When the smart phone craze took over, I was reluctant to switch from my Motorola Razr, but eventually I did.
My first smart phone was Apple’s iPhone 4. I immediately noticed some things that would typically have driven me nuts, but there were so many cool features that I decided to give Apple a pass.
Three phone generations and two operating systems later, and Apple may not be getting a pass this time.
Last week I updated my iPhone 4 to the new iOS 7, and I now regret it.
Upon first glance, the interface has a brand new look. Oddly enough the new icons and fonts make it feel like I am holding an Android or Windows phone.
After spending a little more time on my phone, I began noticing some other changes that really grind my gears. All of the interfaces on the standard Apple apps have changed, and I personally don’t like the changes.
For example, my favorite Apple app on my phone, Voice Memo, is completely different. For whatever reason Apple decided to ditch the simple classic condenser mic and VU meter for some sort of early 90s audio interface look. The app also functions differently.
I have no idea why Apple did this, but based on this change I knew I wasn’t going to be thrilled with the rest, and sure enough I was right. None of these apps even feel like Apple apps. And to make matters worse, the apps that I have spent the last few years mastering will have to be re-learned.
If Apple really felt the need to change something, they should have focused their efforts on Apple Maps. That app hasn’t worked correctly since they integrated it into their phones and removed Google Maps from their iOS.
But Apple didn’t fix their Maps app. In fact, they didn’t even change it. I was recently in St. Louis and needed the Maps app to find a location. It led me in the wrong direction, and several times it had me floating through buildings.
“Sigh.”
On top of all of these other issues with the new iOS, I have now noticed that my phone loses its charge faster than it ever has before. This means that I now need to go through my phone to see what I can do to conserve energy so that my phone’s battery will last 24 hours.
The list of things that I find wrong with this iOS (the nauseating screen changes, delayed load times etc.) could go on and on, but my word budget for this issue prohibits me from writing about them all.
I believe Apple should have followed the old adage, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Then maybe I would still have an enjoyable phone, and my Apple Maps app would work.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025