The new iTunes app store, and why I hate it
Oh dear, Apple you have done something I never thought you would do. You changed the app store. And you did it badly. The changes have only happened this evening so I expect there will be some teething issues and changes however, the new app store is completely counter intuitive and as stated by a coder
“…Zero usability testing went into this…”
This is something I never expected to see someone say about apple, ever.
Now, granted, I absolutely agree that the app store needed a refresh, it needed cleaning up, updating and generally needed to loose some weight, however, this is the wrong direction. The new image preview idea is nice, but hopelessly wrong. The description being shrunk so you have to click a “read more” button to view a standard description, is wrong. Heres the new app stire.
Yes, this is the new iTunes store. The Description now has to be ‘expanded’ to actually see what the developer intended.
The screenshots are now almost double the size, poorly formatted and now have scrollbars. I really would like to know what on earth went into Apples mind when they created this. Worse, take a look at what happens when you click the more button.
Finally more space for descriptions, but oh dear, Giant icon syndrome has taken hold, and well, the screenshots are gone.
It seems all apple really cared about here was the name of the product and the pictures of the app. This to be is really the wrong direction to be going in, especially as so many apps on the app store require disclaimers at the start of the description to ensure that people know that programs require backend support etc. This is just…. the wrong way to go Apple. Clean it up, please!
i have my first app now under review. i was really horrified to see the sudden changes in the new itunes app store. i agree with all of your points above. i am really shocked at how poor itunes usability is becoming.
i noticed too, they are hiding more and more functionality. the initial itunes9 pull down menu mini-triangle next to the store headings in the top bar was already too much. now the share functionality is hidden in a triangle next to… BUY? really, whats the benefit?
i am usually not one for testing innovative UI work on the random “public at large.” however, being as itunes is for the masses, this stuff definitely deserves some testing. at least because it should point out all of the severe flaws you have stated, and more. OR, at least get some developer feedback. selling apps is far different then selling music or videos. and thus, should require a different design process.
bad apple. bad.
Dec 12, 2009 @ 5:23 am
Don’t have an iPhone, so can’t offer any first hand comments. However, most other people seem to like it, I’m mostly seeing/hearing comments like these ones:
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/12/11/somethings-changing-in-the-itunes-app-store/
So I doubt it’s true to say they’ve done no usability testing.
The comment about it being more “tablet friendly” was interesting, too…
Dec 12, 2009 @ 4:29 pm