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This seems like a disadvantage in the medium-term, but imagine what happens if the iOS UI reaches appliance level of familiarity. I don't know if it's possible

This seems like a disadvantage in the medium-term, but imagine what happens if the iOS UI reaches appliance level of familiarity. I don't know if it's possible, but if they're constantly making changes it certainly won't be.

george88b 14y ago
I would argue it already has reached appliance level familiarity. Do you know anyone between the ages of 7 to 60 that doesn't know how to use an iPhone (or iPod, or iPad) with ease? Probably not many. But the UI feels stale after a while. I would argue that a significant UI refresh that peaks the interest of your users and excites them to upgrade is better than appliance level familiarity. If the familiarity is the measure of success then why do car companies constantly redesign their interiors, or why do appliances change their colors or button layouts from year to year?
- mblakele 14y ago
  Are they wise to do that? I recently replaced a broken microwave with as similar a model as I could find, from the same company. But I would have paid more to avoid continuously stubbing my fingers on their design regressions.
  - george88b 14y ago
    That is a good point. New is not always better but consumer products need to be "new and improved!" in order to give the customer a sense they are buying something better than the model from five years ago. But at the same time I can't help but feel that progress can only be made with change and at this point Apple can't keep relying on minimal hardware advances to keep their marketshare.
    - gurkendoktor 14y ago
      > consumer products need to be "new and improved!" in order to give the customer a sense they are buying something better than the model from five years ago Where is the proof of that? I feel that it's an "internet truth" where early adopters have the loudest voice. Yet Apple is full of cash earned on machines that look almost like their predecessors (iPad 1-4, iPhone 1-3GS & 4-5, similar for the Mac).
  - r00fus 14y ago
    The refactors often rely on the fact that for every one of you (and me) there are 2x or more of new users who want something looking fresh and appealing, even if we see it as a regression (just don't go too far like MS did with Metro)
- mactitan 14y ago
  You have a point. As a consumer I'd like the option to toggle between various UI's. Empower the user and you might be surprised.
- mixmastamyk 14y ago
  My three year-old is an "ios expert."

george88b 14y ago

I would argue it already has reached appliance level familiarity. Do you know anyone between the ages of 7 to 60 that doesn't know how to use an iPhone (or iPod, or iPad) with ease? Probably not many. But the UI feels stale after a while. I would argue that a significant UI refresh that peaks the interest of your users and excites them to upgrade is better than appliance level familiarity. If the familiarity is the measure of success then why do car companies constantly redesign their interiors, or why do appliances change their colors or button layouts from year to year?

mblakele 14y ago
Are they wise to do that? I recently replaced a broken microwave with as similar a model as I could find, from the same company. But I would have paid more to avoid continuously stubbing my fingers on their design regressions.
- george88b 14y ago
  That is a good point. New is not always better but consumer products need to be "new and improved!" in order to give the customer a sense they are buying something better than the model from five years ago. But at the same time I can't help but feel that progress can only be made with change and at this point Apple can't keep relying on minimal hardware advances to keep their marketshare.
  - gurkendoktor 14y ago
    > consumer products need to be "new and improved!" in order to give the customer a sense they are buying something better than the model from five years ago Where is the proof of that? I feel that it's an "internet truth" where early adopters have the loudest voice. Yet Apple is full of cash earned on machines that look almost like their predecessors (iPad 1-4, iPhone 1-3GS & 4-5, similar for the Mac).
- r00fus 14y ago
  The refactors often rely on the fact that for every one of you (and me) there are 2x or more of new users who want something looking fresh and appealing, even if we see it as a regression (just don't go too far like MS did with Metro)
mactitan 14y ago
You have a point. As a consumer I'd like the option to toggle between various UI's. Empower the user and you might be surprised.
mixmastamyk 14y ago
My three year-old is an "ios expert."