Is apple gonna have to step the iPhone up?

[ZenoVT]

Google does not have the wow factor. They are gaining market share because their devices are cheaper than the competition for the most part. I don't know any Android users who are completely happy. The hardware usually feels cheap, the operating system is aesthetically ugly and sometimes quite slow, and the marketplace is filled with more crap than the app store.

It doesn't matter that Apple don't have the biggest mobile marketshare. They make expensive devices for customers who want a device that just works. The same can't be said for any other competitors products (except perhaps Blackberry).

Have you not seen Google I/O. Google is doing big things and a LOT of em.

 

[Derkatwork]

How is apple not up to speed? Were they not pioneers in mobile touchscreen phones? Was that not revolutionary enough? A huge sweeping revolutionary product can't come out over year. And complaining doesn't help either...

 

[alent1234]

Google's biggest advantage is that Android has more people working on it. they can out code Apple.

Apple is where MS was around 2000 - 2002. they just hit the big time and are under a lot of pressure to grow earnings, keep developing and support customers. MS tripled it's workforce to do this. Apple seems to be trying to maintain margins at the expense of coding in new features people want and pissing off developers with their crazy app store policies changing all the time.

last year i thought Android would languish, but now it looks like Google will overtake Apple. the installed base is now there and Google just has to get developers on board and with being open to Flash they will probably do it

 

[nickspohn]

Everyone just expects way to much from Apple. People expect the iPhone to keep being innovative more and more every year. What people are missing is what made the iPhone innovative to begin with. The touch screen and gestures was the woah factor in the iPhone. Now what is it? The android is nothing ground breaking. The fact that Google has now stepped up to Apple's level is good for Apple, because it's creating competition. No one is throwing out the fact that it took 3 years for Google and smart phone makers to have a device that other people might buy instead of the iPhone.

Once the next iPhone will be released, Apple will be ahead for a while again. Simply because of what it will have. If it's called the iPhone HD and can shoot videos, they can market the iPhone so well with one pitch "Shoot and record videos at 720p quality, right from your cell phone." This has been something everyone has wanted, so they wouldn't have to carry around a nice camera along with their iPhone.

This goes with the iPad. Everyone thought the iPad was going to be something it wasn't, because people are just expecting too much for the time. Sure there are things that Apple is lacking on, but just because my device doesn't have flash, doesn't mean I have to switch carriers and devices.

 

[Hankster]

This is all the iPhone 4HD needs to add:

1. Front facing camera with video conferencing feature.
2. Better resolution screen.
3. Smoother OS with multitasking.
4. Longer lasting battery.
5. Higher quality video and camera functionality.

That's really it and from the rumors all these features will be in the next iPhone.

 

[maflynn]

How is apple not up to speed? Were they not pioneers in mobile touchscreen phones? Was that not revolutionary enough? A huge sweeping revolutionary product can't come out over year. And complaining doesn't help either...

See the issue is you're using past tense. They were, where is google is. Apple needs to continue to innovate on both hardware and software. Dare I say that there's little to no innovation in OS4. I've yet to hear the specifics of the new iPhone so the jury is still out on that however.

 

[holidaypf]

No Hype

I just realized this morning that I had been spending all week getting more and more interested in the EVO. If it weren't for the stolen iPhone videos floating around I would have nearly forgotten that Apple had (maybe had) something new for us this summer. I've been using the old Edge iPhone for nearly three years so I'm ready to upgrade. But it's going to be hard to hold back from getting the EVO on June 4, especially because I live in a 4g city. The only phone being discussed where I work is the EVO, as people stand around using their iPhones.

 

[angevil]

So, Google is catching up with Apple. Yawn....

I love iPhone and its OS and I'm staying with them because of that. I'm with Jobs on every decision he has recently made. And I don't want flash. Except for the camera

To all the whiners here, why don't you stop buying Apple products and just leave? You will be welcomed on Android forums. It would be logical to read and write on the forums of stuff you like, not trolling in the ones you hate. I guess some people are really bored and like to fight, spread hate. Do something nice for a change.

 

[Cod3rror]

IMO hardware wise, based on the iPhone HD rumours the iPhone is ahead of everybody.

The iPhone is still the smoothest and the most responsive OS/Phone there is.

They just need to work on more features and more freedom, they need to keep adding new functionality, widgets, bluetooth, etc... just keep adding more and more.

 

[Small White Car]

If apple is going to retain the momentum, they need to start rolling out updates faster.

It may only be every year, but at least I know I'll GET an update.

Good luck to all the Android phones that are less than a year old and can't run their new OS. It seems Google is moving too fast, in some areas.

 

[Nicksd84]

Well I will take a stab. The main things that are new in iPhone 4.0 software are multitasking and folders. These things are trivial. My phone is jailbroken and I hardly use multitasking. It's not that I don't want it, it's just a regular feature any smart phone should have. Apple imo has always been known for being one of hte most innovative companies. I bought the iPhone because it combined a lot of features and honestly, because everyone said it was the best. With that said, Apple is no longer pushing to be the best. I don't know what happened. Maybe Steve had something in his life change after the battle with cancer. Their products rarely offer something innovative anymore. I got the point that they take things and do them better, but if they are things that another company has managed to do an ok job at, it's boring to see it replicated in an Apple device.

Simply put, Google is getting the WOW factor. Apple needs to get the WOW factor back. They will never do it unless they start taking some risks. I don't know if a high resolution screen is enough to keep the general public anymore. And yes the general public IS getting more and more into specs.

When I first got into computers, hardly anyone knew what ram was...Now everyone knows what ram is...When I got into smart phones, hardly anyone was paying attention to specs, now they are. The game has changed because smartphones are becoming the norm now.

lol. You realize that smartphones could do what the iphone did before it came out. Apple just implemented better and more efficiently. Your main point is null.

 

[Simgar988]

The fact that you think I'm a troll... God some people. What'd ice cube say? "with no vasaline."

 

[Simgar988]

So, Google is catching up with Apple. Yawn....

I love iPhone and its OS and I'm staying with them because of that. I'm with Jobs on every decision he has recently made. And I don't want flash. Except for the camera

To all the whiners here, why don't you stop buying Apple products and just leave? You will be welcomed on Android forums. It would be logical to read and write on the forums of stuff you like, not trolling in the ones you hate. I guess some people are really bored and like to fight, spread hate. Do something nice for a change.

spreading hate? WTF. Like to fight? WTF. I'm not the one trolling this thread with rediculous comments about how apple can do no wrong.

 

[alent1234]

Everyone just expects way to much from Apple. People expect the iPhone to keep being innovative more and more every year. What people are missing is what made the iPhone innovative to begin with. The touch screen and gestures was the woah factor in the iPhone. Now what is it? The android is nothing ground breaking. The fact that Google has now stepped up to Apple's level is good for Apple, because it's creating competition. No one is throwing out the fact that it took 3 years for Google and smart phone makers to have a device that other people might buy instead of the iPhone.

Once the next iPhone will be released, Apple will be ahead for a while again. Simply because of what it will have. If it's called the iPhone HD and can shoot videos, they can market the iPhone so well with one pitch "Shoot and record videos at 720p quality, right from your cell phone." This has been something everyone has wanted, so they wouldn't have to carry around a nice camera along with their iPhone.

This goes with the iPad. Everyone thought the iPad was going to be something it wasn't, because people are just expecting too much for the time. Sure there are things that Apple is lacking on, but just because my device doesn't have flash, doesn't mean I have to switch carriers and devices.

Google is making it easier to develop for Android than iPhone. Now all they have to do is help developers monetize their work where the iPhone has the advantage

 

[Bye Bye Baby]

The competition for apple is really good. Keeps them busy and on their toes.

i still don't know why android is better than OS 3.0. Just can't see it. Anyone have a few reasons why android is better.

 

[alent1234]

i was at a RE closing a few weeks ago and 2/5 lawyers had Droids. they wanted multitasking was their reason

both were regular people non techie types and both liked their Droids

 

[Barbs]

I'm sure there are things in the OS that apple can't show yet because its dependent on the new phone hardware.

Lets wait for the official release of OS 4.0 before we start to compare it.

 

[maflynn]

i was at a RE closing a few weeks ago and 2/5 lawyers had Droids. they wanted multitasking was their reason

both were regular people non techie types and both liked their Droids

I said this earlier in a different thread. I was the verizon store yesterday checking out the incredible to see if it fit my needs. Basically as I was there playing with it, they were ordering them left and right. I'd say they were flying off the shelves except that they were already off the shelves and on back order.

Verizon has a winner with the incredible, its very popular. I suspect that EVO will be just as popular for sprint, and for them, they need it, as sprint is still bleeding customers.

 

[F123D]

Apple has made a lot of improvements with the new iphone that I had hoped for. New design, improved screen, better camera, led flash, front facing camera, hopefully better speaker. My only negative now is screen size. Wish it was 3.7 - 4". Software wise, apple will always dissapoint me but that's where jailbreaking comes in and everythings fine.

 

[F123D]

I said this earlier in a different thread. I was the verizon store yesterday checking out the incredible to see if it fit my needs. Basically as I was there playing with it, they were ordering them left and right. I'd say they were flying off the shelves except that they were already off the shelves and on back order.

Verizon has a winner with the incredible, its very popular. I suspect that EVO will be just as popular for sprint, and for them, they need it, as sprint is still bleeding customers.

I was playing around with the incredible last Friday and could easily see myself owning one. Unfortunately, I won't switch to Verizon. I actually prefer AT&T where I live here in San Diego. If AT&T started picking up some new Android phones, I might be a little more interested.

 

[NT1440]

See the issue is you're using past tense. They were, where is google is. Apple needs to continue to innovate on both hardware and software. Dare I say that there's little to no innovation in OS4. I've yet to hear the specifics of the new iPhone so the jury is still out on that however.

What innovation is going on in Android?

 

[BergerFan]

This is all the iPhone 4HD needs to add:

1. Front facing camera with video conferencing feature.
2. Better resolution screen.
3. Smoother OS with multitasking.
4. Longer lasting battery.
5. Higher quality video and camera functionality.

That's really it and from the rumors all these features will be in the next iPhone.

Agreed. If the rumours are true, then a 960x640(maintaining the aspect ratio) res screen in the same 3.5" size, will surely be the highest pixels-per-inch, of any device out there, making spotting individual pixels, almost invisible.

The only glaring flaw in the OS that remains, is notifications.

 

[vilasgn]

One thing ppl are not understanding here is that all this new features, multitasking, folders etc etc is all for geeks. Common ppl do not care for all this thing.

Apple knows that iPhone is all about simplicity! That's why they sold millions. Even grandmaas and grandpaas carry iphone. It's very simple to use and it's all about usability!

While I understand that Google is pushing for quick updates and new OS releases faster, this excites only geeks like you and I. I don't think common ppl really know and care what's new features froyo or ginger**** has.

That is why Apple is keeping the original clearner OS but still adding some geek features without modifying the OS too much.

While I would love to have all the features faster, I know Apple knows what it is doing (I hope so).

Also, sometime back I read somewhere that for 2010 apple is largely focusing on Mobile OS than Mac OS, that tells me that they already know what google is doing and planing. Apple must have aligned its army of the most talented developers, designers toward this challenge.

Wait for WWDC and see what comes up!

Don't just get overwhelmed by what came out of Google I/O. It's all about the final product and usability! Who knows apple might step up its iPhone game sooner and we will have OS refreshes faster and better! Ultimately, last thing Steve wants is to lose to Google in any race! Look at how fast iAd announcement came after acquiring Quatro!

So just wait and watch! meantime give a try to EVO if you like as I am going to do!

 

[bobr1952]

beautifully put sir. With my jailbroken iPhone, I've essencially been running 4.0 and guess what. It's nothing exciting. Multitasking and folders (hardly folders with only 12 apps per) is all we get? Really? Hardly and GUI changes, and were still stuck with this stupid 12 app springboard, which is totaly ineffecient for anyone using any decent number of apps. Why can't we see the weather in the topbar, why no lockscreen info? This stuff isn't hard to do. Apple won't survive if their yearly updates are this... Miniscule.

I think you hit on the main thing that will make the upgrade something most of us want and will appreciate--jailbreaking. Sure if you jailbreak, no big deal--you already have a lot of neat stuff. But what about the vast majority who don't jailbreak, myself included--the average user. This is a major upgrade to us and something we will look forward to. It is all a matter of perspective--expectations are different based on how you use your iPhone.

 

[F123D]

That is why Apple is keeping the original clearner OS but still adding some geek features without modifying the OS too much.

The real geeks jailbreak.

The non geeks complain.

Then there those who are real geeks who still complain anyway.

Too bad jailbreaking won't make my screen any larger.