Monday, June 4, 2007

The iPhone II: A Look Ahead. Well, Why Not?

The iPhone is coming out on June 29. Within a week after the launch, we will have a good idea if the iPhone is the next big thing or just a cool phone with user interface problems. But when it arrives, what else can we look forward to? The next iMac? That's cool, but not that exciting. Leopard? Computer operating systems just don't carry the excitement they used to. Why not think ahead to the iPhone II?

Some possible changes for the next version of the iPhone are easy to forecast. The memory will obviously be increased. Better battery life is likely, as well as a faster CPU. These are all technologies that improve and become cheaper with time. Even though all of these are basic changes, I believe each one would increase the functionality of the iPhone exponentially.

But what other changes? Structural changes to the phone would be likely. Maybe Apple will realize the need for a removable battery. Or, perhaps some form a tactile feedback could be added to the "glass" surface of the phone to give all the touch screen nonbelievers their wish. Or, they could make little pebbles on the "glass" surface to signify certain important touchscreen areas.

Any problems with the material or shape of the phone could be corrected. Apple is known to make small tweaks. They changed the shape of the Nano slightly to avoid excessive scratching.

Also on some users wishlist is 3G network compatibility, especially the kind that allows you to switch between EDGE and 3G depending on availability. This seems like a simple upgrade that would make some data power-users happy.

But let's get a little farther out there. How about some cool, revolutionary changes? How about a DVI or HDMI out? Why not turn the iPhone into a portable Apple TV? Let that bad boy pump out 720p. Battery life, smattery life. How about the iPhone as a "home appliance" remote control? It'd be easy to have the iPhone become a remote control for an AppleTV. But, I want to see Apple sell Apple-branded coffee makers, ovens, and air conditioners and have the iPhone turn them on and off. Hey, they aren't Apple Computer anymore, remember? Introducing the Apple Expresso Deluxe--it just works.

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