Seven problems with the new iPhone
Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:36AM EDT
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The new iPhone hasn't even landed in stores yet, but already pundits are grumbling about the revised iPhone, based on demos and published specs, about what the new model has failed to fix since the first-gen device.
Yes, we get 3G and GPS, a way to connect to Exchange, and the new app store, but what about everything else? Forbes' Brian Caulfield outlines seven (actually eight) iPhone disappointments, and most of these observations are spot on. Some highlights (get his full list here).
The cost - I've written about the value proposition of iPhone 3G already, and sure enough it'll cost you an extra $160 or so over the next two years vs. the original iPhone. Worth it? It's debatable, but I can't blame people for not being happy about the service price hike.
The camera - Forbes notes that there's still no flash and no video recording on the device. I'll add the camera resolution: We're going to see 8 megapixel cell phone cameras in the U.S. this year, and the iPhone is still stuck with a puny 2MP model? Many early rumors also had expected the iPhone 3G to include a forward-facing camera for videoconferencing use. Naturally that didn't happen either.
The battery - Not replaceable. Again. On the other hand, this shouldn't be a surprise considering that Apple is now actually making laptops without replaceable batteries, too.
No MMS - Again, the lack thereof. It just makes no sense. Apple is basically right that you don't need MMS to send pictures on a device that has a full email client, but the problem comes when users of other phones send you a photo via MMS: You simply can't view it on the iPhone. It's a ludicrous limitation on what should be the most advanced phone on the planet.
I'll add a few of my own complaints to Caulfield's list:
No live TV - That YouTube feature was fun last year, but now it's grown tiresome and old. Live TV is coming to all manner of handsets now as part of the standard data plan, but one gets the impression that Apple keeps it off the iPhone just so it can sell you TV episodes at $1.99 a pop instead.
No 32GB option - 8GB feels pathetically small in 2008. 16GB is really barely passable now. 32GB USB thumbdrives have been on the market since 2006, as cheaply as $140. I'm sure Apple will launch a 32GB model in the near future (another $100, please!), probably around Christmas, in the hopes that you'll buy a third phone.
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2 Posted by lriannah on Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:14PM EDT Report Abuse
I dont like it because i ain't got one but it looks good from what i have seen off some pictures i have looked at i am jus asking u will u buy me one and i will post a real good one where it will make it sound off the chain so that everyone will want one of their own do this and u will make millions or even more who no how much u will make
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3 Posted by gspet on Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:06PM EDT Report Abuse
Most of the listed points are legitimate concerns that Apple needs to address. However, I want to question one of the points, the need for TV on a phone. I recently asked my two college age daughters if they knew of anyone who watched TV on their phone or their computer. Their answers were the same, no. In general, their friends rarely watch any TV. I also know no one who desires to watch TV on their phone. I'm sure there are those who do, but when they represent a very small percentage of the population than it doesn't make any sense that everyone should need to pay for the feature.
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4 Posted by volalum1996 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:42PM EDT Report Abuse
Hopefully, the (soon to be) Slingbox application will help with the TV problem. And yes, I do use it.
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5 Posted by rogueist on Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:52PM EDT Report Abuse
No MMS? Wow, thats a killer...In order for the iPhone to truly be mainstream as a phone, it needs to have all the features that other phones have. I can understand not having the video since DVB-H is coming next year to all phones in the US, so they dont need to jump the gun on that. I would rather pay for my iTunes episodes and have a permanent recording of what I want to watch anyways - its much more convenient to watch. The only thing i would want to watch at any time is the news.
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1 Posted by middlenamefrank on Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:09PM EDT Report Abuse
To me, you guys missed an obvious one: no memory expansion option. Every other smart phone in the world has an SD (or micro-SD) card slot, why not Apple? Why should I be stuck with a few movies/pictures/mp3's when I could carry around an extra dozen cards so easily?