Despite having converted and now throwing my support behind Android, I am willing to return to the iPhone if the hardware and software was right. Anyone else? And if so, what would that entail?
This isn't a wishlist, so try not to post unrealistic desires. Or to phrase my question another way: what's the most minimal changes you would require to return to the iPhone?
Here's mine...
Hardware
-I don't think I can accept anything smaller than a 4.3" screen. I think anywhere between 4.3-4.6 is the sweet spot, for me. Needless to say, it needs to get wider too.
-I think I would need Apple to finally go with a capacitive or an on-screen home button. I've been spoiled by the Nexus experience, and to some degree it's laboring to have to depress the home button now. Plus, it just feels antiquated. Something about the digital button versus the analog button is more futuristic. I'd feel like I'd be taking a step back. I don't want to have to deal with convincing Apple Geniuses that my home button is acting up (I've been turned away before because I couldn't replicate the issue at the time of my meeting). It'd be nice to move past these little frustrations.
-Depending on how they manage the 4.3" screen, whether they actually enlarge the device to some degree or use up less bezel, I may or may not require the sleep/wake button to be on the side. As devices get larger, putting it on the top is becoming a no-no. The HTC One X, for example, is horridly cumbersome to wake and put to sleep. For those worried about accidentally hitting the volume buttons, I really think people can learn to adjust. Also, you can offset the positions by putting the sleep button higher (like it is on the Nexus 4; it's a little too high, actually) on the right side. Again, this isn't necessarily a deal breaker if they don't, but it'll depend on how they manage that 4.3" screen.
-Notification light. The benefits of this puppy is enormous. They could design it so that it's part of the aesthetics of the iPhone. Make the home button (or at least the square app shape on the home button) be the light. Imagine the home button (or again, the square shape) glowing! That would be beautiful.
That's really all hardware-wise. I don't think these are extreme requirements, especially the ~4.3" screen.
Software
-First and foremost, for the love of god, update the iOS keyboard. It's in desperate need of upgrading. It's been years. It's time. Give us upper and lower case signifiers, give us control over our own dictionary (please!), give us some sort of suggestion bar (Blackberry came up with their own way, why can't Apple?), give us long-presses for secondary symbols, improve the autocorrection, let us change the size of the keyboard (again, this doesn't have to be complicated. You can model it after Swiftkey, which simply offers: "Small, Medium, Large." Not difficult!). The keyboard experience was one of the main reasons I was driven away from the iPhone. It would do wonders in bringing me back if they make the right and necessary improvements.
-I want to see easier access to settings. Do we need widgets? Not necessarily. I've always said, most widgets are overrated, but the little more simpler widgets... they go a long way! Things like toggles, or quick access to settings. Apple could so easily implement this, that it's baffling they haven't yet. I'm talking about easy access to switching sound profiles, switching the lock screen on/off (I shouldn't need to input my lock screen code every single time I need to use my phone at home), switching WiFi/GPS/Bluetooth, etc. Again, these aren't insane requests. Just make things a bit more accessible. I'm sure Apple can find a way with or without widgets.
-Dynamic icons. Similar vein, these don't have to become full blown widgets. It'd be nice to see an accurate weather reading on the weather icon (this is the example used the most). At this point and time, I don't see why I'd trade the dynamics of home screens for an app drawer.
-Improved notification center and status bar. I still dislike the banner drop down. Why can't Apple utilize the space in the status bar? I don't mean copy Android with a little icon, I mean, why can't the banner simply roll onto the status bar area? Yes, it'll be smaller, but the point is to just alert the user. Why not remove the carrier sign (or in the case of the iPad Wifi, the "iPad" sign -- why do I need this there?) on the upper left? That space could be put to better use for notifications, etc. Also, please allow us to swipe away single notifications, which is a very simple request.
-Going to add upgrades to Mail and Safari. Would need to see full threaded messages in Mail. Would love to see my entire mailbox, too, ready at my finger tips (every time I load up my "Sent" mailbox, it has to actually load it. With Gmail, it's already preloaded). Give me more than 3 weeks worth of old mail, too. Safari could use more tabs. OR allow us to set default Mail/Browser apps.
-Allow for more sharing through other apps. Yes, people use things other than Facebook and Instagram and Twitter.
I've run out of steam, but I think there are a few more things that I'd need Apple to change before I return. I'll edit as they come to me. Please add yours!
I'm also going to throw a curveball. This is neither here nor there, but I'll mention it anyway...
Philosophy
I'd like to see Apple adopt a more humbling approach to their keynotes and presentations. A lot of it is condescending or disingenuous. We live in a fact-checking world, and making claims that they offer the world's thinnest phone or trying to insinuate that one handed use is foolish beyond anything 4" just won't cut it anymore. Millions of S3 owners can attest to somehow surviving with a much larger phone, as can others.
It'd be nice if they brought down their unlocked phone prices, too. Yes, yes, they need the profit for all that R&D, but don't forget they're also somehow sitting on a bank with reserves over $100 billion dollars...
There are probably other little things too... like stop withholding main features in software updates (iPhone 4 and SIRI)... or touting Beta programs as the main features... or holding true to incremental upgrades. Why play the slow game? This ties into being overly concerned with profit margins. Give us the specs people want.
I'd return in a heartbeat if Apple can hit these points.
This isn't a wishlist, so try not to post unrealistic desires. Or to phrase my question another way: what's the most minimal changes you would require to return to the iPhone?
Here's mine...
Hardware
-I don't think I can accept anything smaller than a 4.3" screen. I think anywhere between 4.3-4.6 is the sweet spot, for me. Needless to say, it needs to get wider too.
-I think I would need Apple to finally go with a capacitive or an on-screen home button. I've been spoiled by the Nexus experience, and to some degree it's laboring to have to depress the home button now. Plus, it just feels antiquated. Something about the digital button versus the analog button is more futuristic. I'd feel like I'd be taking a step back. I don't want to have to deal with convincing Apple Geniuses that my home button is acting up (I've been turned away before because I couldn't replicate the issue at the time of my meeting). It'd be nice to move past these little frustrations.
-Depending on how they manage the 4.3" screen, whether they actually enlarge the device to some degree or use up less bezel, I may or may not require the sleep/wake button to be on the side. As devices get larger, putting it on the top is becoming a no-no. The HTC One X, for example, is horridly cumbersome to wake and put to sleep. For those worried about accidentally hitting the volume buttons, I really think people can learn to adjust. Also, you can offset the positions by putting the sleep button higher (like it is on the Nexus 4; it's a little too high, actually) on the right side. Again, this isn't necessarily a deal breaker if they don't, but it'll depend on how they manage that 4.3" screen.
-Notification light. The benefits of this puppy is enormous. They could design it so that it's part of the aesthetics of the iPhone. Make the home button (or at least the square app shape on the home button) be the light. Imagine the home button (or again, the square shape) glowing! That would be beautiful.
That's really all hardware-wise. I don't think these are extreme requirements, especially the ~4.3" screen.
Software
-First and foremost, for the love of god, update the iOS keyboard. It's in desperate need of upgrading. It's been years. It's time. Give us upper and lower case signifiers, give us control over our own dictionary (please!), give us some sort of suggestion bar (Blackberry came up with their own way, why can't Apple?), give us long-presses for secondary symbols, improve the autocorrection, let us change the size of the keyboard (again, this doesn't have to be complicated. You can model it after Swiftkey, which simply offers: "Small, Medium, Large." Not difficult!). The keyboard experience was one of the main reasons I was driven away from the iPhone. It would do wonders in bringing me back if they make the right and necessary improvements.
-I want to see easier access to settings. Do we need widgets? Not necessarily. I've always said, most widgets are overrated, but the little more simpler widgets... they go a long way! Things like toggles, or quick access to settings. Apple could so easily implement this, that it's baffling they haven't yet. I'm talking about easy access to switching sound profiles, switching the lock screen on/off (I shouldn't need to input my lock screen code every single time I need to use my phone at home), switching WiFi/GPS/Bluetooth, etc. Again, these aren't insane requests. Just make things a bit more accessible. I'm sure Apple can find a way with or without widgets.
-Dynamic icons. Similar vein, these don't have to become full blown widgets. It'd be nice to see an accurate weather reading on the weather icon (this is the example used the most). At this point and time, I don't see why I'd trade the dynamics of home screens for an app drawer.
-Improved notification center and status bar. I still dislike the banner drop down. Why can't Apple utilize the space in the status bar? I don't mean copy Android with a little icon, I mean, why can't the banner simply roll onto the status bar area? Yes, it'll be smaller, but the point is to just alert the user. Why not remove the carrier sign (or in the case of the iPad Wifi, the "iPad" sign -- why do I need this there?) on the upper left? That space could be put to better use for notifications, etc. Also, please allow us to swipe away single notifications, which is a very simple request.
-Going to add upgrades to Mail and Safari. Would need to see full threaded messages in Mail. Would love to see my entire mailbox, too, ready at my finger tips (every time I load up my "Sent" mailbox, it has to actually load it. With Gmail, it's already preloaded). Give me more than 3 weeks worth of old mail, too. Safari could use more tabs. OR allow us to set default Mail/Browser apps.
-Allow for more sharing through other apps. Yes, people use things other than Facebook and Instagram and Twitter.
I've run out of steam, but I think there are a few more things that I'd need Apple to change before I return. I'll edit as they come to me. Please add yours!
I'm also going to throw a curveball. This is neither here nor there, but I'll mention it anyway...
Philosophy
I'd like to see Apple adopt a more humbling approach to their keynotes and presentations. A lot of it is condescending or disingenuous. We live in a fact-checking world, and making claims that they offer the world's thinnest phone or trying to insinuate that one handed use is foolish beyond anything 4" just won't cut it anymore. Millions of S3 owners can attest to somehow surviving with a much larger phone, as can others.
It'd be nice if they brought down their unlocked phone prices, too. Yes, yes, they need the profit for all that R&D, but don't forget they're also somehow sitting on a bank with reserves over $100 billion dollars...
There are probably other little things too... like stop withholding main features in software updates (iPhone 4 and SIRI)... or touting Beta programs as the main features... or holding true to incremental upgrades. Why play the slow game? This ties into being overly concerned with profit margins. Give us the specs people want.
I'd return in a heartbeat if Apple can hit these points.
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