While Apple may believe its iOS 7 update would propel users into the ways of the future, more consumers are questioning if the update was right for them.
The newest update in the Apple realm, released Sept. 18, has users exploring their iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch in a whole new way.
Apple advertises its product as, “simpler, more useful and more enjoyable – while building on the things people love about iOS.”
Students instantly compared the old ways to the new.
Eric Musliner, a junior computer science major, updated his phone only to find that his phone’s battery now lasts only half as long as it did before.
“It was a bit old and stale before but now the colors are overwhelming,” Musliner said.
Other students thought the update was greatly influenced by competition.
“It feels more like a Droid product with all of the overdesigned features and vivid colors,” said Mariya Medovar, a junior computer science major.
Apple products are now more vibrant, everything from the new colored lettering to the neon backdrops that make any activity look sleek and minimalistic.
Catherine Schlegel, a senior economics major, uses both the iPhone and iPad and explained that even though the update has all these new features, she isn’t ready to make the transition.
“I am happy with what I have, and any negative buzz I hear makes me want to update even less,” Schlegel said.
An outside IT specialist, who insisted on anonymity to not conflict with his job, warns about the security flaws of iOS 7. The new lock screen is easily hacked even with a passcode lock.
“It is important to explore the new control center of your iPhone and disable access to it from your lock screen through settings,” he said.
This action will ensure users screens can’t be hacked without the passcode.
Despite this flaw, far more students are diving into the new tech-savvy update.
John Gruver, the network and lab manager in the School of Media and Arts and Design, explained that the mad dash to update after the release caused the JMU internet connection to stall for the afternoon.
“I couldn’t go anywhere in Harrison Hall, where my office is, without hearing students, staff and faculty discussing how their download attempts were going,” Gruver said.
Gruver, who frequently works with Apple products, understands the shock users had when opening their new and improved Apple products but can explain how the newest features will help users.
He believes the new control center is one of the best new updates. Easily accessed by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, users can adjust common settings and retrieve important applications all in one location. Unlike before where users had to use applications individually and go to settings for simple tasks.
Other features Gruver appreciates include multi-tasking screens, photo filters, iTunes radio and the improved Siri, which can now have a male voice. He also mentioned a task reliever for any user, the “ability to have your apps auto-update in the background,” unless students would rather do it manually.
“I’ve never seen any software update get adopted as rapidly and enthusiastically as this one,” Gruver said. “And I’ve been doing computer tech support for 30 years.”
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