iOSpattern continues on course – will be iOS 14. While
there’s sure to be plenty to talk about when the
software is officially announced, let’s take a look at the
latest hints about what might be in store for the next
version of Apple’s mobile platform.Default is in the stars?
Last month, in a development that came as a surprise to
many Apple watchers, a report in Bloomberg suggested
that iOS 14 may, for the first time ever, bring users the
ability to choose default mail and web browsers on
the mobile platform.
My feelings about the ability to change default apps
are already on record: I think it’s good for users, good
for developers and good for Apple. What’s not to like?
The real surprise, as far as I’m concerned, is that the
company hasn’t already rolled out this feature. After all,
you’ve been able to choose default apps on the Mac
for years and years.
Yes, iOS is more of a controlled environment, and
arguments have been made that the consistency of
experience was important, especially in the early days
of mobile adoption. But 13 years into the smartphone
era, most users have developed comfort – if not
full fluency – with their mobile devices, which they
probably use more than any other tech device they
own. It’s high time to allow some of the same freedoms
that we have on our desktops and laptops, even if it
might end up moving some users away from Apple’s
built-in offerings.
For the record, I sincerely doubt that most people
will move, but making the change will still help appeaseiOS
patterncontinuesoncourse–willbeiOS14.While
there’ssuretobeplentytotalkaboutwhenthe
softwareisofficiallyannounced,let’stakealookatthe
latesthintsaboutwhatmightbeinstoreforthenext
versionofApple’smobileplatform.Defaultis in the stars?
Lastmonth,inadevelopmentthatcameasasurpriseto
manyApplewatchers,areportinBloombergsuggested
thatiOS 14 may,forthefirsttimeever,bringusersthe
abilitytochoosedefaultmailandwebbrowserson
the mobileplatform.
Myfeelingsabouttheabilitytochangedefaultapps
arealreadyonrecord:Ithinkit’sgoodforusers,good
for developersandgoodforApple.What’snottolike?
Therealsurprise,asfarasI’mconcerned,isthatthe
companyhasn’talreadyrolledoutthisfeature.Afterall,
you’vebeenabletochoosedefaultappsontheMac
for yearsandyears.
Yes,iOSismoreofacontrolledenvironment,and
argumentshavebeenmadethattheconsistencyof
experiencewasimportant,especiallyintheearlydays
ofmobileadoption.But 13 yearsintothesmartphone
era,mostusershavedevelopedcomfort–ifnot
fullfluency–withtheirmobiledevices,whichthey
probablyusemorethananyothertechdevicethey
own.It’shightimetoallowsomeofthesamefreedoms
thatwehaveonourdesktopsandlaptops,evenifit
mightendupmovingsomeusersawayfromApple’s
built-inofferings.
Fortherecord,Isincerelydoubtthatmostpeople
willmove,butmakingthechangewillstillhelpappease