Why I don’t like the Apple iPhone
Please note that this addresses the iPhone without “jail-breaking” or hacking it. Which I feel should not be necessary for many of the features I list here.
Cannot install programs
Surely any decent electronics device will let you install programs. Computers can. Blackberry devices can. Treo devices can. You can easily install programs on Windows Mobile. However I need look no further than Nokia’s N series specificity the Maemo platform to see mobile software at its best.
No Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash the technology behind most games on the internet. It is also necessary to watch most videos online. Other devices such as Nokia’s Internet Tablets have flash. Windows Mobile has Flash. iPhone has no Adobe Flash player.
No User Accessible File-system
On other devices you can browse the file system of you device. I should be able to go through and select files to open or email to people or edit. It is currently not possible to view a list of files on an iPhone and perform basic tasks (copy, delete, edit, open).
No Removable Storage
This is a less important detail however still a feature the iPhone is lacking. Most mobile phones have some sort of memory card slot. Nokia’s N800 has TWO SD card slots and the N810 has one.
No Bluetooth file transfer
The iPhone currently cannot transfer files using Bluetooth wireless technology. It is very convenient to exchange virtual business cards aka vCards. Bluetooth can also be used to transfer photos from one device to another without having to carry cables.
No Instant Messaging
You can’t go on AIM / MSN / Yahoo! / Google Talk with the Apple iPhone. This is a seriously lacking because many cheap phones can go on AIM. Yes I am aware you can use Meebo for iPhone but it has no sound and is not an iPhone feature.
Non User Replaceable Battery
ALL rechargeable batteries eventually lose their ability to recharge. It should be simple for someone to buy a new battery and just pop it in their device rather than having to buy a whole new device. The iPhone’s rechargeable battery is sealed inside without a hatch or easy way to replace it. I guess Apple would rather have it look pretty without a latch on the back because they assume they will sell another phone when someones battery dies. Consider the finical and environmental impacts of this design decision.
May 17th, 2008 at
Wow. This really shines a new light on the iPhone. All this time, I was thinking it was a ‘must-have’ phone and that it could do bunches of things I enjoy on a computer (Meebo, email, games, videos…), but now I see that it can’t. I agree that the lack of Flash is a big issue that Apple should work on.
Another point you didn’t bring up was that the iPhone is only on AT&T, and none other. Why not show T-Mobile and Verizon users some love?!? I’m sure Apple will work on these issues in future releases. It is Apple, after all.
May 18th, 2008 at
@Sean
Thanks a bunch Sean!!
I like most Nokia devices because they are not locked down to prevent you from running your own apps / restricted and are generally super awesome.
If I had the cash I would get a Nokia N96 but it’s kinda about $800.
I think know right now I have a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet which I think is wonderful. Yeah I don’t like iPods ether but that’s for another post.
May 18th, 2008 at
Teh ifone is da best. U can’t deny it. It rulez all over you.