Archive for the ‘Opinion’ Category
Zune vs. iTunes
Are we similar in our honest assessment that, by default, we think Apple outdoes Microsoft for design?
My expectations were recently changed.
I was blown away the other day when I had my first introduction to Zune’s approach. They’ve busted out of the old SW windows look by pushing graphics to the bleed, intergrating motion UI and providing a truly immersive experience in music and artist discovery. If you’ve not tried Zune’s “Marketplace” software (parrallel function to Apple’s iTunes), then you’d do yourself a favor by checking it out.
So, I was reading an article at Spoonfed Design about the superiority of Apple’s usablity. Honing in on point #2, “Clean and Flowing Grid-Based Layout”, quoting the article, “Any website (or any design layout for that matter) starts out as a simple grid. Grids are the foundation to any layout and the content is built upon that grid. Apple uses very clean and well-spaced grids on each page, which makes for a very pleasing experience.” This isn’t wholly inaccurate but it sure doesn’t encompass all great design!
I was left feeling a bummed I’d taken a bite from the forbidden fruit and was left stuck with an outdated interface framed in archaic sw look and feel. Anyone remember the old bumper sticker reading “Windows 95 = Macintosh 89″. Now the tables have turned.
