And it's confirmed - they are flattening it.
 
 
http://www.macworld.com/article/2041180/apple-unveils-ios-7.html#tk.fb_mw
 
Personally, I think it looks awful, though still better than Windows and I think that the 3D texturing actually contributed a great deal to the usability, adding to each icons uniqueness and making them easier to spot at a glance.
 
The goos news for me is that the next revision of OSX isn't adopting that flat look. 

Still better than Windows?  Have you tried Windows Phone man?  I am not trolling you, or flaming you, but I would like to, "suggest, in a very friendly way," that Windows Phone is really, really cool.  I'm still loving my Nokia that I got about a month ago...  I traded my iphone 4 in, and re'upped my at & t contract.  My Lumia 920 is really cool.  I think the Windows Phone OS is killer
 
:-)

No I didn't try it. And I'm talking strictly aesthetics. In terms of functionality, I have no doubts that it's probably great.
 
To be honest, I don't even use a smart phone anymore. I still have my old 3G iPhone, but I only use it as a MP3 player or to take stupid pics of my cats. When we left Canada, I took it offline.
 
I have a very basic LG dumb phone which I only use to receive calls from my wife when she's on her way back from work. 

 
I don't know..  Win Phone is all modern.   A lot of these tiles, are constanly changing, and updating.  I can't show you all my tiles, but for example..  On Win Phone, there is a tile called "People" and that flips pictures of all your friends and stuff.  I scrolled down to hide it, ya know?  To protect the privacy of my friends..  but I have other tiles below from the weather channel, and one for background photos, and my updates on FB, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and there are constantly updating.  
 
On apple, those icons stand still.  On Win phone, the thing is, "alive."  
 
Sorry Rain, but..  Win Phone is so cool!

I hate the new trend. Office 2013 is another example of flat world. Why not have really cool interface for plugs and instruments you're going to look at for hours?
 
I personally think that this new "lazy" design is simply a cost cutting measure. Make it so simple and generic that you can outsource your coding. I'll pay more for an interface that appeals to me.
 
The Mac world will get a real shake if they adopt this 2d plain vanilla look.

I'm crossing my fingers that this trend will become a thing of the past before it makes it to the actual computer OS.
 
In the meantime, people will have plenty to rip on w/ the new Mac Pro - which many have already dubbed the Trash Can. 

 
Personally, I'll wait before I see one in person before I make a judgement. But it's black, so we're off to a good start. ;) 

GOOD GRACIOUS I just spent the better half of 15 minutes trying to find a photo of the new GUI. personally, I don't likes it... it's doesn't seem congruent with the way I view Apple, for one thing. Additionally, I just feel like it doesn't fit the phone itself. Mind you, it is possible to be TOO simple, or TOO aesthetically base... mike, that pic of that synth (Room) you posted seems to be that in my eyes- TOO simplistic, regardless of the level functionality.
In any case, Apple may as well open the gates for jailbreaking and what-have-you, as jbow said; someone is getting paid to change things.

You'd think Steve Jobs was dead or something!

I quite like it. I've always liked less busy, minimalist designs - and I quite like bright colors too. I'm looking forward to updating. 

sharke
I quite like it. I've always liked less busy, minimalist designs - and I quite like bright colors too. I'm looking forward to updating. 

 
Well I do like something.  I like the trashcan Mac Pro.  It looks very modern and kinda Ikea.  I always loved Ikea.  So, + 1 on that.