Two Basic Questions: Why do I want Widgets, and Why are they so ugly?

[jmass777]

After a while I discovered that those ugly, rounded-corner things showing up on my lock screen when I didn't use the new iOS 10 way of opening my 5S were "widgets"—but why are they better than apps, and why are they so ugly?

There is no app / Widget that I want to open every time I open my phone. I don't need Widgets and don't understand why Apple is pushing them. I rarely use the Widgets on my Mac, and I don't see why this is is better than the old Notifications, which does not have the aggressive neo-1960s design.

Is this related to the Watch design? I don't own a Watch and don't plan to buy one. A small part of the reason for that is that I don't like the graphics on them.

One of the reasons I was an early Apple adopter was because I loved the graphic design element that Steve Jobs brought to computers. As soon as he died, Apple threw out many of his favorite elements, like anthropomorphic elements, designs that were not flat, and a wonderful selection of fonts. It seems like every graphic design change since Jobs died makes Apple look more like the famously "bad taste" Windows.

He never would have approved forcing Helvetica on everyone, and the new font we all must use is not much better. It is a neo-1960s element that goes with elements like the neo-1960s rounded corner boxes—but why? (Yes, I know the first Macs had rounded corners, but with a very different aesthetic.)

 

[SumYoungGai]

..just disable them?

 

[jmass777]

..just disable them?

It was surprisingly hard to figure out how to disable them, and I've heard that from other iPhone owners. That's why I took the time to post.

I am curious as to why Apple thinks Widgets are a good thing.

I would also like Apple to hear that people don't like their design direction, if that's what people think. I've heard that from other iPhone users too.

 

[C DM]

It was surprisingly hard to figure out how to disable them, and I've heard that from other iPhone owners. That's why I took the time to post.

I am curious as to why Apple thinks Widgets are a good thing.

I would also like Apple to hear that people don't like their design direction, if that's what people think. I've heard that from other iPhone users too.

It's not hard to disable them from the lock screen at all as there's a specific option for them.

Widgets are useful for many people who want to be able to glance at up-to-date different information from different apps or quickly be able to access or control something. But they are completely optional and people don't have to use them if they don't care about them. They are simply another feature offered by the OS.

 

[bilibug]

...
I would also like Apple to hear that people don't like their design direction, if that's what people think. I've heard that from other iPhone users too.

Well, posting complaints here isn't going to aid your cause. Contact Apple by submitting feedback through the official channels.

While I don't disagree that widgets could be far more aesthetically pleasing, I find them to be incredibly useful, and were one of the things I missed when I switched back from Android. I need to be able to see my calendar and incoming email/texts with a swipe or a tap, without unlocking my phone. The widgets allow me to do that.

 

[jmass777]

It's not hard to disable them from the lock screen at all as there's a specific option for them.

I went to an Apple store today, without a Genius appointment. Three Apple store employees told me that they don't think it's possible to fully disable them and that others have been coming in to the store to complain.

If you know how to disable them, please say so. Thanks

 

[C DM]

I went to an Apple store today, without a Genius appointment. Three Apple store employees told me that they don't think it's possible to fully disable them and that others have been coming in to the store to complain.

If you know how to disable them, please say so. Thanks

Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Today View (in "allow access when locked" section)

Beyond that, when locked or unlocked, at the bottom of that Today screen with widgets, there is an "Edit" button that could be used to remove all widgets from that screen.

 

[jmass777]

Well, posting complaints here isn't going to aid your cause

Companies listen to complaints when they think lots of people have the same complaint. Apple doesn't allow complaints in the support forums—that's written in the small print, which says Apple will delete complaints.

And making online Feedback invisible to others makes for fewer complaints. But I see that Apple has now started Twitter support, and I will try there.

This is not a small thing. Tim Cook and Jony Ives seem confident that they have a mandate to redesign Apple, but their Apple has declining profits. I think that's partially because people like Apple products less than when Jobs was in charges. I know I do. I don't want Android or Windows computers, but I think Apple products get more like those two.
[doublepost=1475544472][/doublepost]

Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Today View (in "allow access when locked" section)

Beyond that, when locked or unlocked, at the bottom of that Today screen with widgets, there is an "Edit" button that could be used to remove all widgets from that screen.

I've already done Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Today View. It leaves an "edit" button in the middle of the screen. That's dumb, but you can avoid the screen. More importantly, some widgets appear AFTER the lock screen. If you turn off all widgets, can you still get notifications somewhere?

I find that both widgets and the differences between notifications and widgets are poorly explained. I like having access to news notifications, but I don't want them to automatically appear while I'm trying to get to apps.

thanks

 

[C DM]

Companies listen to complaints when they think lots of people have the same complaint. Apple doesn't allow complaints in the support forums—that's written in the small print, which says Apple will delete complaints.

And making online Feedback invisible to others makes for fewer complaints. But I see that Apple has now started Twitter support, and I will try there.

This is not a small thing. Tim Cook and Jony Ives seem confident that they have a mandate to redesign Apple, but their Apple has declining profits. I think that's partially because people like Apple products less than when Jobs was in charges. I know I do. I don't want Android or Windows computers, but I think Apple products get more like those two.
[doublepost=1475544472][/doublepost]

I've already done Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Today View. It leaves an "edit" button in the middle of the screen. That's dumb, but you can avoid the screen. More importantly, some widgets appear AFTER the lock screen. If you turn off all widgets, can you still get notifications somewhere?

I find that both widgets and the differences between notifications and widgets are poorly explained. I like having access to news notifications, but I don't want them to automatically appear while I'm trying to get to apps.

thanks

If you disable it from the lock screen there wouldn't be an Edit button there when the device is locked since you wouldn't be able to even get to that screen.

As far as notifications and widgets, they are separate things that works differently and have separate controls.