iPhone 14 Pro Max Is the dynamic island a novelty?

[iiiiiMAC!!!!!]

I went into a shop to use the dynamic island, and after getting to use it for a few apps I couldn’t really tell if this would be useful or not.

Is this just a novelty 2nd screen, or have people really begun to get use out of it after using it for a few weeks? I only used it for 10 mins at the shops so it’s hard to tell when you don’t have real world use.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

This is not something you "use". And as long as people don't get it, they'll be disappointed and say it's just a gimmick and worthless.

 

[subjonas]

I’m withholding judgment until I see more, but so far I’m not convinced the pill/DI are the best UX choice.

 

[Fatus_Asticus]

It isn’t a reason to upgrade.

 

[iiiiiMAC!!!!!]

This is not something you "use". And as long as people don't get it, they'll be disappointed and say it's just a gimmick and worthless.

Great then, this is why I’ve asked the question, so can you give me a more elaborate answer?

 

[kasakka]

It's one of those whimsical features that I don't see becoming much of a thing unless we start to see the same camera cutout layout on all iPhone models next year.

It's a feature that will heavily depend on developer support for making good use of it and being limited to a few models there's not a huge incentive for devs to start doing something with it.

But in the end it's not much more than a cool way to hide the cutout and so far doesn't truly make an impact on how you use your phone.

 

[Pakaku]

It's just a notification style that happens to take advantage of the hardware limitations of the camera pill.

 

[Ralfi]

It isn’t a reason to upgrade.

Agree. But was for millions anyway 😏

 

[VSMacOne]

I think the island is superior to the notch. It allows for extra room on the lock screen and the UI around it is fun. I think we’ll see its design become more useful over time.

 

[Wando64]

Is this just a novelty 2nd screen…

it is a very, very clever way of giving people the illusion that there is a “2nd screen” where in reality there is only a black hole.

It is indeed very clever, but at the end of the day a hole is a hole is a hole, so if at any point you see through the illusion, that’s all you’re going so see.

 

[ChoiMinji]

To me it looks like a notch, a smaller notch with things in it, yet a a notch nevertheless 😊

 

[Total Respray]

Ultimately it is just a notification system that happens to disguise some dead space. It is not a standalone feature.

 

[Ralfi]

The live sports score interface is nifty.

 

[Dealmans]

Doesn’t matter you are stuck with it anyway if you want a pro

 

[Top Lad]

Anything is better than the dumb notch, that was a bigger eye sore with the two ears sticking out either side. Never got used to that.

 

[iFone88]

The live sports score interface is nifty.

Is there an app that supports this????

More so, Premier League games?

 

[iiiiiMAC!!!!!]

To me it looks like a notch, a smaller notch with things in it, yet a a notch nevertheless 😊

Wouldn’t it be a bigger notch since it expands?

 

[ChoiMinji]

Wouldn’t it be a bigger notch since it expands?

Well one thing is for sure, it’s certainly a conversation piece😀

 

[sjperformance]

With updates and developers using it...DI will only get better.

 

[orionquest]

I think the island is superior to the notch. It allows for extra room on the lock screen and the UI around it is fun. I think we’ll see its design become more useful over time.

Said users of 3D touch and the touchbar.... lets see how long this one lasts.
I think it's a gimmick just like those mentioned features.

 

[dk001]

I would rather Apple worked on getting rid of the notch instead of putting a “mask” over it.

I’m in the gimmick column for this one.

 

[MisterSavage]

I think it's a clever and useful way of providing info/access but it's not a WOW feature that would drive an upgrade for many.

 

[VSMacOne]

Said users of 3D touch and the touchbar.... lets see how long this one lasts.
I think it's a gimmick just like those mentioned features.

FWIW, I thought the Touch Bar was pointless. Not even close to being in the same category as the others. I may be completely wrong here, but I think the island is here to stay.

 

[AppleB]

I just can’t anymore. I give up.

 

[pirateninjae]

I find it useful. Some examples where I used the island.

* At the gym, I have my fitness app active and Apple Music playing in the background. I use the dynamic island if I wear something interesting and I want to know about it.
* Using Maps directions. I set a destination on Maps and switch to a different app while I am walking. The persisted next direction on the screen is nice; I don’t have to wait until the notification pops up or switch back to the Map app.
* I was using Strava the other day while general commute cycling, had Maps set to a destination, and the phone on a mount. Having Strava active with maps persisting on the screen (via DI) was useful to me. I tend to use audio prompts to get direction info, but being able to glance on the screen and see the info alongside the fitness app I was using was a nice experience.

I don’t think this feature is revolutionary, but I am definitely making use out of it.