Apple’s software is fine — people just notice bugs because they actually use it

[MrAverigeUser]

Customers are becoming more sophisticated and bland, simple, featureless products don't cut it any more. Customers want more and they expect it to work. Competition is a great thing and there will be someone there to take those customers if Apple can't get it right.

I am not talking about featureless products at all.

But most people don´t even use the "new" useless features that come out every 6-12 months - and mostly these features are coming with bugs under the hood… because these "new features" need implementation in the whole IOS/OSX - so they provoke severe issues even if the User don´t need and even don´t USE these useless features.

I give you an example:

The "revolutionary feature" that you "now can start a conversation with a IOS device and go one doing it on other IOS/OSX devices" had the consequences that four months MANY customers didn´t have save access to their own WLAN-network nor those in their business or in public…

That´s how "revolutionary features" block even the most simple daily life use….

I´d prefer apple to have a good "basic configuration" which "Just works" (including all really useful features) and only some software-modules on top being just a free option. Or even a customer-taylored choice of on-top-apps. This is already the case for many tens of thousand app in the app store. Why not chose them and install them when purchasing the iPhone - or later on like nowadays? So those who are hot to have the last-cry-features have it only at their OWN risk and not let the other customers suffer from it…

I don´t think this was impossible.

 

[Mr. Buzzcut]

I am not talking about featureless products at all.

But most people don´t even use the "new" useless features that come out every 6-12 months - and mostly these features are coming with bugs under the hood… because these "new features" need implementation in the whole IOS/OSX - so they provoke severe issues even if the User don´t need and even don´t USE these useless features.

I give you an example:

The "revolutionary feature" that you "now can start a conversation with a IOS device and go one doing it on other IOS/OSX devices" had the consequences that four months MANY customers didn´t have save access to their own WLAN-network nor those in their business or in public…

That´s how "revolutionary features" block even the most simple daily life use….

I´d prefer apple to have a good "basic configuration" which "Just works" (including all really useful features) and only some software-modules on top being just a free option. Or even a customer-taylored choice of on-top-apps. This is already the case for many tens of thousand app in the app store. Why not chose them and install them when purchasing the iPhone - or later on like nowadays? So those who are hot to have the last-cry-features have it only at their OWN risk and not let the other customers suffer from it…

I don´t think this was impossible.

I'm all for user configurable but that adds even more complexity which it seems is the very thing giving Apple difficulty. And who decides what is "really useful"? That thought just takes us further down the same road.

 

[perezr10]

I've been involved with designing software systems for mid-level manufacturing companies and the one thing that our programmers always call a veto on is interfaces between different applications. They always say if you want the software done on-time and to work correctly, they have to leave the interface between your customer service module and receiving module (just an example) out until the next round of mods.

Apple on the other hand is barraged with pundits asking "Why can't system A talk to system B?" And they're trying to make it work. It'll never be bug free. Guaranteed. I still find bugs in MIcrosoft Excel after almost 20 years of Microsoft trying to perfect it and very few interfaces.

Good luck Apple.

 

[atlchamp]

With the amount of money and resources apple has I feel almost as if they are lazy or aren't engaged as much as they should be in squashing bugs, there is no reason iOS should be on .3 and .4 updates, that to me is outrageous unless they are introducing new features in each one. But to be squashing bugs this late into the cycle is crazy to me. Apple has so much money and intelligent people working for them you would think they would find and squash bugs like no other company could but its almost as if they have a cash drought and can't afford to pay for more developers to find these bugs and squash them. Sometimes I get it, but most of the time I'm just left scratching my head.

 

[C DM]

With the amount of money and resources apple has I feel almost as if they are lazy or aren't engaged as much as they should be in squashing bugs, there is no reason iOS should be on .3 and .4 updates, that to me is outrageous unless they are introducing new features in each one. But to be squashing bugs this late into the cycle is crazy to me. Apple has so much money and intelligent people working for them you would think they would find and squash bugs like no other company could but its almost as if they have a cash drought and can't afford to pay for more developers to find these bugs and squash them. Sometimes I get it, but most of the time I'm just left scratching my head.

There are always bugs. Many companies have monthly or other regular cycles to issue updates addressing bugs and other issues. Nothing new or surprising about it.

 

[trifid]

There are always bugs. Many companies have monthly or other regular cycles to issue updates addressing bugs and other issues. Nothing new or surprising about it.

Some companies have more than others though, I think this is part of what differentiated Apple from the other 'billion-user' club, ie Google and Microsoft. Many buy Apple because "it just works", but if Apple's software quality keeps degrading, there'll be less differentiation from the competition.

I think this is the key, Apple is slipping, it's no longer under the tight leash of Jobs and Forstall (love or hate him, he was a detail freak), I wonder what will get Apple back on track.

 

[Beeplance]

Some companies have more than others though, I think this is part of what differentiated Apple from the other 'billion-user' club, ie Google and Microsoft. Many buy Apple because "it just works", but if Apple's software quality keeps degrading, there'll be less differentiation from the competition.

I think this is the key, Apple is slipping, it's no longer under the tight leash of Jobs and Forstall (love or hate him, he was a detail freak), I wonder what will get Apple back on track.

After reading your post, I went to google about Scott Forstall, just to read about him and his achievements again in leading the Mac OSX and then the iOS team back then even though I've known about it since 2011.

Till this day, I still think it's a pity he left - the very same sentiment I had when the news that he got shown the door first broke out.

While the 'Maps fiasco/refusal to apologise' and 'Siri disappointment' were mistakes made, Apple shouldn't have fired him and disregarded for his work through 6 generations of iOS. Although he was difficult to work with and often collided with other top executives in Apple, he produced results and quality versions of iOS that, at its worst beta stage, is arguably better than the current version of iOS in terms of usability, speed and stability. In fact, he'd probably be shaking his head while be forced to deal with the bugs of his current iPhone, likely to be something he knew he would not have allowed under his watch.

Even with all the skeuomorphism, I miss iOS 6. Apple's product and software line has changed tremendously after Scott and Steve's departure, and it's not for the better despite the big sales number. Like what one of the articles said, I am a believer that the notion of 'collaboration' that replaced the old Apple culture will mark the beginning of the end for Apple's quality in product and services.

 

[atlchamp]

Yeah Apple isn't the same company it used to be. You can tell by the innovation and quality of their products and software. There almost seems like there isn't accountability and it's ok to make mistakes and fix them later. That simply is unacceptable for consumers who pay top dollar for these products

 

[I7guy]

After reading your post, I went to google about Scott Forstall, just to read about him and his achievements again in leading the Mac OSX and then the iOS team back then even though I've known about it since 2011.

Till this day, I still think it's a pity he left - the very same sentiment I had when the news that he got shown the door first broke out.

While the 'Maps fiasco/refusal to apologise' and 'Siri disappointment' were mistakes made, Apple shouldn't have fired him and disregarded for his work through 6 generations of iOS. Although he was difficult to work with and often collided with other top executives in Apple, he produced results and quality versions of iOS that, at its worst beta stage, is arguably better than the current version of iOS in terms of usability, speed and stability. In fact, he'd probably be shaking his head while be forced to deal with the bugs of his current iPhone, likely to be something he knew he would not have allowed under his watch.

Even with all the skeuomorphism, I miss iOS 6. Apple's product and software line has changed tremendously after Scott and Steve's departure, and it's not for the better despite the big sales number. Like what one of the articles said, I am a believer that the notion of 'collaboration' that replaced the old Apple culture will mark the beginning of the end for Apple's quality in product and services.

Another Apple is doomed post. Collaboration is now the new norm and I like the new apple and its products. Seems like people still have an emotional investment in a prior company.

Yeah Apple isn't the same company it used to be. You can tell by the innovation and quality of their products and software. There almost seems like there isn't accountability and it's ok to make mistakes and fix them later. That simply is unacceptable for consumers who pay top dollar for these products

200 million phones a year plus other hardware and services people have spoken. Not like Apple has been churning the same old stuff around. in case you missed it starting from 64 bit 5s.

 

[Arran]

Nice try, but I think it's a tenuous argument: Diners say a restaurant's food is bad - but, hey, that's only because they're eating it.

What else are they supposed to do with it?

 

[AFEPPL]

Software has defiantly declined with the passing of time.
iOS fairing much worse than OS X, but they are both over bloated and buggy right now.

 

[I7guy]

Did you ever see a diner with bad food? there's a for sale sign in front. Don't see a gigantic "for sale" sign on the Apple campus.

 

[Radon87000]

Software quality is heavily lacking at Apple lately.Its become so that Android caught up to it and even surpassed it in many areas

 

[atlchamp]

Software quality is heavily lacking at Apple lately.Its become so that Android caught up to it and even surpassed it in many areas

I don't know about that

 

[I7guy]

May have been a wee bit of hyperbole in that post.

 

[Radon87000]

May have been a wee bit of hyperbole in that post.

Nope just pure facts
1.slide to upgrade brick bug
2.Error 53 brick bug
3.Jan 1970 brick bug
4.Wifi AssisT bug on iOS 8
5.Heavy iOS crashes something even Android would be ashamed of in iOS 7 and 8
6.Visual glitches like overlapping spotlight search bar etc

I could go on and on

 

[C DM]

Software quality is heavily lacking at Apple lately.Its become so that Android caught up to it and even surpassed it in many areas

What does comparing one to the other say about any of it? Essentially nothing.

 

[I7guy]

Nope just pure facts
1.slide to upgrade brick bug
2.Error 53 brick bug
3.Jan 1970 brick bug
4.Wifi AssisT bug on iOS 8
5.Heavy iOS crashes something even Android would be ashamed of in iOS 7 and 8
6.Visual glitches like overlapping spotlight search bar etc

I could go on and on

It's hyperbole, there is no such thing as bug free software even if you can name bugs. This list proves zero, nada that quality is lacking, all it proves is that bugs exist.

 

[Radon87000]

What does comparing one to the other say about any of it? Essentially nothing.

My point was that earlier iOS was in a completely different league compared to Android when it comes to speed and stability l.Now the gap has reduced

It's hyperbole, there is no such thing as bug free software even if you can name bugs. This list proves zero, nada that quality is lacking, all it proves is that bugs exist.

These are not just bugs.They have the capability to turn your device into a paperweight.These getting past testing indicates a severe lack of QA

 

[C DM]

My point was that earlier iOS was in a completely different league compared to Android when it comes to speed and stability l.Now the gap has reduced

These are not just bugs.They have the capability to turn your device into a paperweight.These getting past testing indicates a severe lack of QA

And what does it matter that the gap has reduced?

 

[I7guy]

My point was that earlier iOS was in a completely different league compared to Android when it comes to speed and stability l.Now the gap has reduced

These are not just bugs.They have the capability to turn your device into a paperweight.These getting past testing indicates a severe lack of QA

Not correct, these are not some random bugs that occur in the wild. In one bug you have to have a specific model and get an unauthorized repair, in another bug, you have to wontonly try to replicate something that takes many attempts. Much different than browsing in safari and getting a bricked device.

Have you seen the bug list for android? How many iOS devices ever got infected in the wild due to bugs vs how many android devices or Windows computers ever got infected. I'll make it easy, not many.

It's easy for anybody to have an opinion: iOS is far above android when it comes to speed and stability. The gap is ever widening.

 

[AFEPPL]

Why is it alway the and same argument??
Im losing the will to read this stuff...

People will try to defend the undefendable it seems..

 

[I7guy]

Nobody is forcing anybody to read or respond to anything; for those who are having issues doing same.

 

[dk001]

I'm all for user configurable but that adds even more complexity which it seems is the very thing giving Apple difficulty. And who decides what is "really useful"? That thought just takes us further down the same road.

Is it user configurable (against) or default app defining (for)?
[doublepost=1455645890][/doublepost]

With the amount of money and resources apple has I feel almost as if they are lazy or aren't engaged as much as they should be in squashing bugs, there is no reason iOS should be on .3 and .4 updates, that to me is outrageous unless they are introducing new features in each one. But to be squashing bugs this late into the cycle is crazy to me. Apple has so much money and intelligent people working for them you would think they would find and squash bugs like no other company could but its almost as if they have a cash drought and can't afford to pay for more developers to find these bugs and squash them. Sometimes I get it, but most of the time I'm just left scratching my head.

Be careful with that "feeling". The general execution by Apple that X.1 - Feature A will also include bug fixes. Same with X.2 and X.3 ... If possible consolidate and push the "New Feature" label. Common routine bug fix rollouts chip away at your user support base. If possible do not label as a bug fix or minimize the bug fix message. Apple isn't the only one to do this, however they are doing it.
[doublepost=1455646053][/doublepost]

Did you ever see a diner with bad food? there's a for sale sign in front. Don't see a gigantic "for sale" sign on the Apple campus.

Who could afford it?
[doublepost=1455646307][/doublepost]

I don't know about that

I look at it one way: how many times on iOS have I started or tried again stock apps only to, where I could, migrate to a 3rd party solution? The stock iOS apps I use are a serious minority these days. This means they are most likely (for me) either lacking or buggy or both.

 

[Radon87000]

And what does it matter that the gap has reduced?

It means that while Android engineers were progressing leaps and bounds in optimisation while iOS just stool still allowing them to catch up.

Not correct, these are not some random bugs that occur in the wild. In one bug you have to have a specific model and get an unauthorized repair, in another bug, you have to wontonly try to replicate something that takes many attempts. Much different than browsing in safari and getting a bricked device.

Thats just it.Did any bug like these happen in the pre iOS 6 era?The fact that the devices are permanently bricked is startling because even on Android there is no bug which bricks the device completely beyond repair

Have you seen the bug list for android? How many iOS devices ever got infected in the wild due to bugs vs how many android devices or Windows computers ever got infected. I'll make it easy, not many.

I havent seen the bug list for an Android but what I do know is that there was never a widespread bug on Android which permabricked the device for just replacing sensors or changing dates