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iPad Camera Multitasking

blog.thinktapwork.com

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Re: iPad Camera Multitasking

#31

Post by kennywinker »

isatty wrote: post #25
vbsteven wrote: post #10

This is what bothers me most about Apple devices and software. They probably have the "best" devices out there in terms of user experience. I use an iPhone and iPad every day because of it. But they keep very tight control over what software can be installed and run on it in order to safeguard their views on UX and security/privacy. This means for me as a developer that it's hard to write software and tools for my ow…

The tight control over what the software can do is a big part of what makes apple devices have such a good user experience. Even as a power user/SWE/tinkerer I hope that does not change because I want my daily driver devices to be as reliable and zero config as they can be. Sideloading/rooting an idevice as long as it can’t do Apple Pay/bypass find my iPhone is fine of course.

> The tight control over what the software can do is a big part of what makes apple devices have such a good user experience.

Correlation does not equal causation. There is a way to provide streamlined default experience without the control. The Mac has so far been an example. Everything under the sun is possible, but apple only paves the path they would prefer you take.

Re: iPad Camera Multitasking

#32

Post by slver »

misterchrister wrote: post #19
asutekku wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most popular apps are less likely to abuse the feature in a malicious way and it gives a great amount of users to test the feature.

Hilariously, “most popular apps” being Zoom getting busted for lacking basic communication security out of the gate when the pandemic hit and a/v comms became important. Please, tell us more about these most popular apps.

This argument would make sense only if being less popular meant being better at security than the popular apps...

Re: iPad Camera Multitasking

#33

Post by kevingadd »

asutekku wrote: post #21
misterchrister wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hilariously, “most popular apps” being Zoom getting busted for lacking basic communication security out of the gate when the pandemic hit and a/v comms became important. Please, tell us more about these most popular apps.

Incompetence is not maliciousness.

They also have a track record of being malicious https://twitter.com/c1truz_/status/1244737672930824193

Re: iPad Camera Multitasking

#35

Post by avereveard »

asutekku wrote: post #17
supermatt wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Reduce the odds of a screwup by giving it to arguably the most popular app in the store? This is nothing more than apple giving themselves and their preferred partners an unfair advantage - somewhat in opposition to Tim Cooks recent statement on developer equality.

Most popular apps are less likely to abuse the feature in a malicious way and it gives a great amount of users to test the feature.

> [popular apps .. less malicious]

ah yes, the notoriously well behaved facebook and tiktok

Re: iPad Camera Multitasking

#36

Post by _ph_ »

isatty wrote: post #25
vbsteven wrote: post #10

This is what bothers me most about Apple devices and software. They probably have the "best" devices out there in terms of user experience. I use an iPhone and iPad every day because of it. But they keep very tight control over what software can be installed and run on it in order to safeguard their views on UX and security/privacy. This means for me as a developer that it's hard to write software and tools for my ow…

The tight control over what the software can do is a big part of what makes apple devices have such a good user experience. Even as a power user/SWE/tinkerer I hope that does not change because I want my daily driver devices to be as reliable and zero config as they can be. Sideloading/rooting an idevice as long as it can’t do Apple Pay/bypass find my iPhone is fine of course.

I have to agree and disagree. Yes, it is good that not every app has root rights, that you have a reasonable expectation of security and some level of quality assessment. However, at the same time Apple fails dramatically at keeping bad or even nefarious apps out of the app store. And in a lot of places, user experience is outright horrible because of the restrictions. Have you ever tried to move music from files to the music app? You can't. So I have music on my iPhone I basically cannot play. Same for videos. And a lot of data handling is awkward at least. With all their power through the App Store, Apple should insist that all apps which have some sort of local data also support the files app. That all apps which play video properly support picture in picture (most don't or differently). Not to mention, that there isn't even the most basic, even if completely sandboxed, shell application. In this context I can only praise "Working Copy", which works really great in giving apps git access.

Personally, I am very excited about the new iPad Pro, but I am holding on my order till WWDC, trying to find out whether Apple finally has an answer to what I can use this gorgeous device for and finally lifts some of the road blocks.

So yes, I do think a good amount of control can help building a quality environment and on the one side is responsible for all that is good on the iPhone/iPad platform. But also flaws in the execution by Apple are responsible for a lot of things which are exactly not good user experience. At a minimum, they should try hard at improving the developer experience. Limiting the ability of apps to access car play? For apps actually distributed, yes. For developers, who want to experiment with it, definitely not. Same with the discussed API in the article. There should be a clear path for developers to discover and access these entitlements.

Re: iPad Camera Multitasking

#37

Post by _ph_ »

slver wrote: post #11

When Apple tests new ground, only their apps have access to a feature. Then only partners. Then only approved developers. Etc. This gradual rollout allows refinement and reduces the odds of screwups. It looks unfair, but Apples goal isn’t to be idealistically fair, but to keep iOS a good experience to users. For every good use of a feature there’s an abuse case.

It is fair, if Apple uses one or very few select developers in bringing a feature to the market. But after a certain point when the feature is rolled out in production of a very popular app in a way that it is visible to exist to everyone, they should be very transparent about it and clearly document it. And make it available for development, even if getting approval to deploy an application based on it might be a separate step.

Re: iPad Camera Multitasking

#38

Post by xuki »

wodenokoto wrote: post #14

I wonder if Zoom can get in trouble for spilling the beans on this private entitlement.

No, it's public information if someone wants to find out. This is the full entitlement of Zoom https://pastebin.com/0qHP2v1F

Now it would be interesting to automatically download all the popular app every update and find private entitlements.

Re: iPad Camera Multitasking

#39

Post by sneak »

numair wrote: post #3

If I were Apple, I would say “oops a couple security-sensitive APIs slipped through that we forgot to open up for requests for access,” and quickly publish an expanded list of all of the entitlements they’re currently saving for their close friends. This is different, and more toxic, than all of the in—app purchase stuff — you’re telling indie developers that no matter how hard they try, they won’t be able to match t…

Apple is good at controlling Apple narratives even when they are completely detached from reality.

I don't think Apple needs to do what you suggest here to keep their narrative around the iOS App Store intact.

Re: iPad Camera Multitasking

#40

Post by xuki »

judge2020 wrote: post #9
hrktb wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> you’re telling indie developers that no matter how hard they try, they won’t be able to match the functionality of Apple’s special friends. To note, the entitlement switching from private-only-zoom-is-in-the-loop to public-and-documented doesn’t mean that indie devs get access to it. Apple still will grant it to special friends only, and random indie devs can request but will just be rejected.

Chances are it'd be the same as the carplay drop-down - you only get access if your app is part of a market that apple allows the API to work on. You have no idea if it'll stay "only for Apple's friends" once they do this; even the current CarPlay app selection has no-name apps like Next[0] (74 total ratings), and I doubt they pulled any favors to get on there. 0: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1476724373

They have a documented process to apply for CarPlay. There is not even a way to apply for this special entitlement.
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