design

Mac External Displays for Designers and Developers, Part 2

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Mac external displays for designers and developers have seen little change since 2016. Apple re-entered the display market in 2019 with the costly Pro Display XDR. The LG 5K UltraFine remains a popular option but faces stock issues. The 2022 Studio Display offers a viable alternative, similar in specs to existing high-end displays, although lacking some advanced features. Key factors for choosing a Mac display include pixel density, color space, bit depth, brightness, local dimming, HDR, refresh rate, and color accuracy settings. The article emphasizes the importance of running macOS at optimal pixel density for clarity and details challenges with display scaling. Suitable external displays are mostly high-end, covering wide color gamuts and supporting high bit depth for better color representation.

https://bjango.com/articles/macexternaldisplays2/

Apple Debuts ‘Apple Creator Studio’ Subscription, Here’s What You Get

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Apple launches Apple Creator Studio subscription for $12.99/month, offering apps like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro on Mac/iPad. College students can subscribe for $2.99/month. New features include AI enhancements for all apps, and Pixelmator Pro optimized for iPad with Apple Pencil support. Keynote, Pages, and Numbers introduce a content hub and new image tools, while free versions remain available with updates. Subscription includes a one-month free trial.

https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/13/apple-debuts-apple-creator-studio-subscription-heres-what-you-get/

Does “Luxury Design for the Rest of Us” Even Make Sense?

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Apple's design focus has shifted from catering to the general public to appealing to a luxury market, as criticized following executive changes. Jony Ive's influence led to a minimalist aesthetic that lacks personality, moving away from the vibrant, playful designs of earlier Apple products. The current designs are seen as cold and utilitarian, prioritizing visual appeal over user experience. There’s a call for Apple to return to creating products with character and warmth, embracing color and texture, rather than conforming to a luxury aesthetic.

https://tidbits.com/2026/01/03/does-luxury-design-for-the-rest-of-us-even-make-sense/

It’s Hard to Justify Tahoe Icons

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Apple's macOS Tahoe introduces confusing, cluttered icons that hinder user experience, contradicting the basic principles of icon design. Icons should differentiate functions, maintain consistency, and avoid overwhelming users. Tahoe fails in these areas—overflowing with icons that lack distinction, clarity, and metaphor relevance. The article critiques Apple's icon choices, asserting that design principles dating back to 1992 still apply, highlighting the design's adverse impact on usability in contrast to historical guidelines. Overall, Tahoe represents a poor execution of icon integration in user interfaces.

https://tonsky.me/blog/tahoe-icons/

What Happened to Apple’s Legendary Attention to Detail?

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TL;DR: Apple's recent design choices, especially in iOS 26 and Mac OS 26, reveal a decline in attention to detail and user experience. Issues include intrusive permission popups, inconsistent search bar placements, erratic tab designs, convoluted navigation in apps, and poor visibility in notifications. Overall, the new “liquid glass” aesthetic compromises functionality, accessibility, and performance, leading to growing discontent among users and professionals who once admired the brand.

https://blog.johnozbay.com/what-happened-to-apples-attention-to-detail.html

Jony Ive Still Asks ‘What Would Steve Do?’ Despite Jobs’ Warning

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Jony Ive continues to ask himself “What would Steve do?” despite Steve Jobs advising him not to. In a BBC Radio interview, Ive reflected on their collaboration, acknowledging Jobs' demanding nature but also his strong understanding of design. Ive expressed concern about technology impeding creativity and the rapid development of AI, emphasizing the need for reflection on these changes. Since leaving his role at Apple, Ive has worked as a consultant and is now involved in an AI hardware project with OpenAI’s CEO.

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/24/jony-ive-desert-island-discs-steve-jobs/

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