We’re simply weeks from the following WWDC, the place Apple will announce the following model of iOS. In keeping with rumors, iOS 19 would be the largest change since iOS 7 by way of design, this time that includes a brand new interface reportedly impressed by visionOS.
I nonetheless bear in mind the sensation of utilizing iOS 7 for the primary time on my iPhone 5, and it was like I used to be utilizing a very completely different cellphone. There was rather a lot to love and dislike, and even in any case these years, I nonetheless miss elements of iOS 6. With that in thoughts, I made a decision to revisit iOS 6 to see how a lot had modified from one model to the following—and what we will be taught in regards to the subsequent dramatic shift.
Again to iOS 6: A unique world
iOS 6 was introduced in 2011, and though it wasn’t an enormous replace in comparison with the one that may observe, it was nonetheless fairly controversial on the time. Most notably, Apple changed Google Maps with its personal Maps app with iOS 6, which introduced important interface adjustments, together with lacking options and a few main points with places.
In fact, iOS 6 is now not supported by Apple, and there’s no official technique to run it on iPhones and iPads. Nevertheless, if you happen to nonetheless have an outdated gadget that was as soon as appropriate with iOS 6, you’ll be able to downgrade your iPhone or iPad (though there are numerous issues that now not work on this model, together with the aforementioned Maps).
iOS 6 was a less complicated time—with slide to unlock.
Foundry
With that in thoughts, my journey revisiting iOS 6 began with seeing the outdated Apple emblem with a mirrored image impact on boot, adopted by the outdated Setup display screen. That alone introduced again lots of good recollections. It’s exhausting to overlook the linen-inspired background that was current in Setup, Notification Heart, and even Siri.
Whereas iOS 7 and the variations that got here after targeted on making the whole lot overly minimalist and trendy, the outdated iOS interface was rather more detailed with fake textures that resembled real-life objects (often called skeuomorphism): leather-based, wooden, linen, and so on.
In fact, the Lock Display screen had no widgets or animated wallpapers, and Face ID wasn’t a factor. As a substitute, customers needed to “Slide to Unlock,” a enjoyable technique to make first-time iPhone customers acquainted with multi-touch gestures. There was additionally a sound impact of a padlock being unlocked.
However essentially the most outstanding characteristic of iOS 6 is the very first thing you see whenever you unlock your iPhone: the House Display screen. The 3D design of the icons pops out of the display screen whenever you see them on a tool with a Retina show. This, mixed with the bolder textual content, gives the look that you simply’re a printed web page slightly than pixels on a display screen. Even the wallpapers, particularly the water droplets, had been visually attractive.
The icons had rather more persona, too. The Digicam app icon resembled the rear sensor of the primary iPhone slightly than a generic digicam, whereas apps like Passbook (former Pockets) and Contacts had a pleasant leather-based texture. This persona was additionally carried into every app’s interface as nicely.
The Notes app seemed like a real-life notepad with yellow paper pages, and there’s a pleasant delicate element on the prime to simulate torn pages. Particular consideration was additionally paid to the system’s animations. If you happen to created a brand new notice, you’d see an animation as if you happen to had turned a web page on a real-life pocket book.
iOS 6’s skeuomorphism was a nod to the real-world gadgets it was mimicking.
Foundry
In Passbook, there was a formidable animation for deleting tickets, which simulated paper being shredded. Voice Memos additionally seemed cool on iOS 6, with the massive steel microphone and a VU meter that reacts whenever you communicate or faucet the microphone. The quantity indicator shines as you progress the iPhone in your hand.
After which there’s Siri. This was my favourite model of the Siri interface, principally due to its shiny microphone button with the glowing purple gentle that pulsed as you spoke. It felt so futuristic but actual, such as you had been really interacting with a bodily object.
iOS 6 was the end result of 5 years of Apple interface design and the whole lot felt extra enjoyable and alive.
iOS 7 arrived in 2013, marking the primary main iOS redesign. Skeuomorphism gave technique to a less complicated interface with stable backgrounds and no textures. Stylized buttons had been changed by textual content, and fantastically designed icons had been changed by flat shapes.
iOS 7: Fashionable however boring
It was a dramatic, even surprising change. On the one hand, iOS 7 seemed much more trendy than iOS 6. However however, enjoyable interface components additionally grew to become extra boring. In iOS 7, the Notes app was only a white display screen the place you write textual content, and the identical utilized to the overwhelming majority of iPhone and iPad apps.
We additionally misplaced lots of the skeuomorphic animations that, whereas not needed, had been a pleasant contact and at all times introduced a smile to my face each time I noticed them. With the change, iOS misplaced its persona and character.
iOS 7 eliminated a lot of a originality of iOS.
Foundry
Personally, I imagine that iOS 7 marked the start of a brand new period for Apple. It set out a contemporary aesthetic that may be adopted not solely by Apple in its forthcoming merchandise, but additionally by different corporations. Are you able to think about a product just like the Apple Watch operating one thing like iOS 6?
However on the similar time, the persona that iOS had pale over time because the interface grew to become flatter and, nicely, duller.
iOS 19: Classes from the previous
Now that I’ve returned to iOS 18, it’s exhausting not to take a look at Apple’s present OS with out pondering of the rumored redesign. Though it’s unclear whether or not the iOS 19 redesign might be as important as iOS 7 was, seeing iOS 6 once more made me understand that Apple can be taught a number of issues from its previous.
iOS 6’s skeuomorphic interface may not slot in with present requirements, however I’d like to see some elements of skeuomorphism make a comeback on iOS. Issues just like the reflection impact that strikes as you tilt your cellphone, and enjoyable animations would undoubtedly go a good distance towards making iOS extra enjoyable and distinctive once more.
Siri has gone by means of quite a few adjustments over time—will iOS 19 carry one other one?
Foundry
Curiously, Apple appears to be flirting with depth and realism once more — simply have a look at macOS Large Sur icons or the translucent glass results in visionOS. Bringing again extra shadows and depth all through the system wouldn’t harm, particularly in relation to icons. I like Mac app icons as a result of they’ve a pleasant steadiness of contemporary and skeuomorphic.
And please, Apple. Give us some cool wallpapers once more.
Might Apple shock us by trying again to maneuver ahead? Again when Apple launched iOS 7, it was about pushing the iPhone into a contemporary period that may final for greater than a decade. This yr’s change is reportedly about consistency, and experiences say the brand new design will prolong to all gadgets, not simply the iPhone. With that in thoughts, Apple has a chance to set a brand new path, not simply iOS, however for all of its OSes, that fuses type with performance—and a bit enjoyable.
