The new iMessage

[BlazePhyre]

Yeah seriously. You don't have to use the new effects. And to have dev stuff you'd have to install it. Happy birthday, happy new year, and congrats/congratulations are the only automatic triggers. I don't get why that's so annoying anyways.

 

[ledzep1]

Can someone confirm something please, I sent a few of these new animations and different style text effects to an android phone and they arrived as mms messages, is this how it would be for non apple phones.

I take it sending between iPhones these type of messages would be integrated within the app better.

 

[KALLT]

That said, I still don't think it's worth all the anger, especially when there are so many text options available

One of the problems is that Messages is also used for SMS/MMS. The additional buttons alone are annoying and on a smaller screen you have a much smaller target area to tap on to invoke the keyboard, especially if you want to do this quickly. I don’t even see the point of showing these icons for pure SMS contacts. It adds to the feeling that Apple is not taking this seriously anymore. I personally also find it very rude to enable the camera every time I enter the pictures tab to share a picture. I don’t want that and this kind of behaviour is why I generally don’t grant apps permission to use my camera (which Apple of course deems unnecessary for its own apps).

On top of that, Messages has been plagued by very critical security problems during the last couple of years and some security researchers have urged Apple to improve upon this. Apple added apps to conversations and expanded the number of supported media types (this is where some of the security problems were). All these effects also add complexity to what used to be a simple app, causing potential for bugs and bloated code.

I preferred iMessage because of its simplicity and integrated nature with SMS. I don’t agree with the direction they are taking Messages in and they are not at all being considerate towards those who don’t want this. A button to turn these features off should have been in there.

 

[boltjames]

The additional buttons alone are annoying and on a smaller screen you have a much smaller target area to tap on to invoke the keyboard, especially if you want to do this quickly.

The size of the new compose field is very tiny, it's hard to hit and start typing especially one-handed.

I have never, ever used their 'voice message' feature either, so having that microphone button in that little space is an additional annoyance.

Not everyone is a 12 year old and these childish doodles, silly balloons, and rude GIF's have no place on an executive's smartphone. We should have the ability to opt-out of this very invasive and prominent juvenile nonsense, a simple slider in iMessage options would do the trick.

BJ

 

[KALLT]

I have never, ever used their 'voice message' feature either, so having that microphone button in that little space is an additional annoyance.

I always get a cold sweat when I accidentally tap on it. These features make me really uneasy. The instant-on camera in the picture picker is just like it.

[...]no place on an executive's smartphone.

This is why I find it interesting that Apple has added no option to turn this off anywhere, not even in the restrictions menu.

 

[boltjames]

I always get a cold sweat when I accidentally tap on it. These features make me really uneasy. The instant-on camera in the picture picker is just like it.

This is why I find it interesting that Apple has added no option to turn this off anywhere, not even in the restrictions menu.

Apple is at their worst when they force us into new UI functionality without the option to turn it off or revert to something we're more comfortable with.

Imagine if threaded email was now the default and there was no way to use the traditional single-message view, the outrage would be enormous, Apple properly allows users to make a choice. We must use Messages 50x more than Email yet Apple just goes about making it into a tweenagers playground and we're supposed to like it? Just how out of touch are these people?

BJ

 

[C DM]

Apple is at their worst when they force us into new UI functionality without the option to turn it off or revert to something we're more comfortable with.

Imagine if threaded email was now the default and there was no way to use the traditional single-message view, the outrage would be enormous, Apple properly allows users to make a choice. We must use Messages 50x more than Email yet Apple just goes about making it into a tweenagers playground and we're supposed to like it? Just how out of touch are these people?

BJ

Interesting you should mention that as the Gmail app forces threaded view with no options relating to it (unlike on their web site where they offer that option).

 

[WinterWolf90]

I personally like it, It adds flair to text messages, which can be sometimes be hard to interpret due to no face to face communication. The UI could use a little refinement. I do think there are too many buttons at the present time, but it isn't a big deal to me.

 

[Cigsm]

The only one out of touch is you. I'm 30 years old and I and all my friends have used these features to death already. This is 2016, time to catch up or stop complaining

Apple is at their worst when they force us into new UI functionality without the option to turn it off or revert to something we're more comfortable with.

Imagine if threaded email was now the default and there was no way to use the traditional single-message view, the outrage would be enormous, Apple properly allows users to make a choice. We must use Messages 50x more than Email yet Apple just goes about making it into a tweenagers playground and we're supposed to like it? Just how out of touch are these people?

BJ

 

[boltjames]

Interesting you should mention that as the Gmail app forces threaded view with no options relating to it (unlike on their web site where they offer that option).

I don't use the Gmail app, I access Gmail through my iPhone in the standard Email app and on my MacBook via the web browser. I have 4 different accounts, the universal inbox is one of the iPhone's best features.

BJ
[doublepost=1474034587][/doublepost]

The only one out of touch is you. I'm 30 years old and I and all my friends have used these features to death already. This is 2016, time to catch up or stop complaining

Talk to me a month from now, let me know how you and your friends have completely gotten over balloons and confetti and scribbles and kissy faces and rude memes. It's the Pokemon Go of iOS, hot for a month, a joke the next.

And that said, hey, if you want to relive your tween years that's cool, I can't tell you and your bro's how to behave, but at least give the mature crowd the opportunity to turn the crap off and make it go away. Not everyone likes the circus, that's why they don't force us all into the tent.

BJ

 

[C DM]

I don't use the Gmail app, I access Gmail through my iPhone in the standard Email app and on my MacBook via the web browser. I have 4 different accounts, the universal inbox is one of the iPhone's best features.

BJ
[doublepost=1474034587][/doublepost]

Talk to me a month from now, let me know how you and your friends have completely gotten over balloons and confetti and scribbles and kissy faces and rude memes. It's the Pokemon Go of iOS, hot for a month, a joke the next.

And that said, hey, if you want to relive your tween years that's cool, I can't tell you and your bro's how to behave, but at least give the mature crowd the opportunity to turn the crap off and make it go away. Not everyone likes the circus, that's why they don't force us all into the tent.

BJ

It just brought Gmail to mind when I read your example. And given that many people do use it kind of also shows that people ultimately end up putting up with what's given to them (unless they can find workable alternatives that they are willing to look for and go with). It's not to say that's good or anything like that, just how it is basically.

 

[Merkyworks]

I just noticed this the other day, when you send a message or pic you no longer get the thin blue line at top of screen for % of message sent so far. Has this feature been taken out of iOS 10? If so WHY?

 

[boltjames]

It just brought Gmail to mind when I read your example. And given that many people do use it kind of also shows that people ultimately end up putting up with what's given to them (unless they can find workable alternatives that they are willing to look for and go with). It's not to say that's good or anything like that, just how it is basically.

Agree completely, and speaking for myself it's just that to date Apple has done what is best 95% of the time, they really had the finger on the pulse of the consumer.

But what I see lately is very different, they are doing some things that I do not get and I do not agree with. I'm all for progress, hell I'm just about the biggest early-adopter you'll ever find, but just like getting rid of the headphone jack prematurely, having no new wireless protocol to match their pronouncements, using bad white notifications, and then making a childish mockery out of iMessage, I'm feeling disconnected for the first time.

The iPhone has less than 15% share of the smartphone market and it's the most premium product out there. The confetti, balloons, and clowns belong at the Android circus, they've got the cheap phones for the children and the simple minded, the iPhone is an upscale product for BMW driving businessmen.

BJ

 

[mikosk]

I just wish the new fireworks and balloons weren't tied to the reduce motion toggle. I'd like to send some confetti as much as the next person but I can't take the hyper-zooming in and out of apps. Guess I will just stick with the Mario stickers...

 

[Jacian]

Why is it I can't use the new features on certain contacts of mine? It worked on a contact then suddenly it stopped working. Seeing what you will send obviously needs to be in iOS 10 but tapping the feature and you get nothing seems like a bug or is there a reason for that?

 

[JM]

I just noticed this the other day, when you send a message or pic you no longer get the thin blue line at top of screen for % of message sent so far. Has this feature been taken out of iOS 10? If so WHY?

Cause it didn't work. Load 95% and then hang at the end until it decides to finish. It was stupid.
[doublepost=1474049530][/doublepost]

Agree completely, and speaking for myself it's just that to date Apple has done what is best 95% of the time, they really had the finger on the pulse of the consumer.

But what I see lately is very different, they are doing some things that I do not get and I do not agree with. I'm all for progress, hell I'm just about the biggest early-adopter you'll ever find, but just like getting rid of the headphone jack prematurely, having no new wireless protocol to match their pronouncements, using bad white notifications, and then making a childish mockery out of iMessage, I'm feeling disconnected for the first time.

The iPhone has less than 15% share of the smartphone market and it's the most premium product out there. The confetti, balloons, and clowns belong at the Android circus, they've got the cheap phones for the children and the simple minded, the iPhone is an upscale product for BMW driving businessmen.

BJ

Nah. iPhone is ubiquitous. For some it's a toy. For some it's a serious business tool. Can't be everything to everyone.

And I really like the doodle. It's nice to send a cursive I love you to loved ones.
[doublepost=1474049641][/doublepost]

I don't use the Gmail app, I access Gmail through my iPhone in the standard Email app and on my MacBook via the web browser. I have 4 different accounts, the universal inbox is one of the iPhone's best features.

BJ
[doublepost=1474034587][/doublepost]

Talk to me a month from now, let me know how you and your friends have completely gotten over balloons and confetti and scribbles and kissy faces and rude memes. It's the Pokemon Go of iOS, hot for a month, a joke the next.

And that said, hey, if you want to relive your tween years that's cool, I can't tell you and your bro's how to behave, but at least give the mature crowd the opportunity to turn the crap off and make it go away. Not everyone likes the circus, that's why they don't force us all into the tent.

BJ

But iPhone is mostly a toy, and business BWM owners should be able to not have any fun if they don't want to.

 

[boltjames]

But iPhone is mostly a toy, and business BWM owners should be able to not have any fun if they don't want to.

As a senior business executive I can assure you that the iPhone is a serious tool for communication and productivity.

Heretofore the child-like nonsense like Snapchat and Bitmoji was confined to apps, options that my 12 year old daughter could use at will. Forcing this juvenile content as a base feature into something as important as iMessage is a very bad decision on Apple's part, millions of adults use inter-office texts more than they do email so bringing these ludicrous balloons and squiggles and rude GIF's front-and-center makes the iPhone a lesser business product.

BJ

 

[beernut]

As a senior business executive I can assure you that the iPhone is a serious tool for communication and productivity.

Heretofore the child-like nonsense like Snapchat and Bitmoji was confined to apps, options that my 12 year old daughter could use at will. Forcing this juvenile content as a base feature into something as important as iMessage is a very bad decision on Apple's part, millions of adults use inter-office texts more than they do email so bringing these ludicrous balloons and squiggles and rude GIF's front-and-center makes the iPhone a lesser business product.

BJ

in this particular scenario, wouldn't it be up to the mature folk to NOT use those features in their conversation? just because the ability is there, doesn't mean you have to use them. now, if several senior execs are having a conversation and one of them sends adds a sticker or sends balloon animations, that's not apple's fault, that's the maturity level of the exec.

i mean, if you were given a whiteboard and a marker, you can either have a constructive meeting or draw dick pics. that's not the fault of the whiteboard/marker company.

 

[JM]

As a senior business executive I can assure you that the iPhone is a serious tool for communication and productivity.

Heretofore the child-like nonsense like Snapchat and Bitmoji was confined to apps, options that my 12 year old daughter could use at will. Forcing this juvenile content as a base feature into something as important as iMessage is a very bad decision on Apple's part, millions of adults use inter-office texts more than they do email so bringing these ludicrous balloons and squiggles and rude GIF's front-and-center makes the iPhone a lesser business product.

BJ

in this particular scenario, wouldn't it be up to the mature folk to NOT use those features in their conversation? just because the ability is there, doesn't mean you have to use them. now, if several senior execs are having a conversation and one of them sends adds a sticker or sends balloon animations, that's not apple's fault, that's the maturity level of the exec.

i mean, if you were given a whiteboard and a marker, you can either have a constructive meeting or draw dick pics. that's not the fault of the whiteboard/marker company.

Yeah, it seems like whether you prefer to be free to use what tools you want, or be told what you can and can not use.

 

[mantan]

The size of the new compose field is very tiny, it's hard to hit and start typing especially one-handed.

I have never, ever used their 'voice message' feature either, so having that microphone button in that little space is an additional annoyance.

Not everyone is a 12 year old and these childish doodles, silly balloons, and rude GIF's have no place on an executive's smartphone. We should have the ability to opt-out of this very invasive and prominent juvenile nonsense, a simple slider in iMessage options would do the trick.

BJ

I agree. With Apple's big push to have the iPhone taken seriously as a business device, you need a way to opt out of all the kiddie messaging features.

 

[Tammster]

Not everyone is a 12 year old and these childish doodles, silly balloons, and rude GIF's have no place on an executive's smartphone. We should have the ability to opt-out of this very invasive and prominent juvenile nonsense, a simple slider in iMessage options would do the trick.

BJ

Speak for yourself "Executive ". Might be hard to believe, but some executives can be professional and have a personality too.

 

[eyeseeyou]

I see a lot of potential in the new iMessages especially with the "preview" capability enabled.

Very SLACK like. I wish it was enabled in 3rd party apps not just iMessage.

 

[Feenician]

As a senior business executive I can assure you that the iPhone is a serious tool for communication and productivity.

Heretofore the child-like nonsense like Snapchat and Bitmoji was confined to apps, options that my 12 year old daughter could use at will. Forcing this juvenile content as a base feature into something as important as iMessage is a very bad decision on Apple's part, millions of adults use inter-office texts more than they do email so bringing these ludicrous balloons and squiggles and rude GIF's front-and-center makes the iPhone a lesser business product.

BJ

You can send cat pics in email. There's an attach button and everything. Should we ban email in a corporate context?

 

[PhillyGuy72]

I tried out the new features, but I most likely won't be using the "gentle, loud, slam" etc effects. Forget stickers also, just regular texts will do. The handwriting feature is pretty cool.

What I can't understand is the Apple Pencil does not work with iMessage Handwriting on my iPad Pro. I thought the pencil battery was dead, but no. Beats me.

 

[hank moody]

I love the new features.

Apple just needs to fix some bugs in the app.