Steven Troughton-Smith played around with the first beta of iOS 11 and discovered that inter-app drag and drop – one of the marquee features for iPad this year – could in theory be used on the iPhone as well.
At WWDC, Apple explained that the same drag and drop API that powers iPad apps can be used on the iPhone to move content inside the app you’re currently using. So while on the iPad we’re going to get a wide array of gestures to transfer content between different apps, on the iPhone drag and drop will be limited to rearranging content in the current app only.
I want inter-app drag and drop to come to the iPhone eventually (it’s such a better solution than extensions and share sheets), but I could see a couple of reasons why Apple might want to wait for now.
First, giving the iPad exclusive access to the functionality is a great marketing move as Apple “relaunches” the iPad line this year. But more importantly, while the iPad supports multi-hand drag and drop, the same system would be awkward, if not downright impossible, on the iPhone’s screen. And if I had to guess, I’d say that Apple would prefer iPhone drag and drop to work well with one-handed operations – which makes me wonder if the company is waiting for a future software solution (a Shelf, a spring-loaded virtual Home button, or a new Dock) to enable more powerful drag and drop on the iPhone.
John and Federico consider the pros and cons of competing with, and what it takes to succeed against, Apple’s free, built-in system apps and highlight some of their favorite alternatives.
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There’s something about the screen of the new 10.5” iPad Pro that feels immediately novel but quickly becomes normal, and something that seems obvious at first but reveals itself as a deeper change after a few days. As a heavy user of the 12.9” iPad Pro, I’ve been pleasantly deceived by this new iPad, and the more I think about it, the more I keep coming back to the display and the story behind its new form factor.
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Federico and John interview Adriaan de Jongh, the co-creator of the hit iOS and PC game Hidden Folks about the creation and design of the game, its unique sound design, gaming on mobile, and an exclusive look at what’s next for Hidden Folks.
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Question: I want to let my parents know about my daily basic health info, so I want to send them my total sleep time (I track my sleep using AutoSleep) and weight (I use a Withings smart scale) every day at 9 AM. (George Zhu)
This is an interesting idea, and I had fun...
Brad Ellis has some interesting ideas and examples on how Apple could shift the iOS interface from top-oriented navigation bars to thumb-friendly cards and sheets sitting towards the bottom of the screen:
The navbar has been essential part of iOS since Apple released the first developer kit, and it has served us well. But it’s time to let go.
Let’s agree to stop sticking important buttons to the top of the screen. Better navigation is within reach.
I think Ellis is onto something here. After Apple Music and Apple Maps in iOS 10, I’d be surprised if we don’t get more of these “reach navigation” redesigns in iOS 11 (which would also make sense if Apple is releasing an iPhone with a taller screen later this year).
With WWDC just around the corner, the Connected trio share their hopes and dreams for Apple’s keynote.
On this week’s Connected, we share our final WWDC wishes before Apple’s big annual event. You can listen here.
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On this week’s episode of AppStories, we cover more app pricing models including tip jars, patronage, fan clubs, bundles, and in-app merchandise sales.
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Federico and John cover more app pricing models including tip jars, patronage, fan clubs, bundles, and in-app merchandise sales.
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John
