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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7 Posted by wbennett2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:42PM EDT Report Abuse
Ummmm, how about you ALL wait until the 2nd gen iPhone is released? Then you wouldn't look like such fools. Speculation based on rumor sounds like … CNN pundits.
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8 Posted by asarinske on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse
I could live without all of the above missing features, but the one dealbreaker is not being able to unlock it in order to use the SIM-cards of other carriers when abroad. I travel several times a year to Europe, and I will keep my unlocked Sony Ericsson and its slow EDGE until the iPhone can be unlocked. I do not want to have to use a second cell phone just for travel.
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9 Posted by josejacintojr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:41PM EDT Report Abuse
I was looking to buy an iphone but after reviewing all the pros and cons I put my money on the instinct from sprint and it compatible with my ps3 just love it.
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10 Posted by miggy_san45 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:19PM EDT Report Abuse
@ wbennett2002, although the 2nd gen iPhone has not been released, all the specs have been released. Those above points are valid. It lacks all of the above. How about next time you do a little research and then you won't look like a fool. Then you won't end up looking like ... CBS.
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11 Posted by dsummerfan69@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I think.... The new iphone will be really good for people that they don't have one. The ones that we already got it should just upgrade the software this July and I think we will be happy that way until next June 2009 finally it comes with bigger memory, slimmer( nano version ), camera flash, etc . So, We'll be out of the 2 years contract and take the sweet decision if we want to be lock ourselves for another one! That's my take. Gracias !!!
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12 Posted by sanja_madic on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:04PM EDT Report Abuse
How about a bluetooth? Is there any?
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13 Posted by tojh1949 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:14PM EDT Report Abuse
We all thought Microsoft was running a huge scam with XP to Vista only being minor changes. It looks like Apple is running its own big tech scam too, expecially with the non-replaceable batteries in most products.
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14 Posted by klettinator333 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse
wow that article is a bunch of bull ----- ... it's the best phone in the world.... of course it's not going to be perfect
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15 Posted by rohairyfetish on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I thought there was a work around for the MMS issue. Like a 3rd party application?
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16 Posted by rohairyfetish on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I thought there was a work around for the MMS issue. Like a 3rd party application?
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17 Posted by pats_only on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:01PM EDT Report Abuse
oooooooo! 7 problems with it, yea if your really ----- en picky about every little darn thing. so stop maken the iPhone look bad u ----- !!!!!!!!!!
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18 Posted by amybankel on Sun Jun 29, 2008 3:21PM EDT Report Abuse
Posted by lriannah I AINT GOT ONE? If you talk this way, you shouldnt HAVE an IPhone lol OH ! Learn to use a Period. I have never read such a long sentence LOL LOL
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19 Posted by schabelscott on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:08PM EDT Report Abuse
The phone needs to come with a free unlimited funded ATM for all to pay for the service!
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20 Posted by relam13 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:35PM EDT Report Abuse
The number one problem with the iPhone, Apple is the creator
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21 Posted by larryhwtt on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse
One the one hand you complain about the high price. But then, on the other, you complain about a lack of expensive features like lots of memory and tv capability. I know, you want it all for $13.95
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22 Posted by meyoop on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:17PM EDT Report Abuse
i personally think the I-mate PC is better
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23 Posted by tterricone on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:23PM EDT Report Abuse
Let's talk about what's wrong with the basic iphone. Not being able to e-mail a group of people in one simple step. If you'd like to e-mail just your friends you have to individually select each and every one by one. No ability to send multiple pictures in one e-mail. And lastly, is it so hard to set up an empty e-mail trash button versus having to delete each individual e-mail. Lets fix some of the basic problems on the already existing phone.
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24 Posted by maximustorrisimus on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:12PM EDT Report Abuse
----- apple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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25 Posted by weewaaaa on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:42PM EDT Report Abuse
Another problem is nobody really knows if Apple has something under their sleeves still. For all we know they might put another iphone on the market this Sept which is when they usually role out with new designs for their products. Or they might drop the price. Just like when they dropped the price of the 1st iphone after everyone bought it on the release date. Another good feature to have on iphone would be copy and paste. It's tricky but I might just wait a while and see what happens before I buy an iphone.
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6 Posted by allularmilo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:51PM EDT Report Abuse
One good idea I have for that memory expansion problem: Remember those old camera adapters that go right into the iPod? Make one of those, but make it so it can just read stuff from whatever can plug into a USB port.