8 ms·

I find this interesting from a historical perspective. You can really see the thought process that led to the design decisions on the iPhone and iPad: Get deskt

by JunkDNA 16y ago

I find this interesting from a historical perspective. You can really see the thought process that led to the design decisions on the iPhone and iPad: Get desktop sync right, optimize for user consumption of data, avoid handwriting recognition (since it's inefficient anyway), the PDA is dead (instead, a phone has to have PDA features). I also like the subtle way Jobs deflects the issue of whether or not tablet devices would be great for reading. He cracks a little joke and redirects the discussion.

krschultz 16y ago
It's funny because the desktop syncing is probably the worst part of the ecosystem. They didn't even attempt to make it work on Linux (fine, its a niche, but they also actively made it more difficult for open source software to work with newer models) and iTunes for Windows is one of the crappiest pieces of software on Windows, and that's saying something.
- snom370 16y ago
  I'd say desktop syncing is a really great part of the ecosystem, since it means that I can buy a new iPhone and be completely up and running again in less than an hour. Upgrading the software is a breeze, which is something you can't say about Nokia phones (last time I tried). I'd agree that iTunes on Windows sucks, but that's not too surprising given that they are running it inside of their cross-platform Objective C/Cocoa thingy.
  - jasonlotito 16y ago
    I hate, I hate, I hate iPod/iPhone syncing. It's intrusive, annoying, and constantly get's in my way. First, it interrupts whatever I'm doing. I like to listen to audiobooks, and if I'm at my desk, I might plug my iPod in so I can charge it up, but I don't want to stop listening to what I'm listening to. But no, it stops everything and starts syncing. Next, I need to jump through hoops to stop the syncing. iTunes starts up, and has to do it's thing. I can't just cancel the sync, I have to click through popups coming from iTunes to cancel the stupid sync before I can shut it down again. And god forbid iTunes actually SYNC what you mark to sync! I hate installing it simply because if I do, I have to go find the place that says "Yes, when I tell you to sync an audiobook, you should, you know, actually sync the audiobook." And then, after you are done syncing, I can't just jump back into listening to what I was listening to before. Yes, this happens, it happens often. Really, the entire iPod/iTunes environment makes me regret getting the iPod.
    - jujjine 16y ago
      Deactivate automated syncing in the devices preference pane of iTunes.
      - jasonlotito 16y ago
        Why? I want it to sync automatically when I plug it in. Just not when I'm using it. Edit: Why is wanting this wrong? I have podcasts downloaded, and just plug my iPod in while I get ready in the morning, and it updates without me having to sit down and dick around with the computer. I really don't think this is unreasonable, and these problems occur every day.
        philwelch 16y ago
        Not only is it not unreasonable, it's a subtle design touch that you would almost expect Apple to think of. Similar to how yanking the headphones out of an iPod or iPhone pauses the music.
        jasonlotito 16y ago
        I wouldn't even call it subtle. It's an obvious one. Since I got the thing, I've had to deal with it. The worst part is when I forget. I get into work, sit down, and plug the iPod in, and BAM, whatever I was listening to stops, thing start to run on my computer, asking me to update QuickTime, before I can cancel out,... Grrr. Yeah. About to go on another tirade.
        grhino 16y ago
        Exactly. Plugging in the iPod should not interrupt iTunes. Sync in the background, display a notification if you must, but don't interrupt what the software on the desktop is currently doing. I don't think it should even interrupt what the iPod is doing, but I can understand that technically that could be more difficult.
        jujjine 16y ago
        First of all you have to define what "using it" means. I would define it as a program is running and/or music is playing. So in those cases automated syncing wouldn't start, such that you can continue to do whatever you were doing and the device just charges. With such a system you would add a lot of complexity to the system. How many people will be frustrated to see their devices not automatically syncing because the wouldn't know about all this technical nuances or they forgot that they still had an app running. Another option would be to continue the audio process after syncing the device. Since syncing can take quite a lot of time. Users would be annoyed to see their devices start playing music without apparent reason. I mean how many would sit there with their earbuds, waiting for sound to continue. Admittedly audiobook/podcast listeners would more likely do so than music listeners. So what are your current options without requesting those cans of worms? Canceling the sync on the device, which would still stop the audio process or disabling auto sync to not be bothered by it while listening to audiobooks, but be bothered to hit sync while updating podcasts.
- catch23 16y ago
  It's funny that you mention this because desktop syncing is where Android really got it wrong. Try buying a droid/htc/etc and try using the manufacturer's software for upgrading the firmware -- basically impossible for the average user. Jobs is trying to make devices easy for the average joe, not the power user who runs linux. Macs have always been in a niche market and quite happy with where it is.

by JunkDNA 16y ago

krschultz 16y ago

It's funny because the desktop syncing is probably the worst part of the ecosystem. They didn't even attempt to make it work on Linux (fine, its a niche, but they also actively made it more difficult for open source software to work with newer models) and iTunes for Windows is one of the crappiest pieces of software on Windows, and that's saying something.

snom370 16y ago
I'd say desktop syncing is a really great part of the ecosystem, since it means that I can buy a new iPhone and be completely up and running again in less than an hour. Upgrading the software is a breeze, which is something you can't say about Nokia phones (last time I tried). I'd agree that iTunes on Windows sucks, but that's not too surprising given that they are running it inside of their cross-platform Objective C/Cocoa thingy.
- jasonlotito 16y ago
  I hate, I hate, I hate iPod/iPhone syncing. It's intrusive, annoying, and constantly get's in my way. First, it interrupts whatever I'm doing. I like to listen to audiobooks, and if I'm at my desk, I might plug my iPod in so I can charge it up, but I don't want to stop listening to what I'm listening to. But no, it stops everything and starts syncing. Next, I need to jump through hoops to stop the syncing. iTunes starts up, and has to do it's thing. I can't just cancel the sync, I have to click through popups coming from iTunes to cancel the stupid sync before I can shut it down again. And god forbid iTunes actually SYNC what you mark to sync! I hate installing it simply because if I do, I have to go find the place that says "Yes, when I tell you to sync an audiobook, you should, you know, actually sync the audiobook." And then, after you are done syncing, I can't just jump back into listening to what I was listening to before. Yes, this happens, it happens often. Really, the entire iPod/iTunes environment makes me regret getting the iPod.
  - jujjine 16y ago
    Deactivate automated syncing in the devices preference pane of iTunes.
    - jasonlotito 16y ago
      Why? I want it to sync automatically when I plug it in. Just not when I'm using it. Edit: Why is wanting this wrong? I have podcasts downloaded, and just plug my iPod in while I get ready in the morning, and it updates without me having to sit down and dick around with the computer. I really don't think this is unreasonable, and these problems occur every day.
      - philwelch 16y ago
        Not only is it not unreasonable, it's a subtle design touch that you would almost expect Apple to think of. Similar to how yanking the headphones out of an iPod or iPhone pauses the music.
        jasonlotito 16y ago
        I wouldn't even call it subtle. It's an obvious one. Since I got the thing, I've had to deal with it. The worst part is when I forget. I get into work, sit down, and plug the iPod in, and BAM, whatever I was listening to stops, thing start to run on my computer, asking me to update QuickTime, before I can cancel out,... Grrr. Yeah. About to go on another tirade.
      - grhino 16y ago
        Exactly. Plugging in the iPod should not interrupt iTunes. Sync in the background, display a notification if you must, but don't interrupt what the software on the desktop is currently doing. I don't think it should even interrupt what the iPod is doing, but I can understand that technically that could be more difficult.
      - jujjine 16y ago
        First of all you have to define what "using it" means. I would define it as a program is running and/or music is playing. So in those cases automated syncing wouldn't start, such that you can continue to do whatever you were doing and the device just charges. With such a system you would add a lot of complexity to the system. How many people will be frustrated to see their devices not automatically syncing because the wouldn't know about all this technical nuances or they forgot that they still had an app running. Another option would be to continue the audio process after syncing the device. Since syncing can take quite a lot of time. Users would be annoyed to see their devices start playing music without apparent reason. I mean how many would sit there with their earbuds, waiting for sound to continue. Admittedly audiobook/podcast listeners would more likely do so than music listeners. So what are your current options without requesting those cans of worms? Canceling the sync on the device, which would still stop the audio process or disabling auto sync to not be bothered by it while listening to audiobooks, but be bothered to hit sync while updating podcasts.
catch23 16y ago
It's funny that you mention this because desktop syncing is where Android really got it wrong. Try buying a droid/htc/etc and try using the manufacturer's software for upgrading the firmware -- basically impossible for the average user. Jobs is trying to make devices easy for the average joe, not the power user who runs linux. Macs have always been in a niche market and quite happy with where it is.