The iPhone’s working system is many issues, however good isn’t considered one of them. It’s been two years since I shifted to utilizing an iPhone as my major system, however I nonetheless use an Android as my secondary smartphone. And if I weren’t invested within the Apple ecosystem, I might have ditched my iPhone a very long time in the past.
I’ve been hoping desperately for iOS to get higher at some issues Android has been doing for years. As an example, I like scrolling via Twitter whereas watching a music video on YouTube. I can do that concurrently on an Android because of multiwindow help, however iOS solely gives picture-in-picture at greatest.
Earlier than I can go all-in on the iPhone, these are the 5 options from Android that I want Apple to repeat first.
Huge modifications to the always-on show
Apple launched the always-on show with the iPhone 14 Professional lineup. It’s nonetheless ridiculous and unhappy that the characteristic is restricted to the Professional lineup and unavailable on the iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus. However that could be a rant for one more time.
Apple’s tackle the always-on show was vastly totally different from Android’s when it first rolled out. It allowed the wallpaper to be seen on the display regardless of being within the “always-on” state. Some preferred it, some didn’t. The latter customers compelled Apple to introduce a technique to disable wallpaper and solely view the date, time, widgets, and notifications.
For my part, the always-on show with wallpaper offers character to iOS, making it stand out from the rivals and proving that you may borrow some options out of your nemesis in a technique to make them your personal. Listed below are a couple of ways in which I feel iOS 17 can enhance its always-on implementation.
Google’s Now Enjoying
I do know, I do know — you need to use Shazam from the Management Heart to see which track is being performed in your quick environment. However having close by songs displayed in your lock display is well one of the vital underrated options of the Pixel telephones.
As an example, I used to be on my technique to a distant space on a bus, and the motive force had a bomb playlist. I couldn’t get the identify of the songs he was enjoying as a result of Shazam doesn’t work with out LTE or Wi-Fi. Alternatively, as soon as, after I was in a cab with the Google Pixel 3 XL and not using a SIM, it was capable of acknowledge the track and present the identify on the lock display.
It’s a easy however efficient characteristic that can be utilized to impress your date in the event that they ask you, “what track is that?” And, sure, I’m talking from real-life expertise right here.
Motorola’s Peek Show
Wih iOS 16’s always-on implementation, you get notifications as playing cards, and if you wish to gaze on the notification, you’ll need to mild up the display. I don’t assume that is the best technique to deal with notifications on an always-on show.
On this regard, Motorola is main the best way with its Peek Show. It shows the icons for every app’s notification on the always-on display, and whenever you press and maintain the icon, it reveals the notification. All of this occurs whereas the cellphone is in its resting state — it doesn’t mild up the show. You may then select to work together with the app (by unlocking the display) or go away or not it’s.
I’m not asking Apple to repeat the characteristic as it’s. Apple has the flexibility to borrow it in a technique to make the characteristic its personal. I want to work together with the playing cards by lengthy urgent them on the lock display. That will be superior.
Significant modifications to productiveness
I’ve been saying this since I started utilizing iPhones: iOS isn’t the best working system. Android is approach forward of iOS in the case of productiveness, and as we transfer into 2023, that lead is barely rising bigger.
Right here’s what I’d like iOS 17 to borrow from its Android counterparts within the productiveness division.
Samsung’s Multiwindow
Samsung’s One UI gives multiwindow help, permitting you to entry a number of apps concurrently. Like I discussed at first of the article, I’ve the behavior of watching a music video on YouTube whereas I scroll via my Twitter feed.
One other instance of how I apply it to Samsung telephones is after I’m researching for a narrative. I open a Chrome tab on the backside and have Google Maintain on the high concurrently to maintain observe of the details I discover in my analysis.
I’d love to do this on my iPhone 14 Professional Max’s massive show. I really feel like iOS 16 doesn’t know find out how to use all of the display actual property on its greatest iPhone. By offering it multiwindow help, Apple can additional create a distinction between its common iPhone and the Professional Max.
Xiaomi’s floating window
Xiaomi’s MIUI permits you to entry one app on high of one other. No, it’s not simply YouTube enjoying in a small window on high of your Twitter feed — you possibly can really fireplace up different apps over Chrome or Twitter, and it really works completely advantageous.
Once I’m utilizing a Xiaomi cellphone, I principally discover myself utilizing the floating window for the calculator app. I earn in U.S. {dollars} and need to translate that into Indian rupees, plus do some tax calculations. In these conditions, I open my bill, and on high of it, I take advantage of the calculator app to handle my bills.
Apple’s A-series processors have all of the firepower to make this occur. For no matter cause, Apple chooses to not put it to use.
Oppo’s one-handed mode
Oppo’s ColorOS comes with a one-handed mode that permits you to swipe from the middle to the bottom-left or bottom-right nook of the display to reinforce reachability. One of the best half is you need to use it like that for so long as you need.
Alternatively, my iPhone solely permits me to swipe down from the underside for reachability. And as quickly as I let go of the primary faucet, it returns to full display. As an example, if the Calendar app is on the high and also you swipe down from the underside to open it, it’s going to open on the complete display reasonably than staying because it was. Good luck tapping on the top-left nook, if it is advisable to.
The ball is in your courtroom, Apple
I’ve excessive hopes for iOS 17. I want Apple would construct no less than multiwindow help into iOS this spring, and I desperately want always-on display enhancements.
Will all of those instructed options get added? Nearly definitely not, however I hope no less than some of them make it into this 12 months’s iOS replace. If my iPhone’s always-on show turns into extra helpful and Apple lastly offers us strong multitasking instruments, it’ll be an thrilling leap for iPhone software program.
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