Apple should make it easier to transfer files without itunes.

[kyrax12]

I don't know why, but I can't use my iphone 5 as a flash drive. I couldn't put any files into it and I hate having to use Itunes to transfer files.

Major turn off.

One of the reasons why I switched back to Android.

I really hope Apple improve upon this.

 

[lakedude]

Stock Android is terrible as well. I struggled with my new phone till I got the ES File Explorer app.

 

[Mopetar]

There's some third party replacement software you can use in place of iTunes, but outside of jail breaking I don't think there's a way to get it to work as an external storage device without installing the software you're using on any of the machines that you connect to.

 

[kyrax12]

There's some third party replacement software you can use in place of iTunes, but outside of jail breaking I don't think there's a way to get it to work as an external storage device without installing the software you're using on any of the machines that you connect to.

Well the reasons I don't like Itunes is because I have to use a software.

I find the drag and drop functionality of Android FAR MORE superior than having to use Itunes to transfer files.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Stock Android is terrible as well. I struggled with my new phone till I got the ES File Explorer app.

But you can use it as a flash drive at least.

With that said MTP is far worse than UMS in terms of usb-stick like functionality. MTP is annoying especially for a Photos folder with 200+ photos. Takes like 2 minutes to load.

Even the main /sdcard folder takes a while thanks to apps that create new folders there.

 

[Red Storm]

Apple should make a lot of things easier, but they are who they are and they make good money, so I don't expect it.

Ever since I've had to switch to a work issued iPhone it feels like I've gone back in time. You don't realize how efficient Android can be until you're forced to use a different OS.

 

[vi edit]

Stock Android is terrible as well. I struggled with my new phone till I got the ES File Explorer app.

My only experience with Android is a Galaxy Note 2. If I plug it into my PC it first pops up some auto installer for Samsung that I cancel.

Then it asks if I want to explore. Hit yes then I get a fairly intuitive "Card" or "phone" drive to look at.

Both of them have "movies", "music" and "DCIM" folders that right at the root level. Drag and drop/copy paste as needed between the phone and your computer. Not sure how that could be much easier.

You can at least access pictures on iDevices without iTunes and pull them across. If you could paste in movies I'd be happy. But nope.

 

[gmaster456]

Looks like they just did with iOS 8

 

[Kaido]

Looks like they just did with iOS 8

Yup:

http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/02/finally-airdrop-works-between-ios-and-mac/

 

[tsupersonic]

Yup:

http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/02/finally-airdrop-works-between-ios-and-mac/

It's a good first step, but it requires a Mac. Purely pathetic decision.

 

[Kenmitch]

It's a good first step, but it requires a Mac. Purely pathetic decision.

It's Apple why would you expect otherwise. Keep it/you in the family is the philosophy.

 

[SlitheryDee]

It's Apple why would you expect otherwise. Keep it/you in the family is the philosophy.

It IS the reason why apple features work as advertised more often than other manufacturer's solutions. Instead of trying to account for the myriad of devices out there, they just use devices that they have control over. If they make all the devices involved, they can do things on both ends to ensure painless operation. It's limiting to someone who is used to a more open system, but it's also a crucial part of their success. You can't do away with the "walled garden" while maintaining the positive aspects of that philosophy.

It's the same thing with requiring itunes to make changes to their devices. If you need itunes, that means you can't do anything to your phone that itunes won't let you do. If they limit what itunes will let you do to actions that can never screw up your phone, then you'll never screw up your phone. Most people will just remember their last iphone as a solid, non-glitchy, painless to use device, not necessarily realizing that it was apple limiting them to safe actions that made it that way more than anything else.

 

[blairharrington]

I have no desire to use iTunes ever again. At this point the only real use I have for it is to make CD's for my parents once in a blue moon for their car.

Regardless if I choose to use an iPhone in the future I'll never use iTunes on my Mac.

All my music is managed by Google Music.

All movies placed onto my iPad is done via wi-fi upload onto Infuse app or similar.

Can't think of another reason why I'd want or need to use iTunes. It was a hugely important piece of software for a long time but it's slowly becoming irrelevant IMO.

 

[DigDog]

I don't know why, but I can't use my iphone 5 as a flash drive. I couldn't put any files into it and I hate having to use Itunes to transfer files.

Major turn off.

One of the reasons why I switched back to Android.

I really hope Apple improve upon this.

winamp does that for you. srsly, try it.

 

[Doomer]

iTunes is the reason my next phone will be an Android.

 

[jacktesterson]

iTunes can kiss you know what.

I'll never own an iPhone or iPad until things improve.

Android is just much more flexible for my needs.

Of course, this is my opinion.

 

[HeXen]

It IS the reason why apple features work as advertised more often than other manufacturer's solutions. Instead of trying to account for the myriad of devices out there, they just use devices that they have control over. If they make all the devices involved, they can do things on both ends to ensure painless operation. It's limiting to someone who is used to a more open system, but it's also a crucial part of their success. You can't do away with the "walled garden" while maintaining the positive aspects of that philosophy.

It's the same thing with requiring itunes to make changes to their devices. If you need itunes, that means you can't do anything to your phone that itunes won't let you do. If they limit what itunes will let you do to actions that can never screw up your phone, then you'll never screw up your phone. Most people will just remember their last iphone as a solid, non-glitchy, painless to use device, not necessarily realizing that it was apple limiting them to safe actions that made it that way more than anything else.

Pretty much this. It's not really a big deal to use iTunes, I don't even think it involves any more clicks to do so. You click iTunes as you would Explorer then just press Cntrl O or something like that and select what to import if I recall. Transferring files to devices is old school. I just automatically mirror our laptops to network drive and stream from it. I don't ever touch anything unless I need to put something on my 3DS cause I don't think I can stream from it.

 

[Kaido]

It's a good first step, but it requires a Mac. Purely pathetic decision.

I'm sure the Windows AirDrop clients will update pretty quickly for compatibility.