What's Apples logic for adding features like Safari Reader and Reminders?

[Baggy Spandex]

Don't get me wrong, I'll most likely end up trying these new features, and I'll probably like them, but it seems counterproductive on their part. I use ReadItLater and I previously used a reminder app as well. These types of apps, to me at least, have a better worth to Apple coming from third-party Devs as they can tout them on the AppStore. ReadItLater makes money, Apple makes money and everyone seems to be okay with that now.

There has to be a good reason, but I'm not seeing it.

 

[FSMBP]

Don't get me wrong, I'll most likely end up trying these new features, and I'll probably like them, but it seems counterproductive on their part. I use ReadItLater and I previously used a reminder app as well. These types of apps, to me at least, have a better worth to Apple coming from third-party Devs as they can tout them on the AppStore. ReadItLater makes money, Apple makes money and everyone seems to be okay with that now.

There has to be a good reason, but I'm not seeing it.

What good is the iOS experience if nothing great is built in? By your logic, why does Apple even have Safari on iOS? There are other great browsers in the App Store.

I like the fact that if I buy a new iPhone, I don't have to shift through 400,00 plus apps to have basic things I want.

 

[Baggy Spandex]

What good is the iOS experience if nothing great is built in? By your logic, why does Apple even have Safari on iOS? There are other great browsers in the App Store.

I like the fact that if I buy a new iPhone, I don't have to shift through 400,00 plus apps to have basic things I want.

All the browsers use the Safari framework, and Safari was on the first iPhone/IPT released way before the Appstore.

But still, they advertise the appstore the most out of anything, and now it seems they're killing a genre.

 

[iphone1105]

All the browsers use the Safari framework.

But still, they advertise the appstore the most out of anything, and now it seems they're killing a genre.

How are they killing it??? Not everyone will stop using the great apps or purchasing them. Hell, Safari is free on the iPad/iPhone yet everyone i know has coughed up for alt. browsers....

 

[Baggy Spandex]

I suppose they aren't killing it, wrong choice of words. It was just a simple question, I'm curious not annoyed.

 

[FSMBP]

All the browsers use the Safari framework.

But still, they advertise the appstore the most out of anything, and now it seems they're killing a genre.

No. You're reading into it too much. OSes evolve over time; they add or remove things as necessary. It's not like Apple's own apps are the end-all-be-all; the Notes App sucks for example.

You expect Apple to never add any more Apps/Functionality to its OS? You're either growing or dying and Apple is picking the former (as most successful companies would).

 

[Baggy Spandex]

No. You're reading into it too much. OSes evolve over time; they add or remove things as necessary. It's not like Apple's own apps are the end-all-be-all; the Notes App sucks for example.

You expect Apple to never add any more Apps/Functionality to its OS? You're either growing or dying and Apple is picking the former (as most successful companies would).

Good point. I guess it just struck me as strange, as Apple rarely adds new native apps. iBooks was the latest, no? Before that was Compass with the added functionality and the AppStore itself before that? They seem so few and far between. Reminders struck me as odd in that regard.

I suppose Safari Reader makes some sense as it started with the Mac-browser version as competition for ReadItLater and the like. Makes sense to integrate it into mobile Safari.

Again, it just came off as odd at first. My apologies, at least I wasn't asking why there wasn't any new hardware today...or worse off, asking when there will be .

 

[Biolizard]

It's a fair point. Where do you draw the line between providing a kernel and a bunch of APIs, and actual functionality?

People want value for money when they get an OS (on any platform) and jump on new features because they feel that's the best way to get the most out of their purchase. Also, 'teh Shiny'

It's a tricky one for Apple; every app like Reminders they add in may disrupt a third party solution and annoy some developers. If they weren't to add in these new features over time though, the mainstream users might look at another OS and think, well, that OS has some stuff I want, I'll get that. Not everyone's comfortable with downloading random software you have to pay for on the App Store, especially non-technical peeps, unless it's something famous like Angry Birds.

 

[dccorona]

they wanted these features to be more tightly integrated

for example, the reminders app is location based and always running...something a 3rd party app couldn't do

and their read it later feature is a part of iCloud, stays in sync across all devices, and uses special tech to strip out needless ads etc. from articles.

They just wanted deeper integration of these features, but didnt want to allow 3rd parties to access this integration

 

[mtnDewFTW]

Apple are able to push all those things to the cloud and sync up all your devices, so every device has that information. It's easier, faster, and just simpler than doing it through a third party app. I just don't see a bad side in any of this, I don't get how anyone could complain about more features being added to the OS.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

As far as reader goes, wouldn't it help bandwidth? I'm not to familiar with reader and only used it a couple of times on my laptop.

 

[mcdj]

Don't forget many, if not most, iOS device owners are not power users. They're not going to sift through a massive app store for a niche app. My GF doesn't use a 3rd party reminder app...she just sets iCal alarms.

In terms of profit for Apple, I'm sure if you compared the money they make on 99¢ reminder apps, to the profit from an increase in hardware sales that touting additional built in apps can bring, the profit realized from the perceived value of built in apps would win.

That is, built in apps are like a factory installed car stereo. Sure, you can install your own (much better) stereo, but for the majority of people, the factory one is good enough. But take that crappy factory stereo completely off the pre-installed list, and you risk losing some buyers altogether. Even if car manufacturers got a 50¢ royalty for every aftermarket stereo installed, it's still better business for them to install one at the factory.