With everyone wondering what Apple will reveal about the next-generation iPhone at the Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, there is debate over whether the new iPhone will feature some sort of video messaging, with perhaps a video camera lens on the face of the iPhone.
Apple may be working on video messaging, giving users the ability to send short clips to each other. Think YouTube, delivered.
— Scott Moritz
An iPhone with video messaging capability might have a lens on the face, and use the 3G chipset to send the video.
Some blogs question the usefulness of such a feature, but I can think of situations where people would like to send video clips. Here are three:
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While traveling.
From 3,000 miles away, I could send a video message like “Hey Dad, check out this view. You would love this place.”
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While shopping.
Imagine your partner sends you a video message from a fitting room. “Which of these looks better on me?”
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On the road.
e.g. a video message from you to a friend: “I can’t find the place. Is this the neighborhood?”
If Apple introduced video messaging on iPhone, they would set a new precedent for the future of mobile phones.
Would you video message?
Is video messaging pointless? Or does it add an appreciable intimacy to our digital interactions?
When would you use video messaging if it were on your iPhone?
I would love to hear your opinion in the comments.
P.S. I will add needed links later. This post was written on my iPhone. Shame on Apple for leaving out a copy/paste function. Blogging on the iPhone is hard work!
Written by Chris on June 7th, 2008 with no comments.
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The iPhone has cost me a lot of money and a lot of time spent at the Apple Store getting it fixed.
So why do I stick with it?
Since I first bought my iPhone last June, I’ve owned six iPhones mostly because I’ve had to get mine replaced due to some problem or other.
Is it worth the trouble to be an iPhone owner?
My six iPhones:
- My original iPhone had a flimsy connector port, and I replaced it right away.
- My second iPhone had its glass cracked after I dropped it on the floor. I paid $250 to get it replaced.
- The chrome on my third iPhone had a stain on it, which I considered unacceptable after paying $250 to get my old cracked iPhone replaced, so the Apple Store gave me a new one after I complained.
- I sold my fourth iPhone to buy a 16GB iPhone (my fifth), which I practically got for free.
- My 16GB iPhone released an echo in my voice that callers complained about, so I got another 16GB replacement.
- I now possess my sixth iPhone as I wait for the new 3G iPhone to be released soon.
Despite the problems, I stand behind the iPhone because it gives me one thing no other phone does: a blank slate.
The iPhone’s full-body touchscreen lets me create my own experience. With an (almost) fully-functional web browser, and soon-to-come third-party app support, the iPhone will one day be a canvas, to do with as I please.
Will iPhone 2.0 fudge it up?
iPhone 2.0 will be my seventh iPhone. It will likely add 3G, perhaps true GPS, and it will address some of iPhone’s many problems.
The new iPhone will be different, but what I have no doubt will remain central to the iPhone is its physical knack for constant evolution and adaptation to human desires; namely, its ‘blank slate’ quality.
The iPhone is a computer on a phone.
Why do you think there is a community of thousands of people Jailbreaking their iPhones and constantly demanding new apps and features?
The explosion of Jailbreak suggests to me that people will not let their technologies be restrained.
Apple responded to our demands with the third-party App Store (coming this month), but will that be enough?
As long as there is an empty canvas, people will want to fill it. As long as people have imaginations, they will envision new ways to use the iPhone. It is, as I said, a computer, full of unlimited potential.
That’s why, eventually, even past the upcoming App Store, Apple must step out of the way and let the people have their way with their blank slates.
That or be killed by Google’s Android, which with its open source framework will let us do exactly that.
An open source iPhone?
I’m not suggesting Apple reveal its source code and close up shop. It’s just that the human drive for change cannot be subdued, so Apple will eventually have to make the iPhone malleable enough to be molded by people’s individual tastes and preferences. If they don’t do that, someone else will.
Apple’s task should be to make the hardware work with our software, and to maintain a certain design consistency so that all our tools may work together.
We are sick of demanding new features for iPhone. There are plenty of people willing to work to make the iPhone a better platform, so let us!
Conclusion
The iPhone changed our culture. iPhone owners now expect to have a certain freedom on their mobile devices.
The challenge for Apple is this: Now that they have given us a sip of that freedom, we will only demand more.
If the iPhone is to continue to thrive, Apple must continue to quench our ever-growing thirst for mobile freedom by focusing on hardware and putting the iPhone’s software in the hands of the people. We are, after all, the ones who use it.
Step out of the way, Apple, cause we won’t be held back.
Written by Chris on June 5th, 2008 with no comments.
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Looking for some good iPhone blogs where you can read more about your favorite mobile device? I thought I’d put together this list of my top 5 favorite iPhone blogs — in no particular order — for your reading pleasure:
- iPhone Atlas
A CNET site, iPhone Atlas publishes a good deal of news on Jailbreaking, iPhone unlocking and third-party apps and development. The tone of the site is often technical and “newsy,” rather than personal and blog-like, but it’s worth a look.
- Apple iPhone School
Apple iPhone School is a comprehensive resource on iPhone apps and Jailbreaking how-to. They update regularly about all kinds of cool third-party apps that enhance the functionality (and fun!) of your iPhone.
Doug and Brooke also publish a great “iPhone 101″ video podcast covering all the latest interesting things going on in the iPhone community. This iPhone blog is highly recommended, particularly for those of you with Jailbroken iPhones.
- The iPhone Blog
The iPhone Blog takes a humorous approach to iPhone news. The posts are written in a funny, Gizmodo-esque tone, and all articles are accompanied by a laugh-out-loud Photoshopped image.
- iPhone Freak
iPhone Freak publishes a nice variety of iPhone news in an easily-digestible format. The articles are reasonably short and to the point. I recommend this iPhone blog as an all-encompassing iPhone news source.
- And of course, my personal favorite: Apple iPhone Review
What, you actually thought I’d leave out this iPhone blog, my very own pride and joy?
I like to think I take an “out-of-the-box” look at the iPhone. Although I love my iPhone, I consider the device’s flaws and how it can be improved. I also ask questions and emphasize community involvement on my blog, always encouraging readers to participate in the comments.
You can read more about Apple iPhone Review on my About page, or click here to subscribe now.
Do you read any of the above iPhone blogs? Are there any other iPhone blogs you recommend?
Written by Chris on April 3rd, 2008 with no comments.
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This year’s Blog Action Day aims to raise awareness about environmental issues. As part of my contribution, I’m asking readers to contact Apple and demand that they make the iPhone more environmentally-friendly.
Why? Apple in May said it was making plans to go green, but a Greenpeace report released today revealed two dangerous environmental pollutants in the iPhone: brominated flame retardants and PVCs.
(more…)
Written by Chris on October 15th, 2007 with no comments.
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