Good Move? Apple Quietly Shortens Length Of Text Tones In Latest iOS Update
March 18, 2011
Apple has quietly shortened some of the messaging tones for the iPhone with the iOS 4.3 update. But has this made them any better?
Apple prides itself on advertising the main features of each iOS update. However, we didn’t hear anything about the shortening of text tones when iOS 4.3 was released earlier this month.
The company had finally increased the number of text tones with iOS 4.2 from an embarrassing six to 23. While this was good news initially, it soon became obvious that most of the offerings were ill fated for use as text tones.
Sample the tones Sherwood Forest and Suspense, and you’ll get the idea.
With iOS 4.3, the 23 tones remain but a few of them have been shortened, as this video explains:
Unfortunately, we would have been better served if Apple would have simply given us the ability to use our own custom tones (within the iOS and not using a third party app), rather than tinker with the ones included in the last update. The length itself doesn't matter if the tones aren't ideal.
While Tech & Gadget claims Apple cut the length of some sounds to give us “clearer SMS ring tones,” I just don't hear it.
What Apple actually did, was made a few people angry. Take a look at this tread on Apple’s own Discussion board.
But to be fair, some users said they like the shortened tones. Meaning, I guess you can't make anyone happy.
Have any thoughts on this topic? Leave your comments below.
Note: We'd like to thank AppAdvice reader, Tony Keim, for tipping us off on this topic.