The main thing that I would like to see Apple do is get off their high-horse. They make think they've perfected UI design, but they haven't. Not as far as I'm concerned. Give me the ability to theme the UI to my liking and I will have no need to jailbreak. For a company that had such strong roots in the multimedia community, it just seems ridiculous that they give no options to be creative with your UI.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Are you happy with Apple's UI. Or does it need a refresh?
- Thread starter jdl8422
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
All you guys are voting for increasing the complexity of UI. Apple mojo is simplicity. The main difference between iPhone and all other Phones is the ease of using such a complex technology.
For me personally, I think folders will not such a great idea. For example I want to use Shazam, but I put in my music folder. So I have to click on folder than Shazam and so forth. I know folders are useful, but even using a PC with a lot of stuff requires too much clicking
For me personally, I think folders will not such a great idea. For example I want to use Shazam, but I put in my music folder. So I have to click on folder than Shazam and so forth. I know folders are useful, but even using a PC with a lot of stuff requires too much clicking
Dude it has only been out for 2 years lol! They are still solidifying the platform for crying out loud and you are whining that the UI is "stale" lol!
It still looks better than any other phone by far. Much more clean, much more user friendly, and so on.
They won't refresh the UI for probably at least another year. My guess is that next summer with iPhone OS 4.0 you will see some new UI features for better navigation, such as stacks, less intrusive notifications, widgets on the unlock screen, or other refinements to springboard. I think such additions will be great, but the UI hardly needs a complete refresh!
Well that's stupid... Think about it... You could have 16 folders with 16 apps each on one screen. How many touches does it take to get to ANY one of your 256 apps? Exactly 2.
With swiping how does it work? If the app is one of the 16 apps on your home screen it takes 1. If it's on the next screen it takes 2 because you have to swipe over. Next it takes 3. Swiping around forever is tedious and not a simple interface.
Folders/stacks are familiar as well as efficient because you can chose to use them or not. You can group icons that you want to be grouped but leave others free for one touch.
Also, why is it better UI or simpler to have to swipe on over to your calendar and open it up and look at your agenda to see the upcoming events than to just look at the screen that shows up before you even unlock?
Also, if you're in an app and your phone is on vibrate and you just feel it pulse once and don't know what it just did, how is it not useful to see if you have a new email without having to exit your app and open up mail? Or for that matter from the lock screen? You think your phone may have buzzed so you pull it out press the homebutton and you already know? It's not simpler to take it out, swipe it to unlock, swipe over to Mail and see if it has any badges.
Nope. I admit that I love the simplicity of the iPhone but there are just somethings that would make it even more simple and better UI. They just don't do them.
Seriously. Not only is the default full of useful information, but there's tons of 3rd party programs that add skins and good info too.
It would be cool if the iPhone incorporated some sort of up/down swipe to bring up a Today screen...but until then, without that and some damn alarms on tasks its a non starter for me.
ok, how about being able to tap the little circle at the bottom of the page that shows what page you're on? they could do that and save those precious swipes that are just so agonizing
Yea, that would have the same effect, but they'd have to make them bigger to be usable.
My point is that if you're talking about efficiency in simplicity 2 taps is far better than swiping all around looking for the app you want when you have 85 different apps. Now if you have less than that you wouldn't have to use the folders. I just think Apple should have given us the option. Glad I jailbroke.
Oh and PS, that ability is available for jailbroken phones. Spring Jumps.
So, you are saying that they shouldn't add it just because you don't like it? There's a simple solution for that: don't use it. And no please, don't put the lockscreen full of nonsense. Maybe some few icons, but not text etc.
The iPhone is very simple to use, and you can use it without a manual. If you are going to add all those diffecult things, than you will lose the simplisity. The maybe can put some very small icons below the time (on the lockscreen) with a badge, but that's it. No big icons or text.
Haddman, you can see an app as a widget.
I may get one
I'm pretty excited actually. I'd still keep my iPhone though (with no service). The UI is very novel. The concept of reducing the NEED for apps and putting things right there is great (jailbreakers have already been doing this).
where in cydia did you get those???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.
sbsettings is your friend...and also reflective dock + winterboard/"old dock" = ipod touch 1.1.3 dock!
There's a reason why apple doesn't putting UI ideas in the hands of it's users and I'm seeing it right now. If apple took all your advice I would turn my phone on to see a giant glob of apps and settings in a totally unorgaized, not simple, way that apple is not known for. Would haveing wifi all your settings on your home page be easier to access? Maybe but I personally like the way apple designs there OS now very simple. I see some of your guys jailbroken phones home scrreens and themes and I want to throw up. KISS; keep it simple stupid applys here guys...
I do more with my iPhone than I have ever done in all the smart phones I've had previously. I put that down to ease of use.
The UI is very easy and quick to use I find. Why change it. Add to it, certainly, but don't change for the sake of change.
People purchase the iPhone for its simple to use yet elegant UI, not to mention the many wonderful apps in the App Store. Very soon, these same group of people will head for other platforms that satisfy their hunger (if Apple don't act).
Why are people getting HTC Hero when Android's overall UI sucks, and the marketplace is still not as comparable to the App Store? Well, because of its widgets and customizability, these are what people want. Android phones will definitely be widely-adopted as its marketplace get populated with more "quality" apps and phone-makers come out with UI and features that people wants. That day will come if Apple still sit back.
Will Apple be like Microsoft - just providing the OS and leave the rest to the developers?
Why are people getting HTC Hero when Android's overall UI sucks, and the marketplace is still not as comparable to the App Store? Well, because of its widgets and customizability, these are what people want. Android phones will definitely be widely-adopted as its marketplace get populated with more "quality" apps and phone-makers come out with UI and features that people wants. That day will come if Apple still sit back.
Will Apple be like Microsoft - just providing the OS and leave the rest to the developers?
The iPhone is not for everyone. But I love how simple and clean the UI is. Refresh? It would definitely be interesting to see how Apple would redesign the UI. But is it needed? Probably not.
If Apple does what we all hope they will do and
1. Improve the PN system
2. Allow background apps
Then they will have to adjust the UI/springboard for this. So yes, I 'hope' they do
1. Improve the PN system
2. Allow background apps
Then they will have to adjust the UI/springboard for this. So yes, I 'hope' they do
All I want apple to do is let us change the home screen background.... and maybe the icons.. Just theming.. Apple could make some money off of it.... Sell themes in the app store!
LockInfo is on the repo http://david.ashman.com/beta/ and status notifier I had to find a .deb for online for the latest file. Stacks also has to be gotten online not on cydia from the developer's website.
There are several threads on LockInfo here if you are interested.
All I ask for, is an SBSettings-type feature, to simplify a superb OS even more.
When I look at detailed videos of the Pre and Hero UI's it strikes me that there is a certain learning curve to go through.
iPhone OS just makes sense when you first pick it up. My 9 year old niece understood the basics with zero prompting from me, lol.
When I look at detailed videos of the Pre and Hero UI's it strikes me that there is a certain learning curve to go through.
iPhone OS just makes sense when you first pick it up. My 9 year old niece understood the basics with zero prompting from me, lol.
The UI, as in the menus, etc, is fine, but I do think the homescreen needs a revamp.
A widget supporting homescreen where you can pick your own wallpaper would be great Of course this probably won't happen until, if ever, Apple change their stance on background apps.
And I think Apple should "borrow" the unobtrusive sliding notification tray system from Android. That's a much better system than the annoying popups that disturb you when you're in the middle of something.
A widget supporting homescreen where you can pick your own wallpaper would be great
Of course this probably won't happen until, if ever, Apple change their stance on background apps.And I think Apple should "borrow" the unobtrusive sliding notification tray system from Android. That's a much better system than the annoying popups that disturb you when you're in the middle of something.