “estrogen-addled mess designed for 13 year old girls.”
You’ll need to be careful with that blowtorch logic.
Logic? Who cares about logic. A crap interface is exactly that – CRAP. This isn’t the only outspoken post out there about the unappealing bright white text on bright backgrounds that are hard to read. It’s a #PALATTE REVOLUTION
Actually, on Control Center, pulled up from the bottom, it is white gauze, while Calendar which is pulled from the top is a grey, or black based gauze, so it does kind of make a difference to me while looking at it, but hey, this is a first beta, so let’s see what becomes of it.
Thanks, someone else here that’s actually been paying attention and know what they talking about.
I’m excited about the new functionality, but the polka dots aren’t doing it for me. I’ll have to use it to give a final verdict, hopefully there will the option to change the background. If you’re not happy tell Apple, that approach worked with OSX Beta.
I have not seen iOS 7 close up but I am more interested in the new functions rather than “manly” colors. “Bubbles” for Game Center does seem kind of lame. I wonder what they were thinking? Al in all, it seems to me that a theme choice would be an easy fix i. e. “manly” theme, “girly” theme.
I think your “bubbles” are actually balls. You know like the ones people play sports with.
Wailing, wringing of hands, loud criticism, ignorant reviews – time to celebrate cuz these are all signs that Apple has done it again!!! We got a glimpse of a clean and sparkling future and the whimps among us are scared and whimpering about what they see. Grow up you old farts!!
A splash of cold water across the face. Well done!
Absolutely right. Amazing that these reactionary dolts can even type. Grow up and embrace change, folks.
Old farts are grown up. Your not.
Lol, what a bunch of hypocritical BS. These are the same people who have been complaining ios was outdated and needs an overhaul. Apple finally pulls the trigger and now they complain some more. Hey here’s an idea, why don’t all you complainers STFU and find something worthwhile to complain about… Like gas prices or the price of beef? Grow the hell up, and enjoy your iphone.
Alas, yours will prove to be a voice in the wilderness. The passion of righteousness poisons minds against reason.
Jim who?
Exactly
Jim Lynch is way over the top but he does have a point. Even my wife didn’t care for the pink text in the music player in iOS7. However, hopefully, Apple will allow the user to change the color of the text.
And this is a problem because…?
… adults buy the phones, not young teens.
Though poorly presented, Lynch’s points are all valid. The new icons, color scheme, fonts, blurs, and lack of borders does NOT look attractive to most of the adults — men and women — with whom I’ve discussed the new iOS.
iOS7 features are great, but the polarizing styling clearly will do nothing to win converts from other platforms.
A man that whines is no man…Lynch. Stop being a hypocrite.
The colors seemed bright and cheerful to me. It did not threaten my manhood or make me feel like I needed to hate it because my wife and daughter also liked it. I wonder what his relationship with his father was like. What was his relationship with his mother like? Most men are not defined by color but by their character. There is help out there.
Well, Apple’s design team struck a vein of interest! Think about this: do adults get in shouting matches and fist fights over design principles in a museum, at a dinner party with their friends, or in a national referendum in which prominent proponents or detractors could risk suffering a career-ending defeat? Would the outcome force an abhorrent design aesthetic on unwitting naifs? What’s at stake? The future of design, of esthetics, of philosophy? I don’t
Absurd, of course. Your comment is closer to the mark, I think: it’s personal, and exhibits the universal aversion to change
one time at band camp, I wrassled Piet Mondrian to the ground because he called me a square.
And here I thought I was a 50 yr old male. I hadn’t realized until I saw iOS7 that I was actually a 13 yr old girl!
Scott, let’s play Barbies!
All his emotionally comments missed the points. Colors, icons, these are simple design elements that’s easy to update. What we should really looking is the design rules, design thinkings and what it suggests for abrand new iOS. Some thoughts:
http://linwangge.wordpress.com/2013/06/12/what-exactly-apple-did-with-ios-7/
Well, iOS 7 seems more like the taste of a 10-year-old girl to me (rather than a 13-year-old). But, after thinking about it for a bit, I realized that I don’t have to personally identify with the color scheme. I think of it like a very cute daughter. It will be pleasant having her around, and I’m secure enough that I couldn’t care less if my phone screen seems “girly” to others. (Though I can’t imagine too many males in their teens and twenties will see it the same way.)
Lynch is a closet metrosexual beta (she)male! Nani nani boo booh!
Here’s what i wrote on his blog…so the other closeted “masculine” men with beards will know…
“so basically you are saying you are too insecure as a man in your masculinity to use iOS7.
Your whole article denigrates femininity, stating iOS7 was designed by and for pre-teen girls and now you backpedal saying there is nothing wrong with femininity as long as it’s not on my manly iPhone. You have serious issues man, I would consult a therapist, unless you think a blog is therapy. Nice to see you live vicariously through your manly iPhone you had no part in designing, producing or input what-so-ever. Sorry to hear your bro-mance is over.
Apparently the iPhone is an extension of your penis. I’d say just go ahead and go get a Galaxy 4 so you can at least brag that it is 5”.
With the title of your article (which is insult to real writers that actually write articles with substance, instead of this petty, and yes juvenile, even more juvenile than the girls you think iOS7 is designed for drivel) it is clearly just another drive-by hit whore piece, but that would an insult to real whores which clearly have more class than you represent in this “article”.
And to top it off you bring Tim Cook’s sexuality into this as if that was a factor in the design. I mean come on, this is 2013, not 1913, try to act appropriately. The fact you even bring up Cook’s sexual preference in an opinion piece about the design of iOS7 clearly shows your personal closeted issues, your level of maturity and the fact that homosexual men can act/rise to a level of masculinity, obviously you speak from personal experience. “
““so basically you are saying you are too insecure as a man in your masculinity to use iOS7.”
No. It is butt-ugly and it looks like it was designed for a 10 year old girl. I will NEVER use it unless they make it more neutral like it is now.
this dude is pissed off from the last time he tried to get in touch with his feminine side…………and was stuck in the bathroom for an hour and a half putting on his “face”
What the hell is wrong with pastel?
Or translucence, or parallax?
Don’t be so small minded
They are arguing about the meaning of the colour of each other’s car, and how it informs their essential identity and place in their social group. It’s the “personal” in personal computing. They’re insisting on their desired shade of nail polish. The thing has attained the status of an entitlement program, and they should be ashamed.
This is nothing to talk about.
The iOS 7 beta is a “rough” draft of the new direction Apple is taking.
When Apple is done with it, it will be totally different and will kick everyone’s ass.
Don’t speak if you don’t know what you are talking about.
Lynch pawn in game of life. Go get you some of that Android goodness.
Pastel colors?! iOS 7 makes use of varying combinations of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors from the basic RGB color wheel. There is nothing pastel about the colors in iOS 7. Lynch sounds like your run-of-the-mill “Make the logo bigger and fill the white space with more text!” kinda guy.
I agree completely with Lynch. There is too much pink and other ‘chick’ colors in it. As such, I will NEVER update my iPhone with it.
To much pink? Really? Care to point out where all the pink is? I’ve copied the preview screen into my photos, and I have it open right now, on my iP5, exactly as it will appear when installed, and I can see precisely one app icon with pink in it, which shades to mauve at the bottom; the iTunes Store app.
Music is rich red/orange, other than that, the predominant colour palate is blue-green. Everybody seems to conveniently forget that the wallpaper is easily changed; for those wishing to reinforce their overwhelming masculinity, you can use the Mötörhead logo instead.
Or a nice photo of your own dick…
Something that nobody here seems to have picked up on, you can take a 360 degree pano photo, set it for your wallpaper, then as you turn, the pano will move across the background.
The type used, Helvetica Neue, is actually larger than the current type, which is also white, so why is the type such an issue for so many? If you have a light wallpaper, then of course white text is less readable. Easy answer? Use a darker wallpaper, for Chris’sakes!
Truly, there are some really dimwitted people on here. (Rolls eyes).
Splendid riposte! I appreciate what you say. You are objective, observant. Too many others are shrill, negligent. Continue your sternness, it is needed.
He’s not wrong, folks. The color scheme needs some work. Hence ‘beta’. I don’t know if I would have gone overboard with it as he did, as he should know most people wouldn’t know a joke if it hit him in the face, but I get his point.
It is disturbing to realized that there are so many philistines in our world! They have fixed mindset oriented in the past, even violating the first law of nature ” The Only Constant Is Change”! They should rather strive to learn and understand the very essence of shapes and colors.
Lot of knee jerking going on for a beta product that will likely go through multiple revisions and look very different in a few months when it ships.
I like his Lynch’s prose style.
“you realize that it has been designed for a gaggle of giggling 13 year old girls. Most of the icons are a mishmash of pastels that exude emotionally incoherent inconsistency.”
good stuff.
Fundamentally, the marksman aims at himself. We love and hate in others what we love and hate in ourselves.
This guy’s got more baggage than a nine mile Pullman out’a Buffalo.
The whole premise of the article is wrong at its core. There are inherent differences in preference between men and women which are true to greater or lesser degrees on an individual basis, obviously, but leaving aside for a moment Lynch’s sexism and adolescent brain, he’s just wrong on the content. Yes, some of the color choices in iOS 7 seem to be more in keeping with what we generalize as feminine, but the flatness, the starkness, the more cold and businesslike nature of iOS 7 is much more typically masculine than it is feminine. One of the most often heard complaints about the skeuomorphism that has been cast aside was that it existed to make the OS feel more hospitable and cozy to people like… umm… dare I say, 13 year old girls and women. Yes, some of the imagery was masculine, but the textures, the softness, the touchable feel of the icons and controls, were all designed to pull in an audience which is uncomfortable with cold grey windows and text based controls.
Here, in iOS 7, we have a mobile operating system which sheds the touchy and feely in its controls and functions. Apple has decided that the world is now acquainted with the operation of touch based devices, and that the functions can be less adorned, more utilitarian, more manly, if you will. Gone are the gooey text bubbles in Messages. Who do you think was more pleased by the cuteness of that, now vanquished? Men? Gone is the pretty flower in the Photos icon. Was that put there for men? I say to you that much of the old revered iOS was created with the very idea of making it appealing to those who would more likely have been put off by a purely functional interface, including, but not limited to, women.
So what have they done? They’ve stripped some femininity from the implementation of functions, made them harder and colder, but given it back in depth. The icons are flat and less touchable, but they float above something beautiful. Apple has merely traded. There is still a balance. Function has tilted one way, the experience another. Textures are found in different dimensions from where they were before. I don’t like the new icons, but not because they seem less manly. I’m more bothered by the fact that they are more Windows-like, condescending to me as a user with their PlaySkool colors. Feminine? Maybe, but they harken more to my memories of building blocks and jumbo crayons than they do to things girlish.
Outstanding analysis. Would brave Achilles have recoiled from such displays? How about Hector, or Agamemnon? I think not. The Trojan War was fought not over Helen’s choice of décolletage, but over Helen herself.
It is a girlish direction.
Sad to say, men are marginalized.
Now everybody keep your pants on!!! Step away from the window. Though I myself do not love this new design or even like it, does anyone even remember the first iteration of osx and how it was all watery and how it has evolved well I believe os7 will evolve into a more earthy looking os more akin to male sensibilities. Hell one can eventually just jailbreak it and do what one wants with it and if that never pans out well maybe just maybe my next phone WILL remain a 4 or a new android or windows phone. That would be sad but hey when your girlfriend or wife shows you the door you just go, right?
Photos – now proud as a peacock or is that the NBC logo either way it represents a colour wheel not photos
Game Center – another failed icon – looks more like PartyLand helium filled birthday balloons or gum balls in other words conveys the wrong communication – thats what graphics are – communication
Compare the amount of detail in Clocks and Camera to the overly simplified Messages and Weather. Notes is stripped down yet still conveys something relating to a note pad, reminders what the heck man
Calandar – uhmmmm dull
Passbook – lets shrink icons so tiny only a retina screen can display this icon – irresponsible design
Settings – now takes the sophisticated look of an inner pocket watch – extremely detailed and out of place
Newsstand – hello did you get your daughter to make this icon Ives?
if Mail can have so many extra lines to define an envelope, why can the phone not have some parting lines too
Safari – is unsophisticated thats a basic compass yet look at the Compass App – overly detailed
Oh my lord, please, someone tell me the truth. This wasn’t done by Jony Ives. It not good work. Tim is confident Jony taste is the best huh. Come on. Its inconsistent work. Its all over the place. In deed it’s a mess. T
his is an embarrassment to Apple and it’s irresponsible as to graphic communication, iconography and user interface design.
Thankfully, iOS has developed great features though.
What a freakin’ joke Apple. It sucks. And, I am embarrassed to update my iPhone 5 – super slick sexy $700.00 phone now to such an immature unsophisticated Ui.
Some people’s taste is in their mouth. Now I think Jony Ives is HOT and understands simplicity and elegance. But I don’t think these things were not consumer tested. Maybe Neanderthals won’t buy the best phone in the world because its too colorful but the Samsung and Windows desktops or mindless and cheap looking.
That’s his opinion. I was feeling the same as many others about apple until the keynote and I was pleased with it! I’ve been using Mac since the 90’s, maybe late compare to many of you guys but I know what I like and want! Whoever doesn’t it, pick something else, or shut the F up. Very simple!
Who is “Johnny Ives” ?
iOS 7 Looks like a Queer Eye for hr Straight Guy makeover.
This guy seems to have issues. The overhaul of the software is AMAING!! I love it ALLLLLLLL OF IT …
All misogyny and stereotyping aside, I admit that I, too, don’t like the new look. If iOS started this way, most of us would count iOS 6 to be a more mature, elegant, and sophisticated appearance (excluding perhaps some of the skeuomorphisms).
MDN’s screenshot ‘take’ further illustrates the point, although I think they were trying to say that it could be ‘manned up’ with the version on the right. I still think it looks tacky and, immature, and underdeveloped. I wish Apple had given a choice of icon appearances (new vs old), while still adding all the new functionality. I have a concern that some people will withhold from upgrading just as happened with Windows 8. If I upgrade, for the first time since 1984 it will be with reluctance.
He is right. It’s dreadful.
I totally agree that the iOS 7 icons stink. The fonts are also almost unreadable, especially on that ridiculous light blue background. From where I stand, it’s hard to argue with the author’s basic premise: designed for 13-year-old girls.
I watched the Keynote and the first thing I thought when I saw the demo was… gee, it looks just like my daughters bedroom (which she decorated when she was 13). It’s crisp and clean which I like but it’s, without a doubt, feminine.
I could not agree more. I think I actually started to cry when I saw the iOS 7 video. What’s next? Bringing back those black and white only monitors from the Mac II? This is an absolutely horrific UI and its totally embarrassing. How did this EVER get approved? I’m in absolute disbelief and I almost think its got to be a joke.
I am a 20 year Apple fan. Have about every product they make. But I agree with the article. The colors are definitely what my early teen daughter would have picked. There is something gay or metrosexual going on here. I do not see the appearance as having been improved. And all the mocking of the leather and skeumorphic stuff, they are now setting themselves up to be mocked for looking like a Toys R Us girls game. This is clearly designed for a feminine audience.
Here’s a simple solution.
If you hate it – don’t upgrade in the fall – or get a different phone.
If you love it – upgrade in the fall
Endlessly debating your like or dislike for a TELEPHONE is a clear indicator of a bigger problem in your lives.
…and you criticizing those who express their opinion is a clear indicator of what particular problem in your own life?
#firstworldproblem
Well, if he ever comes close to females of any age, which is unlikely, he will be Jim Lynched.
He really sounds like a pedophile to me. Such blatant penis-waving is usually covering up for some deep, dark perversions.
You know when a pundit has to resort to sophomoric “girl!!!” Invectives that they have no actual argument.
I like iOS7, but am not going to make a 1950s aspersion against someone that does not.
That said, this fucker is an assclown.
Lynch is right… The IOS7 is AWFUL!!!
I showed the guys in the workshop, all of whom carry iPhones, iOS7 and their first reaction was “girl phone”.
For all of you criticizing iOS 7. You won’t get far here. This is fanboy central. Most people here are delusional and incredulous. They will not believe anything negative about Apple.
Here’s the thing fanboys. If this iOS 7 really is, in fact, too feminine for the average male, Apple may lose sales/marketshare in aggregate. We’ll have to see.
I’ve been using iOS 7 for the past few days constantly, and I like a lot about it but there’s also lots of things I just hate. The colors for one thing aren’t working for me either.
And Helvetica Neue font for system fonts? Are you fucking kidding me Apple? You realize this is a tiny screen that has zillions of different backgrounds as I move through the world? Everything in iOS is literally impossible to read. And when the sun is shining against the screen? Ha! Good luck.
This is especially so for contacts. My god that font is thin and it looks like a mess of illegible text in lists and for instance looking at someone’s contact card. This is terrible.
I also hate the new Safari. It’s fucking brutal. The URL bar at the top as a hit area is just too thin and the shuffling of the webpages like a rolodex is stupid. If they moved away from skeumorphism, they should have done something more clean and simple here.
Design by committee folks, it’s all over iOS and it feels just weird and kinda wrong.
I feel like they took a step forward, and then two steps back.
I think that we are going to have serious problems using this ugly theme in bright sunlight, especially having white text on a pale blue background.
Lynch is far out on his own personal journey of insecurity and gender issues. Lynch, don’t blame it on Apple, because that is called mirroring your own inner problems
Lynch knows it’s a beta, and if not too stupid, he should know it’s most likely not going to be the final version or probably not even the only theme available in the final version.
Look, this theme presented suits the white version of the iPhone. Actually I didn’t see this beta version presented on a black iPhone?! Did you? Will we see a “masculine” version for those insecure ones? Of course, we would not want to see Lynch and his likes going over to the candy colored Android or Windows phone, would we?
Lynch is just hit whoring, and seems to be surprised by how much estrogen he experiences within.
Themes and choice of icons ?
Did anyone get the word iOS7 Beta. Beta means “in progress – not finalized”. I am sure iOS7 will change a lot on its way to a final release.
Oh lord, it’s antenna-gate all over again.
I think this where Tim Cook sinks or swims. If he listens to the wails of “too feminine” and changes iOS7’s look, he doesn’t deserve to be Apple’s CEO. If he sits back, laughs at the ridiculous panic, and releases iOS 7 as-is then he’s absolutely the right man to fill Steve Jobs’ shoes.
Tim can douse the firestorm and please everyone with one simple button.
Classic or modern look upgrade option. CHOICE!
Think different, Apple.
Steve’s artistic vision lives on …
iOS 7 is for 7 year old girls.
It looks like Android puked at Disneyworld after having too much rainbow sherbet.
I think iOS7 will look great… in an Easter basket.
Though I do like the new features, iOS 7 does look pretty gay.
Hope there is a way to make it look more manly.
I’m not sure I agree with his opinion but I found the article hilarious all the same.
” it feels like somebody kicked you in the balls with no warning and for absolutely no reason”
haha
Lynch hits the nail on the head, especially with his comment that iOS7 “[bathes] men in a sea of soft, limp nothingness.” As a gay man, that’s exactly how I view female sexuality (i.e., there’s nothing down there). But for straight men, isn’t that exactly what they seek from women? They should be flocking to iOS7, with all its femininity.
This guy is obviously a serious a-hole. I’m offended for women, 13-year old girls, gay men and Ive.
People who make comments like this are just trying to provoke a response, don’t feed the trolls. lol
I made a better proposed iOS7 just for Jim.
https://twitter.com/reneestephen/status/345268143289151488/photo/1
I’ve said it before and I will say it again: classic option upgrade, Apple.
Be careful in what way?
Sounds like the truth to me.
I have waited a while to see if the new logos will grow on me. Sadly, I have come to accept that I dislike the new flatness in iOS7’s graphics. Take a look at the ‘Settings’ logos, in iOS 6, it is one of the nicest logos ever made; iOS7 Settings – WTF!
Head to head, here is my $2 opinion on which icons are best at communicating its purpose and engaging the user:
Settings: iOS6, Maps: iOS6; Photos: tie; Camera: iOS7; Calendar: iOS6 – thin font is iOS7sucks balls; Messages: iOS6 (close); Reminders: iOS7; Notes: iOS6; Newsstand: neither – they both suck; Passbook; iOS6 – by along shot; Weather: iOS7 – should show the temperature; Clock: tie; Videos: iOS6; Safari: iOS7; Stocks: iOS67; Mail, Phone, Music: small preference to iOS6. I do like the new Compass logo in iOS7.
My general views on the iOS iconography are as follows:
1. I do not mind the light helvetica Neu in the small fonts, but hate the large skinny font.
2. I do prefer a bit of texture and depth to a pure flat design
3. I do like the half moon reflection on logos – when used. I am going to miss this effect
4. A little bit of skeuomorphism is not all that bad; when used appropriately, they help convey meaning.
5. The background graphic will make a big difference on the feel of your phone due to the flatness of the icons. A strong, textured background will pop up against the flat icons.
6. Generally, iOS6 graphics are superior to iOS7 graphics as far as engaging the user
7. Generally, iOS6 icons entice you to touch them due to their graphic depth and teture; flat iOS7 icons – not so much
8. I concur with the dislike of the pastel color scheme and the juvenile style.
9. I agree that the Game Center icon is horrid, and what’s up with using selective reflections?
10. Why screw around with something that isn’t broken: the iconography in iOS6. As far as I can tell, we can still have all the advances of iOS7 with iOS6 logos.
This Jim Lynch person is a tool, though the He-Man Women Haters Club is awesome, mainly because variations of such behaviors are expected from 6 and 7-year-old boys; not so much from functioning (and functional) adults.
As a devout Android user for many years I could make multiple comments here but will instead bite my tongue. The title of the article says it all and is EXACTLY what I have been saying for years when people ask why I do not have, nor will ever have, an iphone\ipad…I am not a 13 year old girl.
Oddly enough my 13 year old daughters have their ipods but MUCH prefer my Android phones. What I still cannot understand for the life of me is why the rabid apple fans are so happy about a company TELLING them how to use the device instead of ASKING them what they want to do with it…but now that big brother…scratch that…big bully Jobs is not at the controls possibly there is a chance, albeit very slight, that there might actually be an apple product that I would even consider using (however minimal).
“Second, gaming is known as one of the few communities that is still mostly masculine in its perspective and sensibilities” Actually female gamers rank at about 45% of the gaming audience with most female gamers being older gamers at that. In other words, adult female gamers outrank teenage boy gamers.
This new design is ugly. I agree, it’s too girly-ish
I wish I would of been given a choice it just doesn’t fit with me.
Yes, CHOICE!
I don’t understand Apple’s reluctance not to allow it???
Unless its another lefty PC coup against realistic art with some male overtones.
The teeny bopper girls won! Well, not on my phone!
Really? Lefty, bla bla bla Ronald Reagan. I’m as left as it gets not at all Reich Wing like you but I also dislike this imposition but not enough to buy into Samdungs plastic ripoffs. I actually thought it was a corpo-fascist dictate. To each his cool-aid.
The more I know the monied class the more I understand the guillotine. – GBS
Lefty, bla bla bla is anyone that doesn’t worship at the altar of political correctness is immediately stereotyped as “Reich Wing.”
You presume too much, typical of the all knowing dogma you digest daily from your media masters and know nothing about my political leanings or voting record. I’m not the issue.
Anyone from any party is free to dump on the first liberal PC (piece of crap) OS design.
Focus on what we are talking about here and stay on topic …
Ah what a laughable joke you are. Aren’t you the pot calling the kettle black!!! In your case it is black shirt obviously. You say I presume when you in turn Ass-ume conservative pion donkey boy. I fully know what you are and am calling you down clown I strongly sugest you take your own advice and you keep on topic and stop marinating your opinions on these boards with your monied masters wast matter. I believe you are one of those paid lemmings to brainlesly spread your tea party hate vomit about progressives everywhere and anywhere you can so do us all a favor the 99.9% ers and go roll yourself at the feet of your holders and leave us be already.
The more I know the monied class the more I understand the guillatine. GBS
Obsessed with money masters much from only one side? Next your going to tell me limousine liberals are poor and no Democrats are wealthy money masters. Uh, huh.
Again, you presume too much. But then again, your not allowed to be a card carrying liberal unless you’re a know it all and liable to be revoked if unable to tell everyone how to live by your standards.
“Freedom!”
–William Wallace, Braveheart
I must admit that as soon as I saw the iOS 7 screen on Apple’s website my first reaction was “Gay.” (No racism at all, but the world is still better with gays using men stuff than the contrary), however the guy who wrote that text was just so exaggerated. I do hope I’m posting wrongly because I don’t know shit about him or I don’t get the joke, because he sounds like a gay himself.
Yeha man! I’m exactly what this guy thinks will love ios 7! I’m 16 years old, and super duper Girly! But, any “Girly” girl knows that you NEVER use a starch white background, have gradients going all over the place, and nothing but primary colors.
M
Ios 7 is a colorful mess, it looks like a children’s toy, it’s not cute, it’s not professional…. I don’t really know what it is, other than migraine inducing.
Lynch is exactly right. Who ever likes this abomination of girly pastels and fluorescents is gay, and any graphic designer that thinks this is balanced, consistent and fits the Apple user base as a whole needs to go back to school or move to a different profession. I’m afraid for anyone to walk by me and see my screen if I’m using my phone. iOS7’s design was a big win for Android that’s for sure because if I was using Android I’d be making fun of this crap as well. I really wish I hadn’t downgraded from iOS6 because I’m guessing it isn’t possible to upgrade back to it. Either they fix this crap and start really innovating again or I’m moving over to Android or Windows. My Surface Pro already won me over my toyish iPad 4, which I returned after never using it again. I will do it again unless they get their balls back into the nutsack.
I completely agree that this design is horrible. It looks more babyish to me, like a child’s toy. I would not describe the color scheme as pastel, since the hallmark of pastels is a slight reduction in saturation. These colors are pretty much as florescent as is possible to achieve on a digital screen. The art director needs to be fired. He sucks.
Jony is in charge of the change. Art Director title should be revoked. College interns design better …
Why don’t you go get one of those jacked up trucks with the big giant tires? That would explain why your dick is so small.
Apple is trying to recycle an old idea – from back when they released imacs in different colors. Now they are producing cheap plastic phones in neon colors trying to catch lightning in a bottle once again. When I saw these new cheap neon colored plastic phones, I said right away that their target market must be kids and young girls.
Unfortunately, they have also redesigned their iOS and changed the colors and icons to match their new cheap neon colored plastic phones and they upset alot of loyal customers in the process.
While Jim might be a little over the top in this article, he’s absolutely correct in his premise. This is a huge marketing failure. I am a 50 year old man. I want a phone that looks like it belongs to a 50 year old man – not a 12 or 13 year old girl. Apple is not providing that anymore.
I am about to get rid of my iPhone because they have taken it from something I used to enjoy using to something I don’t even want to turn on now.
I’ve owned a mac in one form or another since 1986. And if they make these kind of changes to the Mac OS, I will stop using a mac, too.
The new UI is a cheap veneer. It’s trendy neo-mod. pure fashion, no soul. It’s graphic design for the sake of graphic design. Who’s fault is this? This was not designed for human interaction.
Could this be a well conceived marketing ploy? This move by Apple is reminiscent of when Coca-cola decided after decades of success as number one, they would stop making Coca-cola, and instead start selling Pepsi cola under the name NEW Coke.
I totally hate it. My first computer was an Apple II+ in 1983 and I feel like I’ve been betrayed big time. I used to literally hold up my phone’s home screen and tell people it was a well balanced (colors) piece of art. That was iOS 6. iOS 7 looks like a child tripped on a box of crayons, you know, the ones for two year olds that have 7 or 8 one centimeter thick giant crayons. I absolutely hate the white border around the new safari icon. It looks half finished. What the hell were they thinking? This is what happens when arrogance and personality cults become more important than your average user base.
“What the hell were they thinking? This is what happens when arrogance and personality cults become more important than your average user base.”
Well said!
Under Cook and his liberal lemmings the look of iOS7 has nose dived into the toilet. Both visually and more importantly, functionality. For example: just try and decipher the weather app teensy icons.
They don’t get it.
They don’t see the error of their ways.
They no longer care about mass appeal, kids, seniors or flyover people using the software.
And at the end of the day, the erudite simply smugly moves on … to only caring about girls, gays, thin unreadable text and stick figure design.
Steve is rolling in his grave because his mass appeal design approach is R.I.P.
Joseph “Goeb”bels go away you’ve been unmasked nobody cares for you reich wing drivel. You and your teabagger buddies blew it. Long live Obama!!! And many more like him!!! He won you lost get over it Jethro.
Well, well, well. Another self-righteous closed minded lefty filled with hate and demonstrating overwhelming empathy and understanding for the opposing team. Good to read you don’t play insulting word games or mock people you don’t know when they express an opinion you don’t agree with. The topic here and you obviously missed it is the ugly, eyesore, thin, flat, rainbow colored balloons, unreadable teensy mess that is the borrowed look of iOS7. Like we need a retina display and a 64-bit chip to run outline icons and anorexic fonts. Talk about an epic WASTE of POWER. You like it, I hate it. Got it?
In case you missed the wisdom of @buddhabandit, insight such as this deserves repeating:
“This is what happens when arrogance and personality cults become more important than your average user base.”
The point is, and its obvious you don’t get it, is that you can’t stop tinting your comments with neocon cool aid colouring. I said my peace on this matter a long time ago and save for your kind of fascist propaganda I wouldn’t bother with it anymore. What we can’t stand is your habit, payed or otherwise, of using these venues to spread your ignorant hateful politics.
I don’t like OS7 either. It’s all Herr Bushes and Rhomsfelds fault!! See how stupid that sounds. Now read understand and learn.
Before Ios7 I wore boxers. Now I am a panty man. I can’t stop. Pink, floral reds, lavenders. It is horrible. They just match my iPhone sooooo well. I can’t install ios6. That train has passed. Next stop, stilettos.
Complaining like a 13 year old girl about something that looks like it’s been designed for 13 year old girls… Oh, the irony.