Help Build the ultimate iPhone feature request list
Posted by Dr. Macenstein
We’ve had the pleasure of using the iPhone for a couple days now, and while we certainly view it as a technological marvel, there is always room for improvement.
Since Apple itself has said there will be future software updates to add new functionality to the iPhone, we thought we would compile a list of things we’d personally like to see in the iPhone, and we’d like your help.
We invite you to add your ideas in the comments below, and we’ll add the ones we think are the best to the master list. (And if anything we bring up here actually is already possible in the iPhone, please let us know. We don’t claim to be iPhone experts yet). We’re not really looking for things like “add more storage” or “add a faster network”. We’re more looking for things that can be added via software/firmware to improve the way the current iPhone functions.
The list will be updated periodically as we continue to test the iPhone.
-The Doc
Add Copy and Paste – this should be a no-brainer. The question is of course, how would it work given the touchscreen interface? I think the iPhone needed one extra multi-function “physical” button somewhere on the exterior which could be programmed to handle different functions based on the app. This would be one scenario where I could see that button handling a selection/copy text motion when held down and the cursor was dragged across. But there could be other methods of doing this using the existing interface.
Display should have an auto-dim/off function to conserve battery life (I am aware of the auto-lock feature, and this is not what I mean). Since battery life is a concern with an all-in-one device, I don’t see why there is not a setting to control the screen brightness during inactivity. For example, if you navigate to the iPhone’s main menu, and then put the iPhone on the desk and walk away, an hour later the main menu screen will still be shinning brightly (perhaps even damaging the screen!). If you leave it charging over night with that screen showing, it will have been on all night. Similarly, if you are playing tracks in iTunes, the screen will not dim either (I paused a music track over 25 minutes ago, and the screen has been using full power the entire time). A “regular” iPod’s screen will dim after a certain amount of time. Laptops have a similar function. On the iPhone, the only way to set this is to set up the auto-lock to go on, which is not always ideal. I would like to see the screen dim or go black after a user-defined time period, and be able to be woken by a touch, not a physical button press. [UPDATE: I noticed if you have the iPhone plugged into a wall outlet charging, and have your auto-lock turned ON, the phone will not lock, and will instead dim the display after the set time (depending on what you are doing, this is not consistent throughout the iPhone. The iPhone display dims when on the main screen, or while playing a song with the “iPod” screen up, but if you pause a song while charging, it will lock, not dim).
Not sure if this is intentional, but it is an example of what I want the iPhone to do when inactive and auto-lock is NOT turned on.
Drag URL onto “new page” icon to open a link in a new page – If you press and hold on a link in Safari, the link’s the url appears. Since there is no “right click” to open the link in a new tab (page), I think it would be cool if you could drag that “pop-up” link onto the New Page icon to open it in a new page.
Safari Password Storing – I understand mobile phones are particularly susceptible to theft and the iPhone perhaps even more so due to it’s “hot gadget” status, but I would love for Safari to be able to remember website passwords. The way see this working would be a “Keychain” type of functionality where one password could unlock them all. Have it timeout periodically for security (optional 5, 10, 30 min settings). Even entering the same password every half hour would be preferable to having to remember 30 others. Macenstein reader Kendall adds “I want Keychain on the iPhone as well, but also some kind of interface for reviewing and adding to the contents of Keychain – I’d like to be able to add other account codes there as well to be held securely.”
Widescreen keyboard should be an option for EVERY app that handles text, not just Safari. It’s just easier to type on a larger keyboard.
EVERY app should rotate when the iPod rotates. Mail and Notes especially, but maps would be cool too.
Add a master “Address Book/ Contacts” button to the main interface
Add an iTunes/Music controller to the top menu bar The top of the menu bar displays a little “play” icon when iTunes is playing music. When in any other app, you should be able to tap that triangle once to pause, and again to play. It is annoying to have to tap the “main menu” button, then “iPod”, then “pause” if you need to quickly and briefly pause the music.
Flash and Java Support Obviously this will be tricky, but it will go a long way toward allowing developers to code more “app-like” applications for the iPhone, and should open up games to the iPhone as well. The problems are of course these will likely be crippled in some way by Apple/AT&T to discourage VoIP apps from being written. Rumors are Flash support will be added sooner than later, so perhaps we’ll get an idea of Java’s future when we see how Flash is handled.
Add “Disk Mode” like standard iPods I can’t tell you how many times I use my iPod to move files to and from work. Let’s get this going on the iPhone. After all, it is meant to help limit the number of devices we carry around. I don’t want to keep my old iPod or a thumb drive handy.
Ability to assign more than one signature in Mail It took Apple a long time to being this feature to the “regular” version of OS X’s Mail, but now that it’s there, why didn’t they carry it over to the Mail settings? The “signature” option should be located under each mail account’s prefs, allowing you to assign a different signature to each sending address
I should be able to decline a call when the iPhone is “locked” If you manually lock your iPhone (or it auto locks after a set time) and you receive a call, you are presented only with the option of “Slide to unlock and answer phone”. I cannot decline the call and stop it from ringing without answering it. This is potentially embarrassing in a meeting situation where you want to silence your phone’s ringing without taking the call (I know there is a silent mode switch, but that is not the same. I want to be able to send people right into voicemail, instead of having everyone listen to my phone vibrate until they are sent to voicemail). Unlocking a ringing iPhone should NOT auto answer it (unless you set it in a preference). It should merely unlock it and then give you the answer/decline button it normally shows if it. again, this is just another option that you should be able to set in a $600 cutting edge phone. [UPDATE: Apparently you can decline a call by pushing the wake/sleep button twice. I still think it should work with the touch button, but at least it is possible]
Add “Games” Fairies, would be an awesome one for the touchscreen.
Add “Rules” to iPhone’s Mail This would go along with adding folders, most likely, but it would be useful in deleting junk mail (unless Apple decides to let the iPhone respect Junk Mail headers (see below)).
User defined custom ringtones I KNOW this must be a feature Apple will eventually add; they must have just not had time for everything. But NO phone calling itself a “music phone” limits this feature. One of us here at Macenstein has already said this is the sole reason he is holding out on buying an iPhone. I understand that perhaps Apple wants to start selling ringtones via iTunes, but let’s not get greedy Apple. There’s room for both.
Let us browse the device via Bluetooth I’d like to be able to get the photos I took with the iPhone onto my computer without having to e-mail them back and forth. Similarly, I’d like to be able to perhaps pull off notes. [UPDATE: A few people have pointed out iPhoto will try to import your iPhone pics when attached to your computer. I have 2 problems with using iPhoto as the conduit for photos. 1) I want to also be able to drag photos ON to the iPhone without adding them to my iPhoto library. For instance, many site have started making iPhone sized wallpapers of various subjects. I don’t want a picture of Mr. Sparkle from the Simpsons or some Suicide girls in my iPhone library, but i MIGHT want them on my iPhone as wallpaper. 2) Anyone know what Windows users do?
Time stamping on SMS messages. There is none. What’s up with that?
Add a “period” key to the main keyboard.
Directory access, or at very least, access to the photos folder So you can upload iPhone photos to websites that support that like flickr.
A “multiple delete” key for e-mail Right now you have to delete each message individually. (Maybe add a “checkbox” system, like many webmail clients use to perform bulk actions).
Ability to remove Application icons from the main menu screen I’m sure as Apple adds apps this will become possible. It bothers me that a slot is taken up by the “Clock” app right now. While it is somewhat convenient to know what time it is in Tokyo at the moment, my current time is right at the top of the iPhone. The Clock seems like it was turned into an application just for the sake of filling a hole.
Add audio output option to alarms and ringer Similar the iPod’s options for the clickwheel sound to be heard in the “headphone”, “speaker”, or “both”, I think ringtones and alarm reminders should have these options. Putting the phone in “silent mode” will not make the alarm silent, or play only via headphones. There are times when I use the timer to time something, like when a DVD or set of video dubs is scheduled to finish. I’d like to have the option of me being the only one who hears my alarm go off.
Let us use an iTunes song/playlist for our alarm. – While we’re on the topic of the alarm, Macenstein reader Ryan says “I know I’m probably one of the 7 people who use their iPhone as an alarm clock, but the oversight of actually selecting from the music library is beyond me. I don’t want to wake up to a ringtone, i want to select from the 1,000 songs i put on the iPod. Come on, Apple, that’s easy. Step it up.”
Add Cover Flow view for contacts. – Macenstein reader Daniel
Video Out like 5G iPod – Macenstein reader Tracy
Ability to send text messages to multiple recipients – Macenstein reader David
Ability to open a link in a new page Maybe a two finger tap?- Macenstein reader Michael McLean
iChat Built in chat functions like AIM or MSN – Macenstein reader Kris Snow
A way to email the full 2 Megapixel pictures taken from the camera At current it only emails a 640X480 picture. – Macenstein reader SeanG (We agree. We only noticed this behavior ourselves this afternoon. Disappointing).
Customizable Dictionary – Macenstein reader Doug Hardman
Safari bookmarks syncing should work like music/video playlist syncing. I don’t need my iPhone to have every bookmark that my desktop Safari has – there should be an ‘iPhone folder’ or an option to mark certain bookmarks with a ’sync to iPhone’ flag. – Macenstein reader El Payo
Pseudo GPS since there is not GPS chipset inside the iPhone, have google maps jump to the cell tower that you are currently logged on to – Macenstein reader john95127
Mail client should respect the mail server’s junk mail headings and not download junkmail (We personally think this is a great idea!) Macenstein reader JTK
Ability to use the iPhone as a wireless modem Wireless modem for my laptop via Bluetooth, via serial (to save power), Wireless modem for my laptop via WiFi. (mini WAP). – Macenstein reader BusinessGuy
MMS Seems a next gen phone should support this current-gen feature. – Macenstein reader Ferna
A true RSS reader RSS almost makes more sense on an iPhone than a computer. – Macenstein reader Michael McLean
Get Groups working in iPhone’s Mail Groups within address book do not retain their functionality in Mail. In Mail on OS X, inputting a Group Name into the To: field will automatically add all the email addresses you have stored in that group. Mail on the iPhone does not seem to support this feature. – Macenstein reader ScooterD
Video recording We’re not sure if this is possible or not via software/firmware, but we’re listing it anyway. Again, this is just one of those things found in clunkier, cheaper phones that an iPhone should be allowed to do. – Macenstein reader Florian Vanthuyne
Video uploading to YouTube and while we’re at it. let’s make it possible to upload those iPhone-shot videos to YouTube – Dr. Macenstein
Private photo gallery in Photos app I’d like a password protected album in the photo app. That’s the place where friends seem to go first to check out pictures and I’d love to have pictures that are my own private jokes and memories that are protected from being pawned through by others asking questions: ex-girlfriends/parents that kind of thing. People who are into mobile porn would probably like this too. – Macenstein reader Patrick
Support for Bluetooth GPS devices with Maps integration Bluetooth GPS devices are relatively inexpensive, have decent battery life, and wouldn’t have to add any bulk to the phone itself, since they’re external. – Macenstein reader ClunkClunk
Call duration We should know how long a call lasted. At the moment there is no way to see how long was a call. – Macenstein reader Jptolife
We actually can see this being useful to those who require time billing, like lawyers and such who charge for phone calls.
Support for AirTunes Since this is the first iPod with WiFi, I think support for AirTunes would be a welcome addition. Currently, you can only stream iTunes music to AirPort Express speakers from a computer. AirTunes directly from an iPod would eliminate need to use a computer for this. Just sit on the sofa with your iPhone, stream music to your speakers over WiFi. – Macenstein reader bky (We’re not sure if this is possible with the iPhone’s current hardware, but it is a cool idea).
Voice Dialing Hard to understand why on earth they left this out, but I would have waited to buy had I known it did not have it. I make alot of calls from my car (via bluetooth headset), and voice dialing is essential. – Macenstein reader Erik Olsen
How about a To Do list tool that syncs with iCal/Outlook? – Macenstein reader Laszlo
E-book reader (eReader) – Macenstein reader Chris
Ability to turn pictures off when browsing on safari with edge for faster load times. – Macenstein reader chris miles
Rearrange & Reorder I Googled for an hour trying to find out how to reorder my email accounts, stock lists & photo albums NADA, lemme drag & drop everything, please. – Macenstein reader Brett L
Add a search feature in the contacts bar When somebody like me has 1200 contacts they will get mixed up in different letters. An optional search bar should be included. – Macenstein reader Anonymous
Add a voice recorder I used this function constantly on my old phone. whether it be an idea for a song, or a spoken idea i couldn’t type out while driving, this was indispensable. – Macenstein reader lonelysandwich
Spotlight all over the place Mail, contacts, music, calendars, it should be everywhere. – Macenstein reader Allison
GPS via Dock connection I would like if there was an gps that could use the 30 pin connection at the bottom of the phone so it uses less battery life than blue tooth. – Macenstein reader Chris
Wi-Fi only mode How about letting me turn off the phone but not WiFi. I’ on vacation in a place with no cell coverage, but we do have WiFi here. My battery lasts only a day with the phone searching for a signal it is never going to find. – Macenstein reader John
iTunes Store I’m shocked you can’t buy things directly from iTunes on Apple’s first iPod + internet device, it seems ridiculous. And weird, cause they could make so much money from that. – Macenstein reader Allison
Allow all Application icons to display info Weather and clock icons should update continuously like the Calendar. Also, the calender should have notification buttons on it when you have an event within a specific time frame..for example if i have a meeting today one hour before the meting a “1″ notification button should appear on the calender- Macenstein readers Corey Gomel and Drew Russell
Add “dialed” and “received” to Call Lists Currently, the call lists are for All and missed. How about dialed and received as well? – Macenstein reader Seth Tepfer
Custom Dictionary I would like to add that I wish there was a way to teach the keyboard/dictionary words. I have used the “notes†features extensively to keep track of my day and find myself retyping some of the same words all the time and they are words that my phone doesn’t know yet. – Macenstein reader Kathleen
Turn the volume up to 11 Better volume while on calls and speakerphone. Louder ring tones. – Macenstein readers ballyhoo and Jamie
Mail fodlers Since I only use the POP email feature (currently) I would like the way to make a new folder to put mail into. They have the option to move a message to another folder, but only options are Inbox, OutBox, Sent, Trash. I would like to be able to make a new folder such as *save* so I can move emails (such as an email with my resume) into it so I can have it at all times without always seeing it in my inbox. – Macenstein reader Clint L
Contact Categories i got used to having categories in my Treo. Now I miss it. I want to be able to see filters for restaurants, family, doctors, co-workers. – Macenstein reader Bret L We agree. iTunes should have the option to sync only selected groups from the Mac’s address book. I do not want something like drugstore.com added in my iPhone’s address book just because I had them in My Mac’s “stores” addresses used to perform a rule.
Keep the suggestions comin’ folks!
[UPDATE: WOW. This list is growing fast! Thanks so much for all your comments. If Apple adds even a quarter of these suggestions in the coming months they will have the most revolutionary handheld device to date. And thanks for keeping (most of these) actually feasible! ]
[UPDATE 2: I have sent this link to Apple via their iPhone feedback page.]
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I’d like to see a more detailed view of the battery life when unplugged, similar to the display when the iPhone is docked. All we have currently is the little icon in the top left which is only mildly accurate.
Speech!
I want the iPhone to speak who is calling me. My old LG phone use to have a setting where it would read out-loud who was calling before it would ring. This way I knew who was calling without having to look at the phone, it also lets me screen my calls audibly. I see little reason why the iPhone shouldn’t have both voice recognition and speech, Mac OS X already does.
We who love Net Neutrality should be boycotting the iphone because of ATT and it’s desire to do away with Net Neutrality. Boycott the iphone !
Here’s a nice way to select multiple emails for deletion: Simply use multi-touch to select many of them with the two fingers! (one finger selects the first one, and while holding that finger down, the second one can select the last email on the list).
Note that this applies not only to emails but to ANY multiple-selection list!
I’m listening to music with my new shiny iPhone. Cool. Now, wouldn’t be great if I come home and it would automatically switch to my HiFi Stereo? That’s my killer feature: AirTunes built right in the iPhone!
1) The ability for the iPhone to always be able to send mail.
Right now, you can only have one SMTP server per email account. So, what that means, if I’m at home using Cox’s SMTP, when I leave and go to work, I either have to go into that account’s settings to type in the SMTP that my iPhone can use through my work router, or wait until I get back home.
Realistically, the iPhone should automatically send through at&t’s SMTP (which I’ve had no luck doing with the SMTP their support section provides) if it can’t resolve any other user-entered SMTP servers.
2) No Reply-To address field? I have only ONE email as far as everyone is concerned… it’s a bigfoot account that distributes it to my webpage email, gmail, and yahoo. The problem is that since there’s no reply to field, everyone will now get up to 3 emails for me, when they should only have the one. This is just blatant email standard disregard.
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Flash support in Safari. It’s not a very needed feature, but it would be nice.
I WANT FLASH!!!
I’d like the “For Follow-up” flag in Mail — and I’d like to be able to “keep” a message, even after it goes past the “show x messages” threshold.
Also why on earth can’t I view PDFs in landscape mode? Seems like a no-brainer…
1) A button to take you all the way back to the email accounts page. This is mildly annoying when you have multiple email accounts – it now takes you several button presses to get back to the accounts page to choose your other account.
2) The ability to update subfolders to your Inbox while POP’ing email. As it stands currently, it will only POP your inbox, but if you have Exchange Rules to filter email to specific folders, it won’t update those folders until you manually go look in them to see if there is anything new.
3) The ability to save a picture as a wallpaper or save to your pictures from email or from Safari. Currently there is no way to set pictures you find on the web or was emailed to you as a wallpaper or save them to your pictures. Some way to interact with pictures on the web via Safari would be very nice.
4) A way to email the full 2 Megapixel pictures taken from the camera. At current it only emails a 640X480 picture.
We also created a list of the main 40 lacks and limitations to the iPhone. Maybe it’s time to send it to Steve?
All the limitations and restrictions of the iPhone system
Dude, if you don’t want an iPhone, don’t get one. Half your points are personal preference, many are just incorrect (#20 for example), and the rest Apple left out by choice. The iPhone has some flaws and there are a few things that I would like added, but if it didn’t have the features I wanted, I would just get a different phone. I wouldn’t post a 45-point list about what’s wrong with it.
Dr. Mac:
Addressing your 2nd bullet, auto-dim IS possible. Go to Settings > General > Auto-Lock and set a time. I set mine for 1 minute and the screen dims after 45 seconds of inactivity and then goes to sleep at 1 minute.
Safari bookmarks syncing should work like music/video playlist syncing. I don’t need my iPhone to have every bookmark that my desktop Safari has – there should be an ‘iPhone folder’ or an option to mark certain bookmarks with a ‘sync to iPhone’ flag.
text messages…it should show the time and date of EACH message sent and recieved. im not sure exactly how it distingueshes when a “convorsation” is over or w/e but it seems to almost randomly decide when to put the time of a text. FIX IT. the iphone needs so much work…would anybody recomend returning my iphone and waiting untill the next gen? or will the updates take care of everything, in the future.
get with it apple
Here are my complaints:
Can’t add SMTP servers in mail
Can’t add multiple photos in an email
Can’t use iChat!!!!!!!!
Can’t edit contact groups
Can’t switch accounts if one mail server isn’t working
Can’t edit weather locations order
Synching with bluetooth on my computer does nothing
Can’t find other devices on Bluetooth
Can’t check email more often than 15 minutes
Provide 3G, EDGE and WIMAX support.
“[UPDATE: Apparently you can decline a call by pushing the wake/sleep button twice. I still think it should work with the touch button, but at least it is possible]”
You only have to press it once, not twice, and I just reconfirmed that three times on my phone just now. 🙂 It’s way easier to do this if it’s in your pocket too.
“Display should have an auto-dim/off function to conserve battery life”
The iPhone has this feature already. First, under “Brightness” if you select “Auto Brightness” your phone will dim greatly if not used within around 30s. Under “General” you can select “Auto Lock” and a period. If you don’t have a passcode set you’ll just have to “slide to unlock.” This is good because it prevents accidental turn-on in your pocket.
“Time stamping on SMS messages. There is none. What’s up with that?”
There are timestamps. When the initial message is sent a timestamp appears on top. If a new message occurs something like 2-5 minutes from the last a timestamp is added. They’re grouped instead of individual. On the text message list screen it will also show the last time a text message was received.
The rest I agree with though, especially the widescreen keyboard in every keyboard-usable app.
Since this is the first iPod with WiFi, I think support for AirTunes would be a welcome addition. Currently, you can only stream iTunes music to AirPort Express speakers from a computer. AirTunes directly from an iPod would eliminate need to use a computer for this. Just sit on the sofa with your iPhone, stream music to your speakers over WiFi.
Syncing over WiFi will also address the speed issues with trying to copy large files over Bluetooth. There is already a form of TCP/IP sync between your computer and .Mac, so this should not be extremely difficult.
Also, one thing to note about the clock – it does more than just tell you the times in various zones. It’s also an alarm clock, a timer and a stopwatch. So it’s useful, but it would be nice to remove apps.
1. Voice Dialing – hard to understand why on earth they left this out, but I would have waited to buy had I known it did not have it. I make alot of calls from my car (via bluetooth headset), and voice dialing is essential.
2. Flight status widget(s)
3. Fandango widget – would be great to buy movie tickets with my iphone without having to print a “receipt” to present to the theater to get my tickets.
i would like to know what “david” asked…
would it be worth returning the iphone now and waiting for the next generation or will almost everything be updatable through itunes???
I was going to say, I never changed settings and my phone dims after about a minute, and locks shortly after that – and the screen being on “damaging the screen”? Come on!
As for photos on Windows – I’m still not sure how photos wuld get loaded in, but when I plug the phone into Windows to sync it asks me which application I want to use to load images.
X01HT: We don’t care what your X01HT can do, and almost all your complaints about the iPhone are invalid or at least very ill-informed (there is an adapter that lets any headphone work just fine with the iPhone headphone jack). In fact the iPhone would suck if they implemented half the crap you want to load it up with (file browser?). Try complaining about a device you have used before, OK? There are needs to fill, but you are thinking tangentally to how the device operates, and just parroting all the common misconceptions and myths about problems with the device.
Kendall,
You are referring to the auto-lock feature as a screen dim/protector. I think of it more as a “hold switch”. There are times you do not want the screen to go black, and there are time when you do not want auto-lock on. All I am saying is I think it would be helpful to have a menu option under BRIGHTNESS for “auto-dim display after 1, 5,10 15 minutes”.
I personally find it annoying that if you are listening to a song, and your autolock goes on, in order to pause your iPhone you need to press one of the physical buttons to wake it, then slide to unlock, then tape the pause button. Wouldn’t it be easier if tapping the glass woke it, and you hit pause? the iPod is pretty well thought out and refined. I think the iPhone should borrow as much from it as it can.
Just my opinion, of course, we are all entitled.
-The Doc
– BTW: there *is* “Time stamping on SMS messages. ”
– Calendar: ability to add an event by touching a time interval
– Photos: support for subfolders! I have about 2000 photos, and even split into 10 folders, automatic support of subfolders would be great (I just can’t put all 130 sub-folders at the same top level and click each one of them from iTunes)
– Photos: quick way to erase all pictures (from Camera Roll or folder)
– Photos: send through MMS
– Settings: Usage: total number of SMS sent so far (to check against the 200 limit)
– Phone: Favorites: click on a contact blue arrow, there should be an “Edit” bottom on the top right, just like in “Contacts”
– Mail: Add a “Mark all read” button to mark all emails as read
– Mail: Add a “Empty trash” button
– Web: even if there is only one page, add a button in the “pages” view so that it can be closed just like if there were multiple pages
– Web: at least a cache for the last 5 pages.
– Web: zoom in / zoom out using the volume button on the left side of the iPhone (like the Nokia N800, *much* more practical than pinching).
P.S. – I want Keychain on the iPhone as well, but also some kind of interface for reviewing and adding to the contents of Keychain – I’d like to be able to add other account codes there as well to be held securely.
Many functions could be enabled by gestures.
Some things are done better with a stylus, like drawing, which is something else I would like to see it do.
LDJ
my motorola razr has better features than this thing.
I’d like a shell and ssh pre-installed. One of the main attractions to OS X was the ability to utilize all things unix. This is the only reason why I didn’t buy one.
BLUETOOTH OR WIRELESS SYNC
I have a Sony 810i and I was amazed by the integration that I could get with OSX. The bluetooth capabilities are used to the extreme by OSX with this phone. The computer alerts me when I get a call, use my phone as a network hub, modem and a remote control!!! Also using scripts from http://www.technocrat.ca/?p=44 with combination with an application called Proximity my phone becomes a proximity key to the computer and also makes possible regular auto syncing.
I was hoping that iPhone will take this to the next level like a better notification of calls (who is calling….) and using my computer to answer the call and also use the computer as a bluetooth/wireless headset.
If bluetooth is considered too slow for media sycing then we can use the wifi capablities of the Phone. Even if this is felt as being insuffuicient (Jobs feels that if the wifi is good enough for streaming media read youtube, then I think it should also be good enough for syncing), then maybe just leave out media and allow other data to be synced. PLEASE.
The bluetooth capabilities have been severely hampered and I hope as apple has been pointing out repeatedly the phone runs OSX. I hope a further update will add these capabilities.
You can choose not to accept a call without unlocking already.
Tap the sleep button once to shut off the ringing, double tap to send the caller to your voice mail.
Also, you’ll have no need of a period on the main keyboard after you read this tip:
Works for me.
I totally disagree with the copy/paste. That would be a mess. You can’t even select text right now!
If people are requesting copy/paste it’s because they want a specific work flow, such as email a URL or add email in web page to contacts. That makes sense.
No copy or paste please!
In addition to the features mentioned I have a minor improvement and a borrowed suggestion from a Flickr thread.
• In calculator mode, the + and – keys are in the wrong place and should be swapped.
Almost all calculators have the + button next to the = button (and/or in the bottom right corner), the iPhone, in trying to mimic the button layout of a Braun ET calculator, places the – button next to the = button and shifts the + button up to a less obvious position. Odd.
Now for the (borrowed) suggestion:
• In calculator mode, it should become a more advanced, scientific calculator when rotated to landscape mode.
How about a To Do list tool that syncs with iCal/Outlook? I can’t believe Apple skipped that.
I would like to welcome screen (i.e., screen displayed before the iPhone is unlocked) to show the next iCal event, unread messages, etc. (what is displayed should be chosen by the user)
Wow, do you folks even have an iPhone? There’s so much BAD information in here:
1) iPhone supports IMAP IDLE.
2) Two taps of the Home button DOES NOT take you to Favorites in Phone
3) Auto-Dim/off is available if enabled under Auto-Lock (yes, someone put that in there)
4) iPhone supports AJAX, it’s one of the main tools for developing web applications for it.
5) x01HT: How about listing a feature request once, instead of 2 and 3 times, we get it, keep your dumb phone (and complaining that the screen resolution is *too* high, is just dumb)
6) You can activate just fine with a Family plan, just not a business discount plan
7) Screen protectors work just fine, not that you need them, since you can’t scratch the glass even intentionally (lots of video on ‘net providing this)
8) You’re complaining that we have 8GB of storage, compared to your 2? Dumb.
9) 700MB for a full-blown OS running on a device is pretty good. Also, keep in mind no where does it SAY that’s all used, simply reserved.
10) You don’t have a GF.
11) It has a calculator. It’s the widget called “Calculator”. You’ve clearly not even seen a device, or apparently any of the thousands of pictures of one.
12) I don’t think you should comment on the revolutionary aspects of a device that you’ve never held in your hand, or used. Anyone who has held one, and used it, wants one.
13) Web-based SSH client is already available
14) A “weekly” view can be easily obtained by just putting it in List view, where it will list as many events from the current day forward as will fit on the screen. This is more than adequate. Also in month view, tapping a day lists all the events for that day underneath the calendar.
15) Two finger selection of multiple items in lists doesn’t work (at least not in Email)
In regards to the request for an auto-dim function, the iPhone does have an ALS (Ambient Light Sensor) that you can turn on in Settings > Brightness that will Auto-Dim the display. It’s called Auto-Brightness. Just turn it on and you will have a sort of “auto-dim,” at least in low-light situations. I know it’s not exactly what you want, but it’s something.
Now, if you want it to shutoff/go into Stand-by soon or at all do the following: tap Settings > General > Auto-Lock > and set it to the desired value. The iPhone display will then dim, then turn off after the specified amount of time has passed. I don’t have time to read the rest of the requests, but I’ll bookmark this site and come back and check from time to time to see if there are any other requests I can accomodate.
SysAdmin: please do not publish my email or IP address, thanks!
My suggestions to add to the list:
1. Bluetooth/internet sync for calendar — this needs to be synced more often than
a full iTunes sync
2. iChat
I would like to see a hooker button that I could press and see the rates, photos, and location of all the ho’s in my area! It could be tied to maps somehow! Now that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout! See y’all out on the course! I’m *still* seachin’ ya know!
What about an option to re-map the keyboard as dvorak? I use dvorak on my laptop and love it and would like to be consistent and besides it’s faster.
Feature: I’d like to see the ability to open a link in another “tab” in Safari.
Feature: I’d like the ability to bookmark a page in Safari on the iPhone.
Bug: when you exit Safari and then return, it doesn’t always remember which tab it was on.
Feature: I’d like to see other tabs be able to load contents in the background.
Bug: sometimes pages seem to loose their contents and have to be reloaded when you switch tabs and/or exit/re-enter Safari. Also, Safari sometimes crashes which is a bug not a feature request but obviously I’d like to see it fixed.
Bug: Music stops when surfing (I believe the iPod application is actually crashing).
Bug: Intermittently I can’t seem to unlock my iPhone while it is in the dock being charged.
Bug: Keyboard responsiveness in web forms in Safari is inversely proportional to page length.
Feature: I would like to see some means by which mail rules could be applied when my computer is not on. I subscribe to many mailing lists and I have rules which move messages into folders for each list and then I wish to actually see messages which aren’t moved. Some of these lists are high volume, so I’m being alerted more often than I would like for new mail. This is using .mac mail.
Feature: Alerts for email are currently causing my phone to vibrate AND music to fade briefly while it vibrates/chimes. It should really do one or the other. I want lots of notification for a call, but minor notification for email or text messages.
Bug: The WiFi on the iPhone won’t stay connected to the network at my office. iStumbler reports the vendor as 00-16-9C (whatever that means). It might be not configured correctly, but my MacBook Pro has no trouble staying connected. We have 3 iPhones in my office and they all have this same problem.
Things I’d like:
1) Missing software:
1.1) Virtual Keyboard on demand: a way to call the keyboard anytime from anywhere and type in
1.2) Configurable keyboard: using a file definition of the keyboard (international settings or alternate settings)
1.3) Copy, Paste & clipboard
1.4) Everything should work in landscape mode as well (including keyboard)
1.5) OS X Finder with search
1.6) Launcher configurable and working also in landscape
1.7) Disk mode
1.8) Manual management of music
1.9) Voice dial
1.10) User defined ring tones (including itunes songs)
1.11) Support of Flash
1.12) Support of Java
1.13) Capability to build applications for the iPhone (not only Web)
1.14) E-book reader (eReader)
1.15) Chat
1.16) To-do list that could be synchronized with the computer
1.17) Notes widget enhanced to be synchronized with the computer
1.18) Use the camera to record movies
1.19) Record voice
1.20) Full bluetooth with sync through bluetooth and send file capability, external mouse and keyboard
1.21) MMS
1.22) Use the iPhone as a modem for the computer
1.23) Unlocked phone
1.24) Create custom folders in Mail
2) Hardware changes:
2.1) Removable battery
2.2) SD slot
2.3) GPS
2.4) Web cam doubled with another one in the front of the iPhone => use as a webcam
2.5) Connect to a TV set to display movies or pictures (same as iPod)
2.6) Active USB port
Add support for the Flash Player.
Play WMV/WAV files from the mail interface. Maybe it already does this but I can’t listen to the voicemails that get emailed to me on my VoIP phone through the interface for some reason.
#1 Request – VOICE DIALING
I want an iPhone, but I cannot live without voice dialing. (And this means voice dialing of any contact in the contacts list.) In fact it is not safe to use the phone while driving without voice dialing. I have to assume this will be a software upgrade since there is already a speaker & microphone in the device.
Please make it soon…
# I’d like a shell and ssh pre-installed. One of the main attractions to OS X was the ability to utilize all things unix. This is the only reason why I didn’t buy one.
This is not a full version OSX – it’s just like WIndows and Windows Mobile. yes it’s windows but stripped down.
# I would like to welcome screen (i.e., screen displayed before the iPhone is unlocked) to show the next iCal event, unread messages, etc. (what is displayed should be chosen by the user)
why don’t we make it like the Windows Today screen. Bad idea. I don’t like the information being on my screen without me requesting it. Perhaps an OPTION to do that and not to do that under settings.
Another request:
I know people have said you can turn off the SMS preview under Settings / General / Passcode lock
I think that is a bad place for that option and should be under General.
Ability to italicize and bold text in mail/mail sig
i miss buttons :*(