It’s not me, it’s you

Apple has left a bad taste in my mouth since the latest iOS update. The UI has undergone significant changes, abandoning one of the things I cherished most about iOS: its consistency. Unlike Windows, which seemed to reinvent itself with every release, iOS maintained a stable, predictable interface that made it easy to use and support. This reliability was a core part of Apple’s appeal.

The Irony of Getting What You Asked For

I’ll admit it—I was getting bored with iOS and genuinely wanted something new from Apple. But as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. The recent product announcements have left me less than excited about Apple’s mobile direction. Sometimes “new” isn’t necessarily “better.”

Where Apple Still Shines

To be fair, Apple continues to excel in the computing space, though Snapdragon is really giving them a run for their money. The one thing holding Snapdragon back, however, is the operating system: Windows. Their silicon strategy has been particularly impressive, and this brings up an interesting shift in the tech landscape.

I’m starting to use my iPad more within the Apple ecosystem, and I have to admit—Apple has absolutely nailed it when it comes to tablets. While I have my frustrations with iOS on phones, the iPad experience remains compelling. This is where you can see the stark difference between Apple’s approach and the competition.

Android has really improved with their mobile OS over the years, but their tablet experience feels unfinished. Many Android apps simply don’t take advantage of the entire screen real estate, leaving you with what essentially feels like a blown-up phone interface rather than a thoughtfully designed tablet experience. Apple’s iPad apps, by contrast, generally make meaningful use of the larger display and touch interface.

The ARM Revolution and Industry Convergence

We’re now living in a world where the lines between mobile and desktop computing have blurred dramatically. Companies that started with mobile processors have successfully transitioned to creating full-fledged computers and laptops using the same ARM architecture that powers smartphones. This convergence represents one of the most significant shifts in computing in decades.

The Windows Alternative: Different Problems

When examining the ARM PC landscape, Windows on ARM presents an interesting case study. Yes, it seems to receive fewer problematic updates and runs somewhat more smoothly than traditional x86 Windows. However, you’re still dealing with Microsoft’s persistent issues: intrusive advertising, inconsistent menu designs, the inability to fully remove Edge browser, and a host of other frustrations that plague the Windows ecosystem.

Microsoft’s Backward Compatibility Burden

Windows still allows you to run very old code if you really want to—and that’s precisely the problem Microsoft needs to fix. They need to modernize the operating system to prioritize new, modern code while retiring legacy support that’s holding them back. I believe they need to fundamentally change the kernel as well.

Look at Apple’s approach: they went with Unix, and their OS now kicks ass. Why hasn’t Microsoft followed suit? Are they simply buried too deep in their legacy architecture to make the necessary changes? The weight of backward compatibility might be exactly what’s preventing them from innovating.

Real-World ARM Experience

I’ve been using a Windows on ARM Windows 11 computer powered by Snapdragon for the better part of a year, and personally haven’t encountered any significant application compatibility issues. Sure, there might be some super niche applications that don’t work, but most of those are legacy programs that should be updated anyway.

Here’s the reality: if you’re using a program made in the early 2000s with outdated code that hasn’t been updated, it’s insecure. Why would you want to run insecure code today? It simply doesn’t make sense. When applications don’t work on modern ARM systems, it’s often a sign that they’re relics that pose security risks. Instead of demanding compatibility with these dinosaurs, we should be pushing developers to modernize their software.

The Innovation Drought

Here’s my controversial take: Apple died when Steve Jobs died, and so did their innovation. The company that once revolutionized entire industries now seems content with incremental updates and UI changes that alienate long-time users without offering compelling reasons for the disruption.

The Paradox of Progress

This raises a fascinating contradiction in our industry: we want to make BIG changes in the tech world, but we continue to rely on products and systems that might be outdated themselves. How can we push for revolutionary advances while simultaneously demanding compatibility with technologies from decades past?

A Fanboy’s Future

I’ll be honest: to this day, I’m an Apple fanboy. The history of the company, their design philosophy, and their contributions to technology have earned my loyalty over the years. However, looking forward, I can see that the hardware and software I’ll be using in the future will be far different from what I’ve been accustomed to. Android is increasingly becoming a viable option—not because I want to leave Apple, but because they’re pushing me away with changes that prioritize novelty over user experience.

The question remains: In a world where ARM-based computing is democratizing high-performance, energy-efficient processors, will Apple leverage this advantage to recapture their innovative spirit, or will they continue down the path of cosmetic changes that prioritize novelty over user experience? And will Microsoft ever find the courage to break free from their legacy chains? For longtime Apple users like myself, the answer to these questions may determine whether we stay in the ecosystem we’ve loved or venture into new territory.