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Lloydbm41

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Oct 17, 2013
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I can pull PDFs and documents off Safari.....sure I pull them into another app for saving, but its not much different than saving in a folder on my desktop.
The only problem with iOS and saving to an app, is that if you delete the app, you also delete all the data. Having a stand alone file system prevents this. Hell, even my Chromebook, which is little more than a browser, has a file system. I still can't understand why Apple does not allow this? Makes zero sense to me. I would love to have this feature on my iPad.

As for gaming on iOS, until we see more games with MFi controller support, iOS is not a real gaming platform. Tap, tap and swipe on glass is fine for games like chess or chessy games like candy crush, but trying to play FPS or games like Asphalt 8 or NFS series is just a crappy experience on iOS. Android significantly leads the way in gaming, but only because it allows you to use a PS3, XBox or Moga controller to play thousands of games. I think iOS is up to 6 with controller support!
 
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Lloydbm41

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Oct 17, 2013
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Which android phone has Touch ID?

As mentioned, the Motorola Atrix came with this feature 2.5 years before Apple had it and it appeared to funtion quickly and efficiently from the videos I saw. I never owned one or knew anyone that did though, so not sure if it was a quality feature on the phone or just gimmicky like many Samsung features have been as of late?

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Well if you want it, clearly Apple should force it on everyone else to make you happy.

Damn skippy!

That said, why does Apple bother to have a file system in OSX? Clearly you don't need it, right? ;)
 

cynics

macrumors G4
Jan 8, 2012
11,959
2,156
Well if you want it, clearly Apple should force it on everyone else to make you happy.


Force it on everyone else how? You mean do things the same way anyone that's ever used a PC or Mac has been doing it since the dawn of the Internet?

I could understand your comment if Android was the odd man out with this crazy contraption called a "user accessible file system". iOS is the only one doing things this way. So unless you never touched a computer of any variety then "everyone else" shouldn't feel too forced to do anything differently.
 

appledes7

macrumors 6502a
Jul 12, 2011
756
0
As mentioned, the Motorola Atrix came with this feature 2.5 years before Apple had it and it appeared to funtion quickly and efficiently from the videos I saw. I never owned one or knew anyone that did though, so not sure if it was a quality feature on the phone or just gimmicky like many Samsung features have been as of late?

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Damn skippy!

That said, why does Apple bother to have a file system in OSX? Clearly you don't need it, right? ;)

Force it on everyone else how? You mean do things the same way anyone that's ever used a PC or Mac has been doing it since the dawn of the Internet?

I could understand your comment if Android was the odd man out with this crazy contraption called a "user accessible file system". iOS is the only one doing things this way. So unless you never touched a computer of any variety then "everyone else" shouldn't feel too forced to do anything differently.

I love the file system on my Nexus 5. I was just pointing out the flawed logic. Just because one person would like to have it isn't an argument for a company implementing it.

But if I am going to play devil's advocate here for a second, which I guess I will, remember that just because everyone has been using a file system on desktops for X amount of years doesn't mean it is the preferred way that everyone should implement on every device in the entire world. Once again, flawed logic. We have been using keyboards and mice for years. Does that mean phones and tablets should have never adopted touch screens that eliminate keyboards and mice? No.

I'm not arguing for or against either, I am just bringing to light the flawed logic in these arguments. You don't have to convince me, I enjoy the file system on my Nexus 5. But remember, not everyone uses their devices the way geeks on technology forums do. In fact, people on tech forums often forget that the way they use their phones is really in the minority compared to the average consumer.
 

technology&stuf

macrumors newbie
Oct 3, 2013
14
0
But remember, not everyone uses their devices the way geeks on technology forums do. In fact, people on tech forums often forget that the way they use their phones is really in the minority compared to the average consumer.

People around here don't like hearing that.
 

kaielement

macrumors 65816
Dec 16, 2010
1,242
74
I sell cellphones and tablets for a living and can't tell you how many customers come back in to complain about their android phones while hardly anyone complains about there iPhones. I own both an iPhone 5 and a Moto X. Both have pros and cons, but at the end of the day the iPhone just works. No lack of fragmentation like you see on android. If I know how to use one iphone I can use any iPhone. I constantly get mad because every android phone runs a different version of android and I have to figure it out to help a customer. Not that it's very hard just lack of uniformity. And I have to tell customers all the time that just because they like their current android phone doesn't mean that the new phone will run like the old phone. After giving android a fare chance with the Moto x I still go back to the iPhone. And what ever apple releases this year I will by.
 

appledes7

macrumors 6502a
Jul 12, 2011
756
0
I sell cellphones and tablets for a living and can't tell you how many customers come back in to complain about their android phones while hardly anyone complains about there iPhones. I own both an iPhone 5 and a Moto X. Both have pros and cons, but at the end of the day the iPhone just works. No lack of fragmentation like you see on android. If I know how to use one iphone I can use any iPhone. I constantly get mad because every android phone runs a different version of android and I have to figure it out to help a customer. Not that it's very hard just lack of uniformity. And I have to tell customers all the time that just because they like their current android phone doesn't mean that the new phone will run like the old phone. After giving android a fare chance with the Moto x I still go back to the iPhone. And what ever apple releases this year I will by.

Perfect example of how a file system is not at all a top priority to average consumers: they don't even talk about it!
 

gotluck

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2011
5,717
1,260
East Central Florida
Allowing the option to use the file system that exists on iOS doesn't hurt those consumers. Apple doesn't have to do any extra work because the file system is already there, just blocked. Throw a bone to the nerds come on...
 

kaielement

macrumors 65816
Dec 16, 2010
1,242
74
Perfect example of how a file system is not at all a top priority to average consumers: they don't even talk about it!

So true. Most customers I talk to just want apps internet and email. People still get that it's a phone not your desktop computer lol.
 

kaielement

macrumors 65816
Dec 16, 2010
1,242
74
A good amount of people also think phones are mobile computers.

While this is true (I mean smart phones are just pocket computers) people need to realize that smart phones don't run like their desktops (well for now that is lol) and won't 100% replace the laptop or desktop for somethings.
 

Lloydbm41

Suspended
Oct 17, 2013
4,019
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Central California
I sell cellphones and tablets for a living and can't tell you how many customers come back in to complain about their android phones while hardly anyone complains about there iPhones. I own both an iPhone 5 and a Moto X. Both have pros and cons, but at the end of the day the iPhone just works. No lack of fragmentation like you see on android. If I know how to use one iphone I can use any iPhone. I constantly get mad because every android phone runs a different version of android and I have to figure it out to help a customer. Not that it's very hard just lack of uniformity. And I have to tell customers all the time that just because they like their current android phone doesn't mean that the new phone will run like the old phone. After giving android a fare chance with the Moto x I still go back to the iPhone. And what ever apple releases this year I will by.

The reason you dont hear people complain about iPhones is because it hasn't changed. It's the same as it was in 2007, with a few additions. Once you know how to use iOS, every device is the same. You can call it uniformity or lack of originality or whatever, but people are simply used to how iOS operates. Why would you get very many questions from iOS users?

That said, you are referring to Android as though it is hardware. You are getting questions from people that use different hardware with Android as the OS, albeit with differnt OEM UI's. This is the same thing as a PC using Windows. Of course people are going to have questions about their unique phones, but don't blame Android or Google for OEM's throwing their crap UI's on top of Google's OS.

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I love the file system on my Nexus 5. I was just pointing out the flawed logic. Just because one person would like to have it isn't an argument for a company implementing it.

But if I am going to play devil's advocate here for a second, which I guess I will, remember that just because everyone has been using a file system on desktops for X amount of years doesn't mean it is the preferred way that everyone should implement on every device in the entire world. Once again, flawed logic. We have been using keyboards and mice for years. Does that mean phones and tablets should have never adopted touch screens that eliminate keyboards and mice? No.

I'm not arguing for or against either, I am just bringing to light the flawed logic in these arguments. You don't have to convince me, I enjoy the file system on my Nexus 5. But remember, not everyone uses their devices the way geeks on technology forums do. In fact, people on tech forums often forget that the way they use their phones is really in the minority compared to the average consumer.
Playing devil's advocate... why does Apple bother to use a file system in OSX if it isn't important or if people don't use it? Why neuter iOS to begin with? Asking for file system access (BTW, the file system is already there, I'm not asking for something new here!) is not a moon shot question. Or something only nerds would use. I can only imagine that if iOS allowed users access to the system directory, they would use it. App developers would DEF use it.
 

appledes7

macrumors 6502a
Jul 12, 2011
756
0
Allowing the option to use the file system that exists on iOS doesn't hurt those consumers. Apple doesn't have to do any extra work because the file system is already there, just blocked. Throw a bone to the nerds come on...
More options != better. More options can ultimately prove confusing to the average consumer. Could they add an option for the nerds out there? Sure. Should they is another question.

The reason you dont hear people complain about iPhones is because it hasn't changed. It's the same as it was in 2007, with a few additions. Once you know how to use iOS, every device is the same. You can call it uniformity or lack of originality or whatever, but people are simply used to how iOS operates. Why would you get very many questions from iOS users?

First iPhone came out in 2007 you say? I'll do you one better, OS X Tiger came out in 2005. If anyone out there still uses Tiger and were to buy a brand new MacBook Air today, they would feel just fine in Mavericks. Change for the sake of change is worthless.

That said, you are referring to Android as though it is hardware. You are getting questions from people that use different hardware with Android as the OS, albeit with differnt OEM UI's. This is the same thing as a PC using Windows. Of course people are going to have questions about their unique phones, but don't blame Android or Google for OEM's throwing their crap UI's on top of Google's OS.
Technically there is no problem blaming Google/Android for this because they indirectly support this fragmentation by simply allowing it.

If people come in to a store to complain about an Android-based phone more often than an iOS-based phone, that is an obvious sign that one can be considered more cumbersome to use. If more complaints arise about a certain mobile OS compared to another mobile OS, it isn't just happening randomly. Complaints arise for a reason.

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Playing devil's advocate... why does Apple bother to use a file system in OSX if it isn't important or if people don't use it?
Where did I say a file system isn't important for a desktop operating system? Or are you making stuff up? Ya, I figured.

Nobody here said a file system is pointless on a desktop OS, so why are you bringing it up?

Why neuter iOS to begin with? Asking for file system access (BTW, the file system is already there, I'm not asking for something new here!) is not a moon shot question.
iOS is neutered according to who? You? Well in that case Apple should drop all their plans and follow what you say, right?

And you are asking for something new from Apple. A file system on iOS that is easily accessible to the average user would be new. And it wouldn't help improve the user experience to the average user. To nerds and geeks on tech forums? Maybe. But are they the majority? Not even close.

And is a file system on iOS even a most asked for feature? I'd wager it isn't. If I pick up my phone and call my Dad right now and ask him the top 5 things he wants in iOS, I'd bet a file system isn't on his list. Am I saying this to say that Apple should follow what my dad wants? No. I am saying this because he does a better job of representing the average user than you do.

Or something only nerds would use. I can only imagine that if iOS allowed users access to the system directory, they would use it. App developers would DEF use it.
Again, no major benefit to the average user. You can argue for it all you want, but not a single point you have attempted to make has held any ground. It is all the opinion of a nerd. Granted, so are mine. But I show examples from people who aren't nerds. And so does another person on here who sells these devices to average consumers for a living.

If we are trying to understand the usage patterns of the average user, you have done nothing other than talk about a nerds usage pattern.

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And since earlier you brought up the usefulness of a file system on OS X, you need to remember that a file system on a desktop OS is necessary. Considering the kind of work that gets done on laptops and desktops, access to a full fledged file system makes sense. On a smartphone where the most common uses are without a doubt social media, texting, calling, web browsing, and entertainment, a file system just isn't even close to being as necessary as it is on a desktop OS.
 
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kaielement

macrumors 65816
Dec 16, 2010
1,242
74
The reason you dont hear people complain about iPhones is because it hasn't changed. It's the same as it was in 2007, with a few additions. Once you know how to use iOS, every device is the same. You can call it uniformity or lack of originality or whatever, but people are simply used to how iOS operates. Why would you get very many questions from iOS users?

That said, you are referring to Android as though it is hardware. You are getting questions from people that use different hardware with Android as the OS, albeit with differnt OEM UI's. This is the same thing as a PC using Windows. Of course people are going to have questions about their unique phones, but don't blame Android or Google for OEM's throwing their crap UI's on top of Google's OS.

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Playing devil's advocate... why does Apple bother to use a file system in OSX if it isn't important or if people don't use it? Why neuter iOS to begin with? Asking for file system access (BTW, the file system is already there, I'm not asking for something new here!) is not a moon shot question. Or something only nerds would use. I can only imagine that if iOS allowed users access to the system directory, they would use it. App developers would DEF use it.
Not looking at android as hardware. Just more in all the different skins that all the different oems use or even between different generations of the same phone. Can't tell you like all the people who come in and are like why is my new s4 so much more different from my s2. Why can't it just run the same. Drives me crazy. And it's not like I don't like innovation or change it's that my customers seem to hate it. I think people need to embrace the change IMO. And by the way not blaming google for anything. In fact I give them props for what they have done like telling samsung to knock it off and tone down touch wiz.
 

JoeG4

macrumors 68030
Jan 11, 2002
2,875
540
The part that sucks about iOS is how Apple's so stubborn about no things like adblock or 3rd party keyboards. I don't like apple's keyboard and I'm sick of that Candy Crush ad that hijacks the browser and sends you to the app store.
 

Lloydbm41

Suspended
Oct 17, 2013
4,019
1,456
Central California
And since earlier you brought up the usefulness of a file system on OS X, you need to remember that a file system on a desktop OS is necessary. Considering the kind of work that gets done on laptops and desktops, access to a full fledged file system makes sense. On a smartphone where the most common uses are without a doubt social media, texting, calling, web browsing, and entertainment, a file system just isn't even close to being as necessary as it is on a desktop OS.

Shortened your quote for brevity. I guess it boils down to one simple fact. A phone like a Nexus 5 can be used as a PC, complete with keyboard, mouse and monitor and you can actually do your normal PC work. iPhone never will until Apple opens up the gates.

Maybe you are right and I view things quite differently from the average user. I love using my Apple, Android and Windows stuff all the time. My wife likes to joke at me for having my iPad, Moto X, Chromebook and Lumia 1520 all sitting out on my desk or bed. For me, they all serve different purposes and Apple is the odd man out. I can bypass their lack of a file directory by using Google docs and google drive, but it is haphazard. This is one main reason I would love access to the directory. It makes using my iPad easier.

ANd sure, I grant you that my view can be viewed as skewed, but the file system is already in place on every iOS device. Apple simply prevents you from getting access... unless you jailbreak.
 

gotluck

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2011
5,717
1,260
East Central Florida
Talking about ios' file system (that already exists and is in place)is like bringing up NFC here.. So much hate for it.

Jailbreak saves ios for me. At least apple seems to recognize that jailbreaks are important to their customers by not patching them immediately. If only there was an advanced user checkbox or something, I hate that ios caters to the lowest common denominator.

OSX certainly doesn't , yet it remains quite user friendly.
 
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cynics

macrumors G4
Jan 8, 2012
11,959
2,156
I love the file system on my Nexus 5. I was just pointing out the flawed logic. Just because one person would like to have it isn't an argument for a company implementing it.

But if I am going to play devil's advocate here for a second, which I guess I will, remember that just because everyone has been using a file system on desktops for X amount of years doesn't mean it is the preferred way that everyone should implement on every device in the entire world. Once again, flawed logic. We have been using keyboards and mice for years. Does that mean phones and tablets should have never adopted touch screens that eliminate keyboards and mice? No.

I'm not arguing for or against either, I am just bringing to light the flawed logic in these arguments. You don't have to convince me, I enjoy the file system on my Nexus 5. But remember, not everyone uses their devices the way geeks on technology forums do. In fact, people on tech forums often forget that the way they use their phones is really in the minority compared to the average consumer.


First I appreciate your argument and I understand it entirely.

However I find the way iOS deals with files now to be limited and unintuitive.

First there is no central file. If you want view a file in two apps you need that file saved two times. That's just a waste of space.

If that file is edited in one app it's not in the other which can be confusing trying to find the edited version of a certain app amongst many versions of the same file throughout different apps.

Delete the app, lose the file. So finding a better app to view/edit a particular file can be a real pain or impossible if those apps can't share with each other.

Severe email limitations. There is no "attachment" button in email so you are at the mercy of the app to be able to email. Most apps that can email can't email multiple files so you are stuck sending multiple emails to a single recipient.

It's my personal believe iOS and the way it handles files was fine in 2007-2008. But now Apples backed themselves into a corner with no good way of making file handling work like it does on everything else.
 

jrswizzle

macrumors 603
Aug 23, 2012
6,107
129
McKinney, TX
The only problem with iOS and saving to an app, is that if you delete the app, you also delete all the data. Having a stand alone file system prevents this. Hell, even my Chromebook, which is little more than a browser, has a file system. I still can't understand why Apple does not allow this? Makes zero sense to me. I would love to have this feature on my iPad.

As for gaming on iOS, until we see more games with MFi controller support, iOS is not a real gaming platform. Tap, tap and swipe on glass is fine for games like chess or chessy games like candy crush, but trying to play FPS or games like Asphalt 8 or NFS series is just a crappy experience on iOS. Android significantly leads the way in gaming, but only because it allows you to use a PS3, XBox or Moga controller to play thousands of games. I think iOS is up to 6 with controller support!

Except that a number of apps (especially Apple's offerings) save data to iCloud - hence if the app is deleted and redownloaded, the data comes back.

I, in no way, think we need a "traditional file system". Its messy, and quite frankly has been around for decades. How about evolving the traditional filesystem into something smarter? Something cloud based?

I'm not against refining iOS's organizational system - I am against sticking a normal file system in there just because.

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First I appreciate your argument and I understand it entirely.

However I find the way iOS deals with files now to be limited and unintuitive.

First there is no central file. If you want view a file in two apps you need that file saved two times. That's just a waste of space.

If that file is edited in one app it's not in the other which can be confusing trying to find the edited version of a certain app amongst many versions of the same file throughout different apps.

Delete the app, lose the file. So finding a better app to view/edit a particular file can be a real pain or impossible if those apps can't share with each other.

Severe email limitations. There is no "attachment" button in email so you are at the mercy of the app to be able to email. Most apps that can email can't email multiple files so you are stuck sending multiple emails to a single recipient.

It's my personal believe iOS and the way it handles files was fine in 2007-2008. But now Apples backed themselves into a corner with no good way of making file handling work like it does on everything else.

I get what you're saying. I suppose I'm in a minority given I prefer Apple's iWork suite, iBooks and the like so I don't have any issues with using said apps to both hold my documents and PDFs AND to edit them.

I also definitely agree with the attachments thing - IMO one of the two biggest issues needing to be addressed.

However, I strongly disagree that Apple has "backed themselves into a corner". Personally, I'd rather Apple come up with a NEW way to organize files rather than just adopt a decades old method....innovation - evolve the organizational structure. Don't just throw in a traditional file system (which, in my experiences with Android's, can be quite messy and confusing) - give me something intelligent and cloud based that allows for viewing of necessary files and not system files.

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Which 2013/14 android phone has Touch ID?

No Android phone has "TouchID". The implementation and method which Apple uses is unique to the iPhone.

Other devices have installed fingerprint sensors in devices with varying degrees of success - but none have been as widely accepted and useful as TouchID.

Stop trying to bait people.
 

gotluck

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2011
5,717
1,260
East Central Florida
I'm not against refining iOS's organizational system - I am against sticking a normal file system in there just because.


But the file system is already there! There would need to be no sticking! It really isnt an evolution of the file system IMO, all they are doing is blocking access and giving the user no permissions to read or write.
 

jrswizzle

macrumors 603
Aug 23, 2012
6,107
129
McKinney, TX
But the file system is already there! There would need to be no sticking! It really isnt an evolution of the file system IMO, all they are doing is blocking access and giving the user no permissions to read or write.

Ya - whatever. Semantics.

Point being, for all intents and purposes of the user, the file system "doesn't exist" in that it can't be accessed.

My original points still stand. Rather than simply opening the file system up, I'd prefer Apple give us a more intelligent UI to manage files.

That make more sense?
 
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