The software has been updated to 2.0.1, giving us zippier performance and fewer bugs. Apple is ramping up production to keep pace with the public's rabid demands. So what's coming next for the iPhone 3G? Oh, lots.
Apple filed a patent for software that would let users access -- that's listen to AND manage -- their main iTunes libraries remotely, from their iPhone or iPod touch. It works by keeping a directory of your content on the device, then having the device remotely access your Mac or PC and stream it. Meaning you could get all your gigs of music at your fingertips without having to sync the content to your device first. (Um, yes please.)
A UBS Investment Research analyst named Maynard Um has predicted colored iPhones in time for Christmas and a new iPhone model in the first half of 2009. (He also claims the rumored Mac subnotebook has been pushed back to 2009.)
We mentioned earlier how a mechanism was uncovered in the iPhone 2.0 software that would let Apple remotely pull apps it deems "unauthorized" off our iPhones and iTouches. So far the list is still empty. But it's worth noting that Apple has blacklisted the $999.99 do-nothing (cr)app I Am Rich from the Store. But if you shelled out a grand for it, don't worry, it hasn't been remotely yanked from anyone's phones, and you probably line your birdcage with money anyhow.
CNET reports that a hardware-based SIM unlock will be available for the iPhone 3G starting on August 20. The company is USB Fever, and the device is an incredibly thin piece of FPC that fits onto your carrier's SIM card, which then goes into the iPhone. It'll cost $35; they're taking preorders now.
Also, the iPhone 3G is coming to 21 more countries on August 22. Yay for Poland, Argentina, Uruguay, et al! (Oh, and Russia in 2009.)
But of course the iPhone 3G still has some problems, like the battery life, lack of cut-and-paste and MMS, no syncing of notes or to-dos, etc. What beefs do you have with the iPhone? Sound off in the comments.
seattlemacster
August 23, 2008 at 5:59pm
how about the ability to sync contacts to a SIM card? i could do that on my old blackjack -- without any add-ons. don't get me wrong, i love my iPhone, but apple sure has disappointed by leaving out some really basic features. and one more vote here for cut-n-paste and voice dialing.
YoshAndStan
August 08, 2008 at 12:34pm
Aside from the obvious syncing of notes and to-do's, my biggest issue is the constant problem I have of the silent-vibrate on/off switch moving while in my pocket. Between the too soft of a ringer and the silent switch unexpectedly getting turned on, I'm missing a lot of calls.
MojaveNC
August 07, 2008 at 11:18pm
I still have to pay $400 for one because I'm a current customer, despite giving more than $1700 to AT&T in the last year.
I'd expected that by now they'd have lifted their restrictions and current customers could get one for $200.
All I've gotten for my complaints has been a call from a brisk AT&T rep saying "that's just the business model." Which doesn't really make me feel any better about being the only category of consumer who can't buy an iPhone for $200.
Adam Berenstain
August 07, 2008 at 9:22pm
2.1 has cleared up a lot of problems on my OG iPhone. And streaming my iMac's library to enjoy on my phone made sense the first time I fired up Apple's Remote app - glad to see the mothership agrees. The number one must-have feature I'll die without has to be easy date and address detection in the iPhone's Mail app. I can turn "tomorrow, 7pm, 123 Jobsy Dr." into an iCal event with a couple clicks in 10.5, I hafta be able to do that on the iPhone with a couple taps. It's just crazy to me that we can't do that yet, and that more people aren't clamoring for it. As for copy and paste, I'd much rather see tweaks and features that make copy and paste unnecessary. I just can't see using chubby fingertips to c/p productively, the way we all imagine it should work.
Twistedlp
August 07, 2008 at 8:34pm
Just give me what free phones can do, in style. Give us damn MMS. Give us damn video recording and actual camera options. And give us back the stability of 1.1.4. I still have some of the same issues I had with 2.0 with 2.0.1, including random keyboard lag, safari sluggishness, crashing apps. The phone has actually gotten worse after the update in that now every once in a while I'll get a phone call and when I accept and hit answer, the phone completely shuts off. Or drops service completely. I don't get it.
I'm on an original iPhone
delayedmusic
August 07, 2008 at 6:30pm
Picture text messaging would be nice...
landscape view available for all apps...
cut & paste...Just to name a few...
Tenchi211
August 07, 2008 at 6:27pm
That's what I'd like to see. Now. It's such an important feature especially with the new laws in effect in the state of California. The iPhone NEEDS voice dialing NOW! What makes me upset is that it's a feature that I feel should've been on the original phone! My old pay as you go $20 phone had it, why can't a $500 phone like this one have it? The obvious answer is that it should.
