I had intended to call this post “iPhone 3.0 preview: The good and the bad” because I honestly did not expect Apple to offer as many new features as they did and thought we would have to focus some more on what was still going to be missing. Keep in mind, I would not say 3.0 will be perfect, however, it seems like it will come pretty close.
With that, Apple has just finished the iPhone 3.0 preview and what an event! Lets get into it, here is the good and the bad, or what could better be described as what we are getting and what we are not getting. Thankfully the list for what we are getting is MUCH longer.
The good:
- System wide Spotlight search
- Push Notifications
- Cut/Copy/Paste
- MMS support
- A2DP Stereo Bluetooth
- Ability to send more than one photo at a time
- Landscape Keyboard across all apps including Mail and Notes
- In app purchases for items such as subscriptions, magazines, ebooks, and games. These will only work with paid apps.
- SMS app will now allow you to forward and delete individual or multiple messages
- vCard support that will automatically add it to your Contacts
- Additional Calendar support for CalDAV and subscriptions (.ics format).
- Peer-to-peer connectivity through Bonjour (over Bluetooth)
- New api that will allow developers to use Core Location as the basis for turn-by-turn directions.
- New app: Voice Memos, will work with internal or external mic and can be edited and shared.
The bad:
- Lack of video streaming
- MMS support (for original iPhone users)
- A2DP Stereo Bluetooth (for original iPhone users)
As for when we will get our hands on version 3.0 — it will be available as a beta for developers beginning today. Everyone else will have to wait until it ships sometime this summer. iPhone users will get the updated software for free, and iPod touch users will have to pay $9.95 (just like previous updates).
Of course, this was just a quick list, expect more in-depth coverage on these new features over the next few days. So there we have it, now lets here your thoughts, hit up the comments below and share your thoughts on the iPhone 3.0 unveiling.
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March 17th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Near perfect? What about the ability to change the Springboard picture backdrop? How much longer will we have to wait for this simple feature from Apple?
March 17th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
What about the ability to synchronize notes with Outlook…
March 17th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Entirely frustrating that MMS support isn’t coming to the older versions of iPhones. This is the only thing I was looking forward to in this update (cut and paste will be nice, though). I don’t know if anybody else has the problem of looking at pictures through a received text message, but that AT&T website with the crazy IDs and passwords 75% of the time never works for me. Why is this only available to 3G users? I’m not THAT tech savvy, but if the old iPhones can still handle e-mailing photos and downloading webpages, it ought to be able to send and receive them through a text. But that’s just me on a rant…
March 17th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
What about the ability to change the damn iPhone SMS text alert noise… with almost everyone having an iPhone these days I’m tired of thinking it’s mine!
March 17th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I’m just thrilled for global search. Not being able to search my email bludgeons the functionality as a business smartphone. The rest of the features are gravy to me.
March 17th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I completely agree with tim! It sucks that my buddies free casio phone can recieve mms but my first ten iphone won’t! Anyways, I’m still excited about landscape typing and copy/cut/paste! Would have like to see some more video features and zoom feature for the camera. All in all I’m not disappoint I just hope dev team makes quick work, so I can keep all the feature not yet available.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
What’s the f-in’ difference between an original iPhone and an iPhone 3G that prohibits MMS messaging for an original iPhone? This was really the only feature I was looking forward to as my original iPhone is still my main source of communication; I was not looking forward to purchasing a new iPhone just to MMS.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I agree with Matty. It’s like Apple is punishing those of us with first gen iPhones, and their way of generating new revenue. I too don’t understand what could possibly be the difference with the MMS on the two phones.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Anyone complaining about the lack of upgradability for the older iPhone “classic” should quit crying & get a 3G. I have a feeling these folks are still watching tube TV & were shocked when their antenna no longer worked for digital broadcasts!
March 18th, 2009 at 5:50 am
There should be rather simple things like, allowing app’s to use/add/manipulate the data from the calendar. I can’t think of a reason not to allow this. If there was a good one, it should have been fixed with version 3.0
March 18th, 2009 at 7:23 am
People are never satisfied. I was ecstatic over all the knew features. I embrace / love new technology, and apple finally did us a “solid”. I knew patience would pay off one day.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:53 am
My thoughts about the first Gen. iPhones not getting ALL the new goodies…Well, honestly, can’t be posted here. I’m EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED! It’s like we are being punished for being the first to believe in Apple’s new product. That just stinks.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:23 am
[Anyone complaining about the lack of upgradability for the older iPhone “classic” should quit crying & get a 3G. I have a feeling these folks are still watching tube TV & were shocked when their antenna no longer worked for digital broadcasts!]
Saying that was fine and dandy however I was one of the sucker’s who paid $600.00 for the iPhone only to have the price get slashed a month later. I have no desire to spend another $300.00 for the same phone that I have now. Its obvious that Apple could really care less about first generation owners, they just want our money for new phones.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Greg.. I cant speak for others. Yes ive got a first gen iPhone and I chose not to buy a 3G. Your battery drains quicker than those of us with first gens
. Im waiting for 4G. Then you’ll be the one with a sub-par piece of technology. Your iPhone has built in obsolesence too
March 18th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
1} What about the laptop tethering that everyone was just dying to get before the 17th announcement? 2] 1st Gen iPhone users don’t get Stereo Bluetooth but do they get Mono Blutooth so we can listen to mp3 tunes without wires, something is better than nothin? 3] Rumor has it a new iPhone is still possible May-Aug this year, I certainly hope so…….
March 19th, 2009 at 9:31 am
for those bashing us 1st gen iPhone users to get with it. I feel that after paying $400 for this phone and feeling the new 3G in my hands, there is a huge difference. There is substance behind it. There was a reason why it sells for $199 and $299. Its plastic. Yes, yes, the first gen will not have mms and stereo bluetooth, but if I drop my 1st gen iPhone, I know it wont shatter to pieces. And please 3G users, dont take offense…these are merely my thoughts. No offense.
I totally agree that Apple is simply trying to shove us 1g users into their new product. So are the second companies out there with cases and screen protectors..etc. Its like as soon as the 3G came out 1G was like it never existed. That is wrong..look at all of us out there who still own these phones and their revenue would be double if they continued to manufacture items for these phones. Just saying..ranting…
Hangin’ tight waiting for the 4G since with every new OS has resulted in new hardware. Sure I am certain it will be ticky tacky like the 3G, but at least I have spent my hard earned money on the most recent iPhone. I am not going to run out and purchase a 3G merely to get MMS. I will wait patiently and simply email my photos as I have been the past 2 years.
4G is just several months away. I can wait. And if by some chance a new phone doesnt come out, then well, I might reconsider,…but until then, I will continue enjoying my long battery life 1g iPhone.
Cheers!
April 24th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
@Tim
I find it very annoying have to login to mymessage.com1 or what ever it is to look at multimedia message. Like you this was the major feature i was looking forward to. People are always surprised when i tell them i cannot send or recv pictures messages. I dont understand how much less sophisticated and older phones have this feature but the EDGE iphone doesnt. It seems like a way to get older iphone users to go out and buy a 3G iphone. Cut n paste is nice, but dammnit, im sick of using that stupid MMS webservice. it doesnt even work half the time.
June 18th, 2009 at 1:25 am
I agree with most of the comments. Apple should do something for the first generation users. We were having MMS on all cheaper models in 2G network.
And the Bluetooth too. The Brother(Greg) who has got a 3G is happy now. I am sure he will feel the pain on Ass when Apple will update something for 3GS only. 2G users are ignored by Apple. Hope someone in Apple will understand emotions beyond all those technical issues that they say.
We bought at a higher cost and we trusted you when we first bought it ! Don’t ditch us Apple.We need MMS and Bluetooth tethering on First Gen Phone .
June 18th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I hate to buck the trend here, but OS3 is very disappointing. Especially as you cannot search addresses or notes in your contacts. This is a hugely useful feature for business or personal – and it’s still not there.
I know you’re not allowed to criticise Apple, but all the other ‘new’ features (MMS, Cut/Paste/vCard/Voice memo) are frankly only new to iPhone. Nokia et al. have had them for 5 years+.
And it is still missing basic features like video recording, video calls, proper BT support, proper turn-by-turn navigation.