Everybody was head-over-heels in love with the original iPhone, mainly because of the innovative touch screen, superb web browsing and Apple's legendary ease of use. Nobody had ever seen anything like it in a phone before, and it's still streets ahead of the competition in many ways. But can it keep ahead now that Android has arrived?
We're going to put our cards on the table and list 10 new features the next iPhone will need to have if it's going to escape a panning from the critics.
Sadly, the original iPhone was severely lacking in several big areas. The lack of 3G was bordering on the criminal, then there was no picture messaging (MMS) and it also had a crappy camera. iPhone 3G added the faster connectivity, but everything else we're still waiting for.
Apple seems to have got away with the lack of basic features on the iPhone so far because of the relatively underdeveloped US phone market, where even texting, let alone MMS texting, hasn't really taken off. In contrast, in Japan, where people are used to mobile phones that are tiny and play television, the iPhone hasn't done as well.
Here's what we think Apple needs to add to the iPhone to keep it ahead of the pack. We hope you're listening, Apple!
1. Cut and Paste
Why, oh why has it taken Apple so long to add this? It's frustrating that you can't do it, and it's so obvious how it would work on the multi-touch screen – just tap and hold, then drag your finger over a block of text to select it. That functionality is currently reserved for the magnifying glass, but that could easily be shifted to a double-tap.
2. Shake to shuffle
This feature appeared on the recent 4th Gen iPod nano, but we can't see a reason why Apple won't add it to the iPhone. We'd like to see the feature expanded a little to include other options, rather than just Shuffle, when you shake. Why not have some Shake options in Settings, from which you can choose different functions?
3. A better camera with a flash
This is a no-brainer. The next iPhone will have to have a better camera, or we're going to bin it without even opening the box (possibly). The current 2-megapixel effort just isn't up to the job. Oh, and we also want a flash to brighten up those dull indoor shots, too.
4. More memory
Apple wants us to play movies on our iPhones, but it doesn't want to give us anywhere to put them! 16GB just doesn't cut it these days. We expect to get at least 32GB in the next iPhone, and 64GB if we're lucky.
5. Video recording
When your mate's phone (that he got free) can record video you know it's no longer a premium feature. Without the ability to record video iPhone owners are second-class citizens in the mobile phone world. Come on Apple, sort it out.
6. Picture messaging (MMS)
See above. Just because nobody in the US wants to send picture messages doesn't mean everybody in Europe has suddenly changed the way they've been using mobile phones for years.
7. A wider choice of providers, not just O2 (UK) or AT&T (US)
A controversial one this, but we think that Apple's exclusivity to O2 in the UK and AT&T in the US has to end at some point. People want the iPhone on more networks and Apple will want to loosen the shackles to grow its user base, too.
Your comments (17) Click to add a new comment
jbkendrick
September 26th 2008
17. I have had an original iPhone since the day it was released in the US and traded up to the 3G on its release day, and I think Apple has made good progress, not withstandiing copy and paste. Steve Jobs understands that stability and reliability are more important than features, though the iPhone has always had plenty of the latter.
I wrote about this very issue in my blog at http://johnkendrick.wordpress.com/2008/08/06/was-steve-jobs-right-with-iphone-10/
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ickyfehmleh
September 26th 2008
16. I'd argue that Apple needs to quit this silly NDA nonsense with their developers, have more transparency with regards to what apps do and don't make it to the App Store, speed up the approval process for the App Store (certain 'critical' updates from developers have taken weeks to show up on the store), and allow developers to talk to other developers about writing software for the iPhone. The advantage Android has here is that it's completely open; if you want to replace Google's mail client you're free to do so. On the iPhone, replacing Apple's mail client would result in your app never being available via the AppStore.
Developers will make or break a platform.
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greenalien
September 25th 2008
15. People will ***** about anyting these days. This article was fine. The thinness was made tongue in cheek because of Apple's obsession about making devices thinner.
My personal list (couple of which already mentioned in comments):
- Notifications. at least one LED on the device which flashes with unread SMS/email/IM or missed call. Having to keep checking the iPhone for missed messages is madness.
- Editble dictionary (and at the very least ability to disable auto correct). The auto-correct drives me nuts at the time. Why won't it learn like other phones.
- Call log with durations. I looked everywhere until I realised they missed it off.
- A more stable browser. Mobile Safari crashes often.
- A more useful home screen. I want to see new info at a glance (and not just badge numbers either). And add ability to create folders too. A menu tree of icons is faster to get to than a series of multiple pages.
- Better Mobile Me. Can't even set a sender address for a Mobile Me account on the iPhone (which is a limitation with MM anyway). This is silly. Plus no server-side filter support. Bascially Mobile Me is a poor imitation of Exchange, which thankfully is supported.
- Integrated IM client, because Apple's own apps can run in the background just fine. It would maintain connections better without having to relaunch the IM client all the time while you multitask. Ideally with front-mounted camera and video conferencing.
- A smarter podcast client. I want to receive new podcasts without being tied to the PC. At the very least sync over wifi.
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megalaser
September 25th 2008
14. How about the ability to access and use the memory on the SIM card? Many people have loads of phone numbers they can't access with the iPhone. Also removable battery, push email (missing since 2.1 update), a micro SD slot, the ability to change the alert sounds, louder phone and speaker volume, intelliscreen features (best third party software) and better battery life
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webcrsn
September 25th 2008
13. You missed a couple of real biggies. First, since you can't run background applications they need to implement their notification strategy. From what I understand that will probably be available in the next release. Secondly, for "The phone that is an iPod" they need to implement A2DP bluetooth for stereo bluetooth.
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psychokilla
September 25th 2008
12. the G1 does have video recording, also auto-focus which crapple dont and imo and most important wideer is much worse in your pocket than fatter
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