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Does iOS need an OVERHAUL?

A better notification system and easier access to enable/disable common settings like 3G, WiFi etc.

I would also like to see better indicators for touch input. Sometimes you can't tell if you tapped something since there may be some lag or loading especially on the older models like 3G. Some kind of little ripple effect for every tap would be nice, even just as an accessibility option.

Other than that, I think the iOS is very well thought out.
 
Desperately needs a better notification system and maybe widgets.

Otherwise, for me, its perfect.
 
AZREOSpecialist said:
I would like apple to get rid of the cheesy icons all over the screen and make the iPhone's home screen cleaner and more professional looking. I want my home screen to tell me how many new messages I've received, missed calls, notifications, etc. all in an at-a-glance format. I like the idea of widgets or "overlays" that can be added on top of your regular iPhone home screen to customize the display to whatever you like.
Click to expand...
We have the same tastes, unlike many, I don't clutter my computers desktop with icons, so being stuck with a bunch of icons on home screens is very annoying.

The home screen on my Android phone doesn't have any clutter. With a very clean look it's really nice. I also have some very nice widgets on a few other screens. It's very customizable.

Android is contemporary, iPhone is old.
 
JB your phone. There's a program called lockinfo that'll show on the lock screen what you're asking for. Personally, I don't like it, because I have no interest in the rest of the world seeing my e-mail subject lines and the sender.
There's also the customization aspects. Personally, I think most of the customizations are fugly.
Overlays are available via JB too.
AZREOSpecialist said:
I would like apple to get rid of the cheesy icons all over the screen and make the iPhone's home screen cleaner and more professional looking. I want my home screen to tell me how many new messages I've received, missed calls, notifications, etc. all in an at-a-glance format. I like the idea of widgets or "overlays" that can be added on top of your regular iPhone home screen to customize the display to whatever you like.
Click to expand...
 
I think the "overhaul" is kind of a harsh word. Ideally for me, I would like to see a few things done to iOS.....

New notification system. I'm sure we all agree there. the status bar has a ton of unused space. Why not have logos for new email, sms, etc.

The lock screen should do something... weather, anything. The clock doesn't take up the whole screen and there is a lot of valuable real-estate going to waste there. The option to put info on the lock screen (or not) would be awesome. Some people would never use this- I would and I know a lot of others would.

Customizable sms tones.

Customizable sound/alert profiles. ie, one for the meeting (silent), one for home (normal volume), one for when you're out and about (loud + vibration). Customizable (or even downloadable) sms tones- this is years behind the ball.

I know, I know, I can get all these features and more if I jailbreak. I keep going back and forth between jailbreaking/ not jailbreaking. I do enjoy a lot of the features I can get with a jb, but it's far from perfect. I've experienced everything from crashes, to safe mode boot issues, to terrible battery drain. Then I un-jb, enjoy the cleanliness for a while, and inevitably re-jb to get my custom settings back.

I'd love to see some more options in the stock OS so we wouldn't "need" to Jailbreak anymore.
 
The problem with widgets is...

They have to keep pulling data from the web to stay up to date. If people have tiered data plans, widgets will quickly burn through the monthly data allowance. Also, that will use battery power.
 
An entire overhaul? No - that's not Apple. With that being said, I think that iOS is getting very dated and needs to be updated with new features. I'd like to see some type of improved lockscreen that shows more information than just the time. I'd obviously like to see an overhauled notifications system (as with every other iPhone user).

The interface itself is probably still the best in the industry, it just needs some updating.
 
vvswarup said:
They have to keep pulling data from the web to stay up to date. If people have tiered data plans, widgets will quickly burn through the monthly data allowance. Also, that will use battery power.
Click to expand...

Very good point. A lot of people don't realize that nearly everything you do on your phone uses data (like something as simple as checking the weather) and that data use can add up quick and surprise you at the end of your billing cycle.

As the restrictions on data increase widgets will become a great way for your carrier to nickel and dime you.
 
Maskusee said:
Desperately needs a better notification system and maybe widgets.

Otherwise, for me, its perfect.
Click to expand...

Same. Android has some nice things, but after almost half a year using the Epic 4G (work phone).. I'd say that it's really a mess, compared to what Apple is doing.
 
Why do people want widgets? Go buy an Android device... Widgets are stupid and they look ugly. If you want to see a clock, or a calendar, you simply click on the app. Is it really that difficult? I've used both Android and Apple devices, and Apple is far superior. I hardly ever used widgets on my droid and they just drained the battery when I did. I'll take my 9 hours of usage on my iPhone over widgets any day.

As for the overhaul... No, I don't think they need one. But they do need to update a lot of thing. Notification system is an easy one to point out.
 
Yes, iOS needs a major revamp, and rumors suggest that's what iOS 5 will be. Since it will be 5 years after iOS was first released, and Steve Jobs said "the OS is 5 years ahead of it's time".

Holy.. just realized this is another old thread, almost a year old. Way to bump it up.
 
iApples said:
Why do people want widgets? Go buy an Android device... Widgets are stupid and they look ugly.
Click to expand...

At the 2007 WWDC, Steve Jobs talked about how much he loves widgets and how he uses them constantly on his Mac. He even bragged about how many had been written. (see first pic)

Heck the famous "iPhone patent" (second pic) even had a section on "user created widgets" using a "Widget Creator Module".
 

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Reach9 said:
Yes, iOS needs a major revamp, and rumors suggest that's what iOS 5 will be. Since it will be 5 years after iOS was first released, and Steve Jobs said "the OS is 5 years ahead of it's time".

Holy.. just realized this is another old thread, almost a year old. Way to bump it up.
Click to expand...

What rumors are you going off of?
 
Core Functionality before Eye Candy!

Everyone wants "EYE CANDY" to keep the "modern, fresh, snazzy, not old and busted" looking.

Core functionality is what KEEPS users using their devices day-in/day-out over the long haul and keeps them upgrading to your product/services.

1. Alerts:
- Missed Calls, SMS/MMS, should be allowed to be silent or a quick icon (simply+quickly user changeable). Emails don't pop-up on the lock screen, so why should the others be forced to? Sometimes I'd like to keep such notifications private with my device locked.
- Bring in a subtle LED notification. i"Phone" is still a phone first and foremost - back in the day ALL phones had this and it was VERY effective. This doesn't have to blind you & can be user programmable (simple at first for initial generation roll-out) and a feature to turn on/off. Placement … Nokia had a great idea with the E72 … so Apple please put this around the Home button - slim-ribbon like (quick blink or warm slow pulse), led for lower power consumption.

2. Emails:
- Allow users (and 3rd party programs the same API implementation; GoodReader) to "collapse" folders. Many corporations no longer limit mailbox sizes due to Symantec Enterprise Vault managing that on the server back end. Swiping 3 times to get to so many sub-folders is annoying, and more so when over swiping the one you're after. Heck drop in a search while you're at it at the top.

3. Task-Switching: Calls!
a simple request here. This is named the "iPhone" right? This was to revolutionize the PHONE right? Why is it that the key part of the devices name … the "Phone" can be exited while the iPod remains an always accessible item in the task-switcher ?!?! Is this not asinine?!! Not so bad with Folders implemented now … but say you have 5+ home screens and you're on the 5th (and Phone is on the far left). Phone in the DOCK is not accessible until I return to any HOME but NOT from task switching ??

Now lets say I see someone having a seizure and I need to make an emergency call on THEIR phone (happened to me 5yrs ago leaving late from an old employer - I had bill problems so no phone line active). I was able to quickly call 911. YES I can press+hold home button - lets say I don't know HOW to use an iPhone … imagine how long it would take to make a 911 call if you've NEVER used an iPhone. Lets say a woman was brutally attacked & you come across her in a park and need to make the same 911 call - you're NOT going to be thinking as sharp if you're human & normal. Tap & Hold should bring me an EMERGENCY call button & ANY "I.C.E." listed entries in my phone book!!

Finally … before screwing around with the OS too much Apple … build a stylish unit like the IP4 yet with ROBUST build quality & strength!!
- I'd like to see less warranty claims and more corporations using this since providers can quickly sell these & replace them - NOT for corporations to wait in lineups!!

Right now the IOS has a few annoyances but a LOT less than I come across administering the BB OS. Nothing is perfect.
 
broncopde said:
What do you not like about fast app switching (the task manager)?
Click to expand...

It works fine, but from a UI standpoint, it's a patch-job. Just like Spotlight, iPod controls, and potentially notifications unless they overhaul the UI.
 
I hate widgets! I never use them on my Mac, why would I start using them on my iOS device? It reminds me of the android layout, which I'm not a big fan of. So, please no widgets cluttering my home screen. But as far as the rest of the OS goes, I dont think it needs a complete overhaul, but there is room for improvements. All I really a for is just a better notification system. Or at least for the apps, like Facebook, to be able to push notifications to me right away, not hours later. Other than that, I think iOS is solid, fast, and easy to use, and yet very advanced and powerful. Apple has the right combination of all things in it, so I hope they don't change it too much and ruin it.
 
kdarling said:
At the 2007 WWDC, Steve Jobs talked about how much he loves widgets and how he uses them constantly on his Mac. He even bragged about how many had been written. (see first pic)

Heck the famous "iPhone patent" (second pic) even had a section on "user created widgets" using a "Widget Creator Module".
Click to expand...

How does that make widgets any better? Lol just because steve jobs uses them?
 
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Well I'm a fairly basic user, don't get into jailbreaking or anything - but I could really go for some widgets. It would be nice to have one screen that shows the weather, some news headlines, a little snapshot of my calendar for the day, my stocks. I really don't see how that hurts anyone.
 
In my opinion, when you pull up the task switcher, it should automatically bring up the screen with iPod Controls, Screen rotation and iPod shortcut, and a swipe to the right should go to the active apps.
 
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