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View Full Version : [iPhone 3G] - Apple's Hits and Misses


vandy1997
06-15-2008, 05:18 PM
I am looking forward to many of the new features on the 3G iPhone, including the 3G service (of course), aGPS, better battery (HOPEFULLY), better audio (HOPEFULLY), App Store, Exchange (possibly for work), additional tweaked features (ability to delete and move me-mails in bulk, scientific calculator), glossy plastic back (NOT), tapered/convex thicker middle/thinner edge design (NOT - I would rather have it the same dimensions as the original iPhone so that I could use the original iPhone's dock!), lack of dock in package (NOT), smaller crappy AC adapter that cannot be used in other countries (NOT). I am looking forward to trying out MobileMe as well - it may turn out to be a decent service, since we will have access to 20 GB of storage and automatic updates of contacts, calendar, files, etc. on our computers; it sucks that we will have to pay for yet another service, but it may be useful.

Okay, that was a list of some of the positive aspects (for the most part). But I still can't believe how much more can be added to this product to make it go from an great product to an outstanding product and maybe product of the year again! Here is a list that I compiled. Please add to it as you see fit. Of course, this is a pretty comprehensive list, but I am making it in the hopes that Apple will decide to implement a majority of the features listed here. Well, my list is as follows (in no order of preference):

From Apple
1) Front facing camera for video calls;
2) Better mp camera - 3 to 5 mp;
3) Camera flash;
4) Better camera app (zoom; manual ISO; white balance; various modes: night, sepia, black & white, sunny);
5) Adobe Flash;
6) Microsoft Office for editing (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
7) MMS - video/picture/text messaging;
8) Video recording;
9) Voice recorder;
10) Voice dial;
11) Speed dial widgets app - to allow icons on the home screen;
12) Removable/replaceable battery;
13) More than 9 home screens limit;
14) More than 80 apps limit;
15) Tethering - via USB and bluetooth;
16) Use iPhone as USB Drive to save files;
17) File Manager (that allows copy, cut, paste);
18) Copy, cut, paste;
19) Bluetooth - profiles to allow adding external bluetooth keyboard, mouse, video game controller and other accessories; OBEX profile for file exchange, apps exchange, digital card exchange; A2DP for stereo bluetooth headsets; DUN for tethering via bluetooth;
20) 32GB flash version; maybe a 64GB limited edition version;
21) SDHC card slot;
22) Better GPS app with street view;
23) Insurance plan from Apple or AT&T;
24) More SMS features - delete, privacy, landscape typing, forwarding;
25) Landscape for SMS and mail app;
26) WiFi - 802.11n;
27) Ability to turn off the accelerometer;
28) Music downloads over 3G;
29) To Do app;
30) iChat;
31) Ability to sync notes with Outlook or similar app;
32) Ability to e-mail multiple attachments (pictures or other);
33) Allow us to play more types of audio and video files - converting is time consuming sometimes;
34) Ability to save different types of files and e-mail attachments;
35) Ability to change themes on the SpringBoard and the lock screen (a la SummerBoard);
36) FM Radio;
37) Stereo speakers;
38) Better/louder speaker sound;
39) Different ringtones for different users/categories;
40) Let us add our own custom ringtones - we don't necessarily want to buy through iTunes;
41) Better reception/better antenna - try out Motorola, Nokia, and LG phones and apply technologies similar to theirs for reception;
42) HDMI out - maybe better resolution for this;
43) Ability to have your alarm play a song or a playlist or start an app that you specify instead of an annoying ringtone (think differently);
44) Weekly calendar view;
45) Different colors - red, blue, white for the 8GB version as well;
46) Infrared sensor;
47) RFID/NFC (Near Field Communication) sensor to make purchases using the 3G iPhone;
48) Fingerprint sensor (to access phone or make purchases);
49) Carbon fiber/polycarbonate and matte textures back - no gloss; or removable/replaceable back so that different colors/textures can be manufactured (wood, stainless steel, Plexiglas, hemp, platinum, tempered glass - limitless options);
50) Screen Capture app - native and not hidden functionality;
51) Ability to add two SIM cards and switch between them for world travelers!

From AT&T
1) Better data plan deal with SMS. Why is the 3G data plan $30 without SMS? Why will we need to pay an additional $5 for 200 SMS messages? If we will have to pay $30, then include the 200 SMS messages like you did for the original iPhone plan. And grandfather the original iPhone purchasers at $20 per month, since we shelled out a ton of money for an iPhone that we used for one year or less!
2) $99/month unlimited everything plan, with free 8GB 3G iPhone or $99 16GB 3G iPhone - can you hear us now?
3) Turn on MMS!
4) Allow us to purchase insurance for the iPhone!
5) Allow for a tethering option.
6) Have a pay-as-you-go option! It will allow college students who may not have the money to pay each month. Don't sell this phone only to the rich!
7) Expand your 3G coverage and your phone coverage in general - there is no service in the train tunnels from New York City to New Jersey - Verizon has coverage, and sometimes the calls get dropped for no reason! Work on this, AT&T! Also, coverage in the New York City subways would be nice - not for phone calls, but for SMS and data usage - it will give you more income!!

I know that many of these options will be available when the App Store comes out (some are available on current jailbroken iPhones), and some will hopefully be available via Installer when firmware 2.0 is jailbroken, but some of these apps should come on the stock 3G iPhone! This phone could definitely kick major arse if it included these features! With respect to Apple and AT&T, I know that many people will not like the fact that the 3G iPhone will have to be activated with a plan at the store on the date of purchase. That will be necessary because AT&T is losing tons of money to people who purchase the iPhone to unlock/jailbreak and sell. But maybe they can sell an unlocked iPhone for $600 or $700 so that everybody would be happy. AT&T is likely subsidizing the $200 in order to earn about $1,800 from the iPhone users on their network over a period of two years (assuming that these users don't terminate the contract early). Some people will still buy the phone, use it for one month, cancel the service and pay the ETF of about $200, and use it on T-Mobile or any other GSM network in a country in which the 3G iPhone will not be supported. So they will pay about $600 for the 16GB 3G iPhone. Of course, this will only be possible once the iPhone is jailbroken and unlocked. So it may benefit AT&T to charge $700 or $800 and let people purchase it unlocked. It would make a little bit of money, and it would avoid having to deal with people who will purchase and cancel after one month.

I will also be posting this to Apple as suggestions for improvement. Hopefully, quite a few of these features will be added to the REAL 3G, as in third generation, iPhone! Please let me know your thoughts on this!

BImmelicous
06-15-2008, 05:21 PM
this would be the ÜBER-iPhone 200G for about 13.000 $...

bullshit...

vandy1997
06-15-2008, 05:35 PM
I know that I went overboard, but the phone could have plenty of these features for maybe $100 more. About 35 of the features are software only, so those could be implemented on the current version. Most of these features (other than the flash memory) could be added for an additional $200. And I would pay a $499 subsidized price for a 16GB iPhone with 45 of these features on it. It's only impossible if you choose to make it impossible. Thank you for your comment.

this would be the ÜBER-iPhone 200G for about 13.000 $...

bullshit...

lifesuk
06-15-2008, 06:04 PM
no one said it's impossible, it's all existing technologies. but with $499 & current size? that's definitely BS.

jameselder232
06-15-2008, 06:06 PM
All these suggestions are good and as you said the majority of them are software options which we can/will be able to install once jailbroken.

Its the hardware ones which are unlikely to be implemented in the near future, and as everybody says, apple will introduce a few hardware upgrades at a time so as to maximise the profit potential of the iphone for them by constantly offering new versions.

neonkoala
06-15-2008, 06:39 PM
Damn I wish I could get those 2 minutes of my life back.

Pittwm
06-15-2008, 06:45 PM
You forgot.... A global "Search" function so I can find a damn appointment so where bury in the future date.

vandy1997
06-15-2008, 06:50 PM
@lifesuk - I don't think that it's impossible, either. And it is definitely impossible to add all of the hardware and maintain the phone at its current size. I was referring more to BImmelicous' comment that this would cost $13,000! There are phones currently being sold with many of these features at about $800.

@jameselder232 - It's sad that Apple chooses to add in one feature at a time. I would rather pay a bit more for a more comprehensive media and communications device. I know that some people don't want all of the features. So they can have a Basic model and a Pro model.

@neonkoala - Since you are a developer, maybe you can develop some of the software ideas. Also, you could have stopped at item number 25, and you would have lost only one minute of your precious life. I'll give you a rep point for your troubles! :)

LiTos
06-15-2008, 07:24 PM
that would be hell of a nice iphone. im sure most of the softare ones can be available as Apps. There IS a way to view flash (http://youtube.com/watch?v=0TIaLTOZHcw), there IS a copy & paste app made by one of the apple emplyees and there IS a file browser which can be used as a thumb drive. (http://iphonegap.com/2008/01/12/iphone-browser-best-file-manager-for-your-apple-iphone/)
Yes the ringtone thing could be a problem...maybe they'll let us do it in 3G. But thats pretty much all the major problems! With solutions!

BImmelicous
06-15-2008, 07:25 PM
this is the 12000th thread ob "missing features"... please search and visit those threads.

thanks

vandy1997
06-16-2008, 04:15 AM
Thank you, LiTos, but I am referring to these apps as being stock apps, not apps for a jailbroken phone. It does not seem as if they will be stock apps on the 3G iPhone. Also, have you actually used the "Flash" viewer and the copy and paste app? I did once or twice, but not again, since it is a pain to run these apps. The Flash viewer is NOT a Flash viewer. It is an app that converts the Flash file so that it can be played using QuickTime. I want an app that you press the Flash item in Safari and it begins to run in Safari! Also, this Flash option does not run websites that have Flash content in them. The copy and paste "solution", although better than nothing, has much to be desired. IphoneBrowser is a great app as well, but I am talking about a file manager on the iPhone itself. While these are good apps, they are not great, and they are not fully integrated into the operating system. You seem to be an optimist, and that is fine, but these apps that you point out need a lot of work in order to run smoothly. Apple is supposed to be about simplicity. Also, if the 3G iPhone cannot be jailbroken, these apps will not work on it. There is a high probability that the 3G iPhone will be jailbroken, but there is always a chance that it will not be. In that case, the jailbroken iPhone apps will be worth little. I believe that the "Flash" app and the copy and paste app work through Safari without jailbreaking, so those two will work. Look, I am just asking for these features which I consider to be basic to be available on the iPhone when it is sold to us by Apple or AT&T. That's all.

that would be hell of a nice iphone. im sure most of the softare ones can be available as Apps. There IS a way to view flash (http://youtube.com/watch?v=0TIaLTOZHcw), there IS a copy & paste app made by one of the apple emplyees and there IS a file browser which can be used as a thumb drive. (http://iphonegap.com/2008/01/12/iphone-browser-best-file-manager-for-your-apple-iphone/)
Yes the ringtone thing could be a problem...maybe they'll let us do it in 3G. But thats pretty much all the major problems! With solutions!

vandy1997
06-16-2008, 04:37 AM
BImmelicous, both of your comments have been less than useful or informative. You seem to be a great exaggerator (12000 threads about missing features and a $13000 iPhone). How old are you? 10 or 11 years old? If not, then grow up! With respect to your last comment, I have searched those other "11,999" threads, and I have not found ONE list that is anywhere as comprehensive as my list. I have been a member of this forum since July of 2007, and I have commenced very few new threads. When I have done so, it is because I believe that they can be useful and informative to others. I have been respectful to others, so please be respectful to me.

I purchased my 8GB iPhone two days after the iPhone was released, and I purchased a 16GB iPhone about 6 months ago. So I actually own 2 iPhones. I have been following the hacking community since last summer, and I have seen how difficult it has been for the hackers and developers to make the iPhone into a more useful device than that which was provided to us by Apple. I joined this site last summer, and I have assisted A LOT of members who needed help with various problems. So I have a great amount of understanding as to what the iPhone needs. And I just want to see the iPhone become the best media and communications device. Also, I am listing missing features so that individuals who plan on purchsing the 3G iPhone can determine for themselves if these are deal breakers. My list goes beyond what most people would want, but this is a list of everything that I would want at this time, with the exception of some items such as 64GB flash memory, NFC sensor, and fingerprint sensor, all of which I would not expect until the end of 2009 or by mid 2010 due to the cost and the limited use of such features today.

Also, if you don't want to read this thread, you can move on to the next one. I believe that I have added value by providing a comprehensive list of features relating to the 3G iPhone that does not exist elsewhere on this forum. Please move on if you do not wish to read any further.

I had forgotten Pittwm's suggestion, but he/she is 100% correct. The new search feature will only work for Contacts. There is also a search feature within the iPod player. But there should be a Global search feature that will allow the user to choose where to search, and which will allow the user to search within the Calendar, SMS, MMS, e-mail, iPod, file system, etc. for a word or phrase. The search function within Contacts will be highly useful, but it will not be as great as it should be.

I forgot another item which would be useful, and that is haptic feedback. It has been tested and will work on the iPhone. However, it will use up battery life. There could be an option to turn it on and off so that users will have a choice.


this is the 12000th thread ob "missing features"... please search and visit those threads.

thanks

LiTos
06-16-2008, 05:45 AM
Thank you, LiTos, but I am referring to these apps as being stock apps, not apps for a jailbroken phone. It does not seem as if they will be stock apps on the 3G iPhone. Also, have you actually used the "Flash" viewer and the copy and paste app? I did once or twice, but not again, since it is a pain to run these apps. The Flash viewer is NOT a Flash viewer. It is an app that converts the Flash file so that it can be played using QuickTime. I want an app that you press the Flash item in Safari and it begins to run in Safari! Also, this Flash option does not run websites that have Flash content in them. The copy and paste "solution", although better than nothing, has much to be desired. IphoneBrowser is a great app as well, but I am talking about a file manager on the iPhone itself. While these are good apps, they are not great, and they are not fully integrated into the operating system. You seem to be an optimist, and that is fine, but these apps that you point out need a lot of work in order to run smoothly. Apple is supposed to be about simplicity. Also, if the 3G iPhone cannot be jailbroken, these apps will not work on it. There is a high probability that the 3G iPhone will be jailbroken, but there is always a chance that it will not be. In that case, the jailbroken iPhone apps will be worth little. I believe that the "Flash" app and the copy and paste app work through Safari without jailbreaking, so those two will work. Look, I am just asking for these features which I consider to be basic to be available on the iPhone when it is sold to us by Apple or AT&T. That's all.

i dont own an iphone so i havent used them.
yes the apps arent good but theyre better than nothing. flash one is good for youtube vids - at least it can be done. Im not sure but i think i know of an unlocker that lets you access the file system on the iphone.
These apps are useful, even though it takes a little pain in the ass, but because of them, iphone can do pretty much everything. not perfectly, but everything.

me.
06-16-2008, 07:44 AM
vandy1997, you forgot to mention the forklift Apple needs to have in the package too for us to be able to carry the "iphone vandy built" around... And I bet you $100 that if they DID include all the stuff you listed someone would STILL come up with a similar list of missing features...

vandy1997
06-16-2008, 07:47 AM
LiTos, you are a good person. I hope that you are able to get a 3G iPhone. I will be getting one at some point in July. I already sold my 8GB iPhone, and I will only keep my 16GB iPhone (in case the jailbreaking cannot be performed on the 3G iPhone).

i dont own an iphone so i havent used them.
yes the apps arent good but theyre better than nothing. flash one is good for youtube vids - at least it can be done. Im not sure but i think i know of an unlocker that lets you access the file system on the iphone.
These apps are useful, even though it takes a little pain in the ass, but because of them, iphone can do pretty much everything. not perfectly, but everything.

vandy1997
06-16-2008, 08:10 AM
me, maybe I did get a little bit carried away with my features list. Most of my suggestions are software suggestions, so those can be made without adding to the volume or weight of the iPhone. It would be funny to see the forklift that came with each iPhone box. No dock, but the new iPhone now comes with a forklift! You can go here to see a funny report by Stephen Colbert on the new Giant iPhone: http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=173093 . I hope that you enjoy it! Maybe that will be the "iphone vandy built". :D

I agree with your remark that we will always be demanding more "missing features" no matter what features Apple provides to us. I don't really care much about the features that require hardware changes. However, I hope that Apple implements those that require only software changes. And I don't expect them in July! I am going to purchse the 3G iPhone because I am sure that it will be better than the original iPhone (at least the 3G will be faster and the GPS should add a hardware feature that the original iPhone does not have). And I am sure that most of the software requests will be fulfilled by third party companies through the App Store. However, I still wish that Apple would provide that software itself. I believe that Apple will make a better product that is integrated better and runs more smoothly with the OS. And I would pay $100 more to have those software features added by Apple, since that's probably how much they will cost through the App Store. Then Apple would make that money itself (thereby increasing its revenues) and users would be satisfied since they would have a more intuitive and smoother app created by Apple. Perhaps the third party developers will create great apps - I hope so. My problem is that apps created for the jailbroken iPhones tend to be somewhat buggy and sometimes freeze up the phone. I would rather have these apps created by Apple since they would likely run with fewer bugs! That's all that I'm trying to say.


vandy1997, you forgot to mention the forklift Apple needs to have in the package too for us to be able to carry the "iphone vandy built" around... And I bet you $100 that if they DID include all the stuff you listed someone would STILL come up with a similar list of missing features...

kashefcom
06-16-2008, 11:46 AM
Why don't you start producing pine(apple) vandiphone with tailor-trimmed features just for you

LiTos
06-16-2008, 02:10 PM
LiTos, you are a good person. I hope that you are able to get a 3G iPhone. I will be getting one at some point in July. I already sold my 8GB iPhone, and I will only keep my 16GB iPhone (in case the jailbreaking cannot be performed on the 3G iPhone).

Thanks, i'm gonna need some of that luck.

vandy1997
06-16-2008, 07:56 PM
:D kashefcom, you made me laugh. I am sure that if Apple produced the iPhone with most of the features that I listed, it would sell a lot more iPhones, even if it charged $100 more (for the software features mostly). I wish I could get a vandiphone; unfortunately, I will have to purchase what Apple offers. I enjoy my 16GB jailbroken/unlocked iPhone, and my service is with AT&T. And I will continue to do so until I get a 16GB 3G iPhone in July. I don't think that I'll wait in line. I will wait one or two days after launch to avoid the craziness. That's what I did the last time, and it took me 5 minutes to make the purchase.


Why don't you start producing pine(apple) vandiphone with tailor-trimmed features just for you

vandy1997
06-17-2008, 07:24 PM
I'm liking this news regarding Flash: http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/06/17/adobe.on.iphone.flash/ . Hopefully that will be an additional feature on the iPhone. However, it seems as if Apple hasn't included Adobe as a developer, as Adobe has not tested Flash on the iPhone itself.