The iPhone also has a phone app constantly running decreasing the amount of available RAM. 256 MB of RAM is fine for right now but considering that most people will only upgrade every other year as contracts near their expiration, it would make sense to have a device that is fully capable of running the current OS as well as subsequent versions and their enhancements. My wife's 3GS runs beautifully while my 3G is a bit sluggish. Considering the amount of money paid for a new iPhone it's not unreasonable to want at least 512 MB of RAM. For a premium product it should be standard.
Maybe not, but it IS unreasonable to pick an arbitrary number and claim that is the correct amount.
256 works fine on the iPad. It may be desirable to have more and that may be better from a 'future proofing' perspective, but to arbitrarily say that 512 is needed for a premium product is crazy.
I am not an expert of what are really available in the iPhone Apps Store. but the 200,000 and counting Apps is staggering. If it is true that there are more than a hundred thousand developers, or those who want to develop for the iPhone OS ecosystem, then this is a "feature" that beats all other features.
CGC
I agree that the ecosystem is a feature to beat all features.
That's why lots of people went with Windows back in the day. I know that WRT me, when I finally outgrew my //c, I took a long time to decide between a new Mac and a new '486. It was when I walked down the software aisles at the local 'puter store that I finally made up my mind. DOS/Win3.1 had the Mac beat hands down. No contest. Game over.
I'd wager that nowadays, lots of people feel the same way about the availability of apps on iPhone OS.
But I think that this time around things may be different, given that Android now has a critical mass of apps, with most of the popular titles avialable on either platform, and many exclusive popular titles as well.
What I wonder is whether the platform with the most apps will win this time or not. It could be that history will repeat itself, or it could be that the competition will have sufficient quantities of compelling apps available, so that the raw numbers matter less today than in the days of the desktop wars.
The new iPhone needs 512 MB RAM if it is to play in the "great specs" arena with many other new phones. But considering that the iPad has only 256 MB and does a decent job, it may just come with only 256 MB and be okay.
Frankly, I don't know why the iPad didn't come with 512 MB.
There's no doubt in my mind that the next iPad "refresh" will have 512 MB at least.
Here's hoping the iPhone does have 512 MB.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jetlaw
I think the value of spec-comparison is vastly over rated. Why not speak in terms of what you want in terms of a result, as opposed to a means?
I understand if someone says "I hope the next revision of this device runs faster," but who cares how much RAM it has? Who is to say RAM is even the limiting factor? These are just conclusory statements that fail to articulate any real objective.
I beg to differ. My objective was effectively articulated and would be understood by both those who know the definition of conclusory and those who don't.
Firstly, I did not say that I thought playing in the "great specs" (notice the quotation marks) arena was a good thing. Specs are meaningless unless they support the user experience that a single subjective user wants. The quotation marks were to show that there is in fact a number of companies who rely on specs to sell their devices whether or not those specs provide any better an end experience for the user.
Also, I did not say RAM is a limiting factor in this case. However, show me an Operating System coupled with an application written by a programmer who will not use that increased RAM for the benefit of his/her application, and I'll show you the number of fingers on my right hand.
I don't necessarily desire that the next revision of the device runs faster. Certain things on a device need to run at a certain speed to be usable, and so faster is not necessarily better. Having more room in RAM to use to make the experience better is often advantageous. The rubber band effect and other effects like it on the iPhone actually do take more RAM to incorporate, resulting in a nicer experience, in my opinion, but do not make the program run any faster in the user experience. It just makes the user experience better, more refined. (I'm sure I could have explained that a little more clearly but I believe most will catch my drift.)
However, having room for expansion is desirable because we do know that the programmers will push the limits, and that is what I want to be able to have down the road, which is a device that can use the OS and more sophisticated programs 3 years from now. And more RAM means more expansion for the RAM-hungry programmers.
More RAM is preferable. If you cannot infer that I want my device to run faster or not decrease its speed in the future with more RAM-hungry applications and new OS's then you need to open your mind a little and make some easy inferences and read between the lines too if you need to.
But, thanks for sharing!
I really do hope that this was indeed a conclusory reply. I really do.
Lol I love when the RAM question comes up. Everyone weighs in with the, "If they don't double it this time, the phone will suck"
What geniuses and engineers we have! Good grief, go crawl in a hole, pls.
This iPhone will have 256 mb of RAM on the A4, because the iPad does. Plain and simple. No exception, no possibility of exception. Sorry, but it's truth.
My iMac ran fine with 1 GB of RAM and Mac OS X Leopard. It ran better when I upped it to 4 GB of RAM. I wonder why that is?
It didn't suck when it had 1 GB of RAM but it sure is nicer having 4 GB, so I believe that the new iPhone will run well with 256 MB of RAM, but if one is looking at keeping it for 3 years, as we have to do with our contracts here in Canada, then I would prefer that it have 512 MB for future OS upgrades, and programmers who love to use RAM to speed up their programs or use the RAM to make the user experience of the program better.
Now, I will go crawl back into my hole until another bonehead comment is made by one of us who is not an engineer or a genius.
At least down in my hole I won't be as easily noticing blanket statements that predict the exact RAM and processor specs of the next iPhone without any knowledge of Apple's plans at all.
Of course it's small, it's a phone. I want something that fits in my hand and pocket comfortably. I think 3.5" was well thought out before they went with it. They could have gone with 4.x" from the start and had a lot more room for more HW and bigger battery, but they didn't. I don't expect that to change until they can make the screen bigger without making the footprint remain the same.
Ol' sol. I usually enjoy your comments with the odd exception. This is one.
There ARE phones out there with 4.x screens that are not any bigger than the iPhone is now, or will possibly be in the next iteration based upon the supposed prototypes. So, yes, I would like a larger screen within the same dimensions of the current iPhone, which I believe is possible.
And, the iPhone does fit in my hand and comfortably in my pocket as would some of the other phones of very similar dimensions with larger screens.
I will, however, be happy with my 3.5 inch screen on the next iPhone should that be the size that comes out.
I suppose you'd rather any devices still have 640K? A very smart mind predicted that would be enough for decades to come. I'm glad he was wrong.
I'd rather hedge my bets and have more RAM in my device so that any programs/applications that come along that I really want to have to enhance my life, productivity and enjoyment can run smoothly and efficiently.
And might I ask how conclusory an allegation your post is?
I have a Nexus 1 and the screen is near useless outside, even to a certain degree on cloudy days-- due largely the screen's high reflectivity. I am in agreement that OLED would be a major mistake for Iphone 4. However, I hear Super OLED is rumored to have rectified these issues..
My only real gripe with Iphone 4 so far has to do with what appears to be a lack of a notification-LED light. This is a near standard feature that I have grown to depend on w/ various handsets.
More RAM could also allow to keep more pages in memory instead of having 7 tabs open and having to refresh every time you switch.
I'd also believe that 512MB would be nice because Apple only has annual updates. While specs aren't everything, an advantage of Android is that they are on a ton of phones and will be continually updating hardware throughout the year. I think it's too early in mobile tech to say that specs don't matter. You could say that in the desktop space.
Read this jetlaw? Perhaps you have and I haven't gotten to your post on this yet.
Imagine being able to have multiple tabs open and be able to switch back and forth without the browser having to refresh the page and download the content again. Imagine.
I'd almost think that, dare I say it, more RAM would be helpful in this area. I've seen reports of iPad owners not even being able to open two at a time without the first one having to refresh when going back to it.
Did the iPhone not bring the mobile browsing experience to new levels when introduced? Did the upgrade in RAM not allow more pages to be opened in the browser? With more sophisticated web pages and more content on these web pages, would a wee bit extra RAM not be helpful?
The iPhone also has a phone app constantly running decreasing the amount of available RAM. 256 MB of RAM is fine for right now but considering that most people will only upgrade every other year as contracts near their expiration, it would make sense to have a device that is fully capable of running the current OS as well as subsequent versions and their enhancements. My wife's 3GS runs beautifully while my 3G is a bit sluggish. Considering the amount of money paid for a new iPhone it's not unreasonable to want at least 512 MB of RAM. For a premium product it should be standard.
Agreed, not to mention that our contracts are THREE years up here in Canada. I'd like a little more wiggle room, so to speak, in the RAM area since it is harder/more expensive to upgrade up north here.
Agreed, not to mention that our contracts are THREE years up here in Canada. I'd like a little more wiggle room, so to speak, in the RAM area since it is harder/more expensive to upgrade up north here.
Greg
Upgrade RAM?
First of all, upgrading your computer with more RAM is not harder/more expensive up (north) here.
There ARE phones out there with 4.x screens that are not any bigger than the iPhone is now, or will possibly be in the next iteration based upon the supposed prototypes. So, yes, I would like a larger screen within the same dimensions of the current iPhone, which I believe is possible.
These are just our personal preferences so it's nothing to butt heads over.
The G4 iPhone has dimensions of 116.8mm x 58.6mm x 9.3mm, according to Gizmodo. The Sony Experia X10, for comparison, with a 4" display is 119mm x 63mm x 13mm. It offsets some of the increased display width (in your hand and pocket) by using a wider screen ratio.
I can't see Apple moving from 3:2 to 16:9 ? I should have included that with my original reply ? so a 4" display at the 3:2 ratio would be considerably wider in your hand and pocket. The display, without the framing, would be 84.6mm x 56.4mm compared to the current 73.9mm x 49.3mm at 3:2.
Agreed, not to mention that our contracts are THREE years up here in Canada. I'd like a little more wiggle room, so to speak, in the RAM area since it is harder/more expensive to upgrade up north here.
Greg
Do you even get cell reception out there in the 'peg? I thought the cell towers all froze and toppled.
When I take my iPhone outside all I see is reflection and glare.
When I look at my friend's Nexus One outside all I see is reflection and glare.
Neither work outside so as the OLED looks a generation or two ahead inside, I'll take it. LCD is only still around because it's cheap. It's next on the list for the tech dust bin.
OLED is a joke. It doesn't use a backlit system. It relies on the material and that sh** doesn't last very long. ISP display with double resolution. Get out of town!
It will blow OLED away!!!!!!
I can only asume you have never seen a Nexus One. When you have come back and tell me it doesn't look better than an LCD. Oh and try to speak less like am angry child too, if you can.
Have you used OLED? If so, you must not get out much...in that they are near useless outside. Consumers that buy something because the hear a new buzzword, like OLED, even though it is inferior in many ways, are the easiest marks for sale people. They see you coming a mile away.
Glossy LCDs are just as useless outside, but for me personally, I use my phone exclusively inside (train, car, office, plane etc). So OLED would be an easy, easy choice.
When I take my iPhone outside all I see is reflection and glare.
When I look at my friend's Nexus One outside all I see is reflection and glare.
Neither work outside so as the OLED looks a generation or two ahead inside, I'll take it. LCD is only still around because it's cheap. It's next on the list for the tech dust bin.
I'd actually be somewhat upset if the iPhone HD came with OLED.
One is considerably more usable in direct sunlight than the other. I, like Apple, tend to prefer the balanced option over the myopic option that tries to excel in one way.
But is the Nexus One's display actually better? The contrast ratio does make things more vivid but is that a good thing for general use? There are plenty disadvantages to OLED, including power usage.
And LCDs aren't cheap. Dare say it?: Check out iSuppi's breakdown of the iPad. That S-IPS panel is costly.
What is long overdue is a higher rez display using a better TFFT.
Comments
The iPhone also has a phone app constantly running decreasing the amount of available RAM. 256 MB of RAM is fine for right now but considering that most people will only upgrade every other year as contracts near their expiration, it would make sense to have a device that is fully capable of running the current OS as well as subsequent versions and their enhancements. My wife's 3GS runs beautifully while my 3G is a bit sluggish. Considering the amount of money paid for a new iPhone it's not unreasonable to want at least 512 MB of RAM. For a premium product it should be standard.
Maybe not, but it IS unreasonable to pick an arbitrary number and claim that is the correct amount.
256 works fine on the iPad. It may be desirable to have more and that may be better from a 'future proofing' perspective, but to arbitrarily say that 512 is needed for a premium product is crazy.
I am not an expert of what are really available in the iPhone Apps Store. but the 200,000 and counting Apps is staggering. If it is true that there are more than a hundred thousand developers, or those who want to develop for the iPhone OS ecosystem, then this is a "feature" that beats all other features.
CGC
I agree that the ecosystem is a feature to beat all features.
That's why lots of people went with Windows back in the day. I know that WRT me, when I finally outgrew my //c, I took a long time to decide between a new Mac and a new '486. It was when I walked down the software aisles at the local 'puter store that I finally made up my mind. DOS/Win3.1 had the Mac beat hands down. No contest. Game over.
I'd wager that nowadays, lots of people feel the same way about the availability of apps on iPhone OS.
But I think that this time around things may be different, given that Android now has a critical mass of apps, with most of the popular titles avialable on either platform, and many exclusive popular titles as well.
What I wonder is whether the platform with the most apps will win this time or not. It could be that history will repeat itself, or it could be that the competition will have sufficient quantities of compelling apps available, so that the raw numbers matter less today than in the days of the desktop wars.
The new iPhone needs 512 MB RAM if it is to play in the "great specs" arena with many other new phones. But considering that the iPad has only 256 MB and does a decent job, it may just come with only 256 MB and be okay.
Frankly, I don't know why the iPad didn't come with 512 MB.
There's no doubt in my mind that the next iPad "refresh" will have 512 MB at least.
Here's hoping the iPhone does have 512 MB.
I think the value of spec-comparison is vastly over rated. Why not speak in terms of what you want in terms of a result, as opposed to a means?
I understand if someone says "I hope the next revision of this device runs faster," but who cares how much RAM it has? Who is to say RAM is even the limiting factor? These are just conclusory statements that fail to articulate any real objective.
I beg to differ. My objective was effectively articulated and would be understood by both those who know the definition of conclusory and those who don't.
Firstly, I did not say that I thought playing in the "great specs" (notice the quotation marks) arena was a good thing. Specs are meaningless unless they support the user experience that a single subjective user wants. The quotation marks were to show that there is in fact a number of companies who rely on specs to sell their devices whether or not those specs provide any better an end experience for the user.
Also, I did not say RAM is a limiting factor in this case. However, show me an Operating System coupled with an application written by a programmer who will not use that increased RAM for the benefit of his/her application, and I'll show you the number of fingers on my right hand.
I don't necessarily desire that the next revision of the device runs faster. Certain things on a device need to run at a certain speed to be usable, and so faster is not necessarily better. Having more room in RAM to use to make the experience better is often advantageous. The rubber band effect and other effects like it on the iPhone actually do take more RAM to incorporate, resulting in a nicer experience, in my opinion, but do not make the program run any faster in the user experience. It just makes the user experience better, more refined. (I'm sure I could have explained that a little more clearly but I believe most will catch my drift.)
However, having room for expansion is desirable because we do know that the programmers will push the limits, and that is what I want to be able to have down the road, which is a device that can use the OS and more sophisticated programs 3 years from now. And more RAM means more expansion for the RAM-hungry programmers.
More RAM is preferable. If you cannot infer that I want my device to run faster or not decrease its speed in the future with more RAM-hungry applications and new OS's then you need to open your mind a little and make some easy inferences and read between the lines too if you need to.
But, thanks for sharing!
I really do hope that this was indeed a conclusory reply. I really do.
Greg
Lol I love when the RAM question comes up. Everyone weighs in with the, "If they don't double it this time, the phone will suck"
What geniuses and engineers we have! Good grief, go crawl in a hole, pls.
This iPhone will have 256 mb of RAM on the A4, because the iPad does. Plain and simple. No exception, no possibility of exception. Sorry, but it's truth.
My iMac ran fine with 1 GB of RAM and Mac OS X Leopard. It ran better when I upped it to 4 GB of RAM. I wonder why that is?
It didn't suck when it had 1 GB of RAM but it sure is nicer having 4 GB, so I believe that the new iPhone will run well with 256 MB of RAM, but if one is looking at keeping it for 3 years, as we have to do with our contracts here in Canada, then I would prefer that it have 512 MB for future OS upgrades, and programmers who love to use RAM to speed up their programs or use the RAM to make the user experience of the program better.
Now, I will go crawl back into my hole until another bonehead comment is made by one of us who is not an engineer or a genius.
At least down in my hole I won't be as easily noticing blanket statements that predict the exact RAM and processor specs of the next iPhone without any knowledge of Apple's plans at all.
Bye for now! Where's my ladder?!
Greg
Of course it's small, it's a phone. I want something that fits in my hand and pocket comfortably. I think 3.5" was well thought out before they went with it. They could have gone with 4.x" from the start and had a lot more room for more HW and bigger battery, but they didn't. I don't expect that to change until they can make the screen bigger without making the footprint remain the same.
Ol' sol. I usually enjoy your comments with the odd exception. This is one.
There ARE phones out there with 4.x screens that are not any bigger than the iPhone is now, or will possibly be in the next iteration based upon the supposed prototypes. So, yes, I would like a larger screen within the same dimensions of the current iPhone, which I believe is possible.
And, the iPhone does fit in my hand and comfortably in my pocket as would some of the other phones of very similar dimensions with larger screens.
I will, however, be happy with my 3.5 inch screen on the next iPhone should that be the size that comes out.
Greg
RAM = Ridiculous Argument Maker
I suppose you'd rather any devices still have 640K? A very smart mind predicted that would be enough for decades to come. I'm glad he was wrong.
I'd rather hedge my bets and have more RAM in my device so that any programs/applications that come along that I really want to have to enhance my life, productivity and enjoyment can run smoothly and efficiently.
And might I ask how conclusory an allegation your post is?
Greg
My only real gripe with Iphone 4 so far has to do with what appears to be a lack of a notification-LED light. This is a near standard feature that I have grown to depend on w/ various handsets.
...
More RAM could also allow to keep more pages in memory instead of having 7 tabs open and having to refresh every time you switch.
I'd also believe that 512MB would be nice because Apple only has annual updates. While specs aren't everything, an advantage of Android is that they are on a ton of phones and will be continually updating hardware throughout the year. I think it's too early in mobile tech to say that specs don't matter. You could say that in the desktop space.
Read this jetlaw? Perhaps you have and I haven't gotten to your post on this yet.
Imagine being able to have multiple tabs open and be able to switch back and forth without the browser having to refresh the page and download the content again. Imagine.
I'd almost think that, dare I say it, more RAM would be helpful in this area. I've seen reports of iPad owners not even being able to open two at a time without the first one having to refresh when going back to it.
Did the iPhone not bring the mobile browsing experience to new levels when introduced? Did the upgrade in RAM not allow more pages to be opened in the browser? With more sophisticated web pages and more content on these web pages, would a wee bit extra RAM not be helpful?
I'm just wonderin'...
Greg
Thoughts on the 512 RAM
Consider this. No one knew how much the iPad would sell. Totally new product.
They had to keep the specs down to make it super-affordable.
With the iPhone. They are certain they will sell millions upon millions whatever the cost.
So why not beef it up.
Or it could be fake.. Who knows.
My 0.02
And a danged couple of bright pennies those are!
The iPhone also has a phone app constantly running decreasing the amount of available RAM. 256 MB of RAM is fine for right now but considering that most people will only upgrade every other year as contracts near their expiration, it would make sense to have a device that is fully capable of running the current OS as well as subsequent versions and their enhancements. My wife's 3GS runs beautifully while my 3G is a bit sluggish. Considering the amount of money paid for a new iPhone it's not unreasonable to want at least 512 MB of RAM. For a premium product it should be standard.
Agreed, not to mention that our contracts are THREE years up here in Canada. I'd like a little more wiggle room, so to speak, in the RAM area since it is harder/more expensive to upgrade up north here.
Greg
Agreed, not to mention that our contracts are THREE years up here in Canada. I'd like a little more wiggle room, so to speak, in the RAM area since it is harder/more expensive to upgrade up north here.
Greg
Upgrade RAM?
First of all, upgrading your computer with more RAM is not harder/more expensive up (north) here.
But better yet, how the hell would you do it?
There ARE phones out there with 4.x screens that are not any bigger than the iPhone is now, or will possibly be in the next iteration based upon the supposed prototypes. So, yes, I would like a larger screen within the same dimensions of the current iPhone, which I believe is possible.
These are just our personal preferences so it's nothing to butt heads over.
The G4 iPhone has dimensions of 116.8mm x 58.6mm x 9.3mm, according to Gizmodo. The Sony Experia X10, for comparison, with a 4" display is 119mm x 63mm x 13mm. It offsets some of the increased display width (in your hand and pocket) by using a wider screen ratio.
I can't see Apple moving from 3:2 to 16:9 ? I should have included that with my original reply ? so a 4" display at the 3:2 ratio would be considerably wider in your hand and pocket. The display, without the framing, would be 84.6mm x 56.4mm compared to the current 73.9mm x 49.3mm at 3:2.
Agreed, not to mention that our contracts are THREE years up here in Canada. I'd like a little more wiggle room, so to speak, in the RAM area since it is harder/more expensive to upgrade up north here.
Greg
Do you even get cell reception out there in the 'peg? I thought the cell towers all froze and toppled.
I'll be one of those 24 million buying a gen. 4 iPhone.
OK. Count me in as well. That leaves Apple with only 23,999,998 to go!
There, that was easy....
OLED is NOT better, it is useless outside.
When I take my iPhone outside all I see is reflection and glare.
When I look at my friend's Nexus One outside all I see is reflection and glare.
Neither work outside so as the OLED looks a generation or two ahead inside, I'll take it. LCD is only still around because it's cheap. It's next on the list for the tech dust bin.
OLED is a joke. It doesn't use a backlit system. It relies on the material and that sh** doesn't last very long. ISP display with double resolution. Get out of town!
It will blow OLED away!!!!!!
I can only asume you have never seen a Nexus One. When you have come back and tell me it doesn't look better than an LCD. Oh and try to speak less like am angry child too, if you can.
Thanks.
Have you used OLED? If so, you must not get out much...in that they are near useless outside. Consumers that buy something because the hear a new buzzword, like OLED, even though it is inferior in many ways, are the easiest marks for sale people. They see you coming a mile away.
Glossy LCDs are just as useless outside, but for me personally, I use my phone exclusively inside (train, car, office, plane etc). So OLED would be an easy, easy choice.
When I take my iPhone outside all I see is reflection and glare.
When I look at my friend's Nexus One outside all I see is reflection and glare.
Neither work outside so as the OLED looks a generation or two ahead inside, I'll take it. LCD is only still around because it's cheap. It's next on the list for the tech dust bin.
I'd actually be somewhat upset if the iPhone HD came with OLED.
One is considerably more usable in direct sunlight than the other. I, like Apple, tend to prefer the balanced option over the myopic option that tries to excel in one way.
But is the Nexus One's display actually better? The contrast ratio does make things more vivid but is that a good thing for general use? There are plenty disadvantages to OLED, including power usage.
And LCDs aren't cheap. Dare say it?: Check out iSuppi's breakdown of the iPad. That S-IPS panel is costly.
What is long overdue is a higher rez display using a better TFFT.