I find it irresistible when Apple steals from itself. To begin with, it simply is smart. Its designs are normally fairly good.
Simply ask Samsung (zing).
Second, it offers its merchandise a way of cohesion and infrequently a way of historical past. Choose up the Apple TV distant and you may see the unique iPod Shuffle. Not all of the design homages are really easy to make out. Apple’s lately up to date Macs made me take into consideration how the corporate likes to recycle not simply supplies from its merchandise however the way in which they appear.
Mac throwbacks
The iMac is basically an up to date model of the traditional Mac: an all-in-one design for the common consumer. The explanation the traditional Mac type issue had substantial depth was principally to accommodate a CRT. Certainly, the primary iMacs took on a tapered form as a result of the CRT was the primary constraint as the opposite elements acquired smaller however the display acquired greater. Nonetheless, the form of the traditional Mac and the present iMac is mainly a display set within the higher a part of a rectangle. It’s not difficult, however Apple has been one of many few firms to make an all-in-one type issue for many years that could be a actual banger of a pc in each efficiency and aesthetics. Say what you need to in regards to the boring form of those iMacs, at the least they arrive in precise colours, identical to the unique iMacs did.
With the iMac, Apple is the one firm that has made an all-in-one desktop laptop that’s not simply profitable, but additionally iconic.
Foundry
Apple additionally up to date the Mac mini, making the mini-est mini ever. These 2024 Mac minis had been rumored to look extra like an Apple TV, however it actually appears to be like extra like a diminutive Mac Studio, which is extra what it’s. The Mac mini has all the time owed a little bit of its inspiration to the much-loved, oft-maligned G4 Dice and the 2024 iteration makes the homage much more pronounced. Personally, I feel Apple may flip it up a notch and throw in some clear plastic, however Apple could also be detest to do that as a result of plastics don’t really feel as premium and don’t climate in addition to darker supplies (though I’ve seen some graphite Mac minis which have beat to hell).
So, whereas I like the references, Apple’s present design ethic remains to be somewhat minimalist, perhaps too staid. Throughout the board, Apple’s merchandise lack the sense of whimsey current in a few of its older choices.
One rumored machine that may change that’s the mysterious sensible dwelling accent that’s anticipated to have a display or an arm just like the iMac G4. If Apple does ship a WALL-E type machine that follows you across the kitchen, I feel there are another intelligent methods it could reuse, recycle, and reinvigorate its product lineup.
Not-so-crazy Apple product concepts
Apple has hinted that it is perhaps getting extra into the house automation subject. For years one normal after one other has promised to make the whole lot in your house work seamlessly collectively and that hasn’t occurred but. It’s excessive time Apple did for dwelling automation what it did for wi-fi headphones: simply make its personal units that work higher. And whereas it’s doing that, wouldn’t it kill it to do it with a wink? For this reason I’m turning to you right this moment to ask you to signal my on-line petition asking Apple to make a thermostat that appears like a traditional iPod. Need the warmth to go up? Jog the wheel clockwise. Need it to go down? Again the opposite approach. Buttons across the rim can set the opposite capabilities. No have to put a 5GB spinning onerous drive in it.
The iPod had an excellent design. Certainly, the corporate can work out a technique to revive it in some way in a brand new product.
Based on Apple lore, Steve Jobs was not a fan of the Newton however he appreciated the look of the eMate. The iBook was then based mostly on the eMate design, making it extra rugged than earlier Apple laptops and having a deal with. An iPad in a rugged type issue with a devoted keyboard would possibly simply be a great alternative for a 3rd social gathering, but when Apple ever does ship a touch-screen Mac, a few of that outdated eMate/iBook magic would possibly sweeten the deal. Who doesn’t love a deal with?
Lastly, let’s flip to the iPod nano. No different machine in Apple’s historical past went by as many adjustments because the nano. The nano was Apple’s playground, going from a diminutive traditional iPod form to squarish, again to vertical, then to only a sq. contact display and at last an iPhone-like look. Apple has–sadly, in my opinion–left small telephones by the wayside, apparently deciding the variety of items shipped wasn’t well worth the effort.
However what if it made a smaller cellphone that was the bizarre cellphone? It’s onerous to mess with success and it’s even more durable to assist odd display sizes, however think about if Apple had a line of iPhones that experimented with completely different supplies, perhaps put Contact ID within the energy button, it may even attempt an e-ink display, giving it loopy battery life. Think about if it had a line it may have enjoyable with. It did that with the nano, it may do it once more.
I find it irresistible when Apple copies itself. I want it could copy itself extra.