Briefly: On last minute iMac and iPhone design changes
A slow day for Apple news gives us the opportunity to post some tidbits regarding last-minute design changes affecting the company's recent product launches -- the iPhone and iMac.
iPhone's two-week delay
iPhone, which went on sale nationwide on June 29th, may have made its debut several weeks earlier had it not been for a last minute material swap on the handset's top surface.
In a June 18th press release, the company announced that the entire top surface of iPhone, including its 3.5-inch display, was being upgraded from plastic to optical-quality glass to achieve a superior level of scratch resistance and optical clarity.
This move cause a two-week delay in the initial manufacturing ramp of the device, according iPhone touch-screen component supplier, Balda. In a recent financial report, the German-based firm revealed that the last minute design change prompted it to redesign parts of its production line from scratch, causing a material impact on financials.
Balda, which partly owns touchscreen factory TPK in Xiamen China, said it now expects lower revenues for 2007, but anticipates an uptick in sales beginning early next year.
iMac logo goes black
Meanwhile, Apple may have also called for a small, but last minute design change to a the facade of its new iMac enclosures. Although purely aesthetic, observers note a disparity in the color of the desktop's Apple logo as seen in the company's marketing materials.
A .Mac Sync video tutorial released alongside the new all-in-one desktops correctly presents the iMac with a black logo on Apple's U.S. website. However, the same tutorial on its European website depicts the systems with a silver logo -- akin to the iPhone's mirror-like emblem.
While introducing the new iMacs last week, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs acknowledged that his design team took cues from the iPhone in designing the new Macs, including the use of black, glass and aluminum.
The disparity could indicate that Apple originally planned to mimic the iPhone's exterior more closely with the iMac. (Alternatively, the silver-logoed model may simply represent a graphical error.)
Update: A source who provided an accurate description of the latest iMacs ahead of release claims that the original design indeed called for the mirror logo. However, it was subsequently scrapped, the source says, as people "do not like to look at themselves in the mirror all day."
White, black and grey were said to be candidates for a replacement color, with black winning out despite its slightly conspicuous appearance.
iPhone's two-week delay
iPhone, which went on sale nationwide on June 29th, may have made its debut several weeks earlier had it not been for a last minute material swap on the handset's top surface.
In a June 18th press release, the company announced that the entire top surface of iPhone, including its 3.5-inch display, was being upgraded from plastic to optical-quality glass to achieve a superior level of scratch resistance and optical clarity.
This move cause a two-week delay in the initial manufacturing ramp of the device, according iPhone touch-screen component supplier, Balda. In a recent financial report, the German-based firm revealed that the last minute design change prompted it to redesign parts of its production line from scratch, causing a material impact on financials.
Balda, which partly owns touchscreen factory TPK in Xiamen China, said it now expects lower revenues for 2007, but anticipates an uptick in sales beginning early next year.
iMac logo goes black
Meanwhile, Apple may have also called for a small, but last minute design change to a the facade of its new iMac enclosures. Although purely aesthetic, observers note a disparity in the color of the desktop's Apple logo as seen in the company's marketing materials.
A .Mac Sync video tutorial released alongside the new all-in-one desktops correctly presents the iMac with a black logo on Apple's U.S. website. However, the same tutorial on its European website depicts the systems with a silver logo -- akin to the iPhone's mirror-like emblem.
While introducing the new iMacs last week, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs acknowledged that his design team took cues from the iPhone in designing the new Macs, including the use of black, glass and aluminum.
The disparity could indicate that Apple originally planned to mimic the iPhone's exterior more closely with the iMac. (Alternatively, the silver-logoed model may simply represent a graphical error.)
Update: A source who provided an accurate description of the latest iMacs ahead of release claims that the original design indeed called for the mirror logo. However, it was subsequently scrapped, the source says, as people "do not like to look at themselves in the mirror all day."
White, black and grey were said to be candidates for a replacement color, with black winning out despite its slightly conspicuous appearance.
Comments
I much prefer the look of the silver Apple logo. Black looks too business-like for my tastes.
I didn't care much for the black logo, either. It sticks out too prominently.
I would have vastly preferred that the logo be silvery, and pulse with light when the unit is asleep!
1. Apple insider has discovered, that when measured, the box that the iPhone comes in is 27 microns taller, and 11 microns narrower then the box that houses the Apple bluetooth headset. Inside sources that can only be described as reliable, have indicated this difference is a clear indicator that the iPhone is going 3G by January 2008.
2. Apple Insider has found that Apple has really scredwed the pooch, and have a ring tone not in correct alphabetical order. It has been noticed that ring tone names are all in alphabetical order EXCPT marimba, which is that the top of the list. This is a clear indication that the underlying OS is breaking down - which what could be described as a design flaw. Stay tuned for further developments as they happen!
I didn't care much for the black logo, either. It sticks out too prominently.
I would have vastly preferred that the logo be silvery, and pulse with light when the unit is asleep!
I too think a pulsing apple logo (when asleep) would have been much cooler.
However, it was subsequently scrapped, the source says, as people "do not like to look at themselves in the mirror all day."
A tad ironic, given the screen surface they went with.
A tad ironic, given the screen surface they went with.
Thank God somebody said it.
One would get sick and tired of seeing yourself all day with the mirrored one.
I prefer the black logo.
One would get sick and tired of seeing yourself all day with the mirrored one.
I haven't had an opportunity to try the new iMac, but isn't this exactly what you will have to do with the new glossy display coating?
its looks niiiiice!
In other news...
1. Apple insider has discovered, that when measured, the box that the iPhone comes in is 27 microns taller, and 11 microns narrower then the box that houses the Apple bluetooth headset. Inside sources that can only be described as reliable, have indicated this difference is a clear indicator that the iPhone is going 3G by January 2008.
2. Apple Insider has found that Apple has really scredwed the pooch, and have a ring tone not in correct alphabetical order. It has been noticed that ring tone names are all in alphabetical order EXCPT marimba, which is that the top of the list. This is a clear indication that the underlying OS is breaking down - which what could be described as a design flaw. Stay tuned for further developments as they happen!
A tad harsh don't you think?
A tad ironic, given the screen surface they went with.
Beat me to it, but AMEN!
A slow day for Apple news gives us the opportunity to post some tidbits regarding last-minute design changes affecting the company's recent product launches...
Personally, I hate the design.
Firstly, Apple are trying to "pull the wool" with the black trim. The screen looks larger than it actually is. The sides look thinner than they actually are. Clever, yet deceptive and you really aren't supposed to deceive your buyers!
Second, the white mouse. Silver keyboard with white keys AND a white mouse. Oh dear, oh dear.
Third, the logo looks aweful. Why black for God's sake. OK, the trim is black but the logo just looks stuck on, like a cheap sticker. I too agree with the white / pulse logo as on the laptops. Way better.
Now if silver (ai) was going to be the main "feel" of the iMac then, aluminum body with black logo, black trim, silver (ai) keyboard with black keys and a silver/black mouse would have been much nicer. A windows box it may have resembled but this looks like SH**!
I didn't care much for the black logo, either. It sticks out too prominently.
I would have vastly preferred that the logo be silvery, and pulse with light when the unit is asleep!
Tacky.
A tad ironic, given the screen surface they went with.
Thank God somebody said it.
I haven't had an opportunity to try the new iMac, but isn't this exactly what you will have to do with the new glossy display coating?
Beat me to it, but AMEN!
Very cute, guys, but once it's on, you can't see your reflection.
This is the same argument people make for plasma TV's, but when you take them home you appreciate the design choice. I much prefer glossy displays, and the new keyboard (by the way) is way better too. The only change I'd make to the new keyboard (British version) is I'd make the 'return' key a little bigger.
Very cute, guys, but once it's on, you can't see your reflection.
Yeah totally, I don't get this at all. People are calling out reflections mostly when seeing the iMac at an angle, but head on in normal indoor lighting the reflections are pretty much non-existent, and the gloss just makes the computer and its desktop more pleasing to the eye.