AllYouCanTech

Examination of MacOS 26 Tahoe Icons: Are They Regarded as ‘Awful’ and ‘Subjectively Poor’? [Poll]

Apple’s Liquid Glass design philosophy has ignited significant discussion, especially with the arrival of the MacOS 26 Tahoe icons. Although the glass-inspired design elements have faced scrutiny, it was the revamped Macintosh HD icon that attracted major attention, leading Apple to implement modifications based on user responses.

### The Macintosh HD Icon

The original Macintosh HD icon, showcasing a rotating metal hard disk drive, had become antiquated as Apple shifted towards solid-state drives (SSDs). This year, Apple unveiled a new icon that illustrated an SSD, yet it encountered backlash for several reasons. Detractors noted that the updated icon bore a likeness to an external SSD instead of an internal model, and the asymmetrical USB-C port along with arbitrary holes marred its aesthetics. Moreover, the Apple logo did not harmonize well with the icon’s three-dimensional view.

In light of the critique, Apple launched a revised version of the Macintosh HD icon, which boasted a more accurately aligned Apple logo and eliminated the USB-C port and holes.

### MacOS 26 Tahoe Icons: ‘Terrible’ and ‘Objectively Bad’

Aside from the Macintosh HD icon, numerous critics have voiced their discontent regarding the general design of the MacOS 26 Tahoe icons. Some individuals have labeled them as “terrible” and “objectively bad.” Particularly, the utility app icons have been targeted for their lack of unique designs; they come across as minor tweaks of a singular theme, complicating users’ ability to swiftly recognize their functions.

John Gruber from Daring Fireball did not shy away from his critique, declaring that the new app icons resemble placeholders made by a developer devoid of artistic talent. He condemned the uniform “wrench” theme, asserting that it restricts the icons’ effectiveness in communicating their intended use.

Paul Kafasis offered a more thorough critique, branding the icons as “awful,” “bland,” and “soulless.” He methodically examined the new icons in a blog entry, pointing out their deficiency in creativity and allure. His analysis even touched upon the calendar icon, which inaccurately represented a month with merely 24 days.

### What’s Your Take?

The discord surrounding the new Mac icons prompts reflections on design ideology and user experience. Are the new icons a progression, a regression, or merely a different tactic? Users are invited to express their views through polls and comments, adding to the ongoing dialogue regarding Apple’s design decisions in MacOS 26 Tahoe.