iPhone OS 4.0
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iPhone OS 4.0
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Re: iPhone OS 4.0
#2I know, another article about the iPhone, but I really liked this bit (with relevance beyond the iPhone OS):
«I think it’s fair to say that most people involved in interaction design tend to agree that hierarchical file systems have largely failed their users. […] However, when we say ‹hierarchical file systems don’t work›, most of us end that sentence with ‹so we need to replace them with something better› in our heads. Apple, on the other hand, ended the sentence with ‹so we’re not going to bother with this stuff, let’s just leave this up to each individual application.›»
Re: iPhone OS 4.0
#3I would be interested in the author's opinions about the iAd platform.
Re: iPhone OS 4.0
#4I’m not convinced that the task switcher needs to exist. Since apps in the task switcher aren’t really running, the task switcher isn’t so much a task switcher as it is a list of recently used apps
The task switcher lets you switch back and forth between apps one handed using your thumb. I think that's part of the rationale for it. Also, the Least Recently Used algorithm will dynamically make a short list of the actually used apps in a user's collection. Most users probably spend 80% of time in a small minority of their apps.
Re: iPhone OS 4.0
#5Before using it, I too was skeptical about the task switcher, but it works really well. It is fast and works about as well (and as quickly in practice) as alt-tab on a Mac or PC.
The author makes a good point about the difference in icon placements between the folder icon and the folder itself.
For file management, iPhone OS 3.2+ is already half way there. It syncs specific files from one's computer to specific apps. What we need is to extend this and have a system-wide documents database that is akin to the contacts, calendars, and music database APIs. Version control support in this API would be cool as well.
Re: iPhone OS 4.0
#6I’m not convinced that the task switcher needs to exist. Since apps in the task switcher aren’t really running, the task switcher isn’t so much a task switcher as it is a list of recently used apps The task switcher lets you switch back and forth between apps one handed using your thumb. I think that's part of the rationale for it. Also, the Least Recently Used algorithm will dynamically make a short list of the actu…
Yep. I also think it's a function of the location of the two apps. For whatever reason I find myself switching between apps on pages (say) 1 and 4. A surprisingly large hassle after a few switches. Yes, I could move one for a while to get around the issue, but this obviates the need for remodeling, as that other app will be right there.
Re: iPhone OS 4.0
#7Android has an almost-identical "task switcher" (press and hold the Home button to show a popup of recent apps). I don't think anyone I know uses it regularly - and I just spent 18 months working in a 30-person Android software company.
Re: iPhone OS 4.0
#8Before using it, I too was skeptical about the task switcher, but it works really well. It is fast and works about as well (and as quickly in practice) as alt-tab on a Mac or PC. The author makes a good point about the difference in icon placements between the folder icon and the folder itself. For file management, iPhone OS 3.2+ is already half way there. It syncs specific files from one's computer to specific apps.…
Does OS 4.0 running on an iPhone allow access to syncing specific files via iTunes like OS 3.2 on iPad does?
Re: iPhone OS 4.0
#9Android has an almost-identical "task switcher" (press and hold the Home button to show a popup of recent apps). I don't think anyone I know uses it regularly - and I just spent 18 months working in a 30-person Android software company.
I only ever activate that screen accidentally, myself, and I've been using Android since the G1 launched.
Re: iPhone OS 4.0
#10Android has an almost-identical "task switcher" (press and hold the Home button to show a popup of recent apps). I don't think anyone I know uses it regularly - and I just spent 18 months working in a 30-person Android software company.
I actually use it, especially when I'm trying to go back and forth between email, maps, and music.