101: ‘Like a Butt Crack’ With Christa Mrgan

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The conversation centers on Apple Watch, Yosemite, and Apple TV design choices, especially how Apple is balancing radical change with usability. The hosts praise WatchKit’s early developer access, Apple’s custom San Francisco font, and Yosemite’s lighter, subtler UI animations, while debating icon redesigns, desktop habits, Photoshop-based workflows, and the possibility of Apple TV/watch integration. The tone mixes technical analysis with product nostalgia and playful side chats.

Main Topics: Apple Watch launch and early SDK strategy (Priority: 5/5): The speakers are excited that Apple released WatchKit before the product ships, seeing it as unusually developer-friendly and much faster than the iPhone’s early app story. They contrast it with the Web-app-only period and note that Apple seems to have planned third-party development from the start. Apple TV frustration and watch-based control potential (Priority: 5/5): A long discussion focuses on Apple TV’s weak remote and limited software platform. They argue that the biggest Apple TV problem is the remote, not the lack of apps, and speculate that the Watch could become a better controller with presence-aware playback controls. San Francisco font and interface typography (Priority: 4/5): They analyze Apple’s new system font for Watch, calling it a hybrid of Helvetica and DIN. The conversation also covers how font choices affect Yosemite and why Apple’s typography decisions matter for tiny watch screens and future system-wide use. Yosemite design philosophy and subtle UI changes (Priority: 5/5): They discuss how Yosemite’s flatter, lighter aesthetic is less radical than iOS 7 and more successful on the Mac. The key praise is for subtle animations, translucency, and increased feedback that make the UI feel more alive without overwhelming users. Icon redesigns and visual consistency (Priority: 4/5): The hosts debate Yosemite’s new icons, praising the general simplification while criticizing specific icons like System Preferences and Safari. They reject the idea of forcing all icons into a single shape and argue that icon style should remain varied on the Mac. Desktop organization and user behavior (Priority: 2/5): They compare their own desktop habits and discuss why users, including children, often save files to the desktop. The desktop is seen as a spatial, visible workspace that makes sense to beginners and some experienced users alike. Tools for design work: Photoshop and Sketch (Priority: 3/5): Krista explains that she still does most UI work in Photoshop with many layered groups and states, while acknowledging that others are moving to Sketch. The discussion highlights how design tooling affects text rendering and workflow.

Key Arguments: Apple Watch is unusual because Apple is exposing developer tools before the hardware ships, signaling a more mature platform strategy than the original iPhone launch. The Apple TV’s remote is the biggest usability problem; even without an app ecosystem, a reliable Bluetooth remote would significantly improve the product. San Francisco is a strong custom UI font because Apple needed a watch-optimized typeface with better legibility and a distinct design identity. Yosemite is a better Mac redesign than a full iOS-style flattening because it preserves depth and adds subtle motion instead of stripping away all visual cues. The Mac should avoid forcing all app icons into one shape; variety in icon silhouettes helps recognition and makes the Dock easier to scan. Photoshop remains the dominant practical tool for UI mockups despite text-rendering limitations, because its layering and state management fit iterative interface design.

Data Points: Watch sizes announced: 2 - The Apple Watch launch included two sizes, which the hosts note makes it feel like a more mature third-generation product. Apple Watch release timing: November - The watch was announced with developer access and a planned shipping window in November, which surprised the speakers by seeming fast. Early iPhone app approach: Web apps first - They recall that the original iPhone initially supported only web apps, before a true SDK arrived. WWDC 2007 reference: 2007 - They discuss the disappointment around Apple’s early promise of a ‘sweet solution’ that turned out to be web apps only. Hover coupon code: VODKA - A sponsor segment mentions the code VODKA for 10% off. Hover transfer service: 100 domains - They explain Hover’s valet transfer service can move large domain portfolios from other registrars. Lynda monthly price: $25/month - The sponsor read says lynda.com costs $25 per month for unlimited access. Lynda library size: 100,000+ videos - The sponsor read describes lynda.com’s course catalog as exceeding 100,000 video tutorials. Igloo free tier: Up to 10 people - Igloo is described as free in perpetuity for teams of 10 or fewer. Apple TV price: $99 - The hosts mention Apple TV as a $99 product while discussing whether a new model would be worth it. Screen sizes for Apple Watch SDK: 38 mm and 42 mm - The design resources are intended to adapt across the two watch sizes without manual per-device tuning. Accessibility options: Reduced transparency and increased contrast - They discuss these Yosemite settings as a way to change the OS appearance and emphasize contrast.

Pivotal Quotes: "this is weird because it feels like this is like year three of the watch" — John Gruber relaying Michael Lopp: Used to describe how mature Apple Watch already feels because of multiple sizes and band options at launch. "I don't think that's a shit sandwich." — Phil Schiller: Schiller’s response to Gruber’s criticism of Apple’s WWDC 2007 decision to offer web apps instead of an SDK. "the single biggest deal with Apple TV is the remote" — John Gruber: A central argument that usability, not apps, is the core Apple TV problem.

Implications: Apple is signaling a more thoughtful platform strategy: watch-first APIs, a custom font, and restrained UI changes. For users and developers, the lesson is that Apple values coherence and tactile usability over pure minimalism or radical reinvention.