Apple's Dog Food

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:26:53 +1200

The saying goes that you should eat your own dog food. It seems to me that Apple should be doing this with respect to their iOS (specifically iPad) applications. Unfortunately, it’s their apps that I have most to complain about.

Missing iPad versions

Firstly, why do they have applications that aren’t universal? (Or at least don’t have an iPad version)? I probably don’t have all of Apple’s apps, but three that I do have, and use, are stuck in the ugly 2x mode. I use Remote all the time. An iPad version would be great - basically the same as the small version, but all the controls could be on screen at once, rather than having to switch between “Control” mode and menu selection. The “Now Playing” screen could probably always be displayed, too. Texas Hold ’em: I don’t use this a lot, but it’s a reasonably good, simple, poker game. Basically nothing needs to be done to the interface, except add higher resolution graphics and flick the iPad bit. It would be much more playable at the higher resolution. I get the feeling this was written as a demo, but so little work would be required to update it. Mobile Me Gallery: ok, so Mobile Me is pretty much a joke at this point, apart from “Find My iThing”. Still, I do have some photos there, and there must be a few other people. While we are waiting for Mobile Me to turn into something worth using, why not update this app? There are plenty of good photo browsers that show how it can be done, and showing off photos is a great use of the app. Alternatively, build Mobile Me support into the Photos app.

iTunes applications restricted to US store

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:27:57 +1200

What possible reason can developers (Apple?) have for restricting an application like Grocery IQ to the US store? I would have purchased this, but it’s not available in the NZ store. I can’t see any reason that it wouldn’t work just as well here. (I can understand that annoying legalities prevent applications like Puzzlotto being sold, but that’s a whole different story). This isn’t the only application like this I’ve come across, just the most recent one. It makes no sense at all.

Rant on Tony Andrew Meyer

Apple's Dog Food

Missing iPad versions

iTunes applications restricted to US store