The iPhone's Secret Blindspot

Now that the initial euphoria has passed, developers have started to talk about what's missing from Apple's (AAPL) iPhone: things like Flash, Java, streaming and full AJAX -- the linchpin, as Matt Buchanen at Gizmodo puts it, of innumerable Web 2.0 apps. (See iPhone Web 2.0 Standards Support Sucks and subsequent comments.)

These things can be fixed.

But there may be a deeper problem, one that Swedish entrepreneur and blogger Peter S. Magnusson (left) puts his finger on in a long, thoughtful post entitled iPhone's Missing Killer App: Social Networking. At a fundamental level, Magnusson says, Steve Jobs doesn't understand the new end user.

After several graphs extolling the things that are right with the iPhone ("It is a fantastic device... a work of heart... any technology enthusiast needs to get this"), Magnusson zeroes in on what's wrong -- and he's not talking about the battery, the recessed headphone plug or the network provider. He writes:

"At it’s heart, the iPhone is a projection of the original vision of bringing clunky desktop applications like email, contact databases, to-do lists, telephones, note taking, and web browsing to the palm of your hand. Because that is essentially Steve Job’s generation -- transitioning from the mainframe office environment to the PC-based office. Jobs can’t quite get rid of the notion that a mobile device is nothing but a really small personal computer....

"Here’s my theory. Apple can only do really interesting products if Steve Jobs understands the end user. And Jobs does not understand the 21st century computer usage paradigm. In this century, people don’t send memos to each other. And that’s what email is - electronic memos.

"Today, people chat; they blog; they share multimedia like pictures, video, and audio; they flame each other on forums; they link with each other in intricate webs; they swap effortlessly between different electronic personae and avatars; they listen to internet radio; they vote on this that and the other; they argue on wiki discussion groups."

What made the iPod a breakthrough product, Magnusson says, was that Jobs really knows music. "He’s an artsy guy. He’s even known to have a real good musical ear. That’s why the iPod was awesome. Jobs actually understood the target customer."

Social networking and Web 2.0 are another matter.  Magnusson writes: "It's a generational thing, I guess. Steve is even older than I am, and I’m having a real hard time keeping up with the times. Plus he’s busier than I am."

Magnusson closes by describing some of the things he would have done with the iPhone, if he were Steve Jobs. It's an interesting list. A sample:

• Social networking would have been front and center
• Location-aware signaling would be built it. The phone would sense if you were in your favorite coffee shop and flag that to friends.
• The wifi software would support peer-to-peer; it would let you know what people in your vicinity are listening to
• It would include a bunch of multiplayer games that you can play right away with friends (or strangers!)
• Calendar would sync with online services, not wait to be connected with a big, ugly PC.
• Messaging would be integrated into a single view, with iconic/font/color indicators to separate news items, blog entries, text messages, chats, etc.
• Personal podcasting would be seamless.
• There would be an official Apple iPhone wiki that all iPhone owners are immediately subscribed to for communal sorting-out of issues.
• There would be official Apple iPhone support forums that are directly accessible from the phone.
• The Google Maps function would plot all the iPhone owners with a little red dot; you can click on the dot to send a message to them. Or click on yourself to make a “talk” comment that nearby iPhone owners can “hear”. Or click twice on “yourself” to “shout” to iPhone owners that are within a few miles. A simple “/ignore” function would allow you to silence pesky shouters.
• Etc. You get the picture.

For the full article, click here.

For my money, it's more important that Jobs fix the things that keep the iPhone from replacing corporate Treos and BlackBerrys (like a way for the IT department to remotely disable a lost or stolen iPhone). And I suspect that some of the things Magnusson is missing (like iChat or a way to comment on a YouTube video) are among the goodies Steve Jobs is already planning to send down the software update pipeline.

As for the rest -- the world of  Flickr, Twitter, Myspace, Facebook, last.fm, the RSS universe, etc -- this is the direction iPhones creators (or whoever is going to replace the iPhone) will need to push things if they want to make the must-have mobile platform for the social networking generation.

Comments

[JPC]

That's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. Talk about Privacy issues. The good news is that with the iPhone, so much can - and will - be added through software updates.

[Johnie]

Isn't this what Helio does? Helio seems like it has everything you're asking for.

I definitely agree with you. Helio has the killer apps, but without the critical mass of users, it's pretty useless.

[chuck smith]

I agree and last night I attended one of the Apple Store iPhone seminars. The most benefit I recevied was from the other participant's experiences with the first few days of iPhone usage.

[Ron, Miami, Florida]

Nonsense... The reason Jobs doesn't know of these issues Matt is talking about is because all this stuff is just software apps and are used by niche sects in cyberspace.

Steve Jobs does personally decides what's important to go into the ipod. That's absurb. What Steve's job is to learn how the damn think works and sale it to the public and wall street. We may never hear about who actually came up with all of the break throughs on the iphone because this is the work of thoughful smart engineers and integration specialist whose names are hidden behind patent submissions and the sanctioned corporate spokensman (Jobs).

Be at easy Phillip and Matt, some software release in this year or next will incorporate your desires. Before that time, the iphone would have sold in the millions of iphones, changed the landscape of mobile if not computing itself and morphed into a market cap of $200B. But be honest, even with those accomplishments, that would make a believer out you anyway, will it? Okay, don't be discouraged, some third party developer will port these apps to the iphone make a ton of money, get bought out by Apple and you'll have your apps. One year later, there'll be others with other apps that suppose to be even more popular. To me they are all a dime a dozen because the vast majority of users are uninformed of their uses or their benefits.

[Breadman]

What is this guy, 12? Social networking? One word for you. Zune. We all know what happened with that.

[Tex]

I have an iPhone and could care less about these features because I'm not 15 years old. This is the Business 2.0 website, right?

[JamesL]

Don't you think Jobs and Apple may have thought of this already? The iPhone is only the initial hardware and software release. Apple can't take forever to get every hardware and software option ready and THEN release the product. The iPhone will have upgrades galore.

Perhaps the critics didn't hear the June 25(?) financial call, where it was said that accounting for the iPhone will be on a subscription basis over 24 months, because of forthcoming UPGRADES!

This allows Apple to get a wonderful product out to the market now, and continue to improve it over time.

[Chris]

I can afford a $600 phone because I WORK and because I want a device that I can put to WORK, such as emailing with my clients, scheduling meetings with them, and talking with them as necessary. What I DON'T need is the ability to flame them in forums, IM about invoices, or see i they're in my favorite coffee shop.

The last thing I would buy is a $600 myspace appliance.

[Mike S.]

What a pointless article. Basically, alot of nonsense. While maybe 1 or 2 of those ideas are decent, I think Magnusson is missing the whole point of the Apple line of products. Simplicity. If you were to include all of the items he suggested into the core function of the phone, no one over the age of 35 would know how to use it.

Also, all of those functions mentioned above can be accomplished through the iPhone's advanced internet browser.

This is just one of those articles that is looking to criticize, just to criticize.

[The Reptile]

I agree with most of what you and Magnusson said. However, those things are easily added as future features with improvements to hardware, batteries and software. As a 1.0 device, Apple had to focus somewhere and they selected retaining what's best about the iPod, e-mail and the web.

The one thing I don't agree about is gaming. Multitouch is a UI that is new for the game developers. Now that EA and others are on board with OSX I would imagine that they're eager to take on the iPhone with as much lust as some of them are looking to develop for the Nintendo Wii's new UI.

[30s iPhone owner]

Can the "social networking generation" even afford iPhones? Many iPhone buyers seem to be older.

[Steven Fierberg]

I have a blackberry, and one of the WORST things about it is that it combines SMS with email. Because I often check email at home on the computer (where I DON'T get SMS), it becomes easy to miss SMS messages. It is MUCH BETTER to have them separate. This is the second writer who seems to not actually use something but have strong opinions about it.
I particularly am suspect of writers who choose to speak for other groups. Here is a writer who admits he is not of the youngest generation, yet assumes the mantle of speaking for their wants and needs. His own basic assumption, that older generations somehow can't understand younger, invalidates his comments.
I personally don't agree that older people can't understand younger, and I don't agree with half the things he says 'younger' people want. Who would want their location broadcast to someone else, especially younger kids trying to hide their location from their parents? This guy has no clue.

[H roark]

forgot zune. That exactly does social networking. And how many are using it?

[Todd]

To think Jobs didn't have his entire left arm the the project is absurd. While a bit of a control junky He'll sit and agrue with the font type and spacing for days, sift through dozens of metal finishes, countlessly go back and forth on interface designs, buttons. It's what has been making Apple, APPLE as of late. Remember 1995 Apple Products? There' not like 1985 or 2005.

While alot of people go into these projects fact is if it doesn't live up to a few peoples expecatations there it's shelved. From Ive's to Schiller to Jobs and everyone else led by these guys, every person has a say in the project and everyone reports back to one key person, in this case it was Jobs.

As for the Gen Y's requirements... Maybe it's cause I'm an X'r but I'd prefer this device to work with me, not make me work with it. I don't do those personal page stuff, I don't blog but I'll reply to some. What I'd like to see is more integration to .Mac so I can upload my pic's and video's to .Mac and have them available to stream to my Mac's at home and work. But then again PC users don't know what .Mac is and I don't think it works with it.

Another overlooked feature is the ability to stream the content from the phone over a network to another Mac or AppleTV has been left out. It works AWSOME!!!

Things I think are Missing from the iPhone:

.Mac Integration
iTunes (what the hell, why was this left out!!!)
iChat AV (make the camera swivel around)
Remote Desktop Connections (would love this)

Well There are some other features I feel were left out but there a little complicated.

[Marc]

Oops - I think you mixed up the iPhone's business plan with the Zune's - you know, THE SOCIAL. That seemed to work.

But seriously, Twitter will likely be one of the first things ported to iPhone, I'm quit sure you'll be able to run Facebook in some format, and iChat is probably just a Leopard release away.

[Bill B.]

Are yu kidding?
Why does Business 2.0 get any play time in any search engine.
This is all crap.
The only reason iPod worked is because Steve Jobs understands the music business?
Was this guy under a rock 5 years ago?
They said it would never catch on with the stupid wheel and a hard drive..... BECAUSE Steve knew nothing about the music business.
And Steve doesn't understand the social network world of today?
The social network hand-held world of today is made up of a bunch of nerdy guys with what used to be called smart phones paid for by their companies. The new social world is going to start with users with an averag age of 16 or lower and be driven in ways nobody now can remotely understand. Steve is going to create this market. The other smart phone companies are going to do well because Apple is going to bring this class of device to the masses. (something none of the other interface desginers {palm and Microsoft} have been able to do)

Right, Steve Jobs doesn't understand social networking. Give me an example of hand-held social networking. You can't. Jobs said one thing very important. We have no idea where this is going to lead. The fact that Apple makes the hardware and the operating system, means you never take an automatic update for one of their computers (and an iPhone is a computer) and have it fail. You don't take an upgrade and have your speakers stop workiing, call the company, and find out you need to go to another companies website and download their new drivers. (Microsoft Windows Update?)
So little Jenny in 9th grade showing off er new iPod (called iPhone) will always be getting upgraded without Daddy spending hours reconfiguring the device. And in the updates will come new keyboard skins, chat tools, games, interaction programs in wi-fi social networking.

Steve doesn't understand networking because he's a music guy?
The author is an idiot, looking for a topic to write about. And since the iPhone is so hot, he wants to write something about it no matter how far out of the loop he is.

Business 2.0? Stick to writing about business and leave "social networking" commentary to people who know something.... anything.... about it.

[mike c]

You've certainly suggested some fine features, but like the others say, I'm not sure it fits the target user that's buying the iPhone now. But this brings up another interesting idea: If Apple had included your features, who would be buying it now? Fewer business-class users and more younger users. So a possible future would be to first hit the audience with more expendable income, then transition to a wider, riskier base? It seems likely to me.

Out of curiosity, though... Did Business 2.0 have a "how to hate the iPhone" meeting? You've all got some interesting articles, but they're all spun so much against the iPhone that it's pretty laughable.

[Stu Charlton]

Everyone wants to hit nails with their "social networking" hammer, because it's the "next" thing. It's tiring.

None of the features you listed would have generated hype in the iPhone. They're nice features, but many things are trivial (put up a wiki? how silly is that?), or are ridiculous (locate other people via google maps? Hello stalkers!). And I already can access the iPhone support forums.

I think "see/stream other people's music" might be interesting (squirt done right), but wireless networking technology has problems with that (spanning WiFi networks is unlikely due to firewall considerations, and most GSM-based networks aren't set up for peer communication).

It is wrong to place social networking front & center, because it frankly is NOT the target market for this sort of device at this price point. People will not buy an expensive phone for social networking features today -- those with money (30+ somethings) don't really get into social networking, and out of those who save money or use daddy's money (teens and 20+ somethings), this trend is arguably quite young. Social networking features also have very little to do with differentiating the *device*, so it falls into the "nice to have" category.

As for Jobs not understanding the consumer, good luck with that theory. iLife on the mac does all of what you're saying -- editing, sharing photos & movies, publishing blogs & podcasts, etc. It's probably the best integrated experience for this sort of thing, and doesn't have the constraints of a mobile device.

The iPhone's current features set is a classic case of triage -- pick the features that must make a cut off date that will sell the most units, and build the rest in a point release, and defer the hard stuff to iPhone 2.0.

[Greg]

Some of the comments about these features being worthless or not caring about the features is precisely the author's point--that Steve Jobs has the same poor understanding of what people in their teens and early 20s want. Whether you think it's important or not doesn't matter--you're satisfied with or without those features. The iPhone without those features appeals to everyone who already bought one. An iPhone with some of those features still appeals to you, and creates an even larger customer pool. Apple has inadvertantly called to attention (on a national scale) the iPhone's shortcomings... fortunately for him, there's probably not a company out there who has the capability to execute on a better product.

This is indeed the Business 2.0 website but your company won't be switching from Blackberry to iPhone any time in the next few years... so I'm not really sure why you're reading this in the first place if you don't think the author's article belong.

[Chris]

Looks like most of you typed your comments on your phones, with the spelling and grammatical errors. What the author is trying to convey here is that Jobs has created, or extended, rather, a generational gap between himself and younger, hipper end-users today. He's right: The IPhone needs to be able to accommodate those who want to social network, in addition to those who just want to work. Read carefully, and you'll get it.

[luke]

AHAHAHA.. hilarious

who's Peter S. Magnusson LOL. ???

Jobs doesn't understand the end user ?? LOL
that is hilarious Apple and Steve Jobs in the past 3 decades have changed computing , how we listen and buy music and now probably how we talk to each other over the phone in other words they are shaping the world in a way that few companies have done..

Everything left out was left out for a reason

[my2cents]

Those are the weakest "improvements" I have thought of. How about some things that would actually be useful and really add some kick to the iPhone?

Very cool idea: Put the camera on the front of the phone. This would enable you to be able to video chat with another person over another iPhone or iChat on your Mac. If Apple releases iChat for WIndows.... you know it is coming. That is more of a "cool" feature.

Extremely useful idea: The iPhone currently has everything it needs to do this except the software. All you need is a bluetooth GPS receiver. How useful would the iPhone be if you could also use it as a full fledged GPS device? I think it was be awesome. It could be something like TomTom where it is a computer generated map that you would use, or even GoogleMaps. It would awesome to be able to have a GPS that actually uses satellite images to show you where you are and where you are going instead of graphical maps. You know if Apple wrote the software, it would blow away anything else out there. It would probably change the way mobile GPS devices work.

That is just my 2 cents

[Longtime Apple User]

GPS is the biggest functionality lacking on the iPhone. By law the device has a GPS chip (for 911 emergency locating) but has no apps that use the location info. The "google maps" feature should immediately show the phone's position relative to maps.

[hen]

So, now you got the picture; Iphone is not for "Corporate I.T" (I suppose, by that, you mean MS-Certified Zombies).
And now, it's not for the new -social networking- generation...
Still, apple managed to shove well over half a million Iphones into the gready hands of consumers over the week-end...

[Big Willy in Philly]

"Location-aware signaling would be built it." WORST IDEA EVER! Like i want everyone on the internet to know where i am at all times with my $600 phone. Im writing to money.cnn.com and telling them to denote when they put up a link real story and when they put up someone's hack blog. Beat it, pal!

[Tyler]

Maybe it is that Jobs is well clued in and that you are clueless. I don't know let the figures tell us.

[Chris]

Couldn't help but notice the change of article title from "Steve Jobs Big Mistake" to a toned down version "iPhone's Secret Blindspot".

Why the change? Realized the the "Big Mistake" was really just some Swede's overblown opinion?

[Lunchmeat Eater]

Baloney.

[olive]

this business2 blog is one of the cleverest thing ever. They managed to get in the top of google ratings in no time. What a clever web2.0 marketing plan....

[Steve]

The writer makes a few valid points if you are targeting 14 year old girls as your consumer base. However, at $600 a pop you with a minimum monthly service charge of $60 a month you have priced out 95% of tweens and teens.

Apple isn't targeting kids...they are targeting me. I'm 32 year old male with disposable income who doesn't really needs all the gimmicks of the phone but will probably but it anyway just because it's cool and I can. If it were truely a business necessity for me I'd opt for blackberry 8800 or something of that ilk. A device that is actually quite adept at handling important business applications like e-mail, calendar, contacts...and oh yeah phone.

I'm not here to say that social networking is irrelevant but it's not a killer appl. Once you grow up, get a job, and become an adult....it's merely a waste of time.

[blueghia]

What is described here is Utopia...we don't live in Utopia. Some of Mr Magnusson's remarks are important and I believe as the iPhone evolves, those social aspects will be considered. But fundamentally Mr Magnusson misses the point that the iPhone is also a communication device for talking! I like all the other bells and whistles, but with added applications comes complexity and Apple has done an excellent job of creating an elegant communication device...that by the way, allows us to TALK TO EACH OTHER.

[dc]

Yeah, that's just what I want, to get endless automatic messages all day "Susie has entered Starbucks," "John is at work." Bleah.

[Mal Watlington]

When I see a "what's wrong with . . ." article, I tend to read it as a "it would be really cool if . . ." request which the manufacturers of products can consider along with all the other market feedback that they are getting (including monster sales). The iPhone, as delivered, is an excellent test vehicle, which I am sure will be enhanced based on market demand, if the iPod is any indicator. So, instead of bashing the iPhone or its creators, let's let them know what we want, and eagerly await the next version. These guys are innovators, so let's give'em a chance to surprise us.

[Voodoo]

A large amount of functionality will no doubt become active as soon as Leopard is released. Note that no mention has been made regarding which version of OS X the iPhone is running.

Pages on an iPhone? Delicious.

[luke]

The iPhone provides the best web experience among all the hand held devices. Any social network site can be used on it. YouTube one of the stars of Web 2.0 is embedded in the iPhone.

This swedish doesn't know what he is talking about.

[Art Kuddlemeister]

email of ONE MAN: Not a difference between email and IM...

email of OTHER ONE: Yes, there is!

email of ONE MAN: I'm telling you that EMAIL can be used EXACTLY like an IM program...

email of OTHER ONE: No. No, it can't!

email ONE: What are you high on your farts again? Dude, we're doing it right now, and your 2 blind 2c.

email of OTHER ONE: OMG, Maybe u rite, chat ya later, gtg, lol, have a great day, bye...

email of ONE: 2u2, chat ya later, bye...

[Josh]

well the iphone while offically out is still undergoing testing...on a mass scale just like every big product has to go through. they see what the mass complaints are and then correct them hence why i'm not dumb enough to go get a product's first release and spend all those days in line to shell out a ton of cash to go "hey i'm having problems". When the mass testers come back with their issues, apple will fix them and then it will be the product people have been waiting for.

[xzavier]

It always amazes me how these so called Experts or critics always end up blasting something new, like a phone or movie or some sort of software, and they never once sat down and created something that was so unique in there entire life or came up with the very idea. So they call themselves experts. Kinda makes you wonder if they really are experts in this field. What Jobs did was create something that basically says, enough of all the crap that phones are loaded with. Lets make it simple, this isn’t a business phone its A PHONE. Last time I can think of you were supposed to make calls on it. Not surf the net on My Space, or You Tube or email CLIENTS. You wanna emails clients by a black berry. Jobs will give cell makers a run for there money and its about time, enough of the phones that are so neutered and so complicated to operate. Hooray for Steve Jobs, and for the so called experts numbers will neve lie so we'll see in six months what the numbers look like.

[Vlad Goubanov]

MR. Peter S. Magnusson will never understand business mentality. The iPhone is a real break through for business application and use, but one have to disconnect yourself from games and children talk. It has nothing to do with age. It's the difference between European and American mentality. Great job, Mr. Jobs!

[Steve]

First, location aware signaling is quite possibly the worst idea ever. Is privacy completely irrelvent now? I'm going to assume you are writing that down for shock value and page filler as opposed to practicality.

One key point you are missing...to build a social network you have enough users to support the social network. When you rule out all the teenagers who can't afford the iphone...where is your social network going to come from?? Your concept is fundamentally flawed.

[Tad]

I agree with Greg: Many of these comments show ignorance of a growing market segment, especially those who claim that the up-and-coming generation are just 12-year-olds who don't know better. This IS a different generation, and unless you stay vital and socially connected with this group, you're not going to see it.

Mr. Fierberg's comment is particularly rich: "I personally don't agree that older people can't understand younger, and I don't agree with half the things he says 'younger' people want. Who would want their location broadcast to someone else...?" Obviously not you, Mr. Fierberg, but isn't that rather the point?

Although I am in my thirties, many of my friends happen to be in their early 20s and fresh out of Duke, Dartmouth, Stanford, etc. Most of these young friends are amazing professionals who are already light years ahead of their peers; heck, they're well ahead of me, too. And they really DO make use of the kinds of social networking that Magnusson describes.

Understand that during their high-school and college years, this generation's pockets and book bags were filled with tiny gadgets -- phones, handheld computer games, PDAs, mp3 players, key FOBs, etc. -- and they used these tools for social networking. Many have Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn accounts. They IM and SMS. They share music and pix on the web. They game over local and wide area networks. And they do this stuff as a part of their regular routine, apparently without a lot of privacy worries. If it weren't for having so many young friends inviting me to join them, I don't think I would know about this.

I'm sorry to say, but the rest of you seem to be showing your age, and not very gracefully.

[Cathy]

It would be great if the CNN business feed had news and not people trying to influence what I buy as this does.

[dk0412]

All these people flaming the author simply prove his points.

[Eric]

MAC is to PC dummies as I-phone is to smart phone dummies.
I-phone will be just what MAC is. A great device for a niche market. This device is not revolutionary. Its the same ol' stuff that has been done before and rehashed again in a shiny new package.
In this instance, Jobs is not the innovator. He is the immitator.
BTW, for all the people that are saying this device will be great for businesses...
Do you really think that the boardroom clunkies could take you seriously as you whip out your I-phone for a presentation? LOL laughable.
How do articles like this even make into business 2.0?

[Eric Huber]

I have been following all the hype about the iPhone and frankly it's been disapointing at best. Yes I am a MS-Zombie and to me the iPhone is just an expensive toy. My Blackberry does everything the iPhone does just better.
The biggest problem with my Blackberry is it's not cool like the iPhone. No pretty interface or Mac genuis to show me how to use it. No it won't play music or take pictures either but I already have a camera and an MP3 player neither of which I have time to use during my busy day.
Ohh and I can replace the battery in my Blackerry or load on a few NON-iTunes .MP3 files to listen to if time allows. Sorry, half the price and it becomes a consideration but at 5-6 hundred dollars forget it. As an MS-Zombie I like a keyboard I can touch not a touch screen to fumble with. Just another gotta have to be cool toy from Apple.

[JJ]

A famous quote once said,
A learned fool is more ignorant than an ignorant fool. Couldn't be more true right here in this Apple bash.

[Chuck St. John]

Magnusson is a top shelf idiot. I am sure he has all those things already...in a wi-fi enabled laptop and a helio.

Kids are NOT the target . . . folks like me are; business owner that wants e-mail on the run, a phone that works and something with which to listen to music or watch a vid while flying to my next assignment.

Social networking on a handheld? Yeah right. Get a life!

[Steve.J]

I don't think I have ever read such dumb article. Not sure who Magnusson is or what his credentials are but it seems he has no clue about how to market a product like the iPhone.

[Russell Jeffords]

Once again, another article that exposes the incredible, persistent, BIAS biz2.0, as owned by Time-Warner, has against AT&T and devices AT&T supports.

How on Earth do you sleep at night, Mr. Dewitt? Just how?

Whores are more honest than you sir, in that they admit what they are doing and accept their payment in cash, over the table, and up-front.

You are not even so honest as the lowest of that breed.

Perhaps "journalist," should join "politician," and "lawyer," in our list of slimy, misbegotten, and misanthropic puerile professions. Right up there with "chiropractor," and "witch doctor," on the level of charlatanism depicted.

You are lower than the dust, you and your whole Tim-Warner cabal.

[Silentsteve]

Two words:
GROW UP!

[RG]

Are you kidding, the vast majority of internet users don't do any of those things and no mobile is good for them. The Treo, even with 3G, is barely usable for such things, and I have had one for years. I fully expect more features to be added both to this model, and future models. Did the original ipod do color and video, of course not! For the price of a Razr 3 years ago, the iPhone is a revolution. This is why it is already exceeding expectations. Everyone I show it to says they have to get one. I had no intention of getting one until my boyfriend did, and it was so amazing I got one the next day.

[g-pizzle]

thats exactly what i was thinking yesterday on the train ride home. what if my ipod could use wifi to connect to someone's ipod and hear what song they were listening to ? you would obviously be able to turn such a feature on or off. that would be a revolutionary idea for music players. im sure steve-o has thought of it so we'll see it in future renditions of the iphone/ipod. how else are they going to make their billions ? by giving everything away with the first version to the millions of morons already willing to spend 600 on a phone with some pretty pictures and an interface that doesnt even load a functional version of itunes. LOL --- BRILLIANT -- releasing a BETA version of the future !

[Eric]

To the person wanting email on the run and a phone that works...

If Apple wanted to provide that, they would not have paired with AT&T for the service providers.

There is a distinct reason the company went from "att" to "cingular" to "att" to "the company formerly known as"...

[Jill]

The iPhone is an awesome piece of gadgetry. After using T-Mobile's Blackberry for the last 3 years, it's hideous technology made me wish that Apple would create a phone that would sync seamlessly with my laptop.

Most users with problems setting up were clearly unable to use the iTunes software that hooks up the phone immediately with AT&T. All of its functions are perfect, and the battery is far more durable throughout the day than many pundits have suggested.

Viva Steve Jobs!! Viva Apple!

[AnilAug]

I would say Iphone has started a revolution in mobile technology like Windows did to the Personnal Computing. ( as we all know Windows took the MAC UI features and marketeted well to capture the user mkt).
Some of the good features the Users may be looking for along with the social networking is to enhace the mobility of a person with more GPS features added into it.
Next would be the entertainment features which Iphone already has, but the question is what more features but with less complicated and more cheaper it could be made while making it available to more wider mkt.
I would say the more interesting outcome with Iphone introduction would not be what Iphone does not have but how the other mobile equipments from motorola, nokia etc are going to do to face the change ie what I look forward 'the next mobile revolution'

[Hertz]

What does social networking means??? Interact with someboby that you don't know and be able to "shout" some "talking spams"? And if you discover how to work out of the office without email, please, tell me!
Chat; blog; share pictures, video, and audio; forums; votes; etc... is also an electronic memos, but with more colors and images and different ends than the email... it's all about sharing information...
Jobs thought just like his customers! But Magnusson is kind of right, there are some things missing in the iPhone.

[Nitin]

Guys, dont mix networking with social networking. Any professional would take love to take the opportunity of interacting with any of his contacts (who are there in his blackberry or address book) if they are nearby to where he is. Think about the business benefits.
Same goes with other so called "social applications" which can be tweaked around to business applications and would do wonders for any professional. That opportunity is too huge to be missed by any of the phone companies.
What is restrictive is the service contracts is in US only and the phone would not hit the world in another year's time. Most of the other phone companies would be on top of it by that time as they stand to lose their bread and butter, unlike electronics companies for whom the music player was a very small segment of their business and they did not worry about it too much.

[Dan]

The author must still be using the VCR.

[Wally]

OK great so the iphone will change the face of business phone sales forever, but i'm sorry to say that unless Steve comes out with a really cheap version with MMS and a 3.2-5 million pixel camera at about 200USD then he has just missed the biggest phone in the world - China - 450 million phones growing by 130 million last year. So once again Apple will supply a niche market of 5-10% while the rest of world happily uses their HTC Touch, Nokia, Motorola or Samsung(which supplied the chips for the iPhone). And so you can understand the mentality of the Chinese Market an ipod shuffle costs 6-8 times the equalivalent MP3 product and i have seen 1 chinese person with an ipod in 2 years in China and her rich American boyfriend bought it for her.

[Ben]

These feature requests mentioned in the article are for a third grader... Not too mention privacy issues with them. Seeing other iPhone users on Google Maps? I mean, WTF!?

The iPhone functionality today is what end users need. It's not filled with a bunch of clunky stuff. Apple has a fantastic reputation on giving users what they need in an elegant and simplistic interface.

[So Confused]

So basically, he wants a Sony PSP that mated with a Zune? Combining two "also ran" products into one mega product won't make it any better than the sum of the parts.

As always, people are making "news" by forcing criticism on the hot new gadget. Even if the iPhone did all the things listed in the article, the author still wouldn't be happy. "Yes, but why doesn't it auto-balance my checkbook? It could hook into the ACH network and monitor all of my checks and debit transactions as they clear. Then, if my checking account is in danger of being overdrawn, it could auto-transfer money from my savings into my checking. Everyone wants this, and Steve Jobs is a moron for not including it!"

[AustinVCguy]

Is this some kind of joke? I don't even have an iPhone, but the social networking portion of this would be a disaster. I want a phone that is a phone, not another tool that I can use to make seemingly empty connections to people I'll probably either never meet or who will wrap me up in the endless and meaninglee minutae of their daily lives. (and since when are 15 year olds the market for 600.00 cell phones?) All the enormous privacy issues these suggestions would raise aside (tracking all iPhone users on Google maps?!), not having any of this extra crap would probably be why I'll eventually get one.

[the EDGE of really slow]

Everyone in here is very hypocritical. You say you don't want something because it is part of niche market. YOU ARE A NICHE MARKET!

You say you got the IPHONE to do work fast and efficient, and in your own idiotic way have found a way to do something many others phones do for 3 times the price at 1/5th the speed.

Because everyone who bought an IPHONE is a "genius" and everyone who didn't buy one is "clearly" an idiot you will respond with a clever statement about Steve Jobs this or Mac that or perhaps a cover up statement about how it isn't that bad.

I had an Iphone in the heart of chicago, network was painfully slow and Wi-Fi isn't every where I needed it. The Q was $100.00 bucks. I got my $650.00 back, got a PDA and EVDO network.

Way to be cutting edge guys!

[Tom]

Any sort of social networking function could possibly ruin the image of the iphone. Look at boost mobile. with the chirp and the where you at? There is no young or old person that thinks those are useful features. They are more so distracting and lower the value of a Boost Mobile Phone. Games, and integrated communications are also bad ideas. People don't buy phones to play games, they buy nintendos to play games and i agree that putting all communications together would make sorting them out very difficult. The iphone is a gem as it is now, and only minor software upgrades are required.

[BrettInLJ]

It seems like the author of this article isn't intimately familiar with principles of product management. Not including location based services is a function of cost, battery life, and privacy issues. The ability of the browser to support AJAX and other technologies would have pushed back the launch date. The iPhone has met its target sales... pure and simple. There will be new versions of the iPhone, just like the iPod where these features will be rolled out. When you are dealing with hardware you don't just implement something because you can and its cool. Apple is in the business of making a profit. I think that the iPhone product portfolio is and will be managed well.

[Jim]

Google maps tracking all iphones? Location aware signaling? Sounds more like iStalker than iPhone to me...

[Nick]

Wow, I'm a little surprised that a majority of the posts here are so negative. While most of the comments made here certainly apply to the U.S. market, I have just one word for all of you that doubt social networking: ASIA.

The consumer products that are driving the market in many of the large Asian markets, including China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, are mostly being used by the tech-savvy younger generation who would make use of many of the social networking features described in the article.

The reason the Zune failed is because of extremely poor implementation. Not only that, it just was not the kind of networking that people were looking for. I would expect Apple to be able to do a much better job at implementing such features and technologies.

[Nick]

Just a big of an addendum to my previous post. It's precisely because Apple doesn't understand social networking and hasn't implemented it that they haven't done nearly as well in Asia as in the U.S. market. While the iPod has been doing ok, it doesn't even come close to dominating the market as it does in the U.S.

[Jason]

I gotta say--reading the feature set envisioned scared the hell out of me. Just about everything covered screams stalker assistance device, privacy violations over a massive scale, and the firing up of a real competition to see who would gain the most from a "social networking" iPhone--would it be pedophiles, date rapers, stalkers, or just garden variety psychotics that would most benefit?

Wouldn't that be great to have on your iPhone--you could chat with a 12 year old, use GPS and google maps to figure out exactly where they are, use the handy camera for some surviellance photos, and hey, maybe check by the pederast's wiki for Chris Hansen tracking reports.

Then it occurs to me that the writer may be absolutely correct since that pretty much sums up Web 2.0.

[Peter S Magnusson]

Lol, I guess somebody found my blog!

I'll have a hard time responding to all the flames.

BUT I just want to point out the delicious irony here. Many of the posters that are slamming my blog are right here and now behaving exactly like the *current* generation of net users. Namely, commenting; flaming; linking. Just as I described.

While at the same time saying that that's exactly what people who work (e.g. them) don't do.

Kek.

[Where's my video...]

Overall I am impressed with the iPhone. It looks outstanding, the functionality is what I would expect from an Apple product and I thought the iPhone was pretty consistent with everything Jobs has produced. I do believe some of the points that were made are valid and that if you can't recognize that then you are just blinded by your love for everything that is Apple. I really just question why there is no video capture when almost everything else that has to do with the internet is available(no chat- Hmmm).
I mean seriously don't you Apple-cores think that some day you may just want to jump on a wireless network start up a little video chat with a friend that is halfway around the world? I mean sure beats just talking with them. Oh and maybe instead calling them first you message them. So really if you can't see that weakness then you are every bit as bad as the PC clones like me. Oh and that camera should flip around so there needs to be and iPhone 2.0. I don't think you can patch that or load an application to fix that little problem....

[Mario]

Wow, thats a lot of participants giving their opinions. Most of them bashing the Web 2.0 thing LOL.

[David]

Seems like its the author of this article that does not understand his target audience!

[John]

Who wants their kid walking around the streets where everyone with an Iphone knows his/her exact location? This article is a joke.

[blue horse shoe]

I'm buying an Iphone and I don't even intend to hook it up to ATT. When you look at what's out there for media devices $500 isn't all that expensive. As a portable FULL internet (at least by Blackberry/LG standards) device that fits in your pocket its worth the $500 alone. MP3 is just a bonus. Fake internet on my Blackberry Pearl is as useless EDGE itself.

[Aaron]

Sounds like this guy owns a Zune!

[Aaron]

Sounds like this guy owns a Zune!

[Abby Ford]

Social networking ??

Maybe you guys need to get a Zune and join the social...
you and the other 50 users out there.

[westside]

After reading the comments it's clear a new digital divide is forming...amazing.

[Brian]

Lots of comments from the Apple jihad, flaming the author as a know-nothing Zune user, which is to be expected.

However, the most surprising thing for me about the iPhone is that it's no *not* revolutionary. It's purely evolutionary. It does nothing new nor innovative -- it just does stuff other phones have been doing for years, better.

It's basically an aesthetically pleasing, simpler, more expensive Windows Mobile phone -- it plays music, sends emails and SMSes, and browses the web, just in a more intuitive fashion.

Apple's not doing anything really disruptive here (other than the phone's great browser and easy interface). No new apps are here and many users aren't going to be able to use this device to replace their primary PC uses (for the time being, anyway). And that's OK, they'll still sell a ton of them (to Apple jihadists and also to me, if they can ever get them back in stock for someone who isn't willing to camp out or drive 100 miles).

But revolutionary or game changing? That's hyperbole -- it just makes the mobile web a bit more accessible to people who didn't use it before, and prettier for people like myself who have been using it for years. Version 1.1 or 2.0, with 3G and an open application environment, will be the real "killer app."

[JC]

The iPhone needs to be either strictly consumer based or take on the business world. I don't think it has the capability to do both. I read an article at www.iphailure.com that had some good points.

[Alechemy]

How is this? What the heck is Web 2.0 anyway. I use the hell out of my Treo and do all sorts of mobile computing and help run a biotech company. I don't know what the heck Web 2.0 is (I've been reading many bits of information *about* it, but no one has been able to define what exactly it is). I'm no techno-philistine, but if "Web 2.0" hasn't reached your average technology saavy business, then there's no point in even thinking about it's consequences to the first release of a product.

[Peter S Magnusson]

For the record, I'm happy to respond to (reasonable) flames. But I can't do it effectively on this forum because I can't edit the postings (so can't insert my comment in italics).

If you're serious about responding to my analysis, please do so over at my blog at http://petersmagnusson.com and I'll do my best to keep up.

If you're just another "omfg-he-dissed-apple-he-is-an-idiot" poster, then feel free to stay here and slam PED. He lives for this shit.

[Peter]

What about being able to load applications? any application? can you? Is it all preprietary like mac hardware? I am waiting on linux powered phones.

[Wii]

Hey... my Nintendo DS does all of that! Just without the phone aspect.

[John Derbysire]

I'm surprised by the virulence of many responses here. But there is an obvious solution to which features users get: they choose them. The key point is that the iPhone is a software-configurable device in the sense that Apple can, and no doubt will, add new features through its well proven Software Update system. It is near certainty that many of the social networking features the author proposes (and others beside) will be implemented by Apple. Apple could offer different configurations for individual choice eg the basics plus the social networking features for the young crowd, or the basics plus features used most often in business for the professional market (Newton Mini anyone?), and many others besides. You just pick n mix the choice that suits you. What's not to like about that?

[Erik Huddleston]

The things that make the iPhone so elegent have nothing to do with application functionaity (the thrust of the arguments) and have everything to do with the platform and usability support. When I went to all my favorite web 2.0 sites, I didn't get really irritated about the things that didn't work, I was amazed at the things that did. Compare the iPhone and Safari to the alteratives. For me, this was an HTC TyTN with Opera and Pocket IE. No comparason. I have posted the bulk of my analysis here:

http://2glue.typepad.com/productivity/2007/07/mobile-web-20-p.html

[Jeff]

There are a lot of comments, and I'm surprised by how many people are cynical/critical of the article.

I like the ideas that the writer shares. Yes, some may warrant privacy issues. However, I agree with his points about "social networking" "Web 2.0" and what people want. Obviously, the ideas aren't set in stone; there needs to be refinement and pragmatic application.

His ideas are relevant. As a constituent of Generation Y, I like what the writer had to say, and the product would be more appealing to me if these features were added or focused on.

[Alex]

Most of the posters are living in the stone age or working for Microsoft. Yes, bring it in social networking and location awareness to iPhone. I'm waiting for this since I was a teenager in early 80s :-) And yes, you should be able to switch it on and off, like any other phone feature.
Bring local eBay-type auctions, bring in yard sales on the phone, bring store promotions here. Bring in services, small business promos, etc.
Now this can be the killer app which will change the way we live.

[DaveJ]

Although I am over 15 and I don't give a rats ass if my friends know I am listening to a Paris Hilton CD in a coffee shop, the writer is correct that there is a huge market for these capabilities. The fact that the iPhone has a browser, and in the future 3G, means that all these features can be implemented EASILY via web services. The entire work is migrating to web based applications, and Steve Jobs clearly has this vision in mind. There are some good ideas for business opportunities identifed here. Now let me get back to blogging, flaming people on forums, drinking coffee and listening to Paris Hilton's hit song...

[Zune Man]

Welcome to the Social! HAHA!

[TBone]

I LOVE THE OUTRAGE!

I agree that this web site sucks. I don't think there's been a good thing written about Apple in months.

I also am over 15 and see no need for people to know where I am or what I'm listening to.

By the way, how is Helio doing? (Millions in losses, great business plan)

I think the real problem the author has is he doesn't understand anything about business. You see the point of business is to make money. Someone should start a web site about that. Maybe Business 3.0.

[Tom]

Cost will have an effect - it needs to come down from Apple and AT&T. Remember Playstation 3?

[Jason P]

Are you crazy? It's a 700 MHz ARM processor PHONE!! What do you want it to do, run a web server, torrent client and host your home media server too? Sheesh. Browsers and client software on these devices simply cannot yet do these jobs which you describe. Get a grip, kthxbye.

[yb]

That's got to be one of the most stupid article about the iPhone to date.

The author clearly has no idea of what he's talking about, and the 1st article he's linking to is riddled with technical inaccuracy from people who use buzz words like AJAX as if it were an actual technology and "web 2.0" as if it were some sort of clearly defined standard...

As for the whole social networking... yet again another buzz word thrown in the air hoping that it will stick...

And I'm sure the fact there's no "official Apple iPhone wiki" will doom the iPhone's commercial success...

Thanks for the insights... I'm definitely coming back here

[Unknown]

I am sorry to say that person write everything above is nothing but idiot. If he think it is easy to create and operate Apple Inc, you understand he need some medication. As everybody know it is very easy to critise someone who is really success in their life. So i think insted of critise Steve Jobs it is better for him to look at himself and try to make difference.

[Tony F]

Why on Earth would I want a feature where others can see where I'm going and what I'm listening to? Is there such a thing as personal privacy anymore?

As far as I can tell, the only features I'd use on an iPhone would be the phone, the music, the scheduler, and the e-mail device. However, for a ridiculous $600 this is simply unjustifiable. Were I rich, yes I would buy one, but I already have a cell phone and iPod, so what's the point?

And if you buy an iPhone now, you're just wasting your money. In a few years it'll be smaller, lighter, cheaper, able to do way more, and all the network problems will be sorted. This first-gen iPhone will be a dinosaur by then.

[Ken]

Does this guy think that all of Apple's products come from Steve Jobs sitting in his basement, coming up with ideas, and then grabbing his toolkit and getting to work?

Steve Jobs being "older" etc. doesn't mean that he's going to shoot down his entire R&D's ideas. A huge team put in work onto the iPhone -- people young and old, and I'm sure they took a look at most of those suggestions, realized that they weren't selling the iPhone to 15 year old MySpacers, and quickly dismissed most of them as ridiculous.

[Integrate]

Let me just put it this way:

Steve Jobs is extremely successful not to mention the money. I don't know about you. So let us not criticize him. For one to criticize Jobs, one has to acheive his level of success.

iPhone is the starting point for Apple in Cell Phone industry. Where it goes from here, is a whole another world. The Market Research department at Apple is one of the best.

They have already changed the dynamics of the cell phone industry by signing agreements with AT&T where Apple gets a part of the periodic bill.

Thanks

[jc]

People might think they would like social networking but really it's another form of surveillance that breaches privacy issues. Microsoft's embrace of such software not only has spawned a need for people to observe and control others from a distance, but the company has also bred a sense of invasiveness and sloppy programming tactics. It's too bad to see that so many people are willing to play into these kinds of gimmicks.

Apple clearly respects privacy and everything else. The iPhone is a high-end gadget, no doubt about it, and I'd rather pay $500 for privacy at extremely good quality. There is definitely more to come from Apple. Bye, bye to the bizarre, inward Microsoft culture that flies on the cheap.

[yeah right]

I disagree that it is such a key element. yes we want to connect and instant messaging and "calling" someone is a component of the device.. but the device also banks on an individual component... my time, my video. I think the social connectivity scene is overhyped for portable devices (* hello zune...) Nice try, another cry for bloated confusing interfaces that in the end do nothing well.

[Will]

Ok so I am in the wireless business. Here are some thoughts; if you do not get the phone right then you are destined to fail. The iPhone is not a world phone (3 band), it is only an Edge phone not a high speed network phone. Those 2 attibutes are a deal breaker. Now lets talk about apps, oh sorry this is a proprietary device. Wish it was a good phone first, then we could chat

[Gavin S.]

Sounds like the fictional future blog Bruce Sterling wrote in this months issue of Wired.

[Gizmo]

So, why didn't you invent the "social networking" gadget of the century. The Iphone is Great, don't be jealous!!!!

[This crap works like a charm]

I think you're getting paid per reader comment re your idiotic fantasies.

I believe you must be making a significant contribution to Business 2.0's bottomline and that your continued future employment as Chief Fabricator of Bullshit is assured.

Congratulations!

[edge = 1/5th the speed of EVDO 1/10th the speed of Rev A]

I love apple people.. have there thongs shoved up there butt so far they can't see facts. I Phone is an over priced PDA.

A device that runs on wi-fi and 200 kbs per second is not cutting edge.. it is 2002. Touch screen? try a treo. Music? try any device made since 2004.

Sadly, some dude who has mac and an I phone will no see reason and instantly jump to steve job's defense and say the I phone is great... blah.. blah ... blah

I own a I phone by the way.. but this thing is over priced, and if I didn't win it.. I would of sold it.

[brielgeek]

Cheap iPhones and accessories
http://tinyurl.com/2r7cu4

[Rick]

In case you want to know, this is Web 2.0: http://www.oreillynet.com/lpt/a/6228

I believe that the depth of personal customization features on a mobile device will predict its success, along with whether it works or not. All Apple products work, so the latter point will never be a problem. Regarding customization, iPods are easily customized because their primary function is storage, and what you put on one (inside and out) is clearly up to you. iPhones might be easily customizable someday soon, with the selection of which apps you do and do not want on the device being much like selecting widgets in the Dashboard program of the Tiger OS. It seems that Apple thinks this way: iPods primarily use media, with a single application - the iPod OS - being along for the ride, while iPhones primarily use applications, with media being along for the ride - conceptually speaking, that is.

The iPhone is not a social networking device. It's a telephone that happens to do other cool stuff, hence the name. Peter's right in that this is not a paradigm that will change society. It's merely a paradigm that will change what a cellphone experience could be. That's what the Apple II and the iPod did. They changed what a personal computer experience and a music player experience could be, respectively. How the iPod changed society was truly a fortunate coincidence - right place at the right time. And when the time comes for a social networking device, I'm sure Apple will build one, as long as Steve Jobs has anything to say about it. But in America, Apple is betting that it ain't the time, or perhaps it ain't yet possible to do right.

International views on privacy vary widely, and for good cultural reasons; either travel extensively like me to witness these differences, or just watch Bowling For Columbine to learn how no one in Canada seems to lock their front doors, as we all do in America. Thus, international views on social networking will vary widely as well. In Western Europe and Japan, the device Peter describes would easily become the Next Big Thing, and it would do so right now. Yet here in the vast US Midwest, it wouldn't do nearly as well, certainly not at $500 each. Drop it to $200, and add some Web 2.0 features that are not related to stalking, and it would take over every college town in North America and also large parts of China.

Out here, most people buy/own/build what they need, regardless of their income. That's not being a redneck so much as it's being practical. As the price comes down, more and more regular folks will jump on the iPhone bandwagon, but most just don't need it. Many don't even own cellphones, and many don't own computers, but they still would purchase this handheld miracle device if it was both durable and inexpensive, and it didn't need to access a computer. They're not Apple's target market, I know, but meeting those three conditions will be how Apple could bring them into the fold. Of course, all young people - even those out here - go for trends regardless of cost, and thankfully the excellent products of Apple are becoming more and more trendy.

The first iPods are currently viewed as being overpriced dinosaurs. Yet, that product line flourished in its habitat by becoming both cheaper and customizable, through gaining more storage space and a flood of accessories. So, when the iPhone becomes cheaper and very customizable, by utilizing numerous optional applications and more storage space, it will do well everywhere, and with everyone. Now, let's all watch the iPhone product line evolve and see if both Peter Magnusson's and Steve Jobs' visions come down from the trees to form their own cultures.

[cody]

quote:

I can afford a $600 phone because I WORK and because I want a device that I can put to WORK, such as emailing with my clients, scheduling meetings with them, and talking with them as necessary. What I DON'T need is the ability to flame them in forums, IM about invoices, or see i they're in my favorite coffee shop.

The last thing I would buy is a $600 myspace appliance.

Posted by: Chris | July 03, 2007 at 06:50 AM

----------------
Well you could have saved several hundred dollars and got a different phone that can do what your saying.

[Sir Michael of Ireland]

Critics --- First of all if this guy knows so much more than S. Jobs why doesn't he exploit his great sense of what works. This is the land of opportunity -- rather than second guessing Apple bet your knowledge in the market. No, because he knows he doesn't know how - speaks for itself. I loved his comment about everybody reads email. Hey Mr Swift the rage is Text and the iphone does that really well. Sir Michael of Ireland.

[PC Fan]

I think most of the over 30 group misses the point here. IF the phone does not capture the 15 - 22 year old market, it can not be the third pillar of Apple's business. The MAC, the power books, etc all captured the imagination of the kids in high school and college. Students bought them to have the coolest best product.

The Ipod would have never become the sales monster it is without this group of consumers driving the sales.

The Iphone is designed for an older person and risks becoming "lame" with the younger teen crowd simply for that reason. T-mobile's products don't have to be as advanced. They just have to be better than AT&T at social networking to rob Apple of future Iphone customers.

[Shad]

No. The wrong question is being asked by both the author and the myriads of angry critics. It's not the features that are going to make iPhone a success, it's the cost of support and user frustration or user delight that will make the phone work or fail. A simple, plug-and-play device that always works will be bought be the corperations and end-users no matter what the cost.

Most people in business want to (1) talk and (2) manage email. They are probably more concerned about the problems they are talking about such as sales numbers or production efficiency rather than what other iPhone users are sitting in the same wing of the Hilton.

As an IT support person, I know for a fact that the Blackberry users in my company need constant help from the IT people. That's a bad sign and signals high cost and low utilization. If something in the BB hickups or the PC software isn't setup right, the end-user screams for help, or worse, sets the device aside for a the remainder of the deprecion cycle of the device.

If you were an IT manager responsible for the millions of dollars in your companies IT budget as well as the reputation of your solutions within the confines of your sometimes technically sceptical peers, would you be willing to pay an extra $200 per person to get a device that NEVER failed, worked the first time you plugged it in and made everyone happy with it? An extra $200 for a device that ALWAYS allowed you to (1) talk and (2) check mail would be worth the money. Fewer support calls to the help desk, fewer new technicians to hire, fewer complaints at the lunch table about technology. What a dream!!! I'll buy one for everybody if it lives up to its "appleish" reputation.

[Peter Keating]

I think Peter Magnusson is wrong. It is really time to turn off your device an be unavailable at times.

[Nikole Gipps]

Personally, I find the RSS features to be lacking on the iPhone. I think that would have been a selling point for me ... to have an application like NewsFire on an iPhone so that I could read and respond to all my favorite feeds easily while I was on the BART.

But no, I really don't want to be tracked or announced just for tracking and announcing's sake. I've avoided Twitter for a reason.

[paul .]

Listen to the poor fanboys come to grips with their over priced bricks :-( .

[John]

I think Apple needed to make a WI-FI phone , and it did not.
Instead of going for the new , it is going for scamming its base
out of money with a silly phone that doesn't help its base save money
and will not have an effect on any serious business use.
I think it is going to become a joke !!!!! You heard me , If you are unemployed and living at home this is the phone for you , if you work and have a real job , get a real phone.

[Christopher Allen]

The iPhone developer community is working hard to meet the desires for a more social iPhone. At the www.iPhoneWebDev.com list we’ve been implementing things like Jabber for the iPhone, Twitter for iPhone, and more. We are figuring out how to make better UI for the small screen, and sharing tricks for how to do things like hide the URL bar and deal with orientation changes from portrait to narrow.

If you are a designer of web pages or a potential iPhone webapp developer, come join us!

[Michael E.]

I love Apple and the iPhone. Magnusson loves the iPhone but have many great points about why this merely an (extremely) refined take on the past, not the future. This is evolution, not revolution like the Mac was. JPC, Ron, Breadman, Bill B., luke and more: I suffer with you that you can't shut up and reflect for a second over interesting thoughts before spilling your stinking guts all over your keyboards.

[Ben]

While it is easy to lament and attack Steve Jobs on his credentials, you will be shamed in the coming months when adoption surpasses your readership columns and your annual income. Perhaps you should start looking for a new job to garner more recognition because all you do is criticise and sit around, like any other dissident souls.

[Adler]

> things he [Magnusson] would have done with the
> iPhone, if he were Steve Jobs.
1) why don't you do it, then? Go ahead and get rich and lost in thousands of features.

2) Who told you Apple did the iPhone for the social-networking generation? Maybe they left this for the 2nd iPhone edition or for another iPhone that costs 1000$

[Ames Tiedeman]

Give me a break!

Steve Jobs is a genius...

All you people trying to find flaws in his thinking are wasting your time.

Get a life..

[mac84]

The blind spot is talking about a totally different product targeted at a totally different demographic.

Those younger users hooked on IM and and social networking really don't need a mobile phone. They text their peers rather than call them. A lot of those functions that the new generation wants are also bandwidth hogs that would surely tax a carrier's edge or 3G networks if users were all downloading video 12 hours a day. Surely AT&T has made assumptions about the typical users utilization of data downloads.

The missing features don't need edge or cellphone functionality and the cost of activation and monthly service fees that go along with them. How about some mesh/wifi functionality in a uber-iPod? Could AT&T's announcement about future roaming wifi services indicate another Apple-AT&T alliance? "iPod Mesh" anyone?

[guy.smyley]

i love my iphone. it's worth every penny. i can't wait to see the improvements that Steve Jobs makes to the texting functionality. i'd like to be able to text more than 1 person at a time. and i'd like to be able to play yahoo chess online on my iphone. nice work steve! keep it up! keep 'em coming! thank you!

[guy.smyley]

one last thing... everyone is so busy pointing out the iphone's shortcomings that nobody is focusing on the fundamental flaws of other cell phones, smart phones, and PDA's on the market. let's keep in mind that those devices are all clunky pieces of garbage. remember those keypads where you had to push the number buttons 2 or 3 times to get the right letter on their dismal little screens? or how they filled up your suit pants pocket so that it looked like you had a 2nd cock in your pants? or how you had to run to a shady place to read the screen when you were outside? the iphone gets the important things right - design and software!

[coolguy]

This guy is horrible at accessorizing with what people need. first off he totally doesnt think about privacy and second hes so negative...probably has something against it. this guy is not thinking. he would never survive as the CEO of Apple INC.

[poofter]

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

let Apple know directly.

[kurt]

What the author is implying to me is, if Steve Jobs understood the "current phone" user, that the I-Phone should in effect be the users' "Virtual reality".

Could the end goal of this path Gen-Z, (or whatever group obsessed with constant network presence has), be to bear an implant containing a human avatar existing only in a virtual "electronic world", 24 hours and 7 days a week, to link up with its real world counterpart to exchange information, emotions, experiences?. And when does the avatar become the human?

Glimmers of this abound in Second Life, and various direct man-computer interfaces being developed in various colleges and laboratories around the world, and nano-technology.

When it all comes together, possibly within this decade, we will have a new life form; one that exists entirely within electro-optical boundaries. And when that happens, it will have a most profound impact on humanity.

Meanwhile, if you want to read a novel about this, pick up Greg Bears' award winning ETERNITY.

[kurt]

What the author is implying to me is, if Steve Jobs understood the "current phone" user, that the I-Phone should in effect be the users' "Virtual reality".

Could the end goal of this path Gen-Z, (or whatever group obsessed with constant network presence has), be to bear an implant containing a human avatar existing only in a virtual "electronic world", 24 hours and 7 days a week, to link up with its real world counterpart to exchange information, emotions, experiences?. And when does the avatar become the human?

Glimmers of this abound in Second Life, and various direct man-computer interfaces being developed in various colleges and laboratories around the world, and nano-technology.

When it all comes together, possibly within this decade, we will have a new life form; one that exists entirely within electro-optical boundaries. And when that happens, it will have a most profound impact on humanity.

Meanwhile, if you want to read a novel about this, pick up Greg Bears' award winning ETERNITY.

[Remy, Norfolk Va]

While I would love to have an iPhone (just to have it) I will wait for the next version as my Palm Treo 650 does it all and just as well if not better with the exception of the multi-touch functionality and Huge screen. I am a 20+ entrepreneur and I rarely use my Treo as a mp3 player because I don't want to waste the battery energy on it (even though the battery is removable). However I do use the 4gig SD card to hold all the music I want and use them as my Ringtones (Feature iPhone lacks). When I do have the free time to listen to music on my Treo the only fault I have which the iPhone shares is in the headset jack.

I am quite pleased with the web browsing experience on my Treo 650 and while it may look prettier on the iPhone's bigger screen the Treo works with Java and other Internet apps without any issues(Java missing in iPhone but used extensively on most sites) I don't have glare issues with my Treo. I enjoy playing chess and other similar games through Yahoo on my Treo in my free time.

I don't care so much about the Social Networking features that this guy talks about the iPhone needing, but it would be nice to have available should I want to use it. I mainly text&email on my Treo 650 and the only complaint I have with the current iPhone is the lack of being able to send&receive picture and/or video text messages which my Treo 650 does fine and dandy. I also love the Full Qwerty Keyboard that the Treo has and wouldn't want software to automatically correct for me just let me know afterwords that it's misspelled. I type easily with one hand or two on my Treo but don't want to be Forced to use two hands just to send out a message. By the way each letter on a Treo has it's own button that's how Full Qwerty Keyboards work.

I love Palm because their site has hundreds of software apps to buy and download for the Palm products and if iPhone will only allow 3rd-Party Internet apps it does seem rather limiting and constrictive. How long until Apple does this without being Internet Related?

I also don't like the idea that if the battery craps out after the estimated 400-600 charges, how long does the iPhone user have to wait w/o iPhone for a new one? I have been reading that the unfortunates that have dropped their iPhones and scratched screens are getting brand new units at the store immediately which I must say is AWESOME because with Palm I did have to wait 2-3 business days which felt like HELL. As far as Companies supplying all their employees with iPhones, what will you do when the batteries all eventually begin to fail? One store can't replace 20-30 units in one day or week even so that's a real issue.

Another question that seems EXTREMELY important but have yet to hear, is the fact that AT&T doesn't offer Insurance on their High-End phones (i.e. Treo's, Blackberry's, and presumably iPhone's) so if it gets stolen or just lost do iPhone user's have to buy a new unit, or is that replaced immediately at store as well? If so that can create a supply nightmare for people who want to circumnavigate the whole spending $600 for a second unit when they can just say it was stolen and then have someone else activate the original unit. Example: Guy A buys original iPhone waits a month or so and reports it lost while partying or something but not stolen per se. Receives a replacement (free of charge because Apple cares so much :) ) then after another month Guy B calls to get original unit activated and Guy A confirms with operator that he eventually found the original unit and gave it to a friend since he had the replacement unit now they both have a iPhone while only actually buying one. See the potential problem here&I just thought of this scenario of the top of my head.

Everyone that complains about not caring about Social Networking, shame on you Emails and YouTube are Social Networking. It's not the Feverishly Hellish Myspace that I would never really want but it still in the same family. I actually do like Second Life and have made to separate attempts at functioning in that 'world' but I never have the time and it's not really important to me so I let the account go after a few months.

GPS is a must in this day and age even if the iPhone simply gets it through 3rd-Party software but shouldn't have to be dependent on Internet per se. Once again it wasn't something I needed on the Treo but I eventually bought through 3rd Party afterwards because it is convenient. I too wouldn't want to be recognized by anyone else where I was at in a city but for those that would buy as a business tool for employees that is a sound feature that this author makes and can be turned off or limited to your friends only. Privacy in that situation would be at either your own discretion or the company you work for if they bought it for you correct?

[Remy, Norfolk Va]

Another point a friend just mentioned after I told them I sent a reply to this blog is that the iPhone is not even marketed as a Business Device unlike Treo's and Blackberry's. It is a consumer device. I can edit and create word, spreadsheet documents on my Treo 650 Palm OS mind you without any problems and I read a book or two that I download off the ereader link from Palm site. So everyone complaining about not wanting social networking features or all the fun consumer stuff that most other consumer cell phones have standard should think about that. However; I spent $550 on my Treo and after nearly two years am still happy about it and I imagine most of the iPhone buyers will feel the same about their phones, so more power to you and hopefully I will be counting myself in your humble numbers once the 2.0 iPhone comes out if basic business features are added or corrected. I really would prefer a hard full qwerty keyboard call this 20 something old fashioned :-)

[skram]

The comparison with Tréo and Palm is interesting. I too use a Tréo 650. However, I am a bit schizophrenics since I love Apple products for the aesthetics and ease of use (consumer-oriented) and also need a smartphone primarily for connecting email, calendar and contracts with my office (business-oriented). If the apps on iPhone allow smooth linking with servers designed for windows (in my case Novell GroupWise) I would buy the iPhone in a heartbeat, notwithstanding my profound aversion to AT&T, the absolute worst provider in the business. Has anyone got experience linking the iPhone to GroupWise?

[Peter Files]

I think its laughable to suggest that Jobs is out of touch with the market. Ha ha. The iPhone is a thing of beauty and I lust after it like I would a certain Potter girl were she 10 years older and I 10 years younger.

But that's beside the point. First and foremost this is a phantastic phone meant to tie all the other features together -eh what? Why try to out space My Space? A waste of time and resources. Those who want it will find a way to make it central to their iPhone use.

Making an iPhone forum central is a good idea, as are most of your ideas, but the key thing with this roll-out were the critical technology demonstrations behind it.

Sleek, beautiful, fast, user friendly to the nth degree. All we want now is as much memory and battery life as possibly so that we can carry our media life with us.

What's next?

Super secure medical files that are updated at every doctor visit, cat scans, MRI's the works, that mean that our medical records are always up to date. You don't need an iPhone for that, but the time for having that available for our use is now. 1,028 bit encryption to make it more secure anyone?

Peter, Editor and iPhone Owner Wannabe
The Peter Files Blog of Comedy, Satire, Jokes, Puns and Commentary
http://thepeterfiles.blogspot.com

[David]

Great review! Did you keep your Treo or get rid of it for the iPhone. I can't imagine giving up my BB 8830 with EVDO on VZW. No full internet but topics I can read with good speed.

[The AFrican Nerd]

I agrre witht he article, but you have to figure Steve has many advisers to keep him up with the trends

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