If Apple stays on track this year, then when the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) arrives in June, we should be treated to plenty of new things. While nothing's guaranteed, it's pretty likely that we'll see a new version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS. Apple's a fan of the yearly refresh, but while that kind schedule can be good for folks who like consistency in their lives, there are others who don't see things in the same light.
Which is understandable, to a point. When compared to, say, Google's Android, Apple's updating number scheme seems pretty boring. However, I've seen a lot of people suggest that a major number upgrade, meaning from 5 to 6 or 7 to 8, should mean there are a ton of new features, and that a whole bunch of stuff is added, both for the consumer directly and behind the scenes.
This isn't the first time that Apple's been under the microscope for their updates, and it certainly won't be the last. The idea that these updates, the big ones that earn their own time on the stage at WWDC, should be huge enough to actually warrant time on stage makes sense. However, with a yearly refresh schedule, I'm not sure that's always realistic. There are always going to be "off years." Apple isn't the only one that does this, and there are always reasons for it, and most often the general consumer won't ever learn those reasons.
But, there's still the chance an update will be a dud.
iOS 8 could be a dud. I'm not going to say it's impossible, but I'm not going to say it's likely, either. Jut like the phones themselves, it comes down to personal preference. Individual personal preference. If Apple's Healthbook is real, then that alone could be enough to make iOS 8 the best update to the mobile platform ever. Tweaks to Siri, a change to Apple's Shift key on the iPhone's keyboard, or just some changes to first-party icons, could be enough to win someone over out there in the real world.
Then again, it might not be good enough at all. If that does happen, I think it's pretty safe to say that it's due to one thing: hardware. This may be an "off year" for software because Apple's gearing up to give us a new iPhone with a new design aesthetic (even if it is a small one). If the limelight can't really be shared between software and hardware, then I wouldn't be surprised if Apple's okay with making iOS 8 a relatively "minor" update, while keeping all of the focus on the new iPhone they're giving us. And then, next year, when the "s" variant of this new iPhone shows up, we'll see a bigger focus on the software.
As usual, there hasn't been a lot to go on with iOS 8 yet. There have been plenty of rumors released from the Rumor Mill, obviously, but nothing other than the Healthbook to really sink your teeth into. I can see why that would lead some people to think iOS 8 won't be that great, but I think this is one time you can safely say, "Wait and see." And hey, with around $120 million headed into the Apple Bank at some point down the road, you have to hope they'll put that to some good use, right?
Are you expecting much from iOS 8? If not, why do you think it's going to be a letdown? And please tell me something other than, "It's because it's iOS!" And if you are looking forward to iOS 8, what are you hoping Apple will change or add this time around?
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