Apple Unveils iOS 7 with Major Design Overhaul, Multitasking and Control Center

[rearfacingsave]

Aesthetically I don't see much to fault except the game center icon not being very flat.

The real question isn't the veneer though, it's how it actually works. Everything has to feel smooth and logical and intuitive in actual use. Windows Metro looks great and new versions of Android look nice as well, the issue is the subtle little tweaks and refinements in the UI. Things like the right menu opening when expected.

If Apple has nailed those details, the sky really might be the limit for them.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

In any event. The new iOS 7 makes me want to upgrade to the iPhone 5 and I have the 4S. iOS 7 was clearly made for the longer screen. Fall can't come soon enough.

 

[RCGMac]

It's not over-simplification. Have a chat with those people and see how they feel about their phones. Of course we're generalizing here, but there's no doubt in my mind that Apple offers the better, smoother user experience.

I think Android's problem is many of the low end phones skew how people feel about Android. This is the same actually with Apple now that they offer "low-end" iPhones, the previous generations. My gf had a 3GS that after about a year drove her crazy, lots of crashing, slow apps, freezing. This was because the new updates to the OS killed her phone making it unusable. A cheap low-end Android phone will give you the same maddening experience.

When you start talking about the high-end Android phones, that cost the same as an iPhone, they both are incredible pieces of technology. My gf has a Galaxy 3 and I have the Note II and we both love our phones. I know that if we would have went with a new iPhone we would be just as happy with the performance and battery life. On the high-end, the race between Android and iOS is a matter of inches. Android has some pretty awesome things with Google Now, quick settings, etc. iOS has some innovative things with apps learning usage schedules and the scrolling wallpaper. I am happy to see iOS get a refresh, it sorely needs it.

Making blanket statements about how crappy and slow Android phones isn't being honest. To compare apples to apples you need to compare both a new Android and a new iPhone. Finally on the topic of slow updates, after seeing what my gf had to deal with updates on her 3GS grinding her phone to a stop, I would rather have an operating system that still works on an "old" phone, 19 months into my 24 month contract.

 

[ric275]

I think overall it looks awesome, there are certianly things I don't like about some of the homepage icon design, but apart from that I think it looks really good..

I completely agree

 

[ric275]

Android's implementation is hardly fool-proof. The number of times something has misbehaved on my neighbor's Jellybean Galaxy Nexus and his battery has died because of failed multitasking is innumerable.

Remember when FaceTime was announced and people cried out that their phone has had a web-cam and can do X and Y for years? Really? And how many of you bother to even use it because the interface and implementation are just horrible?

That's what's going on here. Sure, other devices have had "similar" functionality, but you can bet your bum it will be done better in iOS, and it will simply "work." Just like FaceTime, which brought me and my family together where no other implementation could.

Exactly

----------

Finally some very welcome changes to iOS! Unfortunately also another slap in the face of iPad3 buyers.

Oh yes!

 

[KentuckyHouse]

Lol what it is a huge deal for anyone who uses their smartphone for anything other than a telephone. I know when I buy an iPhone I will see three full major software updates. You will also be able to get those updated the day they are launched.

On android if you get more than the os it came on you are lucky and regularly android devices are shipped and sold without even having the latest os on them.

Again for anyone who uses their smartphone as a computer it is a massive deal and a huge disadvantage for android. For people who get two free cheap android devices at the wireless store and know nothing about what they are buying they will not likely care as much.

People who buy the iPhone 5s when it comes out will have ios7 on it. They also will be sure to get both ios8 and ios9 upgrades as well.

The next big android phone to come out may not even have the latest os and there is zero chance of it bring upgraded to gummi bear and Oreo the day those oses are launched if ever.

Again...

WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO YOU?

Why do you care what other people are getting or not getting? You seem like a knowledgeable fellow, so you're going to know what you're buying and what updates you may or may not get.

If you're getting what YOU need, why does it matter if someone else isn't? Or whether anyone else will get updates or is running an older OS?

How SPECIFICALLY does their phone affect YOU?

 

[sixstrings03]

If you read the posted article's comments you'll quickly understand that the Android users who post on android fan sites are not the sharpest tools in the shed.

I guess I don't understand the rivalry... who effing cares what other people's phones have or what works for them? If you like Apple, then buy their products/stock. If you don't.... don't.

I used a Blackberry until the 4s came out and loved it... I didn't hate on Apple users before then, I just switched when the incremental benefits over a physical keyboard were compelling enough for me to switch.

To be honest, I think Apple and Android "fans" are just hipsters. Nowhere else is there more of a "I was into [Apple/Android] before it was popular" attitude. It's pretty obnoxious and indicates smallish genitalia.

 

[ARandomFellow]

It seems like all they've added in iOS7 is kind of a recent apps panel, the way it has been in Android for a while now (and the way it was done for JB iDevices). Except that Android does do true multitasking.

But they are skirting the question of TRUE MULTITASKING, which still doesn't seem to be available in iOS 7.

If someone has contrary information, please chime in. I'd be happy to be wrong on this one.

Also, what happened to the rumors of permitting 3rd party keyboards? Most people who have used the popular keyboard options available in Android seem to hate the iOS keyboard (which is basically the same as six years ago, except with some very limited and very poor prediction).

You say TRUE MULTITASKING as if anyone cares? There was enough multitasking in the previous versions of IOS and now there is more multitasking. Note how no one ever says "OMG, iPhones suck because there's no app that does this absolutely imperative thing because it's impossible without TRUE MULTITASKING!" No. They don't say that because no one cares. It does what it needs to do. If there is a crazy useful utterly essential thing that TRUE MULTITASKING would make possible that IOS's current multitasking capabilities do not allow, I have never once seen one of you TRUE MULTITASKING nutjobs mention it. I only ever see you all say "blah blah blah blah... it still lacks TRUE MULTITASKING!" as if that's important. So all troll feeding aside, what actual, useful function would this true multitasking that IOS lacks enable that you cannot live without and which is not possible currently in IOS? Keep in mind, we all know what multitasking is, so we don't need an explanation of that... just.. what real world use are we poor, under-served Apple fanboys missing that can only be done on some other smart phone that has true multitasking? I really am curious about this. I see it spewed in practically every discussion where someone comes to troll the Apple forums, but always without any actual evidence that we are missing anything. Please be the first one to buck the trend and explain why I should care.

 

[zanderpants930]

I see iOS 7 is becoming more like Android. Nice!

Maybe closer to Gingerbread since it still lacks the features of Jellybean, but its a start...

 

[WilliamG]

I think Android's problem is many of the low end phones skew how people feel about Android. This is the same actually with Apple now that they offer "low-end" iPhones, the previous generations. My gf had a 3GS that after about a year drove her crazy, lots of crashing, slow apps, freezing. This was because the new updates to the OS killed her phone making it unusable. A cheap low-end Android phone will give you the same maddening experience.

When you start talking about the high-end Android phones, that cost the same as an iPhone, they both are incredible pieces of technology. My gf has a Galaxy 3 and I have the Note II and we both love our phones. I know that if we would have went with a new iPhone we would be just as happy with the performance and battery life. On the high-end, the race between Android and iOS is a matter of inches. Android has some pretty awesome things with Google Now, quick settings, etc. iOS has some innovative things with apps learning usage schedules and the scrolling wallpaper. I am happy to see iOS get a refresh, it sorely needs it.

Making blanket statements about how crappy and slow Android phones isn't being honest. To compare apples to apples you need to compare both a new Android and a new iPhone. Finally on the topic of slow updates, after seeing what my gf had to deal with updates on her 3GS grinding her phone to a stop, I would rather have an operating system that still works on an "old" phone, 19 months into my 24 month contract.

Even the HTC One isn't as smooth a UI as the iPhone 5/iOS. That's a fair comparison, despite the HTC One being a lot more powerful (on paper) and newer. And yes, I've extensively used the HTC One. I even made a thread about how it almost made me want to switch...

 

[kdarling]

For the life of me I don't know why android users put up with it.

That's because major OS updates are nowhere near as necessary on Android as they are on iOS, so it's not as big a deal as you seem to think.

Android users didn't have to wait years for multitasking, settings, wallpapers that move, or updates to all their core apps.

These things were either already there, or come by themselves whenever they're ready, or you can add them. For example, they get constant updates to Maps, Navigation, etc. They can change their homescreen any time or add custom notifications, swipe gestures, voice assistant... you name it.

Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to see an "iOS 7" themed launcher come out, just for fun.

 

[samcraig]

He knows all this already. It's been explained to him several times in several threads. Although I do appreciate you re-iterating it again. Ultimately - I'm not sure why it "pains" him so much that others choose to use something he doesn't want to use as if it's an afront to him personally.

There is no better OS than the OS that works best for you. Everything else is just noise.

That's because major OS updates are nowhere near as necessary on Android as they are on iOS, so it's not as big a deal as you seem to think.

Android users didn't have to wait six years for multitasking, settings, wallpapers that move, or updates to all their core apps.

These things were either already there, or come by themselves whenever they're ready, or you can add them. For example, they get constant updates to Maps, Navigation, etc. They can change their homescreen any time or add custom notifications, swipe gestures, voice assistant... you name it.

Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if we see an "iOS 7" themed launcher come out, just for fun.

 

[danahn17]

Lol what it is a huge deal for anyone who uses their smartphone for anything other than a telephone. I know when I buy an iPhone I will see three full major software updates. You will also be able to get those updated the day they are launched.

On android if you get more than the os it came on you are lucky and regularly android devices are shipped and sold without even having the latest os on them.

I'm not sure I buy that. I'd bet that all flagship models of Android phones will have the newest Android OS when shipped and sold...the lower models, probably not.

At any rate, if you think about it, Android phones not updating their OS quickly isn't much different than how Apple cripples/leaves out key feature on its older phones running its newest iOS. There's usually one or two new cool features on the new Android OS that those on older phones can't use... but the rest of the phone and its multimedia capability is still pretty much the same. Even without the newest OS, your phone will "just work" fine. *shrugs*

If it bothers you that much that you don't have the newest OS on an Android, you can always root the phone and install whatever OS you want. But of course, depending on how old the phone is, it may or may not be a good idea (much like how the 3GS struggles a lot after the iOS6 upgrade).

 

[chances14]

And btw iOS has one serious deficiency that Android does not. There is only one version of every app in the App Store, so if you don't upgrade, you gradually lose your apps as they require ever-newer versions of iOS. I have an iphone 3G, I bought the Sims 3 for it, and now I can't reinstall it. Eventually the iphone 3G will not be able to run anything. By contrast Android 2 phones can still run nearly any app. This is by design of course, Apple wants you to buy the latest and doesn't want you running older hardware at all. From a user standpoint, tho, it stinks.

it depends on the type of apps you use.

for most games that require an online connection to run, you usually have to have the most updated version to play. but for singe player games that don't require an online connection, most of those you can use forever until your device dies.

i have a 2nd gen ipod that i still use and my game apps like solitare, hearts, majhong, spider solitare, sudoku all still work just fine.

i can also still use all of my news apps, local and national, even though that requires an internet connection to fetch new data. Weather channel app still works as well

but you can pretty much forget about trying to download any new apps though

 

[samcraig]

I'll add (I've said it before) that I don't buy a phone (iphone or other) based on what it might do in the future. I buy it based on what it can do for me today. Everything else is gravy. Is it nice to have a phone that gets new features - sure. But I'm still waiting for iOS to get some features I'd want and they haven't come yet. But that doesn't stop me from buying the phone (and also an Android phone I own) because again - I buy what it CAN do for me - not for what it MIGHT do for me "someday"

I'm not sure I buy that. I'd bet that all flagship models of Android phones will have the newest Android OS when shipped and sold...the lower models, probably not.

At any rate, if you think about it, Android phones not updating their OS quickly isn't much different than how Apple cripples/leaves out key feature on its older phones running its newest iOS. There's usually one or two new cool features on the new Android OS that those on older phones can't use... but the rest of the phone and its multimedia capability is still pretty much the same. Even without the newest OS, your phone will "just work." *shrugs*

If it bothers you that much that you don't have the newest OS on an Android, you can always root the phone and install whatever OS you want. But of course, depending on how old the phone is, it may or may not be a good idea (much like how the 3GS struggles a lot after the iOS6 upgrade).

 

[jrswizzle]

That's because major OS updates are nowhere near as necessary on Android as they are on iOS, so it's not as big a deal as you seem to think.

Android users didn't have to wait years for multitasking, settings, wallpapers that move, or updates to all their core apps.

These things were either already there, or come by themselves whenever they're ready, or you can add them. For example, they get constant updates to Maps, Navigation, etc. They can change their homescreen any time or add custom notifications, swipe gestures, voice assistant... you name it.

Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to see an "iOS 7" themed launcher come out, just for fun.

But see, many of us weren't "waiting" for anything. The iPhone and iOS ecosystem has done everything I needed and more since I've used it. Are these new features nice? Sure they are! But quit confusing Apple's Control Center with Android Power Toggles - they aren't the same, whether you prefer one more or not.

Ultimately, there are a finite number of features with a finite number of implementations. As far as individual features go, both platforms will continue to implement similar things based on their own philosophies and OS (hence why Android introduced Play Games this year, something iOS has had and alarms and reminders through Google Now, something Siri has had and Project Butter refinement to gain the smoothness that iOS has had......it happens both ways).

It's not about each feature. I find it hilarious that even after all of Apple's marketing videos this keynote you still try to paint them the same as Android. Google and Android are all about features and their long laundry list of "firsts" (even though I contend there really aren't many firsts anymore). Apple is concerned with "feel" and the ecosystem and the phone/OS as a combination and as a whole. They don't worry about a list of features making sure things get checked off a list.

There's an experience Apple wants to provide, so they implement in typical Apple fashion whatever features and design changes need to happen to meet that experience.

Different philosophies, different companies, different choices catering to different consumers.

This is a good thing, and definitely nothing to be fighting over.

 

[crossifixio]

Definitely looks like yahoo weather app. I wonder if they knew something...

I have been using Yahoo weather and it is very similar!

People are going to love it. People are also going to hate it. This should be interesting.

Having used it for a half a day my initial impression is that that I hate the way it looks but love the way it works!

I do see their version of SBsettings.

Yes something I personally wanted for ages!

It looks like it's meant for an 8 year old....

It looks cheap. Its like replacing a Cartier with Casio!

Those icons look taken straight from some Cydia theme. Yuck.

Indeed. They look terrible! Gamecentre, Camera, photos all look *****!

Looks like we've gone android

Yes it does look like that!

 

[chaschl]

Where's the passion?

Apple seems to be going the way of the trend rather than leading the market and setting the trend. Where's that small company feel from this tech giant? Did apple lose their passion when Jobs left the building? I hope I'm missing something here.

 

[jrswizzle]

It seems like all they've added in iOS7 is kind of a recent apps panel, the way it has been in Android for a while now (and the way it was done for JB iDevices). Except that Android does do true multitasking.

But they are skirting the question of TRUE MULTITASKING, which still doesn't seem to be available in iOS 7.

If someone has contrary information, please chime in. I'd be happy to be wrong on this one.

Also, what happened to the rumors of permitting 3rd party keyboards? Most people who have used the popular keyboard options available in Android seem to hate the iOS keyboard (which is basically the same as six years ago, except with some very limited and very poor prediction).

I still have yet to get a solid, legitimate answer to this question from one of you Android nutjobs....

What is TRUE multitasking?

But before you answer that, how about going and watching the keynote and reading about how multitasking in iOS 7 has evolved.

Then you can come back, answer my question and let me know how iOS 7 does/doesn't meet that criteria.

 

[chadley_chad]

Wow, even more reason to buy an Android or Windows device ... So much for design, copying more like!!!

 

[ceva321]

What do you expect? Apple is playing catch up

 

[chadley_chad]

I still have yet to get a solid, legitimate answer to this question from one of you Android nutjobs....

What is TRUE multitasking?

But before you answer that, how about going and watching the keynote and reading about how multitasking in iOS 7 has evolved.

Then you can come back, answer my question and let me know how iOS 7 does/doesn't meet that criteria.

The galaxy S4 and Note 2 both feature multi-tasking ... i.e. the ability to have 2 program's running on the screen at the same time (movable in sizeable windows). There's your answer!!!

 

[samcraig]

Valid to a point.

Project Butter wasn't in response to iOS. It was to make the experience on Android better. Because they found a way to give Android a "lift."

And that - there - contradicts your later statement that Google/Android doesn't care about "feel"

And Google definitely cares about their ecosystem.

You had it right in the general sense. Two different companies who are in a constant state of trying to improve their OSes. That comes through "innovation" (notice the quotes), updates, borrowing, expanding, etc.

The comparisons should really stop (I know they won't) because ultimately - if you're using the OS you want - that's all that should matter. What your neighbor uses is his choice. Neither "one" should be putting the other down for their choice or implying theirs is better. Purely subjective.

But see, many of us weren't "waiting" for anything. The iPhone and iOS ecosystem has done everything I needed and more since I've used it. Are these new features nice? Sure they are! But quit confusing Apple's Control Center with Android Power Toggles - they aren't the same, whether you prefer one more or not.

Ultimately, there are a finite number of features with a finite number of implementations. As far as individual features go, both platforms will continue to implement similar things based on their own philosophies and OS (hence why Android introduced Play Games this year, something iOS has had and alarms and reminders through Google Now, something Siri has had and Project Butter refinement to gain the smoothness that iOS has had......it happens both ways).

It's not about each feature. I find it hilarious that even after all of Apple's marketing videos this keynote you still try to paint them the same as Android. Google and Android are all about features and their long laundry list of "firsts" (even though I contend there really aren't many firsts anymore). Apple is concerned with "feel" and the ecosystem and the phone/OS as a combination and as a whole. They don't worry about a list of features making sure things get checked off a list.

There's an experience Apple wants to provide, so they implement in typical Apple fashion whatever features and design changes need to happen to meet that experience.

Different philosophies, different companies, different choices catering to different consumers.

This is a good thing, and definitely nothing to be fighting over.

 

[jrswizzle]

Having used it for a half a day my initial impression is that that I hate the way it looks but love the way it works!

Aside from the icons (which may yet be changed) have you tried switching your wallpapers up and experimenting with different colored ones?

It seems to me the "theming" in iOS 7 is incredibly dynamic and very much depends on the wallpaper you are using. Say you use a dark or even black wallpaper - your translucent menus begin to look darker gray and the type face changes to white.

I don't have iOS 7 - gotta wait for the unwashed masses release, but it seems like there is a lot to it that people are either ignoring or are posting about without actually diving in.

And let's not forget, this is a Beta 1 release......still have (by best assumptions) 3-4 months before the final release. A lot can change in that time.

 

[bridgettwhite]

i can't wait for the final version to be released along side of the new iPhone. I might be in the minority (i guess) but I love the new look/design. I do agree though that it does look like it was designed to work on a white iPhone and might need a slightly "darker" UI for black iPhones.