The problem is, it takes away from power usage, and now that's a lot of users alienated. Another example is the three button mouse. Steve didn't want any buttons at all, remember, but settled on one. So we have command-x/c/v instead of left click select and middle click paste like in X windows.
But sometimes a quick look at the manual is all that's needed,
> Tip: To see what time a message was sent or received, drag a bubble to the left.
I'd rather every app just have a hamburger menu with a menagerie of settings so that those settings can exist even if they're too hard to design for. Instead designers write blog posts that shame everyone for making those menus in the first place.
Hidden gestures is the worst UX of all. For the same reason Siri will never replace a CLI -- completely probabilistic, unknown interface.
I believe it's smarter knowing how to find things and where. That's what I'm trying to show. That it is documented and where. Maybe someone could benefit from the link.
I don't have any pull with Apple to get them to change. I can just read the manual and figure out how things work.
Especially on iOS where once I had a friend complain that they cannot see the time that a message was sent or received. I had to show them to hold and swipe so they can see the hidden column of times.
I guess they don’t want to clutter up at the interface with things like labels and options.