I dunno, it sort of reminds me of the Beatles (another Jobs favorite). John being serious and political, Paul being silly and saccharine. The combination was part of the magic, and everyone had their favorite. I think if you fully digitalized the software, the overall package would be too severe. If you made the hardware whimsical, it would be sickening.
Part of it is that the hardware is a fixed thing. You have it or you don't, and its job is to contain the software. With the software there is a lot more freedom of expression because there is choice. Apple should take that further and let people swap out the official apps.
Nokia's phones show some signs of whimsy. I think you are right about the severity of all tech design, but I'm not convinced hardware can't be whimsical.
Oh, I'm not either. But you'll note that Nokia runs Windows and Symbian, which are pretty much both all-business. They also carry a lot more models, which broadens the scope for the hardware.
Comments
I dunno, it sort of reminds me of the Beatles (another Jobs favorite). John being serious and political, Paul being silly and saccharine. The combination was part of the magic, and everyone had their favorite. I think if you fully digitalized the software, the overall package would be too severe. If you made the hardware whimsical, it would be sickening.
Part of it is that the hardware is a fixed thing. You have it or you don't, and its job is to contain the software. With the software there is a lot more freedom of expression because there is choice. Apple should take that further and let people swap out the official apps.
Nokia's phones show some signs of whimsy. I think you are right about the severity of all tech design, but I'm not convinced hardware can't be whimsical.
Oh, I'm not either. But you'll note that Nokia runs Windows and Symbian, which are pretty much both all-business. They also carry a lot more models, which broadens the scope for the hardware.
What makes you think Windows is all business? In fact it's the most social phone out there.
UI-wise. "Authentically digital" -- lots of rectangles and inorganic colors, no hint of skeuomorphism.