Upcoming iOS 7 APIs: Gaming Improvements, Multitasking Support, AirDrop, and More

[Keane16]

iOS does not support alternative virtual keyboards. Ans as of now, the iOS keyboard is nowhere nearly as good as either Swype, SwiftKey Flow or SlideIt.

Of course, iOS is compatible with bluetooth keyboards (Apple's or a couple of Logitech ones), but that isn't the point I'm arguing.

I understand. Nope, that's not an iOS feature.

"the iOS keyboard is nowhere nearly as good as either Swype, SwiftKey Flow or SlideIt". That's an opinion - I personally can't stand the swiping style keyboards.

But you were right, if using 3rd party keyboards is what you're after then Android will suit you better.

What I'm lamenting is Apple's resolve to stick to their dated technology instead of adopting anything like this. Everyone from ShapeWriter to Nuance to SlideIt have been lining up for the chance to have AAPL integrate their technology into its mobile OS or at least to open up the OS to enable their respective input solutions to work system-wide within iOS, but Apple has remained as headstrong in its arrogant resort to stay away from technology that makes more sense than their own, outdated, inefficient brainchild, as they come across so rather often.

Feel free to lament. There's a lot of thought that goes into these things though, and Apple has chosen not to pursue the 3rd party keyboard API just yet (and potentially may never)

Perhaps it's a case of Apple not wanting to jump into such functionality half hearted. Usually when Apple a a new features, it impresses - even if they weren't the first to do it, they normally do things well (Copy and Paste and the App Store introductions are good examples, they took their time, but the execution at the time was first class).

Apple would never just release a 3rd party keyboard API, there would be guidelines, etc. To ensure the experience isn't sub-par. People may not like this, "it's my phone - let me do what I want with it".

But it's a godsend for less techy people, they can install things from the App Store without fear of screwing things up. Just a quick search on Google Play shows there are issues with letting devs have free reign, such as:

"I have a Samsung Galaxy Music and the keyboard cut off . It does not display fully."
(https://play.google.com/store/apps/...sImNvbS5kb3VidGVjaC5pbnB1dG1ldGhvZC5sYXRpbiJd)

Can you imagine that on an iOS device? I really can't. Apple would never allow users to replace something as essential as the keyboard and have it function poorly.

Now I'm not saying it will never happen (it could). But if it does, I'd imagine there will be rules/guidelines to ensure at least all the base functionality is present and correct. And I imagine, rather than being 'headstrong in its arrogant resort to stay away from technology', Apple just hasn't had the time and resources at its disposal to implement it** (considering they had to move engineers from OS X to iOS 7) or perhaps they genuinely don't want to introduce it.

Luckily we have choice, if you don't like the iOS keyboard you have Windows Phone, Blackberry 10 and Android to choose from amongst others.


**Yes I know Apple has a ridiculous amount of money but capable engineers that meet Apple's/Google's/Amazon's requirements don't grow on trees. So it's not a case of just hiring more staff.

 

[LeoNobilis]

What happened to the third-party keyboard rumors? I thought Swiftkey was making noises about coming to iOS.

In my experience, the lack of good keyboard options is the biggest complaint (bigger than screen size and true multitasking) from multi mobile OS users.

The iOS keyboard is primitive and truly sucks.

Concur 100%!

 

[polaris20]

Perhaps it is subjective, but since Apple does not allow other options, iOS users simply have no choice.

As always, you have the choice to either buy an iOS device, or buy something else that allows you more flexibility, should you require it. It's not like Android is crippled compared to iOS.

Just curious, on what basis do you consider the iOS keyboard to be "one of the best?" Other than the relatively recently implemented and very limited predictive abilities, the iOS keyboard is otherwise no different than it was 6 years ago.

I consider it one of the best because I can type very well on it without making mistakes. It doesn't matter that it hasn't changed very much over the years; it's always worked well for me.

I also support hundreds of phones, and I beta test pretty much everything out there (well, everything available on Verizon). That includes Blackberry (new and old), Android, and WinPhone8.

At the same time, on the Android side you have stuff like Swiftkey (my personal favorite), Swipe (many swear by it) and even the stock Android OS keyboard has come a long way recently. Have you tried any of these?

Yup, tried all of them.

For me, typing a text or an email on my iPhone 5 is actually a chore, and while dictating generally works, it is often inconvenient (and even when convenient, often the Android dictation is more accurate for me).

That's why we have choices, right?

I still hope that Swiftkey and other alternatives will be allowed by Apple -- I don't see what they can lose by allowing them in (but can see them losing users if they do not).

I highly doubt that'll ever happen, but who knows.

 

[macUser2007]

As always, you have the choice to either buy an iOS device, or buy something else that allows you more flexibility, should you require it. It's not like Android is crippled compared to iOS....

This is about as productive, as "patriots" shouting:

"If you do not agree with [insert random policy/law] in our great country [insert country, such as US, Germany, GB, Russia] then go live in [insert country, such as North Korea, France, Russia].

There are things one may like about a product, while having legitimate complaints and asking that those are addressed....

For what it's worth, I did just buy a pretty good stainless steel Android phone, the Lenovo K900 (from China) and so far it is pretty damned good (and it has a choice of keyboards, larger screen, etc..) I still (want to) like my iPhone 5, but it is starting to look rather drab compared to the best of the competition.

 

[kevo1011]

Do y'all think we will see apps such as an automatic SMS response? I want to see it in DND so it would respond with custom phrases like busy or in meeting. I would settle for a drive mode with custom phrases that you could set to your liking.

I would really like to see settings based on location or wifi setting. For example, connect to work wifi forward call to my desk. Connect to home wifi enter DND mode.

Do y'all think this will be possible in iOS 7 or am I just wishful thinking.

 

[kevo1011]

Anyone?

 

[polaris20]

This is about as productive, as "patriots" shouting:

"If you do not agree with [insert random policy/law] in our great country [insert country, such as US, Germany, GB, Russia] then go live in [insert country, such as North Korea, France, Russia].

There are things one may like about a product, while having legitimate complaints and asking that those are addressed....

For what it's worth, I did just buy a pretty good stainless steel Android phone, the Lenovo K900 (from China) and so far it is pretty damned good (and it has a choice of keyboards, larger screen, etc..) I still (want to) like my iPhone 5, but it is starting to look rather drab compared to the best of the competition.

Comparing a mobile phone with living in a country and the associated freedoms or lack there of is absurd. One is easy to change, one is not. What's next, comparing it to a car?

 

[Tyler23]

Do y'all think we will see apps such as an automatic SMS response? I want to see it in DND so it would respond with custom phrases like busy or in meeting. I would settle for a drive mode with custom phrases that you could set to your liking.

I would really like to see settings based on location or wifi setting. For example, connect to work wifi forward call to my desk. Connect to home wifi enter DND mode.

Do y'all think this will be possible in iOS 7 or am I just wishful thinking.

Wishful thinking. Maybe some day..it would be nice, I agree, but at this point it'd definitely be a long shot to be included in iOS 7.