Comments on: What Google should learn from Apple

Resignation of Google's visual-design leader suggests that Google's obsession with data blinds it to some human realities. Perhaps it should look at how Apple balances tech and taste.

[seven7dust]

Apple's old designs were the most simplistic of all
but of late they have slipped up a bit {see the new Shuffle}

they always aim for simplicity is not only design
but also UI and the way their products work too
see the iPod click wheel, 5 button remote etc
Apple's products can be used by Children and Adults alike
which is wat differentiates them from the rest of the pack
and google's products also also have a similar feel to them

I hope more companies{MS,Sony} can learn from Google and Apple that simplicity and ease of use r the way to go !

People always talk about Apple's Fashion {which I could care less about }
but I think their real strength is making products that r easy to use and yet complex in function {eg-: iPhone ,Mac OS}

[zidanetribal21]

Great article, I completely agree. While collecting data to find the most appeasing aesthetics is the logical, safe bet, the risk of having a unique style is much more valuable.

[nebby74]

This is a classic case of marketing vs operations. Happens in every organization. It's especially bad in tech orgs as the founders are typically type A folks, and value function over form.

Apple is successful because it put meeting customer needs as a priority. In the short term this philosophy can be challenging (ie more costs), but will win over time.

[forkboy]

8-days ago I purchased my first Apple computer: an iMac. I have never been a particular fan of Apple products, always thinking they spent too much time on both marketing and design and less upon functionality and price-sensitivity.

While I love my home-built desktop PC, the iMac is elegant in both design and function. When I sit before it I actually enjoy looking at it for the sake of looking at it. I never do that with my Antec-cased desktop.

I think Apple may have at its core (no pun intended) a philosophy of "We only fail if we fail to try." They have had their failures, but they succeed because they go their own way and embrace design philosophy in ways that few other consumer electronic companies ever have.

Or so I think...

[chrissd]

"It's clear that the Apple products have sophistication and style that eludes the PC people"

o.0
Riiiight. There's no such thing as "PC people". There's non-apple people, but they aren't all the same. Google pc mods to see what I mean. I personally prefer a pc if we're into the mac vs pc debate. They cost less, can run more programs and aren't locked to one platform. I game a bit so Mac is out there on graphics and cost efficiency. I like a secure computer so Mac is out. They have just as many security problems as a Windows comp (and this is a Unix variant...) but Apple take a lot longer to patch them. "Security through obscurity" is the term that's used to describe them.

@ anonymous500r

Fully agree. Googles minimalist, bandwidth efficient design while still interesting (the different google logos are always cool) is nothing like most websites. The norm is to have a fancy website that takes 10mn to load on a fast connection. Google is the fastest site I know.

@myles taylor

Google is actually fairly innovative and trendsetting. The "Cloud" features that they brought out were the first. They made a search engine which become an instant overnight success. They continue to bring things out internet wise before anyone else. Or at least come up with the idea and start concept trials before other companies. Apple is same ol, same ol. See one iPod, you've seen them all. They may get smaller by ditching the controls, or they may get replaceable batteries, but they stick with the same formula. Make something small, make a tv ad to go with it, put a huge price on it. Then people can't wait to get the latest overpriced plastic fad. Oh, and the Blackberry beats the iPhone. Business wise, personal wise. Blackberry used to be a business phone only, but a few years back they started adding music players, video codecs, cameras, etc. iPhone just has the Apple logo on it.

[andres_cor22]

I think that Matyszczyk, maybe would not be Matyszczyk, or perhaps Matyszczyk!!!! that's it if this guy read this I think he has returned to his dimension.

[guelphite]

"Do you really think that if the company used the same research methods then as it uses now to, for example, name itself, that "Google" would have been the winner?

My subjective feeling is that the company would have been called "SearchThis." Or, perhaps, "FindOut." How many of us would be searchthising or findouting today?"

You are so right!