The software design language Apple used for the first few years of the iPhone is what we now commonly refer to as skeuomorphic, which was essentially mimicking real world, physical objects. There were visual metaphors like a leather texture in Calendar, a handwriting font in Notes, a wooden bookshelf in Books that contrasted with the minimalist design of the hardware.

Presumably there are still people in 2026 encountering their first glass slab; I wonder if there’s a training wheels device to help them acclimatize

The argument was that in those early years, visual software design should mimic their physical counterparts so users would understand how to interact with them on a glass screen. After we got comfortable with it, the metaphors were no longer necessary; the move from skeuomorphic to flat.

There’s still plenty of visual ones, the folder icon resembles a Manila folder. The phone icon is an old fashioned wired handset. iMovie, clips and FaceTime icons look like vintage 35mm studio cameras. Tips uses an incandescent lightbulb. These are all skeuomorphic!

And yet! The shutter sounds remains. This is curious because it does not aid in usability.

In Japan, the shutter sound is mandated (by manufacturers) to prevent upskirting.

with Live Photos turned on, you only hear it when doing a screenshot

Is there anything audible while filming or does it not help at all?