14 DAY TRIAL // If you’ve been living under a rock for the past few days, then you most likely need to know that Apple has launched the new iOS 7, a major redesign of its mobile OS that adopts a flat look, pretty much in the same way as Windows 8.
While everybody seems to be going for flat designs these days, Microsoft seems to be the company that actually started this craze with the redesigned interface of Windows 8, based on tiles and specifically optimized for the touch.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Apple has not only copied this flat concept, but also the official name of the project.
It appears that Apple has internally called the iOS 7 redesign a “Modern UI,” which is actually the official name used by Microsoft to describe its new OS. Previously-called Metro, the new look of Windows 8 has often been described confusing and difficult to get used to, especially because it lacks the traditional elements of a Windows computer.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, WSJ writes that Apple presenters have been told not to call the iOS redesign a “Modern UI” in public, just to make sure that Microsoft and its fanboys won’t start poking fun at it.
And still, here’s how Apple describes the new design of iOS:
“Nothing we’ve ever created has been designed just to look beautiful. That’s approaching the opportunity from the wrong end. Instead, as we reconsidered iOS, our purpose was to create an experience that was simpler, more useful, and more enjoyable — while building on the things people love about iOS. Ultimately, redesigning the way it works led us to redesign the way it looks. Because good design is design that’s in service of the experience.”
The built-in live tiles will support new sizes, the Start screen will come with new colors and backgrounds, while the built-in Control Panel will provide easier access to configuration settings concerning users, the lock screen, and the other available features.
“You know good design when you use it,” Apple said, while pointing at its new “Modern UI.” Does this mean that Windows 8 is actually a good product?
