iOS 7 Changes Mostly Cosmetic - More opportunity for Android to get further ahead?

[JustJeff]

Your bias is showing through just as much as you claim couch's to be.

The point he was making is simple - and true. All Apple needs to do is release a visual overhaul of iOS and, through their clever marketing, will have millions of people drooling over it, when all they'd have done is really just release an iOS update that is the equivalent of a visual theme.

People will be saying it's faster, easier to use, more intuitive and smoother just because Apple will market it that way.

Ahh I enjoy and use both iOS and Android devices and am well aware of both their strengths and weaknesses. So just because I call him out on speaking rubbish I'm biased?

What annoys me is when people claim that there should be a "one size fits all" solution for everyone. His post screams "I want this so should everyone" and "if you use iOS your stupid" he clearly is never going to be happy with iOS ever again. He dramatically described his recent iphone journey as a nightmare

People just need to accept that they have different preferences. Yes iOS is getting stale and has some major shortcomings in some areas, I was never claiming it didn't. The settings area is a mess and needs the biggest overhaul IMO. But some people do still like using iOS and don't have "the veil over their eyes" as couch claims.

 

[jamezr]

At no point does the article or I say iOS 7 will have no new features.

Then what are you posting about then? The fear of something that has not even been delivered makes no sense......If it was radically different....then people would be complaining about it being radically different. If it is NOT radically different then people are going to complain it is not different enough.....and so on......and on.....
Let wait to complain about it when it is actually released and you have hands on experience with the software. Right now no one knows unless they work for Apple.

 

[KentuckyHouse]

Ahh I enjoy and use both iOS and Android devices and am well aware of both their strengths and weaknesses. So just because I call him out on speaking rubbish I'm biased?

What annoys me is when people claim that there should be a "one size fits all" solution for everyone. His post screams "I want this so should everyone" and "if you use iOS your stupid" he clearly is never going to be happy with iOS ever again. He dramatically described his recent iphone journey as a nightmare

People just need to accept that they have different preferences. Yes iOS is getting stale and has some major shortcomings in some areas, I was never claiming it didn't. The settings area is a mess and needs the biggest overhaul IMO. But some people do still like using iOS and don't have "the veil over their eyes" as couch claims.

The thing is, couch isn't saying there should be a "one size fits all" solution. The iPhone IS a "one size fits all" device. Android devices aren't. Because of the enhance capabilities a user has with an Android device (that they aren't required to use, but have a CHOICE to use), it covers a much broader range of needs.

I think this assessment is spot on. The vast majority of smartphone users do nothing beyond the core apps (phone, text, email, some apps) and the numerous 'freedoms' provided by Android are completely lost on them and thus, the iPhone is more than adequate for their needs. I've certainly heard some iPhone users express their desire for a larger screen, can't recall ever hearing 'man, I wish it was easier to attach this PDF to an email' or 'wow, turning off my wifi takes so many steps'.

From the perspective of the types of users hanging out in this forum, Couch's opinion is likely shared by many (myself being one) but the flaw in so many of these threads is feeling they apply to the general consumer. We are a small niche of the smartphone market and while we will be dissappointed with a lack of progress in iOS, it is more than capable of meeting most people's needs. Apple isn't selling millions of iPhones on accident.

Nice post and I agree with just about everything, but you really haven't heard anyone say they wish it was easier to attach a PDF or complain about how you have to dig into the settings to do something as simple as turning off/on wifi? I see that last one around here what seems like every single day. To me the two biggest complaints about the iPhone (and I'm talking about interactions with people in everyday life, not on this forum), are the small screen size and the lack of toggles to quickly do mundane things.

That Apple hasn't figured out that people want toggles in their Notification Center and implemented it just baffles me.

 

[Krimsonmyst]

Ahh I enjoy and use both iOS and Android devices and am well aware of both their strengths and weaknesses. So just because I call him out on speaking rubbish I'm biased?

What annoys me is when people claim that there should be a "one size fits all" solution for everyone. His post screams "I want this so should everyone" and "if you use iOS your stupid" he clearly is never going to be happy with iOS ever again. He dramatically described his recent iphone journey as a nightmare

People just need to accept that they have different preferences. Yes iOS is getting stale and has some major shortcomings in some areas, I was never claiming it didn't. The settings area is a mess and needs the biggest overhaul IMO. But some people do still like using iOS and don't have "the veil over their eyes" as couch claims.

You realise that Apple is the only one here preaching a 'one size fits all' solution...

 

[onthecouchagain]

Thank you to those who understand the point of my posts.

It's a mistake to think because I'm not a fan of ios at the moment that I don't want it to be better or that I somehow hate apple. An understandable but too often misconception. It's a red herring that distracts from the real problem at hand; ios.

To those who are happy with ios, I guess this thread doesn't apply to you. Why post in here defending against a claim I'm not making?

 

[mattopotamus]

Thank you to those who understand the point of my posts.

It's a mistake to think because I'm not a fan of ios at the moment that I don't want it to be better or that I somehow hate apple. An understandable but too often misconception. It's a red herring that distracts from the real problem at hand; ios.

To those who are happy with ios, I guess this thread doesn't apply to you. Why post in here defending against a claim I'm not making?

The issues with forums is that many people do not know how to have an open discussion, or they read a single post without knowing how a person really feels about a topic.

 

[AQUADock]

The issues with forums is that many people do not know how to have an open discussion, or they read a single post without knowing how a person really feels about a topic.

So everyone has to make a member background check before posting?

 

[jrswizzle]

Your bias is showing through just as much as you claim couch's to be.

The point he was making is simple - and true. All Apple needs to do is release a visual overhaul of iOS and, through their clever marketing, will have millions of people drooling over it, when all they'd have done is really just release an iOS update that is the equivalent of a visual theme.

People will be saying it's faster, easier to use, more intuitive and smoother just because Apple will market it that way.

But that's the thing - you seem to think that the only way a person could come to such a conclusion (that iOS is faster or better) is because they been duped by Apple marketing.

When the real reason is, they simply prefer it. Millions of people won't be "drooling" over it - they are Apple fans and there will be those who like it and those who don't. Many will continue to buy Apple simply because they prefer Apple's way of doing things, there are those who will buy because its easy and their family/friends have one, and there will be those who buy because of the new look.

All valid reasons that don't require some stiff on the internet to diminish said preferences because he/she doesn't agree.

 

[mattopotamus]

So everyone has to make a member background check before posting?

Just that most people overreact. If you are going to jump all over someone for a post, at least read their other post within the same thread. Open discussions seem to turn into personal attacks awfully quick.

 

[Krimsonmyst]

But that's the thing - you seem to think that the only way a person could come to such a conclusion (that iOS is faster or better) is because they been duped by Apple marketing.

When the real reason is, they simply prefer it. Millions of people won't be "drooling" over it - they are Apple fans and there will be those who like it and those who don't. Many will continue to buy Apple simply because they prefer Apple's way of doing things, there are those who will buy because its easy and their family/friends have one, and there will be those who buy because of the new look.

All valid reasons that don't require some stiff on the internet to diminish said preferences because he/she doesn't agree.

Oh come on man. You may have something of a point - but you can't tell me Apple's marketing doesn't have anything to do with people's perception of iDevices.

Remember when you didn't need Bluetooth? Remember when 3.5" was the perfect screen size, and it never needed to be any bigger? Remember when no-one was interested in a 7" tablet market?

As a prediction, remember when Apple said that you didn't need a retina display in an iPad mini because the screen was smaller?

I'm not saying you're flat out wrong, and I'm sure that there are many people that have legitimate reasons for choosing iOS as their OS of choice - but you can't deny that Apple has a long history of telling people that they don't need something, then releasing it down the track and having people fawn over how fantastic (or 'amazing') it is - while the rest of sit, looking puzzled with devices in our hands that have had the feature for a long time.

I never like to play this card because I don't want to look like the guy that is trying to one-up everybody, but I worked as a Specialist for a year, and then a Genius for 2 years at an Apple Store here in Australia - and mainly during my time as a Specialist, there were so many people that didn't exactly know WHY they were buying a Mac/iPhone - other than 'my friend said its what I should buy', and my personal favourite 'because they look cool' - which I suppose is true.

One of the 'behind closed doors' promo videos we used to be shown actually spoke about how important the marketing is in explaining to the customers why Apple products are so amazing.

Something I've held as a philosophy for many years is that while they do sell some pretty great hardware and software across the board - Apple is first and foremost a company that markets, markets damn well mind you - but is a marketing business all the same.

 

[nick9191]

I was afraid of this: https://www.macrumors.com/2013/04/29/details-on-jony-ives-very-very-flat-design-for-ios-7/

"While the look of the updated system may be surprising to some, iOS 7 is reportedly not more difficult to use than earlier versions of software platform. There is apparently no new learning curve in the same way there was no learning curve when the iPods went color. While iOS 7 does look different, its core apps and system fundamentals (like the Lock and Home screens) mostly operate in a similar fashion to how they do today."

If true, those holding out their breath for big changes to come with iOS 7 (myself included) will likely be disappointed.

What's worse is people will probably be blown away by the new look. Mix that in with Apple's "imaginative" (to put it politely) marketing, I wouldn't be surprised if people devour it up as the next big thing in iOS. I mean, it can be beautiful, but I fear it'll be another sleight of hand, magic trick, another veil pulled over people's eyes.

Or, it could be Android's (and I guess WP8 and BB10, too) moment to really distance itself. If iOS 7 won't give people the things they want, and will still be on a 4" screen, will more people migrate? They should. Or else Apple may never change the way we want and at the speed we want.

Or will new cheers of "iOS 8 will bring those big changes!" (it might) be born?

Disappointing news.

iOS is a blank canvas for apps, the software ecosystem sells the product (amongst other things). As long as it looks pretty, and gets changed around every now and then because people are ********s and get bored too easily, it will be grand. All it needs is the API's, the basic functionality, the sexy interface, leave the rest to the developers.

 

[tjl3]

Your bias is showing through just as much as you claim couch's to be.

The point he was making is simple - and true. All Apple needs to do is release a visual overhaul of iOS and, through their clever marketing, will have millions of people drooling over it, when all they'd have done is really just release an iOS update that is the equivalent of a visual theme.

People will be saying it's faster, easier to use, more intuitive and smoother just because Apple will market it that way.

But how many people do you also see "I am bored w/ iOS, it is stale, boring, hasn't changed in 6 years, blah, blah, blah." And it won't just be people who are on iOS, it'll be people who have also switched platforms from iOS.

The thing is, couch isn't saying there should be a "one size fits all" solution. The iPhone IS a "one size fits all" device. Android devices aren't. Because of the enhance capabilities a user has with an Android device (that they aren't required to use, but have a CHOICE to use), it covers a much broader range of needs.

In a way, Android devices do convey a 'one size for you' message. There are too many concessions in the smaller screen market on Android. You want a 4.5 in screen, you don't get 1080p, it's slower, GPU is not as powerful, materials are different. And the smartphones that dominate are ones that are lower priced (i.e. people are cheap, surprise!).

And Samsung, b/c they own the profit share for Android will dictate the market, and their competitors have to follow.

I really think that people who moved on from iPhone due solely to screen size is the minority. A lot can cite screen size on forums and blogs, but there are other underlying reasons and no increase of screen size is going to draw ALL those consumers back. That said, it also won't hurt Apple to go bigger b/c there is no competition in the < 4.7" market.

 

[jrswizzle]

Oh come on man. You may have something of a point - but you can't tell me Apple's marketing doesn't have anything to do with people's perception of iDevices.

Remember when you didn't need Bluetooth? Remember when 3.5" was the perfect screen size, and it never needed to be any bigger? Remember when no-one was interested in a 7" tablet market?

As a prediction, remember when Apple said that you didn't need a retina display in an iPad mini because the screen was smaller?

I'm not saying you're flat out wrong, and I'm sure that there are many people that have legitimate reasons for choosing iOS as their OS of choice - but you can't deny that Apple has a long history of telling people that they don't need something, then releasing it down the track and having people fawn over how fantastic (or 'amazing') it is - while the rest of sit, looking puzzled with devices in our hands that have had the feature for a long time.

I never like to play this card because I don't want to look like the guy that is trying to one-up everybody, but I worked as a Specialist for a year, and then a Genius for 2 years at an Apple Store here in Australia - and mainly during my time as a Specialist, there were so many people that didn't exactly know WHY they were buying a Mac/iPhone - other than 'my friend said its what I should buy', and my personal favourite 'because they look cool' - which I suppose is true.

One of the 'behind closed doors' promo videos we used to be shown actually spoke about how important the marketing is in explaining to the customers why Apple products are so amazing.

Something I've held as a philosophy for many years is that while they do sell some pretty great hardware and software across the board - Apple is first and foremost a company that markets, markets damn well mind you - but is a marketing business all the same.

I'm not saying there aren't SOME who fall prey to marketing hype, but lets not pretend Apple is the only company who makes wild marketing claims.....I seem to recall a Samsung GS4 ad saying that it would actually help your dating life and relationships.....I mean really?

Of course Apple will say their product is the best, of course they will try to dissuade naysayers by making statements like "You don't need retina in the mini because its smaller" (which I've never heard by the way - there a lots of people out there who can't tell the difference - my wife is one of them).

My only point was, don't belittle the preferences of the majority just because Apple goes over the top with its marketing. I was chatting with my mom yesterday and getting my old iPhone 4S from her to sell - she just got the 5. She actually PREFERRED the 4S - not because Apple told her 3.5" was the perfect size, but because that's what she was used to and liked.

Now I fully expect that she'll get used to the 5 (she's only had it for about a month and a half), but there are plenty of people out there who feel that same way - not because Apple said so, but because it legitimately is the truth for them.

I, personally, tend to discredit ANYTHING ANY OEM says about its own products.....because of course, it will be nothing but praise.

 

[KentuckyHouse]

So everyone has to make a member background check before posting?

Yes, just like Obama is going to walk into your living room and take your guns.

Why is it people always jump to the most extreme position when something seems to bother them?

 

[AQUADock]

Yes, just like Obama is going to walk into your living room and take your guns.

Why is it people always jump to the most extreme position when something seems to bother them?

Im not sure what you meant but my point was that this is a bit silly to have to consider what you are going to say according to the person who opened the thread.

 

[KentuckyHouse]

In a way, Android devices do convey a 'one size for you' message. There are too many concessions in the smaller screen market on Android. You want a 4.5 in screen, you don't get 1080p, it's slower, GPU is not as powerful, materials are different. And the smartphones that dominate are ones that are lower priced (i.e. people are cheap, surprise!).

And Samsung, b/c they own the profit share for Android will dictate the market, and their competitors have to follow.

I really think that people who moved on from iPhone due solely to screen size is the minority. A lot can cite screen size on forums and blogs, but there are other underlying reasons and no increase of screen size is going to draw ALL those consumers back. That said, it also won't hurt Apple to go bigger b/c there is no competition in the < 4.7" market.

I see what you're saying about concessions, and in the past this would've been true, but if you look around now you'll find that you're not making a lot of concessions.

Want a smaller screen? Go with the HTC One or Nexus 4 or Optimus G and you've got your 4.7 inch screen. Want larger? How about the S3 (4.8") or S4 (5")? Oh, you want a phablet? You even have a choice in that category now...Note 2 (5.5") or Optimus G Pro (5.5").

If 4.7" is still too big for you, you can always go with something like the HTC One S (4.3" and I wouldn't call this a concession at all...it's a great phone with great specs).

BTW, there aren't a lot of 1080p screens out there at the moment. DNA, S4, HTC One...a few others. And these are a range of screen sizes as well.

----------

Im not sure what you meant but my point was that this is a bit silly to have to consider what you are going to say according to the person who opened the thread.

My point was that you instantly jumped to the most drastic conclusion (should posters have to have background checks before they post). Did you actually mean that? I doubt it. I was just making a point that there's no need to go off-the-ranch.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I think I'll wait until it is actually released before I get all worked up about it.

 

[Kashsystems]

People tend to forget what a functioning app store did for the iPhone.
This was probably the most important feature for the iPhone's later success.

Remember that App Store came out before there was an Android phone.

Yes there were fart apps among other items, but this open the doors to a new market.

Also it allowed developers to create something new in the App Store, with a low cost of entry.

99 dollars and you are part of the developer program. Yes you needed a mac to program on, but these guys had Macs anyways.

What is the cost to update an game by Apple, zero dollars.

What is the cost to update your game on Xbox live.

10000 dollars.

Now I do not remember the costs for the PS3 or PSP

If I recall correctly you are allowed one free update on the xbox live store and that can not have new content, only bug fixes.

When you open the market for developers you help your own platform to grow.

This is why I am hoping on the Sony PS4 because it sounds like they are taking this kind of approach.


Part of the problem of these kind of debates, is a lot of people miss out bigger picture side of things.

Yes it is nice to talk about freedom vs enclosed architecture, but as I stated earlier, 90 percent of the mobile market doesn't really care.

It comes down to how much is it? How big is the screen? Can I text, facebook,view web, and call on it?

Does it have my Angry Birds on it?

There are some people stuck in ecosystems who won't switch, and that is understandable.

A lot of these people who are diving in really don't care about what we care about.

 

[Liquorpuki]

I think the biggest change they need is cosmetic. They have a branding issue right now with the same static UI being used. It's boring. Android and WP have already broke from a static app centric UI into a data centric one. Apple's UI is like a command line prompt in comparison..

Jony Ive is on it. The guy is an industrial designer who's talent is bridging the gap between aesthetics and usability. I think cosmetic changes will be the main focus. I don't know why they'd put him on it otherwise.

People tend to forget what a functioning app store did for the iPhone.
This was probably the most important feature for the iPhone's later success.

This is true and it's what jumpstarted the iOS ecosystem. The key thing Apple did with the app store was harness the internet as disruptive tech to revamp software distribution. That said, you can only use the internet as disruptive tech once per market.

What is the cost to update an game by Apple, zero dollars.

What is the cost to update your game on Xbox live.

10000 dollars.

You can't really compare because different forms of monetization. Apple can take a hit on software because they make money off hardware. MS's XBox division takes a hit on hardware and has to make it up through software.

That low cost of entry is give/take too. Low cost of entry ups the # of developers and drives down pricepoints, creating lower margins. An indie developer might have a runaway hit on iOS but with a low standard pricepoint, all the consumer gets are budget quality offerings across the board.

 

[Tinmania]

Yes it is nice to talk about freedom vs enclosed architecture, but as I stated earlier, 90 percent of the mobile market doesn't really care.

And 96.32% of internet stats are made up, on-the-spot.

No one needs to know a thing about closed vs open when they see me swipe down and tap once to turn off wifi. They just see and want it.



Michael

 

[jrswizzle]

And 96.32% of internet stats are made up, on-the-spot.

No one needs to know a thing about closed vs open when they see me swipe down and tap once to turn off wifi. They just see and want it.



Michael

No offense, but I'd say a majority of people couldn't care less.....

I think most people just get what's popular. The iPhone ran its course, now Samsung is big - its all about fads (1/2 the consumer base). Also - these are the people who's smartphone uses can be easily taken care of by ANY of the flagship smartphones - even older versions.

Then there are those who truly care about customization and toggles (1/4)

And there are those who think the customization and toggles are nice, but not ultimately game changers (1/4 - I fall into this category).

 

[Tinmania]

No offense, but I'd say a majority of people couldn't care less.....

I could have said the exact same thing about user-installable apps back in 2007. Well, Jobs pretty much did.

A drop-down toggle is no more complex than the notification center that is already there. When I show it to someone they do care. Of course they don't care if they don't know about it--just like they didn't care about an app store that didn't exist yet.

The issue is that there are now other brands doing things that Apple is not. In 2007 and early 2008 Apple didn't have that issue.




Michael

 

[jrswizzle]

I could have said the exact same thing about user-installable apps back in 2007. Well, Jobs pretty much did.

A drop-down toggle is no more complex than the notification center that is already there. When I show it to someone they do care. Of course they don't care if they don't know about it--just like they didn't care about an app store that didn't exist yet.

The issue is that there are now other brands doing things that Apple is not. In 2007 and early 2008 Apple didn't have that issue.




Michael

Ok - but, using myself as an example, being a longtime Apple user that toggle may not be all that more convenient. Many of these tasks are second nature to me on the iPhone - i can almost do these things without looking. So I move to the Nexus 4 and can toggle wifi and such from the notification center - Cool, but not life-changing. I'd imagine a majority of the consumer base - who generally use their phones for facebook, texting/calls and email also would have a similar reaction.

That's not to say I wouldn't welcome such a feature in the iPhone. Just saying I'd bet its relatively low on the priority list. Especially when I have no need to toggle things on my iPhone ever. Which is faster? Swiping down and tapping a toggle every so often, or simply leaving the option on and never touching it?

 

[Kashsystems]

And 96.32% of internet stats are made up, on-the-spot.

No one needs to know a thing about closed vs open when they see me swipe down and tap once to turn off wifi. They just see and want it.



Michael

How often are people staring at your phone looking at how you toggle wifi?

Most times when you go out to a restaurant or people standing around at the mall or wherever, they are staring at their own phones. They don't really care what you are using or doing unless you are part of their social circle.

The only time I think a person wonders how to do this on either phone is probably when they walk into their cellular provider's store and goes ask them. Or casually ask their random friend who is consider to be the "expert" among their group.

I bet most times they don't care that they had to hit one button or hit a couple buttons to turn off their wifi as long as there is a way to do what they want.

I don't think ease of use is that much of a selling point as long there is an email, text,phone, and facebook icon on their screen.

 

[Tinmania]

That's not to say I wouldn't welcome such a feature in the iPhone. Just saying I'd bet its relatively low on the priority list. Especially when I have no need to toggle things on my iPhone ever. Which is faster? Swiping down and tapping a toggle every so often, or simply leaving the option on and never touching it?

That works if you never have to change anything. I often have to toggle wifi off when it is flaky or I am in a place where it will auto-connect to hotspots I am just walking by (which need logging in). Fortunately with my Note 2 I don't need to toggle stuff off to save battery--thankfully.

But people generally are creatures of habit. I was setting up wifi at girlfriend's dental office the other day and there was this one dental assistant who could not get it to work. She had an S3. It would not bring up the captive portal login. So, I told her to open up a browser window to see if it would force the login page but all she knew how to use was google now. She had never once opened the browser directly and just handed me the phone when I became exasperated with her failure to understand my simple request.



Michael