One of the major changes I do not like, is the removal of Apps and Books from the iTunes Library. This means that I can no longer access, browse and manage my Apps and Books (as well as Podcasts) from a single, centralised location on our desktop PC.
The good old days:- All Apps, Books and Podcasts were downloaded once into my iTunes Library on my desktop PC.
- I then simply docked each iPad/iPod (we have x4 iPads and x2 iPods) with the USB Docking Cradle and updated new stuff and what had changed. Simple, quick and effective with minimal user oversight and hands on.
The brave new IOS11 world:- Connect each device individually via Wi-Fi (x4 iPads and x2 iPods).
- On each device (x6 in total) download the same new purchase, updates, etc... 6 times.
- Requires much more oversight and lengthy hands on.
On one iPad, I had x9 App updates that took some 30 minutes to process via the new beaut Wi-Fi “improved” App Store mode of operation. Rather than sit through this tedious process another 5 times for the other Apple devices, I resorted to deleting non-essential stuff, leaving only the “most used” and “most useful” stuff, to reduce the future update/management burden.
My preliminary work arounds:- I downloaded the Kindle App and will now only purchase Kindle e-books as I can browse the Kindle e-book Library on my desktop PC rather than having to browse the iBooks Library on an iPad. The Kindle experience on a large PC screen, with its superior bookstore navigation, is quite a refreshing change. Sorry Apple, I really did like the iBooks environment. Will keep iBooks for browsing PDFs.
- Before purchasing an App from the Apple App store, establish that it is really important and will be used frequently – no more impulse purchases. Sorry App Developers, no more frivolous purchases from our household; each future App purchase will have to be scrutinised and justified.
Whilst I was far from being an Apple Fan Boy, I did enjoy the ease of use, simplicity and integration of the overall Apple ecosystem
, until IOS11 that is.
I should add that we don’t have mobile ‘phones (Apple or otherwise) so perhaps we are a minority?
Cheers
Dennis
EDIT: - Whoops – Podcasts are still in iTunes – my mistake.