If you’ve used an iPhone for a long time, as millions of us have, it’s only natural that you’ll develop some muscle memory habits somewhere down the line. After years of using social media, you don’t even have to think twice when finding your YouTube, Instagram or LinkedIn apps. It is completely ingrained. Maybe that’s why so many of us spend our time mindlessly scrolling before we remember that we’re probably going to be working on that all-important project.
The same could be said for Apple’s user interface. We are all familiar with the iPhone’s i-call Interface. It’s been the same way ever since 2007. No one ever complained, and we all appreciate being able to hang up on a sales call in record time without looking at the screen twice. If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
Apple’s current call screen Interface (left) compared to the new Interface in iOS17 (on the right). Credit: Apple
So, the question begs. Why, oh why, that Apple has decided to change the position ‘end call button’ in iOS 17? The big red button was previously front and center – easy to see, impossible to miss.
Now, it sits neatly at the bottom right of the screen. That may seem inconclusive, but since we’ve all been ending a call the same way for the better part of sixteen years, this change could take some getting used to.
And the kick? Get it wrong, and you’ll accidentally Facetime the person you were just trying to hang up on. Amazing!
Unfortunately, this tiny change is overshadowing some of the most exciting features of iOS17, such as real-time audio message transcription and the ability to record video or audio messages when someone misses your FaceTime call. Ah, well. We will probably forget all this once our brains get used to the change.
What is the first rule of design? Objective. If you are going to change something, there must be a reason to do so. Unless I’m missing an ingenious motive behind Apple’s changes, this seems completely unnecessary. Maybe Apple knows something we don’t. The storyteller likes the weather. Maybe they are all playing chess while we are playing checkers.
Mr Walton
Max was born in Cardiff, Wales, and Max moved to Brisbane when he was 12. He has spent the last five years developing expertise in the Fintech industry. When he’s not posting about Web3you will find it on a paddleboard.
