Eight features and improvements that we'd like to see in iOS 9

posted by Paul K. / Jun 04, 2015, 8:44 AM

Eight features and improvements that we'd like to see in iOS 9

Well, folks, Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference is right around the corner and we are about to catch a glimpse of all the new software updates and tidbits that Cupertinians have been working on for the past year. Of course, nobody knows what exactly Apple is going to talk about, but it's pretty much certain that we will be treated to previews of the new Mac OS and, of course, iOS 9.

Now, we've been hearing some pretty exciting rumors about the new mobile operating system – split screen functionality has been suggested a number of times and whispers also mentioned performance improvements for legacy devices. Indeed, a report from a couple of weeks ago said that Apple is developing a “core” variant of the update, which will enable iPhones and iPads powered by the A5 chip (iPhone 4s / iPad 2 / iPad mini) to run iOS 9 smoothly at the cost of some features.

These sure sound interesting, but there are still a number of things about Apple's operating system that we'd like to see added or improved, which have neither been rumored about, nor confirmed. So, even though we might not get any of these, here are the 7 features we'd like to see added or updated in iOS 9.

Eight features and improvements that we'd like to see in iOS 9

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28 Comments

1. TBomb

Posts: 1397; Member since: Dec 28, 2012

Lacking a lot of those things are what makes iOS, well, iOS. The second you add some of those features, its going to get too complicated for users and it's going to fall into the "confusing and doesn't always work" basket that Android is in.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 8:49 AM 4

5. SamDH1

Posts: 419; Member since: Apr 21, 2015

*cough* Lollipop is more stable than iOS8 *cough* ... :P No but I agree, I like the Android launchers because you can get rid of your apps you don't want in the App Drawer, you can load up Nova and completely get the layout of apps how you like, and you can add widgets to the home screen and get it looking pretty awesome. For example, my current (line on the bottom is the battery), and then I made an iOS8 look-alikehttp://imgur.com/a/NMTsk If you can just move around apps, I think it would start looking messy, and if someone who owns an Apple device shows someone else a messy homescreen, like on Android, people would go "ew", and I think that's kind of the beauty of an Apple device, even though it's really boring, you can't make it look gross :p

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:06 AM 4

14. TBomb

Posts: 1397; Member since: Dec 28, 2012

To continue your second half of the post: then someone will accidentally start moving apps and their phone would be unorganzied and it would frustrate someone/get too confusing. Not hating on Android with my original post.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 12:24 PM 1

16. AlikMalix unregistered

Lollipop was more stable then iOS8 not iOS 8.3. At the moment lollipop is still struggling with memory leak cancer, because most didn't get the latest patch. And it's difficult to see how well lollipop is really doing when you gut sub-10% of users who actually got it. iOS users are beyond 80% now so it only makes sense that problems are more frequently found. I'm not defending Apple - they let it go since Steve is gone. I'd switch to windows by now if they added a few more apps that I need. Or even android is no more laggy unlike when I tried it 2 years ago, with recently announced app permissions and background task management improvements - we'll have to see. Apple needs to do what it does best - be Apple - not android.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 1:45 PM 1

10. Astoni

Posts: 649; Member since: Sep 28, 2013

I kinda like that basket. but yes, if the keep adding androids features it's going to be a Appledroid.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:14 AM 0

11. waddup121 unregistered

A lot of things man

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:39 AM 0

12. igorb81

Posts: 77; Member since: Feb 27, 2012

You must be delusional. Android is a lot more stable than iOS at the current state and we have lots of options and features unlike your beloved gated iOS. I am not hating on iOS but it's just not cutting it for my needs. I am a power user and iOS is sorely lacking in every department for me.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 12:01 PM 0

13. TBomb

Posts: 1397; Member since: Dec 28, 2012

I'm not hating on Android. I've been using it since the LG Ally... I'm just saying that one of the reasons why iOS is so popular is because it's easy for people to use. People with no technology experience can figure it out... If Apple were to add the features listed then it could get "too complicated" for many of it's users. As a power user, iOS doesn't cut it for you, but for the 40yrs+ generation with a small population of technology savvy people, it does the things they need (call, text, and occasional app).

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 12:21 PM 0

15. AlikMalix unregistered

TBomb, man I've been trying to convince everyone who hates on Apple that THIS IS THE REASON that I prefer iOS. The give me basics and I'll add what I need with apps. I rather see Apple remove more things from iOS than add them this year. There's an option for everyone who wants widgets and changing fonts - it's call android. With android adding core functions from Apple and Apple adding android stuff - soon there will be no choice of u wanted minimalistic approach. Loot at the pattern: Apple had the best customer satisfaction ratings until they started adding android widgets and other clutter. (Even if Apple made it more coherent, it's still there). Now satisfaction ratings are slipping slightly below samsungs note 4. Apple used to be in the mid 90's now they're all below the mid 80's with the androids. I'm really happy for Siri, and iCloud services from Apple, I like the new iOS, and control center. But apples best concepts came from Apple - not added from android: find my friends, iMessage, FaceTime, Touch ID, Apple pay, UI details, background tasking management, springboard UI + folders... and so on. I rather Apple keeps working to improve and expand existing features than waste time on gimmicks. Let android to be the choice for consumers of they want to change their fonts and icons.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 1:39 PM 0

24. RebelwithoutaClue unregistered

You are absolutely right. The basics are enough for most consumers. And Android can be somewhat overwhelming at first. Especially since every brand has other ways to show settings, app drawer, icons, etc. Shame a lot of people here see this as an attack on Android. You're merely stating the differences and preference for a lot of people, not which one is better or worse.

posted on Jun 05, 2015, 2:56 AM 0

2. realhumanbeing

Posts: 53; Member since: Oct 18, 2014

iOS is a great platform... For what it is, I will not discount it because it gets the job done, but its like I would probably take on the iPhone if it offered 2015 specs, Although it works greatly, it could be better.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 8:58 AM 0

3. hound.master

Posts: 1044; Member since: Feb 27, 2015

IOS don't have swipe damn i can't even write anything without it. And IOS camera among the best!!!!! It's not even close to the best there are many phones with can capture a lot better pics and in video capturing it's not even close to others and it's 1.2 front facing camera lets not talk about that at all.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 8:58 AM 0

9. dimas

Posts: 3345; Member since: Jul 22, 2014

I have seen pictures taken between iphone 6 and meizu mx4. I gotta say that the $300 chinese branded chinese phone beat iphone 6. I don't know what camera sensor they used but damn, Mx4 could have been my everyday phone if not for the big screen and zero micro sd slot design.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:13 AM 1

4. dimas

Posts: 3345; Member since: Jul 22, 2014

#8 One of the reasons why I ditched my 4s years ago. Too much hassle for doing simple task of playing mp3. Bonus: you can't use your bluetooth with other non-ios device.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:06 AM 0

6. lalalaman

Posts: 638; Member since: Aug 19, 2013

i hate that MP3 thing....and lol ipad dont have a calc :D....camera Mode can really improve the already better camera of iphone

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:08 AM 0

7. My1cent

Posts: 370; Member since: Jan 30, 2014

Easier loading MP3 into your iP? Sound Recorder app in a quiet room!

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:08 AM 0

22. LordCaedus

Posts: 85; Member since: Nov 01, 2013

What is this, 1980?

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:32 PM 0

8. Derekjeter

Posts: 1466; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

PA, out of those 8 there's only two that I agree the rest are just your personal preference, and if that's the case go get an android. I agreed on #5. I use my iPad to answer to work emails from home, sometimes I require a calculator and I have to reach for my Nexus since the iPad doesn't have it. The other I sort off agreed is #7. I want apple to put in that little pop up screen that you get on some Androids when someone is calling you, instead of taking the whole screen over when your texting or doing something else just a small pop up in case I just want to let ring and continue texting, browsing, or just watching porn.Lol!

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 9:09 AM 1

17. AlikMalix unregistered

You guys do realize you can download any calculator for free with no ads and IAPs, right? I rather Apple removed everything and let me add it all with the apps that I want. That would be the opposite of android as it adds 2-3 different voice assistants, texting apps, browsers, weather apps, etc. (different androids add different things but way too much).

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 1:52 PM 1

18. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

The icon arrangement thing was stupid from day one. Not only that, more of them can fit on the iPad screen is they realign the UI so the icons are closer, just like they are on iPhone. More icons could fit on the dock too. Default apps? Isn't going to happen. Apple doesn't believe in choice. They believe in allowing you to download what you want, but they want to be able to brag about how many people use their apps, because unless you open another app first, their app is going to get credit. If Microsoft did this, they'd be in trouble.

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 4:37 PM 0

19. dmh0284

Posts: 50; Member since: Apr 04, 2014

How bout a gear button on the swipe up screen to go directly to the settings page. This is handy for selecting specific WIFI networks and Bluetooth devices. Android has this (part of the reason I tried Android and eventually switched). Why does apple still not have this convenient shortcut?

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 5:06 PM 0

20. LetThereBeLight

Posts: 112; Member since: Nov 20, 2014

About number 7# it is a joke that when you get accustom to take calls when it is locked the way you do to touch the screen where the slider is placed to slide it but when it happen to be unlocked you touch the screen the same place where you used to do it when it was locked but now it is just decline the call... I cannot even tell how much I'm surprised that it is only me who ever thought it is nonsense...

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 5:25 PM 0

23. AlikMalix unregistered

I find most of these requests nonsense... I can see benefit from Default Apps setup (it should in effect change which ever app is launched out of Control Center too: if I choose camera - it will launch the camera I downloaded rather than stock) but it's not a big deal since I do prefer Safari and stock apps over downloaded ones.. I only use Hyperlapse as the other camera for timelapse videos while I'm moving. - Moving Icons will make UI more cluttered and will slow productivity down since I dont spend too much time on homescreens other then to find an app and launch, and even at that half the times I tell Siri or Control Center to launch an app from lock screen - faster and the phone unlocks as I pick it up with Touch ID. - Swipe and other keyboards are already available, but they're not getting as many downloads as they were on Android - I guess most people prefer stock iOS keyboard -- As Do I! - I have a calculator on iPad - I downloaded it from the APP STORE for FREE and specifically the one I needed - why is this a request - I rather ask Apple to not include any apps and let me download stock ones or the ones I want. - Search function in settings: maybe... I'm pretty familiar with my settings, so it'll be faster for me to just navigate to what I need, but others may benefit from that one, I guess.. - Call Decline? I just mute them with the power button, or sent that quick text thingy... - Mp3 upload: That's the tricky one... I used iTunes way before first iPhone so to me getting an iPhone was second nature, so ability to upload media without iTunes will do nothing for me. But I know many of you Android folks would prefer it that way - so be it, but as long as they dont take away my iTunes abilities...

posted on Jun 05, 2015, 2:30 AM 0

21. gaming64 unregistered

You guys forget about a file manager? Daym!

posted on Jun 04, 2015, 6:07 PM 0

25. PBXtech

Posts: 1032; Member since: Oct 21, 2013

#1 is reason enough. If you have a lot of apps like I do, screen after screen of apps is nonsense, and folders isn't much of a help. I'll take Android's app drawer and place what apps I use frequently on my screens over the nothing but screen approach of iOS any day. iOS on tablets even worse, the grid size is ridiculous. Dumbed down way too far.

posted on Jun 05, 2015, 4:45 PM 0

26. Ahovking

Posts: 711; Member since: Feb 03, 2015

Home screen rearrangement - No thanks, i like the limited control in this area, i find although i like to be able to rearrange my apps on my android phones, they never look as good as if they were structure as we see on IOS. Ability to set default apps - i hated the fact everytime i tried to do open something my Android phones keep asking if i wanted to default this app…NO! i don’t have any issue with current IOS default apps. Swipe typing….I can just download the keyboard, so i see it as a bit pointless, so i wouldn’t really care. Camera manual mode - Yes, IOS needs this. Add stock calculator to iPad - Yes Add search functions in settings - Yes Simpler call decline - whats simpler than picking up your phone seeing who is trying to call you, then declining the call by pressing the sleep/wake button? i do this with one hand and takes less than 3 sec. Easier loading of mp3s on the device - NO..what a great way to get malware onto a phone.