He quite explicitly says that ugliness (quite apart from simplicity) actually has some advantages, like earning the trust of a certain class of users.

It's fine to disagree, but to suggest that he's "confused" when he's stated that so clearly is kind of condescending.

I think he may be right, and I think the "ugly == trustworthy" idea is also lent credence by the hideous ads in small newspapers, in "Coupon Clipper" type mass-mailings, ugly signs for small local businesses, etc.