Apps needed for iPhone...

[MarkW19]

Does anyone think the following will be available at some point, officially approved by Apple:-

-Some sort of sat-nav software, TomTom would be great...
-MSN Messenger
-Profiles manager, ie. "vibrate" "silent" "loud" etc. to change all alert settings, also switchable by time
-Something like the "calender" in Windows Mobile, where in day view you can have a list of tasks to do for the day, very quickly added and changed around.

 

[R.Youden]

I agree about TomTom. That wouls be fantastic. A lot of phone manufacturers support this already so hopefully it will nudge Apple into supporting it.

 

[thedude110]

You confuse me.



I see chat (which is ultimately going to hook to iChat, I presume), I see a calendar, I see maps ... and I can't imagine the phone won't allow you to have time-sensitive profiles for ringers.

They may not be the precise apps you want, but you should get the general functionality, no?

 

[MarkW19]

I agree about TomTom. That wouls be fantastic. A lot of phone manufacturers support this already so hopefully it will nudge Apple into supporting it.

Yeah - TomTom would be ideal. But even some sort of proprietary satnav would be cool. My phone at the moment is an imate jam pocket pc, and it does everything. With the iphone, the extra storage means I can store more songs/videos on it, although it won't replace my full ipod as the 8gb is just too limiting. But it's still a lot closer to just needing one device for everything.

Without satnav, and the flexibility of 3rd party apps (which will probably take ages to come through with them needing approval and involvement with Apple etc.) I think Apple are really limiting the appeal of the iphone.

 

[R.Youden]

Where do you see chat? I don't think the SMS will link into iChat.

Also the TomTom software is 10x better than Google maps. They are very different things. Apple could make a killing by working with TomTom using the iPhone touch screen and advanced graphics (well more advanced than the TomTom series!).

 

[MarkW19]

You confuse me.

I see chat (which is ultimately going to hook to iChat, I presume), I see a calendar, I see maps ... and I can't imagine the phone won't allow you to have time-sensitive profiles for ringers.

They may not be the precise apps you want, but you should get the general functionality, no?

There's no chat mentioned as yet - it will probably have ichat on it, but as for MSN...who knows.

Profiles - on a PocketPC you have to add a 3rd-party plugin to get that functuality, particularly time-sensitive.

Calender - the calender on Windows Mobile is one of the (few) good things about it, its so quick and easy/simple to use. I never really liked the desktop version of iCal, so lets hope Apple do something good with it so its quick and easy to use on the move.

Maps isn't satellite navigation! Although if Google/Apple worked together to put navigation into Google maps, with a bluetooth GPS receiver, that would be amazing.

 

[dllavaneras]

Given the 6 month gap between the demo and the launch, could new apps be included in the final iPhone?

 

[MarkW19]

Given the 6 month gap between the demo and the launch, could new apps be included in the final iPhone?

Definitely, but they're more likely to be widgets and smaller changes I'd think, rather than Apple partnering up with say TomTom to make a version of Navigator for iPhone in less than 6 months...hopefully we'll see iChat with multiple MSN/Yahoo options built in.

I think larger apps will take a while to come through, and be paid for add-ons, particularly with TomTom. I wouldn't be suprised if there was a cut-down version of Photoshop etc. as well, as the phone gets more powerful.

And definitely some iWork integration.

 

[Warbrain]

1) Why would you want MSN Messenger? That is the worst protocol in the world. I would rather use smoke signals...
2) GPS on a phone is one of the lamest things I've ever seen. It's drains the battery so fast and GPS still isn't as good as looking at a map and figuring it out yourself. Plus, a map is usually cheaper.
3) Give it up on the profiles already. It's not going to happen. And if it does, it hasn't been shown yet since it's not complete. Remember, this is an UNFINISHED PRODUCT.
4) It has a calendar and it can do all the things that you need it to do like you said. I'm pretty damn confident on that.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi

-Some sort of sat-nav software, TomTom would be great...

It has Google Maps and that may get some sort of vocal direction assistance but I do see some kind of GPS capability at some point ( internal or external ).

-MSN Messenger

I'd put this at ~0.0001% likely. I put iChat at being...Oh...~25% likely for the rev. B model.

-Profiles manager, ie. "vibrate" "silent" "loud" etc. to change all alert settings, also switchable by time

It may already have ringer profiles but I would have to doubt ever by time.

-Something like the "calender" in Windows Mobile, where in day view you can have a list of tasks to do for the day, very quickly added and changed around.

I'm sure it is like the regular iCal. I use it but rarely, however, what's so hard about adding events in iCal?

 

[MarkW19]

1) Why would you want MSN Messenger? That is the worst protocol in the world. I would rather use smoke signals...

That may be so, but none of my friends, family or contacts use AIM/iChat. They're on MSN, it's by far the most popular in the UK.

2) GPS on a phone is one of the lamest things I've ever seen. It's drains the battery so fast and GPS still isn't as good as looking at a map and figuring it out yourself. Plus, a map is usually cheaper.

I didn't mention an internal GPS receiver - an EXTERNAL bluetooth GPS receiver, and the software built in. You'd charge the phone while in your car anyway. Google maps already has half the functionality - satnav software is available even for crappy non-touchscreen "smart phones" now! A pretty old school view on reading the map yourself - hundreds of thousands of people use satnav and it makes their lives much easier.

3) Give it up on the profiles already. It's not going to happen.

Why should it be so difficult? Nokia and others have had it since day one. Not by time, but it should at least have profiles. Remember, this phone is meant to be about ease of use, and not having to think about using it.

 

[R.Youden]

That may be so, but none of my friends, family or contacts use AIM/iChat. They're on MSN, it's by far the most popular in the UK.



I didn't mention an internal GPS receiver - an EXTERNAL bluetooth GPS receiver, and the software built in. Google maps already has half the functionality - satnav software is available even for crappy non-touchscreen smart phones now! A pretty old school view on reading the map yourself - hundreds of thousands of people use satnav and it makes their lives much easier.



Why should it be so difficult? Nokia and others have had it since day one. Not by time, but it should at least have profiles. Remember, this phone is meant to be about ease of use, not having to think about using it.

I doubt we will get MSN but it is the most popular out there, maybe they should put adium on there?

Satnav is fantastic. End of story. The millions that have been sold in the last few years speak for themselves. I doubt that Apple will develop something in house ut to not allow TomTom plug-ins would be the kiss of death for a lot of people.

What a lot of users on here don't seem to realise is that the iPhone wont be a success on whether people form these boards buy it or not, it will depend of whether people who are shopping for phones and comparing them to the O2 XDA range and treo and palm. Some of the BASIC functions that they have, such as SatNav compatability, and the iPhone 'may' not have will put them off straight away.

 

[russtic]

... comparing them to the O2 XDA range and treo and palm. Some of the BASIC functions that they have, such as SatNav compatability, and the iPhone 'may' not have will put them off straight away.

I have used the xda exec, the xda mini s - they are awful. Slow, buggy, terrible phones. Indeed I have just gone back to Nokia.

If Apple has made a phone that combines a decent phone, basic pda functions, and the net in a usable package then I will buy one.

This is similar to the IPOD story, I was an earlier adopter and had both a creative (flash) and a Philips (HDD) both of these ended up in a drawer as they were too annoying to use. The IPOD on the other hand is ace.

 

[aswitcher]

GPS in this thing and decent software, and world wide map support (google) would make this device worth every cent.

And the if it can also act as a GPS device via BT to your Macbook for larger maps...your set.

 

[.dingledorph]

iChat would be useless for me since all of my friends are on MSN. It's the only thing people use i Denmark. The lack of chat capability won't bother me that much though, because i will rather use SMS. It is really cheap (although not as cheap as iChat would be, I know) and much more reliable.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

1) Why would you want MSN Messenger? That is the worst protocol in the world. I would rather use smoke signals...
2) GPS on a phone is one of the lamest things I've ever seen. It's drains the battery so fast and GPS still isn't as good as looking at a map and figuring it out yourself. Plus, a map is usually cheaper.
3) Give it up on the profiles already. It's not going to happen. And if it does, it hasn't been shown yet since it's not complete. Remember, this is an UNFINISHED PRODUCT.
4) It has a calendar and it can do all the things that you need it to do like you said. I'm pretty damn confident on that.

wow some one thinks apple can do no wrong and what ever apples does is the best solution...... as for your reasons

1. MSN/Yahoo have a much bigger user bases than AIM end of story (MSN and yahoo are also link now)

2. GPS is not stupid on a phone. The iPhone is a smart phone which means like other smart phones it is all a PDA. A lot of people like having GPS on there PDA. You are right maps are a lot cheaper and easy to read but they are not so useful for giving a near instated location of something you are looking for and GPS tells you EXACTLY where you are near instantly along with near by roads. LOVE to see you do that on a map.... It takes time to get your location on a map. First you have to know what the near by roads on and then you have to find them. Long with maps are fairly large. On the iPhone oh look all that fits in the palm of your had along with directions on how to get to your location that change on the fly......

3. Profiles really are something nice if you have ever used them. Being able to save several different settings on your phone that you can change very quickly is very nice. Something that doing each one of those takes a lot longer. Also a lot of phones currently have them in it. They are not stupid

4. The calendar is up in the air. The biggest thing I am worried about it failing to do is not syncing with outlook which is a huge must. It have to play nice with outlook and that is something the iPod fails at big time. it out look syncing is rather piss poor and i see the iPhone being the same way.

 

[yellow]

I agree about TomTom. That wouls be fantastic. A lot of phone manufacturers support this already so hopefully it will nudge Apple into supporting it.

You mean GoogleGoogle?

 

[Project]

I want mobile versions of some of my favourite Mac apps

OmniOutliner mobile
OmniFocus mobile (for when OF is released)

EyeTv mobile - imagine being able to have the listings program on the iPhone, which is updated with a WiFi connection or Edge. I can set schedules to record that automatically update the client version when I dock the iPhone.

NetNewsWire mobile / Google Reader client - RSS. Is. A. Must.

Last FM mobile - listen to Last.Fm on the iPhone through the earphones when in range of a wireless network.

Skype / iChat with VOIP - pretty please. VOIP functionality is a must with this phone.

Yojimbo mobile - for saving web pages, PDFs etc when on the road. Syncs with the Mac client.

Adium

 

[uscmeche]

I say it needs slingplayer! I hope that Apple lets slingmedia develop this. I love watching my slingbox on my wm5 phone, and it would be tough to transition to something without it (but I know that I will, man I love this iPhone!)

 

[riverfreak]

Terminal?

The iPhone needs a simple Terminal application. It doesn't need to open a shell on the local machine, but it should support SSH to a remote box.

And for God's sake, why in the hell doesn't it have iChat? I mean, I have a four year old Sidekick II with both AIM (ie iChat) and Yahoo support. It is totally and completely absurd that the iPhone doesn't have an iChat client.

And for those of you who can't figure out the difference between SMS and iChat, I have a Sidekick II for sale for $599.

 

[mergemedia]

dudes. iPhone runs OSX. Things like GNU tools should all be there. Terminal BETTER be there with a working SSH.

I'm sure iChat will make it before launch. That would be a collosial blunder for apple. I prefer Adium to iChat, though.

I think of the iPhone as a mini-mini-mac. iPhone should be able to install and run anything my macbook pro can.

 

[whooleytoo]

What a lot of users on here don't seem to realise is that the iPhone wont be a success on whether people form these boards buy it or not, it will depend of whether people who are shopping for phones and comparing them to the O2 XDA range and treo and palm. Some of the BASIC functions that they have, such as SatNav compatability, and the iPhone 'may' not have will put them off straight away.

I don't think the people the iPhone is aimed at would consider GPS a 'basic' function, more like 'voodoo magic'! I think they're trying to get people who use their phones only for talk & txt to use an iPhone for a lot more, GPS is nowhere on these people's radar yet (if you'll forgive the mixed analogy..).

I have to admit, I'd love to see it in the phone, but I wouldn't hold off buying an iPhone without it.

Actually, I'd be curious to know how much of the total phone market uses SatNav functionality - I'd reckon it's still a tiny minority.

 

[jamesarm97]

I have a pocketpc and I really use SSH alot to manage emergencies when away. I also would like to see Microsoft RemoteDesktop client or Terminal Services Client. There is one for OS/X so it should not be to hard. Again, it helps with emergencies, not really day to day usage.

I hope it has a viewer like Mac Preview app. If the iPhone does not come with word / excel programs we could still use Preview to view all major docs such as pdf, doc, jpg, xls, txt.

Another app I use alot is some sort of password / account manager such as eWallet for the pocketpc.

- James

 

[j26]

3. Profiles really are something nice if you have ever used them. Being able to save several different settings on your phone that you can change very quickly is very nice. Something that doing each one of those takes a lot longer. Also a lot of phones currently have them in it. They are not stupid

Agreed, but I'd go farther than nice - I'd say extremely useful. I use a Lectures profile to divert all calls except Mrs 26 and she knows only to ring in a genuine emergency. After lectures when I want to switch back, I just reset to normal in about 2 seconds. In work I have a profile for discreet ringing, with different ringtones (huge loud ringtones - especially Sex in the City - in a work environment really annoy me). For the car there's another setting.

Profiles are extremely useful tools when you are dealing with other people and want to treat them with some respect e.g in a restaurant, the only call you should be taking is from your babysitter (if you have children) - it's poor manners to take other calls, or inflict other patrons with some asinine ringtone at full volume. Profiles can handle this easily.

 

[jamesarm97]

Agreed, but I'd go farther than nice - I'd say extremely useful. I use a Lectures profile to divert all calls except Mrs 26 and she knows only to ring in a genuine emergency. After lectures when I want to switch back, I just reset to normal in about 2 seconds. In work I have a profile for discreet ringing, with different ringtones (huge loud ringtones - especially Sex in the City - in a work environment really annoy me). For the car there's another setting.

I agree also, I let that one off my list. I use phoneAlarm on my pocketpc and it is great. Auto quiet mode when I go to work and goes back to loud on the way home. Also goes to vibrate / meeting mode at Church. Just this sunday a cell phone went off with one of those loud annoying musical ringers and to make it worse, I don't think most people know how to shut them up. They just let it keep ringing and look around like it is not them.

I also hope sms and alarms are configurable. I have slept through some important notifications until I used phoneAlarm to change to repeat alarm xx minutes for xx period until dismissed.