It has technically
been available for three weeks today (and a few hours in the US, but who's counting?), although we're confident quite a few of you are still waiting to actually hold your very own iPhone 3G. Still, those that have braved the excruciatingly
long lines and got lucky with AT&T's apparently random
Direct Fulfillment approach surely have something to say. We've already confirmed that firmware 2.0 has some
serious issues that need dealt with, and aside from elaborating on those, what else would you have done differently with Apple's second handset? Would you have changed the overall design more dramatically? Finally included a user-removable battery? Used a casing material that wouldn't crack
for no good reason under pressure? There's still time for your input to be heard before firmware 2.1 arrives (ahem, Apple?) -- sound off below!
posted Aug 1st 2008 7:00PM
Lower the data plan (AT&T)
Add User requested features like copy/paste etc!
If iPhone could somehow make Engadget report less on iPhones ;-) j/k.
The cheapest BlackBerry/PDA Data service on AT&T is $35 a month...still think it's too expensive?
I wouldn't have a problem with the expensive data plan if I could be able to use the iphone 3G as a Wifi and 3G data tethering antennae for my laptop.
Do you know how happy people would be if they didn't have to buy a PC card or USB cellular modem and could just use the phone to fill in that duty?
The Battery life SUCKS. They need advanced Lithium Polymer.
I'd like if they offered Edge service for $20/month if that is even technically viable to just use the Edge service only. It's for those like me who live in an area (most of the U.S. in fact) that doesn't have at&t 3G.
I'd start by taking off that ridiculous icon with one from sony
Simple things that Apple can do to improve their iPhone. Better signal, 5.0 to 8.0 mp camera with recording abilities, flash, LED light bulb flash light, changeable battery, water proofing the device and give people the god damn option of changing their carrier!
MP means very little. It's lens size at this point, and iPhone has a better picture at 2 MP than other phones at higher.
UNLOCK IT FROM THE FACTORY!
I don't even need high megapixels.. I just want a quick shutter.. and make one of the side buttons in camera mode to take a picture..
cut and paste would be nice..
bb msger? lol
30$ data plan is comparable to almost ANY other data plan in the US.. if you want a smartphone.. expect to pay for the data..
all carriers should lower txt msg plans.. its criminal how expensive they are..
@blee
How bout I compare it to the 2.5G iPhones dataplan?
Hmmm... $20 vs. $30. "Um, no thanks, I think I'll stick with what I've got."
Drop the data plan back down to $20 and throw back in the txt messages and you've got another sale.
Direct PC interface.
use as a Mass Storage Device.
Put on Alltel
P.S. First OS X 86 post first time I used OS X
When will it make coffee?
@mymaclife
when it overheats
Isn't this post the "How would you change Apples iPhone 3G?" Not, "How would you change at&t's voice and data plans?". Last time I checked the iPhone is on par if not cheaper monthly to own then any other PDA on a decent carrier with 3G speeds.*
Except for Canada. heh
Stop bitching about data plan prices. My HTC 5800 runs minimum $50/month and $75 if you want free evenings/weekends and unlimited text messaging. 250 minutes.
With the device itself a removable battery would be a HUGE improvement. Also, please give the iPhone the 32GB capacity! As for software, more integration between applications would be welcome. For instance, make it possible to have a link to a facebook page in the phone book.
I'd like built in call blocker and the ability to forward a text would be nice. Also better security so any chick that see my phone cant get into my texts
It needs a file system like WinMo
Someone said the iPhone needs a call-blocker and they are right.
But there is a work-around.
First make a contact named Blacklist. Then make a 30 second or less mp3 of nothing. Then convert it to a ringtone via the iTunes renaming hack and assign it to the contact. It will still vibrate and light up when you get a call, but it's better than nothing.
oh, I forgot to mention up there about my 5800, Canada.
yeah.... I pay $20 a month for unlimited data/bb messenger with pin support/REAL push e-mail on my blackberry... and $15/month for unlimited texting/pic messages on tmo with my curve on a FAMILY plan (covers all lines)...
so, $30 for the same thing on att and only coming with.. what.. 200 messages on their standard text pack? they can do better.. rather, they should do better.
Better battery life (even if it makes the device fatter)
Bug free and more responsive FW
Auto Focus camera, slightly higher res
Universal inbox for email
Cut and paste
Spotlight
Build in Spam filter
iChat camera at front (but this would only be meaningful with better battery life).
Allow apps to synch to to-dos and other stuff on Mac
Faster syncing (via cable)
No more hic-ups with (charging) with iPod certified equipment
Full bluetooth
I wouldn't change the iPhone, I'd change the idiot iPhone fanboys.
1. Drop AT&T, it's killing you guys
2. At least CONSIDER making a CDMA version for the US. Verizon/Sprint needs love too, guys.
3. A2DP Bluetooth, Stereo. You've made a friggin mobile media center and blatantly held back this feature. Especially lacking on the iPod Touch version...
4. If you can't ditch AT&T, at least force them to bundle texts again. This is just plain extortion. Taunt us with iChat-like SMSing, and then rape us with the cost of it.
5. Fix the cracking
6. Longer battery life, way longer. Perhaps Power Savings/Balanced/High Performance settings like in OS X/other mobile platforms?
7. Fix Safari random crashing
8. Offer a non-commit price at the stores, and make your people actually know about it, so I can buy one and not walk out having to AT&T activate (I swear, I've gone in 3 or 4 times, told them it exists and that I will pay ANY AMOUNT, and get blank deer-in-headlights stares)
9. Tethering; do it. Out of box. I can already create a mobile WiFi AP on my WinMo device. Do it with Apple finesse.
10. FIX MOBILE ME
11. FIX MOBILE ME
12. FIX MOBILE ME (DID I MENTION, FIX MOBILE FAIL?)
13. Better signal quality reporting, and switch to EDGE voice when 3G signal is way too low. Honestly, sometimes EDGE (good signal) seems faster than 3G (bad signal). Figure that one out.
14. Stop lying about "double the speed, half the price," AT&T was the fine print which makes that a blatant lie.
Minimum monthly price in the UK is £30 for the "unlimited" data plan and about 4 messages and a slap.
Please, please, please let's have Adobe Flash player?!! I don't care how you do it, just bloody do it.
I think that it would be good to start again and try to get it right first time. mind you alpha testing is almost finished
Here's to hoping that painstakingly collecting all suggestions from the comments allow me to reply to the first post in this thread - if that's what I'm doing (praying to the comment system gods here).
Hardware changes:
- battery life
- better camera (2MP+, better lens, flash,autofocus, faster shutter,zoom hardware shutter button)
- changeable battery
- memory card slot
- more capacity
- front facing camera
- no more hic- ups with (charging) with iPod certified equipment
- A2DP bluetooth
- stereo speakers
- IR LED for use as TV remote
- back surface non- slippery and non- fingerprint sensitive
- include a dock
- haptic Feedback
- higher resolution screen
- allow game controller snap- on accessories
- fingerprint reader and strong encryption
Software changes:
- copy/paste
- video recording
- file system / mount as hard drive
- legal tethering
- Bug free and more responsive
- File browser
- easier switch to different mail account
- sync tasks, to do lists, notes
- faster syncing (via cable)
- editing word docs
- local file storage accessible between apps
- MMS
- sort email by sender, subject
- landscape keyboard everywhere
- turn by turn nav
- ‘Adobe’ Flash support
- ability to attach photos and files from within an email message
- undo function while typing
- text to speech engine for reading out SMS and E- Mail messages
- standard included voice dialing
- bluetooth sync options
- SMS Receipt Notification
- ability to put full res photos so you can actually make good use of the pinch zoom
- ability to delete/hide default icons
- keep my program icons where they are when updating.
- mail / message icon on the top status bar
- more useful "today" type of screen that shows appointments, to- dos, missed calls, etc.
- when a new email arrives, read the name of the email sender and the subject over the headset
- GMail Push
- iTunes Store access over 3G
- the ability to tap status icons at the top of the home screen and get information.
- agreement with Hulu so we can watch the stewart, Colbert, and 30Rock
- shortcuts to common actions (turn off WIFI, turn on VPN)
- open new tab" functionality in Safari
- ability for non- itunes audio apps to run in background
- fix backup speed
- open contacts with search mode and keyboard active
- more google maps functions, e.g. move waypoints, avoid tolls etc
- better calendar month view
- customize home button double click action
- context menus
- print via Bluetooth
- choice of browsers
- improved email handling (multiple signatures )
- HID BT Profile (to allow use with a BT keyboard)
- sound profiles (e.g. Silent, Pager, etc)
- VOIP, like Skype OVER 3G
faster shutter for camera
lock certain applications
restrictions to display certain "notes" items
ability to delete photos (synched from itunes, not the ones created by the phone)
@pgk
About the snap on game controller i see no reason a accessory using the 32-pin dock connector couldn't work as a dock conector (im not sure...)
i'm sorry... i don't want native MMS app... let AT&T make the app and put it in the store for free or something... i don't need it and don't want it on my phone.
Just fix the constant !@#$ing reception issues with 3G turned on, instead of having your GENIUSES tell us to "just turn 3G off". I have dropped about 80% of my calls on 3G in the 3 weeks I've had the phone, in a heavily blanketed 3G area according to AT&T.
yea, that's true, The plural for Genius is Genii though.
The iPhone is a decent piece of hardware already. Now iFanatics are another story...
For ALL THOSE PEOPLE with poor 3G reception, please visit
http://www.fixmy3giphone.com and log your issue.
The more complaints / reports of 3G poor reception we get the sooner Apple will at least admit there is a serious problem.
Go Jaguars.
Copy and paste, uncrippled bluetooth
Stop with the copy/paste shit, please!! Come on, I can bet you'll only use it once!
@ Saint
I'd use it several times to paste that you're a moron after each of your comments!
uncrippled Bluetooth? just ask the RIAA.
he means, ADD IN STEREO BLUETOOTH!!!!
Dude, I use copy and paste on my RAZR!
My Treo 800w has copy and paste and my Bluetooth is not crippled. Don't forget the $37 SERO plan I am on :) Unlimited Data, 500 minutes, FREE ROAMING!!
I LOVE SPRINT!
Low Ranked for sure :).
@ JAmerican
First, it's lame Treo.
Second, everyone has roaming included on the iPhone.
Finally, you're one Sprint's last remaining customers (due, in part, to customer service a la ETFs evidenced by court's ruling against them).
But, one man's trash is another man's treasure.
Fozzy,
Enjoy your extremely high monthly rates and taking out that loan to support it.
iPhone has too many limitations for a real Smartphone user :).
Let's analyze what you guys are asking for and see which of your claims are at least feasible:
1) fix shit casing... doable!
2) use the iPhone as 3G modem... this is a software issue... doable! (holy crap, my 5$ HUAWEI work cellphone can act as a 3G modem and the iPhone can't????!?!?!??!?//)
3) lower AT&T plans and/or unlocked from factory... it could be done but that would defeat the Purpose which is... MAKING SHIT-LOADS OF MULLAAH!!
4) copy/paste, turn-by-turn GPS, editable iWork/Office documents, iChat that works in the background, compatible with every single social network conceivable by man... yeah whatever.. doable (or already available via alternatives)
5) Stereo Bluetooth... highly doable!
6) Bluetooth Object Push profile.. cannot be done! Apple interfaces your computer with the iPhone via iTunes it does not support Mass Storage and it will never support it because of its policy. Transfering files easily isn't doable. Plus why would you copy you media from one iPhone to another when you can simply buy music, movies and TV shows using iTunes... it would defeat the Purpose!
7) USB Mass Storage... see # 7)
8) Change the FUCKING HEADPHONES!!! for fuck's sake... a 10 $ pair of standard Creative earbuds is better than those crappy Apple earbuds...
9) that would be all... but keep in mind that you should thing reasonably... some things just can't (or rather WON"T) be done...
@ JAmerican
a) they're not extremely high when compared globally or across most carriers...
b) no loan needed... my income supports my lifestyle... but since you're of the mindset a loan for the iphone is required... your income must be leave something to be desired... which is why you're with sprint, on a treo, with a $30 plan... but again, that's not a jab... just inferences based upon your provided commentary.
you buy what you can afford.. it's only sensible... no one faults you for it... i just think the treo and sprint are both jokes... esp after they tried to nail me for the ETF 4 months outside of my contract and then required me to pay late fees when i refused to pay it. and now that they're struggling big time... the courts rule they're, in fact, major douchebags.
@Fozzy
Really, do you think the ruling, if/when it stands, is only going to affect Sprint and the way they handle ETFs, I'm pretty sure every US carrier had/has the same policy?
Since it sounds like Mommy and Daddy are paying your over priced iPhone plan, did they also buy you your Escalade, since they can probably also afford your over priced gas bill as well?
I agree with JAmerican. I've had zero problems with Sprint so far. Their unlimited data package is 1/2 of what the iPhone's is and they have by far the bet coverage in my city.
The iphone is a good device but I won't switch over to a service that charges me more for less. My use of Sprint is based on the cost per benefit, not how popular it is. I could care less if more people are on ATT or VZW. They cost more and provide equal or lesser service in my city. As such, I am waiting for some Android phones to show up and see what is available on a decent carrier that doesn't advertise more but charge higher rates.
Oh, and you want to complain about some issue with ETF? I would much rather deal with a company that is no more shady than the next regarding contracts but I won't do business with a company that illegally monitors millions of Americans for the feds.
I'd like to be able to charge it with FireWire, like the old iPhone. Until that overpriced charging adapter is released, I can't use GPS in my car because it drains the battery too much.
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Car-Charger-Vehicle-Lighter-Adapter-for-iPhone-iPod_W0QQitemZ330257524851QQihZ014QQcategoryZ20336QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
That's less than a dollar. Quit your bitching.
careful with usb charger adapters when playing music, they cause static on my ipod. Untested on an iphone but its quite probable.
I have one to charge my iPhone in my car, it works fine.
@snowtires
That would be useless for me because I have my iPhone connected to my car audio head unit. It still plays music from the iPhone, it just doesn't charge it.
@Sparten II (2nd comment)
so your complaining that you want to use the bottom port to charge your iphone while gps'ing in the car... but you dont want to charge it in the car cuz you have it ocnnected to a shitty system that doesnt charge it
nice.
@adam
You completely missed the point. It's not a shitty system, it would be fine if the 3G could be charged with FireWire like the original iPhone. There are lots of original iPhone accessories that won't work with the 3G because of this.
I'd rather sacrifice being able to use the GPS than sacrifice being able to connect it to my audio system. But that won't matter once the charging converter is released.
@Sparten II
sorry for your offending your system (im glad you like it). but that wasnt the point of my post either.
why would you be complaining about not being able to use the charger in your car... having Firewire powering abilities wouldnt change anything. youd still have your ipod plugged into your system (that doesnt charge), and the port would be occupied. thus no Firewire or whatever charging capabilities would help your iphone from sucking air and dying in an hr.
in all other instances, yes firewire would be nice.
"youd still have your ipod plugged into your system (that doesnt charge)"
Again you didn't understand. My system DOES charge with firewire. It charged my original iPhone. So if the 3G had firewire charging capability, my system would charge it.
Landscape keyboard for SMS and email.
I second that, or more simply... a landscape keyboard ability whenever a keyboard is needed.
I can not + rank this enough. If they can do it in safari what's so complicated about SMS? My thumbs aren't shaved to a point so the extra space is useful.
3rd - I have fat a$$ fingers.
oh, did anyone mention "copy and paste" yet? ;)
I don't mind no copy and paste.
MMS!
Video camera.
Cheaper data plan.
More texts for a plan.
etc.
CAMERA!
this is the biggest point for me.
Most high end nokia phones that iphones compete with have better cameras:
- 5 Megapixels
- Autofocus
- Flash,
- VGA video capabilities.
Better Camera
Faster Processor
MMS
Unrestricted Bluetooth
Non-scratching back
Non-cracking frame
Stereo speakers
Firewire connector
Not ridiculous data plans
Sort email by who its from, subject
Word processing app
Non-sluggish interface
landscape keyboard everywhere
turn by turn nav
copy and paste
Flash support
Ad blocker for Safari (so the flash won't slow the iPhone down)
Video recording!
IR sensor - (use it as your TV remote!)
and finally....
EV-DO and a non-exclusive contract with AT&T
@Bill
that pretty much sums my entire feature request as well
@Bill Jobs:
That pretty much covers everything for me too. I would like to add:
1. A2DP support
2. Built in support for custom themes ala Summerboard
3. copy & paste (oh yeah, you already said that)
4. Better battery or user replaceable battery
5. smooth back like on the HTC Tilt phones - less slippery and less prone to scratches and fingerprints.
6. Less laggy keyboard.
7. More stable Safari.
The data plan is reasonable people. They're charging the same, if not less, what they charge for other phones 3g data plan. That they should include Text with the $30.00 mandatory data plan is a given but it's not bad. When the first iPhone's data plan came out at $20.00 it was a bargain for AT&T rates. I was paying around $40.00 for unlimited 3G data for my HTC 8500. True, Edge sucks ass but unlimited data is unlimited data and at $20.00, for AT&T rates, was pretty good, especially since it included text. What AT&T should do is an about face and include text with the $30.00 plan, or even an introductory special of free text for 6 months or so with the data plan. Get you hooked then charge you the $5.00 for 200 messages. Marketing AT&T. Remember?
Apple though, the battery performance on this phone is pretty lame. You seriously need to improve battery performance on this iPhone. I had it this afternoon and did some moderate to light surfing. The battery is less than 1/2 now. That's what, 7 hours to drain down? I only made like 3 two minute calls and didn't use the GPS feature. Lame.
@Bill Jobs
I agree with most of your suggestions, although what would a faster processor be used for on the iPhone?
The processor is already an underclocked ARM core, so a software update could increase the clock speed of it. Although of course your battery life will drop, which I don't think is what the majority of the people here want
Make the GPS so it knows where you are. Make it pay-as-you go but cheap, it will yield a bigger target market. Also, unlock it. It would be a massive hit that i'm sure plenty of people would buy.
No kidding. The GPS it came with that doesn't know where you are is so lame.
WTF?
it's in the next software revision... tomtom and telnav are already waiting to release their software for it.
Video Camera ;-)
------------------------
Macsoda.com: Quenching your thirst for everything Apple
Allow double-clicking of home button to launch a user selectable app. (So things like 3rd party speech based dialers could really be useful.)
Wow. Simple and brilliant.
Flash, copy/paste, A2DP bluetooth, a user replaceable battery, addable mini SD slot and ability to tether a laptop (without jailbreaking).
Then it'll be the Jesus Phone.
At least one of your prayers are already answered. NetShare in the app store allows tethering. It was pulled from the app store for a day, but it's back.
SOCKS proxy isn't comparable to legitimate tethering as far as I'm concerned.
1. Enable laptop Tethering via Bluetooth and/or Cable.
2. Video capture.
3. iChat Client.
4. A reasonable Non-commitment price. (Not the absurd $900-$1200 people believe the phone should cost.) so existing at&t customers such as myself can get one to use with my existing family plan.
That's all I want.
They did this today!! Lets get with the times people. The app is called Netshare.
they used wifi actually and not bluetooth or cable as randy was asking for.
All you have to do is have a data plan and text plan on your family plan. I added an iPhone to my family plan for just an additional 30 a month. Nothing else to it.
@tjlenz
Um, no. I've looked into it. If I want an iPhone today, I have to:
1. I have to re-up 2yr. contract.
2. I have to sign up to one of the (higher priced) iPhone family plans.
If there was non-commitment price, then I could do exactly what you just described. This is what I've been told by at&t's CSR's.
Fire AT&T!!!!! Copy and Paste!!!!!
haha. I just got the image of Steve sitting in a black high back chair, fingers folded under his chin in dark room. AT&T CEO walks in, timid and nervous... "You asked to see me, sir?" "Yes, I did. You're fired. Pack your things."
The jack from the first generation.
Personally I don't love the rounded design theme of the iPhone 3G, MacBook Air, etc. It's kind of blah compared to other recent Apple design, and somehow reminiscent of the old clamshell iBooks. Yet I feel there is more of it to come.
Unlock the phone and get it on Verizon's network as well.
VGA? Bluetooth? Copy/Paste? MMS? No fanboys?
Stop with the copy/paste shit, please!! I bet you'll never use it!
mms ... My wife and friends hate having to remember to send mms photos to my email..
Other than that I am pretty happy with it...
I need a good car dock though...
I am writing this from my 3g iphone...
omg you can't have incoming MMS messages????? MY LIFE IS SAVED!!! my mother-in-law can't forward me those annoying forwards with the inpirational god photo and annoying polyphonic music! SOLD!!!!
Please rename this article: Why The Eff Wasn't Copy/Paste "High On [Their] Priorities"... coolest piece of electronics ever... more powerful than the CERN particle accelerator... more personally significant to you than your first born child... still need a post-it and a pen for "analog" copy and paste into Google Maps. Double-u Tee Eff, Apple.
WTF is "Double-u Tee Eff" about?
make it be an actual upgrade from v1 and not just a single-feature add
You might not have noticed: It now comes in black.
2 upgrades, my friend.
i would bring over service to tmobile...
I'd put windows on it...
sorry just wanted to see why "I'd put OSx on it" always gets the fanboys off... I don't get it.
First, let me say I'm loving this phone!! Just got my first iPhone (3G) four days ago. I read up on it plenty over the last year and knew it would be great, but had no idea just how polished and capable this thing is. If you don't realize just how much potential there is, check this out:
http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2008/07/17/lightning-review-beatmaker/
Anyway, yes 2.0 is buggy. Even with the bugs, it's still light years better than my Motorola Q with the latest OS patch. But I would like to see:
copy/paste (of course)
tasks that sync with Exchange
ability to generate meeting invites
ability to attach photos and files from within an email message
undo function while typing
Kinda odd.
I've been trying to follow this phone as I consider my next move/purchase but the closer I follow it the more reluctant I am to buy it.
No hate intended, but doesn't potential mean unrealized ability?