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Redesign, for real
Apple's operating systems are getting a huge overhaul, for real this time.
Leander Kahney
March 11, 2025
Remember the chorus of hatred when Jony Ive redesigned iOS 7?
Back in 2013, after Ive was put in charge of both hardware and software design, he ditched the skeuomorphism of the previous era in favor of a flatter, plainer look for iOS.
He made it as minimalist as possible, and it triggered a huge outcry from some users. They complained that the new look was either plain and boring or induced motion sickness with some of its animated transition effects.
No one seemed happy, but nonetheless, iOS 7 became Apple’s fastest update in history. Users installed it on 35% of eligible devices in just a day — and on more than 200 million devices in less than a week.
So just wait until this summer, when Apple reportedly plans to radically redesign not just iOS, but all its operating systems, in the biggest overhaul since iOS 7.
Of course, we’ve heard this before. Massive changes are rumored every year, but apparently, it’s real this time.
And the upcoming redesign might be hiding in plain sight. Some of Apple’s latest apps might hint at what the new design language will look like. Apparently, it’s based on a failed headset — imagine the uproar coming later this year when we get a first look.
Also in today’s newsletter:
The first reviews of the new M4 MacBook Air and Mac Studio are in, finding the Air is amazing value (duh!) and the Studio is screaming fast.
Cult of Mac writer Ed Hardy is a huge fan of Samsung’s T9 external SSD storage drives, which, would you believe, are on sale right now.
I’m a bit shook. I’m no fan of King Charles III, but I really do like a lot of the songs on his favorites playlist, many of which I’d never heard before. After Chucky’s playlist was published yesterday, we linked up all the songs to online previews — check them out yourself.
The robots are coming — for your pets! This new petcam is disguised as a cute, playful robot to keep Fluffy amused while you’re away.
For anyone born in the ’90s, Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 is an absolute classic — it will roll into Apple Arcade next month.
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team
Tweets of the day
Air的散热 自从M Silicon诞生以来 都用的是被动散热 M2开始用的是新的ID设计 内部散热是和主板屏蔽罩一体的 一整块金属＋石墨散热片＋硅脂 绝大部分场景下使用 是完全足够了的 毕竟M系列芯片的机器 风扇基本上不怎么转都
— 有没有搞措 (@L0vetodream)
6:30 PM • Mar 11, 2025
So I had to check the Mac Studio, my M3 Ultra unit was manufactured in Vietnam!
— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach)
1:06 PM • Mar 11, 2025
iPhone 17 Air - First Look at How Thin It May be, thanks to the Tecno Spark Slim!
#iPhone17Air#TecnoSparkSlim@tecnomobile
— Daniel (@ZONEofTECH)
8:03 PM • Mar 10, 2025
Volkswagen brings back buttons instead of touch screen on the steering wheel.
“It’s not a phone, it’s a car”
- Volkswagen Head of Design— sid (@immasiddx)
4:28 AM • Mar 10, 2025
if you don't care about gaming, the m4 macbook air is THE definitive laptop to buy. not even saying this as an apple shill, unless you're a gamer it doesn't get any better than this
$999 for m4 and 16gb of ram. this laptop will last you more than 6 years.
— big man sakana 🐟 (@sqkanaa)
6:10 PM • Mar 9, 2025
Wallpaper of the day
Good morning everyone!
New deer wallpaper:— Yatimori (@Yatimori)
3:25 AM • Mar 11, 2025
One more thing ...
We have an environment where excellence is really expected. What's really great is to be open when [the work] is not great. My best contribution is not settling for anything but really good stuff, in all the details. That's my job -- to make sure everything is great.
Today’s poll
Were you a fan of the big iOS 7 redesign back in 2013? |
Results from yesterday’s poll: Closed-back headphones or open?
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