Apple is famous for its design sense, having produced a bewildering array of gorgeous gadgets over the years. But perhaps no device has embodied that sense as truly as the Power Mac G4 Cube, a sleek block of aluminum and plastic that turned heads and wowed onlookers when it launched in July 2000.
Unfortunately, it was also a commercial flop, lasting just one year until it was discontinued forever. Steve Jobs later admitted that it was overdesigned and overpriced, and while it stands a perhaps the purest expression of Apple’s design sensibilities, it’s also a cautionary tale of what can go wrong in the world of computer design.
When Apple themselves have not yet reasonably prescribed what standard UI elements look like in this new design system, how can any developer responsibly implement them in good conscience? Isn’t there something about this that just reeks? Adopting a standard control means it can change without your involvement. This has always been true to some extent, but the stink of it keeps getting worse as trust in the company’s vision erodes over time, right?
Another reason that the industry is showing signs of reluctance is because Alan Dye did not prove he understood the platform, any platform, before he assumed the role of its lead designer. He’s not just a newcomer to these platforms, but to software design as a whole. He never had any experience creating anything for Apple platforms before he was entrusted with this position. That’s crazy.
To be a leader at a company, one merely needs the job title. But to be a leader in an industry, you must earn its respect. Steve Jobs earned that respect. Many developers had little issue with following his vision. To a large extent, Jony Ive earned that respect, too. I don’t see that ever happening with Alan Dye, however.
It’s expensive, but Cyberpunk 2077 creates an atmospheric and exciting futuristic world for you to explore. Whether you’re hanging out with Keanu Reeves, tackling side quests, or collecting fancy cars, there are all sorts of activities to keep you busy. The varied skills and abilities you can learn will keep even die-hard RPG fans busy for weeks – and there’s not a dragon in sight.
In the age of near-sweeps, this trend has become a norm. And as a pundit who’s covered the Emmys for years, I’ll admit: it’s getting harder not to expect it. But should it be this way?
If past is prologue, Apple TV+’s cerebral drama “Severance,” the high-concept satire “The Studio,” and the gritty British crime miniseries “Adolescence” are poised to be the next major sweepers.
Plenty of great apps have been created using the Mac’s scripting languages, but commercial developers have largely relied on compiled languages used and supported by Apple for app and system development. Over the years those have included Object Pascal, C/C++, Objective-C and most recently Swift. This article provides a brief overview of how those changed.
The G4 Cube remains the best-looking Mac computer ever. I wanted it, but I didn't need it, and I definitely didn't have the spare money for it. It may be fortunate, because best-looking doesn't mean much for a computer.
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