[Washuu]

OS 10.9 and iOS 7 have taken contrast and thrown it out the window. They are both following current designer trends of less contrast overall while claiming better readability. The low contrast trend started around 2011 to 2012 with web sites. It typically takes Apple one year to catch up with the trends on their operating system releases.

Both their recent releases result in more eye strain for me looking for a way to fix their messed up ideas of contrast.

[mikro2nd]

Do you suppose that this might be related to the oft-discussed-on-HN ageism that the Silicon Valley-based industry is accused of?

Low contrast may be pleasing to twenty-something year old eyes, but unreadable to fifty-something year old eyes, and, if I consider my own attitudes and thinking at a younger age, I would almost certainly not have been considering how UI design choices would impact people with less-than optimal vision but for a mother-in-law with severe vision limitations.

[Washuu]

It could have a minor bit to do with relative age of the designers, but I would assume it is more do with current designer trends. Personally, I do not wear glasses and have considerably good vision as well I even go to the extent of using good monitors with IPS panels that are properly calibrated. Even then there are issues with font contrast in OS 10.9 and iOS 7 where they decide to use a white font with a very light drop shadow.

I have always made sure to design with disabilities in mind.(Section 508 government work.) There was a previous designer I worked with a couple years ago that came from the Silicon Valley area that would require a weekly reminder that low contrast designs would not be acceptable.

[gutnor]

It is probably more a fashion trend like what affect everything around us.

Low contrast works especially well with the retina and above screens we currently on everything nowadays.