All iPads Anyone else think Apple are lazy with iPad iOS?

[53kyle]

For example, why does Siri take up the *entire* screen when you ask him/her anything? It's not like most of us have a full conversation, we only ask a question or two and that's it. Make it more suitable for the iPad screen, please. It works on the iPhone, not on the iPad.

Also, surely SURELY someone must have considered the ability to view 2 apps running on the screen at the same time. I understand why not for the iPhone, but the iPad has a great deal of screen real estate to play with. I don't understand why this isn't a feature.

Is there a reason why you wouldn't want Siri full screen? It isn't like you were ever able to do anything in an app while Siri was on the screen, so why not make it bigger? Also, I understand the two app problem but what I think apple is going for is an immersive, full screen experience, not multitasking.

 

[kingalexthe1st]

Is there a reason why you wouldn't want Siri full screen? It isn't like you were ever able to do anything in an app while Siri was on the screen, so why not make it bigger? Also, I understand the two app problem but what I think apple is going for is an immersive, full screen experience, not multitasking.

I can relate to the 'immersive experience' you've just mentioned. When a company has an ideal they strive towards, that's great. But I'm saying that it feels like they've ported the iPhone OS without really looking at the result. Like how I mentioned the notifications in iOS6 being the size of an iPhone 5 screen. It's almost as if they haven't thought 'how can we squeeze the best experience possible out of the iPad?'. For the money they ask of us, I say it's a lazy way of going about it.

Alex

 

[johannnn]

I would first point out that the app you want may not be just a single four-finger swipe away. And off the top of my head, I'd say FaceTime coupled with Notes, or Calendar. Then, while I'm talking to friends and family and we arrange something, I can write it in or jot it down without putting them on hold.

Isn't FaceTime calls active in the background too? At least when I'm audio FaceTiming, I can go to other apps without putting the call on hold

 

[kingalexthe1st]

Isn't FaceTime calls active in the background too? At least when I'm audio FaceTiming, I can go to other apps without putting the call on hold

Ah yes, well spotted. When I said put on hold I meant that you lose the camera. You're right in that it's still running and you can get audio.

Alex

 

[Max(IT)]

I would first point out that the app you want may not be just a single four-finger swipe away. And off the top of my head, I'd say FaceTime coupled with Notes, or Calendar. Then, while I'm talking to friends and family and we arrange something, I can write it in or jot it down without putting them on hold. But that's not the point I'm trying to make. My point is that I think Apple are cutting corners and at the same time batting words like 'revolutionary' around.



For the price they're asking, and the quality of the competition which is *cheaper*, I'd say my expectations are right in line.

Man, I sound like the Grinch!!

Alex

Every time this song ... "For the price they are asking ... For a premium product ...".
If you think the price is too high, just don't buy it. Simple as that ...
Competitors are cheaper ? Go and buy from competitors then.

Said that, I'm convinced too that they could optimized iOS more towards iPad in some aspects. Sometimes the available space is wasted.

 

[Alith]

A four-finger swipe to go between apps works pretty well for me. Which two apps would you like to access on the same screen, for instance?

^This^

Four-finger swipe is perfect for all my multitasking.

There is a facepalmingly embarrassing Surface2 ad in London atm that shows a woman (who clearly owns her own millinery business) using a Surface with five inches of a rather cramped looking Excel spreadsheet on the left, showing financial data and then five inches of MS Paint on the right where she is busy designing a hat. Now I don't own at hat business myself but I'm pretty sure you don't need to visualise your tax return whilst sketching a hat design.

EDIT: To stay on topic, I do feel that there should be more than 9 icons in a folder but everything else in the iPad iOS seems fine to me.

 

[kingalexthe1st]

Every time this song ... "For the price they are asking ... For a premium product ...".
If you think the price is too high, just don't buy it. Simple as that ...
Competitors are cheaper ? Go and buy from competitors then..

The fact that you are used to hearing 'this song' shows that there are people who are dissatisfied and wanting to voice their opinion. Telling them to shut up and go away isn't listening to the problems they have; it's being arrogant.

Yes, I'm dissatisfied with my iPad, but there is still quite a lot that I like about it. I have put numerous times that this is about Apple's attitude towards the iPad OS, and it's their attitude that I wanted to have the discussion about. Admittedly, perhaps I didn't make that clear enough.

Alex

EDIT: A-ha! After posting this I just saw what else you put in your post, Max. If you agree that they could have made more use of the space, don't you think Apple has missed an opportunity here to make the iPad great? I see iPads as how I used to view the 1st Macbook Air - as a luxury. Because the original Air was so under-specced, if I saw someone walking around with it then I would assume he had cash to burn, because it wasn't good value for money. The same is with the iPad. But Apple really can make it a superb product in its own right, not just an iPhone on steroids, don't you think?

 

[Badrottie]

Apple are lazy already because Steve Jobs is gone. That is why.

 

[Max(IT)]

The fact that you are used to hearing 'this song' shows that there are people who are dissatisfied and wanting to voice their opinion. Telling them to shut up and go away isn't listening to the problems they have; it's being arrogant.

Yes, I'm dissatisfied with my iPad, but there is still quite a lot that I like about it. I have put numerous times that this is about Apple's attitude towards the iPad OS, and it's their attitude that I wanted to have the discussion about. Admittedly, perhaps I didn't make that clear enough.

Alex

EDIT: A-ha! After posting this I just saw what else you put in your post, Max. If you agree that they could have made more use of the space, don't you think Apple has missed an opportunity here to make the iPad great? I see iPads as how I used to view the 1st Macbook Air - as a luxury. Because the original Air was so under-specced, if I saw someone walking around with it then I would assume he had cash to burn, because it wasn't good value for money. The same is with the iPad. But Apple really can make it a superb product in its own right, not just an iPhone on steroids, don't you think?

Don't get me wrong: I do agree, iOS could be more refined for iPads. I was debating only the fact that it's not for the premium price, it's for the user experience.

 

[Count Blah]

Don't get me wrong: I do agree, iOS could be more refined for iPads. I was debating only the fact that it's not for the premium price, it's for the user experience.

The user experience where safari crashes constantly, you only get 2 tabs opened before refresh, and complete iPad reboots 1+ times a day?

That user experience?

 

[preyan]

iOS for iPad is just a beefed-up version of the iPhone operating system. I realise that's stating the obvious, but sometimes I feel like Apple have written the code for iPad but no-one has actualy looked at it in action, or taken it for a spin to see what it's like.

For example, why does Siri take up the *entire* screen when you ask him/her anything? It's not like most of us have a full conversation, we only ask a question or two and that's it. Make it more suitable for the iPad screen, please. It works on the iPhone, not on the iPad.

Also, surely SURELY someone must have considered the ability to view 2 apps running on the screen at the same time. I understand why not for the iPhone, but the iPad has a great deal of screen real estate to play with. I don't understand why this isn't a feature.

Anyone else think this? Thoughts appreciated.

Alex

Apple dictates and people still buy. They must be doing something right?
I wish I could have movies playing while doing other things (sending quick mail, checking twitter, etc).

With where there competitors have gone especially the last 2yrs, I think Apples delayed "give in" will have them have about 3/4/5 generations set to come with "ground breaking" Apple features

But with that said, I wouldn't call them lazy. They're perfectionists based on their history. And I am glad for that. Blackberry is a good example of "grab any market share as soon as possible" that their CrapBerry devices speak for themselves everyday with every permanent crash every other minute from users globally.

I have a Samsung phone but can truly say, it's beautiful but feels cheap. Don't get me wrong, love the phone but the UI just misses that classy touch that you pay (which ends up being in line with iPhone pricing).

 

[Jambalaya]

I cannot imagine what two apps you want on screen at the same time. Plus as above that's a lot more CPU to have them running and updating screen concurrently.

 

[Brian Y]

One of the joys of using the iPad in my opinion is its simplicity. I don't *want* apps side by side on my tablet. If i'm doing anything which requires that level of complexity, I use a laptop.

Start littering it with options to turn on and off, you'll bloat the code out and end up with something which is essentially what android is now.

 

[Klae17]

Well, that is what make the iPad so different from other tablets that failed commercially: simplicity. May be you want multiple windows, but 99% of the population don't.

As a software developer on multiple platform since the days of MS-DOS, I have seen a lot of powerful interfaces that did not do well with the general public. I do like the simplicity of iOS full screen apps. There is a trade off in every decision one makes when designing software.

The fact the you are on this forum excludes you from the 99% of the population who are a lot less savvy when it comes to using a tablet.

How do you know that? Proof? Statistics? Where is the study? People are using it already in other tablets. Maybe more people will buy the ipad and into the ecosystem if there was a way to have multiple apps on the screen. Hell, maybe people won't jump ship.

I can't watch something and take notes on it. I can message without going out of the app I'm working on. I can't Facebook while doing anything else. I can't be on safari and taking notes at the same time. It is ridiculous.

 

[osx11]

And off the top of my head, I'd say FaceTime coupled with Notes, or Calendar. Then, while I'm talking to friends and family and we arrange something, I can write it in or jot it down without putting them on hold.

Clearly you don't actually need this because if you do, you would have tried it and realized that this already works.

 

[charlituna]

Also, surely SURELY someone must have considered the ability to view 2 apps running on the screen at the same time.

Of course they have considered it. But it's a feature that only a small minority are crying for and Apple designs for the majority.

 

[osx11]

Ah yes, well spotted. When I said put on hold I meant that you lose the camera. You're right in that it's still running and you can get audio.

Alex

It wouldn't really make much sense! Think about it:

- First of all, using FaceTime and Notes side-by-side, for example, would only work in Landscape mode. Wouldn't be enough space in vertical mode.

- Now imagine typing in the Notes app, the keyboard would pop up and would cover half your FaceTime app?

Isn't it just more convenient to be able to "hear" your conversation partner and use the full-screen Notes app with a full keyboard? This is currently possible and makes more sense in my opinion.

 

[meistervu]

How do you know that? Proof? Statistics? Where is the study? People are using it already in other tablets. Maybe more people will buy the ipad and into the ecosystem if there was a way to have multiple apps on the screen. Hell, maybe people won't jump ship.

I can't watch something and take notes on it. I can message without going out of the app I'm working on. I can't Facebook while doing anything else. I can't be on safari and taking notes at the same time. It is ridiculous.

No, I don't have any proof. I would be glad to if someone pay me enough money to do a study. We are in a discussion forum, not a board meeting.

I think the multitasking that you mentioned is suited for a larger screen or multiple screens setup. On a 13" laptop, I usually use multiple virtual screen setup and having one app per screen as I am tired of having to shuffling multiple apps on the same screen. I find it untidy.

Perhaps Apple feels the same, and I suspect most people agree. Again I have no proof, but I am never been known to be wrong

 

[osx11]

Of course they have considered it. But it's a feature that only a small minority are crying for and Apple designs for the majority.

The people who want this are not yet thinking in the Post-PC era. I'm not even sure they would really use it. I think some people just think they want it because the iPad doesn't have it. What would actually do with two apps side-by-side on an iPad?

----------

I can't watch something and take notes on it. I can message without going out of the app I'm working on. I can't Facebook while doing anything else. I can't be on safari and taking notes at the same time. It is ridiculous.

True, but why would you want to on a 7.9 - 9.7 inch screen?

It's always an easy critique to point out that iOS doesn't allow for "true multitasking." That's true, but it's a feature that's not really needed. Prove me wrong. Describe a situation where having two side-by-side apps on an iPad makes sense.

 

[kingalexthe1st]

Clearly you don't actually need this because if you do, you would have tried it and realized that this already works.

That's like saying the horse was already good at its job so there was no need for the car. I can't keep facetime running (in it's entirety, not just audio) and open up the calendar beside it. It's about making life easier when the opportunity to do so is there. Apple is known to push the boundaries of technology (which I whole-heartedly support) and 'think different', to quote. They haven't done that with the iPad OS.

Alex

 

[kingalexthe1st]

True, but why would you want to on a 7.9 - 9.7 inch screen?

Because I do. It would make things easier for me.

It's always an easy critique to point out that iOS doesn't allow for "true multitasking." That's true, but it's a feature that's not really needed. Prove me wrong. Describe a situation where having two side-by-side apps on an iPad makes sense.

I can't prove you wrong, because this is an opinion piece. I will keep referring back to my original point of Apple porting the iPhone OS to the iPad and not making the most of the iPad screen. I don't want this to be a debate of Multi-tasking vs Not because that's been said a million times. I only raised it as an example of Apple not thinking things through (along with the Siri and notifications example).

Alex

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Anytime one part of the iOS universe gets an "exclusive" feature, the next complaint is, "Why can't I use it on my other iOS devices?"

It's quite conceivable that a windowed environment could work on iPad/iPad Mini, but once Apple introduces it, there will be dissatisfaction - those who have both iPhone and iPad may prefer to use both devices in an accustomed manner. If Apple ports it to iPhone, there will be dissatisfaction among those who can't cope with it on iPhone (too small). Apple could bury it as a Setting on iPhone and iPod Touch and leave windowing as an option... No doubt there will be additional code to carry, in the OS and every app. So, how will that affect memory utilization? How does it impact simplicity of use?

It's not laziness - they've probably studied this to death over the years. It's coming up with a solution that will leave the maximum number of customers satisfied and is consistent with Apple's vision.

 

[kingalexthe1st]

Anytime one part of the iOS universe gets an "exclusive" feature, the next complaint is, "Why can't I use it on my other iOS devices?"

It's quite conceivable that a windowed environment could work on iPad/iPad Mini, but once Apple introduces it, there will be dissatisfaction - those who have both iPhone and iPad may prefer to use both devices in an accustomed manner. If Apple ports it to iPhone, there will be dissatisfaction among those who can't cope with it on iPhone (too small). Apple could bury it as a Setting on iPhone and iPod Touch and leave windowing as an option... No doubt there will be additional code to carry, in the OS and every app. So, how will that affect memory utilization? How does it impact simplicity of use?

It's not laziness - they've probably studied this to death over the years. It's coming up with a solution that will leave the maximum number of customers satisfied and is consistent with Apple's vision.

This is a great argument. Well put. Not sure what I can bring to the table against that, actually

Alex

 

[osx11]

Because I do. It would make things easier for me.



I can't prove you wrong, because this is an opinion piece. I will keep referring back to my original point of Apple porting the iPhone OS to the iPad and not making the most of the iPad screen. I don't want this to be a debate of Multi-tasking vs Not because that's been said a million times. I only raised it as an example of Apple not thinking things through (along with the Siri and notifications example).

Alex

I think a big hurdle is the virtual keyboard. If you have two apps open side-by-side and one of them requires the keyboard, it automatically blocks half of the other app. Unless you'd have a half-screen keyboard - but that could be awkward. Again, give me an example where this is useful. You say that this would make things easier for you. I even believe you but please elaborate on how this would make things easier. It sounds good in theory but when you think about the practical application, you'll see that Apple knows what they're doing.

 

[Klae17]

No, I don't have any proof. I would be glad to if someone pay me enough money to do a study. We are in a discussion forum, not a board meeting.

I think the multitasking that you mentioned is suited for a larger screen or multiple screens setup. On a 13" laptop, I usually use multiple virtual screen setup and having one app per screen as I am tired of having to shuffling multiple apps on the same screen. I find it untidy.

Perhaps Apple feels the same, and I suspect most people agree. Again I have no proof, but I am never been known to be wrong

9.7 is plenty big. They even have it on the Note!