I totally understand Apple's approach to software updates. They want to add more features without having to force users to relearn how to use the OS. They have always kept the basic UI elements of the OS and only changed the design of some apps. Yes, I do appreciate this. Every new feature is implemented in a elegant and easy-to-use way, without changing the workflow of the predecessor. The end users just need to use what's new. And they've got nothing to lose even if the features aren't very useful to them.
Nonetheless, Apple, you have been doing this for 5 years straight. The only major overhaul was in iOS 4, which adopted so-called multi-tasking, practically app-switching. The basic UI has remained more or less identical to what was introduced in 2007. Don't you ever consider how bored diehard iPhone users can be of using basically the same thing for 5 consecutive years? Yes, tons of new features have been added ever since, but for the user, design is what we see and interact with every day. When iPhone users see Android UI getting more elegant and easier to use in every update, they do feel a bit inferior. ( at least many of my friends) And yes, again, I know iOS UI is already good, but just think about it, after 5 years, surely you Apple design geniuses could have come up with something better??
So basically, all I want to say is, that iOS 6 should have focused more on changing the UI. And more customisation options. Customisation in a Apple way. Elegant, easy to implement, easy to remove, clean. Maybe they could put a UI Skin section in App Store. Why not? They could just check the UI Skins just like they do with apps. Given the limited hardware choices of iOS platform, developers are more likely to come up with more optimised and more beautiful UI Skins.
In conclusion, new features are important. But they may not be as important as UI design and customisation options when the UI has remained basically the same for 5 years. Comeon, Apple, can't u just give iOS a new look for once?
Nonetheless, Apple, you have been doing this for 5 years straight. The only major overhaul was in iOS 4, which adopted so-called multi-tasking, practically app-switching. The basic UI has remained more or less identical to what was introduced in 2007. Don't you ever consider how bored diehard iPhone users can be of using basically the same thing for 5 consecutive years? Yes, tons of new features have been added ever since, but for the user, design is what we see and interact with every day. When iPhone users see Android UI getting more elegant and easier to use in every update, they do feel a bit inferior. ( at least many of my friends) And yes, again, I know iOS UI is already good, but just think about it, after 5 years, surely you Apple design geniuses could have come up with something better??
So basically, all I want to say is, that iOS 6 should have focused more on changing the UI. And more customisation options. Customisation in a Apple way. Elegant, easy to implement, easy to remove, clean. Maybe they could put a UI Skin section in App Store. Why not? They could just check the UI Skins just like they do with apps. Given the limited hardware choices of iOS platform, developers are more likely to come up with more optimised and more beautiful UI Skins.
In conclusion, new features are important. But they may not be as important as UI design and customisation options when the UI has remained basically the same for 5 years. Comeon, Apple, can't u just give iOS a new look for once?