One thing to note is that this is Don Norman and Bruce Tognazzini ("Tog"), two titans of usability engineering and incredibly respected leaders in the field of Human-Computer Interaction. They've had a profound impact on the industry and their criticisms should not just be brushed off as two "ex-Apple designers."

With that said, I don't agree with them that Apple is "destroying design" (I honestly think that's just clickbait so that people will read this), but I do feel that post-iOS 7 Apple design suffers from mystery meat navigation, gestures that are only discoverable through happenstance, and questionable design choices that clearly favor form over function. I do not feel that Apple has lost its edge entirely, but it is unfortunate that a platform used by so many people around the world suffers from such elementary design missteps. I feel like the happy medium between usable interfaces and sexy UI remains elusive, though Google Design is probably a bit closer to finding that balance than Apple.

As one other point, I think UX is such an experiential field that young designers often drift away from the basic principles of interaction design, resulting in these kinds of usability issues. There's a bigger topic for our industry here somewhere...

I can notice this too, it's gradual but I can certainly feel it. There's far less scrupulous attention to detail. Primarily in their software, but I think it may slowly creep into their hardware too. I also think things like their QA are slipping and some other areas too.

I absolutely hated OS X Yosemite, went through hoops to get back to Mavericks (I think I eventually nuked my SSD and reinstalled from the Mavericks CDs, phew!) after trying it. While I think El Capitan is a bit better, I am still planning to stick with this for as long as I possibly can.

I'm hesitant to mention this but I sometimes muse over how much of an influence Steve Jobs really had while he worked there. I'm quite convinced that a lot of the changes for the worst happened after his passing.

I disagree with these dudes. I love the simplicity that Apple puts into its interfaces. I don't think that they do everything right and there's a lot of things I personally would do differently. They do a lot of great things and they manage to make them look quite nice at the same time.

I personally have never wished there was a permanent back button on my phone. I also don't feel like the average user needs most of the hidden gestures (force touch, etc) and such to navigate their phone. Just like the average user doesn't need to know all of the keyboard shortcuts that I use to navigate my computer.

This article doesn't really cover everything but I feel like UI and UX are evolving beyond what they are comfortable with. Eventually I'll complain about similar things but for now even if I don't like it, I'm open to seeing things pushed.

The iPhone is far from unusable and despite its restrictions and down falls, it truly is a great experience.

I'm aware... biased designer. But I do think I am able to look at all of this fairly objectively and I think (in general) the simplification is for the best.

Also, LOL! "Apple is destroying design"

"It should be noted that Norman and Tog didn't limit their design criticism to Apple. They also denounced Google Maps and Android for similar flaws."

Classic The Verge :D

These guys are focusing on the visual manifestations of design. There is so much more to design than a button. Apple has focus on integration of all the different components.

My iPhone is lying somewhere in my living room and I receive all text messages and calls. I can take a call on my laptop. Or call someone from my iPad. I can tell Siri to turn on my lights, or to set a certain mood. I can stream any music I want to my living room speakers. I have wireless backups running without even noticing a thing or need to configure much. I am less worried about downloading software from dubious sources because I have a secure Mac App Store. All those things are design as well. I don’t see anyone else delivering that kind of tightly integrated, mostly worry free and hassle-less life / work environment.

These guys are on top of their game. What changed, is the game.

1. I do agree that the visual simplicity is a little overboard. I've been trying to teach my grandmother to use her iPad, and she can't tell what is a button and what isn't, and never knows what to click on. They need to scale back on that, just a little.

2. Their criticism is overboard. Article doesn't mention why they aren't at Apple anymore. Could be fired?

I almost clicked on this bait, but then noticed it's from theverge lol

If you haven't noticed the quality of Apple's output is taking a nose dive, you're paying much attention - App Store certificates, iCloud, iTunes, El Capitan update, Apple Music, the stupid way Pencil has to be charged, etc, I think Tim Cook is probably too nice of a guy, or too out of touch with the day-to-day to keep things reigned in. SJ is the missing component.

Bruce "Tog" Tognazzini, who was Apple's 66th employee and the writer of its first >human interface guidelines, and Don Norman, Apple's user experience architect >from 1993 to 1996, aren't holding back in the least.

Hrmmm...I'm not sure '93-'96 was really the heyday of Apple design...this