Stephen Foskett, Pack Rat

1.1.3 and Twelve Things That Are Still Wrong With The iPhone

Posted on Jan 15, 2008 by Stephen

OK, so Steve just announced the new iPhone software, and it certainly fixes a number of my “complaints”. But as much as I love this thing (and I do love it), there are quite a few remaining problems.

What Was Fixed

1. Google maps – This app went a long time without much of an update, but we can now drop pins (like I could do on my BlackBerry last year), see hybrid view (which is admittedly new to the handheld space), and the cool location thingy that thinks I still like in Massachusetts (because that’s where my WAP was when Skyhook drove past).
   
2. Home screen organization – I can now hide useless apps on another page (I’m talking about You, Tube, and your friend Clock, too!) and order them more logically
3. Web clips – So I get this whole web apps thing, but thanks for un-hiding them so I can actually use them on the go!
4. Actual apps – Yeah the web apps are great and all, but we really needed download-and-install apps on this thing!  Could use a few more details, though…

I still don’t care about multiple SMS recipients – yeah this was a really important addition, much more so than MMS or IM!  Ooh, lyrics!  Subtitles!  And at least my iPhone already had chapter support (thanks, Handbrake!)

What’s Still Wrong

1. Copy and paste – Please please please please please!
2. SMS popups – These “show through” every app – even the lock screen!
3. Landscape email – I always want to rotate my mail to read it better.
4. That darn headphone jack – I hate the Belkin adapter! What were they thinking?!? But at least I now have a sweet pair of headphones (Vibe Duo Nero) that work with the iPhone.
5. Notes – I want to use notes. Please! This is getting crazy!
6. Calendar integration – It’s hard to use the iPhone for business when you can’t get meeting invites over the air! They don’t even download so you can read them manually… And how about Google Calendar syncing?
7. Persistent web data – I can’t figure out why Safari loses its data all the time. I’ve got a gig or more of storage space free – Let me at least not lose the web page I was looking at (sometimes) when I exit Safari!
8. Hidden contacts – It’s very un-iPhone like to have the contacts database hidden in the phone and email apps. Sometimes I want to look at a contact without actually contacting them and this just feels weird.
9. Actual IM – Please please please start supporting actual Gtalk, AIM, and Yahoo IM protocols. The web versions of these apps stink.
10. Device compatibility – My Belkin Auto Kit works just fine with the iPhone, yet it still nags me to go into airplane mode every time I plug it in!
11. Bluetooth support – Please let me stream whatever audio I want to my Bluetooth headset. A better Bluetooth stack could blow open the accessory market – GPS, stereo headphones, laptop sync, remote control, etc etc etc…
    
12. Improved iPod controls – The iPhone is the worst iPod ever made when it comes to the controls – they move around inconsistently between portrait and landscape mode, and some are lacking entirely. You can’t scrub forward, set stars, or access podcasts or movies, in cover flow?!? And these are all hidden even in portrait mode!  And how about video zoom – I want to be able to pinch in when I’m watching a letterboxed film.  Is that so wrong?

Don’t get me wrong here – I still think the iPhone is insanely great.  I bought two!  Consider this constructive criticism…

Tags: Apple, Google, iPhone, iTunes, Macworld