Fast Company:

Once upon a time, Apple was known for its ease of use, for computers and applications that were understandable, powerful, and could be used without reference to any manuals. All the operations were discoverable (the power of menus), all could be undone or redone, and there was considerable feedback so you always knew what had just taken place.

However, when Apple moved to gestural-based interfaces with the first iPhone, followed by its tablets, it deliberately and consciously threw out many of the key Apple principles. No more discoverability, no more recoverability, just the barest remnants of feedback.

Why? Not because this was to be a gestural interface, but because Apple simultaneously made a radical move toward visual simplicity and elegance at the expense of learnability, usability, and productivity. They began shipping systems that people have difficulty learning and using, getting away with it because people don’t recognize such problems until it is too late, and money has already changed hands. Even then, people tend to blame themselves for the shortcomings of their devices: “If I weren’t so stupid . . . !”

While I wouldn’t personally paint so broad a brush, this (long) article by a former Apple Human Interface Guideline guru does make some good points and should be read, particularly by those in charge at Apple. I know I’ve often had more trouble than I expect trying to assist new iOS and Mac users in “figuring out” the interface. Maybe I’m (we) are just getting older but it seems as if the User Interface, while more powerful, is much more confusing, especially for people new to the paradigms. I’m not saying we need to go back to OS 7 but a greater focus on the issues Tog brings up might alleviate that “If I weren’t so stupid . . . !” attitude I hear from far too many users.