As an Android user, I find the whole brouhaha over the new IOS look rather ridiculous - because I have no idea what Android stock icons even look like.
I've been using a shell for many years (doesn't matter which - can't even recall name now) which comes with its own icons. So to me this sounds as childish (ie Apple treating its customers as children who can't be trusted with picking their own icons) - as if my laptop had a set of preconfigured directory names and I could not rename them myself.
It's rather telling that all these people take the concept that icons on their pocket computer are G-d given and immutable, like a law of nature and that the most they can do is whine if they don't like them.
That's one of the major (real) differences between the iOS and Android camps... while so much of the divide is just silly, I think it's reasonable to say that Android users more often expect and utilize options regarding how the OS looks and behaves than iOS users, who are used to a stable, familiar, cohesive, consistent experience (as mandated by Apple for iOS developers).
If Google ran its ship the same way with regard to hammering UI guidelines down everyone's throat, this would likely happen there as well. I don't know which is better or worse, but the two are certainly different, and it's either created a divide or pointed out a difference between people who strongly prefer one over the other.
What I find funny is that the people who are writing these articles are advanced users and not some grandmother who needs protection. Ie - if you are either a designer who deeply cares about how your icons look - don't be a sheep and customize your pocket computer the way you want.
Wow. I'm sure there are examples that might prove your point, but those are some of ugliest icons I've ever seen. The second one looks like it's straight from Windows 3.1.
The icon is a perfect representation of the game. I don't have to guess what it might be.
I chose icons I consider good looking. If you think they are ugly, that is a subjective matter. Also keep in mind that they are displayed much smaller on the screen.
The point I was trying to imply is that icons can much better represent their app if they are not forced to abide to a standard of shape or style.
Yeah. Someone in one of the earlier iOS 7 threads was complaining that Android icons didn't have consistent outlines like on iOS, but giving them their own distinctive silhouettes seems to be Android's icon style.
The strong selling point of iOS is consistency and order across all concepts. To me Android is like a mutagenic factory sewage - anything is possible for better of worth.
Well, I don't know about that, but the icons have two purposes:
1. Allow new users to guess at the functionality of apps before tapping them. This is important for first impressions (like trying out the phone at the store before buying it).
2. Allow current users to quickly and reliably navigate to the app they intend to use.
It seems to me that instead of arguing about skeuomorphism, there should just be some good old A/B testing for these two use cases. And whatever wins is best. Maybe Apple has done this, maybe not.
I've been using a shell for many years (doesn't matter which - can't even recall name now) which comes with its own icons. So to me this sounds as childish (ie Apple treating its customers as children who can't be trusted with picking their own icons) - as if my laptop had a set of preconfigured directory names and I could not rename them myself.
It's rather telling that all these people take the concept that icons on their pocket computer are G-d given and immutable, like a law of nature and that the most they can do is whine if they don't like them.