Sooooo iOS 8 anyone?

[0dev]

As far as quantity of user facing features? Or quality? Because I would argue pretty objectively that some features are better on iOS than Android.

This is an outdated argument. The quality of Android is on par with iOS and has been ever since Ice Cream Sandwich in 2011. Same goes for the vast majority of apps - certainly all the major ones like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Kik, Snapchat, etc. In fact I think WhatsApp on Android is superior to the iOS version.

 

[tbayrgs]

I have to jump in here because I "try" to use Google now a lot as a personal assistant and for my uses it sucks badly. Siri trounces all over it without even a 2nd thought. Google now is good at certain things, but they seem to be fluff things IMO, information I don't really need and always with that relentless push to force your eyes to look at advertising. Siri is pure, no advertising, no hidden agenda, just an honest earnestness to actually help you out. Sounds kind of creepy, but it's true.

I think Google's lack of a first party assistant is hurting them. They should stop being wimps and just perfect google now and get it out there. Alternatives like Samsungs S-voice are so god awful that it really gives consumers a bad impression and so bad that I choose to use Google now as a personal assistant flawed as it may be.

I think it all depends on your individual uses/needs. What exactly are you trying to get done via Google Now? I'll agree it falls a bit short of Siri on some actionable tasks (reading messages, email, providing voice responses/guidance to requests) and Siri is more conversational (though Google Now is improving here) but I get a lot of info from Google Now that Siri simply can't/doesn't provide. For instance, just opened Google Now, advises me that travel time to my kids school is impacted by traffic from an accident, show's results and upcoming game times for my favorite teams, and provides tracking for two packages I'm waiting on.

 

[sentinelsx]

Development for iOS is easier than Android, I'll give you that... but as far as user facing features go, iOS has nothing over Android, while Android is still a lot more customisable and is subject to far less censorship (just the other week Apple removed a popular game because it "promotes illegal activities"... yet GTA is still allowed?) among other things. All things considered Android is still ahead of iOS as far as user facing features go.

Problem is it is not actually customizable where google simply has locked everything down and where someone would want to customize.

For example, there is no way to customize how notifications show up in my notification shade. There are apps to change background colors, or add widgets etc, but nothing to actually change the way notification content can be displayed. Google has simply not allowed anyone to touch it. And it is disappointing because i cannot write an app to change it up as i hate the current stacked notification regime google promotes.

Also, i would be extremely pleased if google implemented lockscreen notifications like iOS, at least in "stock" android. Having paid for 5-6 lockscreen replacement apps and some of them being cream of the crop in playstore, i am still not satisfied.

Now i am sure the majority card will be played here in response, but this is a user facing scenario where a proper option is still not available (at least in terms of the pull down shade) despite all the customization touted.

 

[jamezr]

Here are 10 new OS X and iOS features that Apple “borrowed” from peer companies

More from this article of IOS8 borrowing from other apps.....

1. Apple finally completed the visual overhaul of its desktop software platform, dropping all of OS X’s depth and visual realism for a flat, simple design. Though this type of software interface is in vogue right now, let’s not forget that Microsoft took a similar track with the ill-fated Zune four years ago and continues to push this UI style forward with Windows 8 and the Xbox. Apple flattened the look of iOS last year to catch up to Google and BlackBerry; now OS X Yosemite has been similarly leveled.
2. Another new iOS tweak, actionable notifications, reeks of Google, too. While Apple lets you do more — such as send responses to text messages from within the Notification Center — putting action buttons on notifications is old-school Android. So, for that matter, is the pull-down Notifications Center, which Apple lifted from Google some years back
3. Many smartphone fans have been wondering when Apple would get into the app widgets game, seeing as Android has had them since 2009. On Monday, Apple unabashedly announced support for iOS widgets for iPhone and iPad — at least in the Notification Center. Soon iPhone fans should be able to do things like scroll through tweets from the Notification Center, just like Android owners can do on their home screens.

4. With its “new” predictive text features, Apple’s iOS keyboard is finally catching up to Google’s Android software keyboard — or, for that matter, the BlackBerry 10’s. Like those older mobile operating systems, iOS will be able to make an educated guess as to what you’re planning to type next — like, for example, suggesting the word “features” after you type “stolen.”
5. You say you don’t like Apple’s new predictive keyboard? You, iOS owner, are now free to use whichever third-party software keyboard you like — an option available to Android folks since the very early days. You can expect versions of previously Android-only keyboards like Swype, Fleksy, and SwiftKey to be in the iTunes Store in no time.

6. Apple’s cloud-storage service has a new arm called iCloud Drive. In addition to automatically backing up your photos, music, and whatnot, iCloud now allows iOS and OS X owners to upload files into cloud folders, accessible right from the Mac’s Finder app, even. These files automatically sync across all devices connected to the same account. Can you say “Google Drive” or “Dropbox”? We knew that you could.
7. Sharing between apps, an Android staple for some years now, has made its way to iOS via this latest update. Makers of iOS apps can now allow you to share links or files from their products to other iOS apps — for example, you could share photos from the Camera app with third-party social network apps, or send notes to the email app from Evernote. In the past, this type of app-to-app communication was limited only to handpicked companies that were working with Apple. Now any iOS app can talk to any other, just like Android apps can. Talk about innovation!

8. New improvements to Spotlight search let OS X owners sift through not only their system’s apps and documents, but also social media services and sites like Wikipedia. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the free Alfred Spotlight replacement app has let you do the very same thing for years. Fans of the now-obsolete Alfred are quietly weeping.
9. Apple’s iOS 8 features an “always listening” Siri, which can be called upon at any time by simply saying, “Hey, Siri.” On the mobile phone side, this is something Motorola and Google packed into last year’s Moto X, with “OK, Google” being the hot phrase there. Google has done the same for Web search on desktop with “OK, Google” for Chrome, and the foundation of controlling Google’s Glass headset is the phrase “OK, Glass.” Everybody OK with Apple copying that?

10. OS X and iOS now offer self-destructing audio and video in iMessage, features that mobile apps Snapchat and WhatsApp more or less pioneered. WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum wasted no time letting the world know his feelings via witter.....

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/grand-theft-apple-10-os-x-and-ios-features-that-were-87723873684.html

 

[jrswizzle]

This is an outdated argument. The quality of Android is on par with iOS and has been ever since Ice Cream Sandwich in 2011. Same goes for the vast majority of apps - certainly all the major ones like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Kik, Snapchat, etc. In fact I think WhatsApp on Android is superior to the iOS version.

No, I'm not talking about fluidity or stability of the OS as a whole. I agree - Kit Kat is awesome and JB was great too.

I'm talking features like notifications, messaging etc. I think iOS does some things better than Android. Android may have more open to it (i.e. larger quantity of features), but it doesn't do EVERYTHING better than iOS. Not in my opinion anyhow.

I also don't think iOS does everything better than Android. Though I prefer iOS's implementations more in general. But my preference is neither here nor there.

 

[SpoonCody]

Are you purposely missing the point? I'm not here to argue what pre-historic dumbphones had which feature. I'm saying iOS is still playing catchup with features Android has already had for years. I'm not saying Android invented those features and Apple stole them - that's just what you want me to say because it makes for easy arguing with irrelevant examples. What I'm actually saying is that Apple is behind Google and remains so despite their best attempts at keeping up.

This is so on the money, and exactly to the points I made earlier.

It's also why I've been teaching Jrsizzle what the definition of "copy" can mean. No one is saying (or really cares) about the originator. Apple is copying the features that Android has had. Which is great for iOS users.

 

[0dev]

Problem is it is not actually customizable where google simply has locked everything down and where someone would want to customize.

For example, there is no way to customize how notifications show up in my notification shade. There are apps to change background colors, or add widgets etc, but nothing to actually change the way notification content can be displayed. Google has simply not allowed anyone to touch it. And it is disappointing because i cannot write an app to change it up as i hate the current stacked notification regime google promotes.

Also, i would be extremely pleased if google implemented lockscreen notifications like iOS, at least in "stock" android. Having paid for 5-6 lockscreen replacement apps and some of them being cream of the crop in playstore, i am still not satisfied.

Now i am sure the majority card will be played here in response, but this is a user facing scenario where a proper option is still not available (at least in terms of the pull down shade) despite all the customization touted.

That's a pretty minor detail you've picked on there. And you have said it here yourself - you've installed third party homescreens. Where's the option to do that in iOS? And where's the option to use your own lock screen, font, texting app, phone app, etc? Doesn't exist in iOS.

Android is still lightyears ahead of iOS as far as customisation goes and, Apple being as they are, Android will most certainly remain that way.

Now if you really want to change up the notification menu, I'm certain if you root your phone you can do that. The XPosed Framework probably has a plugin to do it without even having to flash a custom ROM.

 

[Lloydbm41]

To go back to this Google sued two companies who partner Apple, most notably Rockstar Consortium and they initiated a lawsuit on behalf of Motorola over patents Apple apparently breached back in 2012. Directly or indirectly they have initiated lawsuits so my statement had no problem after all.

I'm not going to go over a topic that has been done to absolute death and I haven't stopped using Google because they've been nasty to someone.

I really don't understand why people bash each company because at the end of the day they are providing us with services we either use or don't. Innovation is a buzz word of late in this industry and unless a phone can pick your kids up from school or answer a call by scanning your armpit, its hailed as not innovating.

Google has not initiated any lawsuits against Apple. Motorola did prior to being purchased by Google, and part of the purchase agreement was that Motorola's lawsuit would continue after Google bought them. Rockstar is nothing more than a patent troll (which Apple seems happy to be bedfellows with) and should have the life squeezed out of them.

Either way, your statement is not correct. Google has not sued Apple.

 

[0dev]

No, I'm not talking about fluidity or stability of the OS as a whole. I agree - Kit Kat is awesome and JB was great too.

I'm talking features like notifications, messaging etc. I think iOS does some things better than Android. Android may have more open to it (i.e. larger quantity of features), but it doesn't do EVERYTHING better than iOS. Not in my opinion anyhow.

I also don't think iOS does everything better than Android. Though I prefer iOS's implementations more in general. But my preference is neither here nor there.

You're free to have your preferences of course, but exactly what do you find dissatisfactory about Android's notification system? I find it far superior to Apple's which is still a more clunky implementation of the same idea IMO. iOS still doesn't even have a "clear all" option. And I've been able to hit reply in a text notification and get a pop up window to reply in without having to leave my current app for quite a while now, something iOS has only just introduced.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Google has not initiated any lawsuits against Apple. Motorola did prior to being purchased by Google, and part of the purchase agreement was that Motorola's lawsuit would continue after Google bought them. Rockstar is nothing more than a patent troll (which Apple seems happy to be bedfellows with) and should have the life squeezed out of them.



Either way, your statement is not correct. Google has not sued Apple.

It's a side subject to my original point and I don't have enough interest to educate myself in who has sued who and the loopholes they've used to avoid name association. It's of little relevance to me and my purchasing habits, but if it's your thing then great, I'm made up.

 

[Vegastouch]

Basically, along as the patent system awards silly patents, companies like Apple will continue to protect said patents.

But the whole basis of this discussion is that somehow Google is credited with inventing quick reply, an environment for 3rd party keyboards, continuity, widgets, predictive text, developer APIs, "Hey Siri", etc and would sue Apple if they weren't such nice people.

Nobody is stupid enough to call a "third party keyboard" a Google thing. Maybe that is one you should stop using as an example, but widgets are a Google thing and have been around for YEARS!...Like G1 years with its first device...among other things. To keep saying those things came from the jailbreak community...well where the hec do you think THEY got them?

C-Mon man

Oh but they do....Samsung has sued and counter-sued Apple on many occasions.

Only when sued first by Apple.

Also,Google sued the Rockstar Consortium (which includes Microsoft and Apple) in December of 2013. They also sued Apple in 2012 over patents acquired in the Moto acquisition.

Which they dropped.

In fact Apple did the suing....from your link

2012, Nov 5: An Apple lawsuit against Google's Motorola Mobility over alleged patent abuse is thrown out by a US Federal Court

Here's a good list if you want to check out the suits. Kinda interesting - lots of suits and counter-suits
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone_patent_wars.

That list has a lot of Apple suing other companies in it. Nokia sued Apple first which is easy to see and i dont see Google in there as suing anyone.

As for your claim about the Rockstar Consortium, this is from your link:

2013, Oct 31: Rockstar Consortium, a consortium owned by companies including Apple and Microsoft, starts legal action against Google, Huawei and Samsung,[139] and other makers of Android phones including Asustek, HTC, LG Electronics, Pantech, and ZTE.[140]


Um, Apple started yet another lawsuit, not Google doing it. Google was on the other end of that Apple lawsuit. They countersued is all.

My your love of Apple is sure distorts your reading.

 

[sentinelsx]

That's a pretty minor detail you've picked on there. And you have said it here yourself - you've installed third party homescreens. Where's the option to do that in iOS? And where's the option to use your own lock screen, font, texting app, phone app, etc? Doesn't exist in iOS.

Android is still lightyears ahead of iOS as far as customisation goes and, Apple being as they are, Android will most certainly remain that way.

Now if you really want to change up the notification menu, I'm certain if you root your phone you can do that. The XPosed Framework probably has a plugin to do it without even having to flash a custom ROM.

It is not a minor detail, i deal with notifications on my phone more than anything else. Hence i need a robust solution.

Now i have used many lockscreens, yup. But have they all fixed my problem? No. I am amazed you chose to gloss over that part.

As for you being certain that i can root my phone to do that, FYI, it is already rooted thanks to using a google edition ROM, plus i have done all my research regarding xposed. I have posted a request in XDA, with even the gurus there coming up with "sorry, this is not possible with xposed". And i recently started writing my own app, a lockscreen one, but all my intensive searching about the shade has turned up nothing. Stackoverflow, theverge googleplex forums, xda, android central, they are all mum on this.

Basically, my only option is either make a lock screen app to deal with this and ignore the notification drawer, or to contact the dev of each app i use to tell them to use separate notification ids for each event so they don't stack. I am sure the later won't work, so i am going to do the first. However, i would still love it if i could replace that drawer entirely.

 

[jrswizzle]

You're free to have your preferences of course, but exactly what do you find dissatisfactory about Android's notification system? I find it far superior to Apple's which is still a more clunky implementation of the same idea IMO. iOS still doesn't even have a "clear all" option. And I've been able to hit reply in a text notification and get a pop up window to reply in without having to leave my current app for quite a while now, something iOS has only just introduced.

While I'm aware there are various apps and combinations of apps that give you similar functionality.....

I prefer lock screen notifications and the grouping in the NC. I'm also a big fan of the Today screen which gives me useful (and now actionable) info I can access at any time.

I'd be in favor of a "clear all" option, but the ability to clear groupings (and now individual notifications which was an oversight) is plenty for me. I don't ever have enough notifications where its a hassle.

I also disagree with the "clunkiness" comment. I find the design of iOS notifications more appealing than Android - though I find the entire OS more visually appealing than Android's amalgamation of various sized icons and widgets.

 

[sophiamendezzz1]

I'm most excited for the third party keyboards and the enhanced customization!

 

[jrswizzle]

snipped

Again - perhaps the fact that Apple isn't sued for infringement means they aren't actually infringing on any patents....

And widgets have been around a lot longer than Android has....

 

[spinedoc77]

I think it all depends on your individual uses/needs. What exactly are you trying to get done via Google Now? I'll agree it falls a bit short of Siri on some actionable tasks (reading messages, email, providing voice responses/guidance to requests) and Siri is more conversational (though Google Now is improving here) but I get a lot of info from Google Now that Siri simply can't/doesn't provide. For instance, just opened Google Now, advises me that travel time to my kids school is impacted by traffic from an accident, show's results and upcoming game times for my favorite teams, and provides tracking for two packages I'm waiting on.

Absolutely, and I find GN useful in many scenarios as well. I would highly prefer Siri though as it seems to get what I need done. Although GN is improving, IMO it doesn't matter because Google isn't pushing or fixing it as a personal assistant in the way Siri or Cortana are. GN has definitely saved me from traffic issues and that's a very cool feature, the only other thing I really like is that google now page is customized with news about my searches which is neat and useful.

It's just stupid little things though that are not ironed out. I can say "call Mario" and it does an internet search for super mario bros at times, other times it asks me which contact, and rarely it will actually call that contact (and yes the contacts are synced and checked off in GN settings). Stupid things like the google now chime being VERY loud on a bluetooth headset (tested across 3 android devices and 2 bt headsets). Inability to choose a contact with a prefix such as *31#, it just refuses to do it. Inability to intelligently mute things while I'm on the phone, resulting in being on the phone and my GPS blaring directions in my ear, well this isn't really GN's fault but Android in general. Other general Android things every time I turn the phone's orientation it goes back as if I hit the back key, closing programs or going back a page in chrome. Stock messaging app doesn't show text message on notification screen or as an alert it just says "new message" (this may be samsungs fault) and hangouts doesn't allow multiple pictures in a MMS (WTF?).

I can list a LOT more of these things, little "turds" that crop up here and there, by themselves little annoying things I can live with but collectively make me pull my hair out and miss iOS. Unfortunately I can't deal with the small size of the 5s and I like phablets so it's android for me. I'm NOT saying Android is terrible, but it does NOT have the polish of iOS and that's well before the iOS8 announcements, heck it's before iOS6 IMO.

 

[KeegM480]

I will head back for a while, not leaving Android permanently, just going to give iOS 8 a test run and I'll eventually buy myself another android device

 

[spinedoc77]

More from this article of IOS8 borrowing from other apps.....

You guys should just abandon this point, it's such a waste of time. Who cares who copied whom? You would be going back years and years and companies before google and apple. The whole who copied whom is just getting so annoying everytime i see it.

 

[0dev]

It is not a minor detail, i deal with notifications on my phone more than anything else. Hence i need a robust solution.

Now i have used many lockscreens, yup. But have they all fixed my problem? No. I am amazed you chose to gloss over that part.

As for you being certain that i can root my phone to do that, FYI, it is already rooted thanks to using a google edition ROM, plus i have done all my research regarding xposed. I have posted a request in XDA, with even the gurus there coming up with "sorry, this is not possible with xposed". And i recently started writing my own app, a lockscreen one, but all my intensive searching about the shade has turned up nothing. Stackoverflow, theverge googleplex forums, xda, android central, they are all mum on this.

Just so we're clear, exactly what are you trying to do here? What precisely do you what to change and in what way do you want to change it?

While I'm aware there are various apps and combinations of apps that give you similar functionality.....

I prefer lock screen notifications and the grouping in the NC. I'm also a big fan of the Today screen which gives me useful (and now actionable) info I can access at any time.

I'd be in favor of a "clear all" option, but the ability to clear groupings (and now individual notifications which was an oversight) is plenty for me. I don't ever have enough notifications where its a hassle.

I also disagree with the "clunkiness" comment. I find the design of iOS notifications more appealing than Android - though I find the entire OS more visually appealing than Android's amalgamation of various sized icons and widgets.

I actually agree that I prefer iOS's home screen notifications. Stock Android lacks this feature and Samsung's ROMs have a half-assed version of it.

The rest is just personal preference, so we'll have to agree to disagree. I find the way I've set my phone up to be more visually appealing and very minimalistic because I have installed a custom launcher and taken time to configure it how I like.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Is that perhaps because Apple has never infringed upon any patents Google holds? Or perhaps Apple has paid appropriate licensing fees in order to use certain patents?

While it is true, Apple has not 'legally' infringed 'yet' on Google patents that have been sitting in the USPTO for what can only be termed as extra-ordinarily wrong. For over 6 years Google's patent for the notification center has been awaiting approval. Once approved, Apple could be sued by Google.

Additionally, it appears that Apple is copying Google's Street View/Compass View (almost to a T) and attempting to patent it under their name. When I see examples like this and know Apple has no problems suing others that do the same thing, I see the company as hypocritical and the practice is shameful.

That being said, I'm glad to see these things coming to iDevices. I want them on the products I buy from Apple. And if Apple truly has decided to stop suing every single company on the planet that uses rounded corners (sarcasm there), I'll be a much happier Apple consumer. Hope you can see my point of view?

 

[Vegastouch]

Again - perhaps the fact that Apple isn't sued for infringement means they aren't actually infringing on any patents....

And widgets have been around a lot longer than Android has....

Where and on what phones? Sure wasnt Apples.

Better read your link a little better as well. Theres plenty there of Apple is being sued and Google not inituating suing.

 

[jrswizzle]

Just so we're clear, exactly what are you trying to do here? What precisely do you what to change and in what way do you want to change it?



I actually agree that I prefer iOS's home screen notifications. Stock Android lacks this feature and Samsung's ROMs have a half-assed version of it.

The rest is just personal preference, so we'll have to agree to disagree. I find the way I've set my phone up to be more visually appealing and very minimalistic because I have installed a custom launcher and taken time to configure it how I like.

Agreed

I am looking to get back into the Android ecosystem a bit. Trying to find a cheap, yet quality alternative so I can hang around. Thinking about going back to the Nexus 5....maybe it'll go on sale before they shut the program down.

----------

While it is true, Apple has not 'legally' infringed 'yet' on Google patents that have been sitting in the USPTO for what can only be termed as extra-ordinarily wrong. For over 6 years Google's patent for the notification center has been awaiting approval. Once approved, Apple could be sued by Google.

Additionally, it appears that Apple is copying Google's Street View/Compass View (almost to a T) and attempting to patent it under their name. When I see examples like this and know Apple has no problems suing others that do the same thing, I see the company as hypocritical and the practice is shameful.

That being said, I'm glad to see these things coming to iDevices. I want them on the products I buy from Apple. And if Apple truly has decided to stop suing every single company on the planet that uses rounded corners (sarcasm there), I'll be a much happier Apple consumer. Hope you can see my point of view?

Of course - if Google has some patented features that are infringed upon by Apple, they are within their rights and should pursue legal action.

For the purposes of discussions on threads and forums like this however, I prefer to not just automatically go to the "company x copied company y's features" like these threads always seem to go. I also do truly believe implementation makes a BIG difference.

So while a widget may be a widget. The implementation of the feature is where the discussion should lie and where the experience is made or not.

----------

Where and on what phones? Sure wasnt Apples.

Better read your link a little better as well. Theres plenty there of Apple is being sued and Google not inituating suing.

Widgets are not "phone" things.....they being on desktops and computers for years....Mac OS has had widgets for forever as have other OSes.....

A widget is merely a snapshot graphic with information from a larger application that updates over time. These were not invented by Google - they simply built a mobile OS capable of including them. The third party developers did the rest.

*sigh*

We were talking about Apple infringing on Google's patents right? I'm not claiming Apple hasn't been sued. They're sued more than any other company by patent trolls.

I'm tired of this argument. First of all, the system sucks. Second, companies sue. Not just Apple. Third, if Google has a patent that Apple infringes upon, they should (and would) sue Apple.

End of discussion.

 

[tbayrgs]

Absolutely, and I find GN useful in many scenarios as well. I would highly prefer Siri though as it seems to get what I need done. Although GN is improving, IMO it doesn't matter because Google isn't pushing or fixing it as a personal assistant in the way Siri or Cortana are. GN has definitely saved me from traffic issues and that's a very cool feature, the only other thing I really like is that google now page is customized with news about my searches which is neat and useful.

It's just stupid little things though that are not ironed out. I can say "call Mario" and it does an internet search for super mario bros at times, other times it asks me which contact, and rarely it will actually call that contact (and yes the contacts are synced and checked off in GN settings). Stupid things like the google now chime being VERY loud on a bluetooth headset (tested across 3 android devices and 2 bt headsets). Inability to choose a contact with a prefix such as *31#, it just refuses to do it. Inability to intelligently mute things while I'm on the phone, resulting in being on the phone and my GPS blaring directions in my ear, well this isn't really GN's fault but Android in general. Other general Android things every time I turn the phone's orientation it goes back as if I hit the back key, closing programs or going back a page in chrome. Stock messaging app doesn't show text message on notification screen or as an alert it just says "new message" (this may be samsungs fault) and hangouts doesn't allow multiple pictures in a MMS (WTF?).

I can list a LOT more of these things, little "turds" that crop up here and there, by themselves little annoying things I can live with but collectively make me pull my hair out and miss iOS. Unfortunately I can't deal with the small size of the 5s and I like phablets so it's android for me. I'm NOT saying Android is terrible, but it does NOT have the polish of iOS and that's well before the iOS8 announcements, heck it's before iOS6 IMO.

Don't really disagree with most of this--I also choose iOS right now because it integrates into my lifestyle better and because I also find better continuity and polish throughout iOS. That being said, I would love to see the robust amount of info available in Google Now integrated into iOS--I could see much of it being integrated similarly into the Notification panel's today tab. Conversely, I agree, Google Now needs more elements of Siri's functionality to make it an all around better performer.

 

[Vegastouch]

You guys should just abandon this point, it's such a waste of time. Who cares who copied whom? You would be going back years and years and companies before google and apple. The whole who copied whom is just getting so annoying everytime i see it.

And i dont care. Im just saying Apple are hypocrites. Everybody copies, just let them and we all win.

 

[Fanaticalism]

Also, i would be extremely pleased if google implemented lockscreen notifications like iOS, at least in "stock" android. Having paid for 5-6 lockscreen replacement apps and some of them being cream of the crop in playstore, i am still not satisfied.

Now i am sure the majority card will be played here in response, but this is a user facing scenario where a proper option is still not available (at least in terms of the pull down shade) despite all the customization touted.

NILS works and looks great, IMO (although I do not like having my messages plastered on the lockscreen for anyone to see). The caveat of course is the inability to have a lock enabled alongside it.