As we’ve mentioned, CyberNet’s iPhone 3G review will be coming within the next week or so. We decided not to post it right away so we could have ample time to test out all of the new features. In the mean time, we thought we’d fill ya in on five things we wished the iPhone 3G had. It sure is a nice device, but it isn’t perfect. Here’s what we’d like to see on a 3rd generation iPhone. Apple, are you listening?
1. More Than a 2 Megapixel Camera
The original iPhone came with a 2 megapixel camera so it would have been nice to see Apple upgrade the camera to say, a 5 megapixel camera. Their goal is to have you use one device instead of many (phone, iPod, GPS, camera, all in one), but we’re still not ready to ditch our camera in favor of a 2 Megapixel camera on our iPhone 3G. This leads us to #2…
2. A Flash for the Camera and Video Recording
Another big thing missing from the iPhone 3G is a flash for the camera and the capability to record video. Sometimes it’s impossible to take great pictures without a flash and video recording is slowly becoming a standard. Remember all of those rumors that the iPhone was going to have a camera on the front as well for video-conferencing? That would have been nice too.
3. Multimedia Messaging Service
Lots of phones out there have the capability to send and receive multimedia messages, but not the iPhone 3G. For those who were used to such a service and used it regularly to send media on other phones, switching to the iPhone 3G where there isn’t an option will probably be a let-down.
4. A Replaceable Battery
A replaceable battery was one of the biggest complaints we heard with the original iPhone and now it’s a big complaint again with the iPhone 3G. People like to have control over replacing something like the battery, and some people like to carry around an extra for those times when they won’t have an outlet available to them for charging. This is something that isn’t possible because Apple does not allow users to replace the battery themselves. Maybe the 3rd generation will finally include a replaceable battery?
5. 32GB Option
It seems funny to think that just a year ago, Apple introduced a 4GB iPhone. 4GB? That’s it? 4GB hardly seems like anything these days. And while 4GB isn’t much, 8GB and even 16GB doesn’t seem like a whole lot. They’ve got a 32GB iPod Touch, so why not a 32GB iPhone 3G? We’re thinking they’ve already thought of this and like last year, they’ll quickly discontinue the 8GB model and introduce the 32GB model.
We know many of you have rather large collections of music and photos, so storage on any device is a must!
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Tags: Gadgets, MyFive, Apple, iPhone 3G
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The most obvious feature I wish the iPhone had is the ability to tether. I’d like to use my iPhone’s 3G uplink on my laptop when on the go.
“1. More Than a 2 Megapixel Camera”
> Only if this means higher quality pictures instead of just an increase in production costs.
“2. A Flash for the Camera and Video Recording”
> I think they left this out to spare the battery. I agree that it would be nice to have a camera on the front for video conferencing!
“3. Multimedia Messaging Service”
> Why not use email for that?
“5. 32GB Option”
> I’d rather have an SD slot, so I can have an unlimited amount of space (by switching cards). Will probably aid Garmin, TomTom and the like as well, those maps can be pretty huge in size!
>> “3. Multimedia Messaging Service”
> Why not use email for that?
because what if someone with a non-email phone wants to send me an MMS photo?
Right, of course!
Thanks for pointing that out (I’ve never used MMS because it’s so outrageously expensive).
Do these devices really bring about the immense happiness everyone’s talking about? Eager to know…I will buy 2, if so
a, come on, it’s so bad? no video recording or flash, can’t do videocalls or send MMS? that’s pretty bad… I guess my LG Viewty is a worthy alternative
oh, and another thing:
“2. A Flash for the Camera and Video Recording
> I think they left this out to spare the battery.”
this guy is hilarious. you don’t skimp on features to improve battery life. it’s not like you need to keep the flash on all the time or videorecord every second of your life. My phone, which i’ve previously mentioned, records video in AVI format, has a strobe flash, a Flash based user interface, a huge screen and the battery lasts 3-4 days. Oh, and a 5 megapixels camera. ok, now I’m bragging
the biggest let downs i guess are :
- the lack of fully user customizable OS ( think Symbian)
- the lack of Real Multi Tasking ( think App store)
- the lack of flash support ( web brwoser)
- the lack of camera ( 2 MP with no AF, video , flash is not considered a camera!)
- the lack of Bluetooth ( you can’t consider using it only for headphones.. where is the pairing, modem, data transfer support!)
..
that doesnt say it has good features too . but for me buying N95 8GB or anyother symbian CONTRACT FREE phone is much better
Of this whole list the only two I agree with are a better than 2 megapixel camera (maybe 5) and video recording (not flash). I would much rather see Notes syncing with my computer which I feel is something that really is a big deal, I still have the original iPhone and have no reasons to upgrade.
I feel your pain, Ashley. I love my N82.
N82 features:
* 5 megapixel cam. w/ auto focus
* Xenon flash
* Camera shutter(protects lens for clearer pics)
* DVD like video recording 30fps
* Bluetooth file transfer.
* TV out.
* Online 3D gaming.
* Navigation using offline map data.
* Browser access to local storage.
*.Multiformat multimedia support.
* Multimedia messaging service support.
* C++, Python, and M programming language support.
* Downloads over the air.
* Motion and gesture controlled apps
* MULTITASKING!
* Multiple music library sync options, including the defacto Windows Media player.
But, as I stated previously in another post, my dream phone would have the iphone’s UI and beautiful 3.5 inch screen along with the capabilities of the N82. The N82 has a horrible 2.4 inch QVA screen, unfortunately.
Btw, I enjoyed the article and its reflections.
Ahhh yes, another good one!
I do use email for sending images and such, but the problem comes when I have friends who would like to send me the multimedia messages via text.
It’s definitely the most intuitive phone I’ve owned and does make me pretty happy.
That N82 sure is impressive! But I’d agree with you that it has a rather small screen. What do you think of the interface? The interface and ease of use is one of those areas where Apple really shines.
Come on guys. Get over the iPhone. Really. Buy something that already has those features. You don’t have to feed the ego that is Jobs.
That would be nice, but they’d likely increase the cost of the data plan even more then.
Sorry, but we do like our iPhones. And we write about what we like. Well in this case we wrote about the things we don’t like on something we like.
I guess you haven’t been following the news on the iPhone(s). They have already “skimped” on features to improve battery life in the past (e.g. multitasking, flash support). Other phone manufacturers will do the same. It makes no sense to introduce a feature when it will suck the life out of the your phone, whereby you won’t even be able to use it for its prime function: calling.
And yes, they try to stop you from using the iPhone as a modem because otherwise Apple would not be able to negotiate those unlimited data plans with the providers. Which is a good thing if you ask me. Most providers, at least here, offer plenty of other options if you want to use their network for pure data traffic.
To be fair, you’d have to write another article about the five things that iPhones can do better than other phones.
Thanks for the suggestion Pieter, look for it sometime in the next week or two. There are definitely more than five things I can think of that the iPhone can do better than other phones.