PreCentral.net on iPhone - Round Robin

**Dieter Bohn** · 12-14-2009, 06:48 AM

Howdy Folks!

So the Smartphone Round Robin begins ...NOW! As a part of the event, we're starting forum threads on each site asking you guys to participate. This week PreCentral.net is taking a look at the iPhone.

If you're unfamiliar with the Round Robin, the idea isn't to pick 'a winner,' but rather to try to honestly compare devices as a way to help people figure out which device is right for them. So I'm hoping the discussion we have here will help both experienced and new users gain some insight into how one might choose between these two platforms.

To get things started, I'll put out a couple of questions that seem pertinent:

1. Do you guys ever really miss 'multitasking?' If so, what apps would you like to see multitask (besides the ones that do)?
2. How important are graphics to you? webOS can't do heavy graphics (yet?), since it's all HTML-based applications.
3. What iPhone feature do you think you'd miss the most if somebody replaced your iPhone with a Pre or Pixi?
4. Do you think that the iPhone's user interface is in need of an overhaul?
5. How would you change the iPhone's notification system?

....there's plenty more to talk about, so don't feel limited by the above. Remember, every day you make a post in this thread for the next week, you'll be automatically entered to win an iPhone 3GS from The iPhone Blog! More details at

**dter** · 12-14-2009, 07:19 AM

1. I'm actually a former iPhone, and a current Blackberry user. I'll be frank, lack of multitasking never really bothered me on the iPhone. I can multitask on my Blackberry to some extent, but I never found it all that important.

2. Graphics are not as important as usability.

3. The selection of apps.

4. Nope. Apple could make it easier to navigate through the already-installed apps, however.

5. I honestly wouldn't.

**techshoe#WN** · 12-14-2009, 07:54 AM

1. Like Rene, I don't stream music, so I don't mind the lack of multitasking. It would be a nice feature though...yes, I'm looking at you Apple.
2. I'm not a heavy gamer, but when I do play games, I appreciate graphics.
3. Larger screen. And maybe the choice of apps available for the App Store. That reminds me, I still need to choose a Twitter app.....
4. Yes. I'm not asking for a big change, but scrolling pages with your apps is getting a little old.
5. A way to see all the notifications at once. Sometimes I get two Twitter @mentions at once, but I can only read one because the other one is already gone! So a way to manage them, and put them where it won't bother me!

**flyingember** · 12-14-2009, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Dieter Bohn

Howdy Folks!
1. Do you guys ever really miss 'multitasking?' If so, what apps would you like to see multitask (besides the ones that do)?

There are a handful of apps that handle closing really well. GPS apps are among the winners here. Others have no sense of what state it was in.

I believe that Apple should allow backgrounding with a premium app store review process. Apple's premium review team can issue certificates OS 4 needs to run apps in the background

2. How important are graphics to you? webOS can't do heavy graphics (yet?), since it's all HTML-based applications.[/quote]
I appreciate the polish of the OS more so than the graphics specifically. Windows 95 was a perfectly fine OS but XP, Vista and 7 are all nicer to work with because everything handles cleaner and smoother. Mac Classic OS to OS X is much the same.

3. What iPhone feature do you think you'd miss the most if somebody replaced your iPhone with a Pre or Pixi?[/quote]
Specific apps. I use lots of apps only on the iphone.

4. Do you think that the iPhone's user interface is in need of an overhaul?[/quote]
I wouldn't say overhaul but maybe more of a multi-dimensional layout. I find 11 pages to be hard to navigate. It takes 10 swipes to get to page 11. I would take two pages of shortcuts to sub-pages over 11 pages all visible.

5. How would you change the iPhone's notification system?[/quote]
I like all the notification options but I wish I had a single screen to review and dismiss recent notifications, calendar items and the like
[/QUOTE]

**flyingember** · 12-14-2009, 08:26 AM

A big area for background apps. GPS apps. They NEED to run in the background. I don't necessarily need the display on now that Tom Tom has turn by turn spoken working and that would save battery or let me do something else.

If anyone should be the first to get background approval it should be companies doing turn by turn anything.

There are a number of backpacks with built in ipod connections. Imagine a similar system for a gps app. Tom Tom works with, say, Jansport to build an antenna into the top of a backpack. you plug your iphone into a dock connector inside the backpack and there's a headphone jack in the straps connected the same way.

The backpack gets the signal for the ipod inside, the app runs in the background and you hear the directions via the headphones.

Perfect for navigating somewhere like NYC on foot.

**pzeroprez** · 12-14-2009, 08:35 AM

I have both an iPhone and a Pre (work/personal respectively). I've used both extensively and here's my thoughts plus a few more...

1. Yes I miss multitasking with the iPhone. Being able to 'see' a webpage I am referring to or a section in another app comes in really useful when typing an email. Even in card view I can still make out the text enough on the Pre to see a webpage (without maximizing) and my email side by side to remind myself what I was thinking or to quickly switch over to copy and paste something. It works well the opposite...when referring to my email for credentials or something to access a webpage. It is very convenient to switch quickly and still keep the other app open and in the guaranteed same spot I left it.

2. Graphics are not that important to me as long as they are clear. However...let me say I love the Pre's choice of text font it is easy to read anywhere at anytime but having said that the iPhone's graphics and UI are simply...better. It looks more polished and professional and the graphics more appealing...the Pre is left to look a little more cartoonish (android has this issue too so far) so as for making you look more professional the iPhone's graphics are better. Let's be honest...we're all guilty of wanting to look good so the iPhone is king in this area of graphics right now. I feel better walking into a meeting and being taken seriously with an iPhone and it's look/feel graphically than if I had to show someone something on my Pre with its cartoonish look. Gaming...I personally don't see the point to games on a device like this but the lack of high-end graphics on the Pre is not so much a deal breaker as multitasking is for productivity. The graphics get the job done...look decent and are clear...for productivity this is all that matters.

3. I'm going to change this question to Pre feature. The gesture area...I miss this all the time when using the iPhone. The gesture is in a natural place for my thumb while holding the Pre...the iPhone requires you to stretch your thumb across the face of the device (right-handed) to reach up to the top corner to press the 'back' arrow. Not very intuitive...not extremely one-hand friendly...do-able but wish it wasn't so.

4. I don't think the iPhone UI needs much of an overhaul as it needs some added functionality and subtle changes i.e. the back arrow mentioned previously maybe down along the bottom corner as well as the top so it's easier to navigate one handed.

5. The iPhone absolutely NEEDS the Pre's notification system...I'll say it...Palm NAILED this functionality and Apple needs to 'steal' it. Android doesn't even have this right yet...you can't TAP the notification area you have to make sure you 'grab' it correctly to roll it down...cumbersome. Pre's unobtrusive pop-up at the bottom of the screen and then sleep to tiny icon keeps me doing what I was doing and allows me to be...well...notified of something else. If it IS important I can tap and jump to it...otherwise it minimizes itself until I choose to deal with it. The fact that the iPhone still annoys me by interrupting what I WANT to be doing simply because there is a notification sucks. Ok fine something for me to notice but quit interrupting something important by taking up the whole screen and FREEZING the active app functionality until I say 'confirm or deny'...you'd think they would have taken a page from the failed M$FT UAC system that is basically SIMILAR!!

All in all the iPhone is the more polished more professional looking device. The UI...just...works. There is little aggravation while using it and it does everything it does...the way it does it...very very well. Still the bar by which all are judged.

The Pre has it's rough edges...it gets laggy when opening some apps. It can aggravate you sometimes...one thing that has been fixed...the opening a PDF from a webpage for instance...was aggravating but was fixed. Another point for the Pre...quicker updates with bug fixes and added functionality. The iPhone not quite as frequent on updates and not really much new functionality added...non-volatile movie editing and MMS were nice but the other guys have some cool features that Apple needs to start putting in the iPhone...they are growing stale compared to Android and webOS.

The last point I'll make on updates...the Pre is better when updating the OS. First of all...over the air...secondly done from the device itself. iPhone REQUIRES you to be tethered to a computer at some point...the Pre really could live without one. I have MANY friends/colleagues that have had to take their iPhone to the Apple store because it was bricked during an update...this is unacceptable...especially when you are doing it from the supposed 'safety' of the PC environment. The Pre can hand out an update and do it by itself...that's cool...the iPhone *can* have difficulty even when helped by a full computer...that's sad. Apple needs to get the update procedure rock-solid for everyone...ASAP. **Disclosure...I have never had an update issue with the iPhone but I know too many that have.

**trblmkr71** · 12-14-2009, 08:39 AM

1. Multi tasking is great but it tends to slow things down. This will be more important when phones get faster processors.
2. Graphics for most things are very good but at this point not the most important thing in my opinion
3.My wife has the Pixi the screen to me is to small and it has so little app coverage at this point also I think iPhone is much more fluid in screen transition and the virtual keyboard suits my bigger fingers
4. To be honest I think if Apple went to the Jailbroken community and see what ever is most asked for, innovative, or just common sense like being able to put your apps into categories to clear up home screen clutter.
5. I don't think its that bad but i agree with techshoe better grouping .

**RFMagician** · 12-14-2009, 08:41 AM

1. Yes and no. 90% of the time I'm using one app and when I'm done with it I'm fine with it closing down. I also get by for the most part using the built-in apps that can multitask, most notably the iPod and Mail. But, of course, there are those few apps that I wish could run in the background, in my case Navigon and Pandora. Barring full on multitasking, what I'd like to see is some way to have a subset of applications that can easily be switched between, even if they're not all live. Tweetie is a good example with its full persistence. I can be doing something in Tweetie, get an email, close, open mail, respond, close, open back up Tweetie, and I'm right where I was. The problem comes when you need to swipe between multiple pages to get between apps, it just really slows things down, so a way to close an app, but be able to quickly re-access it in its current state would be really nice, i.e. like WebOS' cards.

2. I'm a gamer at heart, but as I've grown up, I've had less and less time to play them, so most games I play anymore are on my iPhone at those times when I have a few minutes of downtime. Super high-end graphics aren't that important, but a selection of good games is, which in the smartphone realm I'd say the iPhone is unmatched.

3. Toss up between the apps and the iPod. I use the iPod a lot at work, so a good music player is essential to me, and I think the iPhone has the best built in media player. However, there's a lot of apps out there I would really miss, chief among them Tweetie, Facebook, 1Password, and several games.

4. I wouldn't say it needs an overhaul, but some changes to accommodate a better notification system and some type of multitasking.

5. I'd like to see some sort of system like Expose' on the Mac, with an area where notifications are listed. Basically a meld of WebOS' card system with Expose'.

Finally, the thing that drives me nuts most about the iPhone is the app approval process, though Apple is slowly making progress to address many of the issues, and I'm willing to cut them some slack because of the size/quantity they have to deal with. However, if there's anything that gets me to leave the iPhone in a few years, my guess is that would be it.

**dannzeman** · 12-14-2009, 08:44 AM

After using both the Pre and a Hero the most important feature for me are notifications that are all grouped together, easy to dismiss, yet easy to take care of each one. Everything else I'm fine with.

**djitch** · 12-14-2009, 08:57 AM

To get things started, I'll put out a couple of questions that seem pertinent:

1. Do you guys ever really miss 'multitasking?' If so, what apps would you like to see multitask (besides the ones that do)?
2. How important are graphics to you? webOS can't do heavy graphics (yet?), since it's all HTML-based applications.
3. What iPhone feature do you think you'd miss the most if somebody replaced your iPhone with a Pre or Pixi?
4. Do you think that the iPhone's user interface is in need of an overhaul?
5. How would you change the iPhone's notification system?

Well first of all let me start out by saying hello to everyone here.
as far as the multitasking goes, I think most people are less concerned about it today then we were a year or so ago! Graphoccs however are very important to alot of people but at the same time if usability is not there then it is pointles to have higher quality graphics! I dont think I would miss too many features on the iPhone if it was replaced with a pixi or pre... because after playing around with all of them I personally enjoy the pre tremendously. I think the UI on the iPhone is for the most part fine the way it is... the iphone has cornered the section of the market and the true apple fans would never change a thing that their almighty Steve Jobs has done for them

**wesdavies** · 12-14-2009, 09:08 AM

1. Do you guys ever really miss 'multitasking?' If so, what apps would you like to see multitask (besides the ones that do)?

I would like the ability to stream and control radio apps in the background, but, other than that, I don't see any huge gains from multitasking...lots of downsides though, such as lag, memory full issues, and impact on battery life.

2. How important are graphics to you? webOS can't do heavy graphics (yet?), since it's all HTML-based applications.

For me, the phone has to deliver the complete package: phenomenal graphics and great usability. The iPhone does that, and I couldn't settle for anything less.

3. What iPhone feature do you think you'd miss the most if somebody replaced your iPhone with a Pre or Pixi?

Honestly, there are too many to mention: All the unique apps, the speed, the performance, the reliability, the usability, the iTunes ecosystem etc. etc. There are just so many gaps in what Palm OS has to offer.

4. Do you think that the iPhone's user interface is in need of an overhaul?

Not at all. A few minor tweaks would enable quicker app navigation, but I think the basic idea of having your 20 most used apps instantly available on the home screen is sound. What I would like to see is developers making more creative use of badge notifications; for example, Pocket Weather pushes the current temperature to the icon badge - I would like to see more of that. Please spare me from widgets.

5. How would you change the iPhone's notification system?

I think a "notifications" app where you could find all your unattended to notifications would be neat, but I honestly don't see it as a big deal.

**oren1** · 12-14-2009, 09:08 AM

1. I have a Jailbroken phone, so I don't have that problem.
However, because of the push notifications, I hardly ever use Backgrounder.

2. Graphics are not that important for me. I can live with what we have now.

3. Can't answer that question, since I've never use neither of them.

4. The iPhone user interface does not need an overhaul, it is almost perfect. (Maybe allowing 5 apps on dock will be nice).

5. I wouldn't. However, some applications (like Yahoo Messenger) have annoying notifications. I'd like to have more control.

**boozecow** · 12-14-2009, 09:42 AM

I used an IPhone 3GS for 3 months and I finaly replace it for a Palm Pre.

Reasons why I get rid of:

The multitasking, multiple accounts merge (exchange,gmail,yahoo), google talk amazing apps for me, so I can keep in touch with friend.

The keyboard is also better for me to answer my mail when I dont have a laptop near me.

Battery life of the IPhone, I none even be able to survive a day with the battery. With the Palm Pre, I put a 2600mah batterie in it and I'm good for 4 days.

USB mode, this is amazing for me. Don't need stupid ITune that use 90% of the ressources of your computer to copy my tv shows and musics to my cell phone.

The flash for the camera, it work and I like it.

What I don't like on the Palm Pre.

It's slow, it is not as quick as the IPhone 3GS. I'm planning to put the clock speed to 600mhz but I don't want to break it. So I still hopping the development will clean the code and made it faster.

I often have to click 3 times before I get a response.

Graphic, it is not important for me. I'm able to play my videos, tv shows etc... I don't realy need 3D.

I'm missing my allrecipes, drinking apps, things I used from the train to plan my diner...

I'm also missing the teterer fonction from my IPhone (I had this option free and legal from telus.) Now with my Bell Palm Pre, it is not available.

Can't make videos, I like this function to the IPhose 3GS.

**Uproarmedia** · 12-14-2009, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Dieter Bohn

1. Do you guys ever really miss 'multitasking?' If so, what apps would you like to see multitask (besides the ones that do)?

Having had multitasking on my iPhone through jailbreaking, I didn't find myself using it. Would I like Apple to include it? Of course. I think if the option were to be available, more apps could/would support a feature as that. Is it a deal breaker for me and the iPhone, of course not.

Originally Posted by Dieter Bohn

2. How important are graphics to you? webOS can't do heavy graphics (yet?), since it's all HTML-based applications.

To me, the graphics are great for what I use my phone for. I have a couple of games for passing time in an airport, etc. However that's not the primary purpose of my iPhone. I think that considering the small size of the screen, watching video on it is pretty sufficient.

Originally Posted by Dieter Bohn

3. What iPhone feature do you think you'd miss the most if somebody replaced your iPhone with a Pre or Pixi?

The app selection. As a developer, I am not very thrilled with Palm's approach to their app store, which I think especially during these times, hinders the innovation for the webOS platform. Granted costs aren't that much higher than Apple's developer program, it still increases the costs of an app therefore creating slightly more risk.

Originally Posted by Dieter Bohn

4. Do you think that the iPhone's user interface is in need of an overhaul?

I think the interface would be fine if themes were allowed. I have used several very nice jailbroken themes in the past and I think that the customization that could be allowed would be great. However, I don't see Apple giving up that control as they have very specific ideas of how the look and feel that they want their products, not just the iPhone, to have.

Originally Posted by Dieter Bohn

5. How would you change the iPhone's notification system?

I personally would like the ability to review push notification history per app. While this may already be a possibility, I haven't seen it nor have I used it.

**Kryptonal** · 12-14-2009, 09:59 AM

1. Do you guys ever really miss 'multitasking?' If so, what apps would you like to see multitask (besides the ones that do)?

Multitasking would be great but the 3gs launches apps fast enough for me that is not really a concern. When I think about it the only really thing I wanted to be able to multi task with anyway is with the music player, which you always could anyway.

2. How important are graphics to you? webOS can't do heavy graphics (yet?), since it's all HTML-based applications.

Graphics are nice for games but its not really a huge concern with me

3. What iPhone feature do you think you'd miss the most if somebody replaced your iPhone with a Pre or Pixi?

In that scenario I would probably miss the apps the most if you could call that a full on feature, if not then it would definetly be the ipod app.

4. Do you think that the iPhone's user interface is in need of an overhaul?

Not really but I can see why people would want one. This is my first smartphone and I never had the original or 3g version so Ive only been dealing with the OS since mid June. That being said the one UI feature I wish we had was the weather and a few other things (ie. calendar) on the lock screen.

5. How would you change the iPhone's notification system?

Having a list of all notifications would be great, kind of like what the Boxcar app does.

**rider910#im** · 12-14-2009, 10:10 AM

Personally I like the functionality of the iPhone, but the Pre is definitely just as cool!!!! I would love to play the same types of games on the Pre as those on the iPhone. The games on the Pre are outstanding, not even Pre is on iPhone gaming level. I have to admit I am impressed by the iPhone...if I could get the combination of the two (Pre/iPhone) I would be happy! I love the multi-tasking with the Pre, actually I believe the Pre could be as great as the iPhone or better! But at the same time, the iPhone as alot to be desired! I am definitely having a problem with no video capturing (camcorder) on the Pre! The camera on the Pre is impressive, but the NO VIDEO RECORDING????? If Palm would give Pre owners the need upgrades/editions) video recording, more camera functions, iPhone would be in trouble!!! Two heavy weights, iPhone and the Pre!!!

**cardfan** · 12-14-2009, 10:13 AM

1. Multitasking is essential this summer to keep this user. Jailbreaking only gets you so much..enough to get you streaming in the background. Multiple emails open though? Multiple sms? The list of uses goes on..

2. Graphics aren't important. Has to look nice enough but function is still number one.

3. The function i'd miss most is...how well everything works. Syncing is well done with full backups on computer. Need to purchase a movie or tv show? No problem..can even download it from device. Need to play a youtube video? It works...half the time they don't on the Pre. Need to stream something at nbc.com or similar? It works. No audio on the Pre.

Cut n paste? It just works better on the iphone. Browser? It goes to sites made for iphone half the time.

Is there an app you want? The newest ones will come to iphone and for cheaper. You can SHARE apps with others. This doesn't get mentioned enough. With the Pre, you'll pay more and it's stuck to a Palm Profile still stuck in beta apparently. Even updating apps is seamless on the iphone and a chore on the Pre.

4. Yes, the iphone definitely needs to be refreshed in terms of UI. Years of having the same UI is what disgruntled palm users of the old palm OS. I do think having multitasking will force Apple to do this though. This is just common sense. Microsoft has been refreshing the look of windows for years. People get bored with the same look.

It needs to be done carefully. Being simple has gotten apple a lot of customers. So refresh, add multitasking, but stay simple & intuitive. Flicking up to close an app would be very nice.

Iphone also needs a new screen. This 18bit 262k color screen looks like crap after using a Pre or Droid. If you've not used sharper, you probably won't notice though.. The Pre's is 24bit 16.7million colors, same rez but made more sharper on a smaller screen. Droid's is in a different league.

5. By stealing Palm's version of notifications. It's that well done.

**smileyboy** · 12-14-2009, 10:21 AM

1. Since I have a jailbroken iPhone.... Pandora and Espn Radio are the only Apps I actually multitask.... Without jailbraking I use Wunderradio to run in the background..... Other than that.... I have no use for multitasking.

2. Super important.... I love graphics.

3. Apps and On screen keyboard.

4. Sometimes I do.... until I use another OS... They still make me laugh...

5. I like not being annoyed constantly by a phone...... It should be fun to use. However, I would like a homescreen.

**kbcherry** · 12-14-2009, 10:49 AM

Ok, so first off I was a long time WinMo user. I was specifically enamored with Palm Treo phones. I thought there was no way I would ever be able to live without my Front Facing Querty. With that said, I decided to pick up the 3GS on launch day so here is my perspective.

1. The lack of multitasking has really not bothered me that much. For the most part the apps. load so quickly and do a good job of remembering where they left off that it hasn't been much of a problem. There are a couple of things I miss though:

Like mentioned previously I would like to see gps apps. given the ability to run in the background. Not only would that be good for pure navigation and taking calls and what not but it would also be good for apps. like MotionX GPS
I used to love to use Newstand on my Treo. One of the best features was that it would run in the backgorund and perform searches and the notify me any time one of my RSS Feeds was updated with a story that met my search criteria. I really miss that.
And even though the iPod is allowed to play in the background I have some apps. that haven't integrated that into their feature set. So for example one of my running/jogging apps. can be loaded while the iPod is playing, but in order to change a track or bring up a different podcast I have to close the app. to get back to the ipod, which can cause me to lose my place. But maybe that is really a problem with the app. itself.

2. I don't play games very often. But the graphics are great. Every once in awhile I go back and look at my old Treo and the differences are stunning. Not sure I could go back.

3. I too would miss the apps. It honestly wasn't the reason I switched, but I think they have me hooked. I only have about 100 of them. Nothing too crzay, but I don't think I could give them up.

4. Overhaul, yes. But if they don't it won't make me any more likely to leave. I know it gets a bad rap but I really miss the Windows Today Screen. It was great to be able to look at the screen and have snapshot of what was going on for the day. Super convenient. I would love to have a tab with that functionality.

5. In my opinion the notification system sucks. I hate the fact that some drop off and some I have set up to receive daily I don't even get.

But given everything, gripes and benefits, I am in love with the iPhone. I can't believe I waited this long to get in on the action. The only thing that has changed is I find I don't read all of the blogs that I used to. I used to follow Boy Genius, Engadget, and WMExperts. Now I pretty much just come to tipb.com. Which is deffinitely easier on me but I do miss some of the other stuff I used to read about. Of course that is a choice.

**soccernamlak** · 12-14-2009, 10:57 AM

1. Do you guys ever really miss 'multitasking?' If so, what apps would you like to see multitask (besides the ones that do)?

I definitely miss it. I also have a WinMo HTC 8925 and a Curve 8900. Being able to multitask over multiple apps is amazing. I'd like to see things like Pandora/Last.fm as multitasking instead of just Music

2. How important are graphics to you? webOS can't do heavy graphics (yet?), since it's all HTML-based applications.

Not yet as I mainly use my phone for more communication, but we'll get to the point where graphics quality is as important in a phone as it is right now in a computer.

3. What iPhone feature do you think you'd miss the most if somebody replaced your iPhone with a Pre or Pixi?

The App Store.

4. Do you think that the iPhone's user interface is in need of an overhaul?

I go both ways on this. On one hand, at some point Apple will need to overhaul it to continue upgrading the customer experience; otherwise there's no difference in a 3 year old model and a new one except for specs. On the other hand, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

5. How would you change the iPhone's notification system? I don't think I would actually.

**bjirvin** · 12-14-2009, 11:04 AM

1. only minimally, mostly music streaming.
2. graphics are fine, no issues.
3. hard to say. overall i'd say the ease of use and simplicity. but mostly the app store. so far, nobody can touch it.
4. i'd definitely love to be able to control and organize it more. a more informative lock/home page would be great.
5. grouping and managing notifications is a key improvement we need to see.

**moviedan** · 12-14-2009, 11:25 AM

Hi, I'm a long standing iPhone user (2g, 3g, 3gs) who's spent some time using the Pre.

Here's my take on the questions:

1. Do you guys ever really miss 'multitasking?' If so, what apps would you like to see multitask (besides the ones that do)?

I've jailbroken and installed Backgrounder so I can play with background apps. It's handy, but I could live without it. An example: I load up Reeder (a great Google Reader client) and it pulls down all the feeds I read. This takes a while, so while that's happening I'd like to go and check my email. Without Backgrounder I can't do this, so I've got to wait while Reeder pulls down a sizeable amount of feeds. The other major PITA is replying to a text message. If nothing else, Apple need to find a way to allow a reply without killing the app you're in. Again, there's a jailbreak solution, but I'd like to return to an untouched rom.

2. How important are graphics to you? webOS can't do heavy graphics (yet?), since it's all HTML-based applications.

I take it you mean in games? Not important. My iPhone's primary function isn't games, although I do play a lot on it. But I find the best games aren't the graphically intensive ones. Sure, it's nice to show stuff off, but it's not crucial.

3. What iPhone feature do you think you'd miss the most if somebody replaced your iPhone with a Pre or Pixi?

The apps. I've played with, for example, the Twitter clients on the Pre (admittedly a UK pre, so there were only two) but I'd miss the quality of application, and the range of choice available. I guess "apps" is a bit open ended as a choice for this one, but that's the beauty of the device.

4. Do you think that the iPhone's user interface is in need of an overhaul?

To a certain extent, absolutely, but by UI I only really mean the home screen. It's a concept and design introduced when the iPhone had no app store, no user installable apps, and hasn't scaled at all well. It needs a total overhaul. Maybe they could quick fix it with folders, or stacks or something, but it really needs that Apple polish that's been applied elsewhere.

5. How would you change the iPhone's notification system?

I'd steal Android's, or the Pre's

Seriously, this has started to bug the hell out of me. Little badges on icons? Great, what happens if the icon isn't on screen? I use Boxcar to push twitter messages to my phone, and I've lost track of the amount of times I get an SMS and the Boxcar notification is wiped out. Or I get a push from another app! Like the homescreen, the notification system has outgrown itself and needs replacing.

Personally: the only things I want to see from iPhone OS 4 are better notifications, and a better Homescreen/app launching interface. I always say: the iPhone isn't perfect, but for what I want to do with it, it's better than 95% of what's out there.

HTH.

**jnickell** · 12-14-2009, 11:48 AM

1. I don't even notice
2. Semi - iPhone is a good mix
3. How smooth everything works and how it NEVER crashes!
4. Nope
5. more control would be nice - maybe the ability to snooze a notification

**gludington** · 12-14-2009, 12:04 PM

1. Do you guys ever really miss 'multitasking?' If so, what apps would you like to see multitask (besides the ones that do)?

Yes, though not enough to make me switch (or to re-jailbreak). There are a certain class of apps that will never get made on the iphone, such as a few of the niftier Android contest winner apps, but for me, none of those have risen to "killer app" status yet for me. For day-to-day use, however, I would at bare minimum like to see multitasking:

SMS Quick Reply. It is an inexcusably bad user experience to dismiss an alert box and quit whatever you are doing to open the Messages app to dash off a reply, then have to restart your app, restore its state, only to repeat ad nauseam if your reply triggers another reply.
Internet radio. Pandora (or various sports-talk stations) are a nice accompaniment when running errands or shopping, but I cannot keep GroceryIQ open if I listen.
Feed readers. Google Reader is fantastic, by bylines or netnewswire is nice to create a local cache of reading material. However, I have to remember to start the application to refresh it every time before going into a dead zone. A truly "smart" smartphone would have something available for me at my convenience, not force to me remember tasks at its convenience.

2. How important are graphics to you? webOS can't do heavy graphics (yet?), since it's all HTML-based applications.

Crisp font rendering and smooth transitions, both of which the iPhone does well, are far more important. Great graphics -- not so much, except for games, and I find the control scheme for just about all non turn-based iPhone games unwieldy enough to avoid most iPhone games altogether.

3. What iPhone feature do you think you'd miss the most if somebody replaced your iPhone with a Pre or Pixi?

The developer community. Much as I think Apple is trying to kill this golden goose with its policies, iPhone developers have come up with a few truly outstanding applications without counterparts (yet?) on webOS.

4. Do you think that the iPhone's user interface is in need of an overhaul?

The base user interactions and visual metaphor, no. However, they need a compelling multitasking story, and they do need to overhaul the entire notification system.

5. How would you change the iPhone's notification system?

This is by far the weakest part of the iPhone UI, and it still surprises me that Apple put out something this contrary to good UI design. Modal dialog boxes should only be used when they prompt something that requires immediate attention from the user, without which the program/device cannot continue. Anything short of that emergency level simply should not take over the entire device. The primary consequence of this choice is well known to iPhone users, as the metaphor breaks under even light usage of a handful of alerts.

If multiple notifications come in, earlier ones are effectively overwritten and lost. There is almost no way for a user to discover the first alert if a second one comes in before the user has checked, and this effective data loss defeats the entire purpose of a notification system.

As for "fixing" notifications, webOS is a good model to follow, but the primary flaw that needs addressing is the loss of alerts. If for some reason alerts still have to be modal boxes, any sort of flagged and system-accessible "drawer" that preserved alerts would be a vast improvement over what we have now.

**cdawg62184** · 12-14-2009, 12:11 PM

1. One word, YES! Multitasking was huge on the Pre, was very impressed with that. I think everything should be multitask-able.
2. Graphics aren't a huge issue to me...I mean this is primarily a cell phone right? I will admit there are some awesome graphix intensive apps and games that I love, but I would almost rather save my battery life than play Metal Gear Solid on the phone...
3. Speed! WebOS is a great OS and very VERY well designed and well thought out...but since its a v1 OS and only 6 months old, it is very buggy at times and lags in places it shouldn't.
4. Yes and no. I think the simple layout of the OS works well, but also think a more advanced home screen might impress as well as a 'cover flow' style multitasking setup, or exposé for all open apps with multitasking.
5. Very simply put...make it act like the webOS notifications. Perfect implimentation of that feature in webOS.