Does anyone else think that iOS 8 is a letdown?

[hovscorpion12]

That is EXACTLY the opinion that I am trying to get across.
There is not enough for the end user that allows this to qualify for a major update, it should have just been iOS 7.2.

Exactly. Now, however i'm getting a vibe that somehow theres going to be more to iOS 8. Typically Apple's WWDC shows iOS videos showcasing new features as well as new features to current apps (iWorks..etc). I have a felling that September's iPad and iPhone 6 and 6S will have a lot more software under the hood. Multi-window on iPad (possible the 12" screen). Newer iPhones have one or two exclusive features. Yesterday was a disappointment for both iOS and OSX. I'm hoping September's keynote fixes that.

 

[sracer]

But surely for that sort of update, with no/few new features, it should only warrant a 7.x update, not a jump from 7.x to 8.x?

I don't care what they call it.

I've owned iPads since day-1, and the day that I installed iOS7 was the first time that my iPad ownership experience has been less than stellar. (I'm not even referring to the visuals, I'm talking performance/responsiveness)

Bring the performance and responsiveness of iOS 8 to the level I experienced with 6.x on my iPad (oh, and recall late-2011 MBPs for GPU issues) and all will be forgiven.

 

[Roller]

Right, you're all going to be quiet and make way for me - Monsieur Mature.

The update was ****. Geekanoids said so, I say so: everyone says so.

NO features for the end-user, it was only developer **** which was introduced.

This will improve the OS experience marginally over time, but all this bollocks about "console-quality graphics" is wrong - we were promised this at the iPhone 5 launch (http://www.edge-online.com/news/iphone-5-revealed-full-console-quality-graphics-promised/) and I have seen crap all difference. Nothing has changed, believe me.

They added iCloud Drive; a DropBox rip off that you lot already have. But no, THIS TIME, it's made by... APPLE. So therefore, it must be several times more innovative and better than DropBox.

No. It's all the same ****.

There were several few other tweaks, like Apple trying to pass of Photo Stream as a brand new feature by saying that photos can be shared across all devices - we have this already people...

The rest of the "tweaks and enhancements" have been ported straight from Android. They have taken what's worked in Android, and thrown it onto the iPhone.

King of Innovation? Nope, just good at copying other ideas that have worked.

You lot are so delusional it's unbelievable; it's so minor but yet, everyone is going out and saying "OMG ITS GONNA BE SO GREAT SO LOOKING FORWARD TO IT"

No.

I will return to Lata's dungeon now. Goodbye .

It's been a fascinating thread to read, but, to quote Woody Allen's character in Annie Hall, I'm due back on the planet Earth.

 

[BaldiMac]

I just mean that in terms of user features, as I keep repeating, I do not think there was enough to justify a major update. I think that a major update should consist of a balance of new features for developers and immediate ones for users, and that here there was a serious imbalance, as there were too many features for devs compared to standard users.

1) That may be what you mean, but it certainly wasn't what the post that you endorsed said.
2) Your strict delineation between developer features and end user features doesn't reflect reality. Homekit has end user benefits. Healthkit has end user benefit. Swift has end user benefits. Etc.
3) You don't seem to have any sense of what has traditionally separated a major release from a minor release.

Again, this is just personal opinion and it is inevitable that some may agree and some may not.

Again, the fact that you keep repeating that it is your personal opinion, doesn't excuse your lack of logical justification for your claims.

If you would have just said "At first glance, I don't think that many of the new features will benefit the way that I use a smartphone," than we wouldn't have a disagreement. That's a personal opinion. Instead you keep making irrational claims without context or basis in fact.

 

[Anti-Lucifer]

Yesterdays conference was the most arrogant display I have ever seen. For one, all the features shown for OSX Yosemite do not qualify for a "next gen update" these features should have been in OSX 10.9.4 Mavericks. As for iOS 8, the WORST software update ever. iOS 8 displayed zero features that also qualify to be a part of a major software update. Like the features of Yosemite, the iOS 8 features should have been announced last year for iOS 7. Apple is slowing becoming the laziest,uninovative fortune 500 company on the planet starting with the iPhone 5S and the embarrassing iPhone 5C. Regardless of a 4.7 and 5.5" screen, after experiencing the WWDC arrogance conference, the iPhone announcement will be exactly the same as the iPhone 5S with no changes except a larger screen size.

I started laughing when they said they improved the keyboard with predictive texting Late to the game yet so arrogant to display copied tech done poorly. They even knock on other phones that send SMS because it's not an iPhone so anything using non-iMessaging is considered inferior. Copying whatsapp, copying Facebook group chatting, copying snapchat.

why not make real multitasking rather than having that lame option in Mail on the iPad to "stow away the message". I'm NOT going to be installing OS X 10.10 due to the fact they keep making it look like the gddamn iOS 7 ugly arse interface.

 

[chumps52]

Exactly. Now, however i'm getting a vibe that somehow theres going to be more to iOS 8. Typically Apple's WWDC shows iOS videos showcasing new features as well as new features to current apps (iWorks..etc). I have a felling that September's iPad and iPhone 6 and 6S will have a lot more software under the hood. Multi-window on iPad (possible the 12" screen). Newer iPhones have one or two exclusive features. Yesterday was a disappointment for both iOS and OSX. I'm hoping September's keynote fixes that.

So am I... Although I hope that they don't reserve every new software feature that they may announce for the new devices, as the chances are I for one will not necessarily be getting them (I am currently very happy with my iPhone 5)

1) That may be what you mean, but it certainly wasn't what the post that you endorsed said.
2) Your strict delineation between developer features and end user features doesn't reflect reality. Homekit has end user benefits. Healthkit has end user benefit. Swift has end user benefits. Etc.
3) You don't seem to have any sense of what has traditionally separated a major release from a minor release.



Again, the fact that you keep repeating that it is your personal opinion, doesn't excuse your lack of logical justification for your claims.

If you would have just said "At first glance, I don't think that many of the new features will benefit the way that I use a smartphone," than we wouldn't have a disagreement. That's a personal opinion. Instead you keep making irrational claims without context or basis in fact.

As I say, for me personally I do not see how things like HomeKit or Healthkit etc. will have any benefits for me. This thread was created with me trying to express the thoughts I have on how this update will benefit ME in particular, and I just wanted other people's ideas, not to be judged by my own.

I have no plans whatsoever to spend £xx extra on a device purely because it will work with/is endorsed by Apple.
For example, Philips Hue lightbulbs, as seen here ebay.eu/1m8qabF
Pay effectively £50 per bulb purely because it has a special feature compatible with iOS. This is what I foresee happening with HealthKit and HomeKit, manufacturers will see this as an opportunity to charge extra for everyday devices purely because they work with Apple software.
That is why I will not be buying this accessories, hence do not see HealthKit and HomeKit as features, as to me they pose no benefit whatsoever.

 

[thislsmadness]

Forget about the boot logos etc., I was just using random examples to try and make a point that maybe some new, interesting, and possibly just gimmicky, features would have been nice.

There are a ton of new features and functionality. There is no big tent pole gimmick, but thats a good thing because it means a very wide reaching improvement to everything else.

Lets be honest, there has been a mobile feature arms race over the last few years. iOS is full of features that are half-assed and missing functionality. Notification center and spotlight are practically brand new because they function a hundred times better than the current versions.

 

[BaldiMac]

As I say, for me personally I do not see how things like HomeKit or Healthkit etc. will have any benefits for me. This thread was created with me trying to express the thoughts I have on how this update will benefit ME in particular, and I just wanted other people's ideas, not to be judged by my own.

Again, if you stuck with that, we wouldn't be in disagreement. However, you have continued to make other arguments that are not simply statements of your own personal preference, but rather irrational dismissals of various features and projection of your personal preferences to "average users". That's where I disagree with you.

I have no plans whatsoever to spend £xx extra on a device purely because it will work with/is endorsed by Apple.
For example, Philips Hue lightbulbs, as seen here ebay.eu/1m8qabF
Pay effectively £50 per bulb purely because it has a special feature compatible with iOS. This is what I foresee happening with HealthKit and HomeKit, manufacturers will see this as an opportunity to charge extra for everyday devices purely because they work with Apple software.
That is why I will not be buying this accessories, hence do not see HealthKit and HomeKit as features, as to me they pose no benefit whatsoever.

Good for you. But the fact that you don't currently intend to use them doesn't mean that they don't exist.

 

[chumps52]

Good for you. But the fact that you don't currently intend to use them doesn't mean that they don't exist.

I'm not entirely dismissing their existence, I am simply saying that I personally would not count these as a feature as I would not use them, thus it has no effect on my overall opinion of iOS 8.

Besides, going back to the "Average consumer" point that you seem to hate so much, do you really think that the average consumer would be able to spend that much money on simple everyday items, just because they have iOS functionality?

 

[kins98]

Good for you. But the fact that you don't currently intend to use them doesn't mean that they don't exist.

The OP was referring to the impact of HomeKit on the AVERAGE consumer.

I don't know about you, but most people cannot afford to spend £50 PER LIGHTBULB (current lowest price of a Philips Hue bulb, RRP is higher).

He is conveying a valid point, but obviously people like yourself cannot accept such trash.

Stop worshiping Apple; accept a valid point.

 

[NT1440]

The OP was referring to the impact of HomeKit on the AVERAGE consumer.

I don't know about you, but most people cannot afford to spend £50 PER LIGHTBULB (current lowest price of a Philips Hue bulb, RRP is higher).

He is conveying a valid point, but obviously fanboys like yourself cannot accept such trash.

Stop worshiping Apple; accept a valid point.

You really need to understand what Apple is doing here. Healthkit and Homekit are hedges on the future. That $50 lightbuld today, will be $20 or less in just a few years. Apple is setting the state for when prices drop to have a completely cohesive environment, and you DON'T do that without laying the groundwork.

What apple did yesterday was huge, but as always the average consumer can't seem to understand that initiatives this big take more than a frickin year to come to full fruition.

Pointing to an existing product as if it is the point or conclusion of this technology is not only a fundamental misunderstanding of how products are developed, its a fools errand.

 

[kins98]

You really need to understand what Apple is doing here. Healthkit and Homekit are hedges on the future. That $50 lightbuld today, will be $20 or less in just a few years. Apple is setting the state for when prices drop to have a completely cohesive environment, and you DON'T do that without laying the groundwork.

Well I'm sorry, but introduce the features in the future when the prices actually come down.

They would have been able to market it a lot more if they had released it at a later date in partnership with other home automation companies. When these companies' prices come down, the feature won't be as marketable because it's old news.

Like everything, prices will come down eventually. But the market isn't ready for it right now, so what was the point in releasing it now please?

And also, let's all be honest, it's very gimmicky. You can now turn your lights on and off and shut your garage door from your phone - revolutionary. I have things called keys which aren't getting in the way of my life too much

 

[NT1440]

Well I'm sorry, but introduce the features in the future when the prices actually come down.

Spoken like someone who truly doesn't understand how successful products are actually developed.

 

[kins98]

Spoken like someone who truly doesn't understand how successful products are actually developed.

'Twill be old news, mah friend.

Just for your information, as I have mentioned many times previously, I have recently reached the peak of my maturity. Therefore, my opinions now form fact

I have a first-class honours degree in Business Administration so don't tell me who's boss.

 

[NT1440]

It will be old news matey. I have a first-class honours degree in Business Administration so don't tell me who's boss.

Business doesn't mean anything when it comes to technology.

You seem to be completely consumer oriented, which is fine, but don't think that quarterly oriented thinking has any place for a company that clearly has a longterm roadmap they are laser focused on.

Do me a favor, come back to your posts one year from now and tell me that big things haven't happened.

Good Day.

 

[BaldiMac]

I'm not entirely dismissing their existence, I am simply saying that I personally would not count these as a feature as I would not use them, thus it has no effect on my overall opinion of iOS 8.

Sure you are, you have said multiple times that iOS 8 should have been a point update. You can only reach that conclusion by dismissing the features that you don't personally find useful at first glance.

Besides, going back to the "Average consumer" point that you seem to hate so much, do you really think that the average consumer would be able to spend that much money on simple everyday items, just because they have iOS functionality?

You are jumping to a lot of conclusions here. I was referring to your statement in the original post about average users. Despite your use of "personal opinion" to deflect any criticism of your argument, you did indeed project your personal knee-jerk reaction onto average users.

The OP was referring to the impact of HomeKit on the AVERAGE consumer.

I don't know about you, but most people cannot afford to spend £50 PER LIGHTBULB (current lowest price of a Philips Hue bulb, RRP is higher).

I agree with that particluar point in the short term. (How about we skip the fanboy arguments?)

However, I do see the value in Apple creating a platform for the future as smart features become more mainstream.

 

[crashoverride77]

Wow, that actually sums iOS 8 brilliantly, catching up to android with nothing really new and innovated

Oh please

Photos - not photo stream, do you even know the difference between photo stream and icloud drive? apparently not

Message - they make it better yet you complain, that's like saying why add FaceTime to ios when there is skype. It's just retarded.

Widgets - on the home screen is also retarded, so glad they did not do that. Again android guys with their feature bollocks. Apple cares about implementation and nothing else. Android on the other hand cares about features and that's precisely why their implementation sucks the nuts.

Keyboard - so? Whole android is a copy of ios.

Icloud drive - not a small extensions by any means, again did you watch the keynote?

Health - duh. It's like saying the music app is useful but you need headphones to listen to it. Say what

Spotlight - why late, name me one alternative that works as well as spotlight. Spotlight already is so awesome it made Microsoft **** their pants when apple showed it in tiger I believe. Now it's even better.

Android has more features than ios. So what
It's like saying an s class has more features than a ferrari, yet we all know what car is better.

Metal and swift alone is better and more innovative than all of android combined.

NEXT

 

[crashoverride77]

I take it you don't understand the concept of an ecosystem....

As for the underlined, you've got to be joking right? WHY and HOW would apple want to make continuity, a feature that clearly makes apple's product ecosystem more cohesive than anything you'll be able to do on Windows going forward, available for everyone else?

You realize it's based on Bluetooth, and to make it work on windows apple would have to waste an amazing amount of time to support the gigantic range of bluetooth controllers that are out there.

These are benefits that can only be implemented when a company has the integration between software and hardware that Apple has. No other device maker has this kind of vision.

Wow, some guy that actually understands that apple is innovating in areas that android guys don't even know exists. This is some of the most innovative stuff I have seen from apple in years (metal, swift and especially Continuity). But hey android guys love their widgets and split screen multitasking on their 6 inch lag fest that runs software as old as ios 4. Some people have no clue what innovation is or an ecosystem that is unmatched.

 

[CrAkD]

I think your insane. They fixed everything wrong iOS in this update. Literally everything. Yes they focused on developers but what developers are going to be able to accomplish with these changes are HUGE.

The only thing left is App Store for Apple TV and literally everything I've wanted forever has been added.

 

[bigjnyc]

a lot of people keep referencing how some of these new features are on Android.... But the fact of the matter is if you are an iOS user, you could care less whats on Android lol. The average consumer who has been using iOS for years doesn't know or just doesnt care whats on Android... they only care about what Apple adds to iOS..... so the fact that its been on Android for a while is completely irrelevant unless you run a blog that compares the 2 systems, or if you constantly switch back and forth.

 

[crashoverride77]

I think your insane. They fixed everything wrong iOS in this update. Literally everything. Yes they focused on developers but what developers are going to be able to accomplish with these changes are HUGE.

The only thing left is App Store for Apple TV and literally everything I've wanted forever has been added.

Totally agree. There is even stuff that I couldn't dream about, like continuity (android guys, I mean the implementation not the feature). Same for the SMS and phone calls on the iPad and mac, I love that so much.
Now all we need is an ios 7 design on Apple TV, especially after osx Yosemite which now leaves the Apple TV as the only device that has the original design.

 

[CrAkD]

Totally agree. There is even stuff that I couldn't dream about, like continuity (android guys, I mean the implementation not the feature). Same for the SMS and phone calls on the mac, I love that so much.

Now all we need is an ios 7 design on Apple TV, especially after osx Yosemite which now leaves the Apple TV as the only device that has the original design.

When The iPad first came out I kept saying they needed to make the phone forward everything to the iPad. I said it again when iMessage came out and SMS was left out. The way they did the phone calls on iPad and ms. Took it too another level

 

[crashoverride77]

When The iPad first came out I kept saying they needed to make the phone forward everything to the iPad. I said it again when iMessage came out and SMS was left out. The way they did the phone calls on iPad and ms. Took it too another level

Exactly, I literally cheered when they called dr dre from a mac. Could apple have done it earlier? Maybe but again implementation is more important than features by a very long margin.
As an example, If you care about implementation you get Touch ID (and no it's not perfect), if you care about features you get that embarrassment they call a fingerprint reader on the galaxy s5

 

[taedouni]

I didn't bother reading this whole thread but am responding to OP. Apple added a lot of stuff for developers but what do developers do? They develop third party software for the average user. Apple did a lot this year. They opened up (which is a big step in the right direction).

 

[chumps52]

Sure you are, you have said multiple times that iOS 8 should have been a point update. You can only reach that conclusion by dismissing the features that you don't personally find useful at first glance.



You are jumping to a lot of conclusions here. I was referring to your statement in the original post about average users. Despite your use of "personal opinion" to deflect any criticism of your argument, you did indeed project your personal knee-jerk reaction onto average users.

Fair enough, point taken. But the fact still remains that if you compare the iOS 8 changelog with, say, the iOS 7 one, it is still a considerable amount shorter, and this is what I am trying to convey; that I still do not think the (immediate) changes are extensive enough.

I didn't bother reading this whole thread but am responding to OP. Apple added a lot of stuff for developers but what do developers do? They develop third party software for the average user. Apple did a lot this year. They opened up (which is a big step in the right direction).

Haha fair enough you didn't want to read all ~180 replies haha... It's just everyone arguing with their differing views (mainly me)
As I've said before, I know that this has opened up a lot more, but I still had hoped that Apple themselves had added more features to the actual OS as a whole, not just opened doors for developers.
And again, I do now respect that HealthKit etc. is pretty major, but I still also think that more could have been added. (Albeit I am not quite sure what, I just have seen the list of changes compared to other updates is a lot shorter).