WMExperts on iPhone - Round Robin-style!

**Phil Nickinson** · 12-21-2009, 01:41 PM

Hey, everybody. Phil here from , coming at you in Week 2 of the . Suffice it to say I've used an iPhone once or twice. But I still have a few questions for you, the TiPB faithful. And remember, everty time you answer, , well, an iPhone. So let's get to it:

The iPhone's UI is part of its genius. But after a couple of years, isn't it getting stale?
I'm a jailbreaker. And it's safe to assume a few of you are. But you really *have* to jailbreak anymore?
Obviously a lot of you left other platforms for the iPhone. Do you see anything from your previous smartphone life that you'd like to have now?
Will the problems with the app store (and we all know what they are) ever be fixed?
iTablet: Real? Or unicorn?
I'm a PC. Are you?

Let's get it on!

**nhoz** · 12-21-2009, 02:15 PM

1) needs a overhaul, or at very lest. something like sbsettings apple style

2)i NEED bosspaper (cant stand black background) and carrier unlock

3)multitasking would be sweet but i dont really care, push is fine.

4)dont think so, its a love/hate thing

5)real

6)nope

**jaybirdz** · 12-21-2009, 02:17 PM

1. The simple UI is what makes the iPhone so user friendly. That being said, I really would like to see more customization options for advanced users.

2. I have never jailbreaked my phone, however it seems that this is not necessary anymore now that Apple has (allegedly) loosened the app approval process and there are so many regular apps out there. That being said, jailbroken apps provide some cool features that Apple has not or will not implement (see #1 about UI customization).

3. N/A. My last phone was a dumbphone.

4. This is something that concerns me as a user of paid apps. However, I do feel that the stigma against users paying more than $0.99 an app is slowly lifting (but maybe that is just me). I certainly will pay accordingly for a good app. I also would like to see a change in the app approval process.

5. Duke Nukem Forever. I think it is a Unicorn that Apple may turn real after reaping all the ideas from the various internet speculators and commentators!

6. I'm a PC. I thought about Mac until I realized that I'm broke :-)

**bsims13** · 12-21-2009, 02:25 PM

1: Needs to be at least a little customizable, but simplicity is nice.
2: Jailbreak is necessary, backgrounding and lockinfo are my top reasons, i should be able to pandora and email at the same time, or for the same price i should have just gotten the Sony P.
3: Multi-tasking from WM6. Lockscreen info, that i can choose to display, from bank account amounts to email.
4: While not in fair practice, all companies can be a bit greedy, so who knows.
5: Real
6: PC, but only because of 7 fixing the mess of Vista.

**jeremylittle** · 12-21-2009, 02:32 PM

1. I still love the UI. It still works great for me and I don't think it gets old at all.
2. I have been a jailbreaker but have gone back to straight iPhone OS. I don't really think it's necessarry unless you HAVE to have the cosmetic options (background pic, more than 4 icons on a line, background apps) but I didn't like that stuff b/c it slowed down the phone. Exactly what good ole Steve said it would do
3. Nope! Left a Palm Treo 650 for the iPhone. Granted it wasn't Web OS but I'm still not sad about it. I would like to be able to legitimately unlock it to possibly leave AT&T. But that's it
4. Probably not. There will always be something someone's not happy about
5. I think it's real. But it's still gonna cost more than I want to pay for it
6. I'm a Mac

**dubious1** · 12-21-2009, 02:33 PM

1. I'm a fan of KISS, or Keep It Simple, Stupid. I think the UI is perfect for the iPhone. The only other UI that comes close to the iPhone's in terms on simplicity, IMO, is Blackberry's. I HATED Windows Mobile 6.1, as well as some of the 6.5 beta's I installed. Once again, KISS.
2. I don't jailbreak, and personally, I have no reason to. Before I had my iPhone, I was a BB Bold user, and before that I had a Fuze, albeit for less than 2 months. I would install beta OS'es on the Bold and the Fuze. Sometimes they would work, other times not so much. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I understand others wanting to JB for multitasking and use on other networks, and that's fine. To each his or her own.
3. The only thing that would make me happier on the iPhone would be a physical keyboard, but I've learned to love and master the virtual keyboard, so I think I'm set.
4. Maybe I'm too new to the iPhone scene, but I haven't had any issues w/ the App Store.
5. I believe the iTablet, MacTouch Pro, or whatever it's called does exist, but I don't think it's ready for the public yet.
6. For now I'm a PC, but I will be a Mac once my tax return comes back!

Hope that helps you out Phil! Sorry if I was a bit long-winded in my answers!

**Danredwing** · 12-21-2009, 02:57 PM

Time for a better way to navigate apps. Probably by type.

He inability to customize themes and multitask are the two nagging things still missing that require jailbreak

Ability to set certain Contacts/ unknown number to silent.

I sure hope so for developers.

Real

no.

-danredwing

**danmowchan** · 12-21-2009, 03:29 PM

1.
Yeah, I would agree it is getting a bit stale. This is one of the reasons I would jailbreak (if I had the 3GS, my 2G is a bit too slow for winterboard) -- so I could use some of the Matte themes and give it a fresh new look. I would hope they update the interface in 4.0 and the new phone in the summer. At the very least I would hope for a more intuitive notification system.

2.
As I said in number 1, my only reason for jailbreaking is themes -- however, it extends a bit into background applications. With the new release of a new app (i forget the name now) that allows you to manage backgrounded apps similarly to WebOS, background applications are a lot more feasible on jailbroken phones.

3.
I left the Blackberry (Curve 8330) platform after under a year to move to iPhone. As much as I miss some things from the Blackberry (ie. the keyboard and the ability to type without looking *accurately), it didn't really keep me satisfied for long. The thing about the iPhone that I really loved was the consistency of UI in each application. On Blackberry, every third party app acted differently and it would be difficult to get oriented to a new app -- this is not the case with the iPhone. Also, one of the biggest reasons I got the iPhone was because I always had my phone and iPod; why not combine the two?

4.
I think that with most anything, the AppStore will iron out its problems in time. Regardless of them, even, you can still get some (A LOT) wonderful software on your iPhone. I think one of the best ideas I heard for the appstore involved a tiered system of approval. If the application passed the tests to check if it works correctly and such but ISNT approved by apple, the developer could be given a URL to distribute it directly without being indexed into the store. Those apps that were approved wholeheartedly would be included in all of the top 10 lists and such. I think this would be one of the best solutions. You can read more about it .

5.
In time.

6.
Mac user for life. PC for games only, but I have been neglecting my PC for a while now; just dusted it off the other day to finish off Half Life 2: Episode 2. Can't really afford the hobby anymore I'm afraid. As a person in a creative field, Mac is the ultimate route for me -- oh and I just love them. Who wants a laptop made out of plastic that creaks when you move the screen? Not me.

**Kryptonal** · 12-21-2009, 03:31 PM

1. The iPhone's UI is part of its genius. But after a couple of years, isn't it getting stale?

Other than having a more informative lock screen I'm still happy with the iPhone's UI. There needs to be a quicker way to switch between Edge/3G/Wifi though.

2. I'm a jailbreaker. And it's safe to assume a few of you are. But you really *have* to jailbreak anymore?

Nothing that a jailbroken iPhone has appeals to me, so I've never had to go down that route. I don't think anyone *has* to but it's nice to be able to.

3. Obviously a lot of you left other platforms for the iPhone. Do you see anything from your previous smartphone life that you'd like to have now?

This is my first Smartphone but I have used all of the others besides the android platform. Getting back to something I mentioned earlier, in the Blackberry video Rene just put up today there was a moment where they needed to switch the Storm to a wireless network. They did so by just tapping the "network" symbol and just hit mobile network. THIS is what I think the iPhone needs.

4. Will the problems with the app store (and we all know what they are) ever be fixed?

The main problems I have with the app store is the whole updating apps bug and more importantly the apps presentation on the store. There are a lot of good apps on the app store that gets lost in the pile because of the many useless ones. There also needs to be some more flexibility in the app approval system.

5. iTablet: Real? Or unicorn?

I'm skeptical about the tablet but I do believe it will come eventually. They just need a good strategy to introduce it to public though.

6. I'm a PC. Are you?

I'm speaking as a PC user.

**karlbstumpf** · 12-21-2009, 03:46 PM

1) Started out as a great idea, but the user needs to be able to customize it more that it is now.
2) I have been tempted, but I will not jailbreak for now.
3) As in question 1, to be able to customize it a bit more. A user wants to make the phone unique and that is not a feature of the iPhone. They all look the same inside and out. That needs to change. Hoping that the next version is more customizable.
4) I would like to think so. It's Apple, so I am hopeful they will get on the ball, if they want to remain ahead of the up and coming smartphones (like the Droid).
5) Oh, It's real. You wait and see.
6) I'm a PC

**flyingember** · 12-21-2009, 03:56 PM

1. The iPhone's UI is part of its genius. But after a couple of years, isn't it getting stale?

Not yet. It needs more ways to view/interact with data but other systems kept the same look for far longer to good effect. There are only so many ways we work with information. It also helps that apps don't have to keep to the core UI

2. I'm a jailbreaker. And it's safe to assume a few of you are. But you really *have* to jailbreak anymore?

Maybe. I expect Apple will take all the jailbreak items they can and integrate them into their product. Free R&D and all that. Cover Flow was a third party product at one point.

Apple will sell themes at some point. it's a huge untapped market for freelance artists. Same terms on sales as apps.

3. Obviously a lot of you left other platforms for the iPhone. Do you see anything from your previous smartphone life that you'd like to have now?

I liked the option of having a stylus that works. the ui is nearly impossible to use with gloves. this means less pinching and more tap options.

I also want a real keyboard that the phone docks with on the road.

4. Will the problems with the app store (and we all know what they are) ever be fixed?

to a degree, yes. for devs they need to improve the entire process with better communication, premium services and the like. the core user need is more ways to find info. It's a pain to find good apps right now.

5. iTablet: Real? Or unicorn?

still being beta tested internally but they would be stupid to waste years of R&D and not release a second touchscreen product. The question is which OS they'll put on it.

6. I'm a PC. Are you?
Both

**captobie** · 12-21-2009, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

The iPhone's UI is part of its genius. But after a couple of years, isn't it getting stale?
I'm a jailbreaker. And it's safe to assume a few of you are. But you really *have* to jailbreak anymore?
Obviously a lot of you left other platforms for the iPhone. Do you see anything from your previous smartphone life that you'd like to have now?
Will the problems with the app store (and we all know what they are) ever be fixed?
iTablet: Real? Or unicorn?
I'm a PC. Are you?

1. I'm new to the whole iPhone thing (okay, to be honest, I'm not even really on the iPhone thing, I'm a WinMo user who just got his wife an iPod Touch so he could see what all the hoopla was about). As much as I love my TF3D or SPB MS3.5, there is something to be said for the simplicity of the iPhone interface. And saying that, it is much to simple for my tastes. But my phone is much to complicated for my wife's tastes.
2. If you had to jail break a WinMo phone people would call it a design flaw. But hey, more power to those who do it with their iPhones. Stick it to the man!
3. Oh God, where to start. I love the Touch, but I'm a diehard WinMo guy. So, I'd say the thing I'd miss most is being able to flash my own ROM's. What can I say, I'm addicted to flashing.
4. No, because Apple doesn't see it as a problem. They designed it that way. And that will always be one of the iPhone's weak points (which is an irony since the App Store is one of it's greatest strengths).
5. Who cares? Even if it is just a unicorn now, it will someday be real. But it will probably be too rich for my blood.
6. Of course!

**noobler** · 12-21-2009, 08:00 PM

I would like to customize my device.

I'm a pc.

**Alli** · 12-21-2009, 08:25 PM

Ah Phil, Phil, Phil. You really need to admit that if you love the iPod Touch that the iPhone is a logical extension, and thus worth more than a WinPho. C'mon...you can tell me.

iPhone UI? It's not an HTC Today screen. Heaven help me, but I still prefer the HTC Today screen. I want to see the weather on wakeup, and all that other inconsequential information that any good WinPho throws at you whether you want it or not.

If only for reasons like that - jailbreak is still a must. Right now I'm looking at the possibility of replacing my iPhone and even knowing that a tethered j/b will probably be in the future...it's still what I will do. The iPhone UI is pretty, but it needs help that can only come from a j/b.

Apps are apps are apps...and there are far more apps in the app store than Cydia. Cydia concentrates on themes like the app store concentrates on...fart apps. Nuff said.

We don' need no steenkin' Mac!

**soccernamlak** · 12-21-2009, 09:29 PM

1. The iPhone's UI is part of its genius. But after a couple of years, isn't it getting stale?

Only if you don't jailbreak.

2. I'm a jailbreaker. And it's safe to assume a few of you are. But you really *have* to jailbreak anymore?

You really don't have to, to be honest, but it definitely makes the experience better.

3. Obviously a lot of you left other platforms for the iPhone. Do you see anything from your previous smartphone life that you'd like to have now?

Better flexibility modifying the OS

4: Will the problems with the app store (and we all know what they are) ever be fixed?

Hopefully yes. In reality, might be a while.

5: iTablet: Real? Or unicorn?

Real, but overpriced and underpowered.

6. I'm a PC. Are you?

Both

I've got an HP laptop and a MacBook Pro. The MBP runs Win7 as well.

**slighmd** · 12-21-2009, 09:33 PM

1. yes really getting stale. needs a major overhaul. cant send sms while surfing?
2. I Jailbroken mine for the winterboard settings and themes. if apple integrated that into the OS, i guess there wont be a need to jailbreak
3. Yep.. multitasking, camera zoom, customizability, my own sms tones
4. I don't think so. does apple even care? lol
5. Looks like it's real
6. PC ftw!

**Sarcone** · 12-21-2009, 10:30 PM

1. The iPhone's UI is part of its genius. But after a couple of years, isn't it getting stale?

No, not if you jailbreak.

2. I'm a jailbreaker. And it's safe to assume a few of you are. But you really *have* to jailbreak anymore?

Jailbreak, jailbreak, jailbreak

3. Obviously a lot of you left other platforms for the iPhone. Do you see anything from your previous smartphone life that you'd like to have now?

Better calendar, customization, notifications

4: Will the problems with the app store (and we all know what they are) ever be fixed?

Probably not.

5: iTablet: Real? Or unicorn?

Will be real one day.

6. I'm a PC. Are you?

PC

**Fraydog** · 12-22-2009, 07:53 AM

1. Overall I like the paradigm behind the iPhone UI, but as the iPhone gains in power, I think it would be nice to see more changes in the UI to increase productivity as well as help the interface out more. More customization options would be nice as well.
2. I am content to be in Apple's walled garden, but I might temporarily jailbreak if I need to run a streaming app like Pandora or last.fm in the background. Overall I think the protections of the iPhone are good but there does need to be some modifications to the app approval process like re-approving the Google Voice apps for example.
3. I was on Windows Mobile before the iPhone, and I wouldn't mind a new home screen on the iPhone that put calendar information, push notifications, to do lists, and text and mail notifications on the home page.
4. It's never going to be perfect, but a lot of the problems are in the category of "problems you would like Windows Mobile to have" with an excess of apps. Now that Apple has streamlined the approval process, I believe that good apps will continue to make their way to the App Store.
5. It better be real... a lot of the speculated innovations in the iTablet will also make their way to the iPhone's next iteration. It would also be nice if the iTablet wasn't married to AT&T (for example, you could use it on Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile as well).
6. I'm a Mac with some PC qualities. I like having the Mac platform that just works but I'm comfortable using Windows 7 or Linux.

**flyingember** · 12-22-2009, 08:20 AM

Everyone promotes jailbreaking so much.

I expect Apple is working even more at blocking it completely.

**Uproarmedia** · 12-22-2009, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

1.) The iPhone's UI is part of its genius. But after a couple of years, isn't it getting stale?

I suppose it could use some updating. I like some of the themes that are available on the JB side of things, especially Glass Orb Color with the 5 icon dock. Personally I think Apple should allow themes or some sort of customization.

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

2.)I'm a jailbreaker. And it's safe to assume a few of you are. But you really *have* to jailbreak anymore?

I think yes and no. There are things on the JB side that I think Apple should incorporate and I think there are things I wouldn't miss if it were to be gone.

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

3.)Obviously a lot of you left other platforms for the iPhone. Do you see anything from your previous smartphone life that you'd like to have now?

My 3G is actually my first smartphone. However depending on what's all on the market at the end of my AT&T contract, we'll see if I stay. To be 100% honest, I was not impressed with the release of the 3GS, so thats why I stuck with my 3G. Hopefully the next one will have some killer must have features, but we'll see what's all available at the time.

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

4.)Will the problems with the app store (and we all know what they are) ever be fixed?

I hope so.

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

5.)iTablet: Real? Or unicorn?

I'd really like it to be, but who knows. I would only be interested in buying one if it runs a full version of OS X on it though.

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

6.)I'm a PC. Are you?

HELL NO!

**jnickell** · 12-22-2009, 10:06 AM

1) It's brand new to me and might be stale after a couple years, but beats anything else I've seen. It might need an update just for the people who started with it.
2) I've been tempted, but it's too much hassle for me. I don't miss most of the things you can do by jailbreaking.
3) I do miss the battery life on my old WM Motorola Q
4)Some probably, but every system has it's drawbacks - I like knowing that the app will work.
5) It's really, but so was the Newton - might be a while - could be March, who knows
6) Definitely a PC - this is making me love apple a little though

**bamf-hacker** · 12-22-2009, 10:08 AM

1. The iPhone's UI is part of its genius. But after a couple of years, isn't it getting stale?

I don't think so. If you look at the WinMo trend they are making them more like the iPhone with touchflo etc. I think that if another device makes something better then the iPhone would need to follow suit.

2. I'm a jailbreaker. And it's safe to assume a few of you are. But you really *have* to jailbreak anymore?

I did feel the need to JB my phone. I like the added functionality to turn off my BT for example without having to go to settings. Or to add a skin to make my phone more me.

3. Obviously a lot of you left other platforms for the iPhone. Do you see anything from your previous smartphone life that you'd like to have now?

A memory card slot. It would be nice to have a card with music and photos on it. To extend the device memory without having to buy a new phone.

4. Will the problems with the app store (and we all know what they are) ever be fixed?

I would hope so. At some point Apple will need to loosen up the reins and allow developers do what they do best, DEVELOP!

5. iTablet: Real? Or unicorn?

Real, It is no different than the Tablet PC's now, just with the Apple flair (Cost LOL)

6. I'm a PC. Are you?

I'm a PC, most of the time.

**big9erfan** · 12-22-2009, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

[*]The iPhone's UI is part of its genius. But after a couple of years, isn't it getting stale?

Perhaps it is getting stale, but the ease of use and simplicity of it all is much of the appeal of the phone and part of it's success. You can sit down and be successfully navigating around the phone in seconds.

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

[*]I'm a jailbreaker. And it's safe to assume a few of you are. But you really *have* to jailbreak anymore?

With all that Apple has added I'm not sure it is something that HAS to be done anymore, but for ME things like notifications on the status bar are something I find quite useful and would love to see Apple implement something similar. For me, it's a MUST, for others...not so much anymore

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

[*]Obviously a lot of you left other platforms for the iPhone. Do you see anything from your previous smartphone life that you'd like to have now?

My iPhone is such a huge leap over my WinMo phone I can't even think about my old device without feeling a little sick to my stomach.

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

[*]Will the problems with the app store (and we all know what they are) ever be fixed?

Eventually there I think there will be a tiered system of developers, those that are "trusted" ( high grossing like the tapulous group for example )and things fly through an "automated" approval process until they show they cannot be trusted. Then the normal approval process for "lesser" developers. I don't think it will ever get "fixed", the closed system has definitely not HURT Apple too badly, and until they catch fingers in a drawer, I don't think much will change.

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

[*]iTablet: Real? Or unicorn?

Real, though it may be a few more years till we see it.

Originally Posted by Phil Nickinson

[*]I'm a PC. Are you?

PC since I first started using a computer back in 5th grade ( I'm 32 now ).

**H8245** · 12-22-2009, 01:28 PM

1) Yes. A main benefit of jb.
2) Yes. Backgrounder, ProSwitcher, GV Mobile, Cyget, ...
3) More customizable open source apps.
4) I think that Apple has done much to improve the App Store. There will always be areas needing improvement. And that Apple will eventually become more flexible and streamlined now that the compitition is heating up.
5) Real, though it will not be revolutionaly in the sense that the iPhone is to the smartphone.
6) PC