Whoops - thanks for the drivel alert. I dribbled a bit.
I think Apple historically has done a great job overall and set a bar where the user experience is concerned. Recently, that hasn't been as true for me with certain Apple products and services. The brand deserves credit for mostly getting things right though.
However, to imply that users who have concerns about products they use are just complainers unworthy of being listened to, undervalues the process that leads to better products.
I believe, negative sentiment accumulates to a tipping point that can easily lead a once loyal and happy customer to another solution when or if one is available.
Whether a hybrid flat design approach works for iOS 7 or not, it's the users who will decide but no brand can afford to ignore those who are unhappy with a design BUT still use it.
You can have an opinion as a non design expert. Don't expect anyone to give a fuck about it. Especially Apple, while they continue to make huge profits from the products that you, non-design expert "don't like".
But, clearly I can't have an opinion because you told me (and a lot of other people) to just shut the fuck up about it. Nice! Classy! Award-winning attitude!
Many, many, many companies make huge profits selling crap I don't like. So what? I don't expect anyone to give a fuck about my opinion. But I also don't expect anyone to tell me to shut the fuck up for having it. So why don't you take your own advice with your opinion. And we can go our separate ways.
In the case of Apple, I disagree. Apple doesn't need to impress these users who bitch about their products, yet use them anyway.
Also "drivel"