Google Street View, auto-correction prefs in iPhone OS 2.2 beta

[AppleInsider]

A list of enhancements that may arrive in the next version of the iPhone operating system continues to grow with the unearthing of Google Street View support and an auto-correction toggle hidden in the most recent beta of the software.

Last week AppleInsider reported that the first private beta of iPhone Software 2.2 included a redesigned Safari address bar, as well as a new version of the App Store application with interface tweaks and a new bug report feature.

While those changes are visible to developers testing the software, a post at MacRumors details support for a few other features that have thus far remain inaccessible to developers, as they're not yet fully activated in the betas.

Among them is a preference to turn off the iPhone's text auto-correction. A request for this functionality was recently the subject of an online petition that has since received over 20,000 signatures.

Another feature is support for Google Street View in the iPhone's Maps application. Street View provides 360 degree panoramic views of major cities and their surrounding metropolitan areas using still photographs that have been stitched together. Google and T-Mobile recently highlighted support for Street Views on the G1 -- the first Android-based handset due to go on sale later this month.

Separately, and most critically, iPhone Software 2.2 appears to contain the groundwork for emoji icon support. Emoji is a form of Japanese clip art that can be inserted in sentences to spruce up email messages. A lack of emoji support was recently cited by the Wall Street Journal as one of the barriers to adoption faced by the iPhone in Japan.

Apple has offered no indication of when it plans to release iPhone Software version 2.2 and it's unclear whether the aforementioned features will be included in the release or held back for a future update.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[MLP]

Does iPhone come with a digital compass that allows 360 degrees street view?

[1stmac]

Has anyone started an online petition for cut-n-paste yet?

[msb0014]

Has anyone experienced mail push problems with software 2.1? Even though I have PUSH on and check every fifteen minutes I still have to open the mail and engage the check mail...

Matt

[irnchriz]

screw all of that crap, I want background push for apps so I can have my messenger clients running etc.

[Virgil-TB2]

OMG Why the hell would anyone want to turn off auto-correct? The iPhone keyboard would be almost useless without it.

I could see someone wanting to be able to edit the rules or the dictionary it uses, but merely turning it off will do nothing but make typing next to impossible.

[json]

Fixes:
1) Snappier. Yes, the dreaded s-word. Version 2.1 is simply NOT snappy in any way, shape or form. Launching apps is really slow, there are even slow downs when entering text. Restarting the phone partially fixes the problem for a time. A DFU restore without putting the backup back has not helped.

2) International language support. The spell checker for Swedish still makes REALLY strange suggestions from time to time, including things that are not valid words, and some words are simply not possible to write (impossible to hit a specific key) without spelling it wrong and then go back and correct it. And it doesn't learn.

3) No more Safari crashes.

4) Make the iPod remember the currently playing song, even if it is paused and other applications have been run before returning to the iPod. I mean, how difficult is it to write the current song data to the flash?

New functions:
1) Cut&Paste. In all applications that handle text.

2) The possibility to send addresses and calendar appointments in e-mails.

3) Push notifications for third party apps.

4) Possibility to use MobileMe aliases in the mail app. Possibility to set and clear flags in the mail app. Possibility to set an email as "unread" in the mail app.

For future releases:

1) Search (i.e. "spotlight").

2) Possibility to insert items (photos, addresses etc. etc.) while writing an e-mail.

[Callaway7]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

OMG Why the hell would anyone want to turn off auto-correct? The iPhone keyboard would be almost useless without it.

I could see someone wanting to be able to edit the rules or the dictionary it uses, but merely turning it off will do nothing but make typing next to impossible.

Have to disagree on that. I'm really tired of the autocorrect and a number of my co-workers feel the same. I jailbroke my phone just for this reason...

[kari.patila]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

OMG Why the hell would anyone want to turn off auto-correct? The iPhone keyboard would be almost useless without it.

I could see someone wanting to be able to edit the rules or the dictionary it uses, but merely turning it off will do nothing but make typing next to impossible.

Someone who's typing in Finnish, for example, would definitely want to turn the thing off. But, on the other hand, I don't want to go to the settings menu each time I change the language I type in.

[antiorario]

Originally Posted by json

4) [...] Possibility to set an email as "unread" in the mail app.

That's already possible. Not as bulk, but from within the single message.

[antiorario]

Personally, I'd really like it if the Italian dictionary stopped suggesting words and spelling that are incorrect, less common forms, or simply not Italian. That would mean hiring people who are actually familiar with the Italian language. If they did, they could also fix some embarrassing translations in Mac OS X and various applications.

(I'm actually criticizing Apple. Must be having a tough day.)

[json]

Originally Posted by antiorario

That's already possible. Not as bulk, but from within the single message.

OK, one more point to my list of fixes: Get the user (i.e. me) to check out the current functionality more thoroughly before asking for new functions.

[antiorario]

Originally Posted by json

OK, one more point to my list of fixes: Get the user (i.e. me) to check out the current functionality more thoroughly before asking for new functions.

Hey, happens to the best of us. It probably just means you are slightly happier with your iPhone than you were a few minutes ago.

[hillstones]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

OMG Why the hell would anyone want to turn off auto-correct? The iPhone keyboard would be almost useless without it.

I could see someone wanting to be able to edit the rules or the dictionary it uses, but merely turning it off will do nothing but make typing next to impossible.

Perfect reason: The iPhone constantly tries to auto-correct words that you intend to type, which are spelled correctly, but the iPhone doesn't know that and drops in the word that it wants because if you continue to type, like most peope do, the iPhone drops in its own words unless you catch it and tap the X. For example, tried to type the word "Yummy" and the iPhone auto corrected with "Tummy"

If you type well, typing will go much faster without having to stop to dismiss the iPhones incorrect suggestions and auto-fill.

If the option is added, then you can leave it on.

[hillstones]

Don't count on the Google Street View coming to the iPhone since Street View requires Adobe Flash. Unless Adobe can finish their Flash Player for the iPhone.

[probably]

Originally Posted by hillstones

Don't count on the Google Street View coming to the iPhone since Street View requires Adobe Flash. Unless Adobe can finish their Flash Player for the iPhone.

Street View on a desktop web browser requires Flash.

The Android and BlackBerry don't use Flash to display Street View.

[Booga]

Originally Posted by hillstones

Don't count on the Google Street View coming to the iPhone since Street View requires Adobe Flash. Unless Adobe can finish their Flash Player for the iPhone.

The current implementation, perhaps. It's entirely possible to download the data and use Objective-C to render it.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by probably

Street View on a desktop web browser requires Flash.

The Android and BlackBerry don't use Flash to display Street View.

Originally Posted by Booga

The current implementation, perhaps. It's entirely possible to download the data and use Objective-C to render it.

The iPhone's current Google Maps app and YouTube player don't use Flash so I agree that there is no reason to think that StreetView would require it.

[Ireland]

I don't care for Google street view, we want copy & paste, end of.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by 1stmac

Has anyone started an online petition for cut-n-paste yet?

"If you could read my mind..."

Please someone, start one now and tell me where to sign!?

Originally Posted by msb0014

Has anyone experienced mail push problems with software 2.1? Even though I have PUSH on and check every fifteen minutes I still have to open the mail and engage the check mail...

Matt

A more fitting question might be; has anyone not experienced Push mail problems?

[bloggerblog]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

OMG Why the hell would anyone want to turn off auto-correct? The iPhone keyboard would be almost useless without it.

Because I'm tired of clicking those tiny little check marks next to all those retarded suggestions. They should at least give us the option to not automatically replace my text with a suggestion after hitting the spacebar, instead to just tap on the suggestion itself, or have a learn button for new words.

I realize that some users prefer the feature to be on while others prefer it off, so I belong to the off category I guess.

[rei_vilo]

Great news... well, maybe

What about to-do list and notes synced with Mail? Those features would be real good news

[pmjoe]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Among them is a preference to turn off the iPhone's text auto-correction. A request for this functionality was recently the subject of an online petition that has since received over 20,000 signatures.

It'd be nice if you could do this by application. The only place auto-correct has been a PTA for me is text messaging. I'll type something, send it, only to realize it'd been autocorrected into gibberish.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by kari.patila

Someone who's typing in Finnish, for example, would definitely want to turn the thing off. But, on the other hand, I don't want to go to the settings menu each time I change the language I type in.

Good reason. I wasn't thinking of other languages.

I would like the ability to edit the dictionary it uses for more or less the same reason. I use English instead of American and there seems no way to tell the auto-correct that most of it's suggested spellings are actually incorrect. (in terms of English as opposed to American)

Even though I have the English keyboard enabled and the American keyboard disabled, it still insists on spelling things like civilisation, colour, etc. in the American variant.

[stonefree]

We really need a learn function for the dictionary. Every time I type my name it tries to correct it. But I don't want to turn off auto correct. Unless I type slowly I need auto correct for every two or three words as I find it very difficult to use the keyboard accurately. I personally don't wish the iPhone had a physical keyboard but I can totally see why that would be a deal breaker for many, especially those who do heavy messaging.

And yes, we need copy/paste!

[nagromme]

I love the auto-correction--it's probably wrong once a week! But street view is awesome. I love it on the Google Maps site.

Originally Posted by stonefree

We really need a learn function for the dictionary. Every time I type my name it tries to correct it.

Yes, something's amiss. It ought to have learned your name by now.

[junkie]

I would much rather have google transit and walking added to the gmaps app than streetview.

Streetview is a cool whiz bang feature but google transit support is actually a critical mobile app. Also, gmaps for other platforms, BB and Palm, have supported it for a while.

I really could use gTransit support. Streetview is just another thing to play with.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Callaway7

Have to disagree on that. I'm really tired of the autocorrect and a number of my co-workers feel the same. I jailbroke my phone just for this reason...

Agree. Auto-correct is a nightmare.

Safari also needs an easier way to skip up or down to the end of the web page. Having to flick my finger 30 times to get to the top of a list is not a good solution.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Agree. Auto-correct is a nightmare.

Safari also needs an easier way to skip up or down to the end of the web page. Having to flick my finger 30 times to get to the top of a list is not a good solution.

Going down is a pain, but going up can be done instantly by touching the menu bar at the top.

[SpamSandwich]

There's so much to like AND dislike about the software that it keeps everyone constantly engaged with Apple trying to tell them into a customer-centric way to do things, not just an Apple/Steve Jobs way to do things.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Going down is a pain, but going up can be done instantly by touching the menu bar at the top.

I'll have to try that. Thanks.

[-cj-]

Originally Posted by hillstones

Perfect reason: The iPhone constantly tries to auto-correct words that you intend to type, which are spelled correctly, but the iPhone doesn't know that and drops in the word that it wants because if you continue to type, like most peope do, the iPhone drops in its own words unless you catch it and tap the X. For example, tried to type the word "Yummy" and the iPhone auto corrected with "Tummy"

If you type well, typing will go much faster without having to stop to dismiss the iPhones incorrect suggestions and auto-fill.

If the option is added, then you can leave it on.

The spell check functionality is handy, but it's implementation is flawed. It doesn't make sense that pressing "space" accepts the correction while tapping the correction dismisses it. That's counterintuitive and surprising for a Apple device. Instead, you should have to tap the correction to accept it. when you are typing a sentence, it is natural to hit "space" between words and you end up accepting corrections before you know they were offered.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by -cj-

The spell check functionality is handy, but it's implementation is flawed. It doesn't make sense that pressing "space" accepts the correction while tapping the correction dismisses it. That's counterintuitive and surprising for a Apple device. Instead, you should have to tap the correction to accept it. when you are typing a sentence, it is natural to hit "space" between words and you end up accepting corrections before you know they were offered.

It is opposite from what one expects, but the reasoning for the way Apple implemented it makes sense. And I'm sure they thought long and hard about which is the best overall method for fast typing. If only takes a few times before you learn the method.

An option to switch between the two methods in the Settings would allow for these granule control but I doubt Apple will do that when other, more necessary settings aren't available.

[MartiNZ]

The scrolling is a pain - why can't the little scroll bar work like the alphabet one in contacts/iPod?

Learn would be really nice, as would 'learn NOT to correct' - for New Zealand websites and such, it always corrects my .nz to .ms, which is kind of annoying.

[radiognome]

I would like my iphone to be able to act as a voip-phone on my wifi at home. Plain technically it is possible, but one would need some ingenious background push messaging to let my voip-modem tell my iphone to wake up and sound the alarms when someone calls me.

Apple would really have to open up the SDK on background processing, or write it themselves.

I also vote for cut&paste, syncing the colours of iCal, no more safari-crashes and a stable mail-fetching which really checks every 15 minutes.

p.s. I find Auto-correct 'livible' in the Netherlands. Sometimes would be nice, if it would automatically accept the thing 'you type', in stead of the suggestion. But in just as may cases it is handy to know the right word will show up after pressing space, ignoring the typo made two characters ago.

[smokeonit]

Originally Posted by radiognome

I would like my iphone to be able to act as a voip-phone on my wifi at home. Plain technically it is possible, but one would need some ingenious background push messaging to let my voip-modem tell my iphone to wake up and sound the alarms when someone calls me.

Apple would really have to open up the SDK on background processing, or write it themselves.

I also vote for cut&paste, syncing the colours of iCal, no more safari-crashes and a stable mail-fetching which really checks every 15 minutes.

p.s. I find Auto-correct 'livible' in the Netherlands. Sometimes would be nice, if it would automatically accept the thing 'you type', in stead of the suggestion. But in just as may cases it is handy to know the right word will show up after pressing space, ignoring the typo made two characters ago.

fring

[hmanders]

At least one other posting mentioned the digital compass and asked if the iPhone had one. I've not read anywhere that it does, which means that the G1 will still have a leg up on the iPhone when it comes to StreetView. With the G1, a user can turn in place and the StreetView should pan with him/her. With the iPhone, since it only relies on GPS, it won't pan until the user moves straight forward in a different direction. It won't pan simply by turning around since GPS only measures position, not orientation.

On a different note, for all you folks complaining about the lack of copy/paste on the iPhone, I'm honestly at a loss for how you'd implement this. You fingers are not a stylus so how could you be sure you're grabbing the right words to copy/paste? Yes, it would be a cool feature, but I'm not sure how practical it would be without a stylus. I expect this is what's taking them all so long to figure out.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by hmanders

On a different note, for all you folks complaining about the lack of copy/paste on the iPhone, I'm honestly at a loss for how you'd implement this. You fingers are not a stylus so how could you be sure you're grabbing the right words to copy/paste? Yes, it would be a cool feature, but I'm not sure how practical it would be without a stylus. I expect this is what's taking them all so long to figure out.

The developer who brought us Copy and Paste with the App Store app MagicPad has a great idea for including it systemwide. What is good about the video is that the developer understand the issues Apple would have to face to implement it.

• http://magicpad.proximi.com/video.php

[DanaCameron]

I'm a fan of the auto-correct feature, though I agree it could use some modification. Namely, it should learn custom spellings even more readily and have a user-editable dictionary. Is there any reason it couldn't sync with the user dictionary on a Mac or PC (possibly with iWork or MS Office)? It should also be region/language specific (a problem that does not affect me, nor most of us here in the USA) to better accommodate users outside America.

I disagree that the auto-correct implementation is flawed however. To my experience (and I consider myself a relatively fast and accurate typist with the iPhone's virtual keyboard), I tend to accept more auto-correct suggestions than I reject. When my thumbs are having an off day, the auto-correct usually "knows" what I mean pretty reliably, and I find it faster and more intuitive to tap the space bar (passively accepting the correction) and continue typing as opposed to having to tap the suggestion (an additional tap to actively accept it should Apple reverse the current method) and then continue typing.

[PXT]

I want a feature where the phone remembers where you are and switches off 3G where it knows 3G is weak, then on where it's known to be strong, instead of just ramping the signal all the time. Saves battery when there's no hope.