Dreaming up the next-gen iPhone

There's no question that Apple's iPhone 3G has been the hottest phone of 2008 with its sleek touch screen design and software, but that hasn't stopped bloggers from dreaming up ways to make the iPhone even better.

Not everyone is convinced of the virtues of the iPhone's virtual keyboard.

(Credit: Apple)

Earlier this week, the gadget blog Gizmodo posted a mock-up design of a next-generation iPhone created by blogger Mat Brady. Gizmodo calls the new gadget the "iPhone Pro." It describes the dream iPhone as having 60GB of storage, true 16:9 aspect ratio, 1-megapixel front camera for iChat, and a high-quality camera, with video capability, plus a slide-out keyboard.

The keyboard is an important distinction. While I have grown to love the virtual keyboard and predictive spelling capabilities of my iPhone, many hard-core mobile e-mail users and texters hate it. And because they want an actual QWERTY keypad instead of a virtual one, they are often drawn to Research In Motion's BlackBerry devices, Windows Mobile phones, or the new Android phone. But many of these users would like the cool functionality of the iPhone, if only it had a real keypad.

Gizmodo blogger Jesus Diaz believes that the imaginary iPhone Pro design is doable from a technology perspective. But he also believes it would likely jack up the price of the device. I agree on both counts. And I also agree that a phone like this would find an audience.

But I'm not sure that Apple would ever add every bell and whistle in this dream iPhone. I definitely think that Apple will add more storage capacity and video functionality and improve the camera capabilities on future versions of the iPhone. But will Steve Jobs and company really add a keyboard with actual buttons?

I guess we'll just have to wait and see. As other smartphones, such as the Blackberry and Google's Android phones mature and evolve, Apple may have no other choice than to design a phone with real keys.

[websterphreaky]

Marguerite Reardon and all you Apple Kool Aid Drinkers .... get a life.

Total sales of iPhones is miniscule compared to ALL other mobile phones sold. THAT is HARDLY "Hot"

[scott2400]

webster: it's YOU that's drinking the Apple Hater Kool Aid. Get a life yourself. It always amazes me how a few malcontents just scream about anything Apple. Were you scared by a Steve Jobs lookalike as a child?

[sflocal]

@websterphreaky
Your juvenile remarks just proved that you have in fact escaped your parents' basement. I will send them a bigger padlock for you. Merry Christmas.

Marguerite Reardon: This was in interesting article. Please disregard remarks made by whiners who feel that putting people down will make their pitiful lives seem better.

[myles taylor]

Total sales of any phone is miniscule compared to ALL other mobile phones sold. It is however sizable compared to any other one phone and that does make it "Hot".

What's the Kool Aid that we're drinking?

[wigmo]

I guess you could take any mobile phone on the market, and say that it's sales are minuscule compared to ALL other mobile phones sold as well. To claim the iPhone isn't "HOT" would be ignorant.

As for the slide out keyboard, I personally don't like physical keyboards. The biggest flaw I see in their concept is that of a "pro" model. If I wanted all those new features I'd hate to think I'd be forced into buying the model with the sliding keypad, or have to pay for a sliding keypad that I wouldn't use.

[Dani210]

the next generation of ppl who are getting their first phone though won't hate the iphone keyboard bc thats the only thing they're used to. like me, ppl complained about flat buttons on my phone, the shine you know, and so im pretty much ready for a touch screen keyboard. you can only hate something if you've experienced something way better

[jasonaorr]

I think Apple is more likely to continue to improve the functionality of its virtual keyboard; they've invested themselves in the technology.

[brian.lee]

" by jasonaorr December 29, 2008 8:34 AM PST
I think Apple is more likely to continue to improve the functionality of its virtual keyboard; they've invested themselves in the technology."

I agree... I'm happy with the hardware behind the iPhone it just requires minor tweaking and speed bumps in software. I'd like to be able to do a bit more with the bluetooth like send files.

[ittesi259]

It could also use basic functionality too...like copy/paste....that'd be nice....oh and a reasonable service plan that includes SMS....unlike these stupid AT$T plans that give you unlimited data but that doesn't include SMS....which wait...isn't SMS data?

[Dani210]

we'll never know, apple always comes up with things we don't expect

[TechnoMan475392]

@ittesi259-
Easiest way to get around this is using the Fring/AIM application. Add all your contacts that you text to your buddy list and it sends messages over the data plan which is necessary to have the iPhone. Free texts, baby! Yeah!

[Eballs]

An actual slide out keyboard would be awful. The people complaining about the lack there of are either too old and lack the proper skills needed to learn a new skill. It's a terrible argument. It's like wanting a car manufacturer to starting putting cassette players back in cars so you could still listen to Styx. Terrible.

I can type quicker than I ever could on a blackberry. I would NOT buy an iphone with a keyboard.

[iertry]

I don't think a physical keyboard is a good idea. The way the iPhones keyboard can change for different applications and languages is great. If they put on a physical keyboard they'd have to make a different iPhone for each country with that countries specific keyboard on it. It would be too costly.

[lmasanti]

quote:
"...Apple may have no other choice than to design a phone with real keys."

I heard something in the line of "no other choice" during decades about the "one button mouse"!
So, forget about trying that Apple follows consumers' wisdom.

[TechnoMan475392]

The mighty mouse technically has only one button but uses a touch sensor for right-click.

[myles taylor]

I agree with you that Apple rarely follows the "has no choice" but the one button mouse is a poor example. I have no problem right clicking on my Mac without ever touching the keyboard and their new laptops with no button have just gone the other way.

[halsue2]

When using the virtual keyboard in landscape mode I find it quick and easy to use. I can't see Apple adding a physical keyboard. If a new model comes out with a true 16:9 screen the virtual keyboard will be almost an inch wider which should be plenty. I am surprised that no bluetooth keyboard accessory exists, however. Something like the Palm Foldable keyboard way back when. If a new model which allows file storage and a decent office suite of software arrives such a keyboard would be very useful for 'back at the hotel admin work'.

[Arnold Reinhold]

I like the virtual keyboard, but others don't. If putting essentially the same electronics in a different package with a mechanical keyboard would increase Apple's iPhone sales even 20%, it would be well worth it. Other features I'd like to see in a pro model include a charge-accepting mini-usb port, a programmable button or two and a bigger battery. Maybe a solar cell skin as an option.

[Perry_Clease]

@eballs "An actual slide out keyboard would be awful. The people complaining about the lack there of are either too old and lack the proper skills needed to learn a new skill."

I am officially a gray beard, and will soon graduate to old fart, but it didn't take me long to learn to use the iPhone's keyboard. Of course "too long" is subjective, but I would say that it took two days before I was zipping along with it. The young whippersnapper who works at the Apple Store when I bought the iPhone showed me a few tricks and suggested that I practice using the Notes application which I did and that helped a lot. One tip I will pass along is that if you see that you hit the wrong key then if you keep your finger pressed you can slide your finger over to the correct key and release.

@ierty "I don't think a physical keyboard is a good idea. The way the iPhones keyboard can change for different applications and languages is great."

Yes not only that, but I have concerns about a slide out keyboard breaking. Now I have not played with enough slide out keyboard phones to make that a blanket statement, I will need to do that.

@ Arnold Reinhold "Maybe a solar cell skin as an option."

That would be something. I wonder if they could incorporate into the screen without adding too much bulk to the phone.

[brazilian_sf]

Two features would be enough, IMHO:
- Turn by Turn navigation
- Copy & Paste

[aka_tripleB]

How about Apple not being so smothering with its "protection?" Not being able to install what you want has more to do with its bottom line than your protection. Especially according to Apple's business mantra that its software doesn't get viruses.

[ittesi259]

I don't subscribe to mantra....but can you provide me a credible source that talks about a virus being effective against OS X? I mean a true virus, not something that made it through social engineering or requiring me to be redirected to a website...a true virus that doesn't require user interaction?

[irondog1970]

Funny: RIM introduced the Blackberry Storm that--what? Oh, that's right: it doesn't have a physical keyboard *at all.*

I've got friends, both of whom have self-described "Fred Flinstone" hands, who learned to use the iPhone keypad in just a few days time. One of these guys moved from the Blackberry with a QWERTY keyboard to the iPhone. He said that the biggest trick is learning to trust the auto-correct feature. Now that he's comfortable with the algorithms, he's quite adept at texting.

I've played around with the T-Mobile G1 keyboard. I found the physical keyboard cramped and difficult to use. I think their keyboard could be designed better. When compared to the G1, I prefer the iPhone's virtual keyboard.

As for the Blackberry Storm keyboard: I still prefer the iPhone's landscape keyboard over RIM's landscape keyboard. However, I definitely prefer RIM's portrait keyboard over the iPhone's. In fact, I wish that the iPhone had as cool of a keyboard in portrait mode.

As for copying & pasting: I've had an iPhone for more than 1 year, and never once have I said to myself: "Man, I wish I could copy & paste this info"?

I guess to each their own?

[Dan7637]

this sounds like a good idea but Apple would never give people everything, they have to let us keep ******** about something so we buy their products

[hermantf]

The minute I saw the iPhone I wondered, "Why no buttons? Why no keyboard? Buttons work. They've always worked. They are a great invention. Why does Apple want to make them obsolete?"

I've had the iPhone for about 4 months now and I have to say that Apple did a wonderful job with the touch screen. BUT, had they used a real keyboard with real buttons, I believe it would be a better phone.

[FearNo1]

Instead of wanting revlutionary changes from the next iphone, why not basic stuff like: better battery life, multitasking, copy/paste, better camera/vid recorder, landscape keyboard in all apps that use kb, etc. I currently have a 32gb touch. The battery life is pretty bad when I listen to music and read RSS feeds on the train. I can only imagine how poor the battery life is of the iphone.

[Mark_Anderson]

Oh hey, that mock up looks like an N97.

[YaBoyJay]

I love the suggestions for a new iPohne. Even though it's a world phone, we've marketed phones to specific countries with design changes and it would not be terribly difficult to incorporate a keyboard for all the "nay" sayers. I think the suggested improvements would make the phone a HOT seller and would make me switch carriers just to buy it.

Besides, RIM and Google are making devices that people want, RIM selling the second-most phones worldwide with a market share of 15.9 % behind Symbian (source: MSNBC), so as with any company, the smart thing is to remain competitive. So Apple, if your listening, up the game. :)

MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28390559/

[carlhancock]

While I have no doubt the iPhone will eventually have some or all of these features, it isn't going to happen in 2009 and will take several itterations before a feature set like this is reached. Apple isn't going to cram every feature into one release, they need to hold back so they have improvements to make so that the Apple masses continue to upgrade on a yearly basis.

This is something Apple does very well... they get people with perfectly good devices to upgrade to a newer version despite the fact the changes may not be as drastic as they appear. Look at the people who upgraded from the iPhone to the iPhone 3G. Those are the same people who are going to upgrade to the next iPhone and so on.

They need to hold back a little. They can't give you everything upfront.

[axis360_dotmac]

First I commend the writers which put thought into responses and not the meaningless attacks, in any case..
The comparison of iPhones sales compared to others is like comparing an apple to the farm. Now if you want to say that Apple had zero percent of the market 3 years ago and now has nine, we cannot deny growth, which maybe be rapid.
What I believe has to be said is that people, companies and users have taken notice. The iPhone brought ease of use, smart layout and a product to market that my 2 year old can use. On top of that this phone is a phone too. One which offered a hold and merge button display that has allowed me to conference several calls-some planned some conveniently unfolded in life. The layout smart, the glass slick, and the ownership that has some sort of attention if not status. Its is the only one which in the beginning caused head turns, is that the..., and may I see it of any phone that I have ever had or seen. Well maybe not seen, as I remember the days when the mobile phone was so new that the privilege were few that carried the 14 inch, 8 pound eye catchers!
Now on top of that, there has been a rich upgrade offered as software downloads- easy!
I have a map that shows me more and more with each new version- down to now showing me where I am, mapped with traffic, gas, stores and turn by turn directions! I can push screen to call, email or find walking or bus route. The apps will allow one with a push of a screen to reserve a table at restaurant that surround you, or town you plan to visit. I can dictate notes which will translate spoken words to emailed text with date and times task needs to be addressed. I can now find my location at a ski area-if I could afford the ticket. The phone works, and to my knowledge that if you want to be noticed you would do well to plan on giving your company, business or product some kind of application or App that is downloadable on iTunes for the iPhone or iTouch.
I would have to lastly point out that it is other companies which are now incorporating ideas, of design and functionality that is the iPhone.
I am so outta here, I never intended to write this at all- see what happens when there is no good sports on TV-haha not tonight that is...... hey COOPER!

[TechnoMan475392]

+1

[darkpoet25]

axis360, you have hit the nail right on the head. I myself used to be an iPhone 'hater'. I thought it was overpriced and garbage. Then I noticed all these other companies making touch screen phones, and also noticing in reviews both by sites like CNet and owners, that the iPhone came out on top. After much research, I decided to get one for myself(I own the 3G 8gb model). Having had this phone for almost two weeks now, I understand what all the hype surrounding it was. It is the single most intuitive mobile phone I have ever had. The touch screen is very responsive, and texting is a breeze. The web browser is the best I have seen so far, the integration of the iPod is seamless and the best sounding MP3 player I have seen on a phone. If this wasn't so 'hot' then why would Samsung, Sony, Nokia, and RIM be introducing their own takes on the iPhone? As far as the whole 'copy and paste' issue goes, I'm sure it can be integrated into a software update or with an app. Overall in spite of the fact that the iPhone can't send picture/video messages, this is handsdown the best mobile device I have ever owned and am glad that I made that purchase.