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Not Seen This Elsewhere: Flight Tracking
- Thread starter Lostanddamned
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At what point does Apple start building out hidden but very useful features like this, package tracking, dictionary and others into their own applets a la stocks or weather? Would it be that hard to build small apps with limited functionality like that if it's already in the OS?
I think the issue would be they would have 8 extra apps to maintain. Plus, now someone has to remember there is a specific app for their question and they have to go find it.
A specific app works for big things (ex. Stocks, Weather, Calculator), but being integrated into Spotlight for tiny tasks may be better (dictionary, flight info).
I agree but keep in mind that these things are also not accessible from SIRI/Spotlight. If I want to look up a flight in a UI like this or search the definition of a word, I have to type that word into a text field and then use a somewhat hidden shortcut on that word. Easy enough, I know how to do it, but for some who don't know every nook and cranny of the OS I'm thinking they probably don't even know about it.
I'm wondering where the line is that takes something from an obvious app for the less tech savvy vs. a hidden power user feature. Looking at something like sports, how many users have to go in and download ESPN or Yahoo sports and set up accounts just to get the scores from the local baseball team? I'm sure a lot of people don't know you can simply type it into spotlight and get that same information already on your phone.
You can ask Siri for any definition you want. You can also ask Siri "What plane(s) are above me right now," and it will bring up the appropriate information. I know its not exactly tracking a specific flight, but its neat nonetheless!
I agree completely with this. It really would be easier to have specific apps for things like this. With the Dictionary example, if I don't know how exactly to spell a word, it would be much easier to just scroll through an app than it would be to keep typing out guesses and see if I eventually get it right. With the Flight Data example, having a specific app would mean it could potentially send out notifications when flights get delayed. The little things like that would be really helpful, I think.
Plus, I often don't like to ask Siri things vocally during the day, as I share my office with others and that would get annoying and awkward. Even having the option of typing a question and having Siri answer it would be nice.
I do not get your logic here. You said "With the Dictionary example, if I don't know how exactly to spell a word, it would be much easier to just scroll through an app than it would be to keep typing out guesses and see if I eventually get it right." How is that easier than just asking Siri "How do I spell <insert word>???" As an example, I just asked Siri how to spell Schizophrenia and she brought it up and spelled it out-loud (however I am on iOS 9 Beta so I cannot remember if in iOS 8 if she spelled the word out-loud but whatever) and that took less than 5 seconds, AND you have the definition as well. I am not trying to "hate" or anything, to each his own but I just see Siri as the quickest, easiest, and more informative option. Have a good one!
Edit: PS: Siri has become deadly accurate on iOS 9 + Apple Watch, so that makes it even better!
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