As title states, do you like recent changes in MacOS that make it visually more unified across the ecosystem or you prefer separate design languages for each OS?
I prefer a consistent design system because it makes continued development much easier.
I don’t think it’s really that “iOS”-Ified
Yes there are some similarities, but I think that’s fine. Makes sense that all their products are alike.
iOSification can come in two forms: aesthetic and functional. The aesthetic changes don’t worry me in the least. It’s the possibility of the eventual removal of macOS features that set it apart from iOS that would be concerning.
The new iOS inspired settings app is horrible. I also don’t use Notification Center and Siri on Mac and other stuff like Game Center
Genuinely asking: What don’t you like about the new macOS settings app?
What would be better is to have the old macOS settings layout apply to landscape and big screens (also for iPad) and the list like settings menu for portrait form factors. Responsive design to be brief.
I actually like the new settings. Things are categories and easier to look for (like a tree view). It’s now on par with Gnome settings which I believe also moved from UI similar to previous Mac settings.
I think it’s a terrible idea and will turn general purpose computing into walled gardens that will kill macs in the long run.
But seriously I think some of the “unification” of the UI is going in the wrong direction. Different devices need different interfaces because they are used for different things. Some of the recent design changes for MacOS have simplified the experience at the expense of functionality and I’m not a big fan.
A good example for me is stage manager. I think as an idea it works for an iPad but is confusing as fuck on my Mac pro. I have two 43 monitors so I don’t lack for screen real estate. Plus the implementation is just wonky trying to figure out how the app groupings work on two monitors. I just don’t like it at all. I understand it’s optional but at some point it may not be.
Another example is Settings. The new interface looks very IOS-like but some functionality was just removed, like network locations …yes I know it sorta came back in 13.2.1, but why did it go away in the first place. I suspect it was either overlooked or they added it back when people complained, likely the latter especially since a very prominent functionality is now hidden under “…” now.
Long story short, stop dumbing down my machine to help me. I’ve been using these machines for a very long time and I sometimes know what I’m doing 😀
I love it. The fact that I can run iPad apps on desktop is reason enough. The continuity features are also great.
Aesthetically I have no issues with it. But there’s something so different about the Mac and iOS devices for me. My phone and iPad feel like personal devices, almost like a diary. The Mac feels like an appliance. I never open the photos app on my Mac, or Apple TV, or Maps. Maybe making MacOS more like iOS will change my behavior to treat my Mac like an iPhone, but for now they feel separate.
Apple has added a lot of stuff from iOS over the years (and vice versa).
Some I like, some I don’t.
So far they’ve never taken away something I like about macOS, so as long as that’s the case I’m happy.
iTunes…
I mean they had a real nice set of server stuff they got rid of but I don’t think that had anything to do with iosification. Still its to bad the abandoned the server software and hardware.
never taken away something I like about macOS
Ahem, the (original) system preferences menu.
The only thing I really don’t like is the Mac getting iPad apps via Catalyst. I get Apple had to dog food their new developer platform, but I expect more from a 1st part app than a dumbed down tablet app.
Apple kept macOS and iPadOS distinct for a reason. One is designed for a mouse and keyboard, while the other is designed for touch. I don’t know why they wouldn’t keep that distinction in their 1st party apps. It just encourages other developers to do the same, which means fewer real apps designed for macOS.
I can see why some people don’t like the new Settings. It’s easier if you use the search function. Even before the change I was using search. There’s just so many of them…
A nice update would be allowing you to rearrange the order and have favourites.
I don’t even like the iOsification of iOs. Its just…boring.
Not a fan. I want macOS to look and work like macOS (a pointer/keyb-first OS) not iPadOS (a touch-first OS).
It started on 10.7 and I didn’t like it then nor do I now.
Windows has tried it(Windows 8 Metro), Canonical tried it(with Unity and Ubuntu Touch). Both failed.
Gl to Apple.
Fun fact: ubuntu touch is still developed, just not be canonical, you can install it on your phone today, if it’s supported
Yeah, my comment is kind of misleading. It IS being developed, but not by canonical. Oh and your phone doesn’t have to be supported, there are unofficial roms which I even installed on my tablet once.
Bringing the benefits over is great.
It’s mildly a hassle to do file management and some command line stuff, and I don’t like that, but I don’t think those are really recent changes.