Are they ever gonna do a normal file system?

[SakuraSuki]

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.

If I wish to share an image from a website to Instagram in Safari, I need first save it to Photo, open Instagram app, then use Instagram, then use built in file system to open the picture.

Take s other example, if I look at a PDF file in a webpage, I need to save it somewhere. I need a app to save it. If you happen to have more than one app reading PDF, then you have to remember which app contains that file.

File manager really solves all the hassle and enable you quickly complete a task. That's being said, you also need a better sharing system like Android. Otherwise, noting will make sense.

 

[silver8ack]

The problem is, we're the 20%. The 80/20 rule applies here. Apple has tailored a product that gives 80% of the people what they want.

 

[robjulo]

The problem is, we're the 20%. The 80/20 rule applies here. Apple has tailored a product that gives 80% of the people what they want.

So 80% of people don't add attachments to email? Maybe grandma doesn't, but I'd bet 100% of working professionals do.

 

[silver8ack]

So 80% of people don't add attachments to email? Maybe grandma doesn't, but I'd bet 100% of working professionals do.

80% of the people don't want or care about a file system.

Do you really think the majority of the people who have iPhones care or have any idea what a file system is?

 

[robjulo]

80% of the people don't want or care about a file system.

Do you really think the majority of the people who have iPhones care or have any idea what a file system is?

Not what I said. However, I do believe the majority of the people who have iPhones (other than grandmas or Hipsters working at Starbucks) have the need to attach files to emails without jumping through hoops.

 

[silver8ack]

Not what I said. However, I do believe the majority of the people who have iPhones (other than grandmas or Hipsters working at Starbucks) have the need to attach files to emails without jumping through hoops.

That is what you said and you completely missed my point. And apple's. And you're wrong. If people wanted all these options they'd get android. That's the plain truth whether you'd like to admit it or not.

 

[robjulo]

That is what you said and you completely missed my point. And apple's. And you're wrong. If people wanted all these options they'd get android. That's the plain truth whether you'd like to admit it or not.

I see. Anyone with any business productivity needs should stay away. Got it.

How anyone can justify the inability (without a workaround) to attach a file to an email (just like Apple currently ALREADY allows for photos) is lost on me.

 

[scottytwo]

No, they won't (ever do a normal file system). Just not how they roll.

 

[Retired Cat]

I see. Anyone with any business productivity needs should stay away. Got it.

How anyone can justify the inability (without a workaround) to attach a file to an email (just like Apple currently ALREADY allows for photos) is lost on me.

I have to agree with this. I find it silly that I can't easily attach a word document or PDF file. I can't believe that after all these years iOS still lacks this basic functionality.

 

[haruhiko]

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 have to agree with this. I find it silly that I can't easily attach a word document or PDF file. I can't believe that after all these years iOS still lacks this basic functionality.

You can attach word / PDF documents to an e-mail from the apps that handle them, e.g. Pages (which is now free for new iOS devices), or GoodReader.

 

[Zerilos]

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?

In large part It has to do with Apple's refusal to facilitate piracy. They are the anti-android in that regard. Android sells apps whose only function is to facilitate piracy, while Apple refuses to provide features with legit uses if they would make piracy easier.

 

[gCloud]

Once again: "There's an app for that."

Those of us who care have Dropbox. Or Files Pro. Or Stash. Or one of the dozens of other apps that let you store and sync files.

There is zero reason for Apple to try and force that on everyone as a default since those of us who need it already have it.

So, no, there will never be a straight iOS file system. What Apple DOES need to do is:

1) Increase the ability of apps to interact with each other beyond what they can do now. The more they do this the less I actually need or care about a file system in the first place.

2) To help out those of us who are using files, they should negotiate with Dropbox the way they work with Facebook. I should be able to log into DP on the OS-level and allow more apps to directly talk to it. (Many apps already do, but it would make things easier if that link-up was being handled by the OS and not each app individually.)

3) iCloud data needs a lot of expansion into sharing and syncing between different accounts and different apps. But I would honestly prefer to see Apple put their efforts into this instead of giving us an iOS file system.


Let's face it: Giving file systems to the general public was the worst mistake of the first home computer revolution. Leaving that out of the second go at it was the main reason iPads succeeded where tons of Windows tablets had failed again and again before.

I'm not saying abolish them (I'm a video editor, they're obviously essential for my work) but I am saying that file systems should be seen as a "Pro" feature that you have to install on purpose, not a default for everyone. This is how iOS treats it, and as long as they keep moving forward on my three ideas I'll be happy.

Being able to attach a file ( not a photo ) when replying to an e-mail, what app is there for that?

 

[silver8ack]

I see. Anyone with any business productivity needs should stay away. Got it.

How anyone can justify the inability (without a workaround) to attach a file to an email (just like Apple currently ALREADY allows for photos) is lost on me.

I'm not saying I agree with it. I'm telling you why they haven't/won't do it.

 

[robjulo]

You can attach word / PDF documents to an e-mail from the apps that handle them, e.g. Pages (which is now free for new iOS devices), or GoodReader.

No. You can start an email with those apps. You cannot use those apps to attach a document to an existing email thread, which is so basic, it is unfathomable why you cannot do it.

 

[Nevaborn]

80% of the people don't want or care about a file system.

Do you really think the majority of the people who have iPhones care or have any idea what a file system is?

Your talking rubbish.

There is no 80/20 %

Some maybe most are happy with how things are but I guarantee everyone would be happier with an actual file system when you can save things to and access them when needed.

It will bring much needed business functionality and fill a glaring gap in ios capability.

And as for your comment of majority of iPhone owners having a clue what a file system is says lots and is possibly one of the biggest face palm comments ive rea on Macrumors and theres been a few.

 

[Jynto]

If filesystems are so bad, why does OS X have one?

 

[Small White Car]

Being able to attach a file ( not a photo ) when replying to an e-mail, what app is there for that?

See point #1.

I can send files over email using many different apps, but I have to launch the app first. What I meant in #1 was specifically stuff like that: The apps need to have more permissions so that I can, as you said, do things like access them from a reply email without launching the app first.

 

[silver8ack]

Your talking rubbish.

There is no 80/20 %

Some maybe most are happy with how things are but I guarantee everyone would be happier with an actual file system when you can save things to and access them when needed.

It will bring much needed business functionality and fill a glaring gap in ios capability.

And as for your comment of majority of iPhone owners having a clue what a file system is says lots and is possibly one of the biggest face palm comments ive rea on Macrumors and theres been a few.

You're wrong. You just are.

I agree it would fill a gap. However in the grand scheme of apples strategy it's a very small gap. Hence the 80/20 rule. This is a real thing. It's is not rubbish. And it's a large part of why apple has been successful.

They don't give every option for a reason. This is across all their products. Think about it with a real brain and you'll see the truth.

 

[gCloud]

See point #1.

I can send files over email using many different apps, but I have to launch the app first. What I meant in #1 was specifically stuff like that: The apps need to have more permissions so that I can, as you said, do things like access them from a reply email without launching the app first.

can u reply to an email rather than generate an email from an app the cut cut cut,paste the addressee, the subject and then the body text?
I would really would appreciate a means of just replying to an email I receive then attaching a file ( .doc) to the reply. the .doc is already on my iOS device?

 

[SakuraSuki]

If filesystems are so bad, why does OS X have one?

It is not about OS X, it is about Apple really believe file system is evil. Job wants to get rid of file manager on OS X as well, but they could not because of professional use.

 

[fullauto]

They just need to package 'All my files' from OSX, done.

 

[haruhiko]

No. You can start an email with those apps. You cannot use those apps to attach a document to an existing email thread, which is so basic, it is unfathomable why you cannot do it.

To add value to your post, I did a little experiment:

First, I selected a file from Pages and tapped the Share button then "email document", an email with a PDF attachment was created;
Then, I clicked on the attachment and tapped on select, then cut (or copy if you like);
After that, I selected an email thread from my inbox and tapped reply;
And you guessed it right, I just long pressed on the email body and tapped Paste, and the attachment was pasted onto the email and I can reply with a attachment!

A bit troublesome, of course a system wide document folder will be good, but for now as least you CAN do it on iOS devices.

 

[kas23]

It is not about OS X, it is about Apple really believe file system is evil. Job wants to get rid of file manager on OS X as well, but they could not because of professional use.

But Jobs is dead now. And so is Jobs's version of Apple...and iOS (when Forstall left). I think we will see a centralized file system for iOS in the near future (next couple of years). They are holding back this feature because that's what Apple does. To keep excitement high for each iteration of iOS.

It may not be a Finder-like system where you can scroll through files and open them, but a system where the appropriate files can be viewed in the context of an app. And every app will be able to view the same files.

In fact, this can easily be done by tomorrow, without even modifying iOS. Just allow file storage in iCloud.

 

[SakuraSuki]

But Jobs is dead now. And so is Jobs's version of Apple...and iOS (when Forstall left). I think we will see a centralized file system for iOS in the near future (next couple of years). They are holding back this feature because that's what Apple does. To keep excitement high for each iteration of iOS.

It may not be a Finder-like system where you can scroll through files and open them, but a system where the appropriate files can be viewed in the context of an app. And every app will be able to view the same files.

In fact, this can easily be done by tomorrow, without even modifying iOS. Just allow file storage in iCloud.

Apple has being behind the curve for quite long time... From the copy and paste to multitasking. The thing is that iOS is so far behind now, it might be fallen as next BlackBerry.

One of the example could be iFile which is the best file manager in iOS. One thing however if Apple would make file manager it must improve the Apps sharing. If the APP sharing still very limited, then file manager is pointless

 

[TheRealCBONE]

In answer to OP: nope.

iOS is an app-cenric OS, it goes from app-> (file) -> app. With the file inaccessible to you outside of a particular app.
You aren't going to get what you want. If they do make a file manager, it won't work the way you want it to work and will drive you crazy with it's seemingly arbitrary limitations.

My documents, people dumping everything in C, and stupid default download locations for email with moronic temp names ruined the file management access for us.

Something like My Files could work, but it would create problems when people/devs started using it as a folderless dump.