TheiPhonewill likely go down as the most successful launching of any technology ware in story . It ’s a really rotatory product and merit much of the praise it has received — but that does n’t have in mind it ’s gross .
In the spirit of constructive criticism , we ’re tender up 15 big things that Apple can do in the next generation of iPhones to make using an iPhone even well . Apple has n’t say when the next - gen devices will make their appearance , but some Apple watcher have theorize early 2008 .
In fact , we might not even have to wait for iPhone 2.0 to see some of the particular on our wish lean : It ’s conceivable that Apple could update the current crop of iPhones via software updates . Are you listen , Apple ?
1. Get on the 3G train
Let ’s bug out with the most obvious defect : The fact that the iPhone is wed to AT&T ’s former EDGE wireless datum connection instead of the technologically superior 3 1000 connection . One of the thing that makes the iPhone revolutionary is its unprecedented use of the Internet . No other cadre sound or handheld on the market offers the full - featured , WWW - browsing experience of Safari mobile ( to say nothing of YouTube , Maps or other final applications ) .
But the EDGE data service is too slow for many net tasks , specially downloading turgid amounts of data , such as a graphically intense Web varlet or a video recording from YouTube . The iPhone ’s ability to utilise Wi - Fi or else of EDGE mitigates these limitations , but that is only an option when you ’re in range of a Wi - Fi meshwork . And even though AT&T offer 3 K coverage in some area , the iPhone itself does n’t support 3G.
It is n’t unclouded at this point how quickly AT&T plans to beef up its 3 gravitational constant overhaul throughout the body politic . The company’sWeb siteclaims that it is working to enlarge 3 guanine coverage , and itscoverage indicatordoes show more 3 G locations than when the iPhone was announced in January .
What ’s more , a recentpatent licensing dealstruck between Apple and InterDigital strongly implies that 3 thou supporting for the iPhone is in the works . ( InterDigital specialize in developing embed wireless technologies and has already develop and certify 3 G technology to other companies , including Nokia , NEC , Sharp and Panasonic . ) Even if AT&T ’s rollout of 3 G is n’t speedy , 3 one thousand performance for the iPhone is still vital for its winner in other markets , include Europe , which has much more far-flung 3 gigabyte service than the U.S.
2. Add GPS
address of datum services , the iPhone desperately needs GPS . Offering a dedicated Google Maps lotion is great , but its utilization is limited without GPS . After I got lost on a saturnine country road latterly , one of my friends ask me , “ How can you be lose when you ’ve got an iPhone ? ” The solvent , of form , is that the iPhone ’s Maps program is great , so long as you cognise where you are . If you do n’t , then it is n’t much help .
GPS would also put the iPhone to contend with in - dash navigation devices . Think about the power for the iPhone to be not only phone , Internet gimmick and iPod , but also seafaring system of rules . The tote up value is so incredible that it really is surprising Apple did n’t let in GPS in the iPhone to begin with .
3. Turn auto-correct into auto-complete
There ’s been a good trade of criticism of the iPhone ’s touch - screen keyboard as compared to the physical thumb - typing keyboard plebeian on BlackBerries and other gadget . Like most people , I complained about the iPhone keyboard at first but adapted to it within a dyad of weeks , though I still do n’t type as fast as I did on the physical keyboard of my sometime Treo .
Given my slower typing speed , one feature film that I miss from my Treo , which ran Windows Mobile 5 , is the text - autocomplete feature . rightful , the iPhone does have an auto - right function . As you type , it suggests words from both a general dictionary and Holy Scripture that you commonly use . The more you habituate the feature , the more accurate it becomes ; it ’s an of the essence iPhone feature .
But machine - correct on the iPhone does n’t unremarkably kick in until you almost end up typing a Son , and it ’s concentre on even off typos and misspelled words rather than actually finish words as you typewrite them . Having a true auto - pure purpose that begins after the first two or three letter ( live updating with each extra letter ) , as happens in Windows Mobile , would be a massive betterment .
I hope this is something Apple is not only work on for succeeding iPhones , but will also push out to current iPhone owner via a software update .
4. Support a landscape-oriented keyboard systemwide
Safari is presently the only lotion to provide users with a wider keyboard when the iPhone is slant on its side for landscape painting sight . Most multitude find that accurately type in portrayal view require one - fingerbreadth typing rather than two - thumb typewriting because of the narrow width and besotted spacing of the virtual keys .
In landscape mode , the keys are both wider and more or less far apart , which makes one - fingered typing more exact and allow for faster , two - thumbed typing . Even if it is n’t feasible in every covering because of the size of the iPhone screen and the data being displayed , extending the landscape painting keyboard into most iPhone practical program would be a significant advance .
5. Provide third-party developer support and an iPhone SDK
In June , Apple CEO Steve Jobs announce that the party wouldwelcome the developmentof third - party practical app for the iPhone , but these apps would have to carry over the Internet via Apple ’s Safari entanglement browser app , rather than natively on the iPhone platform ( a specialised version of the companionship ’s Mac OS X operating system ) . Because of this , Jobs say Apple would not be allow for a software developer ’s outfit ( SDK ) for the iPhone . Apple’sexpressed rationalefor the restriction is that spread out the iPhone to exploitation represent security risks to users and to the carrier ’s mobile electronic internet .
But there is a meaning developer community that scoffs at the idea that running Web apps through Safari is the beneficial way to answer iPhone users . These developers are already creating awide rangeof aboriginal applications for the iPhone . The problem is that installing these apps require drug user to hack into their iPhones , and what ’s more , such apps might become disabled at any time by an iPhone software update from Apple .
Rather than taking either a hostile or anindifferentapproach to these developers ( and potentially undoing their efforts with each iPhone or iTunes update ) , Apple should embrace them and allow iPhone owners to install extra applications without the motivation to “ jailbreak ” their devices . create an SDK and working with these developer not only serves user better but also serves Apple ’s expressed desire to maintain the unity of the iPhone as a platform and wireless gimmick .
6. Add mobile iChat
It is shocking to think that the iPhone does n’t come with an instant electronic messaging coating . Most other wise phones ( and even many entry - grade cell phone ) either come with built - in inst electronic messaging applications or bid them as hyperkinetic syndrome - ons . give the consumer and net focus of the iPhone , a mobile reading of iChat is a must .
on-key , there are Web - based messenger out there for the iPhone ( I likeMundu , which offers the ability to simultaneously chat on AIM , Yahoo Messenger , MSN Messenger and Google ’s GTalk ) , as well as somenative blink of an eye messengersfor those comfortable with jailbreaking and install third - party applications on their iPhone .
This should , however , be something that is built into the iPhone , not something that requires either a entanglement - found service or hacking the iPhone to set up an practical program that Apple might disable at any time with a software system update .
7. Allow iPhones to be used as hard drives
Apple needs to convey one of the most overlooked iPod feature to the iPhone : the power to apply it as a reposition twist . Via an option in iTunes , every iPod , including the iPod Shuffle , is able-bodied to double as an external hard cause , which allows it to be used for carrying files between computers , for pull in nimble relief and even as an emergency start - up disk .
Even though the iPhone connects to a reckoner via USB and syncs with iTunes in a similar manner to the iPod , the disk - use option is not enabled in the iPhone . As a result , there is no supported way for an iPhone to be mounted as a intemperate driveway .
utilise as a hard ride is a great characteristic unto itself , but on an iPhone it could be even more useful . It would allow you to load written document ( PDFs , spreadsheets , word processing documents and so on ) on the iPhone for easy watch rather than have to get at them by due east - ring mail . combine with third - political party coating for cut document , this could make the iPhone sack - size office for users on the go .
The hazard , of course , is that this would enter the iPhone ’s file system to change and easier installation of third - party app program . As long as Apple maintains the iPhone as a unopen platform ( officially unsympathetic , anyway ) , there is minuscule Bob Hope of Apple fully implementing file cabinet access . However , a single well - guarded leaflet on the iPhone that has no access to any arrangement element should be doable and would let for employment of an iPhone as an extraneous hard drive .
8. Support Bluetooth syncing
The iPhone includes Bluetooth accompaniment for hands - free equipment only . This is a very limited use of goods and services for Bluetooth and is surprising devote that Mac OS X permit you to sync information with other cell phones and mobile twist using Bluetooth . Bluetooth keep for syncing the iPhone seems like a no - brainer .
Bluetooth would make syncing easier and boil down the line that substance abuser need to have on hand ( peculiarly helpful for laptop users ) . It would probably also advance users to sync their iPhones on a more unconstipated ground . While it probably is dependable to attempt iPhone software package updates using a pumped-up connection , that alone is n’t reason enough not to offer synchronise via Bluetooth .
Since Bluetooth already exists in the iPhone in a modified capability , there is hope that Bluetooth datum sync might not only live in next models but could be change state on via an update in live iPhones as well .
9. Add video capture
Another fairly surprising omission from the iPhone is support for recording video using the built - in camera . Many phone manufacturer suffer video recording as well as still shots . Video would be a very welcome add-on to the tv camera capabilities of the iPhone , and it ’s another characteristic that should be potential not only in future iPhone example but also in existing iPhones via an update .
Given the iPhone ’s existing consolidation with YouTube ( as well as the upload financial backing to YouTube included in the late versions of Apple’siLifeandiWorksuites ) , it is n’t a stretchiness to imagine being able to record a little video section and upload it instantly to YouTube . Likewise , the .MacWeb Gallerysupport already packaged into the iPhone ’s camera applications programme could well be extend to support television .
10. Add a flash
While we ’re blab about the iPhone ’s television camera , how about a trice ? The iPhone ’s tv camera does astonishingly well in humiliated - lightness situations , especially compared to similar ( or even high - resolve ) cameras on other phones . But there is only so much any digital camera can do without adequate lighting .
A flash would significantly improve the indoor and nighttime usance of the iPhone ’s camera . The deal - off , as anyone who ’s owned a photographic camera phone with a flash know , is that a flash can significantly drain battery exponent . As much as I ’d wish to see a flash on the iPhone , I ’ll admit that Apple ’s committedness to a recollective battery life makes it a bit unlikely .
11. Provide push e-mail
Most smart telephone platform tender an option for push atomic number 99 - chain armour ( e - mail delivered to the phone mechanically as it arrives ) that can be configured through a overhaul provider or corporate e - mail system . The iPhone extend push e - mail only when you use a Yahoo Mail account statement . you could configure access to other e - mail accounts , but you will not receive e - mails as they arrive . Instead you take to actively mark off for raw mail using the iPhone ’s Mail software or lay up the auto - halt option , which allow automatic checking only at 15- , 30- , or 60 - minute intervals .
By default option , Yahoo Mail does n’t offer access via a traditional POP / IMAP ring armor customer . If you want to be able to access your due east - post outside Yahoo ’s World Wide Web mail interface , you demand to buy one of Yahoo’supgraded e - mail plans . Although not terribly expensive , Yahoo ’s acclivity are an extra cost , and they do n’t offer access to a corporate e - ring armour write up ( or for that matter any other existing e - mail accounts you might have ) .
The other choice is toforward an exist e - mail accountto your Yahoo Mail address . This is n’t a double-dyed solution either , because it requires you to remember to enable and disable furtherance . What ’s more , any response you send will add up from the Yahoo computer address unless you then explicitly reply from another account , which mean you wo n’t be able to cite back the original due east - mail service ( since there is no chemical mechanism for take an account when replying and no written matter / library paste function on the iPhone ) . lastly , troupe privacy policies may prevent you from send on your work e - ring mail through an outside supplier like Yahoo .
Apple should produce an add - on component for existing chain armour servers to offer push e - mail — or at the very least it should press e - mail through the company’s . Mac service . In contrast to Yahoo Mail , .Mac offers both Web mail and POP / IMAP access as part of its package . In fact , it ’s a small surprising that Apple chose to partner with Yahoo for push button vitamin E - mail rather than add value to the .Mac package .
While it might be a picayune much to expect Apple to produce an add - on for every mail server platform on the market ( though it is deserving notice the RIM produce a act of such products for BlackBerry users ) , it is imaginable that such an option could be added to Mac OS ecstasy Server . As with adding tug e - mail to .Mac , this could add much value to Mac OS X Server ’s mail services , which have traditionally been very basic .
12. Sync to-dos with iCal or Outlook
The iPhone ’s calendar is one of the most user friendly I ’ve seen on a mobile equipment , but one commonly used characteristic is miss : the to - do lean . It ’s the one feature film that I really miss on a day-to-day cornerstone .
Using third - party options is possible , but it ’s nowhere near as convenient as it would be to merely synchronise the iPhone to an subsist calendar tool ( most likely iCal on Macs and Outlook on Windows ) and have to - dos updated along with calendar detail , contacts and so on . Once more , this is something that Apple could well address in both future and current iPhones .
13. Sync notes with your computer
Right up there with to - dos is notes . The iPhone includes a Notes lotion that has a fun yellow legal - launchpad look . The mystery and limitation is that there ’s no tangible mechanism for doing anything with notes once you create them . Yes , you may e - mail them , but if that ’s all you may do , why not simply compose yourself an vitamin E - mail in the first place ?
Most other nomadic devices sustain the concept of notes as something that is synced with an entropy direction tool ( typically , Outlook on Windows and a third - party software on Macs ) . This make take down a much more functional tool because you could organize them like contacts or to - do items . With some applications programme , notes can also be shared among users .
To make its Notes app truly useful , Apple should also take this approach and allow syncing of notes either with a ego - stop notepad app running on a substance abuser ’s computer or with an existing tool such as Outlook in Windows or Mail in OS X.
14. Send text messages to multiple contacts at once
The iPhone ’s textual matter program is one of the coolest - search features on the gadget . With an iChat - inspired interface , text electronic messaging feels more like chatting . Everyone who sees it like the look of it .
There ’s only one problem : You ca n’t send the same message to two or more people at once . While I like the colloquial approach shot , if I ’m trying to connect with the great unwashed while I ’m out or planning a get - together , I often want to institutionalise the same message to multiple friends .
The iPhone is the only telephone set I ’ve used that does n’t proffer the ability to plow a single text message to multiple recipients . For frequent texters , it can be a big dogfight to retype the same message five or six time . Even if the only way to crop this into the Text applications programme ’s port is to generate multiple conversation thread when a substance is send out to more than one person , this should be an option . In this area , Apple has uncharacteristically missed the print of the old adage “ physique follows purpose . ”
15. Add an RSS reader
RSS reader for mobile devices proffer a prompt way to aggregate and view content . Since RSS feed are typically cognitive content - only ( i.e. , they do n’t have complex pageboy - design chemical element ) , they are particularly well suited for mobile use — particularly given the speed limitations when connecting to the Internet using AT&T ’s border web .
A built - in RSS reader , either as part of Safari or as a disjoined program , would be a great improver to the iPhone for users who want a prompt mode to keep up with news show and blogs on the route . Until one is available , however , the mobile version ofGoogle Readerserves as a sound option .
What else?
[ Ryan Faasis a independent author and engineering adviser specializing in Mac and multiplatform internet issues . ]
