Earlier today, we published our "consenus" wish list for the iPhone. Based on an informal survey of iPhone users among the Macworld editorial staff, that list of 27 items represents the features that all, or nearly all, editors requested.
But it wasn't a comprehensive list by any means. Our full list was much, much longer--nearly 120 items in all--showing the diversity of opinion among even a group of people you would think has much in common. Over the next few days, I'll be covering the rest of that list, from those items that generated requests among multiple Macworld staffers to things that can (generously?) be described as one geek's annoyance.
In our first Wish List installment, I cover the hardware requests: those features that we realize are unlikely to change until at least the next iPhone model--unless Apple's hidden some hardware surprises inside.
Already covered: GPS support (6 editors), 3G networking (5).
Non-recessed headphone jack (3): As we've pointed out, the iPhone's headphone jack is recessed such that third-party headphones with thick plugs, or with short L-shaped plugs, won’t fit; you need an adapter, such as one from Belkin, RadTech, or Shure. We'd like to see a more compatible jack on future iPhones.
Camera flash (2): Many newer cameraphones include a useful--if basic--flash for illuminating subjects under low light conditions. A couple editors, including one of our photo buffs, would love to see such a component on the iPhone.
More storage capacity (2): Surprisingly, only two editors said they wanted an iPhone with more storage capacity. (Perhaps because the others are still using their iPods, as well?)
Higher-resolution camera (1): I also found it surprising--considering that the iPhone's $500-$600 price tag places it well within the range of Nokia's 5-megapixel N95 cameraphone--that only one editor wanted a more capable camera in the iPhone. (Disclosure: I was that one editor, and I just want to be able to stop carrying around my compact digicam.)
What wasn't requested: As interesting as what did make our list of hoped-for hardware changes is what didn’t: after a month of use, not a single editor requested a "real" keyboard. Based on conversations around the office (and the panel discussion on the next Macworld podcast, out soon), it appears most of us have been pleasantly surprised by the iPhone's onscreen keyboard--both by how well its predictive and corrective technologies work and by how fast we've been able to adjust to typing on a touchscreen.
Apple has released iPhone Software 1.0.1, featuring security fixes and perhaps some bug fixes too. You can download it by attaching your iPhone to iTunes, and clicking on the Check for Update button.
Be warned: If you've hacked your phone you'll probably need to restore in order to use the update.
And be doubly warned: "restoring from a backup" exposes the fact that iTunes doesn't necessarily back up all of your iPhone data. For example, after I restored my iPhone, I've discovered that my "backup" doesn't remember my e-mail account settings, my Phone favorites, my camera roll, my SMS history, my Wi-Fi passwords and remembered networks, all my Notes... (Your mileage may vary widely based on your backups and your sync settings.)
So don't update on an empty stomach, is what I'm saying. And have plenty of spare time on your hands.
At the risk of turning into iPhone Battery Central, here's something that might bring a ray of sunshine to the lives of those disappointed with the fact that the iPhone's battery is not user-replaceable. The first third-party battery replacement kit has hit the market, courtesy of Brando (no, not the godfather himself, the Hong Kong company with a penchant for making all things USB).
The kit, which goes for $20, consists of a battery, a pair of tools—read: a plastic shim and a little screwdriver—for cracking the iPhone open and installing the battery, and a list of instructions. Now, while you might be tempted to save a pretty penny over Apple's own battery replacements, this probably isn't a process you should be attempting unless you're supremely confident of your technical prowess (or willing to spend another $500 when you inadvertently brick your phone).
[via Gizmodo]
The iPhone hackathon continues as the enterprising programmers begin putting together the first real third-party applications for the platform. While we last week saw the existence of an application that did nothing more than print "Hello World," others have now built upon that foundation to produce applications that actually do something.
Justin Schwalbe has created a program called iDecorator that allows you to set the iPhone's wallpaper. Big whoop, right? You can already do that. Ah, but at the moment you're either limited to pictures taken with the iPhone's camera, or those that you've synced with your computer. iDecorator lets you select any image from Safari on the iPhone and set that to your wallpaper.
It's not exactly the smoothest app we've ever seen, as it requires running a fair amount of technical knowledge just to get the app on the iPhone, along with a multi-step process to get the wallpaper set correctly. But those are mere details, my friends. If nothing else, Justin has shown, as we predicted, that third-party apps that fill holes in the iPhone's functionality are indeed possible without Apple's blessing. The question now is whether Apple will look the other way or will actively try to hinder progress.
[via Wired]
As if an Illinois class action suit about the iPhone's battery wasn't enough, New York State's Consumer Protection Board has jumped into the fray with similar complaints. Yesterday, the organization sent a letter to Steve Jobs taking issue with some of the additional costs of the device.
Among their issues: that the battery costs $80 to replace, which includes a trip to Apple; that you have to pay $29 for a loaner phone; that a 10% restocking fee is charged if the phone is returned; and that there's a fourteen day trial period. "A high-end cell phone shouldn't have to have low-end customer service," said CPB Chairperson Mindy Bockstein.
I'm not precisely sure what their problem with the last is—that it's not long enough? It would certainly be nice if Apple would consider dropping some of the fees, but I wonder whether or not they're really onerous enough to merit this kind of attention. No product, after all, is perfect, but the iPhone happens to just be more prominent than many. Charging a fee for the loaner on top of the battery replacement is a bit annoying; it'd be nice if that was bundled into the cost of the battery replacement service. And as far as restocking fees go, I'd be in favor of the industry getting rid of them as a whole.
It was only a matter of time before someone was taking legal action over the iPhone: the only question was, on what topic? I would have bet it was being locked to a specific cell phone provider—but then, I would have been wrong.
Gizmodo is reporting that a man by the name of Jose Trujillo has filed a class action suit in a Cook County, Illinois court because the iPhone's battery is not user replaceable. The crux of Trujillo's argument is twofold: one, that Apple did not explicitly tell customers prior to purchase that the iPhone battery was not user-replaceable; two, that "The battery enclosed in the iPhone can only be charged approximately 300 times before it will be in need of replacement, necessitating a new battery annually for owners of the iPhone."
As to the first statement, Philip Elmer-DeWitt at Apple 2.0 has an excellent timeline of what Apple has said about the battery.
But as to the second, well, as we've reported, Apple has said that this is blantantly false. Four hundred full charge cycles will lower the battery's capacity to 80% of its original, and most users are unlikely to go through that many cycles in one year (or, according to PC Magazine's death clock, even two years). True, it would be nice if we could swap batteries in and out of the iPhone, but I'm not sure it's an actionable offense. But that'll be up to the judge to decide.
The moral of this story? Clearly, Mr. Trujillo should read our blog.
[Photo from iFixit]
The online Apple Store was down ever so briefly this morning, and quick as a wink reappeared with only slight updates. While there was nothing brand new added, the availability of several products has been improved: iPhones, for example, are now shipping within 24 hours; Apple's Bluetooth headset is shipping in 5-7 business days; and Shure's Music Phone Adapter is apparently now shipping as well.
Most other accessories seem to be shipping within 24 hours as well, although a few are at the 5-7 day mark—I saw only one product that had a shipping time of more than a week. One month out, it seems like the launch rush is finally over, and we're settling down into the halcyon days of iPhone plentitude.
It seems like only Friday that my colleague Jim Dalrymple was explaining how to put custom ringtones on your iPhone using an app called iFuntastic. But a lot can happen in just a few short days, and iFuntastic has seen a pair of updates that bring a slew of new functionality and an easier-to-use interface.
iFuntastic 2.1 lets you not only add custom ringtones, but also replace the carrier graphic in the top lefthand corner of the screen with a graphic of your own choice. No longer will you have to stare at that AT&T graphic taunting you. You can use an image of up to 65x20, though iFuntastic recommends a height of 18 pixels.
And, as if that's not enough, iFuntastic even lets you rearrange the icons on your iPhone's home screen, or even remove them completely. Tired of having Text as the first entry? Move it. Don't need Stocks? See ya. Want to swap your iPod and Phone buttons, or move the Weather into that bottom row. Knock yourself out.
As always, the program comes with caveats: these alterations are performed at your own risk. In most cases, restoring your phone should fix any problems, though it's always possible that, well, it won't. Happy hacking!
On the lead page of our Mac Beat section (and on the table of contents, too) of the current issue of Macworld magazine there's a wire-service picture of a super-happy guy who was one of the first to leave the 5th Avenue Apple Store in New York with an iPhone.
Turns out it's Vincent Nguyen, who happens to run a Web site devoted to the iPhone and other smart phones, My iTablet. The wire photo didn't include any identification, so we couldn't say who the happy guy was. But now we know: it's a happy guy with his own web site devoted to that product he was holding in his hands. And now you know too.
[Hat tips: Vincent Nguyen and my itablet fanboy]
