It’s been reported that iOS 8’s adoption has stagnated just two and a half weeks after launch and I’ve been wondering why, so I reached out to a friend who’s pretty much the quintessential normal user and asked for unbiased feedback on iOS 8. To be precise: “What you thought before updating, how quickly you decided to update, what you’ve noticed since, the things you like and don’t like about it, etc.” Here’s the original transcript, followed by my notes:
Transcript
When I first heard that this new update was coming, I wasn’t that interested because there always is an update, big deal. Afterwards I started hearing rumors about this update, things that interested me: The ability to lock your photos and messages App. It’s like God finally answered my prayers. I and all my friends were very excited. Now I wouldn’t have to worry when someone has my phone, its secured!
Unfortunately the update came, and well there was no such thing as a password for the photos or messages app. sadly. I wanted to update the day it came out, but of course I didn’t have enough space! Where was I meant to sit and find time to delete 5GB worth of space? Impossible. I let it go for the next few days, I was in no rush. About 75% of my friends in school updated within the first few days, well the ones who had space obviously. They weren’t that impressed with it. I eventually updated using ITunes after Karan told me I could, not having to delete stuff after all. I wasn’t impressed either.
The row of recent contacts that appears on the home screen really annoyed me. I don’t want anyone looking at my home screen to be able to see the last 3–5 people I contacted, it’s private. Yet, this update didn’t allow me to have my privacy. Thank god I was able to get rid of that. Also, after deleting pictures in the photos app, they would re-appear in the “recently deleted” section in the same app. I deleted the photos for a reason, why are you showing them to me again after I got rid of them? Now I would have to delete them from there as well. Such a long annoying process.
Ive complained enough about this update, please don’t assume I hate it. I don’t. There are good things that came with this update. I am finally able to send voice messages using Imessage!
Previously, when I was Imessaging my friends and I was in a lazy state, I still had to type. I couldn’t just quickly say what I had to say and move on. Now, I can! Not to forget, there is FaceTime audio conference available as well! I can FaceTime audio more than one friend at a time! Group conversations after all are always much funnier than a conversation between two people.
I could go on and on about the bad and the good of IOS 8, but I just want to wrap this up by commenting on how smart the keyboard has become. It makes typing so much easier, I begin typing a message and before I know it my phone/Ipad suggests words for me to use in order to complete my sentence. Go Iphones!
Notes
Let’s take this bit by bit.
When I first heard that this new update was coming, I wasn’t that interested because there always is an update, big deal.
I assume some normal users know the difference between major updates (iOS 7 to iOS 8) and minor updates (iOS 8 to iOS 8.0.1) but to others an update is an update.
Afterwards I started hearing rumors about this update, things that interested me: The ability to lock your photos and messages App.
I believe this is the rumor in question. It went viral on Twitter shortly after WWDC and fooled many people into thinking iOS 8 had Passcode / Touch ID Lock on a per-app basis.
Now I wouldn’t have to worry when someone has my phone, its secured!
(…)
The row of recent contacts that appears on the home screen really annoyed me. I don’t want anyone looking at my home screen to be able to see the last 3–5 people I contacted, it’s private. Yet, this update didn’t allow me to have my privacy. Thank god I was able to get rid of that.
I never considered this a problem because people generally don’t ask to use my phone, and if they do I don’t think they care who’s in my Recents list, but apparently it’s a big deal.
Also, after deleting pictures in the photos app, they would re-appear in the “recently deleted” section in the same app. I deleted the photos for a reason, why are you showing them to me again after I got rid of them? Now I would have to delete them from there as well. Such a long annoying process.
I kinda agree with this. I think it’s cool that if you accidentally delete something you can get it back, but there should at least be an option somewhere to turn this off.
I wanted to update the day it came out, but of course I didn’t have enough space! Where was I meant to sit and find time to delete 5GB worth of space? Impossible. I let it go for the next few days, I was in no rush. About 75% of my friends in school updated within the first few days, well the ones who had space obviously. They weren’t that impressed with it. I eventually updated using ITunes after Karan told me I could, not having to delete stuff after all. I wasn’t impressed either.
iOS 8 isn’t a flashy update like iOS 7 was, and most users won’t realize the power of it until at least a year when all the major Extensions and Widgets become commonplace. I think this also confirms that the 5 GB requirement for an OTA Update is definitely contributing in holding up the Adoption Rate.
I just want to wrap this up by commenting on how smart the keyboard has become. It makes typing so much easier, I begin typing a message and before I know it my phone/Ipad suggests words for me to use in order to complete my sentence.
I usually use this when quick-replying from the Lock Screen or when one-hand typing with my Left Hand. It’s worth noting that normal users are taking to it.