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3G iPhone Going Into Production In May
A few folks noted the rumor mill churning over 3G iPhones coming soon. Apparently they might be going into production as early as May, and announced somewhere in the 2nd quarter. Hopefully they manage to stick a GPS and another 16 gigs of memory in this one.
I just want ads blocked on my iphone. I tried editing the hosts file on my iphone, but it didn't work. Any suggestions? I need a solution on the iphone itself that will work anywhere.
- AutoFocus/Flash for the Camera
- 3G
- GPS
and I'm set, getting rid of a bunch of electronics for just one deviceWhat else do you guys think could be added?
Given your suggestions, I think we'll see the following on the 2G Apple iPhone:
1) 3G high-speed data download support through HSDPA (which AT&T is implementing in major metropolitan areas).
2) Maximum flash memory increased to 32 GB, the same as the top-line iPod Touch.
3) Improved onboard camera with 4-5 megapixel capability.
4) Bigger capacity battery (though this will increase the thickness of the iPhone about 2-3 mm).
5) Improved transceiving antenna, very necessary for HSDPA connections.
6) Optional software GPS support, using software sold through iTunes Music Store.
The interface is just about all that matters in a cell phone. I am sick and tired of cell phones with user interfaces that SUCK. The iPhone has a pioneering full-surface touchscreen display just like I envisioned. It rolls a great mp3 player in. It's thin enough to fit in a jeans pocket without anyone noticing, thinner than most phones. Those are all killer features. Smartphones? Barf. A rehash of Treo? Get out of here.
I'll definitely be getting a 2nd gen...
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the locate feature is absolutely useless to me. there aren't enough wi-fi access points to be any good.
Besides i don't want GPS built in. As GPS uses a ton a battery power. I want a Bluetooth, or other dongle that occasionally sends GPS data. Why can't I get a car dock, with a built in GPS receiver? Just plug the iPhone in I can listen to tunes, hook up the bluetooth to my car's bluetooth headset, and have driving map to go by all from one device.
Unfortunately the SDK, and Apple's EULA's prevent exactly that from ever happening.
i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
"What a lot of North American readers (like yourself) don't seem to understand..."
I fail to see anything in the parent post that suggests that he doesn't understand. In fact, it's likely that he understands all too well. Perhaps rather than take an argumentative tone in response, you simply add your point to further reinforce the his.
Now, if such large areas in the US can't justify 3G then how could they justify WiFi as an alternative? That is, after all, the Apple position on the matter.
Maybe that's the problem with the cell phone market. Too many new "features."
My girlfriend just got a new phone to replace her two year old one that broke. The new one is almost imperceptibly smaller, the camera is slightly higher resolution, and the default ringtone is more annoying and more difficult to change.
Apple has done very well by resisting the urge to cram more "features" into their devices. Most famously, the iPod.
I'll give you several
1: Ease of use.
2: High quality software - few software bugs
3: Ipod
4: Very good web browser
5: Some very nice third party software (if you jailbrake it)
I've also have a Nokia E90 - so I'm able to compare my iPhone to a more feature full phone. This is a phone that has almost all the features that you could imagine. 3.5G, GPS, SIP client, multi megapixel camera, keyboard and etc. This is similar to other expensive Nokia phones.
The problems with the Nokia phones are:
1. Several different confusing menus - the series 60 is awful to use
2. Lots and lots of bugs, several that freezes the phones
3. Terrible multimedia software
4: Good web browser with bad user interface. Nokia calls it Safari (webkit) based, but the interface is miles away from the iPhone
Yes my Nokia E90 has it bright spots. For example I bring it along on my travels because of it's GPS and its SIP client. Additionally the keyboard makes it nice using ssh to check problems with servers and etc. And it's really nice to have 3.5G Internet access. But since it's awful to use as a day to day phone it's mostly left at home.
BTW: I live in Oslo, the main capital of Norway. An area with very good 3G and 3.5G coverage. So I know what I'm missing with just the EDGE network.
Forget 3G. I'm curious if it'll have Michael Uy's Fly Eye Camera. The patent is a couple of years old. I wonder if Apple is just sitting on the patent or if they're actively developing it.
A key benefit of the camera is if you're on a video conference, your image will be looking straight at the camera instead of off screen.
then MAYBE you'll have a decent argument about why maps are superior in every way. Maps are useful to be sure but GPS devices do a lot more than just show where streets are located. I use my GPS almost daily. Bet you I get a lot more value out of my GPS than you do from your map.
Perhaps this will be what it takes to bring the phone into Canada? 2 of our 3 major providers are 3G (Telus, Bell), so it the 3G iPhone would make perfect sense as a starting point for a Canadian release.
It's almost cruel how little Apple has said about a Canadian release (nothing). They haven't even hinted, nor have Telus, Bell, or Rogers. Only recently have we gotten a sign a 'something' in that there's a "French - Canadian" language seeting in the new 2.0 software.
Sigh, I'll keep waiting.
My old Motorolla V551 took a hard hit and was knocked out cold. I needed a phone - fast... I walked into the Cingular/AT&T store, asked to see a phone that would do more than just be a phone... So I looked at Palm... Been there, done that, have the t-shirt from Handspring... *yawn* --- I looked at Blackberry... too fruity for me... --- I then took a serious look at the (then) top of the line Windows Mobile device... sleek, sexy styling with turbo handling, all the business needs rolled into a nice, convenient package, NATIVE support for Exchange, Word, Excel, full apps, not just viewers, the quintessential Solitaire and more... and then... the price tag... $500 --- I told the sales punk, "I might as well buy an iPhone." So he showed me the iPhone. He turned it on... Ooooh! Aaaah! Here's my credit card. Wrap it up nice and pretty for me, OK?
Several months later, here I am... frigging iPhone doesn't sport ActiveSync, email is a throw back to the dark ages (I think Pine had more features), friggen OS X without copy/cut/paste - WTF?!?! Edge Wireless? That's all? You're kidding right? No voice dialing? No Bluetooth tethering? The list of gripes goes on... But Oooh... it's so pretty...
I love my iPhone - (under my breath: frigging under-developed piece of...)
that does everything the iPhone plans on doing (and more):
http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/atttilt/
You can even change the system look and feel to have it look and behave like an iphone... for 1/3 the cost.
IMHO, Despite the iPhone's initial shortcomings, Apple got several things right out the gate - Google Maps has proved invaluable to me many a time, even more so with the Locate Me feature that's been recently added -- it's a poor man's GPS of sorts. The Address Book is by far the best I've seen on any phone (compared to Treo, Blackberry, etc.) especially with its tie-ins to the camera/photo library. The iPod ain't shabby either, albeit, 8 GB is a bit slim for my audiophile tastes - so I keep my regular 60 GB iPod handy. The SMS client, while lacking in the MMS dept. is much easier to navigate overall. And since I don't use SMS for MMS purposes, it's no bother to me. But I can see how a person could be bothered by it - especially when receiving MMS on the iPhone - that's no trite task, especially with the lack of copy/paste. The calendar is a God-send, especially with the ability to set multiple alarm structures for a single event and tie in to the telephone features. And the phone itself couldn't be more intuitive when merging/dropping calls, etc. Only thing that does bug me is the inability to poke around in the address book while on a call. Jailbreaking solves this problem, however, not everyone jailbreaks.
Overall, the iPhone is rock solid. However, as a competitor in the corporate arena, the iPhone still has some growing up to do. Blackberry and MS Phones have the edge there. Time will only tell as Apple has recently licensed ActiveSync for Exchange and who knows what else will come to fruition. I for one look forward to the iPhone future, especially since I have a vested interested; being an iPhone owner and all.
Take hands-free dialing for example. The State of California issued several press releases about the impending law stating that cell phone use while driving would require hands free, yet, within less than a year of said law taking effect, the iPhone was released without the ability to voice dial, ergo, not being truly hands-free. You think Apple would be up to the task of do-diligence by making sure their user base is able to adhere to local and state legislation. There are alternatives... don't use your phone while driving or only answer calls using a headset. Alternatively, Motorola offers (for about $200) a device that connects to the iPhone and facilitates hands-free voice dialing. The problem is, it's an expensive add-on that should never have been needed in the first place.
Instead of focusing on stock tickers (can be had through the web browser), weather information (can be had through the web browser), and YouTube services (can be had through the web browser), I think the Apple dev team would have spent their time more wisely by addressing real-world issues such as tethering the phone to a BlueTooth laptop for use as a modem, fine tuning the email app so it's not so cludgy (have you ever tried deleted more than 20 emails in a sitting) - I think I have carpal tunnel in my tapping finger... but I digress...
Yes, I understand there will be plenty of items left on a to-do list at the end of a 1.0 release cycle. Many things end up on the cutting room floor. But why cut out common, everyday, key features that just about every modern (cell) phone already supports and leave your customer (and potential fanboy base) high and dry with the "So Sorry" schpeal?
And before you say, "Well, you bought into it anyway" - Yes I did. I know I did. I don't regret that I did. But now that I am here, I am noticing things that could have been done better - just like everyone else who owns an iPhone.
However, I must give Apple props - on a whole, out of the gate, they did quite well. I think Apple was wide to eliminate the 4GB model as well as cut the price of the 8GB model. And the end user experience has been beyond anything I ever found with any other phone...