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iPhone OS 4.0

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Re: iPhone OS 4.0

#61
post #52

I installed 4.0 a few days ago on my 3G and only notable difference is the folders. I think to use multi-tasking I need to upgrade my phone to 3gs? Stinks if that's correct!

Did you install 4.0 on a device you use regularly? If so, are there not many bugs hindering your usage? I've been thinking about doing this as well but Apple recommends against it.

It crashes a lot, but it's usable. Some apps don't work, since they explicitly look for version 3.X (Such as AirVideo)

Of course, no apps background properly currently, but it's useful for testing.

I'm using it on my primary iPhone, but I carry a backup phone in case I actually need to get stuff done ;)

Re: iPhone OS 4.0

#62
post #61
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you install 4.0 on a device you use regularly? If so, are there not many bugs hindering your usage? I've been thinking about doing this as well but Apple recommends against it.

It crashes a lot, but it's usable. Some apps don't work, since they explicitly look for version 3.X (Such as AirVideo) Of course, no apps background properly currently, but it's useful for testing. I'm using it on my primary iPhone, but I carry a backup phone in case I actually need to get stuff done ;)

THe app store gets a little wonky and one time the phone would not charge or power down the usual way. I had to hard reset it by going into settings - reset - reset network settings. Other then that no major issues.

I only have one iPhone, but I do have iTouch I use to test our app on.

Re: iPhone OS 4.0

#63
post #47
post #46

"Unfortunately, notifications were not addressed in iPhone OS 4.0." OK, it was kind of passive aggressive of you (the author of the post) to just state this without any explanation backing it up, but I'll bite. Please do give us your rant about how local notifications (introduced in OS 4.0) in addition to the already existing push notifications does not address notifications. Or maybe you just missed that part?

I think he just meant that the method of showing notifications to the user hasn't changed.

I haven't been following the evolution iPhone OS releases during the beta phase, but isn't it possible that features are added (or removed) before the final release this summer?

Re: iPhone OS 4.0

#64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me, pinching and multitouch are easy and natural, but often I just use a double tap to zoom instead. In this case, the real alternative to the task switcher is flicking through multiple pages of apps, which surely is more difficult than a simple row of recently used apps. It's hard to imagine a pinching gesture that would be usable here, without interfering with the current app.

I don't understand how the task switcher makes a difference for one-handed operation. Either you hit home once, swipe, and tap to open an app, or you double-tap home, swipe at the bottom area of the screen, and tap to open an app. It seems to me that not using the task switcher is more one-hand-friendly, since you can swipe wherever you want?

I see your point. Switching to an app that isn't in the four most-recently-used apps of the first task switcher screen would likely require a similar effort as using the multiple pages of the home screen.

However, if a user is switching between three or four apps for a given period of time, those apps may very well lie on very different pages of the Springboard. The most frequently used apps are not always the apps that matter now.

Even when you would need to swipe in the task switcher, surely it is easier to find an app among 4 instead of 16?

(Maybe the task switcher really is only useful for a small subset of use cases, in which case your position would seem to be the logical one.)

Re: iPhone OS 4.0

#65
post #63
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think he just meant that the method of showing notifications to the user hasn't changed.

I haven't been following the evolution iPhone OS releases during the beta phase, but isn't it possible that features are added (or removed) before the final release this summer?

It's possible, but Apple generally only adds small features after the initial introduction of a new system. I would be extremely surprised if something like notifications received a total overhaul for the final version of 4.0; I think they would have mentioned that.

Re: iPhone OS 4.0

#66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Stinks?! Really? Apple have done a pretty good job of backporting features where it makes sense to do so.

Well Id like to upgrade to the 3gs and I do so for $200, but only way I can get a 3gs due to cellphone contract is pay $500 or more. Which is the cost of the iPad, which does not makes sense. Is Apple saying after 4 years of the iPhone in production the cost to manufacture both the iPhone & iPad are the same? Bullcrap AT&T/Apple!

The iPhone costs what the market is willing to pay.

Re: iPhone OS 4.0

#67
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I actually use it, especially when I'm trying to go back and forth between email, maps, and music.

As do I. It's one of the best things about Android, I've found. Going back and forth between two applications directly is very, very efficient for using a mobile OS, I've found. I think the author is wrong in saying that it appears as a "random selection" of apps. If I'm using it, it's because I remembered that I was just using another app. I'm not using it for discovery; I'm using it as a shortcut.

I use it all the time, too. It's essentially a taskbar for recently used or running apps. If I follow a link from Seesmic or Gmail, but want to keep the browser open, I and swap back to mail. Or maybe a song comes on that I don't feel like listening to at the moment, so I swap over and skip it in the same manner.
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