How would you update iOS?

[cnev3]

A lot of people are calling for iOS to undergo some major visual overhauls, claiming the iOS is boring and stale.

iOS is as simple as a smartphone OS can get, and it follows Apples minimalist aesthetic. I have my app icons, and menu's. That's all I need, to access my content and execute tasks.

Compare OSX Leopard (2007) to Mountain Lion (2012). Visually almost the same. The updates, improvements, and new features are under the hood. If OSX changed into Windows 8, i'd be quite disappointed.

The last thing iOS needs is to become bloated with high overhead. I love the look of animated wallpapers and widgets, but I always disabled them on my phone because I wanted more battery life and performance. I say keep iOS as barebones as possible. My iPhone 5 is very snappy, and i'd hate for that to change.

The recent trend of people installing vanilla android on their new phones reflects this preference. Do I want Touchwiz on my iPhone? Not really.

If people are bored with the look and want something new to look at, they are perfect candidates for an Android phone. But to expect Apple to adopt their style is a bad idea. I think the dynamic between iOS and Android is great. Two totally different choices and design philosophies to pick from.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Dreamliner330]

iOS lacks quite a bit of functionality (Most notably notifications and sharing). But visually, it's fine.

Vanilla Android (Nexus 4) is loads more functional and just as snappy as iPhone 5.

 

[APlotdevice]

I agree. The aesthetics of iOS are fine. Apple just needs to focus on giving us more functionality.

 

[cnev3]

iOS lacks quite a bit of functionality (Most notably notifications and sharing). But visually, it's fine.

Vanilla Android (Nexus 4) is loads more functional and just as snappy as iPhone 5.

This isn't about features, and functionality. But the boring look that people are complaining about.

 

[APlotdevice]

This isn't about features, and functionality. But the boring look that people are complaining about.

There will always be someone complaining about something. I 100% guarantee that people will complain if Apple does change the look of iOS. Among them will be some of those complaining now, simply because Apple didn't go in the exact direction they wanted them to.

 

[Dreamliner330]

But the boring look that people are complaining about.

Widgets do provide an excellent way to display information to the user. It is significantly more useful and does have the potential to look better.

The iPhones use of space is excellent.

Samsung's TouchWiz is unbelievably ugly, but stock Android is just as good as iOS, and functionally superior.

 

[Dr McKay]

Allow users to swipe away to dismiss notifications instead of tapping a stupidly tiny x. Allow users to swipe away apps in the multitasking tray instead of hitting a tiny x. Allow users to change the default apps. Change the clock app so when setting an alarm, you type in the time you want instead of spending ages dragging the 2 wheels up or down. Allow users to set any audio file as a ringtone/notification from inside the phone.

 

[rikscha]

Settings > General > Software Update

 

[Dreamliner330]

Allow users to swipe away to dismiss notifications instead of tapping a stupidly tiny x. Allow users to swipe away apps in the multitasking tray instead of hitting a tiny x. Allow users to change the default apps. Change the clock app so when setting an alarm, you type in the time you want instead of spending ages dragging the 2 wheels up or down. Allow users to set any audio file as a ringtone/notification from inside the phone.

If only all these things existed somewhere...lol.

Settings > General > Software Update

Excellent.

 

[Ashe9]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1485108/

 

[Oohara]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1485108/

That thread only lets you choose the one thing you like the most from a given list. Also I much prefer to hear what people have to say in this particular subforum, where people tend to have a less narrow view of what a mobile OS can be.

 

[APlotdevice]

That thread only lets you choose the one thing you like the most from a given list. Also I much prefer to hear what people have to say in this particular subforum, where people tend to have a less narrow view of what a mobile OS can be.

That only applies to the poll, which was added months after the thread started. You can post whatever you want.

 

[Oohara]

That only applies to the poll, which was added months after the thread started. You can post whatever you want.

Thanks, second point was more important though

 

[Dr McKay]

If only all these things existed somewhere...lol.


Excellent.

And those are the reasons I eventually switched from iOS to Android. Plus the bigger screen. But yet again someone with the attitude that if you like any features from a rival OS, you should just switch immediately, why wish for a product to get any better?

I wish my Android phone would let me tap the top of the screen to jump to the top. Should I go rebuy an iPhone? But then I'd miss features from Android and by your logic should buy an android handset again. How do I end this viscous cycle? Teach me Master.

 

[TommyA6]

Allow users to swipe away to dismiss notifications instead of tapping a stupidly tiny x. Allow users to swipe away apps in the multitasking tray instead of hitting a tiny x. Allow users to change the default apps. Change the clock app so when setting an alarm, you type in the time you want instead of spending ages dragging the 2 wheels up or down. Allow users to set any audio file as a ringtone/notification from inside the phone.

Pretty much the things I would like them to add. (Although I don't care much about changing ringtones there are certainly lots of iOS users who are annoyed by having use itunes to change their ringtone) + some sort of files app or whatever they'd call it, to allow me to attach any type of file to a mail. (Although there's a great app called Documents that gives you that kind of functionality i would love Apple to create something of their own (more integrated) that will allow me to attach a file directly from any mail app). Also, they should improve sharing between apps . As for changing the UI, I say go with it, I'd love to see Ive's work (Although I don't think current UI is ugly, except for game center, find my friends).
And please don't tell me to just switch to Android, because there are tons of other things I prefer in iOS .

 

[zbarvian]

I think I want to see SOME visual overhaul. I'm kind of sick of the kitschy linen and overdone textures. In terms of functionality, I want Apple to surprise me. I'm not into widgets, or the ridiculous customization of Android (I got sick of my jailbroken iPhone). But I would love to see default apps, a better notification/multi-tasking system, and Siri enhancements, for starters.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

More functionality is a given and the biggest reason I left iPhone. File manager, choice of default apps, easier way to attach files to email, change keyboard, etc. Too many to list.

Widgets .... I'm so accustomed at my calendar and falcon twitter widgets. I barely need to open my calendar and twitter apps. Power toggles is amazing too, and you see on alot of iOS7 mock ups using it.

Better Gallery.

Ability to limit data and set warnings.

Don't care for a design change that much, but at least let users install themes or something similar.



Not saying that any of this needs to be implemented like Android, but Apple really needs to give users more freedom and control of their iPhones. The iPhone/iOS has been out long enough and is no longer the single most coveted device as it once was.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Jailbreak community = COMBO B-B-B-B-B-BREAKER!!

 

[Dreamliner330]

And those are the reasons I eventually switched from iOS to Android. Plus the bigger screen. But yet again someone with the attitude that if you like any features from a rival OS, you should just switch immediately, why wish for a product to get any better?

I wish my Android phone would let me tap the top of the screen to jump to the top. Should I go rebuy an iPhone? But then I'd miss features from Android and by your logic should buy an android handset again. How do I end this viscous cycle? Teach me Master.

I don't disagree with you. The post kinda seemed like it, but that wasn't the intent. I just came to iPhone from Android a couple weeks ago. I'll probably head back once a 'Google Edition' ROM is out for the Verizon S4 (Nexus + Verizon = Unbeatable).

If they both copied each other, it'd be better for everybody.

 

[sentinelsx]

Add Auxo and Zephyr.

Break some more ice between the apps.

Revamp notification center a bit (expandable notifications plus swiping a notification makes it go away instead of that "x" that deletes all in a group.

Tone down the skeuomorphism a bit, the higher the number of pixels, less the need to show gradients and instead go for a flatter design which looks great on "retina". Just look at google apps on iOS.

Allow a plug-in mode where the iOS device can be wired or wirelessly connected to any computer and data transfer is possible like a USB stick. One nice way to do it would be to allow straight transfer to the apps without needing a bloated iTunes program (third party apps already allow wireless, but not wired without iTunes, and stock apps do not allow even wireless, like the ipod app). Make it more streamlined. This is something i think will not happen at least this year though

And, not much else i can think of. The rest is mostly about hardware, so we will leave it to "how would you update/change the iPhone" thread .

 

[VulchR]

I would like iOS to run on a phone with a wider screen, and with optional quick access toggles for common settings (WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, do not disturb etc.). I'd also like to hide or remove the default Apple apps I do not use - they take up space. Not too keen on widgets....

 

[Ashe9]

That thread only lets you choose the one thing you like the most from a given list. Also I much prefer to hear what people have to say in this particular subforum, where people tend to have a less narrow view of what a mobile OS can be.

I don't get it... people of this subforum... this is listed as Alternatives. We all belong to MR. There's so much redundancy between this forum and that. It's confusing why people would sign up on an Apple forum just to isolate themselves to the non Apple side and then in turn discuss Apple in the wrong section.

 

[Oohara]

I don't get it... people of this subforum... this is listed as Alternatives. We all belong to MR. There's so much redundancy between this forum and that. It's confusing why people would sign up on an Apple forum just to isolate themselves to the non Apple side and then in turn discuss Apple in the wrong section.

It's just the way it has turned out - this subforum has a life of its own. The typical poster in the regular Apple forums doesn't take the alternatives into account in a very open minded manner, and what follows are mostly Apple-centric discussions that tend to be quite one-sided. A discussion of what iOS needs in this subforum however, is likely to attract those with a more balanced view or wider experience and thus become quite a different discussion.

In any case don't worry, the mods will step in if a topic belongs in another place. Maybe you'll get the hang of things when you've been here a bit longer than two weeks

 

[0dev]

Like this:

 

[daveathall]

Like this:

YouTube: video

I like it. That and a larger screen (4.7-5") would seriously tempt me back to iPhone. I can't see that happening till 2014 at the earliest though.