Freeform: Apple draws forth a new app’s icon

Users of iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2, which were released on Tuesday, complain about unwanted altered home screens on their iPhone or iPad. The reason: The brand new whiteboard app Freeform, which was part of the update, is pushing its way in – apparently to get more users’ attention on it.

New icon likely to cause chaos

Anyone who’s downloaded a new app from the App Store knows the process: It always ends up on the last home screen — or a space that’s still empty. For Freeform and its icon, however, Apple pulls out an extra sausage: new software, which surely won’t interest every iPhone or iPad owner, automatically placed on top after updates to iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 Is.

This happens relatively randomly, but the common feature of the process is that pre-existing apps and their icons are pushed to the back. On Twitter, some users report that Freeform first appeared on the home screen — which many users attribute to their app’s widgets and precise layout because it’s the most easily accessible. Others report that the freeform popped up on page two or three, destroying the previously adjusted form as well. Sometimes the icon even ends up on page three if you’ve only filled one page with folders. However, Apple never puts the freeform icon at the very end – as would be really common – so it shows who owns the platform.

Responsive Widget Arrangement

Since iOS 14 it has finally been possible to place widgets between icons on the iPhone. However, you have to be careful how you do this, because otherwise large widgets will be moved to other home screens – or important icons will be left out. This setup is equally sensitive for many users – and then one unwanted app icon is already one too many.

And Apple doesn’t need to go ahead with Freeform. The app has been well received by iPhone, iPad and Mac owners so far. It has an interesting interface and allows for group brainstorming. He also got enough attention in the media and social media. Apple’s approach may also be viewed critically by regulators who are trying to forcibly open up Apple’s platform — and prevent the company from exercising its power over its own software.

(BSc)