The subtext made plain

You might wonder why I’ve been writing all this about watching trends in OS X user interface design.

The main point is not to ding Apple for UI inconsistencies. The point is that it’s absurd for developers to have to spend so much time watching trends in OS X user interface design.

I want Apple to innovate, to try things, to make things cool—and I want them to continue as the leaders in usability, which I still think is the big draw of Macs. It may be a tight-rope act, but Apple has been doing this particular high-wire dance for decades now.

At the same time—at the same time, please sing some arias—I know I’m asking alot—I’d like to see some leadership beyond just sometimes-contradictory examples.