Apple to Preview iPhone OS 3.0 on March 17th

[Kwill]

Expect the UI to be competitive the Palm Pre.

 

[thedarkhorse]

Maybe they are trying to prep devs for making current apps and future apps compatible with higher res screens. There's not a whole lot they can improve hardware wise for the next phone other than the screen and camera.
that's just my speculation though.

I hope we get some sort of pre-like multitasking though.

also can't wait for the complaints about ipod touch users having to pay for the upgrade(I was in that boat with my 1g touch before I moved to iphone).

 

[Chupa Chupa]

People here say some of the most ridiculous things. Why would this new OS lock out the 2G iPhone? Especially with people bound to cellular contract on a device that had no subsidy. Seems a bit of a stretch.

For the camp that claim the 2G iPhone will be unsupported but the 3G will, there really isn't much difference in the devices with the exception of the 3G chip and GPS. Well actually the 3G feels much cheaper that the original 2G iPhone.

Think of it as encouragement for 2G owners coming out of contract to reup to the latest. That is typical Apple M.O. They've been restricting new s/w features to the latest iPods for years.

I've got a 2G, and frankly I'm happy with it. I don't really need 3G speed and I certainly don't want to pay for it...or SMS, which is al la carte on the 3G plans. So if 3.0 works perfectly on the 2G what incentive do I have to upgrade? ATT wants me back on contract and Apple wants to sell another phone. That is why I fully expect 3.0 not to work with the 2G.

 

[dizzy13]

There's not a whole lot they can improve hardware wise for the next phone other than the screen and camera.
that's just my speculation though.

There isn't?
Better GPS, better camera with real focus, front camera for video chat, video recording, thinner, lighter. I'm sure there are other things, but that's just off the top of my head.

Oh, and the biggest surprise I think we will see is a revolutionary battery technology that will make the iPhone 3.0 the world's longest lasting 3G mobile device

As far as the screen, people keep saying higher res screen, iPhone HD and I still have yet to have one person explain how this would help anything? The screen is so so small it won't make a difference.

 

[dfex]

What was the name of that company Apple bought "xxx Semi" I think. I'm thinking that Apple may be making some muti-core ARM chips from use in phone and other tablet devices. Other devices like the one that will use those 10 ich screen Apple just ordered.)

Once you get more powerfull processors, that still use little power then you can have true multi tasking and you no longer need push notifacations. Although "push" is always smarter than polling.

For years I've always thought "asymetric" multi-core would be a good idea. That means one processor core is very powerfull and the second one quite small. You then power the cores up and down as best fits the demand.

I've only actually used one computer that had different kinds of cores mixed in the same box. It was a 40 year old CDC mainframe. It worked well we had 20 small 12-bit processors and 2 big number cruncher processors. Just waiting for this 1960's vintage ideas to be re-used in a cell phone.

Most people here are asking for user-facing GUI features in 3.0 but I'm guessing 3.0 will like Snow Leopard be mostly aimed at developers. With features like Grand Central and Open ML that let developers make use of asymmetric multiprocessing

To add some fuel to this theory:
Apple has a brand new backend for its LLVM. The latest Version of LLVM adds support for XCore CPU's.
This would allow Objective-C code to run on ARM + XCore + ...
Different speed, heavily multithreaded, multi core, ...

 

[countdrachma]

Oh, do shut up. How crappy every single product would be if all consumers were like you, mindlessly spitting on anyone who dares express constructive criticism about product, in the hopes of having said product improved and enhanced.

Your mentality almost makes me embarrassed to call myself an apple fan (which I am). What do you want everyone to say in these forums, only thank and grovel to Apple, praising their divinity? It certainly sounds like it.

The most ironic thing is that this is a thread specifically about what may potentially be in 3.0, and you as well as others seem irritated that people are actually expressing what they'd like to see. The *horror*

Yeah, I'll admit it was a tad inflammatory my post, but seems you've taken the bait....

I think this thread is a great opportunity to express wish lists. I don't see how that needs to correlate to repetitive moans about things that were "promised" blah blah. It's just continual, boring and uninspiring. Surely people are capable of posting without spite and vex? Technology is a constantly evolving platform. Learn to live with its negatives and be patient for it to catch up with your expectations. In the mean time, enjoy it for what value it does give you and stop with the vitriol. I don't think Apple's perfect ... I just don't feel the need to complain about it ad nauseam.

 

[Bevz]

...There's not a whole lot they can improve hardware wise for the next phone other than the screen and camera...

I think if the day ever came when we honestly thought a device or software could not be improved any more, we might as well all pack up and go back to using ZX80's... EVERYTHING can be improved; even if at the time you are struggling to think how, because that's what inovation is all about; giving you something new and improved that you didn't even think was that wrong in the first place, and that's what i like about apple; they inovate a lot. Sometimes they get it wrong, but mostly they get it right; the iphone is the perfect example, no-one thought there was that much wrong with phones until the iphone came along and re-wrote the rules and showed everyone what they were missing, before they even missed it! As great as the iphone is however, it can still be improved, even i can see that and i wouldn't dare claim to have as much vision as some of the apple designers... Even job's himself said they were designed the next 2 generations before the original iphone was even released...

As for me, i would like to see the obvious cut-and-paste (not a massively used feature, BUT when you need it and it isn't there, it's SOO annoying!). Video recording would be nice, but i think i'll have to wait for iPhone v3 for that. A whole load more integration with iTunes... i.e. video streaming etc straight to your phone, oh and of course notifications... Although i think just letting apps run in the background and letting the user decide which ones they want draining their battery is a better way to go... Oh and i like the idea of the front screen being used a lot more for notifications etc....

Whatever comes out of it, i'll look forward to downloading the SDK and having a play!

 

[olternaut]

Resolution independence is an absolute must!

This will pave the way for iPhone Apps to be used on the rumored tablet, future iPhones with higher resolutions, and ultimately AppleTV.

Yessir! I'll be looking out for that too. That would point to the mighty mactouch for sure.

To all the naysayers: Mactouch ftw suckassssss!!!!

 

[tbrinkma]

I concur wholeheartedly.

While the average apple fanboy will defend Apple to his last keystroke, and try to flame a competitor's tech no matter HOW good it is, I betcha Apple took notice of the WebOS.
In fact, if Apple was smart (and I believe that they are) they should have downright freaked when they saw what Palm's WebOS could do. Apple now has to beat Palm to the punch and debut their own next gen multi-tasking mobile OS that is simply superior to all of the competition.

Steve Jobs and Apple will settle for nothing less!

A few points...

1) As several other people have already pointed out, Apple did the exact same thing last year for the release of iPhone OS X 2.0.

2) The Palm Pre's 'WebOS' is essentially exactly what everyone complained wasn't good enough for iPhone OS X 1.0, before the AppStore, when Apple said you could make web apps for the iPhone.

3) Let me know when any PDA/Smartphone OS allows multiple windows to be displayed *and usable* at the same time. iPhone OS X is a multi-tasking capable OS. The single-tasking nature of the front end is enforced to simplify certain aspects of working in such a real-estate and resource limited environment. People lambasted WinCE (aka: Windows Mobile) for how it handled multi-tasking precisely *because* it doesn't make much sense to have multiple active windows on such a small platform.

 

[Crike .40]

I'm no Apple apologist, but I can honestly only think of one or two times in Apple's history (well, post-Jobs return) that they over-promised and under-delivered. MobileMe was one and Leopard's so-called secret features were another (although that's debatable because they never really promised any specific features, just teased that there were secret ones that never materialized.)

Can you give me some examples of when they've over-promised and under-delivered? I've long admired that about Apple, that they don't generally unveil things until they're ready to be released which means not a lot of features promised beforehand.

3 Ghz G5
G5 powerbook
Video cards and monitors that took 3+ months to release (less crucial)

*now I realize that these aren't "really" apple's fault, but still

 

[twoodcc]

alright! can't wait to see this!

 

[JavierDiaz4]

Sick. What OS 3.0 has in store will determine whether I stick with my iPhone or switch to a BlackBerry.

I'm thinking of the same thing, I'm eyeing the Nokia N95. I get tired of phones pretty quickly. And I've had my Iphone for 18 months now, I think thats a record for me.

They better change something quick, I'm sure I'm not the only one getting tired of the same thing every day.

 

[olternaut]

A few points...

1) As several other people have already pointed out, Apple did the exact same thing last year for the release of iPhone OS X 2.0.

2) The Palm Pre's 'WebOS' is essentially exactly what everyone complained wasn't good enough for iPhone OS X 1.0, before the AppStore, when Apple said you could make web apps for the iPhone.

3) Let me know when any PDA/Smartphone OS allows multiple windows to be displayed *and usable* at the same time. iPhone OS X is a multi-tasking capable OS. The single-tasking nature of the front end is enforced to simplify certain aspects of working in such a real-estate and resource limited environment. People lambasted WinCE (aka: Windows Mobile) for how it handled multi-tasking precisely *because* it doesn't make much sense to have multiple active windows on such a small platform.

Well ok....ok. And after Apple's manuering....buying PA Semi and getting Papermaster I think the hardware coming later in the year should finally support real, hardcore multitasking including a gui that takes advantage of it.
Perhaps the iphone 3.0 handset itself will debut Mar 17th?

 

[KindredMAC]

Software based improvements I would like to see:
-Send pics via texting
-Emoticons in texting
-Upgraded camera software to improve image quality in lower light situations
-Copy/Paste

As for PUSH, leave it out. I read a great article about a week ago that asked what happened to Push and they gave 3 possible reasons PUSH has not come to fruition and why all references to it have been taken down. The one possible reason they gave that I really agree with is that it most likely cluttered the whole iPhone experience.

Imagine if every app you had on your iPhone decided to PUSH info to you throughout the day... That means you could possibly be receiving those little text pop up windows that we get now when a text message comes in and you are in another app, except interrupting every single thing you do on the iPhone. I for one would get really annoyed with that after about 3 hours. Badges also would get crazy. Can you imagine every app you have popping a badge on the upper right hand corner of every app on your Home Screens? I can't stand having the App Store or Mail showing a badge. It annoys the piss out of me. But I'm just weird like that....

 

[w00master]

2) The Palm Pre's 'WebOS' is essentially exactly what everyone complained wasn't good enough for iPhone OS X 1.0, before the AppStore, when Apple said you could make web apps for the iPhone

Yes and no. The difference is that the Palm Pre's WebOS actually accesses internal hardware calls. iPhone's "original" Web App strategy never had this capability.

w00master

 

[jackfrost123]

Can these 25 people that voted negative please come out of the woods....

 

[VR4ownzU]

This is all fine and dandy but when does a new iphone come out? With my contract running out at Verizon in two days I'm looking for options. June? July? Never????

 

[diemos]

I think they will change the screen to 480x800 or at least 480x640 on new iPhone, slightly change the design(like different back cover), introduce Push Notifications...finally, add copy and paste and maybe upgrade the camera. That should be more than enough for people to buy a new phone.

iPhones screen now is 480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 ppi, so 480x800 screen rez just makes sense as iPhone relies only on the screen and it would be a perfect reason to buy a new phone.

 

[Sky Blue]

I'm no Apple apologist, but I can honestly only think of one or two times in Apple's history (well, post-Jobs return) that they over-promised and under-delivered. MobileMe was one and Leopard's so-called secret features were another (although that's debatable because they never really promised any specific features, just teased that there were secret ones that never materialized.)

How did they never materialize? It was stacks, the new finder and some other stuff. They were lame secret features but they still delivered them.
Push notifications and 3GHz PPC spring to mind.

 

[ClassicBean]

Am I alone in wanting a more robust email client? As in:
-Mail Search
-Sort by Sender, Subject, Date
-Distribution Lists
EDIT: - Ability to save a phone number from an email to contacts without calling the number.

I rarely see anyone mention these missing features. I think they'd really add productivity for the business user.

Agreed. I can't tell you how many times I have to "load 50 more messages" just to find the email I'm searching for.

 

[jackfrost123]

3) Let me know when any PDA/Smartphone OS allows multiple windows to be displayed *and usable* at the same time. iPhone OS X is a multi-tasking capable OS. The single-tasking nature of the front end is enforced to simplify certain aspects of working in such a real-estate and resource limited environment. People lambasted WinCE (aka: Windows Mobile) for how it handled multi-tasking precisely *because* it doesn't make much sense to have multiple active windows on such a small platform.

Besides at this screen size multiple windows are not what the world need now material...to be practical (besides geeky0 we are talking about mobile phones here.

 

[Jayomat]

3.0 will indicate what we can expect from the new iphone. not more and not less.

anything else will be disappointing, even for non iphone users but apple ""fans"" like me

 

[w00master]

Think of it as encouragement for 2G owners coming out of contract to reup to the latest. That is typical Apple M.O. They've been restricting new s/w features to the latest iPods for years.

I've got a 2G, and frankly I'm happy with it. I don't really need 3G speed and I certainly don't want to pay for it...or SMS, which is al la carte on the 3G plans. So if 3.0 works perfectly on the 2G what incentive do I have to upgrade? ATT wants me back on contract and Apple wants to sell another phone. That is why I fully expect 3.0 not to work with the 2G.

I disagree. Because of the App Store, I would be seriously surprised if iPhone 3.0 did *not* work on the original iPhone/iPod Touch.

Don't forget that Apple makes 30% of all sales on the App Store. Making iPhone 3.0 not accessible for original iPhone/iPod Touch users, Apple would be losing out on a big chunk of sales.

I'm sure there may be certain features that won't work for original iPhone/iPod Touch users (like GPS), but I'm nearly certain that iPhone OS 3.0 will be available for original users.

w00master

 

[slapppy]

It will be a massive disappointment. For those thinking that it will "copy" and match the Pre, I seriously doubt it. Most likely a better way to buy things at iTunes or to access iTunes media content. Like streaming your media wifi or on the net.

 

[colonels1020]

I really hope they continue to support the 1st Gen iPhone. I don't see why the wouldn't, though. It has almost the same hardware as the 3G, aside from the 3G capabilities, GPS, and a bit more RAM. I paid ~$500 for this phone and I intend on getting my money's worth.