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Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

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Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree, there's plenty of things I think a small form factor excels at. Do I enjoy using Word on my phone to write a document? No. Do I enjoy writing texts and messages on my phone? Yes. Would I get my laptop out to write a text message or make a call all the time? No. The fact it's portable and can fit in your pocket, is the exact point and I can navigate the entire device with two thumbs.

I'm not entirely sure you disagreed. It sounds like mostly what you value is indeed the portability ("I don't want to get my laptop out"). But the actual experience of writing a text on your laptop is better (at least for me). If I ever need to write a long message or many messages, I do get my laptop out because the hassle of that is outweighed by how much faster I can type on a computer than on my phone.

I'd hardly call the features that we now have in a device that fits in your pocket a technological regression.

The fact that I can video call my mother almost anywhere in the world, view emails, send high quality photos to family and see pictures of my friends around the world using two thumbs is hardly a technological regression.

Do I prefer writing emails on my mechanical keyboard looking at my 27" IPS display, yes. But that doesn't take away the value of my mobile phone that allows me to do that anywhere anytime.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not entirely sure you disagreed. It sounds like mostly what you value is indeed the portability ("I don't want to get my laptop out"). But the actual experience of writing a text on your laptop is better (at least for me). If I ever need to write a long message or many messages, I do get my laptop out because the hassle of that is outweighed by how much faster I can type on a computer than on my phone.

Let's not forget that what you type on a physical keyboard might have some semblance of what you intended. My phone "corrects" my words on such a frequent basis that it has just become accepted that written communication contains nonsensical words/phrases because an algorithm thought it knew better.

The same thing could be said for people using Microsoft Word on their desktop.

You can change those autocorrections in both options.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not entirely sure you disagreed. It sounds like mostly what you value is indeed the portability ("I don't want to get my laptop out"). But the actual experience of writing a text on your laptop is better (at least for me). If I ever need to write a long message or many messages, I do get my laptop out because the hassle of that is outweighed by how much faster I can type on a computer than on my phone.

I wish I could do phone calls and text messages using a 8" tablet, but that functionality is not offered — directly. It is possible to do those things on a tablet but only if you first tether the tablet to a smartphone over WiFi, even if the tablet has cellular connectivity. This seems like a useless artificial limitation to me. Why not give users the choice if they want it?

They’d need to sell a phone plan in addition to the data plan. I guess there’s not enough demand to create those plans.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#44
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let's face it, doing basically anything in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks. For "consumption" devices they're absolutely terrible UX even for consumption, with literally their only selling point being that they're portable and fit in your pocket. A disheartening technological regression.

I disagree, there's plenty of things I think a small form factor excels at. Do I enjoy using Word on my phone to write a document? No. Do I enjoy writing texts and messages on my phone? Yes. Would I get my laptop out to write a text message or make a call all the time? No. The fact it's portable and can fit in your pocket, is the exact point and I can navigate the entire device with two thumbs.

[deleted]

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#45
post #7

I experimented with streaming PC games to my iPhone via SteamLink. Nifty concept, but playing traditional PC/console style games on a phone isn't much fun. Your thumbs obscure 1/3 of the screen and the UI elements are often too small to reliably tap. You really have to design the mobile experience independently of the desktop/console experience, and then account for the fact that the two markets are often very differ…

Yeah, which is why you need a controller :) https://i.imgur.com/PZ3RJq7.png Setup - 8bitdo pro 2, 8bitdo pro 2 mobile holder, streaming with sunshine and receiving with moonlight android Game - Eastward

Yep, that was immediately apparent! It would definitely make a difference. I still think the market for "people who would buy a controller add-on for their phone" is quite small though.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#46
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let's face it, doing basically anything in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks. For "consumption" devices they're absolutely terrible UX even for consumption, with literally their only selling point being that they're portable and fit in your pocket. A disheartening technological regression.

I disagree, there's plenty of things I think a small form factor excels at. Do I enjoy using Word on my phone to write a document? No. Do I enjoy writing texts and messages on my phone? Yes. Would I get my laptop out to write a text message or make a call all the time? No. The fact it's portable and can fit in your pocket, is the exact point and I can navigate the entire device with two thumbs.

> Do I enjoy writing texts and messages on my phone? Yes.

Really? I hate that. No real keyboard, the on-screen keyboard just feels clunky (and I tried multiple). At home or at work I _only_ write messages over my phone using the "desktop clients" (read: electron zombies) of the messengers, or KDE connect.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#47
post #5

Playing desktop style AAA games in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks, its awkward and clunky, unless you have a handheld cradle or controller mount.

Let's face it, doing basically anything in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks. For "consumption" devices they're absolutely terrible UX even for consumption, with literally their only selling point being that they're portable and fit in your pocket. A disheartening technological regression.

> Let's face it, doing basically anything in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks

That’s just your opinion, and I’m pretty sure tens of millions of people disagree with it. There are tons of things that I prefer doing on my smartphone compared to my laptop or TV.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#48
post #47
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let's face it, doing basically anything in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks. For "consumption" devices they're absolutely terrible UX even for consumption, with literally their only selling point being that they're portable and fit in your pocket. A disheartening technological regression.

> Let's face it, doing basically anything in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks That’s just your opinion, and I’m pretty sure tens of millions of people disagree with it. There are tons of things that I prefer doing on my smartphone compared to my laptop or TV.

You'd prefer to watch videos on a smaller screen?

You'd prefer to listen to audio on tiny tinny speakers?

You'd prefer to type with two thumbs rather than 10 fingers?

You'd prefer to multitask on a screen that can only show one program?

You'd prefer to play games just two thumbs that cover the screen you're looking at?

You'd prefer to have an incosistent internet connection as opposed to ethernet?

You know none of those are true. Like it's been mentioned already the strengths lie in portability. GPS and Camera. Those things are inherently linked to being able to carry something small around. And even then for specific cases dedicated GPS devices and dedicated cameras are used.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#49
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The key point is that, if you were already at the laptop and could message (iMessage, Discord,Slack), would you switch to a phone to tap out the text with your thumbs or keep typing on the keyboard. We all know the answer. The only advantage of mobile devices is their size, mobility, and convenience. For actual winning (development, drawing, design, modeling) you want a larger screen and better UI.

It doesn't have to be mutually exclusive but perhaps with the current options for mobile devices on the market, they are. To this day, I still miss the Blackberry keyboard. And while I'm on this triggering topic, I also miss QNX, a real-time operating system that won't prioritize Candy Crush over a 911 call. Don't get me started about the removable batteries. I'm about to have another graveyard of Apple chargers in m…

The cable/charger situation was worse in the pre-smartphone era. I remember two variants of Nokia, several for Sony/Ericsson and an even greater number for Samsung. Most phones had proprietary audio connectors too. People are now able to switch between all major smartphone brands without purchasing new cables or power supplies. If you wanted to, you could just use your USB-A power brick with a USB-A to USB-C cable.

Re: Report shows that AAA games for iPhone and iPad aren't a hit with users

#50

Playing desktop style AAA games in the form factor of a smartphone just sucks, its awkward and clunky, unless you have a handheld cradle or controller mount.

They just keep picking the wrong games. Fallout 1 and 2 would be perfect on a phone/tablet. Civilization style games do really well also. Heroes of Might and Magic is basically designed for mobile first. The XCom game I played at one point was really good. It did well to capture the feel of the original games. Anything turn based with a mostly mouse/cursor driven input is a decent experience. The issue is that publis…

I fully agree that the strategy games are the best candidates for that. It's a pity that those games are losing popularity to casual games. Strategy games are more complex and require more time and effort.
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