Sooooo iOS 8 anyone?

[SpoonCody]

I dont know why people keep saying that the gap have been closed with iOS and Android, im using ios8 from day 1 and well i know its no public release and whe still have things like icloud drive that whe cant use but other than the options that people with yosemite can take advantage and third party keyboards its still the same iOS.

I'm inclined to agree. I didn't get to fully watch the keynote and only caught highlights as they came in, so I've been catching up on all the new features in videos, etc., and some things are still a bit disappointing.

For example, I'm really disappointed to find that the "Hey Siri" feature only works when your device is plugged. I guess I've been a bit spoiled by the Moto X's always listening feature. I also have the wild suspicion that if Android announced that their listening feature only worked when plugged it, it'd get called out for being "half baked" as is often said of many of Android's new features (sometimes true!).

Also, it's great we're finally getting widgets, but it's all stowed away in the notification panel. Won't that get things cluttered? And depending on how many widgets you add, won't that require scrolling? I just got the sense of clutter and being a bit cramped when I was watching those demonstration videos.

BTW, if the 'Notification' panel is to the right of the 'Today' panel, does this mean I have to swipe down and then swipe right to see my list of notifications?

Also disappointed by a few random things:

-no customization for control center

-no new and more discrete method of notifications (but I am hoping the larger iPhone screen helps with the obtrusiveness of the banners).

-I think the quick access to recent callers is odd to put in the multitasking tray. Kind of wish it could be put in the control center. Again, feels like more clutter-ness. I'm starting to feel like iOS is getting a bit cluttered in general.

-No major update to Maps, which I think is sorely needed (I went on a road trip recently and found that the Moto X for navigation was an infinitely better experience almost on every front. Not to mention the volume of the Moto X speaker is ridiculous. I never thought a smartphone speaker could ever be 'too loud.')

-I'm also concerned how Apple will go about figuring out how to navigate through the OS with a larger screen. Obviously, they wouldn't talk about this so early before the larger iPhone announcement, but I'll add it here for now because I'm truly concerned about this. Usually, the navigation buttons are at the top, and more specifically, top left. If the iPhone screen is indeed getting larger, reaching up there will be difficult. Will the gesture left-to-right be implemented even more? I hope so. It'll be interesting to see.

The best thing about iOS 8, in my opinion, is Apple finally allowing third party keyboards to be set as default. Good move and it's about time. Ever since getting the Moto X (from work) I've really enjoyed typing/swiping on Android. Subsequently, I've really started to loathe typing on iOS. Only when you use the competition do you realize how behind the iOS keyboard is. I'm glad Apple is finally stepping it up with their keyboard update and with allowing third party keyboards to be set as default.

Overall, I'm looking forward to the update, but as I've said in my other posts, Android is drawing me in more and more. The ability to customize it truly improves the experience beyond just the aesthetics. It feels like the flexibility of the Android is adapting to my needs versus me adapting to the limitations of iOS.

 

[Switchback666]

I'm inclined to agree. I didn't get to fully watch the keynote and only caught highlights as they came in, so I've been catching up on all the new features in videos, etc., and some things are still a bit disappointing.

For example, I'm really disappointed to find that the "Hey Siri" feature only works when your device is plugged. I guess I've been a bit spoiled by the Moto X's always listening feature. I also have the wild suspicion that if Android announced that their listening feature only worked when plugged it, it'd get called out for being "half baked" as is often said of many of Android's new features (sometimes true!).

Also, it's great we're finally getting widgets, but it's all stowed away in the notification panel. Won't that get things cluttered? And depending on how many widgets you add, won't that require scrolling? I just got the sense of clutter and being a bit cramped when I was watching those demonstration videos.

BTW, if the 'Notification' panel is to the right of the 'Today' panel, does this mean I have to swipe down and then swipe right to see my list of notifications?

Also disappointed by a few random things:

-no customization for control center

-no new and more discrete method of notifications (but I am hoping the larger iPhone screen helps with the obtrusiveness of the banners).

-I think the quick access to recent callers is odd to put in the multitasking tray. Kind of wish it could be put in the control center. Again, feels like more clutter-ness. I'm starting to feel like iOS is getting a bit cluttered in general.

-No major update to Maps, which I think is sorely needed (I went on a road trip recently and found that the Moto X for navigation was an infinitely better experience almost on every front. Not to mention the volume of the Moto X speaker is ridiculous. I never thought a smartphone speaker could ever be 'too loud.')

-I'm also concerned how Apple will go about figuring out how to navigate through the OS with a larger screen. Obviously, they wouldn't talk about this so early before the larger iPhone announcement, but I'll add it here for now because I'm truly concerned about this. Usually, the navigation buttons are at the top, and more specifically, top left. If the iPhone screen is indeed getting larger, reaching up there will be difficult. Will the gesture left-to-right be implemented even more? I hope so. It'll be interesting to see.

The best thing about iOS 8, in my opinion, is Apple finally allowing third party keyboards to be set as default. Good move and it's about time. Ever since getting the Moto X (from work) I've really enjoyed typing/swiping on Android. Subsequently, I've really started to loathe typing on iOS. Only when you use the competition do you realize how behind the iOS keyboard is. I'm glad Apple is finally stepping it up with their keyboard update and with allowing third party keyboards to be set as default.

Overall, I'm looking forward to the update, but as I've said in my other posts, Android is drawing me in more and more. The ability to customize it truly improves the experience beyond just the aesthetics. It feels like the flexibility of the Android is adapting to my needs versus me adapting to the limitations of iOS.

Well about notifications center if you swipe down and then swipe to notifications side the next time you pull it down it will be were you left it.

Agree with the recent calls in multitasking, it looks like too much going on and the whole big card UI could be better.

Navigation on the system it's actually really good when the apps you use support the back gestures, tapatalk and most of the popular apps do, still you can't go back all the way to the home screen.

The iPhone is stuck with the home button for a while imp, I don't see apple integrating Touch ID on the screen anytime soon and I guess the circle shape of the button is what makes it work soo good in regards of reading the fingerprint.

 

[Oohara]

Also, it's great we're finally getting widgets, but it's all stowed away in the notification panel. Won't that get things cluttered? And depending on how many widgets you add, won't that require scrolling? I just got the sense of clutter and being a bit cramped when I was watching those demonstration videos.

Indeed. The advantage of having widgets is usually the immediate at-a-glance info they can give you when they're on the home screen. And one-press actions like activating the WiFi hotspot with a single tap from the home screen. That point is completely lost when you need to first swipe down notifications and then scroll to your widget...

I wish they would just stop being stubborn and let us have widgets right on the home screen where they'd be more useful. Just have them conform to the app icon shapes/dimensions (several combined, making squares, rectangles, etc.) and the design language will be kept intact!

-no customization for control center

Agreed here as well. I like the current implementation of this but those icons beg to be replaceable, at least from a set of most-wanted actions (like WiFi hotspot on/off...)

-I think the quick access to recent callers is odd to put in the multitasking tray. Kind of wish it could be put in the control center. Again, feels like more clutter-ness. I'm starting to feel like iOS is getting a bit cluttered in general.

Yes, and in fact that double tap of the home button is so damn clunky. I get it wrong half the time and end up on my home screen instead. Long press would be much better, at least the option to choose that for the multitasking window activation would be great. Especially for those who hardly ever use Siri (like myself).

-No major update to Maps, which I think is sorely needed (I went on a road trip recently and found that the Moto X for navigation was an infinitely better experience almost on every front. Not to mention the volume of the Moto X speaker is ridiculous. I never thought a smartphone speaker could ever be 'too loud.')

Yes. I had forgot all about Maps since moving to a Note 2 one year ago, but now I recently set my mom up with an iPad and I was stunned to see that iOS' maps is still pretty bad. I was going to show it off to my mom to impress her with what her new toy could do, so I zoomed in on our location... But the resolution at full zoom was much worse than Google Maps, our road was drawn maybe 30-40 yards off, right on top of a row of houses, letters jumbled up... I had to apologize for the confusion and install Google Maps instead

Really surprising, but maybe this will still improve in time for the official iOS 8 release.

-I'm also concerned how Apple will go about figuring out how to navigate through the OS with a larger screen. Obviously, they wouldn't talk about this so early before the larger iPhone announcement, but I'll add it here for now because I'm truly concerned about this. Usually, the navigation buttons are at the top, and more specifically, top left. If the iPhone screen is indeed getting larger, reaching up there will be difficult. Will the gesture left-to-right be implemented even more? I hope so. It'll be interesting to see.

I've though about this too. They better have some good solutions here, especially if the 5.5" version comes true. I recently used a friend's Note 3 and I was surprised at what a chore it was to pull down the notifications shade on his phone - then I remembered that I've been using Nova all the time on my Note 2, with the custom gestures set so that I can swipe down anywhere on the home screen and have the notifications shade come down. Stuff like that is what they really need to come up with, or the 5.5" iPhone will be very annoying to operate. Oh and yeah of course, let's not even mention the back button...

The best thing about iOS 8, in my opinion, is Apple finally allowing third party keyboards to be set as default. Good move and it's about time. Ever since getting the Moto X (from work) I've really enjoyed typing/swiping on Android. Subsequently, I've really started to loathe typing on iOS. Only when you use the competition do you realize how behind the iOS keyboard is. I'm glad Apple is finally stepping it up with their keyboard update and with allowing third party keyboards to be set as default.

Oh yes, I'm with you here as well. Without this I wouldn't even consider an iPhone, I've become too reliant on this functionality during the past year. I just hope they don't mess it up because of some security issue, I don't want any half-baked swipe typing functionality here, please.

Overall, I'm looking forward to the update, but as I've said in my other posts, Android is drawing me in more and more. The ability to customize it truly improves the experience beyond just the aesthetics. It feels like the flexibility of the Android is adapting to my needs versus me adapting to the limitations of iOS.

Right now I'm really curious about what the iPhone 6 will be like and I suspect that I may be getting one. If they can provide at least most of the functionality I've set up for myself on the Note 2, I'll be happy. With swipe typing being the most important thing.

For me personally at least, the full customization of Android can honestly sometimes be a nuisance... I spend so much damn time thinking about how to optimize it best, installing and de-installing lock screen apps, trying to set up widgets so that my home screen looks evenly balanced, getting the icons right, adjusting fonts to match...etc...etc... While the whole of my UI never ends up looking fully coherent no matter what I do.

So if iOS 8 can give me what I need, even with one or two sacrifices (I know I'll have to live with all links opening in Safari....difficult to accept but maybe possible, unhhh....) I think at this point in time I'm ready to sacrifice full customization possibilities in order to have....a slightly more neat workspace, so to speak.

 

[Dmaynard83]

No, not really. I still stand by Google Now/Android based phones being a far better assistant. I run a Note 3 with Nova Launcher and it has 100% hands free listening for Google Now and battery life has not been impacted at all for me. I still get 1.5 days of good use from a single charge. Add in GN is 10x faster too.

I think they each have their pros and cons but I find using Siri more enjoyable than google now. It feels like you can do more with siri and aesthetically it's more pleasing (in my eyes).

Right now I think google now has the always listening feature going for it on the moto x. I could never stand touchwiz on the note 2 or s4.

The nexus 5 and moto x look like decent devices but I still think android needs a design overhaul cause it looks god awful.

 

[SpoonCody]

For me personally at least, the full customization of Android can honestly sometimes be a nuisance... I spend so much damn time thinking about how to optimize it best, installing and de-installing lock screen apps, trying to set up widgets so that my home screen looks evenly balanced, getting the icons right, adjusting fonts to match...etc...etc... While the whole of my UI never ends up looking fully coherent no matter what I do.

Yeah, this is why I really enjoy the Moto X. It already comes with near-stock experience, but adds just enough extra features on the base level to make it really useful. Active Notifications is incredible -- I love being able to just pick up my device and not have to press any power buttons to see what's waiting for me or to even unlock my device.

Then, I just add a few extra customizations like Notifier Pro to get banner drop downs, or changing the default action of swipe up from home (I only recently discovered this can be changed! I have it set to shut my device off so I am literally never pressing the power button. It's awesome!). That's really it. My widget use is minimal too. I have just a clock/weather one on the main screen, then a nice set of toggle panels in my notification pull down (for wifi, and a few other things). There's really not much else. A lot of these custom additions have the Jelly Bean theme already so they look coherent for my personal use.

The beauty of customization is it's really up to you how deep you want it to go. I guess that can drive people mad, but I am really enjoying the liberation.

 

[jrswizzle]

Yeah, this is why I really enjoy the Moto X. It already comes with near-stock experience, but adds just enough extra features on the base level to make it really useful. Active Notifications is incredible -- I love being able to just pick up my device and not have to press any power buttons to see what's waiting for me or to even unlock my device.

I really count on the calorie burn I get from that extra press of the home button/lock button on my iPhone. Don't think I'd be able to stick to my diet without it honestly.

Then, I just add a few extra customizations like Notifier Pro to get banner drop downs, or changing the default action of swipe up from home (I only recently discovered this can be changed! I have it set to shut my device off so I am literally never pressing the power button. It's awesome!). That's really it. My widget use is minimal too. I have just a clock/weather one on the main screen, then a nice set of toggle panels in my notification pull down (for wifi, and a few other things). There's really not much else. A lot of these custom additions have the Jelly Bean theme already so they look coherent for my personal use.

The beauty of customization is it's really up to you how deep you want it to go. I guess that can drive people mad, but I am really enjoying the liberation.

I always found myself looking for something better/something more cohesive. I'd find a great launcher and theme, but the setting would look different. Then I'd find a great lock-screen option but it would look different than the other two....

There's a lot to love about Android. But it isn't perfect. Even with all the customization, there are some features that all the customization and third party options in the Play Store can't fix.

Sometimes (for some people) less is more.

 

[Lloydbm41]

The nexus 5 and moto x look like decent devices but I still think android needs a design overhaul cause it looks god awful.

Design overhaul? For Android? Have you actually looked at ios7? Besides the fact that iOS and iPhones haven't changed barely at all in 7 years, the whole neon barbie theme with ios7 is literally the ugliest interface ever designed. Or your idea of what looks good is skewed to match that of 11 year old girls.

 

[jrswizzle]

Design overhaul? For Android? Have you actually looked at ios7? Besides the fact that iOS and iPhones haven't changed barely at all in 7 years, the whole neon barbie theme with ios7 is literally the ugliest interface ever designed. Or your idea of what looks good is skewed to match that of 11 year old girls.

I wouldn't have pegged you for this kind of exaggeration Lloyd...

There's nothing "Barbie" about iOS 7 or iOS 8. So there are two icons that are a pinkish color....HOLY CRAP, ITS ALL GIRLY.

Give me a break. Maybe change that my little pony wallpaper and it'll look different

From a design overhaul perspective, Google obviously agrees given Project Hera is all about design cohesiveness. This is what is needed IMO. And that tired old holo theme seems to stick around....looks like the 1980's version of a "futuristic" OS.

(see, I can do hyperbole too )

 

[thedeejay]

It will have a bigger screen and looks like iOS 8 just copied some things from 3-4 years ago from Android but it still is lacking. They copied Health from Samsung, lol....ironic.

The third party keyboard allowance is way overdue, the sharing is lame....its only for a family on iTunes that your Dad or whoever is the main guy will pay for. That will go over well.

Multitasking still isnt addressed.

Its a step in the right direction but lets face it, they will always be playing catchup with only a yearly release.

S Health copied from MyFitnessPal and other fitness apps

 

[SpoonCody]

Indeed. The advantage of having widgets is usually the immediate at-a-glance info they can give you when they're on the home screen. And one-press actions like activating the WiFi hotspot with a single tap from the home screen. That point is completely lost when you need to first swipe down notifications and then scroll to your widget...

Well about notifications center if you swipe down and then swipe to notifications side the next time you pull it down it will be were you left it.

Interesting. This actually makes widgets on iOS 8 even more disappointing.

Oohara is right -- widgets are supposed to be a quick glance/quick access to information/settings, etc. If I have to swipe down and then swipe back and forth between Today/Widgets and Notifications, that's going to be a bit clunky and annoying. If I've left it on the Notification side, and I want to check my widgets, I have to pull down, swipe left, and then potentially swipe down to where the widget lives? :T


As for the rest of both your posts, agree with mostly all of it. iOS 8 shows promise, but when you really dig into it, some things are still a bit disappointing and lacking.

And Oohara -- I too hope the third party keyboard thing isn't hampered in some weird way. For example, I love that I can edit my personal dictionary or add different keyboard shortcuts (or even change the size of Swiftkey's keyboard) on the fly by accessing the settings from the keyboard no matter what app I'm in. Will iOS force users to only change settings of these third party keyboards in the default iOS Settings section? In other words, exiting whatever app you're in to go to the iOS Settings? That would be a bit annoying if so...

 

[Dmaynard83]

I wouldn't have pegged you for this kind of exaggeration Lloyd...

There's nothing "Barbie" about iOS 7 or iOS 8. So there are two icons that are a pinkish color....HOLY CRAP, ITS ALL GIRLY.

Give me a break. Maybe change that my little pony wallpaper and it'll look different

From a design overhaul perspective, Google obviously agrees given Project Hera is all about design cohesiveness. This is what is needed IMO. And that tired old holo theme seems to stick around....looks like the 1980's version of a "futuristic" OS.

(see, I can do hyperbole too )

Agreed. Android has a lot going for it but design isn't one of them. Customization is great but if I'm going to look at something for a good amount dl time during the day I want it to look good.

Say what you will about ios but Apple spent a good amount of time making the phone and the operating system look good.

 

[jrswizzle]

Interesting. This actually makes widgets on iOS 8 even more disappointing.

Oohara is right -- widgets are supposed to be a quick glance/quick access to information/settings, etc. If I have to swipe down and then swipe back and forth between Today/Widgets and Notifications, that's going to be a bit clunky and annoying. If I've left it on the Notification side, and I want to check my widgets, I have to pull down, swipe left, and then potentially swipe down to where the widget lives? :T

To see those widgets on your home screen, what actions have to be taken? You need to wake the device, unlock and get to the appropriate home screen.

On iOS 8, I can simply swipe down from the lock screen and see my widgets.

More choice would've been great for some, but I prefer keeping my widgets in one place - out of the way. I still think the home screen to the left of the main one would've worked, but I don't mind the way they are doing it.

 

[SpoonCody]

Agreed. Android has a lot going for it but design isn't one of them. Customization is great but if I'm going to look at something for a good amount dl time during the day I want it to look good.

Say what you will about ios but Apple spent a good amount of time making the phone and the operating system look good.

Aesthetics is a matter of taste, but customization goes beyond just how things look.

The ability to customize makes for a unique and better experience. I personally have no issue with Android's "lack of cohesion" aesthetically speaking as I don't find it to be that big of a deal. In fact, I feel this point is a bit overblown. My Moto X looks pretty cohesive throughout. Nothing to me stands out enough that I can't see past it. But that's neither here nor there since that's my taste and you have yours, which I respect. The difference, I would argue, is that if someone happens to not like the way iOS looks, there's not much they can do (how many people did we see complain about iOS 7's design overhaul, for example) short of jailbreaking.

But even if Android's look isn't cohesive, this "trade off" for a slightly less cohesive OS is worth every penny if the customization means my phone adapts to my needs, and not the other way around. Using my Moto X truly feels like it's a device catered to what I want it to do on nearly all fronts: how I get information, how I get notifications, the way I type, the way I interact with my phone (I can turn off my screen with a simple swipe up gesture ala Google Now), and more.

I'm finding more and more that when I pick up my 5C, I have to adjust back to iOS' rigid methods.

 

[pdqgp]

I think cortana has the greatest potential of them all at the moment.

Like I said its great there is competition in every operating system right now... Win win for all of us

I've never used Cortana. I agree on the competition part.

----------

I still think android needs a design overhaul cause it looks god awful.

I agree in some cases that Android needs a few marketing/designers to take a crack at it. iOS has always been the more pretty interface overall. That's easier since they control most all of the apps and what not. Google is strong but aesthetics is not one of Googles Strong Points. I equate it to an apartment or a house that you walk into and can instantly tell if it's a bachelor pad or a married guys house

 

[SpoonCody]

To see those widgets on your home screen, what actions have to be taken? You need to wake the device, unlock and get to the appropriate home screen.

This is untrue. Again, either you don't know how to use Android or you're being disingenuous.

(BTW, where is your fair and balance POV in calling out Apple for their "Hey Siri" feature, which one could argue is "half baked"?)

On iOS 8, I can simply swipe down from the lock screen and see my widgets.

I didn't realize the iPhone doesn't need to be woken up. Funny because my Moto X wakes up from just me picking it up, while my 5C doesn't do anything until I press the home/power button. Count how many steps it would take the iPhone to get to a widget if it's off and if I left the pull down menu on the notification pane and if the widget I want is far below? You sure you're not being disingenuous?

And again, do you know how to use Android? Widgets can exist on more than just home screens.

More choice would've been great for some, but I prefer keeping my widgets in one place - out of the way. I still think the home screen to the left of the main one would've worked, but I don't mind the way they are doing it.

Left of the screen could definitely work. The whole notification pane, to me, is starting to get cluttered between Today, widgets, and then notifications in a whole separate panel to the right.

 

[jrswizzle]

This is untrue. Again, either you don't know how to use Android or you're being disingenuous.

(BTW, where is your fair and balance POV in calling out Apple for their "Hey Siri" feature, which one could argue is "half baked"?)



I didn't realize the iPhone doesn't need to be woken up. Funny because my Moto X wakes up from just me picking it up, while my 5C doesn't do anything until I press the home/power button.

And again, do you know how to use Android? Widgets can exist on more than just home screens.




Left of the screen could definitely work. The whole notification pane, to me, is starting to get cluttered between Today, widgets, and then notifications in a whole separate panel to the right.

I understand you can download apps to put them in the notification shade. You talked specifically about widgets on the home screen.

 

[SpoonCody]

I understand you can download apps to put them in the notification shade. You talked specifically about widgets on the home screen.

Where did I say I was talking only about widgets on the home screen?

Count how many steps it would take the iPhone to get to a widget if it's off and if I left the pull down menu on the notification pane and if the widget I want is far below. You sure you're not being disingenuous in your comparisons?

 

[Switchback666]

Where did I say I was talking only about widgets on the home screen?

Count how many steps it would take the iPhone to get to a widget if it's off and if I left the pull down menu on the notification pane and if the widget I want is far below. You sure you're not being disingenuous in your comparisons?

Not to mention for example i have pull down notifications disabled on the lockscreen and i guess people anal about security have it that way incase phone is lost etc.

Hopefully with the bigger screen it wont feel crowded.

 

[SpoonCody]

Not to mention for example i have pull down notifications disabled on the lockscreen and i guess people anal about security have it that way incase phone is lost etc.

Hopefully with the bigger screen it wont feel crowded.

This wouldn't have been a bad idea:

Except I'd say the requirement of pinch to zoom to expand it isn't as intuitive as say maybe swiping up (or down) from the icon.

There's an Android launcher called Action Launcher that allows you to see a mini widget of the app by swiping up/down from the icon on the home screen. Pretty neat.

Here are example pics:

Apple could implement a mix of the concept video and Action Launcher's swipe to expand idea.

 

[Vegastouch]

Agreed. Android has a lot going for it but design isn't one of them. Customization is great but if I'm going to look at something for a good amount dl time during the day I want it to look good.

Say what you will about ios but Apple spent a good amount of time making the phone and the operating system look good.

LOL, well you can give it any look you want. You can change the Homescreens and icons to a your hearts content. If you are leaving it stock, thats your own fault. I dont use the Google launcher because i think it is ugly and you cant change it as far as icons.

I agree with Lloyd, iOS isnt great looking either and you have to jailbreak it.....when you finally can, to make any significant changes.

 

[jrswizzle]

Where did I say I was talking only about widgets on the home screen?

Count how many steps it would take the iPhone to get to a widget if it's off and if I left the pull down menu on the notification pane and if the widget I want is far below. You sure you're not being disingenuous in your comparisons?

Thought I read that in your post earlier this morning - looks like I was wrong.

Oh well. I count three steps (on my 5S, wake/unlock is one step, swipe down is second, any scrolling is three).

Like I said - really count on that for my cardio. I like all that extra work - gets me ready for my day and I can exercise wherever I am.

Let's face it, I hate Android. I'm all about iOS and think its the best OS ever. Everything else pales in comparison.

 

[Dmaynard83]

LOL, well you can give it any look you want. You can change the Homescreens and icons to a your hearts content. If you are leaving it stock, thats your own fault. I dont use the Google launcher because i think it is ugly and you cant change it as far as icons.



I agree with Lloyd, iOS isnt great looking either and you have to jailbreak it.....when you finally can, to make any significant changes.

I think the general consensus disagrees with you. Android has many things going for it, but design factor isn't one of them. Everyone has a preference but stock ios looks aesthetically more pleasing.

When I had an s4 and note 2 I was constantly fiddling with the settings to get it how I wanted and just ended up getting frustrated.

 

[jrswizzle]

I think the general consensus disagrees with you. Android has many things going for it, but design factor isn't one of them. Everyone has a preference but stock ios looks aesthetically more pleasing.

When I had an s4 and note 2 I was constantly fiddling with the settings to get it how I wanted and just ended up getting frustrated.

Seconded - not necessarily about the look of individual icons. It's about overall cohesiveness across the OS.

Project Hera would seem to indicate Google agrees. Similar to back in the day when everyone railed on the thought that Android wasn't smooth - yet Google put resources into a specific project to make Android smoother.

Android defenders are every bit as bad as Apple defenders. Problem is they are a lot less forthcoming about it.

 

[gotluck]

I think the general consensus disagrees with you. Android has many things going for it, but design factor isn't one of them. Everyone has a preference but stock ios looks aesthetically more pleasing.

When I had an s4 and note 2 I was constantly fiddling with the settings to get it how I wanted and just ended up getting frustrated.

s4 and note2 are both not stock devices??

aesthetics are always subjective too

personally im fine with both OS' aesthetically, i dont get what the big deal is.

I would rather android focused on performance and optimization

 

[Vegastouch]

I think the general consensus disagrees with you. Android has many things going for it, but design factor isn't one of them. Everyone has a preference but stock ios looks aesthetically more pleasing.

When I had an s4 and note 2 I was constantly fiddling with the settings to get it how I wanted and just ended up getting frustrated.

I doubt most will disagree. Already had one disagree with in here. Two counting me. I'm not using mine stock at all and I have how I like it. You can't really do that unless your jail broken.