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Apple persists in liquid glass design with a focus on evolution and optimization, points out Bloomberg

Apple
Photo: Apple - Vytautas Kielaitis/ Shutterstock.com

Apple remains steadfast in its design strategy, maintaining Liquid Glass as the central visual identity for its operating systems, despite various discussions and differing opinions among users. Introduzida last year, this design language has provoked mixed reactions: while a portion of the brand’s enthusiasts praise the modernity and air of newness it brought, another portion expresses significant concerns, mainly regarding readability issues and certain visual inconsistencies, which became more evident with the launch of macOS Tahoe 26. The company seems focused on enhancing, not replacing, this aesthetic direction.

Regardless of individual perception of Liquid Glass, a recent analysis by journalist Mark Gurman, from Bloomberg, indicates that this visual identity is consolidated and is here to remain in the Maçã ecosystem. The Cupertino company would be prioritizing a path of continuous refinements and optimizations in the next versions of its operating systems, instead of venturing into a complete redesign, which would require considerable time and resources. Essa approach suggests an internal confidence in the ability to refine the user experience within the parameters already established by Liquid Glass, addressing criticism in an evolutionary way.

In the current context, the decision to maintain Liquid Glass is strategic, considering the investment already made and the long-term planning of Apple. The complexity of developing a cohesive design language for multiple devices and platforms requires forward thinking, where continuity and incremental improvement are seen as more efficient than constant reinvention. Isso aligns with the company’s design philosophy of creating unified experiences, even if the initial path presents acceptance challenges.

The initial reception and design landscape of Apple

Since its implementation, the Liquid Glass design language has been the subject of intense debate in the technology community. Usuários highlight both innovation and adaptation difficulties, with particular attention to new nuances introduced on platforms such as macOS Tahoe 26, which have generated discussions about visual experience and functionality. Criticisms often focus on the clarity of certain graphic elements and the harmony of the whole, showing that the perception of a design is something intrinsic to the individual experience.

Despite these observations, Apple’s commitment to Liquid Glass does not appear to have been shaken. The company has historically adopted design languages ​​that, although they may face initial resistance, are gradually adjusted and become the standard, reflecting a long-term strategy. The purpose of the Liquid Glass is to bring an aesthetic that refers to fluidity and transparency, seeking a visual interconnection between the devices and operating systems of the Apple.

The affirmation of permanence and consistency of the team

In the most recent edition of his newsletter “Power On”, published by Bloomberg, Mark Gurman detailed that the permanence of Liquid Glass is a fact. Ele highlighted that, even with the departure of Alan Dye and other important professionals who participated in its development, a large part of the Apple design team is still made up of talents who worked directly on the design of Liquid Glass.

Essa continuity in the workforce includes key figures such as Steve Lemay, the current head of the design department. The presence of founding members and the team leader ensures that the original vision behind Liquid Glass continues to be the basis for future developments and refinements. This stability in leadership and the main team is a determining factor for the cohesion and consistent evolution of the visual identity.

The persistence of the original design team minimizes the need for major structural or conceptual changes. Instead, it allows collective energy and knowledge to be directed towards resolving friction points identified by users and the company itself, transforming feedback into incremental, meaningful improvements. The maintenance of Liquid Glass is, therefore, a reflection of Apple’s commitment to its team and the direction it has established.

The leadership perspective and the refutation of the “crisis”

Information obtained by Gurman also indicates that none of the Apple designers have expressed significant opposition to the new visual identity in recent years. Esse internal alignment is crucial, suggesting that Liquid Glass was well received and approved by company leadership from its early stages of development. Essa robust internal acceptance strengthens Apple’s position to stay the course.

Additionally, the journalist vehemently contested the idea that the introduction of the Liquid Glass would represent a “crisis” for the Maçã design team. Gurman stated that the “vast majority” of users, in fact, are satisfied with the update, which contradicts the narratives of widespread dissatisfaction. Essa perspective offers an important counterpoint to more critical voices, suggesting that public perception may be more divided than some argue.

The leadership’s confidence and the perception of a mostly satisfied user base solidify Apple’s decision. Para is a company the size of Maçã, internal support and a balanced global reception are decisive factors for the continuity of large-scale projects as a design language that affects its entire line of products and software.

The development of new identities and the time required

A major factor in the decision to maintain Liquid Glass is the vast amount of time and investment of resources that would be required to develop a new visual identity from scratch. Tais projects require years of research, prototyping and testing until they are ready to be implemented on a large scale. The development of Liquid Glass itself had its roots in the era of visionOS, the operating system of Apple Vision Pro, which, in turn, took several years to reach its final version, released in 2024.

Strategic priorities: AI, smart home and MacBooks

Currently, the Apple human interface team’s main focus is on other high priority projects. One of the most intense work fronts is the new version of Siri, which is based on artificial intelligence and has been subject to significant delays, requiring continuous attention for its implementation. Além In addition, rumors about the company’s new smart home devices and the possible introduction of Pro MacBooks with touch screens also compete for the dedication and expertise of these professionals.

These multiple fronts of innovation consume a substantial amount of time and resources, leaving little room for the design and development of a completely new visual identity. The strategic allocation of these talents to projects that promise to revolutionize other categories of products and services underscores the current direction of Apple, where improving existing products and exploring new technologies takes precedence. The company is investing in areas it considers crucial to its future growth, which includes improvements in artificial intelligence and the expansion of its hardware ecosystem.

The legacy of “flat” design and continued evolution

The trajectory of Liquid Glass, with its controversial beginnings and the expectation of refinements, seems to follow a similar path to the “flat” visual identity, which was introduced with iOS 7 in 2013. Aquela change generated a heated debate among users, who were accustomed to the skeuomorphic design language (present until iOS 6), which simulated real objects. However, the “flat” design was progressively improved and adjusted with the release of subsequent versions of the system, consolidating itself and remaining in vogue for more than a decade. Essa story serves as an important precedent, suggesting that the acceptance and success of a new aesthetic can be a gradual process, shaped by iteration and constant feedback.

Technical refinements and tweaks for the future of iOS

Among the new features being prepared by the Apple design team for iOS 27 is the inclusion of an advanced slider. Este feature will allow users to even more precisely adjust the level of transparency of the various interface elements. Embora the initial idea was to introduce this functionality as part of iOS 26, it was relocated to the next major version of the system, highlighting the company’s commitment to personalization and continuous improvement of the visual experience.