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January 15, 2008

iphone

MW08: The iPhone gets even cooler

Posted Jan. 15, ’08, 10:49 AM PT by Pat Nakajima
Category | iPhone

iPhoneOne of the big “almost definitely gonna happen, but will totally not even be that cool if the things that might not happen actually do happen” rumors going into the Keynote today was a series of iPhone enhancements. Pseudo-GPS, a customizable home screen and the ability to SMS multiple people were each on the list of iPhone’s possibilities. Now they’re on the list of iPhone’s features.

Webclips, a feature that wasn’t part of the wide speculation, but almost certainly should have been, allows a user to essentially save bits and pieces of web pages, remembering zoom and pan settings. While I never, ever use this feature in Leopard (due to the fact that I never use Dashboard), it’s a compelling idea for the iPhone, especially if users were able to swap Webclips. A community could be born around finding interesting or useful parts of existing websites.

One year ago, Steve Jobs said that the iPhone was 5 years ahead of the competition. Today, with features like Webclips, I can’t help but think that the gap has done nothing but grow. With “competitors” using yesteryear’s touch screens alongside yesterday’s interfaces, it’s tough to imagine things changing to soon.


4 Comments

fletcher Author Profile Page said:

I like it already. I was able to get rid of a couple items from my home page that I never use (I put them on a second home page where they are still easy to get to if I need). I replaced them with my company Web site, ferry schedule web site, and a few other sites I like to read while I'm walking around.

The user experience of web applications like my ListSearch site is also improved. Now, it can have an icon on the home page. Aside from some loading graphics it feels a lot more like a real application.

One weird thing is that the shelf at the bottom remains even if you empty it. When I realized you could swap the bottom icons out I kind of hoped you could eliminate the shelf altogether. Also, I'd like to be able to place the icons in groups rather than have them all flow from the top.

The new Google maps successfully found my location. This feature combined with the driving directions eliminates any desire I had to get a GPS.

A very sweet upgrade.

January 15, 2008 11:44 AM
Goobimama said:

What I can't understand is how apple has the nerve to charge $20 for that iPod Touch upgrade. Seriously? Have you become that cheap apple?


January 15, 2008 12:44 PM
Soren said:

Is this an upgrade to Iphone or is it a new Iphone 2 there will come on the market soon?

January 15, 2008 1:06 PM
Anonymous said:

Soren: The features are a free upgrade to existing iPhones

January 15, 2008 2:07 PM

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