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December 5, 2006

speculation

Musings on the iPhone

Posted Dec. 5, ’06, 11:33 AM PT by Pat Nakajima
Category | Apple » Speculation

Top SecretIt looks like the chances of the iPhone not being released imminently are pretty much on par with the likelihood of the sun not coming up tomorrow, the Zune being declared a practical joke by Microsoft, and all of my pens turning into model rockets in the middle of my Latin class combined. At least, that’s how my RSS feeds are telling it to me. They tend to be a trustworthy bunch.

While I’m not really all that keen on the notion of an iPhone (I like to keep my gadgets specialized), I realize that somebody who has in depth discussions of text editors probably isn’t Apple’s target market. There is definitely a vacuuous dearth of good phones that do music well. Can Apple do it well? That depends on if it can be done well.

Of course Apple can release a device, call it the iPhone, and have accolades fall from the sky like congratulatory rain. Most people gobble up the “Wow!” effect, and Apple can whip this up and have leftovers through Valentine’s Day. They know that Apple makes their iPod and they like it. That’s all they need to know.

For more discerning Apple fans though, just making the iPhone won’t be enough. I’m not really a big proponent of gadget consolidation, and I’m not alone. Our reader Moe said it well back in September:

I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m personally sick of “all-in-one” gadgets. I’m the kind of person who regrets having bought a phone with more features than I needed (such as a camera and Bluetooth).

An iPhone? iWon’t be buying it. iLike my iPod just fine, and iDon’t need it to field calls.

If an iPhone is going to appeal to me, it needs to be past what everybody expects. Why? Because we’re expecting it. Allowing expectations to guide your corporate map works for behemoths like Microsoft because they profit off of the status quo. That’s not the case for Apple the underdog. Steve Jobs needs to take the users to places they didn’t expect.

We need new features that not only haven’t been on Apple products, but haven’t been on any products ever. A new function as opposed to scads of new features. For instance, the iPhone will clearly have a wireless feature. It’s difficult to have a wireless phone otherwise. But what sort of wireless functions might it have? What if this pure hypothetical, as written by Andy Ihnatko could become a reality:

What if — and I stress that I’m just making something up to illustrate a point — Leopard included a new feature called “Livingston”? The purpose of this feature would be for the OS — or a network — to fix your location, route services to you, and allow your proximity to a certain Mac to affect how that Mac interacts with you.

How would Apple demo such a feature without, say, a wireless iPod with a Bluetooth chip? Steve unpockets a new iPod Shuffle the shape of a silver dollar. He walks from an iMac to a Mac Pro. We see on screen that he’s automatically been logged out of the iMac and logged into the Pro.

These are the things I’d like to see from the iPhone. Revolutionary, not evolutionary, if you will.

What are your dream features for the iPhone?


7 Comments

Jeremy McCullough said:

I'd like Bluetooth, of course. I know a lot of people don't have use for it, but I also don't think a lot of people understand that it can be used for things other than wireless headsets. I use it to sync my phone with my Mac, which is very useful. It helps me stay organized. I can also transfer pictures to iPhoto wirelessly instead of paying to e-mail them to myself or buying a cable. Bluetooth File Exchange is great. Too bad Verizon cripples their phones so they don't have this functionality. I'm with Cingular, and they allow this.

Now, of course I'm just dreaming, but I'd really like to see an Apple iPod-phone-PDA sort of thing. I know a lot of features is daunting, but if it's done the Apple way, then it can be done right. Mac OS X...it's got a lot of features, right? But they're not intimidating. If you don't want to use them, then they don't get in the way. If you want to use them, then they're easy to use. A keyboard would be nice, but it'd have to be easy to use (Blackberry is a good example...).

But, honestly, all I'm really looking for is just a phone done the Apple way. Easy to use, solid functionality, and tight integration with Mac OS X (of course, they'll try and market it to Windows users, too, but I'm interested in how they'll interface with Macs). I'm thinking of syncing with Mail, Address Book, and iCal. It'd be nice to include a camera (with Photo Booth effects, of course), that could export to iPhoto on sync. There should be an option to sync daily if it finds itself near a computer it's assigned to.

Really, I'm not sure what else to ask for. But, those are some ideas I thought would be nice to have.

December 5, 2006 12:01 PM
Fletcher said:

I think it would be interesting if Apple released a phone that was just a really good phone. Very easy to use, very simple operating system, long battery life, great reception. I think Bluetooth syncing with the Address Book and iCal might make sense. It would throw everyone for a curve if it was a great accessory to an iPod and not a replacement for the iPod.

December 5, 2006 12:33 PM
Moe said:

I'll stick to my guns. Separate devices makes sense still. If Apple comes up with a phone only device, then great. But I fear that a phone with an ipod built in may complicate things. If one is broken, what happens to the other. Especially seeing how Apple is having a bit of problems with QC lately, a phone is a terrible thing to get wrong. Even worse is a phone and an iPod. If both devices don't work properly, its going to upset lots of Apple fans.

Just give me a fine phone. A beauty to look at with great OSX functionality and a sexy OS and I'm game. But don't combine my iPod with my phone. Its almost blasphemy. My .02

December 5, 2006 1:49 PM
Erin B. said:

I wholeheartedly agree with Fletcher. I have a 5.5 80GB iPod video - I'm all set for portable media players for the next few years, believe me. (watch, a "true" video iPod will be released and make a liar out of me)

I have a RAZR, like practically every other person alive, it seems, and while I love how compact the phone is and the external design and all that, navigating the menus is very clumsy and annoying. I'd buy an iPhone if it were as easy to deal with as my MBP is.

December 5, 2006 1:56 PM
Dave said:

I've never wanted an iPhone. I want an Apple PDA. Of course, many people have said, "Steve hates PDAs." However, the only quote I have read indicates he hates PDAs that aren't smart phones. So I'm not holding my breath, but I am crossing my fingers.

I was going to get a Treo about 18 months ago because I didn't want a PDA and cell phone; but they didn't have anything without a camera at the time (a camera is a deal killer--can't take them into work), so I got a T5. It sucks (so does the Treo according to everyone I know who owns one). I have no doubt that Apple could blow everyone away with a well-done smart phone.

The consensus seems to be that Apple will release a dumb phone that can sync with iTunes and maybe include a camera. I'd have to pass. A cell phone with PDA functionality without a camera is what I want.

December 5, 2006 2:47 PM
macnuke said:

I'm mostly with Dave on this one.
no camera.
a ringer that sounds like a telephone ( sorry, old fashion here)
PDA function would be nice tho, but not a deal maker/breaker.
whatever it is they release tho...

let's hope it doesn't scratch so easily ;)

December 6, 2006 4:43 AM
Moe said:

Hmm.. it seems we have more than one Moe. Greetings, Moe! Perhaps I should post under something else from now on.

December 7, 2006 9:32 AM

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