Connected #560: Liquid Glass, Folding Phones, and Apple COO Transition

iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design Debate

• 💧 Apple is toning down the "liquid glass" effects in iOS 26 beta 3, leading to debate about legibility versus unique design.
• 🎨 Some users find the frosted look an improvement for readability, while others feel it dilutes the feature's distinctiveness.
• 📜 This mirrors iOS 7 beta 3, where Apple also adjusted extreme design choices for better usability.
• 🤔 The core question remains: can Apple maintain an opinionated design language like liquid glass while ensuring accessibility and broad appeal?

Foldable Phone Market: Samsung's Latest

• 📱 Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, focusing on thinner designs and improved usability.
• 🚀 The Fold 7 is notably thinner, with a more usable external screen and near top-tier cameras, starting at $2,000.
• ✨ The Flip 7 features an all-screen front display and a potential controversy over its new Exynos processor.
• 📱 The usability of both open and closed states has significantly improved, making them more compelling daily drivers.

XR Glasses and the "Beast"

• 👓 The XR glasses market is seeing intense competition, with companies like Viture and XREl releasing new models.
• 🎮 Viture's mobile dock now supports the Nintendo Switch 2, allowing gameplay within their glasses.
• 🤯 The naming and product lineups are confusing, with Viture announcing models like "The Beast" and "Ultra," leading to a chaotic launch.
• 📈 This competition is seen as beneficial for consumers, pushing innovation at the bleeding edge of technology.

Apple's Executive and Design Team Changes

• 💼 Jeff Williams is retiring as Apple's COO later this year, with Sabih Khan stepping into the role.
• 🍎 Following Williams' departure, the design team will report directly to CEO Tim Cook, a shift from the previous structure under a COO.
• 🧑‍🎨 This move sparks discussion about the role and status of design leadership at Apple, particularly for figures like Alan Dye.
• 🔮 The executive changes suggest potential future shifts within Apple's product and operational structures.

Other Tech News and Follow-ups

• 💳 The Nomad MagSafe wallet with Find My tracking is highlighted as a strong contender for the ideal Apple wallet.
• 📍 A similar wallet, the LOC8, is also mentioned for its MagSafe compatibility and kickstand functionality.
• 💻 The MacStories Setups page is praised for its detailed and visually appealing presentation of personal tech configurations.
• ⚡ Follow-ups confirm that iPhones can indeed power external displays via USB-C, correcting previous on-air speculation.