3 new features in iPhone 2.0 software update

Mar 18, 2008

When Apple releases the iPhone software update 2.0 in June, here are three new features that would make the device more attractive to users:

Safari: choose where links open

When you select a link on a web page, a small menu appears with two options: Open here or Open as new page. But, I wouldn't have this appear by default because it might confuse new iPhone owners who aren't used to mobile web browsing yet. So, I'd add an option to the Safari section of the iPhone settings that allows an iPhone owner to turn on the menu if she or he so desires.

Calendar: maps/directions integration

The Calendar application should recognize a phone number or street address, just as Safari recognizes a phone number on a web page and offers to call it when a user selects it. When creating a calendar entry, there should be fields for a phone number or street address. While viewing a calendar entry, an iPhone owner can select the phone number and the iPhone will offer to dial it, or select the address and the Maps application will launch to display the location and provide directions.

Mail: Archive option for Gmail accounts

When I check email using the iPhone Mail application, I'll often respond to messages, but I still have to access Gmail through a standard web browser to archive messages I'm finished with. When an iPhone owner sets up the mail application to work with a Gmail account, an option to archive messages should be added to the toolbar at the bottom of the message screen. Those are the three iPhone features I most want to see in the iPhone 2.0 software update. What new ones are most important to you?

11 Comments

gene getman says:

Mar 27th, 2008

3 features iPhone 2.0 software should have??…umm how about 1) The capability to send and recieve photos via text message. Cmon people, for all the bells and whistles iPhone has I still have to hang my head in shame as I decline an offer from a girl offering to send me topless pics. 2) Video recording capabiliy. Don’t tell me you can’t write some software to get the iPhone camera to capture video. 3) A general purpose media player plug-in for Safari. Why must a video be affiliated with apple or youtube for me to watch it? I want my porn on the go!
vas says:

May 26th, 2008

>Mail: Archive option for Gmail accounts

Already supported. Simply move the mail to the “[GMail]/All Mail” folder. Read the iphone related bits in GMail help for other things you can do.

vas
Stewart Mader says:

May 26th, 2008

@Vas – Point taken, but that’s not easy enough for the majority of people. There needs to be an archive button visible while reading a message. Move the message to the “[Gmail]/All Mail folder – too complex to explain to the novice user. Archive button – that most approachable and Democratic solution for users at all experience levels.

Doing the everyday operations on an iPhone (or any mobile) must be as easy as doing them on the computer – that makes skill transfer seamless.

Stewart