The discussion highlights the profound impact of NeXT on Apple's OS X, emphasizing the aesthetic evolution of the interface from the Aqua design to the refinement seen in Mountain Lion. Many commenters reflect on the nostalgia for early OS X versions and express appreciation for the remnants of NeXT's technology still prevalent in current Apple software, such as NSString and NS classes. There's a recognition of the historically significant role of WebObjects and EOF in app development paradigms, asserting that these early tools laid foundations for modern approaches including ORM and no-code solutions. While Apple provides essential development tools, the reality of the annual developer program fee is a noted concern. The comments also question Steve Jobs' affinity for Unix, suggesting a contradiction to his usual control preferences in technology.