Fixing the iPhone
The good news, of course, is that Apple can continue to roll out software updates to the iPhone, improving it piecemeal as the weeks and months progress. The bad news is that some of the device's drawbacks are hardware-based--so they won't be fixed until the iPhone 2 is released (if they're addressed at all). Here's a rundown of the iPhone's main shortfalls--and my guesses as to the chances of them being added to the current model via a software update (the first number), or holding off for the inevitable iPhone sequel (the second number). And for the record, these are nothing more than guesses. Perhaps the biggest complaint with the iPhone is that it uses AT&T's slow EDGE network, not the much faster third-generation (3G) HSDPA technology. Because this is a hardware limitation, the existing iPhone models are stuck with EDGE--but it's all but guaranteed that when the next iPhone appears (it's slated for European release), it'll be a 3G model. The iPhone has Bluetooth 2.0, but--for reasons unknown--Apple didn't include the A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) that allows it to stream to stereo headphones and speakers. Perhaps the company is waiting to release its own version of one of these accessories--iHeadphones, or a second-generation Apple Hi-Fi--so it can hype iPhone compatibility. But adding it via a software update shouldn't be a problem. Until then, you're stuck with monaural headsets. Like all iPods--and unlike almost every other cell phone ever made--the iPhone battery is locked inside the device. Apple rates it for 300-400 charges, after which--incredibly--you'll need to ship it to Apple for a replacement (US$79, plus US$7 shipping). If that sounds like one of the most consumer-unfriendly moves you've ever heard, that's because it is--but since people have pretty much bought into the idea of their locked-case iPods, don't expect Apple to change its tune on this issue, even on the sequel models. (Overheard at the Genius Bar, 2009: "Instead of replacing the battery, how'd you like US$150 off the new iPhone?") Another major iPhone annoyance: The device has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, but it's recessed, so many current headphone models won't work with it, simply because their jack casings aren't narrow enough to fit. In other words, that US$300 set of earbuds you bought for your iPod won't work with the iPhone without you investing an additional US$10 in an adapter. You'd hope Apple would fix this oversight in the design for the next model, but the conspirator in us suspects that the recessed jack involved some Faustian deal with headphone manufacturers to force yet another upgrade cycle--so maybe it's here for good. The iPhone's capacity--just 4GB or 8GB--isn't much, especially when you want to watch a movie or two on that next cross-country trip. Larger capacity storage in future models is a given (and we can hope that 32GB and 64GB SSD drives will eventually make it on board sooner rather than later). But, like previous iPods, don't expect a microSD slot on future iPhones. The iPhone's built-in Google Maps feature is great, but it would be even better if it the device knew where it was at any given time. I'd give it a one in three chance that we'll see this feature in the next iPhone. |
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