Not Really Loving iOS 14

[MozMan68]

So, I said this in the third party widget post, but it actually seems more fitting here.

After a couple of weeks, I think I finally realized what I love most about iOS14, widgets and the app library...it will really be about cleaning up the main home screen for me.

I think like most people (maybe not on here, but MOST people), I have about 100-200 or more apps. I placed them in 20 folders only so I could have access to all on just one screen. It's changed a little bit over the years, but not by much.

Now with widgets and the app library, I find myself using three screens with the most common things I want to see at a glance (I'm sure this will change), like clock, weather and calendar on my first screen...second screen is dedicated to news (Top Stories, Alternative Rock and Technology), third screen; battery, maps and music app. And then the app library, which I actually find to be quite smart in having my other regularly used apps within easy reach.

Again, I'm sure this will change once the tons of third party app widgets are launched (especially the ones I use way more than the Apple ones), but I'm planning on simply doing more "smart stack" widget options for similar apps. Just the idea of having a bunch of News widgets with separate topics I like to read about stacked has me wanting to do that one already.

I'm all ready planning out my smart stacks...social media stack, news stack, weather stack, sports stack...and I think the key will be to limit it to widgets that will actually provide some sort of useful info at a glance (I like the wide screen widget) so I don't just end up with 20 stacks in place of the 20 folders I had before...going to try and see how the app library works for me, but I'm loving it already.

And just made a change to my dock...removed the calendar app from there and replaced it with the contacts app since I already have the calendar widget on my first page.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

You can ignore App Library, just don’t swipe to it. The ’Today’ screen is a prime example of what I am saying about App Library & intended audience. That’s been there for a while, it is not intended for everyone, same as App Library. I am not the audience for Today view and I’ve gone for it’s entire existence of ignoring it being there.

We are both right here, just to point this out lol.

 

[swandy]

I know this has been discussed (ad nauseum) about the App Library categories.
(1) Where in the App Store does the developer's category show? I have several parking apps based on where I need to park (NYC, Asbury Park, NJ, etc.) and when I look at the App Store for the apps under Category NONE are placed into a folder in the Library corresponding to what the developer used.
(2) Everyone here seems convinced that Apple will never allow us to change the folders in the Library to fit what we would prefer. How do you know this? And don't repeat that the apps are categorized by the developers - I realize that but that doesn't mean that Apple won't allow us to change it in the future.

 

[AZhappyjack]

I know this has been discussed (ad nauseum) about the App Library categories.
(1) Where in the App Store does the developer's category show? I have several parking apps based on where I need to park (NYC, Asbury Park, NJ, etc.) and when I look at the App Store for the apps under Category NONE are placed into a folder in the Library corresponding to what the developer used.
(2) Everyone here seems convinced that Apple will never allow us to change the folders in the Library to fit what we would prefer. How do you know this? And don't repeat that the apps are categorized by the developers - I realize that but that doesn't mean that Apple won't allow us to change it in the future.

1. Open the app page in the App Store and scroll down to INFORMATION. Below that are "Seller", "Size", "CATEGORY", "Compatibility" and more.
2. No one knows for sure... but you can put apps anywhere you want and name the folders anything you choose on the home screen pages. That should be enough. Why would you need to categorize your apps in multiple places and ways? Seems incredibly redundant to me.

 

[swandy]

1. Open the app page in the App Store and scroll down to INFORMATION. Below that are "Seller", "Size", "CATEGORY", "Compatibility" and more.
2. No one knows for sure... but you can put apps anywhere you want and name the folders anything you choose on the home screen pages. That should be enough. Why would you need to categorize your apps in multiple places and ways? Seems incredibly redundant to me.

As I said numerous apps - and I mentioned two in my post - do not have a CATEGORY that agrees with wheee they are in the library.
And perhaps many people would find the library more useful if they actually knew where their freaking apps were. I have five or six different apps to pay for parking and they are in three different locations in the library.

 

[Ansath]

No one knows for sure... but you can put apps anywhere you want and name the folders anything you choose on the home screen pages. That should be enough. Why would you need to categorize your apps in multiple places and ways? Seems incredibly redundant to me.

I think it's pretty certain, as you can see what the design/purpose of it is. To introduce the ability to rename them just changes the entire intention for it, as it would break the entire function of it auto indexing based on the Developer categories. If you've renamed a folder like 'Utilities' to 'Stuff I hate', where do other apps that go in the same folder go?

I would think that instead of renaming, Apple should give an option to switch it from the Primary category picked by the Developer, to the Secondary one, or vice versa.

As I said numerous apps - and I mentioned two in my post - do not have a CATEGORY that agrees with wheee they are in the library.
And perhaps many people would find the library more useful if they actually knew where their freaking apps were. I have five or six different apps to pay for parking and they are in three different locations in the library.

Apps have a Primary & Secondary category. App Store only shows the Primary. Again, these categories are picked by the Developers, not Apple. If they are wrong, then communicate to the Devs that made the app. Mind you, I doubt 'Parking' is an App Store category, so that's an example of when you need to use a standard Home Screen folder instead.

Have you checked the apps that are in the 'wrong' category on your phone, to see what App Store says?

I suspect that there's some logic written to dictate when App Library uses the Secondary one (maybe that if there are X amount with the same primary category, then it puts them in a folder, if more apps have the same secondary than primary it puts them in a folder with the secondary category and finally, if no other apps have the same primary or secondary, then they end up in the their own folder).

Apple is relying on Developers to pick the correct Primary and Secondary category for the apps.

 

[honglong1976]

It’s utter garbage on an iPhone 6S so far. Watch OS7 is pretty solid though.

The battery drain issue on iPhone 6S is annoying. Beta 4

 

[dk001]

I think it's pretty certain, as you can see what the design/purpose of it is. To introduce the ability to rename them just changes the entire intention for it, as it would break the entire function of it auto indexing based on the Developer categories. If you've renamed a folder like 'Utilities' to 'Stuff I hate', where do other apps that go in the same folder go?

I would think that instead of renaming, Apple should give an option to switch it from the Primary category picked by the Developer, to the Secondary one, or vice versa.




Apps have a Primary & Secondary category. App Store only shows the Primary. Again, these categories are picked by the Developers, not Apple. If they are wrong, then communicate to the Devs that made the app. Mind you, I doubt 'Parking' is an App Store category, so that's an example of when you need to use a standard Home Screen folder instead.

Have you checked the apps that are in the 'wrong' category on your phone, to see what App Store says?

I suspect that there's some logic written to dictate when App Library uses the Secondary one (maybe that if there are X amount with the same primary category, then it puts them in a folder, if more apps have the same secondary than primary it puts them in a folder with the secondary category and finally, if no other apps have the same primary or secondary, then they end up in the their own folder).

Apple is relying on Developers to pick the correct Primary and Secondary category for the apps.

Allowing the user to define a local alias that applies to what folder in the App Library an app shows would be a nice touch.

 

[Ansath]

Allowing the user to define a local alias that applies to what folder in the App Library an app shows would be a nice touch.

Choosing a random custom name goes against the design & purpose of it though.

As I said earlier, the compromise would be that Apple gives the option to switch it from the Primary category picked by the Developer, to the Secondary one, or vice versa.

 

[swandy]

Choosing a random custom name goes against the design & purpose of it though.

As I said earlier, the compromise would be that Apple gives the option to switch it from the Primary category picked by the Developer, to the Secondary one, or vice versa.

You respond like you work for Apple and if you know their entire way of thinking. Correct me if I am wrong.
And - assuming all your assumptions are correct - where is the harm of letting users decide, perhaps after the Library initial setup based on your assumptions, where the apps go? Users are allowed to decide which apps stay on their home screen(s) and which don't, so why not let us move the apps to folders that make more sense to US.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Allowing the user to define a local alias that applies to what folder in the App Library an app shows would be a nice touch.

Yeah that would be a nice touch. It wouldn’t affect the use of the App Library but would at least allow users to label the sections to words that are to the individuals understanding. This is a major step forward for Apple this year in terms of introducing customisation and what seems logical to us may be a step to far at present. It’s a suggestion I’ve seen discussed in various places so you never know, it may become an option

 

[Ansath]

You respond like you work for Apple and if you know their entire way of thinking. Correct me if I am wrong.
And - assuming all your assumptions are correct - where is the harm of letting users decide, perhaps after the Library initial setup based on your assumptions, where the apps go? Users are allowed to decide which apps stay on their home screen(s) and which don't, so why not let us move the apps to folders that make more sense to US.

I am a developer, and I know what I'm talking about. Apple have clearly explained the point of it, at WWDC.

Home Screens are for letting users pick what goes in what folders, that makes sense to the user, the point of App Library is to index all apps, based on categories. If the latter doesn't work for you, then stick with the former. Changing the purpose of the App Library the way you want, just makes it yet another Home Screen, which makes the whole App Library redundant.

 

[daveathall]

I dont see the point of the app library, all it is, is an extra page containing folders with apps inside. I could do that. If it could be used like an app locker/draw as on Android it would be better, how's about pulling down from the top right corner and have the app library in the control centre accessed by an icon?

 

[MozMan68]

I dont see the point of the app library, all it is, is an extra page containing folders with apps inside. I could do that. If it could be used like an app locker/draw as on Android it would be better, how's about pulling down from the top right corner and have the app library in the control centre accessed by an icon?

You’ll see what the point is when you start using widgets more often and/or only your daily used apps.

I don’t think it will really kick in until 3rd party widgets are out, but I’ve already started using a few pages of widgets and App Library and loving it.

 

[gwhizkids]

You’ll see what the point is when you start using widgets more often and/or only your daily used apps.

I don’t think it will really kick in until 3rd party widgets are out, but I’ve already started using a few pages of widgets and App Library and loving it.

Where this set up really shines, in my opinion, is when you use one or more Siri Suggestion widgets on your Home Screen. These, for me, present the apps I need likely 75-80% of the time. So, although I have the App Library set up, I don’t need to use it frequently.

 

[dk001]

You’ll see what the point is when you start using widgets more often and/or only your daily used apps.

I don’t think it will really kick in until 3rd party widgets are out, but I’ve already started using a few pages of widgets and App Library and loving it.

In a note to that, in Android I started using widgets a while back - much more flexible there - but at the end of the day I use two.
Android is my main phone.

It may be a year or two but I don’t see Apple shaking up the widget world or changing general behavior. I suspect the individual with a page or two of widgets is the outlier.

JMO

 

[Ansath]

Where this set up really shines, in my opinion, is when you use one or more Siri Suggestion widgets on your Home Screen. These, for me, present the apps I need likely 75-80% of the time. So, although I have the App Library set up, I don’t need to use it frequently.

Exactly this. I've done the same, and it's been much better. Bring on 3rd party widgets.

 

[MozMan68]

In a note to that, in Android I started using widgets a while back - much more flexible there - but at the end of the day I use two.
Android is my main phone.

It may be a year or two but I don’t see Apple shaking up the widget world or changing general behavior. I suspect the individual with a page or two of widgets is the outlier.

JMO

That may be true, but I think the difference here is that Apple isn't going as far as Android (to the dismay of a lot of people on here) and only creating informational widgets. It's really nothing more than an enhanced version of their existing main page(s).

So, people can:
a) Leave it as is...they're not taking the current app/app folder pages away
b) Have a combination of widgets and app pages/folders
c) Use only widgets for most utilized/wanted apps and the app library to access less utilized ones.
d) Use every option combined in any layout you want.

It's not about creating a totally different experience like an interactive app would provide...just more info at a glance.

I've gone all in with route "c" just to try it out and what I'm surprised by is how much I am now using apps I never really used before like News. Now that it is customized to the news pages I want to read about, I find myself flipping through the news stack I have set up a few times a day to see the different stories and if I want to click on them for more info.

And once you get used to the app library and have it right there without swiping through pages of widgets, it's very easy to use...I love being able to single tap into apps with notifications. I don't even have to open a folder anymore like I've been doing for years.

It's not that I don't care about the weather, but I always hated tapping into my weather folder and then again onto the apps to see what is going on. It's now on my main start page and I'm tapping into it a lot more.

The only thing I think I would prefer that Android does is really create a more immersive background like when the whole main screen is the weather info with apps layered on top of it. I think Apple should have that for some of their stock apps like weather, clock, stocks, maybe even news where the whole top half of the screen and background is that info and the background continues to the lower half. Maybe iOS 20?

 

[daveathall]

That may be true, but I think the difference here is that Apple isn't going as far as Android (to the dismay of a lot of people on here) and only creating informational widgets. It's really nothing more than an enhanced version of their existing main page(s).

So, people can:
a) Leave it as is...they're not taking the current app/app folder pages away
b) Have a combination of widgets and app pages/folders
c) Use only widgets for most utilized/wanted apps and the app library to access less utilized ones.
d) Use every option combined in any layout you want.

It's not about creating a totally different experience like an interactive app would provide...just more info at a glance.

I've gone all in with route "c" just to try it out and what I'm surprised by is how much I am now using apps I never really used before like News. Now that it is customized to the news pages I want to read about, I find myself flipping through the news stack I have set up a few times a day to see the different stories and if I want to click on them for more info.

And once you get used to the app library and have it right there without swiping through pages of widgets, it's very easy to use...I love being able to single tap into apps with notifications. I don't even have to open a folder anymore like I've been doing for years.

It's not that I don't care about the weather, but I always hated tapping into my weather folder and then again onto the apps to see what is going on. It's now on my main start page and I'm tapping into it a lot more.

The only thing I think I would prefer that Android does is really create a more immersive background like when the whole main screen is the weather info with apps layered on top of it. I think Apple should have that for some of their stock apps like weather, clock, stocks, maybe even news where the whole top half of the screen and background is that info and the background continues to the lower half. Maybe iOS 20?

This is a very fair answer and has probably changed my mind on "the point of the app library" as I mentioned above. I must admit, I have always preferred Android because of the widgets and app locker but changed to iOS when I started wearing hearing aids, the integration between my aids and my iPhone 11 pro plus is just that much better than with the last (superb) flagship Samsung phone I used. I am liking iOS more and more now and am excited about the enhancements they are producing. I would try the Beta but am worried that it would affect my banking apps as once happened when I tried the Android Beta.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[dk001]

That may be true, but I think the difference here is that Apple isn't going as far as Android (to the dismay of a lot of people on here) and only creating informational widgets. It's really nothing more than an enhanced version of their existing main page(s).

So, people can:
a) Leave it as is...they're not taking the current app/app folder pages away
b) Have a combination of widgets and app pages/folders
c) Use only widgets for most utilized/wanted apps and the app library to access less utilized ones.
d) Use every option combined in any layout you want.

It's not about creating a totally different experience like an interactive app would provide...just more info at a glance.

I've gone all in with route "c" just to try it out and what I'm surprised by is how much I am now using apps I never really used before like News. Now that it is customized to the news pages I want to read about, I find myself flipping through the news stack I have set up a few times a day to see the different stories and if I want to click on them for more info.

And once you get used to the app library and have it right there without swiping through pages of widgets, it's very easy to use...I love being able to single tap into apps with notifications. I don't even have to open a folder anymore like I've been doing for years.

It's not that I don't care about the weather, but I always hated tapping into my weather folder and then again onto the apps to see what is going on. It's now on my main start page and I'm tapping into it a lot more.

The only thing I think I would prefer that Android does is really create a more immersive background like when the whole main screen is the weather info with apps layered on top of it. I think Apple should have that for some of their stock apps like weather, clock, stocks, maybe even news where the whole top half of the screen and background is that info and the background continues to the lower half. Maybe iOS 20?

Definitely could be. With Apple this is new territory.
I know I have found with better apps and better notifications I have limited reasons for widgets any more.
Using weather as an example; I have the temp on my watch; if there is a major issue I have a notification; and if I need the forcast I have a shortcut that opens a specific app.

Being a beta, I am playing with pretty much everything. Finding a real life use for this is another thing.

 

[dmccloud]

You respond like you work for Apple and if you know their entire way of thinking. Correct me if I am wrong.
And - assuming all your assumptions are correct - where is the harm of letting users decide, perhaps after the Library initial setup based on your assumptions, where the apps go? Users are allowed to decide which apps stay on their home screen(s) and which don't, so why not let us move the apps to folders that make more sense to US.

You're misunderstanding what the App Library is though. It's the digital equivalent of a library card catalog, where each app is categorized according to a set of predefined criteria. Since the App Library does not replace the home screens already in use, there is no need to allow users to have the same functionality in App Library when it is intended to be used in a different manner than the home screens.

 

[dmccloud]

Hope we can have ad block in 3rd browsers now

I'm not sure what you mean here. I have AdBlock Plus running on both Firefox and Chrome on my MBA under Big Sur.

 

[Ansath]

I'm not sure what you mean here. I have AdBlock Plus running on both Firefox and Chrome on my MBA under Big Sur.

They mean on iOS, not MacOS. Content blockers only work for Safari on iOS

 

[Kylo83]

Same the widgets are useless not being interactive so much more they could of done,

 

[dk001]

You're misunderstanding what the App Library is though. It's the digital equivalent of a library card catalog, where each app is categorized according to a set of predefined criteria. Since the App Library does not replace the home screens already in use, there is no need to allow users to have the same functionality in App Library when it is intended to be used in a different manner than the home screens.

A card catalog for who? or should I say what?
I find the “what” for this as clear as mud.
As a couple here can attest, I am struggling with finding a real use, daily use for this feature.
Just not seeing it.