I took a visit again to iOS 6 to arrange for WWDC. Here is what I realized

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 when it comes to 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 loads to love and dislike, and even in any case these years, I nonetheless miss features 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 are able to be taught in regards to the subsequent dramatic shift.

Again to iOS 6: A special world

iOS 6 was introduced in 2011, and though it wasn’t an enormous replace in comparison with the one that might comply with, it was nonetheless fairly controversial on the time. Most notably, Apple changed Google Maps with its personal Maps app with iOS 6, which introduced vital interface modifications, together with lacking options and a few main points with areas.

After all, iOS 6 is not supported by Apple, and there’s no official approach to run it on iPhones and iPads. Nonetheless, in the event you nonetheless have an outdated system that was as soon as appropriate with iOS 6, you possibly can downgrade your iPhone or iPad (though there are a lot of issues that not work on this model, together with the aforementioned Maps).

With that in thoughts, my journey revisiting iOS 6 began with seeing the outdated Apple emblem with a mirrored image impact on boot, adopted by the outdated Setup display. That alone introduced again a variety of good recollections. It’s exhausting to overlook the linen-inspired background that was current in Setup, Notification Middle, and even Siri.

Whereas iOS 7 and the variations that got here after centered on making every little thing overly minimalist and trendy, the outdated iOS interface was way more detailed with fake textures that resembled real-life objects (referred to as skeuomorphism): leather-based, wooden, linen, and many others.

After all, 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 approach to make first-time iPhone customers aware of multi-touch gestures. There was additionally a sound impact of a padlock being unlocked.

However essentially the most outstanding function of iOS 6 is the very first thing you see while you unlock your iPhone: the House Display screen. The 3D design of the icons pops out of the display while you see them on a tool with a Retina show. This, mixed with the bolder textual content, gives the look that you simply’re taking a look at a printed web page quite than pixels on a display. Even the wallpapers, particularly the water droplets, had been visually engaging.

The icons had way more persona, too. The Digital camera app icon resembled the rear sensor of the primary iPhone quite than a generic digital camera, 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. In case you created a brand new word, you’d see an animation as in the event you had turned a web page on a real-life pocket book.

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 big steel microphone and a VU meter that reacts while 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 mild 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 every little thing felt extra enjoyable and alive.

iOS 7 arrived in 2013, marking the primary main iOS redesign. Skeuomorphism gave approach to an easier interface with strong 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 stunning 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 the place you write textual content, and the identical utilized to the overwhelming majority of iPhone and iPad apps.

We additionally misplaced most of the skeuomorphic animations that, whereas not mandatory, 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.

Foundry

Personally, I consider that iOS 7 marked the start of a brand new period for Apple. It set out a contemporary aesthetic that might be adopted not solely by Apple in its forthcoming merchandise, but in addition by different firms. 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 have 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 can be as vital as iOS 7 was, seeing iOS 6 once more made me notice that Apple can be taught just a few issues from its previous.

iOS 6’s skeuomorphic interface may not slot in with present requirements, however I’d like to see some features 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 great distance towards making iOS extra enjoyable and distinctive once more.

Foundry

Apparently, Apple appears to be flirting with depth and realism once more — simply have a look at macOS Massive Sur icons or the translucent glass results in visionOS. Bringing again extra shadows and depth all through the system wouldn’t damage, particularly relating to icons. I really like Mac app icons as a result of they’ve a pleasant stability of contemporary and skeuomorphic.

And please, Apple. Give us some cool wallpapers once more.

Might Apple shock us by wanting again to maneuver ahead? Again when Apple launched iOS 7, it was about pushing the iPhone into a contemporary period that might final for greater than a decade. This yr’s change is reportedly about consistency, and reviews say the brand new design will prolong to all gadgets, not simply the iPhone. With that in thoughts, Apple has a possibility to set a brand new path, not simply iOS, however for all of its OSes, that fuses type with performance—and a bit enjoyable.