My RANT about 3.0 and future iPhone software (Long/Pictures)

[matttye]

This is why I've switched to a Nokia.

Although the iPhone is undoubtedly an amazing piece of hardware, Apple is still new and inexperienced in the smartphone market. They made us wait nearly two years for the most basic of features like MMS and copy/paste.

Ultimately, for me, having to complete an extra couple of steps (like clicking through menus) to get things done on a Nokia is much better than trying to do something on an iPhone only to find out it's not implemented.

Some things are actually easier on the Nokia.. I can wirelessly sync everything from my 5800 to the free Ovi service, then to my PC. No cables needed

The iPhone has the most fun and user-friendly software in the world without a doubt, but it is lacking so many features that other phones have. Apple needs a couple of years to get up to speed.

 

[Saladinos]

I understand peoples' needs, but not so much, especially in Europe, the ones almost insulting whoever buys the iPhone or the cellphone itself because it lacks "basic", in their opinion, functions. If you had to start all over creating a new device and a new OS don't you think it would be normal for you to choose certain things to leave out for a while or forever? For a reason or two.. I do. BT is important, to some, on cheapo phones because they don't have a data plan or a functional browser or email service. Same would go for MMS, which IMO is also overpriced, can you use a basic cellphone in an WiFi area to transfer or view files? No, while the iPhone can, and it's a phone too, so leaving some old "basic" functions out is quite understandable to me. Also, don't people think Apple would've liked to sell even more iPhones, since so many don't like its lack of MMS/BT/better Camera w/ video? Many of the consumers that need these "basic" functions don't need others that the iPhone offers, that's why some other cellphones suit them better.. that's what's cool about choices.

The iPhone is in no way a basic phone. It lacked some features, such as MMS, but had other features that were world-beating: HTML browsing, for example, is better on the iPhone than any other phone (and that's still the case). It's called product focus - they choose the most important features of the product and make those rock at the expense of some less-important features.

 

[svndmvn]

Another poster from Portugal and with you being from Italy say you don't use it, is MMS used in your countries or is email being used to send pictures?

The reason I ask is my wife can send/receive MMS all day long and not be charged. However, email to her phone is not a free service its an additional $20 a month because it is grouped with the "Web"package.

I didn't buy the iPhone with a data pack, it's a prepaid unlocked version payed about 570€. I've had a few times a data pack to be renewed weekly, 3€ for 1GB, which is plenty for my needs, especially since I'm often in WiFi spots. There are probably messaging plans as well, prepaid ones, an SMS plan towards my Carrier phones would cost about 10€ a month as well. Not sure about MMS, I know one MMS costs .50€, it once cost 1€ if I'm not mistaking. I've heard people complain about the lack of MMS on the iPhone, even though there's an actually cheaper alternative, either via Jailbreak or through my Carrier's website, I can both view MMS I receive or send them via Mail( no need for its website though), and that would be free for up to 10 Messages a day. The curious thing about the ones complaining is it's usually the same people that don't even know how to spell Bluetooth, what MMS stands for and that GPS and GPRS have nothing in common.

 

[svndmvn]

The iPhone is in no way a basic phone. It lacked some features, such as MMS, but had other features that were world-beating: HTML browsing, for example, is better on the iPhone than any other phone (and that's still the case). It's called product focus - they choose the most important features of the product and make those rock at the expense of some less-important features.

Oh, I agree completely, I know what I bought I just try and not always succeed at ignoring whoever tells me the iPhone is not a cellphone because it lacks some basic, to them, features while telling me the iPod touch is hands down the best portable device... well, since it's a phoneless iPhone, I suppose that should make the iPhone quite a good device, but they usually don't agree

 

[matttye]

The iPhone is in no way a basic phone. It lacked some features, such as MMS, but had other features that were world-beating: HTML browsing, for example, is better on the iPhone than any other phone (and that's still the case). It's called product focus - they choose the most important features of the product and make those rock at the expense of some less-important features.

The web browsing on the iPhone is good - when it works. From when I got the phone, up until the release of 2.2.1 if I remember correctly, the web browser would close itself every time I tried to play music and browse the web at the same time. I sent about 20 bug reports to Apple about this issue, yet it still took them well over a year to put out a fix.

iSafari crashed a lot if I tried to scroll while the page was still loading too.

 

[bruinsrme]

I didn't buy the iPhone with a data pack, it's a prepaid unlocked version payed about 570€. I've had a few times a data pack to be renewed weekly, 3€ for 1GB, which is plenty for my needs, especially since I'm often in WiFi spots. There are probably messaging plans as well, prepaid ones, an SMS plan towards my Carrier phones would cost about 10€ a month as well. Not sure about MMS, I know one MMS costs .50€, it once cost 1€ if I'm not mistaking. I've heard people complain about the lack of MMS on the iPhone, even though there's an actually cheaper alternative, either via Jailbreak or through my Carrier's website, I can both view MMS I receive or send them via Mail( no need for its website though), and that would be free for up to 10 Messages a day. The curious thing about the ones complaining is it's usually the same people that don't even know how to spell Bluetooth, what MMS stands for and that GPS and GPRS have nothing in common.

Agree with the abbreviations. Most people I know only look at it in 1 way
Text and picture messaging. surely not SMS or MMS.
The curious thing with ATT is MMS utilizes the same data path as email and the web yet email and web are extra.
ATT makes it difficult for the masses to enjoy MMS.
Oh well for now 3.0 is to be here soon.

 

[bruinsrme]

Oh, I agree completely, I know what I bought I just try and not always succeed at ignoring whoever tells me the iPhone is not a cellphone because it lacks some basic, to them, features while telling me the iPod touch is hands down the best portable device... well, since it's a phoneless iPhone, I suppose that should make the iPhone quite a good device, but they usually don't agree

the iphone is quite device. As is the touch.
but it is so close to being that much better.

 

[con500]

Your assertion that certain things, like MMS, are standard is correct and I agree with you. Yet people know this going in and choose to purchase the iPhone anyway, so your point is exactly what? Stability and ease of use the most important factor, that is why Apple , who was not in the phone business prior to the iPhone(Excluding the ROKR) is holding the 3rd position of sold handsets. There is a reason for that.

Call me ignorant but i purchased the iphone without knowing the afore mentioned functions were present. However i suppose i kinda presumed they were there More fool me. I was just browsing for a phone (not specifically iphone) and the rep instore was so exited in his ravings about the iphone being the complete musthave gadget/cellphone and i was sold (plus i was due back in work in 10 minutes) I did enquire if it had B/T capabilities and was assured it didwhich it has but not what i expected,....(To the poster who mentions transferring files via wifi) I cant use the wifi option to transfer a photo to a friends phone if they dont have wifi on their device, so not probably as conveniet as a standard B/T share for some. I know sounds like im whining but all i am pointing out is I dont necissarily miss the functions but i could see how others would be miffed. Like i said above, for me ,the iphone srves its purpose (mostly)

 

[svndmvn]

Call me ignorant but i purchased the iphone without knowing the afore mentioned functions were present. However i suppose i kinda presumed they were there More fool me. I was just browsing for a phone (not specifically iphone) and the rep instore was so exited in his ravings about the iphone being the complete musthave gadget/cellphone and i was sold (plus i was due back in work in 10 minutes) I did enquire if it had B/T capabilities and was assured it didwhich it has but not what i expected,....(To the poster who mentions transferring files via wifi) I cant use the wifi option to transfer a photo to a friends phone if they dont have wifi on their device, so not probably as conveniet as a standard B/T share for some. I know sounds like im whining but all i am pointing out is I dont necissarily miss the functions but i could see how others would be miffed. Like i said above, for me ,the iphone srves its purpose (mostly)

Oh, I'm glad it kinda serves you well. Others would have taken it back..
I know not many cellphones have WiFi since it's really not a basic function, but it is more important than MMS or BT. BT also makes your cellphone less secure, believe it or not, there are some scams and other issues that involve BT.

 

[anjinha]

Will I have to agree that the MMS shortcoming is due to Apple's and problably not so much on ATT. I guess it would be pretty darn embarassing for Apple to have a third party be able to provide such a service while apple programmers take years and struggle to perfect the same function.

Perhaps its my understanding of Apple as a whole.

I don't think the issue is that Apple programmers struggled to add MMS and it took them a while. I think they tried to get rid of MMS because, let's face it, it will be a dead technology when everyone has email capable phones. But it was too soon for that, they realised it since so many people complained, and decided to add it.

Another thing to keep in mind is: this was Apple's first phone ever. They couldn't add everything from the start. So they could either add all the "basic" features and we'd have a cell phone similar to all the others out there or truly make a revolutionary phone, even if it was missing some things.

That's my opinion on this anyway.

Stability has also gone down the pan. I'm not sure about what apps are still in memory when quitted or whatever, but the system often slows down. Some application developers even have prompts recommending you to restart your phone before using their app. That is the peak of shame.

The apps stability has nothing to do with Apple, it has to do with the apps itself. Apps are not even supposed to continue in memory after they close. If they crash a lot that's is due to sloppy code.

I'll give you an example: I have two apps that basically do the same thing, they apply effects to photos. One of them has about 10 effects and the other one has about 100. The 10 effects one crashes a lot and it does warn people to restart their phones before using it, and it still crashes when I do that. The one that has 100 effects is really stable, never had problems with it. Is this really Apple's fault or is this a result of poor coding?

 

[bruinsrme]

I don't think the issue is that Apple programmers struggled to add MMS and it took them a while. I think they tried to get rid of MMS because, let's face it, it will be a dead technology when everyone has email capable phones. But it was too soon for that, they realised it since so many people complained, and decided to add it.

All the phone ATT sells have email capability.
the problem ATT is charing $20 a month for the data plan that includes email and web.
If you accidentally hit the web button the user gets whacked with an access charge. Even though it is a penny or nickle here and there it adds up. If you disable the web you disable the MMS service as well.
So as dead as the technology may be, perhaps its the actually carriers keeping it around.

 

[paulsalter]

Your assertion that certain things, like MMS, are standard is correct and I agree with you. Yet people know this going in and choose to purchase the iPhone anyway, so your point is exactly what?

On the subject of knowing MMS was not present on the phone, yes I knew this when I purchased it.

But have a look around the forums, this one and mainly apple discussions, you will see plenty of threads that mention there is a workaround, unfortunately this workaround does not work for all.

So yeah, things are missing, but reading about these missing features gives the impression there are ways round them.

There are plenty of other good reasons to get an iPhone, and now at last after a year of use I can eventually send pictures (when 3.0 comes out) to other mobile phones

 

[matttye]

I don't think the issue is that Apple programmers struggled to add MMS and it took them a while. I think they tried to get rid of MMS because, let's face it, it will be a dead technology when everyone has email capable phones. But it was too soon for that, they realised it since so many people complained, and decided to add it.

Another thing to keep in mind is: this was Apple's first phone ever. They couldn't add everything from the start. So they could either add all the "basic" features and we'd have a cell phone similar to all the others out there or truly make a revolutionary phone, even if it was missing some things.

That's my opinion on this anyway.

I disagree. There's a lot to be said for the simplicity of being able to send a photo to a phone number, rather than having to store yet more information about your contacts - an e-mail address.

Most of my friends either don't have an email address or don't use e-mail.

 

[Saladinos]

The apps stability has nothing to do with Apple, it has to do with the apps itself. Apps are not even supposed to continue in memory after they close. If they crash a lot that's is due to sloppy code.

I'll give you an example: I have two apps that basically do the same thing, they apply effects to photos. One of them has about 10 effects and the other one has about 100. The 10 effects one crashes a lot and it does warn people to restart their phones before using it, and it still crashes when I do that. The one that has 100 effects is really stable, never had problems with it. Is this really Apple's fault or is this a result of poor coding?

If that's the case, Apple should:
1. Clear the app's memory space after it has closed. OSX does this anyway when a process quits, unless Apple told the iPhone version not to.
2. Have stricter code quality guidelines for apps to be approved. Developers and Apple can test for memory leaks. This isn't fair to customers who pay for apps on the basis of descriptions and screenshots. App developers seem to be blaming the OS.

 

[Carniphage]

This is why I've switched to a Nokia.

Although the iPhone is undoubtedly an amazing piece of hardware, Apple is still new and inexperienced in the smartphone market. They made us wait nearly two years for the most basic of features like MMS and copy/paste.

Apple have always Thunk Different - and set their priorities differently to the rest of the industry. So it is completely true that Apple is only now getting around to stuff like MMS and Cut Copy Paste -

Meanwhile after years and years in the smartphone space, Nokia still has not figured out how to do acceptable web-browsing. Each web-page page looks like ass. The fonts look dreadful. Scrolling is at 1 frame per second and dynamic zooming is not there.

Apple is new in this space.
Nokia is not, and it does not have any excuses.

C.

 

[svndmvn]

I disagree. There's a lot to be said for the simplicity of being able to send a photo to a phone number, rather than having to store yet more information about your contacts - an e-mail address.

Most of my friends either don't have an email address or don't use e-mail.

can't you send it to number@mms.carrier.com? That's how I send sms via email, I'm pretty sure it works with mms as well, and I can also do that through my carrier's website. And my pals could eventually send me an MMS to my email, simply not sending the MMS to a cellphone number but an email.

 

[anjinha]

I disagree. There's a lot to be said for the simplicity of being able to send a photo to a phone number, rather than having to store yet more information about your contacts - an e-mail address.

Most of my friends either don't have an email address or don't use e-mail.

It will be that simple when email is as common as having a cellphone. MMS WILL be a dead technology, but it's not there yet. If I have a choice of sending someone a picture by email or MMS I will always send by email because that way I can send them a bigger picture, with better quality. Email IS better than MMS, but I agree that MMS is still needed sometimes and I'm glad apple decided to add it to 3.0.

If that's the case, Apple should:
1. Clear the app's memory space after it has closed. OSX does this anyway when a process quits, unless Apple told the iPhone version not to.
2. Have stricter code quality guidelines for apps to be approved. Developers and Apple can test for memory leaks. This isn't fair to customers who pay for apps on the basis of descriptions and screenshots. App developers seem to be blaming the OS.

Well, if an app suggests that you should restart your phone before using it then it's a pretty good clue that it's not a very good app.

I agree that this isn't fair to customers, but that is the developer's fault. There is only so much apple can do when testing new apps, they already take a long time to get approved.

 

[matttye]

Apple have always Thunk Different - and set their priorities differently to the rest of the industry. So it is completely true that Apple is only now getting around to stuff like MMS and Cut Copy Paste -

Meanwhile after years and years in the smartphone space, Nokia still has not figured out how to do acceptable web-browsing. Each web-page page looks like ass. The fonts look dreadful. Scrolling is at 1 frame per second and dynamic zooming is not there.

Apple is new in this space.
Nokia is not, and it does not have any excuses.

C.

Funny that, seeing as both browsers use the same webkit software

Also with a Nokia phone, you can freely install another browser if you don't like the default one. I've tried opera mini but found I prefer the default browser. Mozilla are said to be working on a version of firefox for the symbian platform.

can't you send it to number@mms.carrier.com? That's how I send sms via email, I'm pretty sure it works with mms as well, and I can also do that through my carrier's website. And my pals could eventually send me an MMS to my email, simply not sending the MMS to a cellphone number but an email.

You can with most networks, just not O2 in the UK.

It will be that simple when email is as common as having a cellphone. MMS WILL be a dead technology, but it's not there yet. If I have a choice of sending someone a picture by email or MMS I will always send by email because that way I can send them a bigger picture, with better quality. Email IS better than MMS, but I agree that MMS is still needed sometimes and I'm glad apple decided to add it to 3.0.

Of course it's possible that MMS will be phased out eventually, but then why did it come into existence in the first place? E-mail has been around longer than MMS.

 

[svndmvn]

Of course it's possible that MMS will be phased out eventually, but then why did it come into existence in the first place? E-mail has been around longer than MMS.

I think Carriers just want to make more money, SMS and MMS made more sense on simple phones than email, and it probably still brings more money than email.

 

[TheSpaz]

I have a strange feeling that the 3.0 features were going to come sooner (last summer) but Apple had to change up their plans due to the amount of people wanting 3rd party apps. That was probably a LOT of work to get done. Think about it.... They needed to package up an SDK, create the App Store, and change the calculator. Now that the App Store is pretty stable, they have time now to make the iPhone the way they wanted to a while ago.

Does anyone else think that's what happened?

 

[anjinha]

I have a strange feeling that the 3.0 features were going to come sooner (last summer) but Apple had to change up their plans due to the amount of people wanting 3rd party apps. That was probably a LOT of work to get done. Think about it.... They needed to package up an SDK, create the App Store, and change the calculator. Now that the App Store is pretty stable, they have time now to make the iPhone the way they wanted to a while ago.

Does anyone else think that's what happened?

I actually hadn't thought about it. It is quite possible.

 

[QuarterSwede]

I have a strange feeling that the 3.0 features were going to come sooner (last summer) but Apple had to change up their plans due to the amount of people wanting 3rd party apps. That was probably a LOT of work to get done. Think about it.... They needed to package up an SDK, create the App Store, and change the calculator. Now that the App Store is pretty stable, they have time now to make the iPhone the way they wanted to a while ago.

Does anyone else think that's what happened?

Good point. The way I look at it is this, the current state of the iPhone OS is like the way the early versions of OS X were. Amazing at some things and lacking at others. It wasn't really complete until Tiger, in my opinion, some would argue Panther.

As for people stating that email isn't as common as cellphones. I completely disagree. I'm not sure I know anyone without email. I do know some without a cellphone.

 

[bruinsrme]

I have a strange feeling that the 3.0 features were going to come sooner (last summer) but Apple had to change up their plans due to the amount of people wanting 3rd party apps. That was probably a LOT of work to get done. Think about it.... They needed to package up an SDK, create the App Store, and change the calculator. Now that the App Store is pretty stable, they have time now to make the iPhone the way they wanted to a while ago.

Does anyone else think that's what happened?

Several things are at play.
From my short time reading about and having some apple produts it seems Apple wants to dictate what people think they want and deliver just that. Anything else out of that box seems to fall under an umbrella of "in time apple wants to perfect it" (blah blah blah) or its a bag of hurt.
It is FAR too coincidental that the Pre makes and introduction and then suddenly out of the blue 3.0 and so on are introduced with many of the features already available thru the jailbreak community. Way too convenient but many apple lovers will see through that and congradulate apple for such accomplishments.
I thought the storm was going to waken Apple and force new features. Unfortunately, the Storm fell way short of that. When the Pre made its first appearance it was more like the iphone and had many similar features as the iphone and a few more.
The jailreak community has drawn a lot of attention as of late. It not just about modifying a back ground but adding functionality on the phone.
Spaz I beleive you have participated in a few threads regarding the effects of jailbreaking. it can effect the performance of the phone but for some/many it is worth the performance hit for the added functionality.

 

[bruinsrme]

Good point. The way I look at it is this, the current state of the iPhone OS is like the way the early versions of OS X were. Amazing at some things and lacking at others. It wasn't really complete until Tiger, in my opinion, some would argue Panther.

As for people stating that email isn't as common as cellphones. I completely disagree. I'm not sure I know anyone without email. I do know some without a cellphone.

For ATT customers cell phone users can subscribe for messaging but to access say a personal email it then falls under the data plan

 

[anjinha]

It is FAR too coincidental that the Pre makes and introduction and then suddenly out of the blue 3.0 and so on are introduced with many of the features already available thru the jailbreak community. Way too convenient but many apple lovers will see through that and congradulate apple for such accomplishments.

Do you seriously think that between the time the Pre was announced (February) and 3.0 was announced (March) Apple developed a whole new OS? Yeah, that's likely...