Does anyone else think that iOS 8 is a letdown?

[boshii]

Apple exceeded my expectations with iOS 8. They Androidized iOS and I'm ok with that.

Not sure why people always point out what features came from where. They're features iOS users get to enjoy now so why does it matter? It's stupid that comparing smartphones has turned into a pissing contest.

 

[ElCharro]

They are features nonetheless. The lion’s share of features has been absorbed by the new APIs and developer tools. The strength of iOS is in its developer support and iCloud integration. I’d rather have more APIs than just this annual ritual of hard-coded features.

Absolutely.

I think we are about to see major steps forward when devs begin implementing the new APIs, that will be far more valuable (to myself), than Facebook or Twitter integration ever was. I personally think this was a very significant keynote & a great sign of the times ahead.

Although I do realise people care about different things. For instance, having the ability to change icons or the colour of messages isn't anything that I would consider a priority (or even really want to a certain degree). Nor do I think we'll see this anytime soon if ever. Fair play if that's what rocks your boat though.

 

[boshii]

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.

Well iOS 7 was the greatest change to the OS since iPhone OS 1.0 so comparing to that would be unfair.

 

[BaldiMac]

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 would bet that you are wrong on this "fact". Probably by a wide margin.

 

[KALLT]

Although I do realise people care about different things. For instance, having the ability to change icons or the colour of messages isn't anything that I would consider a priority (or even really want to a certain degree). Nor do I think we'll see this anytime soon if ever.

I think the nature of iOS, being a locked-down and sandboxed system, would go against something like that. These new extensibility APIs also demonstrate that Apple intends to keep tight control of its OS.

 

[matttye]

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.









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).

Are you aware of all the other features that weren't discussed in the keynote? As well as the big features that were discussed, there are lots of smaller ones:

http://media.idownloadblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/iOS-8-Features-List.jpg

 

[chumps52]

I would bet that you are wrong on this "fact". Probably by a wide margin.

Nope, I had a look at the changelogs (from Wikipedia) and iOS 8's was around 50 lines-ish (including headings etc.), whereas iOS 7's was around 260 (again, including headings etc.)

This is the 7.0 version I am talking about.

----------

Well iOS 7 was the greatest change to the OS since iPhone OS 1.0 so comparing to that would be unfair.

iOS 6 = Around 175 lines
iOS 5 = Around 275 lines

etc.








I am literally copying the changelog of the x.0 version from Wikipedia and pasting it into a program to see how many lines it consists of, just as a rough idea of how much was added.

 

[nikicampos]

I actually thought the opposite, that this update is far more focused on delivering user features and the overall Apple 'Experience' than iOS 7 was.

It seems like those who were let down or are disappointed are generally those who had some sort of unrealistic expectations to behind with.

Bootlogo changes? Are you serious? And nobody needs pattern passcodes, this year every iOS device will get TouchID.

So funny how people doesn't understand that iOS 8 is huge. And not because of some new features like quick reply, etc. but because of so many new possibilities for developers. Wait till you see what now can be done..

Apple can't bloody win can they?

People complain, Apple integrate the features (Quick Reply as an example) and people still complain.

iOS 8 is big, it doesn't matter if they copy other features, it's how they implement the features and I'll tell you now, they'll do it a lot better.

I cannot wait for iOS 8.

All of this is exactly how I feel, people complaining wanted another overhaul or see major visual changes but that's not how software works.

And in fact, betas are for developers and I can see that many people complaining by no means are developers, because iOS 8 is huge for developers, they should be excited, iOS has never been this open for developers, iOS 8 beta by itself it only has a few changes (good changes) but the real change it will be when it is release for the public and people will se many changes in their favorites apps, the possibilities are endless and is up to developers to take advantage of the new features that Apple is making available.

 

[Nozuka]

i feel like some people still don't understand what WWDC is and what all those new features actually mean for iOS. it's one of the biggest iOS releases yet.

who cares who had what first. they all have been copying each other since the beginning. good for us. it happens in every product category.

if you expect a new iOS or Android release to completely outshine the other OS, you'll always be disappointed. the most important stuff is already in both of them. so just get the device or ecosystem you like the most and enjoy the new features you are getting there.

 

[matttye]

Nope, I had a look at the changelogs (from Wikipedia) and iOS 8's was around 50 lines-ish (including headings etc.), whereas iOS 7's was around 260 (again, including headings etc.)

This is the 7.0 version I am talking about.

----------



iOS 6 = Around 175 lines
iOS 5 = Around 275 lines

etc.

You can't compare them by the number of features. Some of the features won't make a blind bit of difference to you. E.g. I couldn't give a hoot about Siri being in more languages, as I only speak English.

There are some big changes in this update. The fact that apps can now talk to each other is huge, for one.

I don't think some people are quite grasping what a big difference some of these features will make.

 

[BaldiMac]

Nope, I had a look at the changelogs (from Wikipedia) and iOS 8's was around 50 lines-ish (including headings etc.), whereas iOS 7's was around 260 (again, including headings etc.)

This is the 7.0 version I am talking about.

Wow. You can't really believe that Wikipedia could possibly have an exhaustive list of changes in iOS 8 at this point. Can you?

 

[ElCharro]

There are some big changes in this update. The fact that apps can now talk to each other is huge, for one.

I don't think some people are quite grasping what a big difference some of these features will make.

Couldn't agree more

 

[PNutts]

I haven't read this thread yet (looks like a lot of bickering) but someone else commented that the applause was light and polite at the reveal. I agree. What enthusiastic clapping there was seem more like "about time" (in a bad way, not like the introduction of cut and paste) than "well done!".

There are a couple really useful features, e.g. quick reply to messages and predictive typing, but they feel like they could have been added on to iOS 7. Not sure this deserves a whole new version number. Apple also touted the developer changes in iOS 7. I'm not sure we've seen the fruit of that yet.

 

[chumps52]

Wow. You can't really believe that Wikipedia could possibly have an exhaustive list of changes in iOS 8 at this point. Can you?

It'll at least have the main/noticeable features

I haven't read this thread yet (looks like a lot of bickering) but someone else commented that the applause was light and polite at the reveal. I agree. What enthusiastic clapping there was seem more like "about time" (in a bad way, not like the introduction of cut and paste) than "well done!".

There are a couple really useful features, e.g. quick reply to messages and predictive typing, but they feel like they could have been added on to iOS 7. Not sure this deserves a whole new version number. Apple also touted the developer changes in iOS 7. I'm not sure we've seen the fruit of that yet.

That second paragraph is effectively what I have been trying to say throughout this thread, I'm just bad at wording my opinions

 

[taedouni]

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.









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).

I was on break so I couldn't have r read it all. If you don't mind me asking, what other features were you hoping for?

 

[chumps52]

I was on break so I couldn't have r read it all. If you don't mind me asking, what other features were you hoping for?

To be honest, there is a whole list of stuff that I, and others on here, would have liked (some relatively unlikely)...
EG:
Delivery receipts for SMS,
home screen widgets,
"close all background apps" button in multitasking,
save new live/dynamic wallpapers of our choice (instead of the stock Apple "bubble" ones),
"power options" for the camera (such as shutter speed, iso options etc.),
possibly allowing older devices to downgrade firmware (eg iPhone 4 running iOS 7 would be allowed to go back to 6.1.3) - I know this isn't exactly iOS 8-related but still,
multiple user accounts on iPad,
split screen multi tasking on iPad
possibly chat-box colouring in messages

etc.

 

[cmichaelb]

It's un-Apple like, but I'd want the option to set default apps, all iOS apps to be modular

Didn't Apple announce that the iOS apps were modular and could updated individually at the iOS 7 introduction? I could swear Craig Federighi included that in his presentation last year.

To be honest, there is a whole list of stuff that I, and others on here, would have liked (some relatively unlikely)...
EG:
Delivery receipts for SMS,
home screen widgets,
"close all background apps" button in multitasking,
save new live/dynamic wallpapers of our choice (instead of the stock Apple "bubble" ones),
"power options" for the camera (such as shutter speed, iso options etc.),
possibly allowing older devices to downgrade firmware (eg iPhone 4 running iOS 7 would be allowed to go back to 6.1.3) - I know this isn't exactly iOS 8-related but still,
multiple user accounts on iPad,
split screen multi tasking on iPad
possibly chat-box colouring in messages

etc.

There always seem to be a few features that remain unannounced and show up in later betas. I'm sure we haven't seen every new feature.

I love the 'close all' suggestion.Widgets could be nice, I still hate that Apple killed their weather widget for the notification center.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Nope, I had a look at the changelogs (from Wikipedia)

I think we can stop there...

Seriously IMO this is a huge release. Especially as iOS is on the polishing part of the standard two year cycle.

So much there that third parties developers can exploit into their apps. Quite frankly the Apple default apps do what they need to do for the most part. It's been third party apps that get pull me in, and now Apple are allowing devs to take them to the next level. End users will benefit very quickly as many apps will be available in the app store from day one!

 

[sk1wbw]

Why is it every time there's a new major iOS release, there's a thread about this?

 

[John T]

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

Bragging your self-importance will impress nobody!

 

[APlotdevice]

Personally I got most of what I wanted with this update:
Accessing Phone features and other connectivity options with my Mac
Quick Replying
Sharing documents between apps
T-Mobile WiFi calling
Improved search

 

[perse]

I'm with the OP. It feels more like it is what iOS 7 should have been. Except for the Android like design.

If there is one good thing about the direction Apple is taking, it certainly makes the transition to Android MUCH easier!

 

[sarcosis]

To be honest, there is a whole list of stuff that I, and others on here, would have liked (some relatively unlikely)...
EG:
Delivery receipts for SMS,
home screen widgets,
"close all background apps" button in multitasking,
save new live/dynamic wallpapers of our choice (instead of the stock Apple "bubble" ones),
"power options" for the camera (such as shutter speed, iso options etc.),
possibly allowing older devices to downgrade firmware (eg iPhone 4 running iOS 7 would be allowed to go back to 6.1.3) - I know this isn't exactly iOS 8-related but still,
multiple user accounts on iPad,
split screen multi tasking on iPad
possibly chat-box colouring in messages

etc.

Many of those items would be nice, but could also be brought in on a dot release (i.e. Delivery receipts of SMS, camera updates, etc.) Multiple users would be very nice on iPad and i do wish they would bring that over. I don't see the split screen being appealing on a screen that small IMO. I don't see the chat bubbles or the home screen widgets coming anytime soon sine it would break the uniformity of iOS.

Personally, for a home screen mix up, i'd like to see something more Windows Phone where you have live icons that give you info. I find that better than widgets itself since that would give you the uniform grid and new information. On another note, I really would have like to see them detach the grid order. By that i mean, i'd like to have 4 icons on the bottom row only so i can enjoy the wallpaper and keep my phone less cluttered. Right now, you can't do that since you have to fill in everything before you get to the bottom. Perhaps next year.

I would disagree with this not being a whole version bump for the extensibility and third party keyboards alone. That is a fundamental change in the way the OS functions and very labor intensive and changes the way in which everything works together. A feat unto itself.

 

[EricDejuan]

Don't get me wrong, I like Apple and their products, but this update was far too minor for a full OS update.

In regards to the features, yes they probably have implemented them better, but it is still years late.
For example, iOS 5 was released nearly 3 years ago and we've only just got widgets and quick reply? Whereas jailbreak has had it for ages?

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Have you even read my reply to the last person who tried "fighting back" with the WWDC name?

And yes, I may sound like a pathetic whinger, but look at the changelog, and then compare it to previous updates. It is nothing in comparison.

You are whining. You think it's "minor" because you keep looking at a product that you either own or you don't. The update is huge WITHIN this iOS community. Who cares what had what first? Patterned passcode? Just do yourself a favor and just go with Android. Seriously.

----------

I'm with the OP. It feels more like it is what iOS 7 should have been. Except for the Android like design.

If there is one good thing about the direction Apple is taking, it certainly makes the transition to Android MUCH easier!

I think it's actually given a reason to never HAVE to switch to android.

 

[Inhalant]

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.

Ok, what's the difference between iOS 4 and 5? Please educate me, because I think iOS 5 should have been iOS 4.4 [/sarcasm]