Holy Evo.. Apple needs to step up

[cgrier]

Let me say this... i am practically an iPhone/Apple fanboy. After buying my first nano 3 years ago i bought an imac... then jumped at the original iphone and a few months later to the 3G, which i still have. I've pretty much sold iphone's to my wife (3g), both of my parents (3gs's), my best friend (3g), and another friend and his wife (3gs's). My plan all along has been upgrading to the 4gen iphone when it drops, but i gotta say... with my contract expired and as of yet unimpressive features of 4.0 and 4g i'm no longer 100% committed to the iphone. This EVO REALLY has my attention...

Apple, i love you... but please step it up and give us something better than what's out there. The 4th G iphone should have it's own OS that is revamped and the hardware needs major updating. Apple has fallen behind... they need to step their game up big time instead of playing it safe.



The HTC Evo 4G features:

a 4.3-inch 800×480 capacitive TFT touchscreen with multitouch capabilities out of the box;
Android 2.1 OS with HTC Sense UI;
8-megapixel camera with LED flash and 720p HD video recording;
1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video conferences;
1GB of flash memory where you can install apps;
512MB RAM;
1GHz Snapdragon processor;
802.11b/g WiFi;
GPS/aGPS with free turn-by-turn navigation;
Bluetooth 2.1 A2DP + EDR;
4G WiMAX technology / 3G EV-DO REV A;
FM Radio;
HDMI out port;
3.5mm headset jack;
microUSB port;
8GB microSD card out of the box (expandable up to 32GB);
Digital compass, G-sensor, Proximity sensor, and a Light Sensor;
1500mAh battery;

Apple... come on now, those hardware features already look like they're gonna kill the 4th gen iphone. Please tell me you have more up your sleeve and that the 4g we saw was an early adoption.

 

[A MacBook lover]

Specs mean nothing, there are a ton of phones that surpassed the iphone spec wise. Really, what it is to me, is that the phone has to impress me when I pick it up, just like the iphone did a long time ago. Still haven't got my hands on an evo yet though.

 

[TheKingIV]

Specs mean nothing, there are a ton of phones that surpassed the iphone spec wise. Really, what it is to me, is that the phone has to impress me when I pick it up, just like the iphone did a long time ago. Still haven't got my hands on an evo yet though.

How do specs mean nothing? It only means nothing if you don't care about a good camera, screen, or how fast the phone runs.

 

[cgrier]

How do specs mean nothing? It only means nothing if you don't care about a good camera, screen, or how fast the phone runs.

I just think it's insane that apple is probably going with a "slightly smaller" screen in the next iphone. And i mean really... FM transmitter should be a basic thing to have.. but probably won't.

 

[iRance]

For me,it's all about software.So I'm sticking with my iPhone no matter what.

 

[phrint]

Rumors about the EVO include $40/month for 4G access and terrible battery life. Sure the phone looks great but let us not get caught up in specs. I thought Apple people knew better? It's all about the user experience and-IMO-the iPhone still trumps all phones in this category. Android is getting there but it is still a ways off.

 

[jabingla2810]

unimpressive features of 4.0 and 4g [/U][/I][/B]

Multitasking
Folders
Front facing camera
Larger Capacity
Better screen resolution

Im sorry, but what else were you expecting Apple to pull out of the bag?

It sounds like unless you get a phone that can wipe your ass and make your dinner, your always going to be dissapointed.

Yeah, Evo specs look great, but we've seen lots of phones with better specs than the iphone come and go.

 

[iD4V3]

The Evo has some amazing specs, However apple are a software company and build there hardware around it, evos specs do look good. But as APple has shown when they do something they do it properly, the 8mp camera of the Evo might not have the same picture quality as the possible 5mp of the next iphone even with the higher pixel count for example, only time will tell.

 

[phrint]

I just think it's insane that apple is probably going with a "slightly smaller" screen in the next iphone. And i mean really... FM transmitter should be a basic thing to have.. but probably won't.

If you want a bigger screen then buy an iPad. My iPhone's screen is fine the way it is. Would anyone honestly use an FM radio on a cell phone when you have access to Pandora and other streaming solutions? Nine times out of ten, you will have access to radio in your car, at work, or on your laptop. Why is this a must on a cell phone?

 

[TheKingIV]

For me,it's all about software.So I'm sticking with my iPhone no matter what.

I love my iPhone 3G, but all these devices coming out are really making me think about what to do in August when I'm getting a new phone. For a while, I knew I was going to get the new iPhone, whatever it was, but with the Droid Incredible coming out and the newly leaked Dell Thunder, they are making me reconsider.

When talking about the software, are you talking more specifically about the availability of so many apps in the app store? Or more about the Apple UI? I love the UI, but I need something with a better interface to Google (Gmail, calendar, tasks, notes, docs).

All that said, no way I am signing up for Sprint. It's either Verizon or AT&T for me with the next phone and contract.

 

[-aggie-]

I just think it's insane that apple is probably going with a "slightly smaller" screen in the next iphone. And i mean really... FM transmitter should be a basic thing to have.. but probably won't.

I agree with the smaller screen sucking, but a lot of people are going to say that's fine as long as they get better resolution. Sigh...

 

[cgrier]

For me,it's all about software.So I'm sticking with my iPhone no matter what.

Which is why im considering a switch if the next iphone doesnt do anything different on the OS side of things. I'm soooo bored with this old layout/UI. I mean the lock screen could be utilized in so many different ways... messeges/top news/weather... make it so we can customize it

 

[DeusInvictus7]

If you want a bigger screen then buy an iPad. My iPhone's screen is fine the way it is. Would anyone honestly use an FM radio on a cell phone when you have access to Pandora and other streaming solutions? Nine times out of ten, you will have access to radio in your car, at work, or on your laptop. Why is this a must on a cell phone?

Maybe for transmission, not receiving...using your iPhone in the car, if you want to stream music wirelessly (without using a FM transmitter dongle).

 

[-Leigh-]

Geeks look at specs. They're the only ones who care.

Normal people like me, buy a phone on how they get on with the OS and ease of use.

You people on here go on about 567x890 screens, 700mp cameras, fire breathing dragon processors etc. I have NEVER bothered looking at the specs of a phone I've purchased. I just go into the shop, have a go on a few, and buy one. The reason I got the iPhone was how simple everything is, and I had an iPod nano.

So Apple doesn't have to keep up. Because it's only you geeks that care about specs. 99% of the world will buy the next iPhone, even it if doesn't have a fire breathing dragon processor, or porn (cos they have girlfriends).

 

[TheKingIV]

Geeks look at specs. They're the only ones who care.

Normal people like me, buy a phone on how they get on with the OS and ease of use.

You people on here go on about 567x890 screens, 700mp cameras, fire breathing dragon processors etc. I have NEVER bothered looking at the specs of a phone I've purchased. I just go into the shop, have a go on a few, and buy one. The reason I got the iPhone was how simple everything is, and I had an iPod nano.

So Apple doesn't have to keep up. Because it's only you geeks that care about specs. 99% of the world will buy the next iPhone, even it if doesn't have a fire breathing dragon processor, or porn (cos they have girlfriends).

If that was true then why would Apple make any effort whatsoever to improve the specs on the phone? They could keep everything the same, just re-name the phone, and people like you would keep buying it.

You are a perfect example of the marketing department's favorite customer.

 

[maflynn]

This is why apple which tends to be a bit arrogant not rest on its laurels and think there iPhone is good enough.

Android based phones are coming out with some great specs and for those who don't think specs are everything just go back in time a bit to the iPhone releases and how everyone was talking about its specs against the then competition.

Looks, and user experience do count for a lot and if a phone has a better screen, then that will draw more interest.

 

[army91c]

The OP isn't posting anything that hasn't been posted before. Remember all the other "wow those specs will blow iPhone out of the water" posts? Where are they now? Yeah, lots of other phones have great specs but as many have said, it's the end user experience that really counts. If you put that right up along any impressive specs and all those other phones just can't add up (IMHO).

If you really want another phone, go for it.

 

[ChazUK]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7E18 Safari/528.16)

Phone: specs mean nothing.
Computer: Where is my i7 Apple?

I suppose no one will start cheering when the next iPhone arrives as specs mean nothing.

Does anyone say "I'm hoping for the same processor, camera, screen, flash memory and form factor as the 3gs on the next iPhone. I want nothing changed at all"? They don't do they?

EDIT: Out of interst, what handsets with better specs than the current iPhones have "came and gone"?

Plam Pre (Still on sale)
Palm Pre Plus (Still on sale)
Motorola Droid/Milestone (Still on sale)
Nexus One (Still on sale)
HTC Desire (Just released)
HTC Droid Incredible (Just relaesed)

Can anyone give me 3 or 4 phones that have actually "come and gone" since the 3GS was launched?

 

[darngooddesign]

This is why apple which tends to be a bit arrogant not rest on its laurels and think there iPhone is good enough.

Sure, that's why they doubled the ram and processor speed last time, not to mention the better camera and digital compass.

Increasing the screen size has greater implications than just doing it. There is a massive library of apps to worry about as far as upscaling is concerned.

 

[maflynn]

Sure, that's why they doubled the ram and processor speed last time, not to mention the better camera and digital compass.

Increasing the screen size has greater implications than just doing it. There is a massive library of apps to worry about as far as upscaling is concerned.

lol you're mentioning the digital compass app as a bona fide improement

My point was not whether apple improved the iPhone last time but rather people were looking at the specs when the various revisions of the iPhone hit the streets. To say that its not important now because a competitor exceeded the iPhone's specs is ludacris.

 

[phrint]

Out of interst, what handsets with better specs than the current iPhones have "came and gone"?

Plam Pre (Still on sale)
Palm Pre Plus (Still on sale)
Motorola Droid/Milestone (Still on sale)
Nexus One (Still on sale)
HTC Desire (Just released)
HTC Droid Incredible (Just relaesed)

Can anyone give me 3 or 4 phones that have actually "come and gone" since the 3GS was launched?

I think the poster meant to say, "Which one of these so-called iPhone killers has actually made a dent in Apple's market share?" To which I would respond "None". You could add up all sales from these phones and they don't come close to making a scratch on the iPhone's market dominance.

Don't get me wrong...some of these are nice like the Droid, which my wife owns, but none of them are close to offering the experience of the iPhone. Specs are important but it's about how they are executed. Anyone can throw in an 8mp camera into a phone and tout that it trumps the iPhone but the camera actually sucks because the software isn't optimized to take the best pics or it takes 10 seconds to take a picture. The 3GS' little 3MP camera takes better pics than most phones on the market. The 3GS still trumps the phones you have listed above.

BTW - I've never heard of the Plam Pre...

 

[JDee]

I just think it's insane that apple is probably going with a "slightly smaller" screen in the next iphone. And i mean really... FM transmitter should be a basic thing to have.. but probably won't.

Who cares if Apple has a slightly thinner screen lol?

 

[ChazUK]

BTW - I've never heard of the Plam Pre...

ROFL!

The words "came and gone" to me depict a device that was launched and isn't beng sold any more due to the crushing dominance of the iPhone. The overall market share for the iPhone is incredible I do agree. From nothing to what Apple have now is quite special IMO and others are STILL scrambling to catch up.

As for what device device trumps another, it's all in the eye of the beholder I personally think as some (the majority tbh) of people will instantly fall in love with Apple's solid foundation of the iTunes, the App store and the iPhone but others will want something different (as do I).

All I know that after using smart phones for years we're finally in a place where they are accessible to everyone which is great and the continued push for better tech/software experience and features means that there is a steady stream of smart phones that get better and better, which I love.

EDIT: Some would say that there has been a slight dent into Apple's market share in some regions, but -0.1% at the end of a product cycle is something Apple can live with I'm sure.

 

[Outrigger]

Rumors about the EVO include $40/month for 4G access and terrible battery life. Sure the phone looks great but let us not get caught up in specs. I thought Apple people knew better? It's all about the user experience and-IMO-the iPhone still trumps all phones in this category. Android is getting there but it is still a ways off.

Please don't throw around false rumors if you don't know what you're talking about. There is no $40/mo just for 4G as Sprint hasn't even decided what they plan to do. And where did you get terible battery life? Have you read somewhere that someone that is testing the phone claimed it has terrible battery life? Please post a link if you did. If you're gonna start spreading false rumor, at least have some kind of credible backup.

 

[phrint]

All I know that after using smart phones for years we're finally in a place where they are accessible to everyone which is great and the continued push for better tech/software experience and features means that there is a steady stream of smart phones that get better and better, which I love.

I agree with you 100%. Competition is great and it will continue to drive the market to develop better products for the consumer. Here's hoping Apple will begin to change their ways in terms of giving the consumer what they tell us we want.