Apple
“ The home screen is unfeignedly your own . ”
That ’s the phrase used when Apple introducediOS 18during its Worldwide Developer Conference ( WWDC 2024 ) keynote , and it heralded the end of the days when the figure of Io ’ home screen was rigidly determine .
It ’s topsy-turvyness from this point on and almost anything goes , just like on Android , and I could n’t be more conflicted .
Making iOS more like Android
When rumors spread about more customization for the home screen in iOS , I wrote how Idid not require it to drop off any of its own personalityat the same fourth dimension . I guess it ’s important for the two basal mobile operating system to look unlike and operate reasonably otherwise , too . But Apple ’s rumor choices threatened to bring it far closer to Android than ever before .
Now we ’ve seen the largeness of Apple ’s abandonment of the old mode . With the new software installed , you will be able to pick out the number of app icons on the home screen , place them mostly where you want , and also vary the color and even the ikon itself in Dark Mode . The ignition lock screen has n’t escaped either , as you may exchange out the two antecedently fixed icons for ace of your choosing . The Control Center has gained additional panel , more button , and the opportunity to swipe down through all the one add , much like on the widget screen .
That ’s a circumstances , and it’sveryAndroid - comparable . And I have n’t finish yet . Icons can be resize on the dwelling screen and in the Control Center , plus developer can create their own app control for use in the Center , too . The Photos app has various unexampled features that we ’ve seen in Google Photos for a while , along with aMagic Eraser - like peter to cut images . Apple has also made an iPhone wireless mirroring tool for iOS 18 , a common feature on Android phones . That ’s about all we know for now , but as there are calendar month to gobefore iOS 18 ’s release , more Android - like tools and features may come along .
With great power comes an ugly iPhone
So why am I run afoul when I previously said I hat the estimation of such alteration ? Apple doesa fantastic line of work of deal everything it does , and it certainly did make me want to essay the fresh style on my iPhone . shift the apps I use around , let out more of my wallpaper , and swap the flashlight control on the home screen to another app really appeal to me .
I can also live with the new Control Center , but I in general dislike a host of push button and controls to mess around with , and I always prefer a simpler , focussed choice of controls to be close to hand . I infer I may be in the nonage though , so I ’m still please this is incoming . I also have intercourse that if I do n’t need to swap the home screen around too much , it ’s not a requirement . The freedom to make the home cover search the way you want is a good affair .
Except when it ’s not . Apple took it a step too far with the alternative to interchange the color of the apps on the home screen door to “ match ” or complement the wallpaper . This is the tipping peak between not want to be a designer or understanding how to follow up people of colour schema , and the penury to have some variety of originative talent . Why ? When you use the colouration tool badly , the result can behideous . It ’s the one pecker in Apple ’s customization toolkit that made me cringe . It ’s too powerful for us normals to habituate , and I already previse so many visually unpleasant abode screen create by using it without careful consideration .
Apple knows what I mean
During the presentation , Apple proudly showed off what ’s potential with its new customization tool , and even in the few examples on - screen , the cerise , gloomy , and empurpled selection are utterly awful to look at . They show where originative chasteness will be required to make good usance of this dangerous dick , particularly in the purple one , which is really awful . It ’s also emphasized in a way Apple would not really want it to be , as the “ original ” iOS base screen layout to the right wing look far more legible , more professionally style , and simply much soft on the eye thanallof the others .
We ’ve seen the results of Apple ’s decision to give the masses access to such great power before . Nothing , the technology mark from OnePlus conscientious objector - founder Carl Pei , also embraces full customization , and Nothing OS can begiven a black and white look throughout , while Android as an OS lets you deepen the icon and button colors to ace root on by the wallpaper . unremarkably though , the default options look good .
Do n’t consider me ? Imagine all the other home screens present in Apple ’s example image above with the classic , original color dodging . Each would be infinitely improved by ignoring the itch to mess up around with the colors . Play around with the layout of apps and thingmabob on the iPhone ’s home screen to your heart ’s depicted object — I admit I ’m going to — but only wield the power of the colouring material puppet if you ’re go to take aid . Otherwise , you adventure ruining the look of your iPhone ’s home screen completely .
