Why's the Contacts app STILL here?!

szolr · Nov 5, 2011

Probably my biggest disappointment with iOS 5 is that I still can't organise my home screen the way I want to. How hard can it be-I want to remove Contacts, Newsstand, Voice memos, Gamecenter, Stocks and Weather from my home screen. No I don't want to stick them in a folder as that still takes up 1 space on my home screen and looks plain weird with a load of Apple apps in. And I couldn't do that even if wanted as Newsstand is a folder itself and you can't put folders in folders!

But I can live with most of that frustration. What really really bugs me is the Contacts app. What is the point of having it? Surely even Apple can see that its function is duplicated by the Contacts tab of the Phone app?!

yetanotherdave · Nov 5, 2011

I put all the apps I don't want/use and can't remove in their own folder, on a page on it's own after the last page of apps I do want, I don't see it ever.

r2shyyou · Nov 5, 2011

szolr said:
Probably my biggest disappointment with iOS 5 is that I still can't organise my home screen the way I want to. How hard can it be-I want to remove Contacts, Newsstand, Voice memos, Gamecenter, Stocks and Weather from my home screen. No I don't want to stick them in a folder as that still takes up 1 space on my home screen and looks plain weird with a load of Apple apps in. And I couldn't do that even if wanted as Newsstand is a folder itself and you can't put folders in folders!

But I can live with most of that frustration. What really really bugs me is the Contacts app. What is the point of having it? Surely even Apple can see that its function is duplicated by the Contacts tab of the Phone app?!

For the record, you can put Newsstand or any other folder into a folder. See here.

miles01110 · Nov 5, 2011

You've never been able to remove Apple apps without jailbreaking anyways. What a stupid argument.

nebo1ss · Nov 5, 2011

The contacts app may not be important to you but I am will to bet that it is used extensively by the majority of Iphone users. I certainly could not use the phone without it.

Dangerous Theory · Nov 5, 2011

nebo1ss said:
The contacts app may not be important to you but I am will to bet that it is used extensively by the majority of Iphone users. I certainly could not use the phone without it.

What he's saying is that it's inside the Phone app, on the contacts tab.

r2shyyou · Nov 5, 2011

Dangerous Theory said:
What he's saying is that it's inside the Phone app, on the contacts tab.

You're right, and there is definite redundency there. Perhaps Apple chose to make it its own app in order for it to be easier to find?

MacDawg · Nov 5, 2011

I use my Contacts app extensively and never go into the phone to do so
Just move it to the last screen in a never used folder if you like
But many of us want it

You can move it
If it is removed, we can't use it

aristobrat · Nov 5, 2011

IMO, the Contacts app is there for consistency.

If you started with an iPod touch/iPad (where the Contacts app was the only real way to get to your contacts), the first time you use an iPhone, you may start by looking for the Contacts app there, until you notice it's also in the Phone app.

OP, I'm surprised iOS 5 on the iPhone splitting the one iTunes app into separate music/video apps (like the iPod touches have had for awhile) didn't make your list.

szolr · Nov 5, 2011

I love it how somehow I've got a -3 rating on my initial starting comment I must say...

miles01110 said:
You've never been able to remove Apple apps without jailbreaking anyways. What a stupid argument.

You think I don't know that? What a stupid post... ^ Doesn't mean I can't wish for it though right?

aristobrat said:
IMO, the Contacts app is there for consistency.

If you started with an iPod touch/iPad (where the Contacts app was the only real way to get to your contacts), the first time you use an iPhone, you may start by looking for the Contacts app there, until you notice it's also in the Phone app.

OP, I'm surprised iOS 5 on the iPhone splitting the one iTunes app into separate music/video apps (like the iPod touches have had for awhile) didn't make your list.

I did start with an iPod touch. I went through the first and second gen models before getting an iPhone. Frankly I preferred the iPod app on the iPhone instead of separate music and video. But iOS 5 killed that too. However there've been so many discussions about that already, I thought I'd not bother boring you with the same observation yet again.

And if Apple were going for consistency, why not rebrand the iPod touch FaceTime app as a Phone app and merge it with Contacts? I'd love to see a consistent layout on all iOS devices (the iPod --> Music + Videos apps is a small price to pay), but I'm not so pleased when Apple pick and choose and invariably do so in a way that doesn't satisfy me.

I mean Apple could have called the iPod Messages app iMessage. But it's the same name as the iPhone's app. So why not do the same with FaceTime/Phone/Contacts? One app-Phone across all devices.

Small White Car · Nov 5, 2011

szolr said:
But I can live with most of that frustration. What really really bugs me is the Contacts app. What is the point of having it? Surely even Apple can see that its function is duplicated by the Contacts tab of the Phone app?!

Why should I go to a "phone" to look up a birthday or a street address?

How does that make sense?

EDIT: To be clear, I agree with the initial point that you should be able to hide any of the Apple apps...but beating up on 'Contacts' seems like an odd way to complain about it.

nateo200 · Nov 5, 2011

Guys I really want to get rid of one of my Kidney's but I can't

This is so dumb I don't even need two of them. I just want to get rid of one of my kidney's and a significant lobe of my liver but its STILL here?! This is probably the biggest disappointment of life.
...
..
..

waitlulwut?

I've got a -3 rating on my initial starting comment

You now have a -7 LOL. Just because you don't use it doesn't mean someone else won't. Seriously putting it in a folder and throwing it on the last screen never to be seen again isn't enough? :O

szolr · Nov 5, 2011

Small White Car said:
Why should I go to a "phone" to look up a birthday or a street address?

How does that make sense?

EDIT: To be clear, I agree with the initial point that you should be able to hide any of the Apple apps...but beating up on 'Contacts' seems like an odd way to complain about it.

Does it really matter which app you use for something so long as it accomplishes what you want?..

And the Contacts app gets my vote as the punchbag because it's not a case of being able to remove it from just my devices. It seems more logical to remove it from iOS in general.

Clearly, though if people can't bear having to go into a Phone app to look up an address then it makes sense why Apple are on their current path. :roll eyes: Small comfort

Small White Car · Nov 5, 2011

szolr said:
Does it really matter which app you use for something so long as it accomplishes what you want?..

Well then let's make it so you have to go to the weather app to send a text message.

Why not? As long as it accomplishes what I want then I can't complain about it being illogical!

szolr · Nov 5, 2011

Small White Car said:
Well then let's make it so you have to go to the weather app to send a text message.

Why not? As long as it accomplishes what I want then I can't complain about it being illogical!

Did I say I'd have an objection to that?

Anyway your analogy is hardly correct. The fact is that the contacts tab in the phone app = the contacts app. Period. No-one can deny that unless they turn the code inside out to prove me wrong. The weather app on the other hand does not already have the ability to send text messages.

miles01110 · Nov 5, 2011

Why don't you cry about this at apple.com/feedback? Surely you realize your complaints are falling on deaf ears. Or maybe you should recommend that in order to send feedback to Apple you have to launch Preview, scroll to a "Help" menu item, press V + B + Left Shift + F12 + Control + 3 and then send the form.

szolr · Nov 5, 2011

miles01110 said:
Why don't you cry about this at apple.com/feedback? Surely you realize your complaints are falling on deaf ears. Or maybe you should recommend that in order to send feedback to Apple you have to launch Preview, scroll to a "Help" menu item, press V + B + Left Shift + F12 + Control + 3 and then send the form.

Do you respond to all such threads in that manner?

Oh fear not, I'm one step ahead on that score anyway.

mox358 · Nov 5, 2011

Instead of attacking szolr, why can't we just admit that people use their phones in different ways? I've probably only used the contacts app 2 or 3 times, and I've had an iPhone since the first launch day in 2007. For the way szolr and I use our phones, contacts is redundant. It's not a dumb argument, there does need to be a way to manage the Apple apps too. You can't honestly tell me "put them all in a folder and hide it on the last page" is the perfect solution can you?

Likewise szolr, apple.com/feedback is your friend. Complaining here will help you vent, but for true change let Apple hear your complaints. And also, unfortunately at this time, putting those apps in a folder is the best solution we have. That doesn't mean it has to stay that way - let Apple know you want a better method to manage the default apps.

This isn't rocket science - some people want the apps, some don't. Why can't there be a switch to hide/show built in apps, even if they can't be deleted? Then everybody wins.

szolr · Nov 5, 2011

mox358 said:
Instead of attacking szolr, why can't we just admit that people use their phones in different ways? I've probably only used the contacts app 2 or 3 times, and I've had an iPhone since the first launch day in 2007. For the way szolr and I use our phones, contacts is redundant. It's not a dumb argument, there does need to be a way to manage the Apple apps too. You can't honestly tell me "put them all in a folder and hide it on the last page" is the perfect solution can you?

Likewise szolr, apple.com/feedback is your friend. Complaining here will help you vent, but for true change let Apple hear your complaints. And also, unfortunately at this time, putting those apps in a folder is the best solution we have. That doesn't mean it has to stay that way - let Apple know you want a better method to manage the default apps.

This isn't rocket science - some people want the apps, some don't. Why can't there be a switch to hide/show built in apps, even if they can't be deleted? Then everybody wins.

I followed the feedback advice.

And this is the internet-I come on expecting to be mocked by some. It's either because I "think different" (oh, the irony), or where I wield power or because some just don't value others' opinions. That's life-and that's one thing I won't complain about.

I'd be wasting my breath.

nwmtnbiker · Nov 5, 2011

But still the question remains. Why can't WE have control of what apps are on are home screen...

Sankersizzle · Nov 5, 2011

szolr said:
Probably my biggest disappointment with iOS 5 is that I still can't organise my home screen the way I want to. How hard can it be-I want to remove Contacts, Newsstand, Voice memos, Gamecenter, Stocks and Weather from my home screen. No I don't want to stick them in a folder as that still takes up 1 space on my home screen and looks plain weird with a load of Apple apps in. And I couldn't do that even if wanted as Newsstand is a folder itself and you can't put folders in folders!

But I can live with most of that frustration. What really really bugs me is the Contacts app. What is the point of having it? Surely even Apple can see that its function is duplicated by the Contacts tab of the Phone app?!

Wait, if you got rid of the contacts app, how would you message/tweet/contact anyone??!!?!!?!??!?!?!??

brand · Nov 5, 2011

nwmtnbiker said:
But still the question remains. Why can't WE have control of what apps are on are home screen...

No one is stopping you from using an Android phone. If you want to be part of the Apple ecosystem you play by their rules. If you do not like Apple's rules you as a consumer have the ability to choose by take your money elsewhere.

nwmtnbiker · Nov 5, 2011

brand said:
No one is stopping you from using an Android phone. If you want to be part of the Apple ecosystem you play by their rules. If you do not like Apple's rules you as a consumer have the ability to choose by take your money elsewhere.

Wow why you have to play so rough! I've done android twice while owning iPhones. Still with the iPhone.

Play by their rules?

http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/38357.html

Lol

saldawop · Nov 5, 2011

I hope the 4s is Jailbroken soon so I can hide Newsstand,Compass,Stocks,iTunes,Voice Memos,Weather...AND Contacts

brand · Nov 5, 2011

nwmtnbiker said:
Wow why you have to play so rough! I've done android twice while owning iPhones. Still with the iPhone.

Play by their rules?

http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/38357.html

Lol

You are quoting the original Apple during Steve Jobs first reign. A lot has changed between now and then.

Why's the Contacts app STILL here?!

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