The part that I am so tired of is the ‘we are the best at this and this is amazing’ pitch that comes with every release. Never mind that this release’s design ‘language’ DIRECTLY conflicts with things they used to say ‘never do that’.

So what changed exactly? Change is understandable but this is a full 180. - floating anything was verboten - accessibility was paramount - clarity was prioritized

How did this release come about??

New people in design roles that no longer care about old rules.

Declining institutional taste and no one at the helm who appreciates or enforces old rules when necessary.

Isn't that just how Apple has always operated?

2004: You don't need an iPod that plays videos. 2005: Here's an iPod that plays videos.