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Apple introduces a universal design across platforms

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Re: Apple introduces a universal design across platforms

#101
post #54

This feels suspiciously like the goals of Microsoft's "Metro" design from the Windows 8 era. It will be interesting to see if Apple can do a better job of keeping the same design without damaging the desktop experience than Microsoft did.

The biggest problem with Metro is how little effort was put into properly adapting it to desktops. It tried to handle everything from smartphones to tablets to non-touch PCs with 27” monitors with the same UI. It’s an understatement to say that it was awkward to use with a keyboard and mouse, because it almost acted like those forms of input ceased to exist.

If Apple makes the right platform-specific affordances (which they have a much better chance of doing) I think it can work.

Re: Apple introduces a universal design across platforms

#102
post #60

Every Electron app is going to feel incredibly out of place. And for the few that aren’t okay with feeling out of place, the devs of those apps will now have to contend with shipping more macOS specific styles and workarounds. I’m not looking to discuss Electron performance/etc so please ditch that discussion before it starts. I just find it interesting how comparatively tricky this particular UI styling might end up…

> Every Electron app is going to feel incredibly out of place.

AFAIK, most people do most things on the Web. So, no, Electron Apps will feel like what most people use most of the time. It's native apps that will feel out of place.

Re: Apple introduces a universal design across platforms

#105

I really dig apple's work. It's so refreshing to get a tech event in 2025 where design is a huge focus and not just duck taping another LLM to everything. Design is expensive and it's clear they've invested a massive amount of resources into liquid glass. It's not perfect, but I think they'll iron out some of the contrast bugs. Agreed with other commenters that crappy electron apps will look increasingly out of place…

It's so refreshing to get a tech event in 2025 where design is a huge focus and not just duck taping another LLM to everything.

I don't want to make this an Apple vs. Google comment (Mac user since 2007, iPhone user since 2009), but Google spend a good chunk of time on their Material Design 3 Expressive redesign at the Android event a few weeks ago.

Re: Apple introduces a universal design across platforms

#106
post #65
post #35

Here's hoping that they'll keep the options to disable unnecessary transparencies and animations.

What makes you think they’d remove accessibility options like that? They’re generally pretty considerate in that realm.

Apple Music on Mac ignores the 'Reduce Motion' accessibility setting for their very distracting animated playlist covers, while apps like Weather respect it.

Re: Apple introduces a universal design across platforms

#107
Huh, this reminds me of the Photos app. Apple completely broke iOS Photos in the last update.

I really hope apps like Ente can step up and get better and native, offer desktop backup + sync both as well. But then there's always the chance that Apple will just find a way to shut them down. or reject their updates, just like they did in the past.

Anyway, I guess we'll have to wait and see what else they manage to screw up with this "move."

Re: Apple introduces a universal design across platforms

#108

Am I the only one that hates the concept? I want a good UI to fade into the background. But this one is like a UI designer's promotion fever dream: The UI is at the center, no matter the content. The promotional video says "This material brings a new level of vitality to every experience" and then they show a video player where now the control overlay has more contrast, more movements, and more bright lights than the…

From what I saw they were making more available screen space for content.

Re: Apple introduces a universal design across platforms

#109

Am I the only one that hates the concept? I want a good UI to fade into the background. But this one is like a UI designer's promotion fever dream: The UI is at the center, no matter the content. The promotional video says "This material brings a new level of vitality to every experience" and then they show a video player where now the control overlay has more contrast, more movements, and more bright lights than the…

Why can't we leave good enough alone? Heck, we hit "peak-UI" with Win 2K, AFAAIC.-

peak-UI was Visual Basic 3. Any component that wasn't in VB3 was post-peak UI.

Re: Apple introduces a universal design across platforms

#110

We have these brilliant high resolution displays, and these powerful, energy efficient GPUs that are always running and compositing frames like a game engine 120 times a second. It's about time we start seeing more physicality in our user interfaces! We can make things look convincingly like glass, or metal, or even materials that don't exist in reality. One reason for flat design is because it was the lowest common…

so what you're saying is that we need to resurrect skeuomorphism?
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