I don't like change for the sake of change either, as that is just setting trends to help sell more product (e.g. the bi-annual iPhone case redesign). But, the OS changes you highlighted all have real benefits that move the focus from screen widgets to the actual content.
> - buttons are often indistinguishable from non-interactive label, leading to idiotic trial and error clicking to find out which UI elements do something
How come everyone understands hyperlinks on the web, but when the OS follows the same pattern you can't figure it out? I know a few apps have gotten this wrong on occasion, but as long as the text for an action is coloured differently than regular text then it's pretty obvious.
> scroll-bars that are hidden by default, loosing the information how far I am into a document (OSX)
On small screens (remember macbook airs are only 11" screens which I consider small) this saves precious screen space. If you really need to know where you are in a doc, resting your fingers on the trackpad and moving slightly brings the bar back. I thought this was a brilliant design to reduce clutter on the screen, not unlike how our browsers have been reducing their chrome to give the content more room.
I'm all for removing clutter from my screen if it helps me focus on the content.
> - buttons are often indistinguishable from non-interactive label, leading to idiotic trial and error clicking to find out which UI elements do something
How come everyone understands hyperlinks on the web, but when the OS follows the same pattern you can't figure it out? I know a few apps have gotten this wrong on occasion, but as long as the text for an action is coloured differently than regular text then it's pretty obvious.
> scroll-bars that are hidden by default, loosing the information how far I am into a document (OSX)
On small screens (remember macbook airs are only 11" screens which I consider small) this saves precious screen space. If you really need to know where you are in a doc, resting your fingers on the trackpad and moving slightly brings the bar back. I thought this was a brilliant design to reduce clutter on the screen, not unlike how our browsers have been reducing their chrome to give the content more room.
I'm all for removing clutter from my screen if it helps me focus on the content.