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jdl8422

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 5, 2006
491
0
Louisiana
I've been reading about all the new smart phones coming out. I have been seeing alot of the HT Hero. I don't plan on getting rid of my iphone for this phone, but I am a fan of the UI (Based on pics, not hands on). Im wondering if anyone else feels like Apple's UI is getting stale. There hasn't been a significant change since the launch of the iPhone. Im hoping these new phones make Apple step their game up a little. What does everyone else feel about it.
 
Plenty of phones copy it so it can't be that bad ;)

If it's functional and efficient I see no reason to change it, besides it's not exactly old.
 
I definitely feel like it needs a refresh. Swiping across multiple screens to get to an app is kind of annoying and using Spotlight isn't always ideal either.
 
I'm not complaining about functionality with the phone. I think it is one of the easiest phones to use. I guess im coming from a graphic standpoint.
 
Over the years Mac OS X added Expose, Spaces, and altered the Finder's sidebar.

Those are refinements, not big changes. They still have the dock. They sitll have windows. They still use a mouse.

The iPhone needs to grow, and it has been. They added app-arranging. They added spotlight. And in the future they'll add more things.

The iPhone does need that sort of evolution, but I don't consider that a 'refresh' or a 'change.' So I kind of have to say 'no' to your literal question but 'yes' to the spirit of the question.
 
I definitely feel like it needs a refresh. Swiping across multiple screens to get to an app is kind of annoying and using Spotlight isn't always ideal either.

how else could you get to the apps then?

the UI is fine; it works great, easy to use, there's nothing better
 
Yes, I'm sick of it. That's the only reason I still jailbreak, so I can theme.
 
If they did something different with notifications I would be happy. I would like a pre-esque notification bar that pops up along the bottom, instead of an intrusive window that interrupts what I'm doing. Gets really old with push enabled on aim...
 
I think so...

Yes, I think the UI needs a refresh. I would like to see Apple (or an app) provide different themes for the iPhone. At the very least, I would like to set wallpapers for each pages depending upon the category of apps I categorized. But I do accept that the current UI is very funcational and clean.
 
I do wish they'd get rid of the ugly metal mesh on the dock. The reflective glass look of the original iPod touches was much more attractive.

Notification icons and a quick-access toolbar to turn off EDGE/3G/WiFI/etc. would basically nullify any reason to jailbreak, for me.
 
Certainly some things need changing. Notifications are a mess, the time bar could use a new Mail icon, scrolling round pages of apps doesn't work well and three taps and a button press from the homescreen to turn wi-fi on and off is a nightmare.

As said above, more evolution than revolution, but there's a lot to fix at the moment.

Phazer
 
Don't base your ideas on some pictures. I've got some phones in hands which seemed really nice, but when I used it... wow blegh.

I like the interface, it's clear, it's nice, but more options to make it more customizable and more extendable would be better.
 
graphically I like it a lot and don't want any changes. Functionally, it could use categories given the expanding number of apps on many people's phones.
 
Personally, I think the iPhone needs a quick view page that shows my schedule, emails, tasks, etc. Like a homescreen. I'd be all over the iPhone again if they gave you the option of that over a spotlight screen.

I have used intelliscreen, but this would be even better since it would just open calendar, email, etc for you when needed. Personally I find that being able to grab my phone and just quickly deal with appointments, tasks, SMS/email count and maybe a handful of quick settings makes me more efficient.
 
I'm confident that Apple will eventually allow users to choose a theme, alllow users to create folders, and may even change the look of the app icons at some point. I think that the basic layout will remain the same for years however.
 
I just want a lock screen that will actually tell me something. There's a JB app for it - Apple should build it into the regular OS.
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intelliscreen1052.jpg

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Certainly some things need changing. Notifications are a mess, the time bar could use a new Mail icon, scrolling round pages of apps doesn't work well and three taps and a button press from the homescreen to turn wi-fi on and off is a nightmare.

As said above, more evolution than revolution, but there's a lot to fix at the moment.

Phazer
Notifications are fine in my eyes, only sad you can just see one. But how the Palm Pre is doing it, that's neither nice too. Mail icons are fine, but the mail app it self can need a upgrade. Scrolling works fine.

And what do you mean with your WiFi problem? You are two taps away from turning on and off WiFi. With a lot of systems you have to search for this.
 
Cosmetically, it'll probably be constantly tweaked over time.

Functionally, it'll never evolve to the complexity of a desktop OS; but there are some 'weaknesses'. Some kind of app management is going to be necessary sooner or later. The Mac originally had a flat(ish) filesystem; which evolved as users' file needs grew in scale and complexity. The same will happen with the iPhone.
 
Plenty of phones copy it so it can't be that bad ;)

If it's functional and efficient I see no reason to change it, besides it's not exactly old.

Agreed, I like it just fine.

question fear said:
Personally, I think the iPhone needs a quick view page that shows my schedule, emails, tasks, etc. Like a homescreen.

Yeah, I would really like that as well. I love the Today screen on Windows Mobile devices.
 
And what do you mean with your WiFi problem? You are two taps away from turning on and off WiFi. With a lot of systems you have to search for this.

I think profile support is needed here. Then you can define WiFi, bluetooth, and ring settings with different profiles.
 
how else could you get to the apps then?

the UI is fine; it works great, easy to use, there's nothing better

That's the point - they may be able to come up with a better way to get to apps. Under the current system, you either swipe or use spotlight - that's it (unless you jb of course).
 
I say no changes but, of course I just bought my iPhone. It is still new too me. Although, I would like more customization options, like changing the e-mail notification sound and adding a wallpaper to all the screens instead of just the lock screen.
 
I'd like it if you could organize your apps in folders so you don't have to swipe across multiple pages to get to an app. Like a games and productivity folder. It would make the whole experience much more streamlined I think.
 
In my opinion the iPhone needs mail notifications up on the status bar for things like email, SMS or whatnot. Oh and also have the beep or vibrate repeat on an interval you set for a set number of times in case you don't hear or feel it the first time.

Also, needs a homescreen with all upcoming calendar events, missed calls, emails and whatever.

Also because some people have so many apps now, they need folders to make it easier than flipping through things. Could even work like stacks on the mac!

Oh wait...

If jailbroken people have addressed most of these things.
StatusNotifier
LockInfo
Stacks v3

I even have my own games folder! Got me down to 3 pages with 85 apps. :)
 

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