Good article on iOS4 and it's many shortcomings

[Carlanga]

may shortcomings people have can be 'fixed' by using jb apps... now, if you don't want to be jb to make it more pleasant for your personal use, then maybe another phone could be better suited for your needs... Every device has shortcomings of some sort, one as a buyer has to make sure that the shortcomings don't conflict w/ the persons everyday use before making a purchase of said device... I believe the iPhone contract gives you the first 2 weeks to return the device w/out monetary consequences if you decide the device is not for you...

 

[topmounter]

Having used a Nexus One as my daily phone since the iP4 was announced, I'm still at a loss as to why (some) people think Android is so great.

I'm TRYING to hold on for the white iP4... but it ain't easy.

 

[Dridox]

Agree on the issues, but...

Agree with the shortcomings posted in the article. But as noted by others, despite these shortcomings, no other mobile device in the market delivers the same user experience for everyday tasks.

Apple really needs to deliver on a much improved notification system, either in the lines of Android or LockInfo. But for the great UI, I am willing to look at workarounds (JB with pop-up blocker, SB Settings and LockInfo). For those who choose not to jailbreak, hope Apple addresses these concerns in the next major iOS update.

In this forum, while I find lot of blind fans of Apple who would not accept any criticism, there are quite a few who would keep on ranting on the obvious shortcomings and completely overlook the superior features of the device which no other operating system in the market can match.

So, when a poster speaks about great touchscreen experience, I exactly know what he means. A touchscreen device needs to respond promptly on slightest touches - iPhone does, most of the Android devices do not, even with 2.1 Eclair OS (even after calibrating the touchscreen multiple times). Using the standard keyboard is often a frustrating experience, playing games that require one to move blocks is equally frustrating and parts of the touchscreen respond only after couple of touches. All these add up to a bitter touchscreen experience. Not to forget the patchy scrolling in the songs list, the laggy widget responses and the like.

Having said the above, let's hope Apple acts on the issues soon.

 

[ianray]

Regarding the slow development of built-in Apps and new iOS features: I think we will see the pace quicken after 4.2 is released.

4.2 represents a big engineering effort in the merging of the two code branches and I'm sure that Apple's development teams are focused on that.

There are only two months left before iOS 5 preview

 

[daneoni]

People can really be fickle. When the phone came out it had the best this and that and was amazing in almost all aspects! is all people were singing. Now it's this sucks and that sucks and why can't i fly to space with it...blah blah blah.

I personally don't mind the notification system ever since we had the option of turning off SMS preview and would only trade it for webOS's style. Don't care for RIM or Android's notification system...too utilitarian for me. But he's right, there needs to be some kind of update.

The Google apps have yet to be updated for a simple reason...Apple isn't as chummy with Google anymore and are looking to implement their own replacements instead e.g. maps. which means everyone has to wait till they're baked. The Youtube app is for the most part still capable and has pretty much everything an average youtube user would want. You can comment and log in to your subscription and access featured vids etc. The only thing missing to me is HQ option (can be found on the mobile site) and thats because Apple is relying on the OS to pick the best quality based on your connection which is mostly a request from the carrier (compress content over 3G). I personally have NEVER had issues with videos playing...and i use the app quite often.

The phone has it's shortcoming but is the result of a specific philosophy, simplicity, simplicity and simplicity. Get on the bus or wait for the next ones. Apple has never been a 'me too' company so just because Android/RIM/Palm has it in one way or another doesn't mean Apple will jump on the wagon.

The guy seems to want a RIM/Android/Palm/Apple hybrid which is simply never gonna happen. Looks like he'll need to carry multiple phones for a while yet.

Majority of the complainers are geeks who want to customize to the very last T. Apple's target audience is the average consumer who mostly want the phone to automate/simplify a lot of the functionality so they don't have to think too much and the reality is iOS does this very well

I'm not saying the phone is perfect, i'm just saying if one device does it better than the iPhone for you then get it, otherwise sit tight and keep sending feedback to Apple, hoping they'll implement your requests whilst being prepared for the other outcome...they dont. Because in the bigger picture, your request doesn't fit in with their vision/philosophy for the platform

PS b4 anyone starts calling me a fan-boy of a particular brand you should know i've tried every platform out there J2M, Android (still not sure why people like these first two platforms tbh), webOS, WinMo, Symbian etc and my top two remain webOS (lost out due to poor hardware/customer support) and iOS. iOS stands above the rest for overall experience because it IS more polished from purchasing to support and all the way down to trading in.

 

[Primejimbo]

Having used a Nexus One as my daily phone since the iP4 was announced, I'm still at a loss as to why (some) people think Android is so great.

I'm TRYING to hold on for the white iP4... but it ain't easy.

I have a Droid for work and I'm not impressed with it. It's ok and I do like it much better and Windows Mobile, but I personally like my iPhone much better. The Droid needs to be rest at least 1-2 times a week (now I know why the battery CAN come out ), the MS Exchange push on it sucks and the keyboard is no good, I use the touch screen keyboard on it a lot more that they physical keyboard.

 

[noobinator]

In addition to all that I really want a landscape orientation lock. I can't lay down in bed and surf without constantly re-tilting the screen. Do other phones have this?

 

[PeteLP]

In addition to all that I really want a landscape orientation lock. I can't lay down in bed and surf without constantly re-tilting the screen. Do other phones have this?

I definitely want it too, from the OS, and supporting ANY app that supports landscape .

But, just for the record, there are actually three solutions right now

1) Atomic Browser (has a landscape lock)
2) Perfect Browser (has a landscape lock)
3) Safari (has a very hidden SORT of landscape lock)

In safari, do the following:
1) rotate your phone until it's in normal landscape mode and looks that way on the screen.

2) Then rotate your phone some more, so that the short-edge-closest-to-the-HOME-button is pointing toward the ceiling (and thus vertical, but upside down, so to speak)

3) You're now locked in landscape mode for a very wide range of iphone movement (even though the phone is vertical )

So far, I've only seen this work in Safari, and some apps that are using safari to display web pages.

Pete