What Would Make You Return to the iPhone?

[onthecouchagain]

Historically, it would certainly be likely for Apple to do a 5S. They really shouldn't, though.

100% agreement.

 

[mattopotamus]

We'll have to see. The competition is getting better, waiting 2 years for an iPhone 6 would be a bad decision, methinks.

Why it seems like a bad decision, it is actually a smart business move. They will sell a ton and be even more profitable than they are now. It just pisses us off

 

[onthecouchagain]

Why it seems like a bad decision, it is actually a smart business move. They will sell a ton and be even more profitable than they are now. It just pisses us off

Yup. And therein lies the problem. Not for Apple, though, but for us who want just a bit more.

 

[jojoba]

Larger (and wider) screen. I find that my SG Nexus with 4.65" is perfect for me.

Better keyboard/ ability to install third party apps along the lines of SwiftKey.

If those two things were possible, I'd switch. I really like my Nexus and having nothing against android, but it would be nice to have everything in one ecosystem.

 

[SeanR1]

I love my iPad, but there is nothing Apple could do to entice me back to an iPhone.

 

[cnguyen0320]

...yet they offer two sizes (and different pixel densities) of iPad, 4 sizes of iPod, two sizes of iMac, two sizes of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air (more if you count retina vs. old-style as different sizes).

.

And they do if for affordability. Older models are cheaper, smaller models are cheaper.

 

[onthecouchagain]

And they do if for affordability. Older models are cheaper, smaller models are cheaper.

The iPhone 5 is already the "small" model. If Apple were to release multiple sizes, 4" would presumably be on the low end. They wouldn't release multiple sizes going downward from 4". So we're paying big prices for what would be a small end model. One might argue we're getting ripped off, essentially. It's quite a premium to have what would be a "small" model. :T

 

[ReanimationN]

The iPhone 5 is already the "small" model. If Apple were to release multiple sizes, 4" would presumably be on the low end. They wouldn't release multiple sizes going downward from 4". So we're paying big prices for what would be a small end model. One might argue we're getting ripped off, essentially. It's quite a premium to have what would be a "small" model. :T

I remember it really wasn't all that long ago that people wanted their phones to be smaller and smaller:

It's funny how the trend is now the total opposite. We should give a eugoogly for the small phone. Is anyone here a good eugoogliser?

 

[b166er]

Multiple screen sizes to officially end this stupid argument is number one on my list.

I'd also like toggles to be an option, the ability to make notification profiles, a total redo on the crappy excuse for notifications, that's the bulk of it for me. I think hardware wise the iPhone is great. But iOS is capable of so much more than apple will allow. Basically if I could jailbreak on day 1 I'd be happy- better yet just start taking the hint and include a lot of the jailbreak features in iOS 7.

If they don't truly wow us with iOS 7, I don't think they ever will. Just a stupid theory I have. But I feel like 2013 has to be the turning point for iOS or we will probably never see it.

 

[onthecouchagain]

I remember it really wasn't all that long ago that people wanted their phones to be smaller and smaller:

Image

It's funny how the trend is now the total opposite. We should give a eugoogly for the small phone. Is anyone here a good eugoogliser?

It's funny, but not that funny.

The phones from the past are not the same as phones today. Likewise, phones are used differently today. It's really not that hard to comprehend the changing trend.

Making phones in the past smaller means a different thing than what a small phone today is. Likewise, making a phone larger today means an entirely different thing than what constituted a large phone from the past.

If you think about it, it's really irrelevant to invoke that people wanted smaller phones in the past. They're not on the same linear spectrum of phone sizes.

----------

Let me further explain with photos.

These are 80's cell phones:

And here are 90's:

Wanting to get these guys smaller makes perfect sense.

Fast forward to today, here is the iPhone:

And here are what "larger" cell phones look like:

Asking to go back to "large phones" does not mean we're going back to anything--not even close--we've seen in the past. So I guess it's funny, but not really that funny.

 

[ReanimationN]

It's funny, but not that funny.

The phones from the past are not the same as phones today. Likewise, phones are used differently today. It's really not that hard to comprehend the changing trend.

Making phones in the past smaller means a different thing than what a small phone today is. Likewise, making a phone larger today means an entirely different thing than what constituted a large phone from the past.

If you think about it, it's really irrelevant to invoke that people wanted smaller phones in the past. They're not on the same linear spectrum of phone sizes.

Woah, I'm not saying people wanting bigger phones is a bad thing, nor am I saying people are stupid for wanting bigger phones now when they wanted smaller phones in the past. It's pretty obvious that phones now are used for a far wider variety of uses than they were in the past, I'm not arguing that at all! I'm just saying it's amusing that the trend is now to push the size of phones larger and larger, whereas the complete opposite was true not that long ago (and people used to make fun of other people with bigger phones- e.g. one of my friends bought an N-Gage and was mocked for holding a 'frisbee' or 'dinner plate' to his head, whereas phones of that size are the norm now). It just goes to show that what's popular today may not last.

I always wanted my super fashionable, tiny Zoolander phone, I never got it. Damn you Apple and Google and your smartphones! (I'm joking, I could never go back to a feature phone.)

 

[onthecouchagain]

Woah, I'm not saying people wanting bigger phones is a bad thing, nor am I saying people are stupid for wanting bigger phones now when they wanted smaller phones in the past. It's pretty obvious that phones now are used for a far wider variety of uses than they were in the past, I'm not arguing that at all! I'm just saying it's amusing that the trend is now to push the size of phones larger and larger, whereas the complete opposite was true not that long ago (and people used to make fun of other people with bigger phones- e.g. one of my friends bought an N-Gage and was mocked for holding a 'frisbee' or 'dinner plate' to his head, whereas phones of that size are the norm now). It just goes to show that what's popular today may not last.

I always wanted my super fashionable, tiny Zoolander phone, I never got it. Damn you Apple and Google and your smartphones! (I'm joking, I could never go back to a feature phone.)

Woah I know. No worries, mate. Just saying.

Plus it was fun to look up old phones.

 

[onthecouchagain]

You know what else needs to absolutely change? Being able to fully turn off Game Center. I HATE that it asks me to sign in every time I load up a game. Is there a way to turn it off completely that I just don't know off? Jesus.

I already have everything off in the notification settings under Game Center.

iOS 6 finally stopped booting us out every time we download an app from the App Store but now they'll bother me with Game Center instead. It's stuff like this that really drives me nuts, apple.

Edit: I just googled it and apparently other folks have noticed this about iOS 6 as well. Many would like to fully disable Game Center too. As far as I can tell there is no way to. Apple... It's stuff like this...

 

[zbarvian]

You know what else needs to absolutely change? Being able to fully turn off Game Center. I HATE that it asks me to sign in every time I load up a game. Is there a way to turn it off completely that I just don't know off? Jesus.

I already have everything off in the notification settings under Game Center.

iOS 6 finally stopped booting us out every time we download an app from the App Store but now they'll bother me with Game Center instead. It's stuff like this that really drives me nuts, apple.

When that gaudy casino-style screen slides up...

Game Center is pretty lousy. I fear opening that app.

 

[ReanimationN]

Edit: I just googled it and apparently other folks have noticed this about iOS 6 as well. Many would like to fully disable Game Center too. As far as I can tell there is no way to. Apple... It's stuff like this...

At least OpenFeint is now dead so you don't have two of them constantly nagging and bothering you. Apple has a lot to learn when it comes to making a good online gaming service. Game Centre is a lame, nasty-looking ripoff of XBox Live/Steam, which doesn't do anything anywhere near as well as MS', or Valve's, system.

 

[F123D]

Three things.

1. Larger screen

2. Use materials less prone to scuffs/scratches

3. Ability to jailbreak easily

 

[onthecouchagain]

Just started reading the interview with Tim Cook on Bloomberg. This particular passage seems to suggest that Ive's role in software will be primarily aesthetics. There may not be the major overhaul to iOS that we're all asking for in this thread...

Cook: "Jony has done a remarkable job leading our hardware design, so let’s also have Jony responsible for the software and the look and feel of the software, not the underlying architecture and so forth, but the look and feel."

Full interview here: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-12-06/tim-cooks-freshman-year-the-apple-ceo-speaks#p1

 

[zbarvian]

Just started reading the interview with Tim Cook on Bloomberg. This particular passage seems to suggest that Ive's role in software will be primarily aesthetics. There may not be the major overhaul to iOS that we're all asking for in this thread...

Cook: "Jony has done a remarkable job leading our hardware design, so let’s also have Jony responsible for the software and the look and feel of the software, not the underlying architecture and so forth, but the look and feel."

Full interview here: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-12-06/tim-cooks-freshman-year-the-apple-ceo-speaks#p1

Yes, but I believe Cook delegated iOS to Eddy and Craig. Ive is really just a visual design guy, from what I can gather. This doesn't mean there won't be an overhaul, iOS is still in completely different hands.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Yes, but I believe Cook delegated iOS to Eddy and Craig. Ive is really just a visual design guy, from what I can gather. This doesn't mean there won't be an overhaul, iOS is still in completely different hands.

Ah, I see. Thanks for clarifying.

Also, the last question in the interview is quite a touching anecdote regarding Jobs and Cook. Very nice.

An anecdote that’s now part of your biography is that Steve Jobs told you, “Don’t think what I would do.” Is that true, and if so, can you tell the story?

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-12-06/tim-cooks-freshman-year-the-apple-ceo-speaks#p10

 

[onthecouchagain]

Apple and Tmobile enter into agreement. Will release Apple products to Tmobile. No details, so far, but what else could it be?

Wonder how Tmobile's subsidized pricing will look like...

 

[Squilly]

Going back to the big phones topic, they really won't be around for much longer. 2013/2014 is the unveiling of Google's Project Glass to consumers, leading to the fashionable technological era. Apple definitely won't keep up at their current rate.

 

[theluggage]

The phones from the past are not the same as phones today. Likewise, phones are used differently today. It's really not that hard to comprehend the changing trend.

Exactly.

If I just wanted a device for voice calls I'd be looking for something no bigger than the minimum comfortable size of a phone keypad - or maybe a wristwatch phone (years ago I saw a calculator watch that you used by tracing numbers with your finger... the owner didn't realise it was a calculator).

What I want (and I know other people who think this way) is a pocket computer, media player, personal organiser, GPS and internet terminal which can be used as a phone almost as a last resort. I don't want to have two mobile contracts to cover a phone and a tablet (even tethering usually costs extra if you follow the rules).

Something like a Galaxy Note 2 may be bigger/heavier than most phones but it does the job of a phone and a 7" tablet.

I've always wanted to make do with an iPad when on the road, but there always seems to be some reason why I need my MacBook, so I'd end up carrying a MacBook (for serious work), an iPad (for instant-on internet, games and media) and a phone (...and a Kindle as well, but that's another discussion...). A "phablet" plus MacBook is a much more sensible combination for me.

You are, of course, perfectly free to have different preferences - if, for instance, you can do everything on a 10" tablet then a tablet +smaller phone will do fine.


Incidentally, I never carried one of those 80s/90s "portable as a brick" phones, but I did carry one of these:

...and the later 3a (Best. Mobile. Device. Ever... OK it would be laughably limited now, but for its time...) and, later, one of these:

...so the Galaxy Note 2 does feel pretty small and light for what it does.

 

[ixodes]

Despite having converted and now throwing my support behind Android, I am willing to return to the iPhone if the hardware and software was right. Anyone else? And if so, what would that entail?

This isn't a wishlist, so try not to post unrealistic desires. Or to phrase my question another way: what's the most minimal changes you would require to return to the iPhone?

Here's mine...

Hardware

-I don't think I can accept anything smaller than a 4.3" screen. I think anywhere between 4.3-4.6 is the sweet spot, for me. Needless to say, it needs to get wider too.

-I think I would need Apple to finally go with a capacitive or an on-screen home button. I've been spoiled by the Nexus experience, and to some degree it's laboring to have to depress the home button now. Plus, it just feels antiquated. Something about the digital button versus the analog button is more futuristic. I'd feel like I'd be taking a step back. I don't want to have to deal with convincing Apple Geniuses that my home button is acting up (I've been turned away before because I couldn't replicate the issue at the time of my meeting). It'd be nice to move past these little frustrations.

-Depending on how they manage the 4.3" screen, whether they actually enlarge the device to some degree or use up less bezel, I may or may not require the sleep/wake button to be on the side. As devices get larger, putting it on the top is becoming a no-no. The HTC One X, for example, is horridly cumbersome to wake and put to sleep. For those worried about accidentally hitting the volume buttons, I really think people can learn to adjust. Also, you can offset the positions by putting the sleep button higher (like it is on the Nexus 4; it's a little too high, actually) on the right side. Again, this isn't necessarily a deal breaker if they don't, but it'll depend on how they manage that 4.3" screen.

-Notification light. The benefits of this puppy is enormous. They could design it so that it's part of the aesthetics of the iPhone. Make the home button (or at least the square app shape on the home button) be the light. Imagine the home button (or again, the square shape) glowing! That would be beautiful.

That's really all hardware-wise. I don't think these are extreme requirements, especially the ~4.3" screen.


Software


-First and foremost, for the love of god, update the iOS keyboard. It's in desperate need of upgrading. It's been years. It's time. Give us upper and lower case signifiers, give us control over our own dictionary (please!), give us some sort of suggestion bar (Blackberry came up with their own way, why can't Apple?), give us long-presses for secondary symbols, improve the autocorrection, let us change the size of the keyboard (again, this doesn't have to be complicated. You can model it after Swiftkey, which simply offers: "Small, Medium, Large." Not difficult!). The keyboard experience was one of the main reasons I was driven away from the iPhone. It would do wonders in bringing me back if they make the right and necessary improvements.

-I want to see easier access to settings. Do we need widgets? Not necessarily. I've always said, most widgets are overrated, but the little more simpler widgets... they go a long way! Things like toggles, or quick access to settings. Apple could so easily implement this, that it's baffling they haven't yet. I'm talking about easy access to switching sound profiles, switching the lock screen on/off (I shouldn't need to input my lock screen code every single time I need to use my phone at home), switching WiFi/GPS/Bluetooth, etc. Again, these aren't insane requests. Just make things a bit more accessible. I'm sure Apple can find a way with or without widgets.

-Dynamic icons. Similar vein, these don't have to become full blown widgets. It'd be nice to see an accurate weather reading on the weather icon (this is the example used the most). At this point and time, I don't see why I'd trade the dynamics of home screens for an app drawer.

-Improved notification center and status bar. I still dislike the banner drop down. Why can't Apple utilize the space in the status bar? I don't mean copy Android with a little icon, I mean, why can't the banner simply roll onto the status bar area? Yes, it'll be smaller, but the point is to just alert the user. Why not remove the carrier sign (or in the case of the iPad Wifi, the "iPad" sign -- why do I need this there?) on the upper left? That space could be put to better use for notifications, etc. Also, please allow us to swipe away single notifications, which is a very simple request.

-Going to add upgrades to Mail and Safari. Would need to see full threaded messages in Mail. Would love to see my entire mailbox, too, ready at my finger tips (every time I load up my "Sent" mailbox, it has to actually load it. With Gmail, it's already preloaded). Give me more than 3 weeks worth of old mail, too. Safari could use more tabs. OR allow us to set default Mail/Browser apps.

-Allow for more sharing with other apps. Yes, people use things other than Facebook and Instagram and Twitter.

I've run out of steam, but I think there are a few more things that I'd need Apple to change before I return. I'll edit as they come to me. Please add yours!


I'm also going to throw a curveball. This is neither here nor there, but I'll mention it anyway...

Philosophy

I'd like to see Apple adopt a more humbling approach to their keynotes and presentations. A lot of it is condescending or disingenuous. We live in a fact-checking world, and making claims that they offer the world's thinnest phone or trying to insinuate that one handed use is foolish beyond anything 4" just won't cut it anymore. Millions of S3 owners can attest to somehow surviving with a much larger phone, as can others.

It'd be nice if they brought down their unlocked phone prices, too. Yes, yes, they need the profit for all that R&D, but don't forget they're also somehow sitting on a bank with reserves over $100 billion dollars...

There are probably other little things too... like stop withholding main features in software updates (iPhone 4 and SIRI)... or touting Beta programs as the main features... or holding true to incremental upgrades. Why play the slow game? This ties into being overly concerned with profit margins. Give us the specs people want.


I'd return in a heartbeat if Apple can hit these points.

I used to use an iPhone as my _Primary_ Smartphone_ out of the two or more phones I carry daily.

Why carry two or more? One's my personal phone and the other is my business phone. Typically I'd toss a third phone in my laptop bag, just for testing and evaluation. Being a long time mobile computing and communications enthusiast, I've been buying unlocked, unbranded phones from a few overseas distributors for years.

It's fun to try GSM phones that we do not get in this country. For those who may not be aware, gsmarena.com is a great place to see thousands of phones, along with specs and pictures. If you want something different that what our carriers limit us to here, check out the site.

To the iPhone most specifically, the reason I _stopped_ using it as my primary phone, is it's tiny screen.

I'm the type of user a smartphone is designed for, as I use all the features. That of course means I use it for internet when traveling and under circumstances that do not permit tablet use, or laptop use. Therefore the larger the screen, the faster and more comfortable I can be while getting my work done.

So, in order for me to "return to the iPhone" it must have a screen that's at least 4.8". That's the size of the display on my SGS III, the minimum size for my preferences. The 5.5" on my Galaxy Note II is really great. Since I have large hands, it's very comfortable, has ideal ergonomics and great battery life.

Apple would do well to either increase the current size, or keep it, then offer a second iPhone with a larger display. This obsession of "one handed" use is something that seems to be largely confined to the Apple community. No one I know is burdened with this obsession. The current "normal sized" Galaxy S III is proof, as sales volume is growing unabated.

The very moment Apple gives me a modern sized contemporary phone, I'm all in.

 

[matttye]

I used to use an iPhone as my _Primary_ Smartphone_ out of the two or more phones I carry daily.

Why carry two or more? One's my personal phone and the other is my business phone. Typically I'd toss a third phone in my laptop bag, just for testing and evaluation. Being a long time mobile computing and communications enthusiast, I've been buying unlocked, unbranded phones from a few overseas distributors for years.

It's fun to try GSM phones that we do not get in this country. For those who may not be aware, gsmarena.com is a great place to see thousands of phones, along with specs and pictures. If you want something different that what our carriers limit us to here, check out the site.

To the iPhone most specifically, the reason I _stopped_ using it as my primary phone, is it's tiny screen.

I'm the type of user a smartphone is designed for, as I use all the features. That of course means I use it for internet when traveling and under circumstances that do not permit tablet use, or laptop use. Therefore the larger the screen, the faster and more comfortable I can be while getting my work done.

So, in order for me to "return to the iPhone" it must have a screen that's at least 4.8". That's the size of the display on my SGS III, the minimum size for my preferences. The 5.5" on my Galaxy Note II is really great. Since I have large hands, it's very comfortable, has ideal ergonomics and great battery life.

Apple would do well to either increase the current size, or keep it, then offer a second iPhone with a larger display. This obsession of "one handed" use is something that seems to be largely confined to the Apple community. No one I know is burdened with this obsession. The current "normal sized" Galaxy S III is proof, as sales volume is growing unabated.

The very moment Apple gives me a modern sized contemporary phone, I'm all in.

I can understand the one handed thing, but Apple go about it all wrong.

Samsung created a feature that allows you to use the keyboard one handed even though the screen is a whole 1.5" bigger on the Note 2.

Apple just whine and complain, rather than thinking outside the box.

 

[L!veW!r3]

Yes i know because I knew someone would come and try to unravel my entire argument because of it. Anyway, I think it gets to a point where different sizes happens but not yet. As far as the different model goes for each line, it seems to have to do a lot with pricing. The macbook sizes differ in price. The iPod line goes from most affordable to most powerful (shuffle to touch). Same for iPad, mini to full. And that's something they praised in the keynote about the mini, it was affordable. So that's my theory about the different sizes. They aren't trying to push variety so much as they are trying to make things more affordable (while still raking in the big bucks). If you cannot afford it, get the smaller one, they say.

I think the only way we will see different sizes for the iPhone is if Apple decides they want to make it more affordable. And honestly, with carriers subsidizing phones, that really won't ever be a concern for them, at least in the US.

A little personal opinion here. I see the advantages of a bigger screen and yes the little stretch from iPhone 4 to iPhone 5 was beautiful. (I was contemplating a Nexus 4 instead of the iPhone 5 because of a bigger screen and its increase in usability.) But there is often beauty in smaller and slimmer items. For lack of a better example, a smartcar is cute, a monster truck is not. Apple is about elegance and beauty. A small thin phone shows that. A big phone, like the monster truck, screams muscle, power, and edge... quite the opposite of beauty and elegance. Anyway, you may disagree with my screen size analogy but a lot of people feel that way. Like I said, the big screen size is great for usability, but in my mind sacrifices some beauty.

You nailed it , sir!