Apple

Apple, please don’t add an additional Podcast app in iOS 6

podcast e1339817876218 - for some reason we don't have an alt tag hereI thought that Apple’s iOS 6 announcements this week at WWDC 2012 were a bit disappointing. Scott Forstall, Apple’s senior vice president of iOS software, showed off the new Map app and a few other improvements, but for the most part, I was disappointed with the lack of new features.

Today, AllThingsD is reporting that Apple may actually be adding a new app, although I’m not quite sure why. According to the report, the company is going to be adding a separate app for podcasts. If you’ve ever used iOS, you’ll know that podcasts have been included in the Music app, which is formerly known as the iPod app.

I’m a bit confused by this – much like I was when Apple split up the iPod app into separate Music and Video apps. It just adds clutter on an already-full home screen. And if you put all of your media apps into a folder, you’re just adding extra taps to a task that shouldn’t take more than one.

I was always under the impression that the point of iOS is simplicity. How does the addition of more apps make anything simpler? And really, one of iOS’ strong points is media playback; yet here we are, watching Apple just add more complexity to something that used to be simple.

I love iOS, but the user experience is degrading quickly. I wouldn’t be saying this if the interface wasn’t so 2007, but that’s exactly what it is. Simple grids of icons were fantastic five years ago, but we’re moving towards using tablets and phones more than laptops and desktops. We need to have interfaces that allow us to quickly and efficiently complete any task, not interfaces that make us open every individual app first.

Because of this, every new app brings an extra step to using your phone. Unlike Android, iOS has one way to access an app: launching it from the home screen. You can’t hide apps, so whatever you download is always in your grid. Folders can only take you so far, as each one can old just nine 12 or 20 apps on an iPhone or iPad, respectively. If you’re a heavy app downloader, than you might find yourself quickly adding several home screens.

That brings us back to the new podcast app: it’s just another icon that you have to worry about and try to find space for. I mean, it doesn’t even need to exist! Podcasts are easily accessible in the existing music app; they also play without any issues. In my opinion, it’s just a waste of time and space.

Then again, maybe some people would like a podcast app. Are you one of those people? Let us know in the comments!

[AllThingsD]
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Calob Horton

Calob Horton is an associate editor at Pocketables. He loves all technology, no matter which company it comes from. This unbiased view of the tech world allows him to choose the products that best fit his personal needs and tastes: a Microsoft Surface Pro, a Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and a third-gen iPad.Google+ | Twitter | More posts by Calob | Subscribe to Calob's posts

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