Why is Apple so damn stubborn to never include notification LED in its iPhone brand?

[TomTomHatesCats]

It rings, it flashes, it vibrates, it pops a message on the locked screen, it lights up the locked screen, it can provide an overlay, it can show it at the top, it makes a sound on my laptop, it makes a sound on my desktop, it does all of the above on my tablet it has got icons flashing jumping blah blah blah

I see four methods of notification here, the rest are either a variation of the popup or alerts on a device other than the phone. But supposing I counted them all, each seems to have its own use case and is presumably useful to somebody. It's not my place to question someone's desire to use one or all of them if he/she wished.

I'm with you, I don't like some of those notifications, so I do the same thing I hope you do: go to settings, turn them off, and continue the rest of my day.

 

[mercuryjones]

I, and many LED proponents, understand completely that your way works for you. And obviously our way works for us.

Right now, your way is the only option. With an LED that can be toggled off, you still have your option while we have our option, and never the twine shall meet.

What's the problem here?

The problem is, that Apple doesn't have that option right now. So, trying to tell me that it's the best option out there, doesn't mean anything.
I'm fine without it. There are other devices out there that have what you are looking for, so either live with the option as it stands, or move on.

 

[TomTomHatesCats]

The problem is, that Apple doesn't have that option right now. So, trying to tell me that it's the best option out there, doesn't mean anything. I'm fine without it. There are other devices out there that have what you are looking for, so either live with the option as it stands, or move on.

This is a discussion on the pros & cons of a feature that some of us would like, and I've said before it's not a deal-breaker for me either way.

However, some people are vehemently against it even though it effectively does them no harm. Or, better yet, could be beneficial to the uninitiated if they gave it a chance.

Maybe you haven't noticed, but this thread has really brought out what some have called an "iSheep" mentality, and I frankly find it fascinating. I'm not saying you're in that camp, but you certainly seem to be living in the area. If I'm wrong, I apologize.

 

[mercuryjones]

This is a discussion on the pros & cons of a feature that some of us would like, and I've said before it's not a deal-breaker for me either way.

However, some people are vehemently against it even though it effectively does them no harm. Or, better yet, could be beneficial to the uninitiated if they gave it a chance.

Maybe you haven't noticed, but this thread has really brought out what some have called an "iSheep" mentality, and I frankly find it fascinating. I'm not saying you're in that camp, but you certainly seem to be living in the area. If I'm wrong, I apologize.

I even said that if Apple implemented it (and did it right), I would use it. Until then, I'm not missing it. I'm just tired of people trying to tell me that my way of doing things is wrong or lacks common sense.
As it stands, I don't miss any notifications. I simply press the home button and get a full list of any that I may have missed while I was out of the room. If there are no missed messages, what all did I really lose?
And yet, for some people in here, I lost everything just by not having a blinking LED light.

 

[iolinux333]

I even said that if Apple implemented it (and did it right), I would use it. Until then, I'm not missing it. I'm just tired of people trying to tell me that my way of doing things is wrong or lacks common sense.
As it stands, I don't miss any notifications. I simply press the home button and get a full list of any that I may have missed while I was out of the room. If there are no missed messages, what all did I really lose?
And yet, for some people in here, I lost everything just by not having a blinking LED light.

I forgot but now you just reminded me that last Monday I missed something because of the lack of LED notification and now my life is in complete shambles and I'll never be able to pick up the pieces. DAMN YOU APPLE!

 

[Surf Monkey]

It's subjective. There is no right or wrong answer here. Some like the active light. Some don't. There are myriad reasons in support of and in opposition to both POVs. Ultimately? It's an incredibly minor issue and one that Apple is unlikely to ever address, so the fact that this thread has gone on as long as it has is just flat out mind boggling. It needs to die now. Everything that can be said about this lame topic has been said. Over and over and over.

 

[appleii.c]

This is a discussion on the pros & cons of a feature that some of us would like, and I've said before it's not a deal-breaker for me either way.

However, some people are vehemently against it even though it effectively does them no harm. Or, better yet, could be beneficial to the uninitiated if they gave it a chance.

Maybe you haven't noticed, but this thread has really brought out what some have called an "iSheep" mentality, and I frankly find it fascinating. I'm not saying you're in that camp, but you certainly seem to be living in the area. If I'm wrong, I apologize.

Why do people like you constantly throw insulting words like iSheep and Fanboy and others when someone doesn't like what you like? Or doesn't see things YOUR way? Most Apple users like simpler products. They prefer aesthetics and design (both in hardware and software) over what some would call gimmicky features. I'm one of them. I'm not going to go on an android forum and bash the notification, or removable SD card, or anything else. But personally I don't need a Swiss army knife for a phone. I don't need a bunch of little gimmicks.

You can put a toaster oven in a ferrari and claim that its only there for those who need it, and I'm sure you'll get a large group that won't want it... Even if its tucked away nicely in the glove compartment.

 

[mercuryjones]

Why do people like you constantly throw insulting words like iSheep and Fanboy and others when someone doesn't like what you like? Or doesn't see things YOUR way? Most Apple users like simpler products. They prefer aesthetics and design (both in hardware and software) over what some would call gimmicky features. I'm one of them. I'm not going to go on an android forum and bash the notification, or removable SD card, or anything else. But personally I don't need a Swiss army knife for a phone. I don't need a bunch of little gimmicks.

You can put a toaster oven in a ferrari and claim that its only there for those who need it, and I'm sure you'll get a large group that won't want it... Even if its tucked away nicely in the glove compartment.

This. If you don't believe in doing things the way that they do, you are automatically an iSheep, just taking whatever Apple gives you, regardless of whether it works for you or how inconsequential the proposed option is.
This is not towards you, but the people that are gong on and on about the notification light: I mean, are you seriously telling me that you are writing off an entire platform, just because the phone doesn't offer an LED notification light? And I'm the fool?

 

[heycal]

I can't wade through 18 pages of comments, so I'll just say that anyone who does not see the value of a notification light feature on a phone is a complete moron. There is no downside to having (optional) lights, and enormous upsides. Why anyone would prefer to miss messages or have to turn on their phones 50 times a day to check for messages instead of having notification lights to alert them is mind-boggling.

That there is even 1 page of debate about this, let alone 18 pages, does not speak well of the IQ of the typical iphone user.

A notfication light is a fantastic feature, and a pretty basic feature too, which is why most other phones have them. It's also the single biggest issue that may drive me back to Android when I get a new phone.

 

[appleii.c]

I can't wade through 18 pages of comments, so I'll just say that anyone who does not see the value of a notification light feature on a phone is a complete moron.

That there is even 1 page of debate about this, let alone 18 pages, does not speak well of the IQ of the typical iphone user.

A notfication light is a fantastic feature, and a pretty basic feature too, which is why most other phones have them. It's also the single biggest issue that may drive me back to Android when I get a new phone.

Value and necessity are two completely different things. I have no NEED for one therefore I don't WANT one. Never said I didn't see the value in it. To date, I cant recall a single moment where I've been in close enough proximity to my phone to see a notification, where I haven't been able to just "tap the home button" to see if there were any.

Attacking the IQ of iPhone users is as much of a stretch as it is to call someone lazy for not being able to get up off the couch to check their phone.

 

[Tinmania]

I can't wade through 18 pages of comments, so I'll just say that anyone who does not see the value of a notification light feature on a phone is a complete moron.

That there is even 1 page of debate about this, let alone 18 pages, does not speak well of the IQ of the typical iphone user.

A notfication light is a fantastic feature, and a pretty basic feature too, which is why most other phones have them. It's also the single biggest issue that may drive me back to Android when I get a new phone.

Let me spare you from reading... the rebuttals, yes rebuttals to a feature that would not affect anyone who doesn't want it, come down to this:

1.) Smart watches will replace the need for it. Sure it might be 7+ years since the iPhone debuted without an LED but now we don't need it anyway. Well, now being next year sometime when the Apple watch comes out.

2.) Who doesn't check their iPhone constantly?? That is just crazy talk.

3.) Why do you want a feature from 1974?

4.) The blinking light blinds me at night. I don't want to endure that. In fact, I have black tape over the other 86 LEDs around my home so they don't bother me either.

5.) I don't want to be a slave to a blinking light.


That should cover it.


Michael

 

[TomTomHatesCats]

Why do people like you constantly throw insulting words like iSheep and Fanboy and others when someone doesn't like what you like? Or doesn't see things YOUR way? Most Apple users like simpler products. They prefer aesthetics and design (both in hardware and software) over what some would call gimmicky features. I'm one of them. I'm not going to go on an android forum and bash the notification, or removable SD card, or anything else. But personally I don't need a Swiss army knife for a phone. I don't need a bunch of little gimmicks.

You can put a toaster oven in a ferrari and claim that its only there for those who need it, and I'm sure you'll get a large group that won't want it... Even if its tucked away nicely in the glove compartment.

Check my stats. I've never uttered the word on MacRumors until this thread, and when I did, it was in a very specific context. You might find I've been the LEAST vituperative poster on this side of the LED fence. In addition, the poster to whom I made the reference already responded to me a couple of posts back with no apparent feeling of ill will, so he, at least, seemed to understand what I meant by the reference.

If I’ve thrown anything negative in the direction of LED naysayers, it was always to respond to very specific points made by them or to seek/offer clarification.

For example, in your ranting post just now, you characterized LED as a gimmick. That goes against the fact that many of us have found it useful in the past, hence this 400+ post thread. As for the reasons why we found it useful, we've supplied them many times over. LED is not the be-all-end-all, but it's also not a gimmick.

Why bring up the fact that you don’t troll Android forums? Do you own an Android phone? If you did, you have every right to complain about them there. I’m an iPhone user, so I have a right to offer my opinions about the iPhone.

If I start a thread about the need for a knife attached to my phone, by all means, attack. Until then, please understand that posts like yours do nothing but caricature the other side.

By the way, I don't need to hear what most Apple users like… Again, check my stats. I've been using Apple products since 1985, and have only ever purchased Apple computers for the very reasons you pointed out.

Hopefully, that clears things up on where I stand.

 

[geoff5093]

Why wouldn't you want a notification LED or illuminated home button ring? If they give you an option to disable it, what do you lose?

I have an Android phone, and the LED light is very useful. It lights up a different color for each app, for instance yellow for snapchat, green for emails, blue for texts, etc. I have my phone either on my desk next to me, or across the room on a table, or in the cup holder in my car. With the notification LED, I don't have to wake my phone just to see that I don't have a notification, it blinks a subtle flash every few seconds that I can see from a glance if I have a pending notification.

Those saying "why do I need one when I can just look at my phone?", this is the whole point of the LED, so you don't have to look at your phone if there is no notifications!

 

[papashango9]

Those saying "why do I need one when I can just look at my phone?", this is the whole point of the LED, so you don't have to look at your phone if there is no notifications!

"why would i need a fingerprint scanner when i can just use my handy passcode!"

 

[heycal]

Let me spare you from reading... the rebuttals, yes rebuttals to a feature that would not affect anyone who doesn't want it, come down to this:

1.) Smart watches will replace the need for it. Sure it might be 7+ years since the iPhone debuted without an LED but now we don't need it anyway. Well, now being next year sometime when the Apple watch comes out.

2.) Who doesn't check their iPhone constantly?? That is just crazy talk.

3.) Why do you want a feature from 1974?

4.) The blinking light blinds me at night. I don't want to endure that. In fact, I have black tape over the other 86 LEDs around my home so they don't bother me either.

5.) I don't want to be a slave to a blinking light.


That should cover it.




Michael

Why wouldn't you want a notification LED or illuminated home button ring? If they give you an option to disable it, what do you lose?

I have an Android phone, and the LED light is very useful. It lights up a different color for each app, for instance yellow for snapchat, green for emails, blue for texts, etc. I have my phone either on my desk next to me, or across the room on a table, or in the cup holder in my car. With the notification LED, I don't have to wake my phone just to see that I don't have a notification, it blinks a subtle flash every few seconds that I can see from a glance if I have a pending notification.

Those saying "why do I need one when I can just look at my phone?", this is the whole point of the LED, so you don't have to look at your phone if there is no notifications!

Good posts.

Absolutely astonishing that anyone would argue against notification lights. Totally crazy...

 

[appleii.c]

Check my stats. I've never uttered the word on MacRumors until this thread, and when I did, it was in a very specific context. You might find I've been the LEAST vituperative poster on this side of the LED fence. In addition, the poster to whom I made the reference already responded to me a couple of posts back with no apparent feeling of ill will, so he, at least, seemed to understand what I meant by the reference.

If I’ve thrown anything negative in the direction of LED naysayers, it was always to respond to very specific points made by them or to seek/offer clarification.

For example, in your ranting post just now, you characterized LED as a gimmick. That goes against the fact that many of us have found it useful in the past, hence this 400+ post thread. As for the reasons why we found it useful, we've supplied them many times over. LED is not the be-all-end-all, but it's also not a gimmick.

Why bring up the fact that you don’t troll Android forums? Do you own an Android phone? If you did, you have every right to complain about them there. I’m an iPhone user, so I have a right to offer my opinions about the iPhone.

If I start a thread about the need for a knife attached to my phone, by all means, attack. Until then, please understand that posts like yours do nothing but caricature the other side.

By the way, I don't need to hear what most Apple users like… Again, check my stats. I've been using Apple products since 1985, and have only ever purchased Apple computers for the very reasons you pointed out.

Hopefully, that clears things up on where I stand.

I'm not going to read your post history but I'll take your word for it. I apologize for directing that comment directly at you. It just bothers me when I hear those terms thrown around. It's insulting to all Apple users. Apple users in general are no different than Samsung fans, Sony fans or even Dallas Cowboys fans. I don't see any difference in both defensive posts, or attacking posts from either camp.

As far as me posting on an android for him, I do happen to use a Samsung phone at work. I don't like it, but then again I'm not the type of person to go post negative comments about any product unless I'm asked.

To me, the LED is a bit gimmicky since I have no use for it, and there are many other ways to get notifications. But again it's simply my opinion. And basically that's what everybody is doing here, stating their opinions. I'm Not trying to argue with you, man. I just got a little defensive about those words. My bad.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I can't wade through 18 pages of comments, so I'll just say that anyone who does not see the value of a notification light feature on a phone is a complete moron.

In other words, "if you don't have the same OPINION as I do, you're a complete moron."

Comments like that are why this whole thread has long since past the point of complete idiocy.

 

[TomTomHatesCats]

I apologize for directing that comment directly at you. It just bothers me when I hear those terms thrown around...I just got a little defensive about those words. My bad.

No worries, and thanks for showing class. Apology accepted!

 

[nooaah]

My note3 last me a full day under the most intense use. That's good enough. And it has great number of functionalities that are useful to me. To you they may be half baked but not having any of those on iphone just means iPhone is dead in the water for me.

My iPhone plus lasts longer than my Note 3 and my N5 running Android L. And it's fair enough that the features are important to you - doesn't mean Apple users are zombies for preferring ios na'mean?

 

[heycal]

In other words, "if you don't have the same OPINION as I do, you're a complete moron."

Comments like that are why this whole thread has long since past the point of complete idiocy.

If you think a feature as valuable as notification lights is merely a subject of "opinion", along the order of preferring Coke to Pepsi, then yeah, we are talking about complete moronic thinking.

I guess I could argue that since I prefer using ringtones and don't rely on my vibration feature, the vibration feature is just a "gimmick" or a matter of "opinion" on whether a phone should have it?

Complete idiocy.

Even Apple seems to recognize the value of a notification light, albeit in a small, hardly useful, and almost unconscious seeming way. If they didn't, they wouldn't offer you the option to have the LED flash during messages and calls, would they? So… if they're smart enough to realize that a visual aid is indeed a helpful and desirable feature, why aren't they smart enough to realize that elaborating or expanding upon that feature would be a VERY helpful and desirable feature?

Hell, I'd even settle for a poor man's notification light if Apple is too lazy to make a proper one: Just tweak the existing LED flash feature to allow it to repeat or glow steady if desired. (And I'll gladly trade the extra juice required for it, thanks). Is even that simple but very meaningful adjustment too much to ask?

Typical Apple stubborness. I assume, like screen size, they will get there someday. I just may die of old age first.

 

[Surf Monkey]

If you think a feature as valuable as notification lights is merely a subject of "opinion", along the order of preferring Coke to Pepsi, then yeah, we are talking about complete moronic thinking.

I guess I could argue that since I prefer using ringtones and don't rely on my vibration feature, the vibration feature is just a "gimmick" or a matter of "opinion" on whether a phone should have it?

Complete idiocy.

Even Apple seems to recognize the value of a notification light, albeit in a small, hardly useful, and almost unconscious seeming way. If they didn't, they wouldn't offer you the option to have the LED flash during messages and calls, would they? So… if they're smart enough to realize that a visual aid is indeed a helpful and desirable feature, why aren't they smart enough to realize that elaborating or expanding upon that feature would be a VERY helpful and desirable feature?

Hell, I'd even settle for a poor man's notification light if Apple is too lazy to make a proper one: Just tweak the existing LED flash feature to allow it to repeat or glow steady if desired. (And I'll gladly trade the extra juice required for it, thanks). Is even that simple but very meaningful adjustment too much to ask?

Typical Apple stubborness. I assume, like screen size, they will get there someday. I just may die of old age first.

Thanks for illustrating my point so elegantly. According to you, I'm an idiot because I don't share your OPINION.

Good luck in life to you with an attitude like that!

 

[mib1800]

My iPhone plus lasts longer than my Note 3 and my N5 running Android L. And it's fair enough that the features are important to you - doesn't mean Apple users are zombies for preferring ios na'mean?

Well you have the Note3 then you should know the LED is invisible if it is not on. For those who doesnt like it can choose not to use it. Who in the right mind would argue against this? You said zombies, I didnt. hmmm...come to think of it..

 

[heycal]

Thanks for illustrating my point so elegantly. According to you, I'm an idiot!

Yes. Exactly.

 

[iUseBoth]

The Cluelessness is this thread is pathetic.

The thread starter obviously stated that some may not want LED notification and that this thread wasn't for you, only for those that do want it.

The LED notification isn't for when you have your phone in your hands, it's for the times when it's away from you so that you don't have to walk to your phone or grab it and unlock it just to see if you have a notification.

Colored notifications tell you if the notification is important enough to attend to it at that moment or if it can wait.

The fact that you guys act like led notifications are useless is pathetic. You're probably the same group who said iPhone's were just the right size and if you wanted a bigger size you'd buy a Tablet. Now you're walking around happily with a bigger phone.

----------

I know you're just ITCHING for a gotcha to emerge here, but guess what? Apple isn't going to add an LED notification indicator to the iPhone. No more than they're going to add a hard drive or a telescoping antenna or brass ringer bells. It just isn't going to happen, so there's going to be no opportunity for a flip flop here.

Sorry.

Yup apple and isheep also said iPhone's would never be bigger and widgets suck. Quit being a sucker for apple

----------

I hate the LED notification with all my soul, wanted to bust my android with a stone because I couldnt stop it flashing with every Facebook and Twitter notification.

And you weren't smart enough to figure out that you can turn off those notifications? Android definitely is not for People like you

 

[iUseBoth]

I can't wade through 18 pages of comments, so I'll just say that anyone who does not see the value of a notification light feature on a phone is a complete moron. There is no downside to having (optional) lights, and enormous upsides. Why anyone would prefer to miss messages or have to turn on their phones 50 times a day to check for messages instead of having notification lights to alert them is mind-boggling.

That there is even 1 page of debate about this, let alone 18 pages, does not speak well of the IQ of the typical iphone user.

A notfication light is a fantastic feature, and a pretty basic feature too, which is why most other phones have them. It's also the single biggest issue that may drive me back to Android when I get a new phone.

Agreed, this is the world apple users live in. They lack objectivity and come off as insecure over a simple phone and features.