Do you plan to switch from iPhone to Android? (2016)

[epicrayban]

The android app store is much nicer. For me the glaring example of how much better it is, is that I can browse and purchase google apps from my PC. On iOS you either have to do it right on the phone, or you have to install that joke of a program iTunes, which was relevant in what, 2007?

I'm also not holding my breath for any kind of dark mode in the ip hone 8. Apple will put their substantial R&D and technology might into.... making more Emojis. Seriously, that's what it always comes down to, making more freakin Emojis. So now when my wife yells at me because my glaring iPhone wakes her up, I simply tell her that Apple now has 3 bazillion Emoji's and she totally understands and goes back to sleep.

Now don't get me wrong, Google is just as guilty with their "material" design, which is garbage IMO. One of the few things I appreciated from Samsung was their theme market and the ability to have a halfway decent dark theme, but still not great.

I, too, find the Play Store a better experience in nearly every way.

 

[spinedoc77]

This is news to me...I didn't know that!

I will check it out...thank you.

You can actually stop updates PER APP. This is very useful if you have a stable version and don't want to upgrade, for example.

 

[bufffilm]

You can actually stop updates PER APP. This is very useful if you have a stable version and don't want to upgrade, for example.

That is always my fear...getting an update that breaks something that was working fine. I don't install app updates on iOS either for the same reason.

There were even cases where a later update stripped features from an app! Only for the feature to debut under a new app name...ie. just to generate more $ for the developer.

Android & iOS -- what's good for the goose holds true for the gander.

 

[epicrayban]

For me the function bar adds yet another inconsistency in IOS very much like 3DT....works great sometimes....then sometimes you get nothing. I forget 3DT is even there to be honest. Even some of Apple's own built in apps give useless information. I can see the function bar being the same thing if 3DT is any indication. It seesm like another added complexity.
Let me arrange my icons anyway I want in IOS and the function bar might not be needed.....

Well, that's why it's unfortunate if the rumors prove true and the function bar is only available in a third and significantly more expensive tier. It should, at least, be across the board in the 2017 iPhone lineup. We can excuse fragmenting between annual updates because the technology has to evolve (every OEM faces this), but fragmentation within a single year's lineup? Not cool for the customer. Probably in 2018, the function bar would come to all new iPhones?

Also, I think we can't compare the potentials of the function bar to the potentials of 3D Touch. I believe app developers will take far more advantage of a function bar than they would 3D Touch, which we've established is really only beneficial in a few instances (much of it invalidated by the Pixel's long-press, and comes at the expense of gesture-typing). The function bar could lead to Apple's own method of some form of a back button. Imagine if you can gesture back on the function bar always? Unlike currently where gesturing back only works sometimes (even within Apple's own apps where menus slide up and you can't gesture back from it). That would dramatically improve the way we navigate around iOS.

 

[jamezr]

Well, that's why it's unfortunate if the rumors prove true and the function bar is only available in a third and significantly more expensive tier. It should, at least, be across the board in the 2017 iPhone lineup. We can excuse fragmenting between annual updates because the technology has to evolve (every OEM faces this), but fragmentation within a single year's lineup? Not cool for the customer. Probably in 2018, the function bar would come to all new iPhones?

Also, I think we can't compare the potentials of the function bar to the potentials of 3D Touch. I believe app developers will take far more advantage of a function bar than they would 3D Touch, which we've established is really only beneficial in a few instances (much of it invalidated by the Pixel's long-press, and comes at the expense of gesture-typing). The function bar could lead to Apple's own method of some form of a back button. Imagine if you can gesture back on the function bar always? Unlike currently where gesturing back only works sometimes (even within Apple's own apps where menus slide up and you can't gesture back from it). That would dramatically improve the way we navigate around iOS.

You can do recent apps by double clicking on the home button... Same as the function bar from your description.

 

[bufffilm]

This is news to me...I didn't know that!

I will check it out...thank you.

So where do you actually adjust the Play store setting?

I'm on KitKat (Samsung Tab Pro 8.4).

 

[epicrayban]

You can do recent apps by double clicking on the home button... Same as the function bar from your description.

Yep. But that only opens the app switcher. It doesn't automatically switch to the second app like it does on Android.

On Android, hitting the app switcher button once opens the rolodex of apps; hitting the app switcher button twice "alt-tabs" quickly between two apps.
[doublepost=1489422341][/doublepost]

So where do you actually adjust the Play store setting?

I'm on KitKat (Samsung Tab Pro 8.4).

Are you asking me (you quoted yourself there )?

It's in the Play Store setting. Slide the menu out from the left while in the Play Store, scroll down to Settings, then find "Auto-update Apps" and you can pick "Do not auto-updat apps."

 

[bufffilm]

Yep. But that only opens the app switcher. It doesn't automatically switch to the second app like it does on Android.

On Android, hitting the app switcher button once opens the rolodex of apps; hitting the app switcher button twice "alt-tabs" quickly between two apps.
[doublepost=1489422341][/doublepost]

Are you asking me (you quoted yourself there )?

It's in the Play Store setting. Slide the menu out from the left while in the Play Store, scroll down to Settings, then find "Auto-update Apps" and you can pick "Do not auto-updat apps."

Thanks!

 

[tbayrgs]

Also, I think we can't compare the potentials of the function bar to the potentials of 3D Touch. I believe app developers will take far more advantage of a function bar than they would 3D Touch, which we've established is really only beneficial in a few instances (much of it invalidated by the Pixel's long-press, and comes at the expense of gesture-typing). The function bar could lead to Apple's own method of some form of a back button. Imagine if you can gesture back on the function bar always? Unlike currently where gesturing back only works sometimes (even within Apple's own apps where menus slide up and you can't gesture back from it). That would dramatically improve the way we navigate around iOS.

Based on Apple's long history of controlling the OS and locking things down, what makes you think that developers will even have access to the 'function bar'? Apple is obsessive with controlling the iOS user experience and opening up such a visible portion of the display to developers would truly surprise me.

 

[epicrayban]

Based on Apple's long history of controlling the OS and locking things down, what makes you think that developers will even have access to the 'function bar'? Apple is obsessive with controlling the iOS user experience and opening up such a visible portion of the display to developers would truly surprise me.

True.

But in this case, it would surprise me if Apple didn't let developers mess with the function bar. What would show up in the function bar then in those apps? Black space? I think precisely because the function bar is so visible, Apple will share this right away with developers. Again, I see the function bar as effectively software keys.

Of course, you could very well be right, too. And if the iPhone Edition is going to be the only one that has the function bar, that may be another reason to not share it yet.

 

[tbayrgs]

True.

But in this case, it would surprise me if Apple didn't let developers mess with the function bar. What would show up in the function bar then in those apps? Black space? Because the function bar is so visible, I think Apple will share this right away with developers. Again, I see the function bar as effectively software keys.

I think it's going to be restricted specifically to iOS features and functionality. And I think your black space thought is proof. If it is fully open to developers, when this new iPhone is released, how many apps will be 'Function Bar' ready? Unlike when the next version of iOS is revealed at WWDC and devs have 3-4 months to incorporate changes (and even then, most apps aren't ready at the iOS update launch), functionality that's unique to a new iPhone will be seen by most devs for the first time at the iPhone event (Apple always partners with a couple of devs to showcase new elements during the presentation but that's it). So what would we see in the function bar when inside these apps if it is set up to be a sort of canvas for the developers to utilize---black space?

I think Apple's own apps may have some unique elements but otherwise, I'd be willing to wager that we'll only see OS system wide types of shortcuts/gestures there.

 

[epicrayban]

I think it's going to be restricted specifically to iOS features and functionality. And I think your black space thought is proof. If it is fully open to developers, when this new iPhone is released, how many apps will be 'Function Bar' ready? Unlike when the next version of iOS is revealed at WWDC and devs have 3-4 months to incorporate changes (and even then, most apps aren't ready at the iOS update launch), functionality that's unique to a new iPhone will be seen by most devs for the first time at the iPhone event (Apple always partners with a couple of devs to showcase new elements during the presentation but that's it). So what would we see in the function bar when inside these apps if it is set up to be a sort of canvas for the developers to utilize---black space?

I think Apple's own apps may have some unique elements but otherwise, I'd be willing to wager that we'll only see OS system wide types of shortcuts/gestures there.

You're probably right. :T
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As for the function bar, I don't know if it will be a good thing. Firstly it's a loss of screen real estate, and that's by far the most precious thing on phones. At least with Android nav bar it gets out of the way when you full screen video and games and such, and you can apply apps and hacks to get rid of it or change functions. Apple's function bar seems like it will be there permanently, so it better provide some incredible functionality. My gut tells me it will be an overhyped "3d touch is really a long press" situation, so I'm not really psyched.

I hope not, but I can't deny your concerns. I see promise, but you and @tbayrgs could both be very right about the function bar.

I'm just desperately hoping for more consistent navigation through iOS. There's no guarantee the function bar would even be used for that.

 

[tbayrgs]

You're probably right. :T

I sincerely hope I'm not but after the disappointments of the past couple of years, I've finally learned to set my expectations at absolute zero. Every year we hope Apple opens things up on iOS and every year, with every new iteration, we see nothing of the sort. Not wasting my hope on Apple until they can show me something that indicates a change of course, so to speak.

 

[I7guy]

I very clearly stated here that 3DT in these use cases works in only Apple's apps and said your assertions on using peek and pop in emails and photos are wrong because in both use cases the top apps on the store do not support it and to tell me an app which does and syncs with Windows. This is clearly explained when I say "what you just stated".

Peek and pop works in whatsapp. Second time I mentioned it. My use case is not syncing with windows, in fact I'm happier for it not syncing with windows.

You can have any use case you want, 3dt just works for me.

 

[Radon87000]

Peek and pop works in whatsapp. Second time I mentioned it.

And this is the second time I have told you you werent talking about WhatsApp earlier.You were talking about photos and web browsers and emails. And I never said WhatsApp didnt have peek and pop

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Peek and pop works with whatsapp and twitter. I know this as I use it daily. There are not many apps on my phone where 3D Touch does not add additional shortcuts but I agree with @Shanghaichica it could do more. I'm sure more potential will be unlocked in the future. It's come quite a long way in the 18 months it's been on iPhones imo.

I do like the way you can press the keyboard and navigate back through text for quick corrections. The little vibrate and Taptic feedback gives you more of a feel than long press in my experience. It's nice to have both.

 

[I7guy]

And this is the second time I have told you you werent talking about WhatsApp earlier.You were talking about photos and web browsers and emails. And I never said WhatsApp didnt have peek and pop

And this is the third time...you asked for a third party app that supports peek and pop and I provided one.

You don't like the feature or want to attempt to poke holes in it don't use it. I like it and it use it frequently.

 

[epicrayban]

I still don't understand why my iPhone says "passcode required to enable Touch ID" randomly at the lock screen. Haven't I already enabled Touch ID when I set it up and decided that's how I want to unlock? It just happened to me again.

Is there any rhyme and reason to this? Serious question.

 

[spinedoc77]

I think it's going to be restricted specifically to iOS features and functionality. And I think your black space thought is proof. If it is fully open to developers, when this new iPhone is released, how many apps will be 'Function Bar' ready? Unlike when the next version of iOS is revealed at WWDC and devs have 3-4 months to incorporate changes (and even then, most apps aren't ready at the iOS update launch), functionality that's unique to a new iPhone will be seen by most devs for the first time at the iPhone event (Apple always partners with a couple of devs to showcase new elements during the presentation but that's it). So what would we see in the function bar when inside these apps if it is set up to be a sort of canvas for the developers to utilize---black space?

I think Apple's own apps may have some unique elements but otherwise, I'd be willing to wager that we'll only see OS system wide types of shortcuts/gestures there.

Even if Apple does open up the function bar to devs, the issue is still fragmentation as others have said. How much will it be worth it for a dev to add function bar functionality for a single model of the highest end, versus putting that R&D into features for the masses on all the other devices? I do think the comparison to 3D touch is valid, we can see how piss poorly devs have embraced 3d touch and how even Apple themselves don't seem to know how to use it, expect more of the same with a function bar.
[doublepost=1489433138][/doublepost]

I still don't understand why my iPhone says "passcode required to enable Touch ID" randomly at the lock screen. Haven't I already enabled Touch ID when I set it up and decided that's how I want to unlock? It just happened to me again.

Is there any rhyme and reason to this? Serious question.

I gave up on trying to understand how Apple handles security, it's like 3 different engineers worked on this separately, then someone just mashed the code together. Particularly hilarious is how often I am asked for my iTunes password, and how randomly my fingerprint is ok, but other times it's not. 2 factor autho is terrible to use, and to verify you have to use the website as far as I can tell, I haven't found a way to verify straight on my phone (or even Apple watch) like I can with google or Microsoft.

Seriously, I've said it before and I'll say it again... Apple's quest for "simplicity" very often makes things more difficult.

Edit: forgot to add how much of a pita it is to generate an app password, once again I have to go to the website and login to my cloud account to do this. Of course my cloud account never remembers my password, so I have to authenticate it with 2 factor, but I can't on my phone so I have to go through the recovery process, sigh.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I still don't understand why my iPhone says "passcode required to enable Touch ID" randomly at the lock screen. Haven't I already enabled Touch ID when I set it up and decided that's how I want to unlock? It just happened to me again.

Is there any rhyme and reason to this? Serious question.

Has the phone updated since you last unlocked it? It's very rare you are asked to open the device by passcode and this is the only instance I can think of. The last time I used a passcode was the last system update and I think that was 2 months ago.

 

[epicrayban]

Even if Apple does open up the function bar to devs, the issue is still fragmentation as others have said. How much will it be worth it for a dev to add function bar functionality for a single model of the highest end, versus putting that R&D into features for the masses on all the other devices? I do think the comparison to 3D touch is valid, we can see how piss poorly devs have embraced 3d touch and how even Apple themselves don't seem to know how to use it, expect more of the same with a function bar.
[doublepost=1489433138][/doublepost]

I think it's ironic that I finally get excited about an Apple feature only to have you and Tbayrgs bring my expectations back down to reality. I still believe the function bar has more potential than 3D Touch, but just as Pixel long-press and other more software-centric features invalidate force touch to some degree, so might Android's software keys invalidate the function bar. It's just that iOS desperately needs more consistency in its navigation.

I'll remain cautiously optimistic about the function bar, but you and Tbayrgs bring up excellent points of concern.

I gave up on trying to understand how Apple handles security, it's like 3 different engineers worked on this separately, then someone just mashed the code together. Particularly hilarious is how often I am asked for my iTunes password, and how randomly my fingerprint is ok, but other times it's not. 2 factor autho is terrible to use, and to verify you have to use the website as far as I can tell, I haven't found a way to verify straight on my phone (or even Apple watch) like I can with google or Microsoft.

Seriously, I've said it before and I'll say it again... Apple's quest for "simplicity" very often makes things more difficult.

Yeah, I've voiced my complaints about iOS' security inconsistencies here a number of times before, too. Not only does the App store force you to input your password when it suddenly decides that your thumb print isn't good enough, it forces you to do so in the native keyboard. So if you had set say Gboard as your default keyboard in iOS, surprise, it's the native keyboard. I call it the "Inception" of inconsistency -- an inconsistency within an inconsistency.

And this isn't some rare or obscure complaint. This happens frequently! So those who are considering Android for a more consistent experience should factor in these odd security quirks of iOS. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. Why does Touch ID suddenly not trust my thumbprint at random times?
[doublepost=1489434150][/doublepost]

Has the phone updated since you last unlocked it? It's very rare you are asked to open the device by passcode and this is the only instance I can think of. The last time I used a passcode was the last system update and I think that was 2 months ago.

Nope. There is no noticeable rhyme or reason to it. All I did just now was unplugged it from my charger and tried to unlock it. I've unplugged before and unlocked fine with Touch ID. Prior to charging it just now, I was using it like normal. Nothing updated or changed to require additional security.

Other times it happens, similar scenario. Just using my phone as I normally would.

I would understand the passcode requirement if I had just rebooted or if there was a software update. That's what Android does, too, after a reboot.

 

[tbayrgs]

I still don't understand why my iPhone says "passcode required to enable Touch ID" randomly at the lock screen. Haven't I already enabled Touch ID when I set it up and decided that's how I want to unlock? It just happened to me again.

Is there any rhyme and reason to this? Serious question.

My understanding is that that it's a security measure related to law enforcement's right to compel someone to provide their fingerprint to unlock their device vs. not being able to do the same for a password/passcode. After a period of inactivity (I believe it's 8 hours), it requires your passcode.

Actually, a quick search shows I heard right:

If you’re wondering why your iPhone needs your passcode more often, this is why

And I don't think this is exclusive to iPhone as I'm almost positive my Nexus 6P does the same thing, though with a longer inactivity period than 8 hours.

 

[epicrayban]

Seriously, I've said it before and I'll say it again... Apple's quest for "simplicity" very often makes things more difficult.

Ah, you must've edited your post. I didn't see this part.

Agree. 3D Touch, for example, is not simple. And certainly not more simple than what can be achieved via software. As I said before, that added layer of physical requirement in a software-based world to achieve, more or less, similar functions as long-press just doesn't compare. Force pressing the left side of the iOS screen and then sliding to switch between two apps is more complicated than Android's double-tap app switcher button to quickly hop between two apps. Android's method is quicker and entirely software-centric. Simple.

As others have already pointed out, it also avoids hardware fragmentation (where iPads don't have 3D Touch or older iPhones don't have it) and hardware costs (because of the necessary screen technology).
[doublepost=1489434960][/doublepost]

My understanding is that that it's a security measure related to law enforcement's right to compel someone to provide their fingerprint to unlock their device vs. not being able to do the same for a password/passcode. After a period of inactivity (I believe it's 8 hours), it requires your passcode.

Actually, a quick search shows I heard right:

If you’re wondering why your iPhone needs your passcode more often, this is why

And I don't think this is exclusive to iPhone as I'm almost positive my Nexus 6P does the same thing, though with a longer inactivity period than 8 hours.

I see.

But I'm a thousand percent positive I unlocked my iPhone in the last 8 hours. Like a bajillion times.

 

[tbayrgs]

I gave up on trying to understand how Apple handles security, it's like 3 different engineers worked on this separately, then someone just mashed the code together. Particularly hilarious is how often I am asked for my iTunes password, and how randomly my fingerprint is ok, but other times it's not.

Completely agree regarding having to use my AppleID and password in places that I've authorized fingerprint authentication. And more confounding is when I have to do it multiple times in a row.

The passcode requirements, like em or not, are at least outlined (see my post prior to this).

2 factor autho is terrible to use, and to verify you have to use the website as far as I can tell, I haven't found a way to verify straight on my phone (or even Apple watch) like I can with google or Microsoft.

Seriously, I've said it before and I'll say it again... Apple's quest for "simplicity" very often makes things more difficult.

That's not how its supposed to work, as I can use either my iPhone, iPads, or Macs to authenticate and it's not inside a browser. Not sure where you'd begin to troubleshoot it...maybe the security section of the Manage My Apple ID site?

 

[spinedoc77]

My understanding is that that it's a security measure related to law enforcement's right to compel someone to provide their fingerprint to unlock their device vs. not being able to do the same for a password/passcode. After a period of inactivity (I believe it's 8 hours), it requires your passcode.

Actually, a quick search shows I heard right:

If you’re wondering why your iPhone needs your passcode more often, this is why

And I don't think this is exclusive to iPhone as I'm almost positive my Nexus 6P does the same thing, though with a longer inactivity period than 8 hours.

Interesting, I didn't know that. I can actually appreciate that. One of the primary reasons I'm with Apple and not Google is I value my privacy and information and feel that Apple and Google are on complete opposites of the spectrum. Apple has shown a desire to protect my information and they make far more money on hardware and apps than they do selling my information. Google, on the other hand, makes its money primarily from obtaining and selling my information, and hasn't (at least not publicly like Apple) demonstrated it will fight to protect my information. It's scary stuff like the Waze app is supposed to soon monitor my driving and sell that information that really frightens me and makes me realize just how deep Google is in my information.

But back to our mini topic, I also get random requests for my passcode long before 8 hours are up, weird.