Six Upgrades I Want in the Recently Found “iPhone 2.1″
It’s only January, but the other “J” months will arrive be we know it. I’m talking about June and July: two significant months for the Apple iPhone. It was June of 2007 when Apple first sold their handset. July of 2008 brought speedy 3G and a few other features.
Some sleuths looking deep into the recent iPhone Software Update code have found evidence of a new iPhone coming soon. Since the “J” months are also on the way, it’s a safe bet that we’ll see a revised handset model this summer.
I was just lamenting my current, first-gen iPhone and thinking about what’s next for my handset needs. The Palm Pre is surely in the running and there’s a BlackBerry or two under consideration as well. But I have to wonder what the next iPhone might be like.
The upgrades I’d like to see:
- More power under the hood – The Palm Pre is going to use a pretty potent TI OMAP processor and I’d like to see something comparable in the next iPhone. The device works OK now, but there’s a bit of lagginess that I’d like to never see again.
- A better camera – I don’t take many pics with my iPhone, but when I do, they’re marginal at best with the 2-Megapixel sensor. A usable macro mode would be welcome as would an auto-focus over a fixed focus. Even better: a software upgrade for video recording and streaming.
- Additional Bluetooth profiles – The easiest thing to point out here is the lack of Bluetooth stereo support. I’m probably in the minority here, but I’d like to see the ability to pair a Bluetooth keyboard too. As the device becomes more of a capable web and productivity device, a true keyboard option would be welcome.
- Support for Nike+ – Again, not something that everyone wants or needs, but I often run with my iPhone as I listen to music.
- Apps running in the background – We should at least have the option for this. I understand that more apps running generally equate to less run time. But if I want to stay logged in to a web-based app, I should be able to. Perhaps Apple can put a master switch setting allowing or disallowing background apps?
- Longer battery life – This is a given for most people and part of the reason I never upgraded from my first-gen iPhone. I miss my 3G, but not enough to have my battery life be drastically reduced.
That’s what I’m hoping for next time. If every single item in my list were to be in the next iPhone, I’d likely make the purchase. If not, I’ll be weighing options with the Pre and other handsets. Aside from cut-and-paste (which I personally don’t miss), what do you want to see in a revised iPhone?
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I maintain my personal list of wants in Evernote, so I always have it with me. Let me just paste it here… oh, wait… never mind.
Battery life is my main hardware gripe. A usable camera would be appreciated, too.
On the software side, I agree with the need for multitasking. Does no one at Apple use instant messengers? And what’s with all that dictatorial control over what goes on my device?
All those software things could, of course, be accomplished with a software update for the “older” devices, too.
What, no copy/paste on that list? :D The iPhone could definitely use some beefing up, especially if Apple is serious about wanting the iPhone/Touch to be a gaming platform.
I definitely agree about the better camera.
I still would like to be able to use the landscape keyboard while texting/emailing.
Great list Kevin!
2 more:
- Adobe Flash support. I really need to watch my shows that require Flash player
- Cut and copy. Wow. Even the first USR Robotics Palm Pilot had this.
What I would like is for Apple to move back from that plastic back to aluminum like on the first iPhone. Either that or make the plastic more matte, ’cause as things stand it looks a little… dare I say cheap?
Agree, but want copy and paste too. I’m also still on iPhone first-gen and considering Pre, Bold, and new Tmobile bberry.
I want it to sync over wifi like my AppleTV does!
Cut and paste darn it. Ridiculous. Can’t copy urls, can’t copy notes, can’t copy email addresses, useless.
And the ability to get picture mails!
The most “powerful” phone in the world and I have to go to web site when my brother sends me a picture from his phone… almost as sad as no cut and paste but way more annoying!
Hi,
I would like to able to be able develop applications on PC and be able to deploy it to an iPhone as easily and painlessly as I can do with Windows Mobile. If I am just writing a small app for myself why should I have to pay Apple so that I can get that application on the device. It is not like I am trying to create a commercial application.
Have fun
Martin
Good list Kevin. My number one would definitely be optionally-backgroundable apps. Windows Mobile does this the wrong way: apps never close, unless you explicitly quit them. iPhone apps should allow you to set on a per-application basis how you want them to behave. For example, I want an IM app to always be open once I’ve run it. A blogging app, on the other hand, should always close.
Yes, this would make the UI more complex – but hey, this is Apple, and they’re the masters at making complex UI complex simple :)
More ‘iFart’ type apps are what we need as there aren’t enough of them in the app store……
What I want most of all is something no-one else ever seems to mention.
I want the Safari browser to cache at least my previous page, so that when I’m reading a news site (like this) and click on a link to read a story, it doesn’t have to completely re-download the list page again when I navigate back.
That, and the ability to open pages in new tabs, would make reading news online so much less frustrating.
Turn by Turn GPS would be nice…
Gordon
Ability to view and write emails in the horizontal orientation.
…and following a comment on a ptrevious article from Oliver and Gavon Miller, the ability to watch embedded videos in web pages.
I find it most interesting that what people want in the new iPhone mostly amounts to software changes: cut and paste, safari caching, turn by turn directions, multitasking, flash support, etc. All of this could be done with a software update to all iPhones in existence, which is great news… if Apple had an interest in appeasing their customers in this regard!
Hardware wise, better camera and video support, and change the home button to act like a 5 way navigator (for games) and we’d want better battery life, and that’s it. Doesn’t sound like Apple’s job is that hard here to deliver a perfect experience. Come on, Apple!
I’d like to see an OLED screen. Thinner, lower power, better picture quality.
micro sd slot for additional storage
bluetooth transfer
family pricing on apps (does it make sense to buy apps twice, three times for the same family plan phones)
imei number blocked in the event the phone is stolen making the phone a brick (phone theft is up everywhere and thieves are getting away with it. we were victims of a snatch)
rugged version for those in need (military, police, construction, etc)
video support
camera flash or oled lights for video (can be done with new oled technology)
I agree with Dave. It’s ridiculous that ipods can sync tasks and notes while iphones & Touches can’t. Even more ridiculous is Apple not yet addressing what many consider gaping holes in functionality. I can’t seriusly consider an Iphone for business use until it offers the basics features of other smart phones.
My ardor for the Pre cooled with the realization I can’t run Garnet apps, but I was hopeful Apple might soon issue competitive iphone ‘n touch sw updates.
Actually, Ian… Windows Mobile apps do close automatically when memory is needed. The ability to explicitly close them is only recently bolted onto Windows Mobile.
1) I want a bigger screen, preferably with slightly higher resolution. There’s a lot of space wasted at the ends of the phone. A 3.8″ min. screen (like HTC Thouch HD) or better yet, a 4″ to 4.5″ screen.
2) I want a pen. There’s a fat-point pen on the market, but I want a thin-point pen.
3) Less important: A blue tooth keyboard (and a new foldable bluetooth keyboard, and mouse)