Last night, as we waited for Carson Daly to tell us that it was time to make a lot of noise, I found myself laying on my buddy’s lawn with glass number one-too-many of something toxic in my hand. As I stared up at the stars, I pondered something I’d imagine most of the country was pondering as well:
Does Steve Jobs make New Years Resolutions?
I mean, really; outside of continuing to kick cancer’s ass and perhaps expanding his wardrobe, there’s probably not much that needs resolving in El Jobso’s personal life. His number one pet project (outside of that other one), however, could probably use a bit of work right now.
Now, now, Apple fans, cover those teeth back up. The iPhone is doing just fine by most counts, but it has its flaws — and, as Motorola’s “iDont” campaign proved, competitors will be more than happy to play on them. It’s been 6 months since the launch of iPhone OS 3.0, and things are just starting to get stale; with the mobile space heating up and Android finally finding its feet, that’s the last thing Apple wants.
And with that, we present: Six New Years Resolutions For Apple And The iPhone In 2010, a completely theoretical (and highly hopeful) to-do list for the folks in Cupertino going into the New Year.
- Stop hogging background processing:
Apple’s own apps can continue to run in the background after they’re closed, but the other 100,000 applications available for the platform can’t.
Apple cites battery efficiency as the primary reason why they’ve kept backgrounding to themselves. Jailbreakers have long had an application available to them called backgrounder, which lets them run any application in the background – and you know what? The battery does just fine.
It’s long past time to open this up. Certain apps will surely be more battery hungry than others – but, as with anything that uses a battery, it’s really up to the user to learn how to make the most of it.
- Stop going home so often:
This one goes hand-in-hand with number one. If Apple ever gets around to allowing background processing on a larger scale, they’ll need a quicker way to hop between running apps. The homescreen is great and all, but do we really need to see it every time we want to switch applications?
The jailbreak community recently launched an app called “Proswitcher”. With this, users can switch between any apps running behind the scenes, calling up the switcher using any one of 10 or so options from holding the home button to double tapping the top bar. It’s essentially a direct rip of the cards system found on Palm’s webOS, but it’s incredibly smooth and has entirely changed the way I use my iPhone.
- Stop with the crappy cameras:
The first two iPhones rocked a 2 megapixel camera, and the 3GS bumped it all the way up to.. 3. Really? 3 megapixels? The megapixel count isn’t the only thing that matters when it comes to image quality, but 3 megapixels is down-right itty bitty by high-end smartphone standards these days.
As augmented reality, image processing, and video sharing become more commonplace, the quality of the camera is getting more and more important. Lets hope the next iPhone brings a bigger upgrade to the camera than another one megapixel bump.
- Embrace the stack:
The iPhone uses Qualcomm’s BlueMagic 3.0 for all of its Bluetooth needs, yet makes no use of a significant chunk of the features it supports. A number of these, such as OBEX (for wireless file transferring) and HID (for Bluetooth keyboard support) are profiles that are pretty much standard on other smartphones.
Oh, and hey Apple – feel free to add support for Wii remotes while you’re at it.
- Learn to sideload:
Apple seems to be loosening their death-grip, but there are still a million-and-one applications that they’ll never allow on the App Store – and that’s just fine. What’s not fine, however, is that there’s no other way — sans hacking — to get said apps onto the phone at all.
If only Apple allowed people to add whatever they wanted by way of sideloading, everyone would be happy. Power users get whatever apps they please, and Apple keeps the App Store clean to their specifications.
And why wouldn’t they do it? The only semi-decent argument against it is that it (potentially) makes piracy easier by opening another gateway to the device that Apple has to protect. Considering how easy it is to get pirated apps on the iPhone already (read: it’s really, really easy) — and how unlikely it is that Apple will ever be able to block it — I’d say the benefits outweigh the risks.
- Make Background Notifications suck less:
![Screen shot 2010-01-01 at [ January 1 ] 5.36.39 PM](http://www.mobilecrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Screen-shot-2010-01-01-at-January-1-5.36.39-PM.png "Screen shot 2010-01-01 at [ January 1 ] 5.36.39 PM")
Whether or not Apple decides to support background processing, they’re going to need to fix the background notification system. Before changing their focus from web apps to native applications, Apple never really intended to have to deal with such things. As a result, the notification system is a bit tacked on – and it shows.Notifications blast onto the screen, interrupting whatever you’re doing. Only one notification is supported at a time. If a second alert comes in, the first just disappears into the ether. It’s a nasty solution that just barely gets the job done, especially when compared to the notification systems of webOS or Android.
![Screen shot 2010-01-01 at [ January 1 ] 5.17.15 PM](http://www.mobilecrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Screen-shot-2010-01-01-at-January-1-5.17.15-PM.png "Screen shot 2010-01-01 at [ January 1 ] 5.17.15 PM")
![Screen shot 2010-01-01 at [ January 1 ] 4.57.23 PM](http://www.mobilecrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Screen-shot-2010-01-01-at-January-1-4.57.23-PM.png "Screen shot 2010-01-01 at [ January 1 ] 4.57.23 PM")
![Screen shot 2010-01-01 at [ January 1 ] 4.52.09 PM](http://www.mobilecrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Screen-shot-2010-01-01-at-January-1-4.52.09-PM.png "Screen shot 2010-01-01 at [ January 1 ] 4.52.09 PM")
There are plenty of other things that we’d like to see Apple do with the iPhone in 2010 — breaking up with AT&T (or at least setting their status to “Open Relationship”), for example — but now we want to hear from you. If you could change one thing about the iPhone going into 2010, what would it be? Let us know down in the comments.
Nice article, but I just wanted to insist on how ProSwitcher changed the way I use my iPhone too!
It is incredible !
oups you forgot to say ‘Stop using one crappy network carrier only’ , learn how to embrace a new one. And be generous with people who jailbreak their iPhones.
Oh I hope luke wilson is seeing this one: http://bit.ly/luke-wilson-headless-ads-worst
Yeah!
Hey I agree with what you said about sideload. I don’t think Apple will ever make any decisions regarding side load. Any ways hoping to look for some great features in the next iPhone.
I agree, Proswitcher is bad ace
Hi I am agree with you 200%. The Proswitch is really bad. It’s like headache for us.
We could also use flash support.
if we got flash support I would loose all contact with humanity – since I could play Cafe World no matter where I was
I agree. Give us flash! Very nice article. I would like to see flash and background apps running the most without having to jailbreak my phone.
Unless they simultaneously release a flashblock (like the Firefox addon), then I say NO FLASH.
Its bad enough on a normal PC what with all the flash banners and crap. And the lack of flash forced YouTube to make their videos available without the force flash lock-in.
@Ian AGREED. although it sucks when a website has some necessary flash content, no website should really have necessary flash content ONLY.
Yeah, definitely agree that banner ads would be really annoying, but not being able to use actual flash sites that are legitimate is even more annoying, at least in my book.
How about getting some Flash?
Amen to the Flash. iPhone needs to get up to speed with support for Flash. If they supported Flash, I wouldn’t have to take it AND my netbook when showing people websites.
” iPhone needs to get up to speed with support for Flash.”
Yes, but getting “up to speed” with Flash would get rid of Safari’s speed.
No it wouldn’t you idiot. You don’t know how browsers work.
Cus, Apple needs the reason I ditched Safari to kill the iPhone too! Really, the application end of a complex system such as magazine publishing is the cheapest aspect!
Chrome at least does not lock up on Flash and PDFs on a regular basis… Sigh.
The App Store could also get some improvements. Better ways for Developers to manage and update apps, Better app discovery tools and maybe an API that makes all the App Store data available to everyone.
FOLDERS! FOLDERS! FOLDERS!
I have played and love with the folders in Android and there is no blatant reason why Apple can not make this sexier. Big up for the people who want folder support.
You know, there are phones that have those…
+1 for Folders
The iPhone should also allow memory cards, especially with some of the higher-end productivity apps. I have a couple that would probably benefit if I could add a memory stick–one of them being Docs to Go, where I can create basic MS Word and Excel files as well as view PDF files. It would be nice if i could save files onto a memory card and not have to worry about using my in-phone memory. It would help where it relates to photos, too.
Maybe the inclusion of memory card slots on the imac and macbooks bode well for this feature on future iphones or the tablet.
That’s the apple way, i think.
“El Jobso’s personal live” ?
Shouldn’t it be life?
Cheers.
I’m with you on most of these, especially allowing apps to run in the background and building a better notification system.
As far as sideloading goes, I don’t think that will ever happen. Apple put a whole system in place just so they could control what goes on the iPhone and what doesn’t. I think they like having that power.
2009 is the year of iphone,, and i think 2010 will be the year of iphone more apps :D
How about camera flash?
Better support for the full ActiveSync API. The mail and calendaring are super week for the enterprise and need an upgrade. 3.0 made some imrovements, but fell short. Here’s a couple of examples:
1) allow for collapse and expand support in email folders. When you have a lot of folders, your thumb cramps from all the scrolling. It makes filing unreasonable on my ‘productivity’ device.
2) let me file and delete messages in search results. You added a great search feature in 3.0, but it is useless for anything but finding messages.
3) allow hyper links and dial links in the address bar of appointments.
4) let me delete just one meeting in a recurring appointment I set up. You let me do it for ones I am invited to, but not ones I created.
… There’s more, but my temperature is starting to reach a boil, so I am going to stop before I burst a vessle.
nice list. what about tethering?
tethering… pdanet
jailbreak,
download pdanet through cydia
enjoy tethering,
screw stupid Apple/att rules that only Nerf your phone
one resolution: buy an Android phone
Definitely feeling this way with the imminent release of the Nexus One. I am sure their are other 2g, 3g and even 3gs owners who feel the same way. Let’s hope there is some information on the 4th generation iPhone at their Jan 26th event.
RIMM is praying that Apple is listening
ISNT
Definitely have to agree with making push notifications more usable. How about allowing someone to launch an application to respond to an IM/text and then go back to the one they were running, without going to the home screen. Display visible alerts for e-mail messages so we aren’t opening mail every time we want to see if we should pay attention to the latest message.
I must agree with everything said in the article and the comments. Camera doesn’t necessarily need to be better but MUST have a flash, background switching needs to be a must, especially now that jailbreaking newer iPhones is now tethered, Bluetooth OBEX support and HID, Storage mode and the ability to storage files on the devices such as Word and PDF attachments from emails, and Flash is a must – come on Apple! By locking down the interface and the way things get done on the iPhone i believe is a major reason why Apple have succeeded with this device, but it’s not the only player in the game now with a excellent device and must look at the competition and step up its game to keep it’s crown.
Sure Flash support might need a more powerful processor than is currently available, but there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for not having a camera flash.
Its New Years eve, we still have a couple of wars ongoing, a “recession” far worst than the Great Depression (social safety nets are the only thing making this not the Great Depression 2) and you are somewhere in the states where the weather is nice enough to see the stars and you are pondering about Steve Jobs. Excuse me while I throw up
You’re right. We should forget our passions and the things that make us happy. Let’s just go to bed terrified of what the world might look like tomorrow.
Sounds way more fun.
You’re excused.
Wait – The reason I read TC is to
1. Avoid reading about the wars
2. Avoid reading about the Great Depression
3. Enjoy the benefits of someone being optimistic about the future and looking ahead.
I’d be happy (at least here in NYC) if the iPhone could make and receive telephone calls.
I don’t ever seeing Apple allowing sideloading, they are too much of a control freak. Also, they can use piracy & security concerns to reinforce their decision.
Hey, thanks Greg for mentioning ProSwitcher :). I’m glad you like it, and I agree: since writing it with Ryan I’ve been using my iPod in a very different way as well. I just background almost everything, and only close what I am actually through with.
Secondly, I personally agree a ton with your resolution number 5. I’d really prefer not to have to jailbreak my device. Sure, I like my “mobile *nix workstation”, but I also understand the benefits of Apple support. I used to code for the Palm OS, and, sans an app store, they had a great economy. End users didn’t buy anything or bought the “end-user” products like editors and spreadsheets, yet power users such as me could replace major parts of the OS to our liking.
My suggestion to Apple is to add a “jailbreak” download to your website. Make it hidden. Hard to find. Make it warn you 100+ times about how it is going to void your warranty (at least until you restore). I don’t care. Just provide a single method of installing what I want without hacking your security, and I will be happy (as will many others!).
Also, please, let me buy an iPhone. My BlackBerry/iPod Touch combo just isn’t working well, and waiting another year to end my current contract doesn’t sound good either. And I am *not* going to pay $500+ for what you advertise as $200 everywhere.
– chpwn
Thank you for making my iPhone wonderful again.
I’d like to search for words inside of web pages.
Google iPhone bookmarklets. You can already do this in Safari, without jailbreaking.
Yet, jailbreaking lets you not have to use many crazy workarounds.
http://www.statsmogul.com/www.myworklight.com – please take a look if you’re interested in android
So tired of the choir of _little_ pundit-advisor voices second guessing Apple. Their well-paid (i.e. better than you guys) software and hardware engineers do a pretty incredible job to give you the iPhone experience. They market the iPhone for the masses and not a handful tinkering nerds (jailbraking —soooooooooo boring to brag about) who ARE the control freaks: feeling all so subversive AND superior.
We are at the beginning of a really interesting time of becoming globally connected so enjoy the ride and your iPhones. If you do not like your little commodity bit find another that you like better;))!
Scrolling titles in the iPod application.
Correct “bundling” of albums with the same name in CoverFlow (Greatest Hits from different artists get bundled together – so lame)
SMS app sucks totally: I want character count and a setting to receive a notification by my provider whether the SMS has been received or not (Nokia did this decades ago). I am tired of putting *T# before every SMS.
better battery life
better microphone in the headset
Week view for calendar
My own ringtones for the SMS notification
Alarm functionality even when the iPhone is turned completely off (again, Nokia did this last century…)
Apple new year of new launches will help them do well. Iphone 4g will be successful.
A way to stop the screen switching to landscape when I’m writing a text message would be nice. Flipping ridiculous that I can control that within other apps but not text messages.
Nice article but we will all be disappointed once again this summer. And we all will upgrade to iPhone 4.0 or whatever they decide to call it. Apple knows this. Do you honestly think Apple even considers the thoughts of the gadget loving minority that visits sites such as this. Apple has cornered the market with a device that has the same appeal as the old Moto Razor. Everybody wants one and most have no desire to jailbreak, unlock, side load, run apps in the background, etc. These concepts don’t appeal to most iPhone users. It does suck that for the past 3 years Apple has done whatever they wanted and the Damn Thing Still Sells… Guys don’t waste your time.. Just line up and see what Uncle Steve decides to spoon feed us, and ask for Seconds… Or go Android. That’s my plan…. Just $.07 for my thoughts. Ignore typos. My iPhone battery is low.
We need flash and a camera flash, also it would be nice to lock screen rotation especially when I’m using the phone in bed. Lastly, a decent service from AT&T would be a dream, just a dream, maybe in 2020.
* give me back my SIM card
* flash support
* carrier choice
* the camera is useless in low light – give me a flash
The only thing that really annoys me about the iPhone is the camera quality. I could live without having all of the other things you have listed, but the camera quality REALLY needs improving.
Absolute number 1 would be the availability of iPhone on another network (preference: Verizon, because of the amazing coverage in the areas I travel)…however, really any other network but AT&T would be nice. And all the things you mentioned in the post. Lastly, flash!
Greg,
Just quit your whining and jailbreak your iPhone already. You know you want to.
Apple makes the iPhone a runaway success and you think you could do a better job of it.
You know Apple always leaves something out for next year’s model. Be patient little one.
Here is a thought: How about giving us all the bells and whistles right up front and making the best phone they can make in the beginning instead of holding back features, roping us to the worse carrier in the nation in every single area they are ranked in and then telling us the only way to change a battery is pay almost as much as the phone cost with a new contract to do so… Time to wake up and listen to what the public wants from you instead of the BS you want to feed us.
Droid here I come…good bye horrible AT&T and so long IPhone. It’s a real shame something with so much potential has to come with selling my soul to a bad carrier and a company like Apple that requires you to eat what they shovel regardless how bad it compares to the basic features of most other smart phones.
“You know Apple always leaves something out for next year’s model.”
Or the next year or the next. Like Copy and Paste.
That’s not really the kind of feature you make people wait for, unless they’re nuts.
I think the general ui needs improving. It’s become a bit fragmented by new features being added since the original os. Similarly a prettier implementation of copy and paste would be good. That said I still believe the iPhone has the best phone interface but apple could improve it.
Also it would be nice to be able to hide default apps. And for the reocorder/notes apps to be combined into one app.
[\That is all]
Apple is drowning in their idealism, they should listen to the community instead of to Steve Jobs…
This article is exactly what Apple should read, especially the comments made on it! Very good job!
In regards to Sideloading, it’s certainly possible to do it now.
If you pay $500 for an Enterprise developer account (instead of the $100 for a standard developer account), you can release an app that can be installed by anyone, outside of the App Store. It isn’t reliant on a predetermined list of UDID’s. I’ve done this firsthand with a client I’m working with.
That said, it is still tied to a provisioning profile which expires after a year, and I’m not sure if there are limitations from a terms of use perspective, but I’m surprised nobody has tried this yet to circumvent Apple’s approval process.
Carson D A L Y. Any proofers working today?
New iPhone 2010 must have:
- NFC and FeliCa chip
- 5 megapixel cam with Flash
- Adobe Flash
- Open carrier support
- Full Bluetooth power
- Bluetooth keyboard
- Background apps and easy app switching
- Better headphones and mic (higher quality)
- Faster CPU 1 GHz
Battery needs improvement and home and powerbuttons are fast too lose.
3 megapixel is enough imo but zoom or flash would be nice plus greater light sensitivity ( then maybe no flash is necessary)
I love the iphone’s design. Its still unreached in the class…
And this “exclusive carriers” thing really sucks a lot!!! Many people don’t like t-mobile… So i had to jailbreak.
voice recognition needs improvement.
Normal bluetooth function would also be nice and I also agree to all the mentioned points in the article.
How about fixing the speaker phone? It’s almost unusable for anything that matters… like a business conference call. Blackberry dominates with their speaker phone.
Happy New Year, AppleCrunch !
#1 iPhone 2010 Resolution: Stop masquerading as the “best” phone on earth when you’re not even close.
If any one expectes some new thing in any digital device like mobile, TV, cameras…. then plz let me know.
I am preparing about some good expectation in 2010 from digital media
Solid article. Stop with the crappy cameras haha.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2996850/new_years_resolutions_how_to_get_back.html?cat=74