Do you bear in mind the times when new iOS variations may introduce main redesigns? iOS 7, I’m taking a look at you. Regardless of annual whispers predicting one other massive iOS revamp, I really feel very assured in saying these days are over. And one latest app debacle exhibits why.
Sonos redesign debacle is a cautionary story
Sonos, in case you haven’t been paying consideration, has had a really unhealthy go of it currently.
The corporate just lately changed its CEO following months of tried fixes for its massive 2024 mistake: launching a significant app redesign.
The brand new Sonos app debuted in April, setting off a large wave of buyer complaints and unhealthy press for the corporate that lasted the whole 12 months.
It’s an ideal case examine for why Apple’s days of main iOS revamps are over.
If the brand new Sonos app had launched within the early period of the corporate, I really feel fairly assured that it will have been nice.
Which means, even when it had the identical points, the small, fanatic person base would have both tailored, or Sonos would have shipped the fixes and it wouldn’t have been such a debacle.
The story is comparable with iOS.
iPhone’s success has made massive change particularly dangerous
Again when the iPhone was nonetheless on the ascent, Apple was capable of ‘get away with’ main redesigns as a result of its person base was a lot smaller and extra tech-forward.
Nowadays, society relies upon a lot on the iPhone. Lots of of tens of millions of customers—with various tech competencies—all depend upon it.
If Apple made sweeping modifications to how iOS appears to be like and works, there’s a powerful likelihood the backlash can be crippling.
Even when the redesign had been seen by many as a constructive change, Apple’s person base is so huge, there’s nearly assured to be loud opposition.
The answer isn’t to let iOS get stagnant, and Apple is aware of that.
As an alternative, Apple’s apply has been to make any vital iPhone modifications on an app-by-app foundation.
For instance, iOS 18’s Photographs app modifications prompted loads of controversy, prompting fixes in subsequent software program updates. Nevertheless it was only one app, so the impression was restricted.
Revamping the entire of iOS? That may be an enormous threat for Apple.
As enjoyable because the considered an iOS 7-style main revamp sounds to me (and perhaps you), most iPhone customers who aren’t as longing for change may see it as a nightmare.
The Sonos debacle is a good cautionary story for Apple and every other main tech participant with a big, established person base.
It additionally means we’d simply want to simply accept smaller, iterative iOS design refreshes.
Do you assume Apple ought to absolutely redesign iOS? Why or why not? Tell us within the feedback.
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