Apple to Amaze with...

[afv011]

Originally Posted by elcreative

???? I use both Android and iOS... like both, prefer iOS except on phone so pleaase enlighten as to the "pretty far behind..."

It is a given that apple do not embrace new technologies but instead wait for them to be mainstream and then add them one at at time so there is a reason for users to upgrade. For instance, LTE, larger screens and possibly NFC one day.

When it comes to customization options, well, I don't think anybody can argue that they are pretty far behind. Like 6 years behind, since, ios was introduced (you still can't change your default browser, for instance).

This is the 2nd time they introduced multi-tasking. When it was first introduced, it was heralded as "multitasking done right". If that were true, then the new multitasking can't be right, can it? Anyway, none of them are true multitasking.

apple are a hardware company, not a software one. Their software can't hold a candle android.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by afv011

apple are a hardware company, not a software one. Their software can't hold a candle android.

I don't think I can agree with that.

We may not like the philosophy Apple chooses to follow (and I don't), but they are first and foremost a consumer products company that believes in tight control and integration between hardware and software.

With a few exceptions, what they have designed their products to do, they do well thanks to a quality mix of both hardware and software.

Android has all the benefits of an open platform, but is has all the downfalls as well. There are many things that just don't work exactly right depending on exactly what is running on what hardware.

Note, I just finished listening to this, which was free on Audible a while back, so I'm feeling a little less anti-Apple than usual. That guy serves up some tasty Apple Kool-Aid.

[elcreative]

Originally Posted by afv011

It is a given that apple do not embrace new technologies but instead wait for them to be mainstream and then add them one at at time so there is a reason for users to upgrade. For instance, LTE, larger screens and possibly NFC one day.

When it comes to customization options, well, I don't think anybody can argue that they are pretty far behind. Like 6 years behind, since, ios was introduced (you still can't change your default browser, for instance).

This is the 2nd time they introduced multi-tasking. When it was first introduced, it was heralded as "multitasking done right". If that were true, then the new multitasking can't be right, can it? Anyway, none of them are true multitasking.

apple are a hardware company, not a software one. Their software can't hold a candle android.

I have to disagree... I have to put effort in with Android to get things working right but my iPads seem effortless by comparison...

I also disagree about waiting for things to mainstream when they have actually made things mainstream by waiting... iPods just for one - yes there were lots of mp3 players before iPods but they were minority (and often clunky) devices then Ipods made players mainstream much of which came from integrating iTunes into the usage - doesn't matter whether you like it or not (and I do), it helped sell iPods by making music purchase to play a seamless operation...

[pl001]

Originally Posted by afv011

It is a given that apple do not embrace new technologies but instead wait for them to be mainstream and then add them one at at time so there is a reason for users to upgrade. For instance, LTE, larger screens and possibly NFC one day.

When it comes to customization options, well, I don't think anybody can argue that they are pretty far behind. Like 6 years behind, since, ios was introduced (you still can't change your default browser, for instance).

This is the 2nd time they introduced multi-tasking. When it was first introduced, it was heralded as "multitasking done right". If that were true, then the new multitasking can't be right, can it? Anyway, none of them are true multitasking.

Exactly. Another example is live tiles and widgits, which iOS still won't do. These are very useful features. Apple does still make nice hardware and there is no question their App Store is the best.

[elcreative]

Originally Posted by pl001

Exactly. Another example is live tiles and widgits, which iOS still won't do. These are very useful features. Apple does still make nice hardware and there is no question their App Store is the best.

And live tiles and widgets are essential why? I have widgets on my Android smartphone and tablet and I never felt the need to jump up and shout, "oh, where are my iPad widgets," just got on with using it...

[pl001]

Originally Posted by elcreative

I have to disagree... I have to put effort in with Android to get things working right but my iPads seem effortless by comparison...

I don't believe I have ever run into anything taking more effort in Android unless I want to customize it or perform tasks in ways that iOS can't do at all. A lot of times the apps aren't written as well, but that's not necessarily an OS problem.

Windows RT, on the other hand, is a real PITA to set everything up on. But once it is set up it's pretty slick and has far more potential as a mobile computing platform than anything else right now. Personally I love it for my needs but hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

[pl001]

Originally Posted by elcreative

And live tiles and widgets are essential why? I have widgets on my Android smartphone and tablet and I never felt the need to jump up and shout, "oh, where are my iPad widgets," just got on with using it...

I didn't say they were essential or a religious experience, I said they were very useful. Widgets much more so than Live Tiles as you can interact with them.

[elcreative]

Originally Posted by pl001

I didn't say they were essential or a religious experience, I said they were very useful. Widgets much more so than Live Tiles as you can interact with them.

But you can interact with apps equally happily... I've never found using a widget felt any different to using any other app... a rose by any other name...

[afv011]

Originally Posted by elcreative

But you can interact with apps equally happily... I've never found using a widget felt any different to using any other app... a rose by any other name...

There is a significant difference. With a weather widget, I can see the forecast at a glance, without having to enter the app - time saved. With an email widget, I can read the subject and first line of the email, so I see if I need to read the rest and reply or can go back to whatever I was doing.

Yes, they are not essential, just like having phones is not essential (you can always go back to using drums to communicate, or smoke if that's what floats your boat), but they make things easier.

Edit: if proof were needed

Reinvent the Home Screen
More than any other feature, most users (myself included) agree that the iOS home screen is in desperate need of an intervention. A lifeless grid of icons is so five years ago. It was serviceable in its day, but this is 2013 and we expect more.

Source

Interestingly enough, those are 10 features that are available on android.

[Penforhire]

You may be confusing being "behind" in technology with good choices that enhance the user experience. In the case of both LTE and multi-tasking we're talking about battery life. IMO, that was the basis of the choice and it was a good choice for many (most?) consumers.

As the power consumption of LTE went down and battery specific density went up it became more attractive (to the consumer) to place LTE in the iPhone. The jury is still out on multi-tasking. It may still be a battery hog in the next iOS. Hard to say yet.

Another choice is the non-removable battery. It allows them to fit more hardware into a smaller package. It is another trade-off choice. I could say the same about not having a memory card slot but I believe they enjoy upselling us on more built-in memory at their outrageous price (more than the benefit to the consumer).

Most of these choices are not about being "behind" in technology. They certainly may not match your priorities but they haven't been hurting Apple's profits. I agree sales growth is being stunted, partly by Samsung and Android OS. As a fan of their hardware I hope Apple responds with the next desirable bit of kit.

[elcreative]

Originally Posted by afv011

There is a significant difference. With a weather widget, I can see the forecast at a glance, without having to enter the app - time saved. With an email widget, I can read the subject and first line of the email, so I see if I need to read the rest and reply or can go back to whatever I was doing.

Yes, they are not essential, just like having phones is not essential (you can always go back to using drums to communicate, or smoke if that's what floats your boat), but they make things easier.

Edit: if proof were needed



Source

Interestingly enough, those are 10 features that are available on android.

So someone agrees with you, maybe many someones... it doesn't change my viewpoint... and you've given the exact thing that makes the point for me... weather widget... on all the time, got nice update, phone locked up later, needed complete restart... locked up after a few minutes, needed complete restart... wasted yet more time on the net finding out that update was flawed and needed an update to fix, wasting more time... didn't find it a great timesaver after all that then it takes turning wi-fi on followed by at least four clicks to get to the actual data I want - takes two clicks on browser to get same info without potentially lethal updates...

As for 10 features most wanted... not by me and, anecdotally of course, not high on the list of great needs from any of half a dozen iPhone using friends and equally not high on list of must-have, must-use options from a similar number of Android phone users... still whatever floats your boat but having live icons continually doing things is going to be completely switched off on any damn device that tries to do it...

And contrary to your patronising, "you can always go back to using drums to communicate, or smoke if that's what floats your boat," not wanting something that works to be continually updated with flash style but no real content doesn't mean I don't use my Android phone and iPads for several hours a day most days...

[afv011]

Originally Posted by elcreative

So someone agrees with you, maybe many someones... it doesn't change my viewpoint... and you've given the exact thing that makes the point for me... weather widget... on all the time, got nice update, phone locked up later, needed complete restart... locked up after a few minutes, needed complete restart... wasted yet more time on the net finding out that update was flawed and needed an update to fix, wasting more time... didn't find it a great timesaver after all that then it takes turning wi-fi on followed by at least four clicks to get to the actual data I want - takes two clicks on browser to get same info without potentially lethal updates...

How does 1 poorly written app affect the whole ecosystem? Exactly, it doesn't. You can't judge an ecosystem by 1 app - we're talking about what the OS offers, not what a single app offers. Android offers widgets, you don't like them, you don't use them, but at least the choice is yours and not made for you.

[afv011]

Originally Posted by elcreative

having live icons continually doing things is going to be completely switched off on any damn device that tries to do it...

You obviously do not understand how widgets work, they are not "continually doing things", some have wake up periods (which are often user configurable), like weather, news, stock, ... ones, others are notification based, like email ones. Outside these wake up periods, they remain dormant and use no CPU or battery.

Yes, I can write a widget that updates itself every 30 seconds if I wanted to, but I would quickly get 1 star reviews on my app by frustrated users, so it's in the developer's benefit to properly write their apps.

[elcreative]

Originally Posted by afv011

You obviously do not understand how widgets work, they are not "continually doing things", some have wake up periods (which are often user configurable), like weather, news, stock, ... ones, others are notification based, like email ones. Outside these wake up periods, they remain dormant and use no CPU or battery.

Yes, I can write a widget that updates itself every 30 seconds if I wanted to, but I would quickly get 1 star reviews on my app by frustrated users, so it's in the developer's benefit to properly write their apps.

Don't put your interpretation on my words or your ideas about my level of computer knowledge... also the quote you used refers to LIVE ICONS not widgets... and so far I haven't seen any that I want doing their "live updating" with any value to me so, as I said, they'll be completely switched off if any end up on any device I use... you may love such triumphs of style over needs but I don't. I also don't build a life round doing things for computers/tablets/phones, they're supposed to build their activities around what I want to use these generic tools for - work and some entertainment...

[Graham]

Originally Posted by elcreative

also the quote you used refers to LIVE ICONS not widgets... and so far I haven't seen any that I want doing their "live updating" with any value to me so, as I said, they'll be completely switched off if any end up on any device I use...

What live icons are there in iOS 7 other than the calendar and the clock? Are you actually able to switch off the automatic updating?

Graham