I don't personally think so. With more and more features being added, there will obviously be a learning curve, but I haven't come across anything in iOS that I felt was too complicated yet.
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Is iOS getting too complicated?
- Thread starter akash.nu
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complicated isn't the right word. I'd choose words like "obscure" "dumbed down" "convoluted" "aggravating" "claustrophobic"
For many who are either iOS savvy or tech savvy, iOS may be perfectly fine. You are not the average user.
For the basic user I suspect they either leave it as default or ask for help.
The simplistic basic functionality we saw early on and continued to expect is now history.
For many who are either iOS savvy or tech savvy, iOS may be perfectly fine. You are not the average user.
For the basic user I suspect they either leave it as default or ask for help.
The simplistic basic functionality we saw early on and continued to expect is now history.
Sure, but leaving at default still is a good experience for most. The basic functionality of iOS has remained the same for years, which doesn’t alienate basic users. More functionality is there, but it’s perfectly fine right out of the box as well. Plus, what’s the alternative?
iOS.. Complicated? 
I will keep my fingers crossed for some big changes in iOS 13..
I will keep my fingers crossed for some big changes in iOS 13..
For many who are either iOS savvy or tech savvy, iOS may be perfectly fine. You are not the average user.
For the basic user I suspect they either leave it as default or ask for help.
The simplistic basic functionality we saw early on and continued to expect is now history.
One of my issues with Apple is that in their quest to simplify (getting easy right is hard) they have enabled a certain segment of the population that wants nothing to do with technology.
That isn't Apple's fault, but by catering to these people it perpetuates things and has allowed ignorance of tech to continue without much in the way of societal consequences. These are people who either can afford to not have to learn anything or just people who won't be bothered with it. The result is a group of people who are willfully ignorant of technology yet still expect to be catered to. It's getting to the point now where they are starting to turn the stigma of this into "that's okay". It's not.
Not anymore. Society requires a certain level of competency. Without it you're a candidate for the Darwin awards - by your own choosing. Right now, people can get away with it but sooner or later not knowing the fundamentals of how things currently work is going to marginalize most of these people. If you don't or won't understand the basic level of tech required for 'X' job you aren't going to get hired. Those with the cash to continue to pay someone to deal with this so they don't have to will have a bit longer.
Apple in part, makes this possible by limiting your choices. If your only choice is a binary one then there's only so much you have to consider. People get hung up on choice and a lot of those people seem unable to make any decisions on their own. So, Apple also helps here by eliminating some choices altogether. Which goes back to defaults. For the average user, that's okay. But tomorrow, next year or 10 years from now will probably involve more understanding of technology than is currently the norm for the average user. And that is the point I am trying to make in this little essay.
I work daily with one of these people. She hates tech and does everything in her power to avoid having to use it. Not because she's scared of it, but because she doesn't understand it and doesn't want to. For her the defaults on her never updated iPhone 5s running iOS 7 are just fine. But that won't be enough at some point in the future, especially if she has to find another job.
Just my opinion…
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Common topic that arises at least 1x year.
Complicated? No. Disorganized? Yes
To many options in places that make little sense. Too many "hidden" or not easily found functions.
JMHO YMMV
This. And it still surprises me every single time (as usually these are settings etc. that aren’t accessed too often). Apple, weren’t you supposed to be the ”intuitive company”?
Ultimately you’re right, but Apple products can still be used in productive ways, without necessarily knowing the tech behind them. I’ve moved onto iOS only for work and personal use mainly because it’s just easier, zero upkeep, cheaper, no tinkering, things just work reliably for the most part. I’m able to take that aspect out of my profession and focus on what I am paid to do. There’s both a good and bad side to your point, obviously.
I agree with you. Just to be clear, I'm not meaning people will have to know the in and outs of things. But getting the basic concept is more or less what I'm referring to. You can grasp a general concept (even subconsciously) without knowing how it all works.
But there are some who just do not want to grasp the concept. Because something else has always worked for them and so they gravitate to those things and places to allow them to avoid these newer concepts.
When my boss forced a computer into the ad reps office, she angrily tore him a new one. Because she was just fine with my coworker and I being forced to send and print her emails for her. It meant she didn't have to deal with email and it meant she didn't have to deal with computers.
Now the concept has been forced on her and she still does the best she can to not have to acknowledge or learn it. I'm still telling her the same basic things I was telling her 11 or 12 years ago.
But she isn't the only one I've come across like this. She's just the easiest example I can use.
All these are design issues. Apple tried to reinvent the wheel (or simplify the wheel) and they fell flat on their face.
- convoluted and horrendous Settings
- no global back button when all phones before and since have one.
- no menu leading to haphazard placements of option buttons by developer.
- no long press context menu (but now backpedaled using 3d touch)
- no file system leading to tedious and expensive workarounds
I really don’t think understanding technology is important much anymore. Tech companies are aggressively competing to make their tech work like natural objects. Many children learning computing on iPads will have no understanding of how software works. They’ll never have to see a plist file or even a file system. Unless they want to, then they will be software engineers. People who want to be managers, architects, teachers, etc, will just use the user-friendly tech.
Hardly anyone understands how clothes are made, or anything about farming, or anything automative, because a small number of people specialize in those things, and the rest of us do just fine. I think technology is just becoming like pen and paper, which most people need a basic competency, but only a very small number of people need to have a sophisticated understanding about it. Very few people will be engineers. And the fewer people who have to be do-it-yourself techies, the better. I see it as a natural progression towards specialization.
I love iOS 12 for the sole reason of grouped notifications. I went from an iPhone user between a 6 plus and 7 then had a Note 8 and loved it. Once iOS got it makes notifications so much better idc how complicated iOS is.
And none of these people that you are speaking of are rejecting the tecnhonlogy. They don't need to understand it, but they know it's there and they use it.
I am speaking of the kinds of people who look at you and say to you "I don't DO computers!" with extreme pride in their voice.
My biggest gripe is the elderly. Many in my mom's nursing facility have iPads. Luckily one of the nurses is knowledgeable and willing to help them. When I visit I've been volunteered a time or two.
IMO Apple needs to "make simple" Settings.
Wow. If some people think iOS is getting too complicated, I'd like to see their reaction to Android if / when they try it...
I’ve come across some people like this and I’ll be honest, I get annoyed with that attitude.
You're free to not use the new features and file them away in a folder.
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There's a search box up top
Common topic that arises at least 1x year.
Complicated? No. Disorganized? Yes
To many options in places that make little sense. Too many "hidden" or not easily found functions.
JMHO YMMV
Can't you just ask siri to take you directly to whatever setting you need? I never remember where settings are exactly. I just ask.
I was using android for a few months, came back to IOS mostly because of CarPlay and was actually surprised at how juvenile and basic IOS really is.
I agree. I really like Android and its customizability, but everyone I know uses iPhones and iMessage plus I have a couple hundred dollars down in apps. already (been using the iPhone since the 3G).
I’ve also had most of the iPhones since 3G as well. I’m just still amazed at little the IOS has changed over the years, how little customization we can do and how so many features are still missing. Definitely not innovative at all.
It isn’t about complexity. It’s about failing to completely organize a rich and multi-layered interface.
Apple has always given users many different ways do do the same thing. It’s not uncommon for people to use MacOS for years and still not know many of the available options, down to and including simple things like labels. And that’s okay. The fact that Apple offers you A way to do something doesn’t necessarily mean you HAVE TO do that thing that way. There are usually several other ways available too.
Now, all that being said, the trick is making it all flow together seamlessly. If you use a feature it’s there when you need it. If you don’t use it it doesn’t get in the way or you can turn it off. In my opinion this is where Apple is struggling right now. They have hardware with unprecedented power and an OS with a depth and breath of features unimagined even ten years ago. Along the way the elegance and seamlessness has been degraded.
But at least we know that Apple is aware of it and intends to work towards a more ideal iOS gestalt. iOS 12 is evidence of exactly that.
Apple has always given users many different ways do do the same thing. It’s not uncommon for people to use MacOS for years and still not know many of the available options, down to and including simple things like labels. And that’s okay. The fact that Apple offers you A way to do something doesn’t necessarily mean you HAVE TO do that thing that way. There are usually several other ways available too.
Now, all that being said, the trick is making it all flow together seamlessly. If you use a feature it’s there when you need it. If you don’t use it it doesn’t get in the way or you can turn it off. In my opinion this is where Apple is struggling right now. They have hardware with unprecedented power and an OS with a depth and breath of features unimagined even ten years ago. Along the way the elegance and seamlessness has been degraded.
But at least we know that Apple is aware of it and intends to work towards a more ideal iOS gestalt. iOS 12 is evidence of exactly that.
Good question. Some will _never_ have an understanding after ten years of how Apple specifically chooses to make iOS simplistic and straightforward. Nothing about iOS has to be innovative. Its needs to be fluid and intuitive enough where the user feels completely comfortable in understanding how everything works without having unnecessary clutter and useless features. There is a reason why iOS has a massive adoption rate, and it’s not just about the ecosystem and Apples hardware, it’s the underlying reason being iOS.
But many many more people are using android. They didn't fall over like you said. Out the box android is not more complicated than iphone. In fact, I would say it is easier.