iPhone 3G & 2.0 Software: Problems, Updates, & Feature Requests

Numerous problems and feature requests I had for with the original iPhone were fixed on the iPhone 3G and/or iPhone 2.0 software. For example, the iPhone software now supports multiple calendars, supports exchange and direct push, allows WiFi with Flight Mode, while iPhone apps. eliminates the need for Apple to create dedicated widgets for things like news, sports, or movies. Likewise, the iPhone 3G’s hardware has been updated with 3G support, and thankfully, no recessed headphone jack (so you no longer have to use adapters). These updates are great, but there are still a lot of things I’d like to see added to the iPhone in the future, and there are unfortunately a few problems I’ve experienced with the current 2.0 software that I’d like to see corrected in the short term. What follows is a somewhat lengthy post, listing in detail the problems I have with the 2.0 software, and both software and hardware feature requests for the future.

iPhone 2.0 Software Problems:

·     The iPhone (2.0 software) has horrible reception on original iPhone; frequiently no signal at all or very low reception with slow or non-existent EDGE or GPRS

·     The iPhone (2.0 software) has horrible battery life (especially with games)

·     App and Keyboard slowdown after using the iPhone for a while

·     Internet Explorer locking up and causing the iPhone to restart after browsing

·     Better cache support in Safari – (Currently, immediately going back a page or two results in fully reloading each page (or after Safari crashes), which is extremely frustrating, slow, and cumbersome on EDGE or GPRS and doesn’t provide a desktop browsing experience.)

·     SMS: Currently no indication of SMS character limit when writing a message that will be split into 2 or more SMS messages; Entry area is too small (can’t see entire message you a writing without drag-scrolling)

Software Requests I’d Like to See - Now!!!:

·     Background “Push Notifications” (Coming in September)

·     IMAP Idle Support (push mail for IMAP; like Mail.app for Leopard supports)

·     Gmail Push Mail (& calandar/contacts push sync - see below; works with Google apps accounts)

·     Google Calendar and Address Book Synchronization (OTA Push - SyncML???)

·     Tasks in Calendar (with Exchange Sync support)

·     Copy/Paste

·     Safari: Open Link in New Window; bookmark seperators

·     Flash Support (in Safari, app. frameworks, and flv movie viewing)

·     Tasks in Calendar (with Exchange Sync support)

·     Voice Command/Voice Dialing

·     Notes Desktop Syncing

·     Voice Notes (in Notes.app)

Software Requests I’d Like to See Sometime (the sooner, the better):

·    Mail: Two-Pane view (was in iPhone when originally previewed at MacWorld 07); Option to “Go back to inbox” after deleting a message (instead of opening next message); Unified Email Inbox (All accounts in one inbox)

·   iPod: Searching (available in iTunes Remote app.); iPhone playlist creation/rearanging; folders (available in iTunes Remote.app.); Song/Playlist editing/creation on iPhone and searching in iPod application (and playlist folders from iTunes support)

·   Photos: Ability to rotate photos, tag, star, rename etc. to photos and new camera images

·   Calendar: Appointments to exact minute (not just in 5 minute increments)

·   Camera: Digital zooming and stabilization; video recording

·   Photo Booth and camera effects in iChat and pictures

·   Safari: RSS reader, offline support (like Gears)

·   SMS: MMS Support; Option to view SMS messages individually as opposed to threaded.

·     “Today” like information listing tasks and messages on lock screen

·     “Don’t Ask Again” support for the annoying “This device not made for iPhone. Enable Flight Mode?” message – Remember preferences.

·     Automatic Profiles (according to schedule – not sure how it would work with hardware switch though)

·     Pop-Up notifications for new email (like with text messages)

·     Show daily calendar events on the lock screen

·     Horizontal viewing support in iCal, widgets, maps, mail (Bug: Safari should switch to horizontal when rotated and keyboard is open).

·     File browser for file Uploads on websites and in email (like pictures)

·     Dictionary/Thesaurus and Spell Check

·     iChat Mobile (with video chat - requires front-facing camera)

·     Landscape keyboard support in all apps. (such as mail/calendar/notes)

·     External Document viewer/filesystem for downloading documents/files from computer or over-the-air and then viewing them on the iPhone (outside of Mail or Safari)

Hardware Feature Requests (for iPhone 3.0):

•  Faster processor, more memory (so iPhone is faster, and more responsive – can support more features, and games can support increased graphics)
• Longer battery life
• Slimmer, Lighter (without scratchable plastic back & silver bezel)
• Increase Mega-Pixels & Front-Facing Camera (for video chats)
• Tactile feedback on screen (for typing, games, etc.)
• MagSafe magnetic dock connectors (retaining compatibility with existing dock connector)