iOS 5 to blow away QNX (??)
Hi guys,
First, I'm not an "Apple-addict". Some people here might think that straight away if one starts to talk in a good way about Apple products.
But, to let you know the truth, I've been working for Apple more than a decade. I know their way of thinking and I can literally tell you every next step - I've been spending more than 15 years with the products of this company and know the lifecycles, etc.
What I want to talk about here is a simple thought. I'm really really really impressed by RIM and it's QNX system for the Playbook. I enjoy using it a lot, even though it has major flaws still (webradio stream in different tab not playing, not enough apps (not a general OS problem), no bluetooth-audio profile support, battery meter inaccurate, flash very slow (except for video as it gets support by the graphic processor) etc.pp.).
I have never seen a company release a first OS this polished after all, but I need to keep on thinking here.
People especially in this forum have shown to me that they don't really know that the iPad is indeed capable of multitasking. Apps keep playing audio, data transfers don't get interrupted, websites load in the background, Skype calls don't get missed, etc. I don't really understand how come many here find the Playbooks multitasking more "efficient". As a matter of fact multitasking means that several tasks can be run at the same time, right? The iPad does that. Even though you can't visualize it, as only one app is always in front, and not being shown as "windows" like in QNX, you will never face an app stop it's desired function even though you switch apps. (short reminder, if you doubletap the iPads button, you can switch between apps).
Therefore, except for flash, the iPad doesn't fall short on the QNX system.
Nonetheless, the Playbook is eyecatching and I love the gestures - really remarkable of RIM to come up with a touch-sensitive bezel and implement it this well! (I was further impressed that it can actually tell if you only enter the screen diagonally with your finger coming from atop and shows only the battery-meter, clock etc. then)
What I'm more or less worried about is now that even though RIM has done a remarkable job, Apple is gonna blow them away by about August this year. I estimate iOS 5 to be released the latest around that month.
And if I think about iOS 5 --- guys, this iOS version is gonna be aimed at Android, QNX, WebOS etc. and I'm pretty sure it's gonna make all other OSs look "unpolished" even more.
Therefore, I honestly would like to discuss what you think about it?! Please don't come up with the form factor of 7" - I have to agree that the Playbook is much more portable, but I want to talk about the OS.
Do you believe RIM stands any chance?
I even believe they are going to support Android apps because they know they won't ever be winning this "OS War" - because Android and iOS are just so much bigger. (in this case I really don't understand RIM - as soon as the Android player is out, developers won't think of developing for AppWorld... why should they? -- and whatever is it, the Android player most likely won't be multitasking capable in terms of running multiple apps at the same time and it will lack the speed of a native app, as it's being emulated)
I hope to hear some opinions about my thoughts - I'm sure there are people here around this forum who have been with Blackberry since ages and can give me some insight, what they expect to happen. I'm very curious!!:)
UPDATE
Didn't want to bother to open a new thread.
Apple has just introduced iOS 5 - Bezel gesture (notifications, swipe down from top to screen), iMessage (BBM clone, but even better as it's independent and you can use any iDevice that's yours to pick up a conversation and go on with the talk, regardless of the PIN etc.), thumb-aligned keyboard on iPad for easier typing, Twitter integration to the core of the OS, Wifi-Sync, OTA updates, 4 to 5 finger-swipe used to switch between apps instantly... and a lot more:
Apple - iOS 5 - 200+ new features for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.
Just my 2 cents - this is just the beginning.
Oh, and iCloud (icloud.com) will sync all your files later on.
iOS 5 will be released in Fall together with iCloud... if RIM does not catch up and finally get's the problems fixed on the Playbook and those new BBs with OS 7 out... I don't know how long they will make it. (imho)
...don't overestimate Apple
Originally Posted by
semicoln In your time at Apple you should have learned that they don't do HUGE steps with software. Even major OS updates are very incremental in nature. I think iOS 5 will be more about cloud services than anything else.
My thoughts exactly. I've spent a lot of time with iOS. Upgrades were NEVER huge. The biggest step was from 3.x to 4.0 (took Apple about a year) because of folders and app switching. That's about it. iOS updates seem giant steps if you are using iOS-devices on a daily basis and get frustrated more and more. Then those updates feel like a relief and you think "OMFG this is soooo great" -seriously, I said that when my iPhone got the 4.0 update :rolleyes:.
Well, after some time I changed my mind (or should I say "broadened my horizon"? It felt like that), sold my iPhone, laughed at the iPad and waited for something that really suits me and my needs. And here I am, happy with my Playbook.