Wow, I didn't think I would ever need a calculator widget, but you've just given me a very compelling, yet very sad, use case for one.
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Apple Disallows Previously Approved Calculator Widgets for iOS 8 Notification Center
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Wow, I didn't think I would ever need a calculator widget, but you've just given me a very compelling, yet very sad, use case for one.
I think so too. I just don't understand why they didn't clearly say that. "We're protecting your data" is a lot better than the presumed "We're annoying and hate math".
A calculator doesn't really fall in the category "Notification Widget", does it? Maybe if the value of π changes, they can send you a notification.
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On the other hand, maybe there should be some place for "useful stuff" like that.
autrefois
macrumors 65816
I was editing my post as you posted to add a question — maybe you or someone else could address this:
What would be an example of a Widget that they should allow, then?
I honestly am not seeing the logic here. Are people saying there should only be non-interactive Widgets? Only widgets that present information? That you have to have a full-fledged app that you click on and go to that includes features not found in the widget?
Is there some technical reason why there shouldn't be a calculator widget (it slows it down, hogs too many resources, security concerns as some have suggested, etc.)?
MR's article mentions that Apple even touted PCalc in its own "Extend Your Apps" section on the App Store, so apparently whatever the reasoning is, it escaped Apple initially as well.
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Oh here we go again with the usuals that can't wait for a negative article about Apple to hit MR. Some of the people here are just laughable with their comments as if they are really "mad" at Apple over some calculator widget. Gimme a break. 
Well just like that I'm done. iOS 8 brought a much needed freshness and usefulness to the iOS that had been missing for quite some time which led me to look into other OS's like Android and Windows phone. iOS 8 convinced me to stay with this platform but this decision has ultimately reminded me how iOS got to the point of stagnating in usefulness and utility in the first place - which is boneheaded shortsighted thinking like this. Apple has lost a long time customer over 10 years. I'm sure I won't be missed, they have plenty of money... but good riddance nonetheless.
I think you completely missed my point. Apple only allows you to stack them all in the notification center, leaving your home screen a mess of folders, apps, or both. What I want is the ability to put widgets on my homescreen, where they make sense for ME. If you want to play games in your notification center or use a calculator, leave that ability too, more power to you. For ME, PERSONALLY, they are 100% pointless as-is. Why do I want to go to "today" to see some news or whatever when I could just as easily add the same widget to my homescreen? On my Android phone I could instantly see all my appointments, weather and time, news, etc. without having to pull down the notification center, and perhaps click today, if it was already on the notification center and not "today." I had a home screen for news, productivity, etc. Worked great. Often unused but still necessary app icons were hidden in the drawer. Notification shade was just that. Notifications. Very organized. Why Apple is being a bastard about these things I don't know.
Sighjust when we started to think that the new Apple was going to be less restrictive.
What they actually need to do is set some guidelines on design for widgets. It's a mess all over the place with random margins and inconsistent appearance. I know not every widget should look the same but at least line things up properly with consistent typefaces and standardized point sizes, such as heading 1, heading 2, body copy, etc. As a designer all I see is a cluster.
What they actually need to do is set some guidelines on design for widgets. It's a mess all over the place with random margins and inconsistent appearance. I know not every widget should look the same but at least line things up properly with consistent typefaces and standardized point sizes, such as heading 1, heading 2, body copy, etc. As a designer all I see is a cluster.
That would be terrible.
And by "line" I mean "line down the middle."
Yes, you could say "nothing" and "everything" are lines, I guess, but I think that's an overly technical interpretation. By line I mean "some things are ok and some not." You know, a split.
So we both seem to agree that a 50/50 solution is not good, but as to which way the needle should point I disagree with you and think they should all be banned.
You're right, and that's why Android is very un-iOS-like.
I'd prefer to keep Android as Android and iPhones as iPhones which is why I don't want floating apps on my iPhone.
"Featured" is based on rank, right? If so, that hardly constitutes a promotion if it's computer-generated.
autrefois
macrumors 65816
Thank you for explaining. It seems like yours and Small White Car's opinions are different about this, sorry for misunderstanding. Not having used Android I can't speak to which I would prefer.
They could have Today / Notifications / Widgets (instead of just Today / Notifications) to have a dedicated place just for these things. Not the same as having it right there on the home screen, but maybe better for those who don't want other unrelated stuff in the same place as notifications. To me coming from iOS I personally welcome the changes Apple made for this in iOS 8, assuming they continue to let people put things in there if they choose. I guess it comes down again to Apple not allowing as much customization, which can be frustrating at times.
No problem. I always enjoy discussion. I've used both iOS and Android. I actually used to hate Android until I used it for around a year. Now I'm struggling to comprehend some things in iOS. Having a Widgets button, like you mentioned, would at least make it more organized if they want to keep their current approach of no home screen widgets. As-is all I see is a mess. Having my schedule under "today" is very useful. I don't need news, calculators, etc. all stuffed in there as well, no matter if you can group them at the bottom or top or whatever.
Why did they approve the app in the first place if it so blatantly goes against their rules? That's total BS. It's not like the developer was being deceptive. The widget was clearly mentioned in the description of the app.
I know, it's their store and they can do what they want; but PCalc would've made for a great commercial showing the cool things that can be done with iOS 8. Too bad Apple ***** all over that opportunity.
I know, it's their store and they can do what they want; but PCalc would've made for a great commercial showing the cool things that can be done with iOS 8. Too bad Apple ***** all over that opportunity.
I'm have mixed feelings about this. On one hand it's just a calculator and it could be really handy. On the other hand I think I see where Apple is going with this, they don't want widgets to be really big and unwieldy, too resource intensive or cluttered and ugly.
I think a calculator is fine, but it does start to open the door for widgets that aren't primarily minimalist data output.
I think a calculator is fine, but it does start to open the door for widgets that aren't primarily minimalist data output.
I would agree however it is featured under notification center widgets. Why would you allow it under that section if you are removing the widget?
Kind of disappointing to see this. They really should go after all the apps that have added widgets for the sake of just adding widgets. I've downloaded a few apps that have widgets and they really blow and feel like the app developer just whipped something up just to say "hey, we have a widget too".
Eventually Apple will probably come around and let the user do what they want if recent trends continue. If someone wants their Notification Center to be two miles long with widgets, that should be their choice.
The widgets aren't turned on by default just because the app that supports the widget is installed. The user has to intentionally scroll down to "Edit" in NC and add the widget.
Also: even if Apple makes this right for users (and for this developer's absurd experience)--and I predict they WILL eventually make this right--they are still hurting the PLATFORM. And that hurts users and developers and Apple alike.
Because in the early years these problems were common, and now every time it happens it reminds developers of those growing pains. It makes developers afraid all over again of an unpredictable App Store rejection. It makes them think twice about making an app, or adding a feature. Not good.
Apple needs to fight that developer fear, not fan it. It's not that Apple has to "get every little approval detail right the first time." It's that they need their mistakes to not cause needless fear and frustration. In this case, maybe that means "we know this policy could be a problem; here's why we have it, but we're looking into fixing the situation ASAP." Comforting communication--followed, of course, by real action (which is the part they've generally gotten right in the past anyway--in time).
Because in the early years these problems were common, and now every time it happens it reminds developers of those growing pains. It makes developers afraid all over again of an unpredictable App Store rejection. It makes them think twice about making an app, or adding a feature. Not good.
Apple needs to fight that developer fear, not fan it. It's not that Apple has to "get every little approval detail right the first time." It's that they need their mistakes to not cause needless fear and frustration. In this case, maybe that means "we know this policy could be a problem; here's why we have it, but we're looking into fixing the situation ASAP." Comforting communication--followed, of course, by real action (which is the part they've generally gotten right in the past anyway--in time).
I agree. I don't see the calculator as a widget. It is (for the time being) an app in the notifications widget area.
I also agree with others who have said, that Apple needs to be more concise in regards to widget guidelines. I think it would save a lot of needless drama.