BS. I own an iPhone and I still use the Wi-Fi because 3G is still expensive and not reliable. A Wi-Fi hot spot is easier to set-up and guarantee to many users, no matter what network they're on or if they're in a cellular dead spot. Not to mention local networking.
The search works for me. I've found it usually gives the results I'm looking for without even clicking the search button and loading the results page.
I like the fancy graphics. The largest ones are usually of the product. If bandwidth is a problem, you can usually turn them off and the site is still usable (same goes for scripts and CSS).
The marketing speak seems to be kept to a minimum.
N/A (thank god).
I have found it to be the easiest of any large corporate site I have used. It's the only feedback system that I've used more than once because of this.
While I'm not saying there's no truth to that, I still think the main reason is because GIMP still doesn't match Photoshop in many features. It's been too long for me to remember exactly, but it was still missing too much for me. I think much of the advanced layer and type functionality was missing, then there's things such as colour space management.
For all of Apple's "Think Different" public image, the reality is that Apple encourages nothing of the sort: "Think Alike" is the mission. And they prove it at every turn.
BS. I can get the data out of iCal, Mail, and Address book with no problems. Can't say the same for MS. I don't care about hardware and OS lock-in. My data is the most important thing to me.
Those hardware specs are nice (although, it's a bit chunky), but unless they've managed to put together an interface like the iPhone, it isn't going to take the iPhone's place, even for many technophiles. I'd like to be proved wrong, of course, since the iPhone needs some decent competition.
When you're talking about usability, choice is not always good. Sometimes it's even lazy. I think the idea was good, but it seems that it confused more than it helped. If that's the case, then I think Apple made the right decision. Flexibility can be good, but so can clear behavior.
Designing a better interface is about functionality, at least if usability is your goal. Function before form doesn't mean not worrying about what the interface looks like.
I'm not sure this new UI is an improvement, though. It does seem to be more about form than function. Although it's hard to tell because they haven't gone into the reasons behind many of the design decisions.
They're Lithium Polymer to be more specific, and they don't explode. They can balloon up (which is probably what caused screens to break), then they can rupture and vent flames until all the combustible material is gone. Dangerous and spectacular, but not an explosion. They're not used because they are easy to recharge. In fact, they require more care as they can't be charge or discharged as quickly as other batteries and also risk ballooning up and catching fire if they exceed the limits. They're used because they're light-weight and can be made into shapes better suited for the device.
I was in the same situation, except I dumped my Treo 600 altogether and went with the iPhone. A decision that I don't regret one bit. And if you look at the syncing fiasco with the new Pre, not much has changed in that area.
Why would I want to even try them when xCode is OS X native and has integrated tools for the iPhone? And what makes you think your criteria for "really good" is the same as mine? As for submissions, I know what I'm in for. I already said I disagree with it. But the truth is that for most developers and their applications, it won't be a problem. At the end of the day, the iPhone is the only platform I'm interested in developing for because it's currently the only platform I'd consider buying as an end customer. The other platforms just aren't finished yet, IMHO. I guess you could argue that the iPhone was unfinished for a while, and still is, but Apple know how to get the basics right and build up from there. Everyone else seems to rush, compromising important things such as the GUI (although Palm has done well here).
And I agree with you. Maybe you missed my point? I don't believe in forcing clients to understand the IT world. So issues such as noncompliance are something I don't bring up unless it's an issue in their case. They usually have more important things to do than ponder about the openness of the web, no matter how important either of us think that is.
Google can afford to loose many customers if it wants to. Not all my clients can afford to do so.
As for putting a quote like that up on my site, it doesn't seem very professional. When I talk to my clients these issues get raised when they are relevant. No need to overload clients with details they don't yet understand before I even talk to them.
That you used the words "iPhone-themed app suite" says it all to me. GUIs are not just about aesthetic visual themes. They effect the design of the application. If Apple just released a themed iPhone app for Android, it would be like the difference between iTunes for Windows and the native Mac version.
As someone considering developing for the iPhone, it has more features that appeal to me, plus it fits in really well with the fact that I run OS X (and enjoy it) so I can develop using xCode, which seems like a really good development environment.
I think they're missing more than handset sales. I think they would benefit by having stricter design specs, or at least take more of a lead to show the hardware manufactures what needs to happen. Apple often leads in hardware because it also develops software so they have a better understanding of the relationship between the two when it comes to designing them.
I've already changed mine to get used to it. As soon as Snow Leopard takes over, some parts of the net are going to start looking a bit brighter as all the graphic designers and photographers will be re-adjusting. Of course, the good ones make sure they know what their stuff looks like in 2.2 even if they work in 1.8.
Slashdot Mirror
BS. I own an iPhone and I still use the Wi-Fi because 3G is still expensive and not reliable. A Wi-Fi hot spot is easier to set-up and guarantee to many users, no matter what network they're on or if they're in a cellular dead spot. Not to mention local networking.
Well, at least for the Apple site:
While I'm not saying there's no truth to that, I still think the main reason is because GIMP still doesn't match Photoshop in many features. It's been too long for me to remember exactly, but it was still missing too much for me. I think much of the advanced layer and type functionality was missing, then there's things such as colour space management.
How do you expect a mouse wheel to work without gravity? Strap the little guys down with elastic?
They could still pull themselves along the bars of the wheel (or could they not grip it?), they'd just spin around a bit.
Yes, I've also thought this would be a good solution. Surely there must be someone working on such a project somewhere?
How would you improve them?
For all of Apple's "Think Different" public image, the reality is that Apple encourages nothing of the sort: "Think Alike" is the mission. And they prove it at every turn.
Examples, please?
BS. I can get the data out of iCal, Mail, and Address book with no problems. Can't say the same for MS. I don't care about hardware and OS lock-in. My data is the most important thing to me.
Those hardware specs are nice (although, it's a bit chunky), but unless they've managed to put together an interface like the iPhone, it isn't going to take the iPhone's place, even for many technophiles. I'd like to be proved wrong, of course, since the iPhone needs some decent competition.
I think I paid less than that for my iPhone, and I only spend about $10 a month on prepay, too.
Why is it dumb to have a design philosophy? Or should all computers only be suited to nerds?
When you're talking about usability, choice is not always good. Sometimes it's even lazy. I think the idea was good, but it seems that it confused more than it helped. If that's the case, then I think Apple made the right decision. Flexibility can be good, but so can clear behavior.
Reverse trikes are the way to go, IMHO. Especially a recumbent one that has leaning capabilities and an electric motor hub in the back.
Designing a better interface is about functionality, at least if usability is your goal. Function before form doesn't mean not worrying about what the interface looks like.
I'm not sure this new UI is an improvement, though. It does seem to be more about form than function. Although it's hard to tell because they haven't gone into the reasons behind many of the design decisions.
Which companies haven't had recalls?
...but if the iPhone explosion rate is higher than competitive phones...
Are there any proper stats to suggest this at all?
I think you completely missed the point. It was supposed to be about GUI design, not technical implementations.
They're Lithium Polymer to be more specific, and they don't explode. They can balloon up (which is probably what caused screens to break), then they can rupture and vent flames until all the combustible material is gone. Dangerous and spectacular, but not an explosion. They're not used because they are easy to recharge. In fact, they require more care as they can't be charge or discharged as quickly as other batteries and also risk ballooning up and catching fire if they exceed the limits. They're used because they're light-weight and can be made into shapes better suited for the device.
The higher the traffic, the less sun they'll get.
I was in the same situation, except I dumped my Treo 600 altogether and went with the iPhone. A decision that I don't regret one bit. And if you look at the syncing fiasco with the new Pre, not much has changed in that area.
Why would I want to even try them when xCode is OS X native and has integrated tools for the iPhone? And what makes you think your criteria for "really good" is the same as mine? As for submissions, I know what I'm in for. I already said I disagree with it. But the truth is that for most developers and their applications, it won't be a problem. At the end of the day, the iPhone is the only platform I'm interested in developing for because it's currently the only platform I'd consider buying as an end customer. The other platforms just aren't finished yet, IMHO. I guess you could argue that the iPhone was unfinished for a while, and still is, but Apple know how to get the basics right and build up from there. Everyone else seems to rush, compromising important things such as the GUI (although Palm has done well here).
And I agree with you. Maybe you missed my point? I don't believe in forcing clients to understand the IT world. So issues such as noncompliance are something I don't bring up unless it's an issue in their case. They usually have more important things to do than ponder about the openness of the web, no matter how important either of us think that is.
Google can afford to loose many customers if it wants to. Not all my clients can afford to do so.
As for putting a quote like that up on my site, it doesn't seem very professional. When I talk to my clients these issues get raised when they are relevant. No need to overload clients with details they don't yet understand before I even talk to them.
That you used the words "iPhone-themed app suite" says it all to me. GUIs are not just about aesthetic visual themes. They effect the design of the application. If Apple just released a themed iPhone app for Android, it would be like the difference between iTunes for Windows and the native Mac version.
As someone considering developing for the iPhone, it has more features that appeal to me, plus it fits in really well with the fact that I run OS X (and enjoy it) so I can develop using xCode, which seems like a really good development environment.
I think they're missing more than handset sales. I think they would benefit by having stricter design specs, or at least take more of a lead to show the hardware manufactures what needs to happen. Apple often leads in hardware because it also develops software so they have a better understanding of the relationship between the two when it comes to designing them.
I've already changed mine to get used to it. As soon as Snow Leopard takes over, some parts of the net are going to start looking a bit brighter as all the graphic designers and photographers will be re-adjusting. Of course, the good ones make sure they know what their stuff looks like in 2.2 even if they work in 1.8.