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iOS 8 Review
An anonymous reader writes: Apple is releasing iOS 8 today, and Ars Technica has posted one of their huge, thorough reviews of the updated operating system. They have this to say about the UI: "iOS 8 tries to fit a whole lot more stuff onto a single screen than iOS 7 did. The operating system was clearly developed in anticipation of iPhones with larger screens." The biggest new feature is Extensions: "Older versions of iOS limited what third-party applications could do to communicate with external services and other third-party applications. ... Extensions remove some (but not all) of those barriers." The biggest examples of extensions are custom keyboards, a feature iOS users have been requesting for years. Downsides to iOS 8 include increased storage and processing requirements, which are bad news for older iPhones, and a host of new bugs associated with the new features.
It would sure be nice if this thread didn't devolve into an Android/Apple pissing contest. Can we at least give it a shot?
Anyone who ever used an android phone. Swype, Swiftkey, and others do an amazing job. Apple lacks continuous path typing (Swype-like paths to type) which is in every major Android keyboard these days and used by hundreds of millions of people as a faster alternative to thumb typing. Apple's autocorrect is mediocre, Swiftkey and Swype/Nuance kick its ass. And the keyboard does matter- its the most used app on the phone- you use it in texting, emails, even browsing. If it isn't a good experience people will not use your device. Apple lost millions of users who wouldn't consider switching due to the lack of options on iOS. The question is if they're now to embedded into the Android world to be willing to change. I'm guessing Apple lost them permanently by being 4 or 5 years too late with opening up the keyboards api.
I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
Apple fags go!
I think you're overselling it somewhat. I've tried the swype systems, and I always devolve to just tapping. Same with my friends that have access to it. Out of 4 of us, all of us hate swype based systems. That's not data, obviously, it's just an anecdote. But I've yet to see anyone stop using the keyboard, let alone a phone, just because the keyboard isn't what they expect. (The lone exception being people that like hardware keyboards. They will stick with a sub-standard phone just for the better typing experience.)
I would also question whether Apple has ever lost anyone permanently that wasn't lost from the start. I've seen a lot of people in comment threads today consider Apple's phones again because it was *screen size* that was holding them back.
I've actually always really liked the Apple keyboard; I have a lot fewer problems with it than other people, though I couldn't tell you why. I borrowed a Nexus 4 and hated the keyboard (and didn't want to install a new one for the short time that I had it) but my hate of the keyboard wasn't actually a dealbreaker even if I'd had to use it forever. If I'd liked other things about the phone, I would've put up with the keyboard I didn't like, no question.
It's a fair opinion to have, but I really don't see any evidence for the grandiose claims you're making.
That drive me up the wall. Why have an entry level phone? the manufacturing costs between 16 and 64 is tiny. Why support some many phone types? just make 1 64GB phone.
And I ask the in earnest. What data support the cost of different lines vs/ the cost of all of them being 64GB?
16 GB is there BECAUSE it's a bad choice.
32 GB is NOT there BECAUSE it's a good choice.
People will see the lower price of the 16 GB version and use that price to decide if they want an iPhone 6.
Then when they're getting ready to buy they'll hear / worry that 16 GB isn't enough, so they'll shell out the ridiculous up-charge for the 64 GB model.
The true zealots will buy the 128 GB model despite not needing that much storage.
The cost of maintaining 3 different lines is minimal. The extra income gained by stratifying the models like this is huge.
Tapping a keyboard three times to type special character. No Swype. Caps always showing, regardless of actual capitalization. All but Unusable with one hand (one handed typing jokes aside). Auto Correct that guesses wrong more often than it should. The interface is not as intuitive as Apple or iOS users claim it is, IMHO.
Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
Ah yes, exactly what happened to the iPhone 3G and the original iPad. It's a form of post-purchase sabotage by Apple to drive people to upgrade their expensive hardware for more expensive hardware.
Tubby or not tubby. Fat is the question
Which means that you have been abandoned, just like iPhone 3G and iPad 1.
Don't ya just love Apple?
Tubby or not tubby. Fat is the question
If you Mac can run 10.9 it can run 10.10. Apple hasn't obsoleted any Mac hardware since the release of Mountain Lion in 2012.
Find me an Android from 2010 that can run KitKat.
Find me more than two Android devices that got KitKat on launch day.
Yes, Apple ruthless abandons old devices. But you KNOW it's happening. The iPad 1 was the only "surprise! We discontinued support earlier than you thought!" device, but even then, you knew when iOS 6 was first announced that it was going to happen. And if you get support, you get it on day 1. Today, the iPhone 4S and newer, iPad 2 and newer, and iPod touch 5 all get iOS 8.
Android devices are a complete mixed bag. You may get good support for 2-3 years, you might get screwed with zero updates ever. You might get the update on day 1, you might get it 6 months later.
Android has many ways it is far superior to iOS, but release reliability and long-term device support are *NOT* among them.
Another non-functioning site was "uncertainty.microsoft.com."
The purpose of that site was not known.
This is exactly the no-win situation I have pointed out here before when people complained about upgrades not being allowed for older hardware.
If Apple does not provide the upgrade for older devices, then they are accused of artificially restricting the upgrade to force sales of newer devices. If Apple does provided the upgrade for older devices, then they are accused of artificially crippling the upgrade to force sales of newer devices.
Since no matter which choice Apple went with they would be accused of artificially forcing sales of newer devices, you cannot used their choice as proof that they are or are not artificially forcing sales of newer devices.
How good would the performance have to be on older devices to stop the accusations that they are artificially crippling it? I submit that there is no limit and that no matter how good it worked Apple would be accused of artificially crippling it.