iPhone: will you miss these features?
With the launch of the iPhone only a couple days away, I’ve been hit up by more than the average number of peeps with the “iPhone: yay or neigh?” question. And while the iPhone isn’t a match for my uber-camera handset requirements, it’s likely to be loved by a good many.
However, in the blindness of it’s extra-shiny UI and hardware design, I find it most helpful to point out that it isn’t… and if they’re things people are fine with, I’d say it’s a good match for them… especially if they’re Apple/iPod fans. So here’s the list of missing features (from a handful of sources), ordered from most to least important, strictly from my perspective:
The iPhone Doesn’t Have:
• Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Streaming (A2DP)
• A physical keyboard
• Buttons/Tactile-feedback for control during running/gym/activities
• Picture messages (MMS)
• One-size-fits-all headset jack (May need adapter for certain headphones)
• Direct iTunes Music Store Access (Over Wi-Fi or EDGE)
• Removable battery
• 3G (EV-DO/HSDPA)
• Decent/competitive camera quality
• GPS
• Stereo speakers
• A Flash for camera
• Video recording
• Expandable Storage
• Voice recognition or voice dialing
• Instant Messaging
• Songs as Ringtones
• Games
• Any flash support
Many of you are gonna make it through the list and and not miss any of those… and to you folks, I’d say the iPhone is a good choice. But you might take your time on the first half of that list, and makes sure you’re ok with certain aspects of a device so different.
For example, if you don’t carry wired headphones with you all the time, the iPod aspects of your phone can’t really be utilized. And you likely can’t wind your headphones around the device, as you need to access the touch screen. So plan on carrying headphones on a headphone spool of some sort, in another pocket. Now, you’d face this headphone-management problem with many mp3 phones, but since you can’t use wireless headphones for music on the iPhone, it’s a step back from the current industry trend, where other phones have already gone (Nokia N Series and Sony Ericsson handsets now support A2DP for wireless headphones use).
So if you think through each point like this one, and are ok with what it might mean, I’d wager you’d love the iPhone.
A couple other pre-launch thoughts…
With the iPhone so long in the making, I wish Apple would have discovered a revolution in one-handed text input for mobile devices. They’re great at innovating simple, usable solutions where others fail to see possibilities. I’m hoping they don’t see a tiny touchscreen QWERTY being the best answer.
Also… I’d be surprised if a month passes without us hearing about iPhone muggings… maybe even a iPhone-theft-related death. I don’t think using a stolen iPhone would be very easy due to network restrictions of this device, but I doubt most muggers are really tech savvy enough to know or care. I’m not trying to be dark, but this device is quite the lust-able item. If I was an iPhone owner in the first couple months, I’d think twice about whipping it out at a sketchy bus stop.
Let the frenzy begin! :)
I guess the only caveat is that iPhone is aimed at people who are really not technically savvy. They wont care about all those features, I guess.
Ooo - thanks! That is so good to know, some actual facts around all the pretty. They are certainly on to something, though.
About time you posted about it… I was starting to think you lost your interest in all things tech… I was about to post a memorial entry for you LOL :-P
I agree that Apple did miss a lot of somewhat obvious features in their “revolutionary” iPhone. My guess is the revolution got to their heads.
Getting the N73 after the N80, I often thought of going back just to have WiFi again but the N80’s size was a pain. The iPhone’s got the WiFi that I enjoy plus full internet in that sexy thin package.
Steve Jobs and Apple are already at work on the next gen-iPhone!
As an owner, here’s my opinion on those “iPhone downfalls” as you mentioned:
• Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Streaming (A2DP)- will kill the battery in no time since it’s used as an iPod more than a phone.
• A physical keyboard - The keyboard is a breeze (at least for me) thanks to the iPhone’s AI.
• Buttons/Tactile-feedback for control during running/gym/activities - (The headphones have a button to stop, play and skip songs. Volume controls are on the side. Making a playlist on the iPhone is crazy stupid simple so those are the only controls you really need.)
• Picture messages (MMS)- (-1 for the iPhone)
• One-size-fits-all headset jack (May need adapter for certain headphones) - (-500000000 for the iPhone, WTF Apple)
• Direct iTunes Music Store Access (Over Wi-Fi or EDGE)
(If you’ve lived with it, what phone did you have????)
• Removable battery (-1 for the iPhone)
• 3G (EV-DO/HSDPA) (chipsets for 3G phones would have delayed the launch plus they kill the battery when you’re surfing the web, *N80)
• Decent/competitive camera quality (the camera actually is really good especially when it has no options. I don’t really miss my N73 but if you’re looking for a pocket digital camera then I understand)
• GPS (why? I can mapquest my way anywhere by clicking next a few times)
• Stereo speakers (the N73’s made no difference)
• A Flash for camera (You and your flash)
• Video recording (-5)
• Expandable Storage (8GB is plenty)
• Voice recognition or voice dialing (-.00006)
• Instant Messaging (it’s got it thanks to (http://www.publictivity.com/iPhoneChat/)
• Songs as Ringtones (-30)
• Games (They’re online and there are some good ones)
• Any flash support (Apple claims to be introducing that in an upcoming update)
After having it for 1 week, the only downfalls that I’ve noticed is Safari crashes if you open an image intense web page, you can’t make groups with the contacts on the phone, they have to be done through iTunes and the headphone jack blooowwws. My biggest problem with it is the BUzz and people constantly wanting to play with it, thus doing aimless things and killing my battery. Also i’m called an asshole (jokingly) regularly but it’s began to hurt my feelings. :-)
I’m sure Apple will correct a lot of the OS problems with the phone soon enough when they release an update. I personally love the phone and don’t see myself giving it up anytime soon. Few manufacturers have the design teams to make an OS that is so seamless and practical as Apple.
Yeah, My Tmobile MDA might not have the slick interface however, it will do circles around the iphone production wise.
And, I wouldn’t wish Cingular on my worst enemy. I’ll wait for the Google phone instead
Add to that the fact that it can only be used on the AT&T network…probably one of the worst and most unreliable networks around. BAH!