Apple Apps Are Rubbish

> So, as it turns out, Journal is good enough for me. Part of that is because I’ve learned to differentiate between a want and a need. I want much more functionality than it currently offers, but all I really need is the ability to write a journal entry every day, and very occasionally include a photo or two.

This is the key. All those features that people think they want, but won’t really ever use… that’s how apps end up feeling bloated and cumbersome.

The thing I think Apple tries to do is build apps with the 20% of features that 80% of users use. Then they try to make it simple to just pickup and use without needing to learn much.

Apple Notes can actually do quite a bit, the attachment button has a lot of various import options, but at its core, anyone can just open it up and start writing without ever needing to know all those options are there. As they add features, that basic usage remains basic.

I think that’s the key. Keeping the app stupid simple, while maintaining enough depth for most users, but leaving the door open for a healthy 3rd party market for power users.

There are a ton of 3rd party journal and note apps, but for a long time there were hardly any good 3rd party iTunes competitors. Before it got bloated and now remade in Music, iTunes was seen as the gold standard music app and it seemed developers didn’t bother to try and compete, so there weren’t any good 3rd party options to speak of. Since nothing rose to prominence during that time, and streaming services have taken over, it still feels like that is an area that lacks good 3rd party options. If this is the impact of Apple doing a little too well with their software, then I largely like where they tend to land.