Are they ever gonna do a normal file system?

[joejoejoe]

Apple is a dictatorship. Proprietary ways have assured they have a captive user base.

Conversely Android is a breath of fresh air. One is able to do as they wish, creating exactly the right smartphone functionality for their workflow. While the platform had the normal bugs, annoyances et al during its early years, now with the arrival of Android ver 4.x.x it's mature, fast, fun, and very reliable.

An experience that easily equals that of iOS.

Even the mere act of swiping through photos feels more natural on iOS than it does on Android.

Android gives you options and customizability, sure. iPhone gives you polish, and strives for transparency between the user and the content they're trying to reach. Two different flavors for different types of people.

 

[SakuraSuki]

Dictatorship?? Who's forcing you to use it?

Android is a breath of fresh air?? If fresh air smells like a pig farm... Might mean well, doesnt mean it's good.

Android's garbage for people who want simplicity like what my parents are aiming for.

WoW...the Android hate..Android is not any harder than iOS. Android is much more close to the way we operating desktop OS like OS X and Windows. So people uses Windows can pick up Android very quickly.

 

[Tyler23]

WoW...the Android hate..Android is not any harder than iOS. Android is much more close to the way we operating desktop OS like OS X and Windows. So people uses Windows can pick up Android very quickly.

That's great, people are free to use Android if they want.

This is how iOS has always been, and it's very obvious they want it this way.

 

[SakuraSuki]

What kind of file would you need to just copy over to an iPhone? Quicken file? What would you open it with? Don't think I'm being a jerk or something, but I am curious. I used to sync my Personal Folder (with documents I use very often) to my Palm Trēo. I did that for 2 years and never had to access those files.

I've never had to sync multiple accounts but I can imagine it would get cumbersome. I wonder if iTunes Match would help? Contacts, Mail, Calendar, Reminders, and Notes are all stored in the cloud. Movies you can just download. iTunes Match would make sure all your music is in the cloud and you can just download what you need on each phone. Maybe I'm missing something since I've never done this.

And Photos lets you create Albums on your phone and add pictures to them. Would this not work out for you? Personally I love having iPhoto organize all my photos. I will admit since I went to iPhone they've gotten somewhat unorganized since if it's just random pictures I just let it sync instead of putting it in an event or something but that's my fault. If I had to deal with folders they'd all be dumped into one folder.

Have you ever came across anything you wanted to download from internet but you cannot download because there is no file app or Safari only open certain types of file?

I said over and over again on my other post, not everyone is willing to pay for iTunes Match and be able to drag and drop to your musics to music app is much more quicker than sync through iTunes

People downloading movies on their computers too. Whether from legal way or illegal way, people want the ability to transfer movie quickly to their phone or iPad.

Whether you need file app or not, there are people wants this feature. Even if you againesr file manager, there at least should be a central location for all your downloaded content, so that people can quickly open the file.

----------

That's great, people are free to use Android if they want.

This is how iOS has always been, and it's very obvious they want it this way.

It isn't necessarily iOS users want it this way, it is more like Apple wants this way.

There have been numerously users calling for some type of file manger over past few years and I don't think adding such feature will cause great harm to iOS.

 

[haydn!]

I think some simple way of accessing files created in apps, docs, spreadsheets, keynotes etc would be great.

It wouldn't need to be any more complex than the old photos app. It just needs a listing, quick search, quick launch opening in the default app for the document type, and a share function so they can be shared by email, iMessage or Airdrop etc.

If they're serious about enterprise, it will become essential sooner or later.

 

[Overg]

I'm so sick and tired of iTunes, it's so moronic not to be able to simply copy a file to an iPhone or from an iPhone. The whole syncing thing is so broken and never gets better. Try to sync 2 or 3 devices on one Apple id and 2 or 3 iCloud accounts, what a mess... Incredible why such a powerful device is so limited by the stupid iTunes based system. Simply incredible...
Why can't I create folders and organize files or even photos the way I want?

I agree with every pixel you wrote

 

[s2mikey]

more like "it's not a computer"

which is rather true. For the majority of users they don't need to be able to dig in, make folders etc. And that is Apple's audience.

now that said I do see a logic in changing up the system a bit. it's annoying to have to have 4 copies of a file because it has to live in every applicable apps bucket of data. Particularly annoying when it's something like an image or a PDF. why can't there be a common bucket of data that is then visible to all apps that can open it etc. That might even get rid of the need to save things to itunes for file sharing. it's already there. even if we can't touch it directly.

Well - I wouldnt say its not a computer so fast. Apple would certainly be fine with tablets over taking the PC market. If that was the case, they would almost have to do something that resembled a file system.

I personally dont see what the big deal is to having a basic, limited functionality file system available. Even if it only let you copy and move files around. They could easily block certain important files or whatever. No editing, just some file management stuff built into the OS.

All that cloud stuff is great and everything but sometimes it realy IS easier and more practical to just do it within the system. Like, when there is NO wifi or whatever

I doubt they'll do it though. Its not just to remain proprietary either, its all a part of the walled-garden that is both wonderful and sometimes frustrating at the same time. But, its not as if people dont know this gong into it so if it really bugs people....dont get an iDevice, I guess.

 

[Smith288]

WoW...the Android hate..Android is not any harder than iOS. Android is much more close to the way we operating desktop OS like OS X and Windows. So people uses Windows can pick up Android very quickly.

Read it again. My parents don't want the complexity android has. It's a phone. It doesn't need to act like a mini laptop. They want ease of use.

You may like that, and by all means, use android but apples focus isn't you. It's a numbers game and the numbers want simplicity.

 

[RedCoil]

I think some simple way of accessing files created in apps, docs, spreadsheets, keynotes etc would be great.

It wouldn't need to be any more complex than the old photos app. It just needs a listing, quick search, quick launch opening in the default app for the document type, and a share function so they can be shared by email, iMessage or Airdrop etc.

If they're serious about enterprise, it will become essential sooner or later.

Seems to me that the simplest solution would be to "de-sandbox" iCloud. Let it act as a common pool of files that are just tabbed/sorted by type. Better yet, instead of all the social media integrations, add Dropbox integration into the next iOS.

A simple, work-around free means to move files around or add them to emails, Evernote, Keynotes and such doesn't seem like too much to ask.

 

[SakuraSuki]

Read it again. My parents don't want the complexity android has. It's a phone. It doesn't need to act like a mini laptop. They want ease of use.

You may like that, and by all means, use android but apples focus isn't you. It's a numbers game and the numbers want simplicity.

My parent is exactly opposite. They are looking for the device that really similar with desktop OS experience, because they don't have to learn the new OS. I still remember my father asking me that why he cannot download mp3 files, why he cannot transfer word document to his iPad.

Like I said, iOS isn't just about iPhone. You can argue phone need not be complicate, but this argument does not hold on iPad, unless you just want he blown up iPhone.

 

[matttye]

They should definitely add some kind of file repository and a standard method of sharing files between apps.

At the moment even Apples own apps are inconsistent. You can send multiple photos in a single email but only one pages document.

If I receive a file in an email, eg a PDF, I might want to save it to look at it later, but by default I can't do that. Why should I have to download a third party app just to save a file that the iPhone is capable of viewing natively?

They don't need to add a full blown file system, just an app that you can save files in and apps can access if given permission, like someone suggested earlier. The app doesn't even need to support folders if it has a decent search feature.

 

[Zcott]

Worth remembering that in 15 years time, the kids who had iPads since aged 5 will have no idea what a file system is, and the whole idea of it will sound pretty outrageous. Why not just open Pages and have all your Pages documents there?

 

[SakuraSuki]

Worth remembering that in 15 years time, the kids who had iPads since aged 5 will have no idea what a file system is, and the whole idea of it will sound pretty outrageous. Why not just open Pages and have all your Pages documents there?

Unless you eliminate all other OS or keep him only use iPad, then he probably will encounter file system or some type of file manager,

----------

They should definitely add some kind of file repository and a standard method of sharing files between apps.

At the moment even Apples own apps are inconsistent. You can send multiple photos in a single email but only one pages document.

If I receive a file in an email, eg a PDF, I might want to save it to look at it later, but by default I can't do that. Why should I have to download a third party app just to save a file that the iPhone is capable of viewing natively?

They don't need to add a full blown file system, just an app that you can save files in and apps can access if given permission, like someone suggested earlier. The app doesn't even need to support folders if it has a decent search feature.

Agreed. I however, would like folders. Folders is a good way to organize your files. I always annoyed when I have to save my files to some third party application, then I have figure out which app I saved to.

 

[matttye]

Worth remembering that in 15 years time, the kids who had iPads since aged 5 will have no idea what a file system is, and the whole idea of it will sound pretty outrageous. Why not just open Pages and have all your Pages documents there?

That's fine for your specific example.

But what if the user doesn't have pages? Should the person have to buy pages just to save a document he receives in an email?

The iPhone can view many document types natively, yet there's no way of saving these files into the OS itself. You need an app that they can be saved into.

 

[Zcott]

That's fine for your specific example.

But what if the user doesn't have pages? Should the person have to buy pages just to save a document he receives in an email?

Any sort of word processing app should handle multiple formats. And anyway, they're giving away Pages for free now.

The iPhone can view many document types natively, yet there's no way of saving these files into the OS itself. You need an app that they can be saved into.

Yep, and that's how it is at the moment too on a desktop. Why save a .psd file if you don't have Photoshop?

 

[j4zb4]

As far as loading music goes...

Yes you have to use iTunes, but assuming your music is in there, check "Manually manage.." With your iPhone plugged in, and there you go, drag and drop of music to your heart's content. It even works over wifi. Works for movies too. Sure, you use the iTunes interface, but it's the same concept.

As for documents that require 2-way sync, apps that tie into Dropbox work really well.

It's amazing how so few people know about the manually manage option...

 

[matttye]

Any sort of word processing app should handle multiple formats. And anyway, they're giving away Pages for free now.



Yep, and that's how it is at the moment too on a desktop. Why save a .psd file if you don't have Photoshop?

You're missing my point. Windows doesn't do anything with a .psd file when Photoshop isn't installed.

However, the iPhone can view PDF files, lots of office-type documents, etc., yet it has no way of saving or storing them. Someone might just want to VIEW the document and such functionality is baked into the OS already.

Clearly if someone needed to edit such documents they would buy Pages/Numbers/whatever app.

 

[SakuraSuki]

Any sort of word processing app should handle multiple formats. And anyway, they're giving away Pages for free now.



Yep, and that's how it is at the moment too on a desktop. Why save a .psd file if you don't have Photoshop?

You can save .psd and view the content I believe, you just cannot edit it. iOS can view document natively, so why would user need install third party application just to save the the document?

Even if you don't have .psd and your OS cannot view .psd, you can still save it. Then open it with appropriate application.

----------

It's amazing how so few people know about the manually manage option...

Still require iTunes. Old MP3 player or Android, you can just drag and drop without any software. That is true drag and drop

 

[Jimmy James]

Steve Jobs didn't want users to manage or worry about a file system. Let the app do the saving and managing of files. Try Dropbox. That's what I use for pics and docs and such.

Instead, I spend a lot more time managing my apps. I'd take the file system.

 

[Nevaborn]

Mywork requires a shed load of document, especially Word and Excell. All I want is Apple to do like I said on previous page is an iFolder.

A file system where I cqn store all these documents, view and edit them with Pages / Numbers and then save them back there for syncing and backup. Of transfer via all the usual routes including Dropbox, Email and Airdrop.

Its not hard.

For years now if someone sends you a document Ive nowhere to put it on my phone unless I buy or download a free file storage app. They arent good and are a pain to manage. Apple could do a very simple folder system that would solve many issues.

A properly designed adaptor for a usb stick would be great too that you could view through in your documenta folder and transfer files between the phone and stick.

I know these things arent bery Apple and cloud will be the future someday, but as of now it seems like an important bit of functionality thats missing.

Not to mention with Apples talent for software design it will destroy Windows stale old file design and encourage even more business users over to Apple.

iFolder or iDocuments for iWorks.

----------

Steve Jobs didn't want users to manage or worry about a file system. Let the app do the saving and managing of files. Try Dropbox. That's what I use for pics and docs and such.

Fine if only a couple of photos but if you have a sizeable number of documents then dragging them around 3rd party apps is just cumbersome.

New Apple is actually more likely to do this as they are now goin for a more unified design where you dont have to waste time going through different apps and eindows just to find something.

 

[joejoejoe]

My parent is exactly opposite. They are looking for the device that really similar with desktop OS experience, because they don't have to learn the new OS. I still remember my father asking me that why he cannot download mp3 files, why he cannot transfer word document to his iPad.

Like I said, iOS isn't just about iPhone. You can argue phone need not be complicate, but this argument does not hold on iPad, unless you just want he blown up iPhone.

If your parents want an OS experience similar to a desktop OS, they should get a windows phone from the early 2000s. The iPhone was built to be the antithesis of the desktop experience. The whole reason the phone exists is to be anti desktop computing.

 

[SakuraSuki]

If your parents want an OS experience similar to a desktop OS, they should get a windows phone from the early 2000s. The iPhone was built to be the antithesis of the desktop experience. The whole reason the phone exists is to be anti desktop computing.

they do not need Windows Phone before 2000s. Everything beside iOS have basic file manager. Even BlackBerry OS 7 where I can simply download something and the files go to a centerlozed location.

seriously, I could not understand why anyone go against idea of file manager, it makes your life so much easier.

----------

Even the mere act of swiping through photos feels more natural on iOS than it does on Android.

Android gives you options and customizability, sure. iPhone gives you polish, and strives for transparency between the user and the content they're trying to reach. Two different flavors for different types of people.

care to explain how: act of swiping through photo feels more natural on iOS than it doss on Android? I feel exact differnet way. Android gives you nice big preview of your pictures and categorize all your picture by different sources. Swpping through picture on my Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 feel smooth and natural

 

[pdqgp]

seriously, I could not understand why anyone go against idea of file manager, it makes your life so much easier.

I agree. I use GoodReader on my iPad. Box and Skydrive both my iPad and phone too.

 

[Nevaborn]

I agree. I use GoodReader on my iPad. Box and Skydrive both my iPad and phone too.

We shouldnt need all this to store, view and edit documents. Just a simple file system.

Left > right in a drop down line format

Badge: showing type of document
File Name: ... Its the file name
File Format: shows if Word, Pages, JPEG, PDF etc...

Its not hard and very very easy to do. Essentially having a usb memory stick built in to the phone. That can be opened into the iWork apps.

The big need from it is for websites that allow uploading or browsing for an upload recognise this. Too many times I have wanted to upload to a forum and I cant as not on a PC.

This can literally be the simplest thing in iOS and it will just work. Which has to be Apples motto. It just works. Simple, fast and unobtrusive.

 

[Abazigal]

I was watching the Xiaomi phone keynote, and the introduction of a service called micloud. In a fundamental level, it looks like an amalgamation of google sync, shared photo stream and Dropbox.

I think that's what apple originally wanted to acquire Dropbox for. Something like google drive for the sharing of files.

That said, I have rarely ever felt the need for a file system. Most of the time, the app's innate sharing features more than suffice.