The iPhone 4 is here, and despite some well-publicised problems (most of which have simple solutions), it's a big hit.
The same largely goes for iOS 4, which provides great new features, both on the iPhone 4 and when installed on to an older iPhone 3GS. (iPhone 3G owners should perhaps steer clear, unless they want the experience of an iPhone dipped in treacle.)
Naturally, with Apple happily selling loads of iPhone 4s, we're already getting itchy feet and dreaming of iPhone 5 and iOS 5. We're not too fussed about overtly niche technology, like turning an iPhone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, and have instead thought of ten things that Apple could do to improve the iPhone experience for everyone.
1. Eradicate grip-of-death problems
Arguments continue to rage regarding the truth behind the iPhone 4's much-reported reception issues. There's definitely a problem when users bridge the gap between the external antenna at the bottom-left of the device, but its severity is unclear.
Some users are unaffected (and Apple claims all phones suffer to some extent); others find they can pretty much stop reception at will. Whatever the reality, Apple has narrowly avoided a PR disaster, and so the company must rethink this aspect of its device's 'revolutionary' design next time round.
QUICK FIX: Bumpers alleviate grip-of-death problems, but a hardware fix won't happen until the iPhone 5
2. Add more storage
This is a bit of a no-brainer, since the storage capacity of Apple devices rises with every other major release at the very least. However, storage is increasingly going to be a major issue for iPhone users.
The current generation can shoot HD videos, which take up a lot of space; the Retina Display screen lends itself to more detailed apps and games, which take up a lot of space; the iPhone 4 camera now takes much larger pictures, which… you get the idea.
Now think about iPhone 5: it'll probably have the same screen, but an improved camera and enhanced video recording. Without the storage to deal with these things, iPhone 5 just won't fly.
3. Improve the iPhone battery
Although the iPhone 4's battery beats the one in the iPhone 3GS, iPad owners will know how much better it is when an iOS device has a battery display that barely updates, because the battery offers so much more life. Unlike some people, we don't think the iPhone battery should be removable (that'd cause problems with the case design), but it needs to last longer.
BETTER BATTERY: Use it for calls alone and your iPhone will get through the day. Play music, video and games and it'll be thirsty before the afternoon's out
4. Better iPhone speakers
Since day one, iPhone speakers have been weedy. This is a pity for a device also touted as a portable media player and games system. Sure, you can wear headphones, but it would nonetheless be great to see iPhone 5 perhaps offer two speakers with a little bit of oomph.
5. HD output via HDMI
The iPhone 4 can record HD video but can't output it - for that, you need a PC or Mac. With luck and a following wind, this restriction will be eased, and someone at Cupertino will also realise that people would like an iOS-device-to-HDMI-lead, preferably in the box.
6. Better back-ups
Apple talks a lot about iOS being great for games, but things go horribly wrong when it comes to settings. Delete Peggle by mistake and, to use a Steve Jobs term, 'boom': all your progress is gone. iOS 5 needs to provide an intuitive way to restore game settings during an app reinstall (which would also benefit non-gaming titles).
It's also about time for Apple to enable cloud-based back-ups, so iOS can start detaching itself from being so heavily reliant on iTunes.
BACK-UP SETTINGS: Delete an app and its settings are gone. In iOS 5, Apple should enable users to optionally restore them
7. Make file-sharing non-hateful
iOS remains reliant on email as the most intuitive means of getting content on and off your device, and some apps also enable file-sharing through a tiny iTunes pane.
We're not sure what the solution is to make iOS file-sharing non-hateful (and we don't want a return to a desktop metaphor), but Apple hasn't found it yet. Hopefully it will in iOS 5.
8. Improve the lock screen
Apple likes minimalism, but this can be to the detriment of usability. The current iOS lock screen enables you to define a background and shows the date and time. In iOS 5, Apple should provide the means to add more information, such as the subjects of recent emails, recent contacts that have called you, and upcoming calendar appointments.
MORE INFO NEEDED: We admire Apple's dedication to elegance, but the lock screen could and should be more useful
9. An intelligent call blocker
If you find yourself inundated with calls from undesirables, wouldn't it be great to provide a suitably realistic 'block' or 'this number was eaten by wolves' error message? Carriers might not be keen on this, but Apple does something similar in Mail for Mac OS X (a 'faked' bounce), so it's at least a minor possibility for iOS 5.
10. Biometric security
You can lock your phone using a pass key, but how about using your finger or thumb? Apple has related patents, so presumably we're waiting for affordable technology to catch up—and perhaps it will when iPhone 5 and iOS 5 arrive.
Naturally, with Apple happily selling loads of iPhone 4s, we're already getting itchy feet and dreaming of iPhone 5 and iOS 5. We're not too fussed about overtly niche technology, like turning an iPhone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, and have instead thought of ten things that Apple could do to improve the iPhone experience for everyone.
1. Eradicate grip-of-death problems
Arguments continue to rage regarding the truth behind the iPhone 4's much-reported reception issues. There's definitely a problem when users bridge the gap between the external antenna at the bottom-left of the device, but its severity is unclear.
Some users are unaffected (and Apple claims all phones suffer to some extent); others find they can pretty much stop reception at will. Whatever the reality, Apple has narrowly avoided a PR disaster, and so the company must rethink this aspect of its device's 'revolutionary' design next time round.
QUICK FIX: Bumpers alleviate grip-of-death problems, but a hardware fix won't happen until the iPhone 5
2. Add more storage
This is a bit of a no-brainer, since the storage capacity of Apple devices rises with every other major release at the very least. However, storage is increasingly going to be a major issue for iPhone users.
The current generation can shoot HD videos, which take up a lot of space; the Retina Display screen lends itself to more detailed apps and games, which take up a lot of space; the iPhone 4 camera now takes much larger pictures, which… you get the idea.
Now think about iPhone 5: it'll probably have the same screen, but an improved camera and enhanced video recording. Without the storage to deal with these things, iPhone 5 just won't fly.
3. Improve the iPhone battery
Although the iPhone 4's battery beats the one in the iPhone 3GS, iPad owners will know how much better it is when an iOS device has a battery display that barely updates, because the battery offers so much more life. Unlike some people, we don't think the iPhone battery should be removable (that'd cause problems with the case design), but it needs to last longer.
BETTER BATTERY: Use it for calls alone and your iPhone will get through the day. Play music, video and games and it'll be thirsty before the afternoon's out
4. Better iPhone speakers
Since day one, iPhone speakers have been weedy. This is a pity for a device also touted as a portable media player and games system. Sure, you can wear headphones, but it would nonetheless be great to see iPhone 5 perhaps offer two speakers with a little bit of oomph.
5. HD output via HDMI
The iPhone 4 can record HD video but can't output it - for that, you need a PC or Mac. With luck and a following wind, this restriction will be eased, and someone at Cupertino will also realise that people would like an iOS-device-to-HDMI-lead, preferably in the box.
6. Better back-ups
Apple talks a lot about iOS being great for games, but things go horribly wrong when it comes to settings. Delete Peggle by mistake and, to use a Steve Jobs term, 'boom': all your progress is gone. iOS 5 needs to provide an intuitive way to restore game settings during an app reinstall (which would also benefit non-gaming titles).
It's also about time for Apple to enable cloud-based back-ups, so iOS can start detaching itself from being so heavily reliant on iTunes.
BACK-UP SETTINGS: Delete an app and its settings are gone. In iOS 5, Apple should enable users to optionally restore them
7. Make file-sharing non-hateful
iOS remains reliant on email as the most intuitive means of getting content on and off your device, and some apps also enable file-sharing through a tiny iTunes pane.
We're not sure what the solution is to make iOS file-sharing non-hateful (and we don't want a return to a desktop metaphor), but Apple hasn't found it yet. Hopefully it will in iOS 5.
8. Improve the lock screen
Apple likes minimalism, but this can be to the detriment of usability. The current iOS lock screen enables you to define a background and shows the date and time. In iOS 5, Apple should provide the means to add more information, such as the subjects of recent emails, recent contacts that have called you, and upcoming calendar appointments.
MORE INFO NEEDED: We admire Apple's dedication to elegance, but the lock screen could and should be more useful
9. An intelligent call blocker
If you find yourself inundated with calls from undesirables, wouldn't it be great to provide a suitably realistic 'block' or 'this number was eaten by wolves' error message? Carriers might not be keen on this, but Apple does something similar in Mail for Mac OS X (a 'faked' bounce), so it's at least a minor possibility for iOS 5.
10. Biometric security
You can lock your phone using a pass key, but how about using your finger or thumb? Apple has related patents, so presumably we're waiting for affordable technology to catch up—and perhaps it will when iPhone 5 and iOS 5 arrive.
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