commentary Apple's new iPhone has garnered a lot of press coverage. And although it isn't perfect, it should drive a new generation of easier-to-use and more richly featured handhelds.
Imagine a handheld device launched in 2007 without MMS capabilities, no 3G, is based on a closed platform with no SDK for developers, can't cut-and-paste text, and costs almost US$600 -- and you still have to sign a contract with an operator of the manufacturer's choice.
It should be hung up beside a bonfire, and collectively lynched by torch-wielding tech reviewers dressed in white drapes and pointy caps.
But not the iPhone. Well, to begin with, it isn't strictly a handheld the way PDA-phones like the Treo 680 and Dopod D810 are. The comparisons are inevitable though because of the touchscreen display, and the fact that Apple touts it to be a great device for Internet applications like Web browsing and email.
Obviously, the strengths of the iPhone overshadowed its lack of basic features as it got universally favourable reviews. There are good reasons for this, and they are those that should be taken seriously by manufacturers of handhelds. Like it or not, the iPhone has gotten so many people thinking about how they interact with a mobile device that, increasingly, users will quickly become dissatisfied with current handsets.
Here are some things we feel other manufacturers can think about for upcoming devices.
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's an Apple iPhone! No, actually, it's an HTC Touch.
Interface is king
One thing you cannot fault Apple in is intuitiveness. It may not have the perfect interface, but users are not left wondering how to perform a certain function on the iPhone. This is one of the biggest reasons -- aside from the iTunes integration -- for the iPod's success.
The same cannot be said of the bulk of PDA-phones coming to market these days. Most of them run Windows Mobile, and even though most users have had experience with Windows on PCs, simple tasks like closing applications still require many steps. There are third-party programs which make life easier, but why should someone have to shell out money for those? Intuitiveness should be a given, not a privilege.
Don't marginalise entertainment
A friend of ours said the iPhone should really be called an "iPod with mobile communications". Apple gave as much importance to the music and video features as it did the phone features, perhaps even more so. The company has learnt so much (and made so much money) from the iPod that it knows how crucial entertainment is to on-the-go users.
Flash memory is not that expensive; throw a few gigs in and make everyone happy. While at it, make music and videos accessible. Apple's not the only company that knows how to do that. Look at the interface of Sony Ericsson's Walkman phones and get a few tips. One more thing, include a 3.5mm audio jack and make sure it isn't recessed the way the iPhone's is.
Make browsing a breeze
With so much processing power in your hands, why can't you get the full Web experience in your hands? Browsers are common on PDA-phones, but they need to be better. The iPhone's Safari browser makes surfing simple. Nokia is another example of a mobile phone company which has put in some effort to make Internet browsing simple, and the PDA-phone makers need to follow suit.
On your part, keep up the good work
As much attention as it has gotten, the iPhone is not perfect. There are still a lot of things PDA-phones can do, which the iPhone doesn't yet support, that users appreciate. The widespread availability of third-party applications for Windows Mobile, Palm and BlackBerry devices is just one example. The easy integration of new technologies, like HSDPA, as they become feasible options also keeps PDA-phones one step ahead of the competition.
The truth of the matter is that competition spurs innovation on. The iPhone has shown that stuffing in all the latest features is not a necessity for success. And if Apple keeps on improving, so must everyone else. That's good news for everyone, and as sick as we are of the term "iPod killer", we look forward to getting even sicker of the phrase "iPhone-killer".
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mrmolex
09/07/2007 02:17 PM
Why is the iphone succesful? Marketing, just like the ipod. Hats off to Apple for figuring this out (funny that they haven't been able to do the same with the macs, of which I own 2) but I'll stick with symbian smart phones until apple comes up with a guinely revolutionary device that actually delivers on the hype.
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jalaswami
11/07/2007 01:20 PM
the price should be decreased along with some time.
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Rick Stringer
05/09/2007 03:02 AM
Wrong. The strengths of the iPhone are indeed overshadowed by its lack of basic features. Without 3G and without the HSDPDA capabilities, this phone will be useless when they switch off the old network in Feb 2008. With no GPS, its also lagging far behind the Nokia N95. It looks like the marketing hype crept into the author's objectivity and died there. This is an unabashed rave about a substantially flawed product.
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