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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47 Posted by digitallyomnipotent on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:43PM EDT Report Abuse
I love Apple haters, you are all so funny. Who needs MMS, when you can send and e-mail with an attached photo to anyone in the world?! A better question to ask is why all those other phones don't have e-mail in 2008?! Also, it's is absolutely UNTRUE that you cannot see an MMS message sent by someone else to an iPhone! You get a TXT with a URL that lets you view the MMS. Bunch of fools!
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48 Posted by bbalak on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:03PM EDT Report Abuse
The reason Apple will NEVER add a memory slot on the iPhone or iPod is simple. Apple is a HARDWARE company. They make most of their money on HARDWARE products. Apple charges 3-4 times what other companies charge for RAM, Hard Drives, etc... If they allowed people to upgrade the memory on their iPods and iPhones, they would go out of business. All you have to do is look at the price of the iPod Touch. I have the 8 GB model, which is $300. To double the memory, it would cost me $100. No new or different features, just increased memory. You can buy 4GB SD card for under $20 if you shop around. The ability to use flash cards would also allow people to transfer files WITHOUT iTunes. That means music and video sales would probably decrease.
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49 Posted by adrcoelho on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:46PM EDT Report Abuse
iPhone 3G is a very basic phone and I don't expect a big success in Europe. Just compare it with some 3G phones for sale in Europe: Nokia, Sony, LG, whatever... They have mobile TV , high-speed internet over 3G, Wi-Fi, MS Exchange and Blackberry clients, video conference, sms/mms, memory card, camera with flash and auto-focus, etc.
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50 Posted by hm_palmer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:19PM EDT Report Abuse
The big killer for me is the rate plan increase. I have the first gen iphone and love it. The things it lacks are no big deal I dont use the camera on it I have a nice digital camera for that. And really, who the heck cares about watching tv on a phone? Thats what I have a tv for.
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51 Posted by bbdesignbuild on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:03PM EDT Report Abuse
One obvious problem that has yet to be stated is that the new iphone doesn't come with a donkey so you don't have to walk everywhere.
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52 Posted by pinche_ta on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:12PM EDT Report Abuse
What about no enabling of disk use??? That's another complaint I have about the iPhone. Clearly this is a software matter but Apple needs to address it ASAP!
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53 Posted by samie167 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:01PM EDT Report Abuse
HI i agree wit the people who are debating i believe that they both hav good ideas.
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54 Posted by larjenn11 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse
Which makes me appreciate the LG phones even more than before. iPhone just doesn't impress me. I have trashed the one I bought last year. It's a costly lesson for me, but I won't buy another one. Apple has become as negligent and static as Sony has with their gaming consoles. Well, time and progress waits for no man.
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55 Posted by szcabalo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:52PM EDT Report Abuse
The i-phone is a joke. AT&T service is horrific. The slippery design is entirely anti-ergonomic, putting style before function as most Apple products tend to do. I hate my i-Phone and plan to sma----- against a brick wall upon the conclusion on my contract.
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56 Posted by manny_jew on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:05PM EDT Report Abuse
there is 1 more thing wrong with the iphone whin you awnser the phone it hings up by its self
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57 Posted by sdave171 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:10PM EDT Report Abuse
A prime example of a headline and article generated solely to generate page views!
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58 Posted by divideitallrightin2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:44PM EDT Report Abuse
Of the 7 'complaints' only 2 were legit; the lack of MMS. That should've been available since day 1, and the camera not being a higher resolution. Reading through the comments brings up other legit concerns. The lack of replacing SIM cards whilst traveling, all of the email details, etc, etc. The Cost? $199 for an 8gb, when I bought my first gen iPhone last June I spent $600 plus tax (8gb) so a $400 reduction in price is quite nice in comparison (granted, the $600 tag was price gouging.)
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59 Posted by snboarder2931 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:30PM EDT Report Abuse
I will not be upgrading.
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60 Posted by digitallyomnipotent on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:43PM EDT Report Abuse
I love Apple haters, you are all so funny. Who needs MMS, when you can send and e-mail with an attached photo to anyone in the world?! A better question to ask is why all those other phones don't have e-mail in 2008?! Also, it's is absolutely UNTRUE that you cannot see an MMS message sent by someone else to an iPhone! You get a TXT with a URL that lets you view the MMS. Bunch of fools!
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61 Posted by pizzainabottle on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:13PM EDT Report Abuse
It is true that it has no micro sd slot, but when is the last time a smartphone had more than 128 MB of internal memory??? The iPhone has 8gb of internal memory...and then you don't have to spend the $150 on an 8gb Micro SD
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62 Posted by nesarthin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:36PM EDT Report Abuse
No MMS so that's what the SDK pack is for just download software, No video record, the phone has the video record hardware so again just download the software, No live TV, again SDK someone just writes a program. There is almost and answer for just about all your problems with the release of the SDK pack for the iphone. For those who have jail broken there phone already know what the phone is capable of. Anyway there isn't a phone on the US market that can match the Iphone and just looking at apples sales of it i think they are covering what is needed as it comes along. The majority of issues besides hardware like battery will be solved through the SDK package.
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63 Posted by goodbetterbad on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse
Silly to ask for 8MP camera on a cell phone It's the optics that count, stupid! There is no point slicing up the sensor into more and more millions of smaller dots (pixels) if the lens is not capable of focusing the image into equally smaller points. In fact, because of the inferior noise characteristics of the smaller pixels, the effective resolution is way lower than the advertised number - may be even worse than 2 MP.
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64 Posted by danjakubik on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse
I disagree! Of course the new Apple iPhone is not perfect. Sounds like you're one of the anti-Apple people! Every smartphone will have some features someone does not like or be missing some desired features by someone else. For the small increase in monthly service fee, the new iPhone is GIVING faster 3G Internet connection speeds and GPS. Hello?! You're getting two NEW things! You media people are always so negative! The iPhone is one of the most innovative and revolutionary products of the decade! The first iPhone sold 6 million! I predict the new iPhone will sell very well (10 million!) Dan from Chicago
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65 Posted by sinful_one_for_you on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:23PM EDT Report Abuse
Great phone..Sorry,I was talking about the LG KU990;)
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46 Posted by marcdantuono on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:05PM EDT Report Abuse
@tterricone All the problems you mention are fixed in the free 2.0 software update available July 11th.