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Topic: Apple

Proof that Apple's main iPad and iPhone interface has barely changed in 20 years (Gallery)

Summary: If you've been wondering why iOS devices have started to seem old and boring, we have proof. The very same design used in iPads and iPhones was used as far back as 1993.

David Gewirtz

By for DIY-IT |

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(Image: Apple)

Today's iPhone 5

There's been a lot of discussion recently about Apple's innovation gap as compared to the other smartphone and tablet makers. Innovation, the story goes, has slowed.

There is no doubt that mobile devices have evolved considerably — especially in terms of hardware capability — over the past few years. The decline of the traditional PC market is a testimony to that fact.

Even so, there's one area — and an important one at that — where Apple barely innovated in almost two decades: The main launcher screen for mobile devices, now found in its iPhone and iPad products.

I know what you're thinking. The iPhone is only six years old. Granted, the little icons on the screen haven't changed much since the original iPhone was launched (for comparison, Microsoft was shipping Windows Vista back them), but, even so, six years isn't 20 years.

Maybe so, but climb onboard for a short tour back in time. When we're done, I think you'll agree that one of the reasons everyone is so incredibly bored with the iPhone and iPad launcher interface is that it's all been done before.

Climb into the DeLorean, get your speed up to 88 miles per hour, and we'll work our way back to a time when Bill Clinton had just become president, Michael Jackson was still in his prime, putting on a record-setting show at Super Bowl XXVII, Jurassic Park and Mrs Doubtfire were tops in the movie charts, Microsoft was selling Windows for Workgroups 3.1, and Mark Zuckerberg was 11.

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Topic: Apple

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120 comments
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  • Nice article Doc Brown

    Good read as always.
    Emacho
    Reply 4 Votes

    • You must have some seriously low standards

      If you consider this a good read. Just another pathetic hack job but what we have grown to expect I guess.
      non-biased
      Reply Vote

  • Wow

    That really put it into perspective just how little the UI has changed over the years.
    icyrock
    Reply 8 Votes

    • Two sides

      The naysayers will claim that this just proves that Apple's much vaunted innovation is so much hot air.

      The fanboys will say this proves that Apple gets things right the first time.

      (The rest of us will just yawn at how boring Apple products are and go back to tinkering with Windows 8, Android, and Gnome derivatives).
      x I'm tc
      Reply 8 Votes

      • Three sides, actually...

        Then there's the third side that calls the other two sides, trolls.

        ~

        Now, back to our regularly scheduled popcorn...
        CaviarGreen
        Reply 5 Votes

        • I doubt he was trolling...

          But it seems it worked none the less. It's okay though. Your iPhone deosn't know that the mean man made fun of it.
          mrefuman
          Reply 1 Vote

          • But I don't own an iPhone

            So the "mean man" can take a flying leap

            lol...
            CaviarGreen
            Reply 5 Votes

          • @x I'm tc...

            I think you nailed the argument right on. It seems that whilst all us boring Apple types and iSheep, run round doing something useful with our equally non-descript boring kit, you and all your Fandroids minions will be out there tinkerng with the OS, claiming all the time how open and free you feel.

            So apparently according to you, this is all you ever do with your piece of kit that gives you so much freedom - Tinker, Tinker, Tinker, sideload, Tinker, Tinker, Tinker, Root, then start it all again.
            Robert-Dowell
            Reply 4 Votes

          • Well said!

            I'll take my boring iPhone over having to constantly tinker and reboot my Android phone.
            athynz
            Reply 3 Votes

      • Yes and no

        It also proves that Apple did not copy anyone else with iOS as some of the more rabid Android fanbois are claiming.
        athynz
        Reply Vote

      • NO "FANBOY"

        If only computers would become expensive again and harder to use, so that people like you who buy computers, but expect kitchen appliances, would go away.

        I'm not a "fanboy". I like computers. I want a computer. W8 was the final insult from Microsoft, so I bought a Mac. Thank God I did! I have a computer again.
        Mike00000
        Reply Vote

      • Windows 8 Changed

        Why didn't ZD Net run articles like this when Windows 7 was approaching the 30 year mark of having the same basic layout, Then came Windows 8, Instead of 90 to 100% of the people liking the basic concept of the UI, Now it's maybe 50/50.
        I'm all for trying new things, And I probably do more than most readers here, But, when its change just for the sake of changing, That's stupid. Look at the lack of Windows 8 lack success. He'll we should be cheering Apple on for keeping what we like, not what marketing likes.
        mikeserena
        Reply Vote

    • Moral

      The moral of the story is: you can only arrange a grid of little squares in so many different ways.
      Mike00000
      Reply Vote

  • So?

    "That really put it into perspective just how little the UI has changed over the years."

    Different is not better, better is better. I see nothing better in Windows 8, just a whole lot of time wasting different.

    Once an interface is widespread and nearly everyone knows how to use it, changing it is an uphill battle unless the "better" is really obvious.

    Consider the keyboard, intentionally designed to slow down typing to match the slow mechanics of the original machines, but "better" layouts have gone nowhere.
    wally_333
    Reply 6 Votes

    • Wow

      "Different is not better, better is better. I see nothing better in Windows 8, just a whole lot of time wasting different."

      Wow.. you seem to take Apple's lack of innovation personally.

      Different may not be better. Personally, I don't think Windows 8's UI belongs on a desktop, at least not in it's current form. But at least they're trying something you know... "different".
      Badgered
      Reply 3 Votes

      • "Trying?"??? So what?

        You admit W8 is not appropriate for the desktop, and then say "But at least they're trying"... Say what??? Who CARES if they are "trying"? Is MS your BFF or something?

        Unlike Kindergarten, "Trying" and "Succeeding" are NOT the same thing. This is the Real World. Businesses like Microsoft are not Charities that are rewarded just for "trying" when that effort is not successful.

        I'm not Microsoft's Mom... I'm not going to pat them on the head and give them my cash just because they "tried".
        SbySW
        Reply 4 Votes

        • Trying...

          "You admit W8 is not appropriate for the desktop..."

          Maybe that't the reason W8 still have the desktop available.

          "Unlike Kindergarten, "Trying" and "Succeeding" are NOT the same thing."

          But if you don't try, you are not going to succeed. Based in you post, anyone trying something new is not allowed to make mistakes or have to change to make a better product. Based on that, applications like, for example, OpenOffice/LibreOffice or iWorks, that don't have the level of polish and features of MS Office shouldn't exist or are a complete failure. Or maybe Android was a failure, since iOS was ahead.

          I agree that W8 needs to get better, as every human made software. But to say that "trying" is a bad thing, IMO, is closing opportunities to technology growth. At least companies like MS and Google don't agree with you and keep releasing new products.
          dvm
          Reply 2 Votes

        • See now your just telling porky pies!

          A lot of early Windows 8 adopters downloaded the RC and equivalent Win 8 programs and tried them first (well at least I did). Tried it for 5 months or so before ir was release to the public, then and only then I bought it because I liked it.

          Oh and I use it on Desktop, Laptop (both none touch) and a slate. No problems with any of them and rather than getting less out of my desktop I now get more from it because ALL my Win 7 programs and peripherals just work. So I've got all my old programs and games that work as well as the Win 8 apps. I particularly like Star Chart (which as an early adopter I got for free, now you have to pay for it) So now I've got more to do with my PC with Windows 8.
          martin_js
          Reply Vote

          • Which has nothing to do with the "innovative" interface does it

            So you get more because you can also run Windows 8 apps. Guess what, if they had released Windows 8 with Apps yet it looked and felt just like Windows 7 you could say they same thing so what is your point?
            non-biased
            Reply Vote

      • A good interface does not need to change

        The basis of the original Mac GUI, which Microsoft copied in Windows, has lasted for nearly thirty years with only a little tinkering. Win 8 is not an improvement, just flashier for the kids. I guess Gerwitz is younger than he looks.

        Microsoft has tried two innovations since the first Windows and Office. There was the Ribbon and now Win8. Change for change's sake may catch the eye, but it does not make usability any better.
        jorjitop
        Reply 1 Vote
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