Support NeoGAF

[LiveFromKyoto]

Switch bar: one press
Home screen: two press

Going by my averages so far, this would save me roughly 800 clicks a week.

Apple might not want to do it because of technophobes who would freak out and be unable to figure out how to get back to the home screen, but maybe there's some kind of special wristband they can give those people to remind them.

 

[mehdi_san]

Notes Plus is on sale for $1 right now. Haven't tried it myself yet but I've heard from someone else that it's pretty good, kind of like Note Taker but with a cleaner UI and some other features like object recognition and selection, typing, and sound recording.

Wow this app really works well!! I just played with it for 15min and some of the features are really well thought, especially the zoom box for hand writing that does auto-scroll. Shape detection for drawing figures is also nice. I'm using a hand made pen by the way. I just wish it could have an upload to dropbox feature instead of google docs, that I never use.

 

[japtor]

Didn't play with it too much yesterday, seemed pretty nice but something about the speed or input bugged me a lot, Note Taker feels faster but I'll have to play with it more.

You could try emailing stuff to Dropbox, Habilis is gone but a new thing popped up: Send To Dropbox.

 

[Blackhead]

Didn't play with it too much yesterday, seemed pretty nice but something about the speed or input bugged me a lot, Note Taker feels faster but I'll have to play with it more.

You could try emailing stuff to Dropbox, Habilis is gone but a new thing popped up: Send To Dropbox.

what happened to habilis?

 

[japtor]

what happened to habilis?

No clue. I just noticed a few days ago an email got bounced back so I checked the site and this message is there:

Habilis has been retired

We're sorry to say that Habilis has gone to the Great Server in the Sky. It was fun while it lasted.

We recommend you take a look at http://sendtodropbox.com/ if you're looking for an alternative.

 

[numble]

Switch bar: one press
Home screen: two press

Going by my averages so far, this would save me roughly 800 clicks a week.

Apple might not want to do it because of technophobes who would freak out and be unable to figure out how to get back to the home screen, but maybe there's some kind of special wristband they can give those people to remind them.

As much as people like to argue about Apple preferring uniform experiences, they used to let you define what a double click of the Home button does does, and they currently let you define what a triple click does, so it's not out of the question, for this or that orientation lock issue.

 

[mrklaw]

Zumocast lets you download any file (video, music or document) so you have a local copy that can be played without wifi or data connection. It means I can transfer something to my iPhone or iPad in work and watch it on the journey home where I'd have no wifi and intermittent data.

It does? That's the only thing missing from air video to make it perfect

Can it transcode before transferring, or would I need to convert in air video and then access that folder from zumocast?

 

[japtor]

It does? That's the only thing missing from air video to make it perfect

Can it transcode before transferring, or would I need to convert in air video and then access that folder from zumocast?

I haven't used it in a while, but last time I did it was basically a live conversion/transfer process, like it'd download a stream* rather than just downloading the file itself.

*I used it once and checked out the file on the iPad (using iPhone Explorer), instead of a regular video format it split it up into a bunch of .ts file chunks with a playlist file, which is how HTTP live streaming works.

If you want to just download files and play locally there's other apps that can do it, one uses SMB and another uses SSH. I think the SMB one is called FileBrowser or something.

 

[Aske]

Your method was one press to the brightness/player controls, not straight to the switcher!

True, true. But the thrust of my irritation was with double clicking. I care far less about swiping. So swipe to settings or swipe to switcher, I don't care as long as I can get there with one click.

 

[Tobor]

As much as people like to argue about Apple preferring uniform experiences, they used to let you define what a double click of the Home button does does, and they currently let you define what a triple click does, so it's not out of the question, for this or that orientation lock issue.

They've never allowed a change to single click though. That should always take you home. My 2 year old nephew has figured that out.

 

[krypt0nian]

Single click is Home. That's not going to change.

I think they may add the option to change the mute button back to screen orientation, especially since mute is activated by holding down volume for a second already.

 

[eznark]

If only Apple had enough respect for it's users to give us options

 

[LCfiner]

If only Apple had enough respect for it's users to give us options

the flipside is that they respect the users so much that they do the hard work of making these decisions themselves instead of dropping them on the user.

if everything in the UI becomes an “option” it ends up being a fucking mess

 

[eznark]

the flipside is that they respect the users so much that they do the hard work of making these decisions themselves instead of dropping them on the user.

if everything in the UI becomes an “option” it ends up being a fucking mess

wow

 

[Husker86]

the flipside is that they respect the users so much that they do the hard work of making these decisions themselves instead of dropping them on the user.

if everything in the UI becomes an “option” it ends up being a fucking mess

But why can't they leave their choices as the defaults and then have settings available to change it? I don't see how it's a mess if the user is defining what works for them the best. I suppose they could be worried that someone that isn't tech savvy could accidentally change something and not be able to figure it out, but I'm not sure if that's a good excuse.

 

[LCfiner]

wow

that’s right, suckah.

I can’t believe it’s even being suggested to change the single click home behaviour. it’s the most important and reliable part of the UI.

every appeal to make it an option is, to the eyes of some designers, a copout.

 

[eznark]

that’s right, suckah.

I can’t believe it’s even being suggested to change the single click home behaviour. it’s the most important and reliable part of the UI.

every appeal to make it an option is, to the eyes of some designers, a copout.

I wonder what you were like before they got to you? Probably a reasonable human with hopes, dreams and aspirations. Do you even remember what it's like to wear something other than a black turtleneck? DO YOU??

 

[LCfiner]

I wonder what you were like before they got to you? Probably a reasonable human with hopes, dreams and aspirations. Do you even remember what it's like to wear something other than a black turtleneck? DO YOU??

:lol

It’s the other way around. I started using Apple stuff cuz I was tired of being asked to go through a bunch of options and mediocre-designed shit on the other side of the fence.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

But why can't they leave their choices as the defaults and then have settings available to change it? I don't see how it's a mess if the user is defining what works for them the best. I suppose they could be worried that someone that isn't tech savvy could accidentally change something and not be able to figure it out, but I'm not sure if that's a good excuse.

This I agree with. I love the UI on all the Apple stuff because it is simple and easily understandable for anyone. But I also like customization. There are two extremes for things. I do think too much customization, or leaving it up to the user to get things running smoother and easier (much like many Android devices), is a bad thing. But restricting customization and not allowing many options is just as bad.

 

[Tobor]

that’s right, suckah.

I can’t believe it’s even being suggested to change the single click home behaviour. it’s the most important and reliable part of the UI.

every appeal to make it an option is, to the eyes of some designers, a copout.

Exactly. There's plenty of optional choices Apple could add to the OS, but this isn't one of them.

 

[Aske]

Exactly. There's plenty of optional choices Apple could add to the OS, but this isn't one of them.

I agree, believe it or not. Clearly few people would prefer to have the Home button function the alternate way, and I certainly don't expect Apple to change it. I would have preferred them to change the function of the Home button from the get go, at least with 4.2 (after all, it's no more of a profound change to the UI than the orientation/mute decision), but I certainly don't expect them to do it now. And like the bad call with the switch, it would confuse a lot of users. I am holding out for a touchscreen-based alternative though. If Apple are stubborn about changing things or providing options, they're equally enthusiastic about showing people that they can dispense with physical buttons altogether. See the iPod Shuffle. A four finger tap to bring up the switcher bar is an option I would take advantage of immediately, and something I could see Apple adding to the UI even if the double-click wasn't cumbersome just to show it can be done.

 

[Blackhead]

This I agree with. I love the UI on all the Apple stuff because it is simple and easily understandable for anyone. But I also like customization. There are two extremes for things. I do think too much customization, or leaving it up to the user to get things running smoother and easier (much like many Android devices), is a bad thing. But restricting customization and not allowing many options is just as bad.

Exactly. I like the OS X. I like that Apple took the time to ensure that the default option works for 80% of the users in most cases. But I also like that the opportunity is always there to change the stuff I don't feel is right for me.

 

[eznark]

Exactly. There's plenty of optional choices Apple could add to the OS, but this isn't one of them.

There is zero reason to not make it customizable.

 

[Tobor]

There is zero reason to not make it customizable.

Of course there are reasons, you just don't like them.

1.They think it's the right way to do it.

2.They want this most basic function to work the same, no matter who uses it, or no matter who you hand your iPad to.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

Of course there are reasons, you just don't like them.

1.They think it's the right way to do it.

2.They want this most basic function to work the same, no matter who uses it, or no matter who you hand your iPad to.

Certain things like the home button functionality should stay universal. Imagine if you could change what the power/sleep button did. So many issues. Other things like folders, dock, icon arrangement should be customizable. I wish I could arrange the layout of icons in iOS instead of them always starting at the top of the screen. Is it a deal breaker? No. But it would be nice to have the option.

 

[eznark]

I've been away too long, forgot what apple threads are like

 

[Tobor]

Certain things like the home button functionality should stay universal. Imagine if you could change what the power/sleep button did. So many issues. Other things like folders, dock, icon arrangement should be customizable. I wish I could arrange the layout of icons in iOS instead of them always starting at the top of the screen. Is it a deal breaker? No. But it would be nice to have the option.

I agree, I'm specifically referring to the home button here.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

I agree, I'm specifically referring to the home button here.

Oh, I know Tobor. I was just commenting in general.

 

[alterno69]

Problem here....

I purchased 12 songs last week trhough my ipad and now they're gone. I synced it yesterday for the first time since i bought the songs and they dissapeared from my ipad. How do i get them back? They are not on my pc either.

 

[monchi-kun]

Problem here....

I purchased 12 songs last week trhough my ipad and now they're gone. I synced it yesterday for the first time since i bought the songs and they dissapeared from my ipad. How do i get them back? They are not on my pc either.

contact apple support, they'll have a record of your transaction

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

There is zero reason to not make it customizable.

Unless you've actually ever worked in supporting computing hardware and software, because all of us that have just lost our shit reading what you wrote here. It's like how a retail worker feels when someone says "the customer is always right."

 

[eznark]

Unless you've actually ever worked in supporting computing hardware and software, because all of us that have just lost our shit reading what you wrote here. It's like how a retail worker feels when someone says "the customer is always right."

Who gives a shit about customer service reps?

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

Who gives a shit about customer service reps?

It's not even limited to them. Work in a small company where you become the creator and support and you have to defend every decision you make not just to your company but to your users.

As far as I can tell, your opinions and rebuttals just come from "wah, I want it the way I want it" and then you just turn Marty Chinn us and fall on the tired fanboy implications. It's really not a big deal at all and people like reading different viewpoints when the discussion stays intelligent.

 

[eznark]

My opinions come from a year with a Droid after 3 years with iphones. I want them combined, damn it!

 

[Burger]

There is zero reason to not make it customizable.

Zero reasons? Really? Zero?

Think for a minute why that makes Zero sense.

 

[Phoenix]

But why can't they leave their choices as the defaults and then have settings available to change it? I don't see how it's a mess if the user is defining what works for them the best. I suppose they could be worried that someone that isn't tech savvy could accidentally change something and not be able to figure it out, but I'm not sure if that's a good excuse.

You would actually make developing software for the platform a LOT harder. While Apple's rules are sometimes arbitrary - the fact that we can rely on specific behavior of the device makes life a LOT easier when you're pushing out a software release.

 

[eznark]

Zero reasons? Really? Zero?

Think for a minute why that makes Zero sense.

I have yet to see a reason for it. How does changing the face button action from tasks to home make a difference in how you develop an application. What stops you from programming your application to treat the home screen how it wants.

The problem with Android is not the ability to customize, it's the lack of standard hardware. Apple doesn't face that problem.

For God's sake, we've been able to customize our keyboards forever and yet somehow someway, developers are still able to program for the PC.

I'm pretty sure you don't all work for Apple, you don't have to tow the company line.

 

[Burger]

I have yet to see a reason for it. How does changing the face button action from tasks to home make a difference in how you develop an application. What stops you from programming your application to treat the home screen how it wants.

The problem with Android is not the ability to customize, it's the lack of standard hardware. Apple doesn't face that problem.

For God's sake, we've been able to customize our keyboards forever and yet somehow someway, developers are still able to program for the PC.

I'm pretty sure you don't all work for Apple, you don't have to tow the company line.

I love how agreeing with a design decision from Apple means you must somehow either work for them, or enjoy kowtowing to them.

Anyway, the home button consistency is a design decision. You looking at it like an engineer. Users are instilled with confidence in the button, it always performs the action it was designed to do. If Apps started changing that (and somehow quitting through a menu) I imagine people would start throwing their iPads through windows, it would feel broken.

 

[eznark]

Ya, but unless you yourself change it, it will still always perform the same...your argument only makes sense if the user gets to set the original default

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

Ya, but unless you yourself change it, it will still always perform the same...your argument only makes sense if the user gets to set the original default

You have to have seen the hundreds of threads on GAF over the years of people thinking their Firefox was broken when it was really just a bad, forgotten, or outdated extension. Same with Windows and any alterations and plug-ins people use.

 

[eznark]

You have to have seen the hundreds of threads on GAF over the years of people thinking their Firefox was broken when it was really just a bad, forgotten, or outdated extension. Same with Windows and any alterations and plug-ins people use.

what does that have to do with keybindings? Make it difficult to find, I don't care, just let intelligent users customize their device instead of assuming they are mentally handicapped.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

You can always jailbreak.

 

[eznark]

You can always jailbreak.

Which apple always makes onerous with new updates. I'd even be mollified if they just winknnodded at jailbreaking like Google does.

 

[Burger]

Which apple always makes onerous with new updates. I'd even be mollified if they just winknnodded at jailbreaking like Google does.

It ain't gonna happen, and this silly argument is shitting up this thread. Go get a Samsung Galaxy Tab, I heard that runs Androind and is 'open' (lol).

 

[eznark]

It ain't gonna happen, and this silly argument is shitting up this thread. Go get a Samsung Galaxy Tab, I heard that runs Androind and is 'open' (lol).

I love the iPad, just wish it was more customizable. (I waited to see what the Tab was like...awful)

And when the "argument" in question is the only current discussion, it isn't exactly shitting up the thread.

 

[gkryhewy]

Pretty nice looking deal for a combo case/stand/bluetooth keyboard at mwave right now:
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch_v3.asp?scriteria=BA47414

The "mclub" is a free and instant sign up.

 

[CharminUltra]

Just checked out of curiosity, and it looks like there are now 49,000 (native + universal) iPad apps in the App Store. My guess is that they'll hit 50k just in time for the next Stevenote.

 

[Pachimari]

Any good apps which trains your math and memory skills?
I got the Brain Challenge HD game but I'm looking for something more dedicated and "serious".

 

[Flek]

hmmm after months with the official ipad case i decidet i want something more fency and just ordered a dodocase … i hope iam not gonna be disapointed

 

[dk_]

Got my iPad yesterday. So when is the best time to charge it? Completely empty? < 10%? 20%?