Eliseo Martelli's blog post argues that Apple's software quality has declined, despite its premium hardware. He points to increased bugs, regressions, and a lack of polish in recent macOS and iOS releases as evidence. Martelli contends that this decline stems from factors like rapid feature iteration, prioritizing marketing over engineering rigor, and a potential shift in internal culture. He ultimately calls on Apple to refocus on its historical commitment to quality and user experience.
Eliseo Martelli's blog post, "Apple's Software Quality Crisis: When Premium Hardware Meets Subpar Software," published on March 2nd, 2025, presents a comprehensive critique of the perceived decline in Apple's software quality. Martelli argues that while Apple has consistently maintained its reputation for producing high-quality hardware, its software has been increasingly plagued by bugs, regressions, and a general lack of polish, creating a stark dissonance between the two.
He meticulously details a range of issues across Apple's software ecosystem, from macOS to iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. These issues encompass not just minor glitches, but significant problems impacting core functionalities, such as system instability, unexpected application crashes, and data loss. He illustrates these points with specific examples like iCloud syncing problems, erratic behavior in Apple Music, and difficulties encountered within the Files app. He highlights the frustration experienced by users when fundamental features like file management become unreliable, hindering productivity and eroding user trust.
Martelli attributes this decline in quality to several potential factors. He suggests that Apple's relentless pursuit of adding new features and functionalities with each iteration of its operating systems has come at the expense of thoroughly testing and refining existing features. This rapid pace of development, he posits, may have led to a culture where addressing bugs and regressions takes a backseat to introducing novel functionalities. Furthermore, he speculates that the increasing complexity of Apple's software ecosystem, with its interconnected services and devices, has amplified the potential for issues to arise and propagate across the platform. The intricate web of dependencies within the ecosystem, he argues, makes it more challenging to isolate and resolve bugs effectively.
The author further criticizes Apple's communication regarding these software problems. He contends that the company has not been sufficiently transparent with its user base about the nature and extent of the issues, nor about its efforts to address them. This lack of open communication, he argues, exacerbates user frustration and breeds a sense of distrust in the company’s commitment to quality.
Martelli concludes his post by emphasizing the importance of software quality for a company like Apple, whose brand identity is built on a foundation of seamless integration and user-friendly experiences. He argues that if Apple continues down this path of prioritizing new features over software stability and reliability, it risks jeopardizing its reputation and alienating its loyal customer base. The post serves as a call to action for Apple to re-evaluate its software development priorities and reinvest in rigorous testing and quality assurance to ensure its software lives up to the high standards set by its hardware. He underscores the necessity of this course correction for maintaining Apple's position as a leader in the tech industry.
Summary of Comments ( 12 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43243075
HN commenters largely agree with the author's premise that Apple's software quality has declined. Several point to specific examples like bugs in macOS Ventura and iOS, regressions in previously stable features, and a perceived lack of polish. Some attribute the decline to Apple's increasing focus on services and new hardware at the expense of refining existing software. Others suggest rapid feature additions and a larger codebase contribute to the problem. A few dissenters argue the issues are overblown or limited to specific areas, while others claim that software quality is cyclical and Apple will eventually address the problems. Some suggest the move to universal silicon has exacerbated the problems, while others point to the increasing complexity of software as a whole. A few comments mention specific frustrations like poor keyboard shortcuts and confusing UI/UX choices.
The Hacker News post "Apple's Software Quality Crisis: When Premium Hardware Meets Subpar Software" linking to Eliseo Martelli's blog post has generated a significant discussion with a variety of viewpoints. Many commenters agree with the author's premise, sharing their own experiences and frustrations with perceived declining software quality from Apple.
Several commenters point to specific examples of software issues they've encountered, such as bugs, regressions, and inconsistencies in UI/UX across different Apple operating systems and applications. Some mention specific problems with macOS Ventura, citing issues with Stage Manager and overall system stability. Others express concern about the increasing complexity of Apple's software ecosystem and the apparent difficulty in maintaining quality across such a broad range of products and services.
A recurring theme is the perceived shift in Apple's priorities from quality and polish to features and marketing. Some speculate that this shift might be due to internal pressures, changes in leadership, or a larger industry trend. A few commenters suggest that the rapid pace of new feature releases may be contributing to the decline in quality, leaving insufficient time for proper testing and refinement.
However, not all commenters agree with the author's assessment. Some argue that software quality is subjective and that the issues highlighted are minor or isolated incidents. Others suggest that the author's perspective is biased or overly nostalgic for older versions of Apple software. A few commenters point out that all software has bugs and that Apple's software is still generally considered to be high quality compared to other platforms.
Some commenters offer alternative explanations for the perceived decline in quality. One suggestion is that the increasing complexity of modern software, in general, makes it more challenging to achieve perfect stability and performance. Another perspective is that users have become more sensitive to software issues due to higher expectations driven by Apple's premium branding and pricing.
A few commenters offer constructive suggestions for how Apple could improve its software quality, such as increased focus on testing, more transparent communication with users about bugs and fixes, and a greater emphasis on stability over new features. Some even suggest specific changes to Apple's development process, like adopting more rigorous code review practices or slowing down the release cycle to allow for more thorough testing.
In summary, the discussion on Hacker News reveals a mixed sentiment towards Apple's software quality. While many commenters share concerns and frustrations, others defend Apple or offer alternative perspectives. The conversation highlights the complexities of software development, the challenges of maintaining quality at scale, and the evolving expectations of users in a constantly changing technological landscape.