Apple 'Files' app for iOS 11 appears on App Store ahead of WWDC
A placeholder listing for an as-yet-unannounced app called "Files" was spotted on the iOS App Store just hours ahead of Monday's Worldwide Developers Conference, suggesting Apple plans to grant users direct file management access in iOS 11.
Spotted by developer Steven Troughton-Smith late Sunday, a listing for Files appeared in the "Utilities" section of the App Store. The asset has since been pulled.
Apple failed to provide information alongside the app, though the title's icon is a familiar blue file folder similar to those used in macOS. Screenshots were also unavailable. The only tidbits revealed from the now removed listing were requirements regarding iOS 11 and 64-bit file structure support.
Though mere speculation, Files hints at a potential rethinking of iOS file management. More specifically, Apple could be on the verge of releasing an app that allows users to directly access iOS system and app files.
Since the launch of iPhone in 2007, Apple has gone to great lengths to obscure individual files from its portable device users, leaving data management largely to apps and services. While the method keeps iOS simple, some power users view it as a weakness.
The Files app listing is likely an App Store placeholder for an upcoming system app Apple intends to include in iOS 11. Apple introduced the ability to remove -- but not completely delete -- first-party apps from the home screen in iOS 10, a long-requested feature that minimizes feature bloat. The company makes those default apps available for download on the App Store so users can reinstall them at a later date, if they so choose.
Separately, Troughton-Smith also noticed a listing for the Activities app, suggesting that title will be a removable item in iOS 11.
AppleInsider will be in San Jose providing live coverage of WWDC 2017 starting at 7 a.m. Pacific.
Spotted by developer Steven Troughton-Smith late Sunday, a listing for Files appeared in the "Utilities" section of the App Store. The asset has since been pulled.
Apple failed to provide information alongside the app, though the title's icon is a familiar blue file folder similar to those used in macOS. Screenshots were also unavailable. The only tidbits revealed from the now removed listing were requirements regarding iOS 11 and 64-bit file structure support.
Though mere speculation, Files hints at a potential rethinking of iOS file management. More specifically, Apple could be on the verge of releasing an app that allows users to directly access iOS system and app files.
Since the launch of iPhone in 2007, Apple has gone to great lengths to obscure individual files from its portable device users, leaving data management largely to apps and services. While the method keeps iOS simple, some power users view it as a weakness.
The Files app listing is likely an App Store placeholder for an upcoming system app Apple intends to include in iOS 11. Apple introduced the ability to remove -- but not completely delete -- first-party apps from the home screen in iOS 10, a long-requested feature that minimizes feature bloat. The company makes those default apps available for download on the App Store so users can reinstall them at a later date, if they so choose.
Separately, Troughton-Smith also noticed a listing for the Activities app, suggesting that title will be a removable item in iOS 11.
AppleInsider will be in San Jose providing live coverage of WWDC 2017 starting at 7 a.m. Pacific.
Comments
This is about time. Logic on iPad Pro next please.
I suspect it will be a cross platform method of accessing files bringing a similar "Finder" interface to macOS and iOS. It seems the most logical idea and will require iCloud therefore I suspect it's a replacement for the iCloud Drive app.
That being said I don't think they need to give access to the entire file system to solve some major problems with iOS. All they need is a place to manage files, a repository if you will. The problem with iOS is the assumption that you will want to open a file with the same app every time. That doesn't work in every case, some times you need to caress a file with multiple apps.
The thing here is that of late I've become more and more frustrated with iOS on iPad. I don't care on iPhone as the phone is too important for mess things up. One of the issues on iPad though is file management, if you want to use the device as more than a toy you need to be able to do smart file management. Hopefully this is an indication that Apple is on the verge of dealing with many of iOS's issues that keep power users off the platform. I know right now I won't be buying a new iPad with the current limitations. So lets hope that this is a sign from heaven that Apple does get it an expects to modify iOS on Pad to support advanced users.
You could store presentations or whatnot on it, then access them as needed using another device.
(Kind of hoping for a solution to the TSA's proposed laptop ban.)
Thing is, one has to come up with a filename anyway, which basically is a set of keywords. And other metadata could automatically be derived from the object to be stored itself (like location data is extracted from digital photos).
I admit that it will take some getting used to especially for people that are accustomed to the now common hierarchical system. And even this could be emulated with a metadata/keyword based system.
- Processor power: Check (comparable to Intel M series anyway)
- Storage capacity: Check (again, especially at the low end and aided by ICloud)
- Keyboard: Check
- File System: Check
- Touchpad/Cursor: ????
The terror on faces of Mac devotees...
... It's ok.... Things will work out. Don't panic!
Info should have metas and be connected to a web of related data (type of relation to be defined, part of a group (felide englobes cats and lions, cause (heat causes evaporation), effect (universe is result of big bang), state (water, ice, gas, liquid)).
Even better, files are in fact searchable, you can then find what the hell your looking for.
The main hick to that is that tagging (or assigning filename and directory names) and been mostly manual and that's why often file systems and your personal mp3 or video collection is a complete mess.
Even Youtube clips aren't properly tagged and they're the personal responsibility of people who post there and they should be motivated for people to find their clips.
While I frequently use Apple's search to find files, 9 times out of 10, it returns far too many irrelevant results and the results don't return in a prioritized order. Exact matches should return first. I almost always wind up browsing for the file, which is easier, but it certainly depends upon how organized one's files are. A non folder approach makes more sense for people who are "sloppy". A folder approach makes sense for people who are highly organized. One of the things I don't like about iTunes and especially iMovie and some other Apple apps is that it's very unclear where the OS is placing all the files and whether or not I can move them without issues.