14 DAY TRIAL // A user on the yet unmodified Apple Discussions board is urging Apple to provide iOS users with an option to turn off a rather annoying feature called “shake to undo” which, for many users, activates accidentally.
In fact, many believe the feature is almost useless.
First off, here’s how it works.
As the user types something on their iPhone, such as an SMS, they have the option to shake their device to perform what is known as an “undo”, in case they misspelled something.
The software does this as the accelerometer senses the rapid movement. The function, however, can be easily activated by mistake.
Having to hit "Cancel" 90% of the times "shake to undo" kicks in can result in extreme annoyance.
Furthermore, the handy backspace button is always there to use, and if the user wants an even bigger block of test removed, they can just select it all and hit cut.
Bottom line - "shake to undo" is really not that necessary, or at least so say many users of an Apple iPhone.
By giving Google a quick search, Softpedia found that many are looking for a way to remove the function. But no cigar.
In fact, many are also looking to downright disable the accelerometer, so that the function cannot be invoked anymore.
That can’t be done either. Apple simply doesn't allow it.
Apple must well be aware of customers’ feelings towards shake to undo, with multiple forums out there debating the issue.
A report published by ismashphone.com mentions this among 14 other things that should be changed in Apple's iOS (admittedly, the report is rather old, and refers to features typical to iOS 3.0).
The inability to turn off the accelerometer is also mentioned as a minus which Apple should address, in the report dated July 22, 2009.
Today, Moday, August 23rd, as if shouting all by himself in a big empty room, one Apple Discussions user decided to make a final appeal to Apple’s sense of treating customers right, urging the company to include an on-off button for “shake to undo.”
Written in the form of a letter, and signed “Apple_TV_fan”, the post has been reproduced below for our readers.
Dear Apple, Please let us have the ability to turn off shake to undo feature on the iPhone. It is a cute feature that never gets implemented when I intend Rather, it is more of a hindrance to have to tap to get past the "Nothing to Undo" or "Undo Typing?" dialog.
Apparently, I am to shaky to type, but have enough motor control to play games and use other motion-controlled apps just fine.
Again, please let us turn off Shake to Undo on the iPhone.
Thanks
A single reply was available at the time of this writing, with user Tamara pointing Apple_TV_fan to Apple’s feedback page, suggesting he should whine about the problem over there.
How about you - do you believe Apple should offer the option to turn off these features in a future iOS software update?
Post your answers in the comments (no registration required).
