iOS 14 is literally Android

[sracer]

I'm sorry, but as someone who has both an iPhone and Android, I found the presentation hilarious, especially when Craig was talking about the exciting new features that have existed on Android for several years 🤣 specifically:

- Widgets on the home screen. We had that for years
- Picture in picture. Also had it for a very long time
- Improved Siri, so...Google Assistant? Hopefully something on that level
- Sending audio messages with voice control. Yup, also exists on Android
- Siri translations, aka...Google Translate? With conversation mode like...Google Translate? And also works offline like...Google Translate?
- Better maps, aka...Google Maps?

Not gonna lie, I thought auto-organized apps are a great idea and the new conversation features are neat, and of course, there are other features that make iOS different. But these parts made genuinely chuckle.

If you believe that iOS 14 is literally Android then it would appear that you have a narrow experience with Android. Android is still far more functional in areas that matter to some:

• Universally accessible file system. (no sandboxing)
• Near full support for USB peripherals.
• Support for dual displays.
• Full support for mouse/trackpads

Are just a few things that quickly came to mind.

 

[noblesoul117]

Apple’s implementation could look good but could also look like a hot mess if people have a screen cluttered up with a bunch of widgets of different sizes co-mingled with app icons. I have all my apps in folders now so my home screen is very clean. What I’ll probably do is make my home screen just a couple widgets and then access everything else from the app library.

I think that concern is why Apple seems to be limiting the placement of widgets a bit. The preview videos show how the square widgets can only be moved around in 4x4 blocks, for example. So in true Apple fashion, we have variety within constraints.

I've also organized all my apps into folders, so I'm not yet sure I'll replace my personal organization with App Library. But the idea of a single home screen page with some apps and a widget or two, and then App Library to the side, is very alluring.

 

[vhl71]

Apple just has always done it better. Android is a mess of too many people with great ideas.

Agree to these examples - so ugly.
Just moved from 11pro to pixel 4 XL. Using the default pixel launcher with no widgets. I don't like the way they look on pixel. But as a phone it's great. Reason for the switch is camera. Its so damn good - it takes away the other negative points with pixel/android. Battery life, not so polished apps etc

 

[sunapple]

Apple’s got a solid platform and anything that gets added, especially the better features from other platforms, just make it that much more complete.

I already choose iOS over Android for a couple of reasons, so while some things “could’ve been added a decade ago”, I don’t think it matters all that much they weren’t there for that time.

The “who did what first” debate is fun, but pointless. Who has the better software now is what counts. Very much subjective of course.

 

[WildstarBR2020]

If you believe that iOS 14 is literally Android then it would appear that you have a narrow experience with Android. Android is still far more functional in areas that matter to some:

• Universally accessible file system. (no sandboxing)
• Near full support for USB peripherals.
• Support for dual displays.
• Full support for mouse/trackpads

Are just a few things that quickly came to mind.

But for which reason would we do with Dual Displays support on a Phone?

 

[sracer]

But for which reason would we do with Dual Displays support on a Phone?

I'm not trying to be dismissive, but if you haven't found a need for it up to this point, then you most likely won't need it.

 

[WildstarBR2020]

I'm not trying to be dismissive, but if you haven't found a need for it up to this point, then you most likely won't need it.

Enlighten me. I use 2 monitors on my cheese grater Mac Pro. I really can’t list any reason for using a dual monitor setup on an iPhone.

 

[C. Robert]

For the record, android did not invent widgets. They just made them horrible to look at and use.

 

[compwiz1202]

Androids widgets are terrible and have always been terrible. They are mostly eye candy with horrible function. Android is a hot mess and it will always be as long as it supports so many OEM’s. When I walk into the android portion of a Best Buy or electronic store all is see are odd shapes, orange buttons, long skinny phones, 1970 psychedelic colors, and lots of plastic.

Yea same thing that causes OS updates to be such a crapshoot. At least with iOS you know the update is coming when they say it is for every device that still supports if. None of the crap infinite coming "soon" garbage, even when you buy a flagship shortly after launch.
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Well, let's agree to disagree then. To start with, the iOS widget can be placed anywhere on the screen also (except on the top of the apps obviously) so it pushes apps out of the to way make a space. One thing Android does let you do that iOS doesn't is allowing you to completely remove the apps and widgets and leave the screen empty. Not sure I would want that but it is an option regardless, and some people use it. iOS widgets are implemented in a typical Apple fashion. Simple and classy rather than confusing and mediocre.
EDIT: You were right about not being able to place iOS widgets anywhere you like. You can for the most part, but it appears you can not place them in the middle (meaning between apps) but that may change on future betas.

Yea at first I thought a 2 wide widget would go in either upper corner but tested again on a blank screen, and it always locked to upper left.
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A few features were the only thing I missed from Android. And we got two of them now: Pinned Messages and skipping the next instance of an alarm. There was at least one other thing, but I can't remember it right now.

 

[C. Robert]

Are those really how widgets look on android? Why do they look so generic and unpolished. Yea ill take apples anyway. Im all about user experience and details go a LONGGG way. Its the main reason I use Apple Music on appletv. There isn't any other app for music on my shield or any 3rd party music app with the user experience of Apple Music on the appletv.
Its all about polished detailed apps and interface!
Those android ones remind me of a worse version of jailbreaking tweaks I was installing back in 2010.

I like things that just work. I don’t have time to be fooling around with my tech. I remember I was on the ropes between Mac and pc. I was writing a 12 page paper for college and the Mac crashed. I rebooted and my paper was still there right where I left off. I instantly converted. I left blackberry cause I got tired of taking the battery out when it froze. I did like windows phone and I’m sad that they aren’t around.

 

[x-evil-x]

Enlighten me. I use 2 monitors on my cheese grater Mac Pro. I really can’t list any reason for using a dual monitor setup on an iPhone.

stock trading/ multitasking while away from home

 

[The Game 161]

Android on steroids you mean.....how dare apple use useful features from android

Just like android stole gesture from the iPhone...who cares who copies who

 

[pdoherty]

I hope they will, privacy and speed is definitely something Android is not that good with, and I'm glad they are taking all the good stuff form Android. But I was still surprised to see a presentation where 80% of the content was literally catching up with Android

This has been a criticism of Apple for decades. Welcome to the club.

 

[Natya Sadella]

My iphone got stolen a couple of days ago and I now use a samaung galaxy from a friend... jesus. I thought it would be a pretty similar experience these days but android is still crap imo. Looks/feels so cheap, ios is a premium quality OS.

 

[AppleChic76]

Every year the same thread

Without fail. 🙄

 

[WildstarBR2020]

stock trading/ multitasking while away from home

With 2 monitors on the move? 🤔

 

[x-evil-x]

With 2 monitors on the move? 🤔

Would be nice. I’m excited for picture and picture on the phone as I do trading not always from home and I watch things going on the market.

 

[symphony]

Apple always had widgets on Mac and picture and picture on iPad.

 

[C. Robert]

Yea same thing that causes OS updates to be such a crapshoot. At least with iOS you know the update is coming when they say it is for every device that still supports if. None of the crap infinite coming "soon" garbage, even when you buy a flagship shortly after launch.

I use to hate getting a brand new phone and it was already on outdated software. To be updated it had to be issues by android, then the maker of the phone had to update their stuff, then the phone company had to approve it. Hell, by then a new update was out and a newer model of the phone that you just bought.

 

[Abazigal]

So when will we see android getting the same features from iOS, like their improved privacy settings? Last I checked, there’s no equivalent of the Apple Watch either.

Seems like there is nothing stopping Apple from slowly but surely adopting the key features of android, but there is everything stopping android from doing likewise because that would run counter to Google’s business model.

 

[TiggrToo]

I know bro. I swear to God he never used it. Some ppl out there don’t care or don’t understand what’s going on and most of those people are iPhone users. He doesn’t even swipe up and hold to switch apps, he didn’t know you can do that. He is a smart guy in case you wonder, he just doesn’t care so he never bother checking stuff out. Shoot my girlfriend didn’t know u could hold on icons to move them around until a couple years ago, No bs. I showed it to her and she was like “ wait what is happening”

Let's quit the insulting generalization there, please. I know plenty of Android users who are equally as clueless as to their device. Ditto Window and Mac users.

I myself have even missed an otherwise obvious feature.

 

[barondebxl]

Let's quit the insulting generalization there, please. I know plenty of Android users who are equally as clueless as to their device. Ditto Window and Mac users.

I myself have even missed an otherwise obvious feature.

It's no insulting anyone, I wouldn't insult my girlfriend get out your feelings we're just having fun.

 

[Ubuntu]

I'm sorry, but as someone who has both an iPhone and Android, I found the presentation hilarious, especially when Craig was talking about the exciting new features that have existed on Android for several years 🤣 specifically:

- Widgets on the home screen. We had that for years
- Picture in picture. Also had it for a very long time
- Improved Siri, so...Google Assistant? Hopefully something on that level
- Sending audio messages with voice control. Yup, also exists on Android
- Siri translations, aka...Google Translate? With conversation mode like...Google Translate? And also works offline like...Google Translate?
- Better maps, aka...Google Maps?

Not gonna lie, I thought auto-organized apps are a great idea and the new conversation features are neat, and of course, there are other features that make iOS different. But these parts made genuinely chuckle.

1. You should look up the meaning of literally (I see the informal definition so I’ll rescind this point 😉)
2. iOS copies from Android, Android copies from iOS - it’s great for us consumers so just be happy with your choice.
3. No competent presenter for a company would admit to copying an idea from a competitor so I’m not sure what you expected.

 

[C. Robert]

So when will we see android getting the same features from iOS, like their improved privacy settings? Last I checked, there’s no equivalent of the Apple Watch either.

Seems like there is nothing stopping Apple from slowly but surely adopting the key features of android, but there is everything stopping android from doing likewise because that would run counter to Google’s business model.

Tablet support is terrible on android also.

 

[212rikanmofo]

Literally Google Android but without the worry of Google tracking and invading your privacy! I will never support companies like Facebook or Google.