I wonder if an accelerometer built into the Nano would be possible. Nike+ gets it's money by having you signup on line for the service but no longer have to supply you with the HW.
...but having my iPod media syncing to my iPod/iPhone wirelessly in the same wireless LAN seems pointless. It's slower than using the USB cable and it uses power and doesn't charge the device...
The main reason I ever connect my iPod to a computer is to grab podcasts. My music is fairly static. That's why I want the wifi sync. The pieces are already in place, it seems crazy not to implement them. It doesn't seem like asking for too much. I'm downstairs in the kitchen, the ipod is in a dock charging, it would be nice to walk out the door without having to go upstairs to plug it in, wait for it to sync, unplug it. Having it sync the podcasts automatically in the background? I think there would be real value there for a lot of users. But maybe not you.
The main reason I ever connect my iPod to a computer is to grab podcasts. [...] I think there would be real value there for a lot of users. But maybe not you.
That is a valid reason since they can be updated more often that you would charge your device. That never occurred to me as I don't use podcasts. I've tried, but I have absolutely no interest in them.
Since they aren't under the RIAA/MPAA umbrella it would be nice if the notification server could be turned for them too so you could get them remotely when they become available over any internet connection.
I'd say we're definitely in store for a release of iPhone software on Tuesday. I've had GPS issues since 2.0.1 and Apple sent me 2 new phones 10 days ago. The new ones behave the same as the old. The technical support specialist was very proactive up to the point of sending out new phones, but has declined any further communication since Tuesday of this week. It's not like Apple to do nothing albeit sometimes resolution has come slowly. I think the rep has been holding back knowing there is an imminent release next week. In the meantime, I'm holding two old 3g's hostage
I'm hoping Apple finally decides to give Airtunes the push it deserves. The "Killer App" for Airtunes is the Remote program on iPhone/iPod Touch. This thing is very cool for a version 1.0 release, and can only get better.
Here's what I'd like to see:
A new version of the iPod Hi-Fi, with an Airtunes client built it. Drop the iPod dock to distinguish it from the million other speaker systems out there and make it look more streamlined. Change the name and sell it for $249. People could buy more than one of these for different areas in their house. Drop in it, plug it in, control the "Zone" from the Remote program. Apple simplicity.
Also, Apple could make a slimmed down version of Airport Express. Call it "Airtunes" and it's only function is a client with an audio out mini-jack. No router, no ethernet jack, no USB. Airtunes only. Sell it for $49. That way people would have a cheap way to use their existing audio equipment (anything from an old boom box to a high end amp) to receive music from iTunes and have that "Zone" controlled by the Remote app.
The Remote app could be updated to version 2.0. Among it's features are being able to access a CD in iTunes, and call up various internet radio station. Also, fix the album art issue with Remote and Apple TV.
One last thing. Update Apple TV to allow the volume to be controlled with Remote app.
The main reason I ever connect my iPod to a computer is to grab podcasts. My music is fairly static. That's why I want the wifi sync. The pieces are already in place, it seems crazy not to implement them. It doesn't seem like asking for too much. I'm downstairs in the kitchen, the ipod is in a dock charging, it would be nice to walk out the door without having to go upstairs to plug it in, wait for it to sync, unplug it. Having it sync the podcasts automatically in the background? I think there would be real value there for a lot of users. But maybe not you.
I find it pathetic how Apple would rather suprise everyone with features rather than test their products out completely before releasing it.
I can picture it now, new feature in iPhone 2.1 breaks something in alot of users computers, apple ignores the issue for a month, then abruptly posts iPhone 2.1.1 which attempts to fix the issue which would have been found if they just tested it with their developers rather than keep it underwraps.
Another Apple Class Action Lawsuit on the way? I think so.
Apple has some great products, but they need to make the products stable for EVERYONE not just some people who have perfect configurations. Apple is totally getting too big for itself and doesnt know how to handle it.
It's ashame.
1000% right! And it's getting old quickly. Case and point - iPhone's 2.0 s/w. They (actually, everyone) knew there was going to be a flood of new iPhones to be activated along with all existing iPhones that had to be reactivated when being upgraded to the 2.0 s/w. Did Apple release 2.0 early for existing users to help ease the activation bottleneck that was certain to occur? No. Instead, it seems it's more important to them for Steve to walk onto stage and make his grand announcements at a big splashy event. The activation process is then, predictably, a giant CF for all of the customers during the first week or so.
I suppose someone will argue that no one forced the existing users to try to upgrade to 2.0 as soon as it was released and no one was forced to buy an iPhone in the first week (which is why I waited). While that's true, it's not realistic. It doesn't take a marketing whiz to know what most people are going to do as soon as the s/w or new product is released. If you can minimize your customer's inconvenience then do it; otherwise, don't have a big event implying you're ready when you're not.
While my example doesn't speak to the quality of the 2.0 s/w (which is its own topic) the pattern is the same - more concern for the big event and corresponding hype than for the impacts to their customers. I really think it ultimately comes down to arrogance - we're Apple and people will line up to buy our stuff because it's cool. The rules don't apply to us. This same pattern can be seen in their attempt to launch MM, 2.0 and iPhone 3G on the same day and their efforts to keep everything so secret that things don't get properly tested before being released.
I know they're the "flavor of the month" right now so they have to be more secretive than others for fear of being copied or losing their image appeal that is working so well; however, I do think they can do much better in the QC and customer impacting areas. It seems like this latest CF may have gotten their attention. I hope so.
Did Apple release 2.0 early for existing users to help ease the activation bottleneck that was certain to occur?
The activation from a new user or new phone IMEI is not the same as the same phone finding the network after getting a new version of the OS installed.
Quote:
No. Instead, it seems it's more important to them for Steve to walk onto stage and make his grand announcements at a big splashy event. The activation process is then, predictably, a giant CF for all of the customers during the first week or so.
I agree that they should have spaced out MM, v2.0 and the iPhone 3G releases (emphasis on the MM release) but the activation process within AT&T had nothing to do with these things. The process was much better than the year prior and there were a lot more phones being activated. We're talking a million devices in a weekend. Part of the better success this year was probably from AT&T's decision to activate all iPhones in store, this meant that activations from their employees were happening only 1 per employee per unit every 10-20 minutes instead of having a surge of people accessing AT&T through iTunes in large bursts.
Quote:
I really think it ultimately comes down to arrogance - we're Apple and people will line up to buy our stuff because it's cool. The rules don't apply to us. This same pattern can be seen in their attempt to launch MM, 2.0 and iPhone 3G on the same day and their efforts to keep everything so secret that things don't get properly tested before being released.
There certainly seems to be an arrogance, but not from the AT&T activation side of things. v2.0 was tested, and v2.1 is being tested too. I think you'd be upset if Apple gave software to someone before you just because he bought his iPhone a day before you or because his IMEI is lower. Or you'd be upset if Apple gave you the update before others but it was buggy so now you feel that those who bought it after you should suffer before you. Whatever the reason, software will be buggy and only massive prolonged testing can prevent it.
I assure that v2.1 will cause people to complain. There is bound to be something that don't work for someone. v2.1.1 will solve the problem for some and cause issues for others. This is normal; this is software development. This is another substantial update, not just a bug fix, so more issues will arise.
Quote:
I know they're the "flavor of the month" right now so they have to be more secretive than others for fear of being copied or losing their image appeal that is working so well; however, I do think they can do much better in the QC and customer impacting areas. It seems like this latest CF may have gotten their attention. I hope so.
The only major issue they've had is MM. They've apologized, identified the issue and have given everyone 3 months. Have they learned from it? We'll see, but I can tell you they will surely F-up again. The QC issue has to carry into a lot of areas and it is one of the growing pains of becoming more successful. There isn't a company out there that has had complaints about a product.
Apple is just in the public eye more these days and so any single complain is amplified. An iPod battery melts the device and every tech site carries the story. Those pictures are really cool!
Apple isn't being secretive because they are "favour of the month" it's their MO. It's one of reasons that tech sites cling onto them and why you'll have regular news organizations talking about a lackluster Apple release before a major release by another tech company. BTW, Dell put out some really nice E-series laptops last month.
I think the point is that some people want to have pure lossless quality at home and for their "master library," while using compression on the go for the sake of having more music.
They want BOTH formats for different uses--as can be done with the Shuffle in a very nice automatic way.
Spotlight for iPhone, so I don't have to carry my 2 year old Treo around with me to find my data.
I'd love that for Mail, though it only keeps the last 50 messages on it. Still, if it's not find-as-you-type, I'd like something since I can't access MM from the Safari browser to do a proper search.
I'd also like to be able to search a webpage for text the way it works in Safari on the Mac.
I'm hoping Apple finally decides to give Airtunes the push it deserves. The "Killer App" for Airtunes is the Remote program on iPhone/iPod Touch. This thing is very cool for a version 1.0 release, and can only get better.
Here's what I'd like to see:
A new version of the iPod Hi-Fi, with an Airtunes client built it. Drop the iPod dock to distinguish it from the million other speaker systems out there and make it look more streamlined. Change the name and sell it for $249. People could buy more than one of these for different areas in their house. Drop in it, plug it in, control the "Zone" from the Remote program. Apple simplicity.
Also, Apple could make a slimmed down version of Airport Express. Call it "Airtunes" and it's only function is a client with an audio out mini-jack. No router, no ethernet jack, no USB. Airtunes only. Sell it for $49. That way people would have a cheap way to use their existing audio equipment (anything from an old boom box to a high end amp) to receive music from iTunes and have that "Zone" controlled by the Remote app.
The Remote app could be updated to version 2.0. Among it's features are being able to access a CD in iTunes, and call up various internet radio station. Also, fix the album art issue with Remote and Apple TV.
One last thing. Update Apple TV to allow the volume to be controlled with Remote app.
And options to turn it on or off, set the beep type, the snooze time, and include this for for email and SMS too. Am I asking too much? Why should I have to ask my phone if it has any messages for me if I'm away when a call comes in? It's a smart phone damnit, so it should act like one.
Yes! Every phone I've had has had a light that flashes every few seconds to tell you you've had a missed call or SMS. And yet on the iPhone you have to check manually yourself, it seems such a simple omission.
Comments
support for Nike+ device
I wonder if an accelerometer built into the Nano would be possible. Nike+ gets it's money by having you signup on line for the service but no longer have to supply you with the HW.
...but having my iPod media syncing to my iPod/iPhone wirelessly in the same wireless LAN seems pointless. It's slower than using the USB cable and it uses power and doesn't charge the device...
The main reason I ever connect my iPod to a computer is to grab podcasts. My music is fairly static. That's why I want the wifi sync. The pieces are already in place, it seems crazy not to implement them. It doesn't seem like asking for too much. I'm downstairs in the kitchen, the ipod is in a dock charging, it would be nice to walk out the door without having to go upstairs to plug it in, wait for it to sync, unplug it. Having it sync the podcasts automatically in the background? I think there would be real value there for a lot of users. But maybe not you.
The main reason I ever connect my iPod to a computer is to grab podcasts. [...] I think there would be real value there for a lot of users. But maybe not you.
That is a valid reason since they can be updated more often that you would charge your device. That never occurred to me as I don't use podcasts. I've tried, but I have absolutely no interest in them.
Since they aren't under the RIAA/MPAA umbrella it would be nice if the notification server could be turned for them too so you could get them remotely when they become available over any internet connection.
Here's what I'd like to see:
A new version of the iPod Hi-Fi, with an Airtunes client built it. Drop the iPod dock to distinguish it from the million other speaker systems out there and make it look more streamlined. Change the name and sell it for $249. People could buy more than one of these for different areas in their house. Drop in it, plug it in, control the "Zone" from the Remote program. Apple simplicity.
Also, Apple could make a slimmed down version of Airport Express. Call it "Airtunes" and it's only function is a client with an audio out mini-jack. No router, no ethernet jack, no USB. Airtunes only. Sell it for $49. That way people would have a cheap way to use their existing audio equipment (anything from an old boom box to a high end amp) to receive music from iTunes and have that "Zone" controlled by the Remote app.
The Remote app could be updated to version 2.0. Among it's features are being able to access a CD in iTunes, and call up various internet radio station. Also, fix the album art issue with Remote and Apple TV.
One last thing. Update Apple TV to allow the volume to be controlled with Remote app.
The main reason I ever connect my iPod to a computer is to grab podcasts. My music is fairly static. That's why I want the wifi sync. The pieces are already in place, it seems crazy not to implement them. It doesn't seem like asking for too much. I'm downstairs in the kitchen, the ipod is in a dock charging, it would be nice to walk out the door without having to go upstairs to plug it in, wait for it to sync, unplug it. Having it sync the podcasts automatically in the background? I think there would be real value there for a lot of users. But maybe not you.
Count me in.
I find it pathetic how Apple would rather suprise everyone with features rather than test their products out completely before releasing it.
I can picture it now, new feature in iPhone 2.1 breaks something in alot of users computers, apple ignores the issue for a month, then abruptly posts iPhone 2.1.1 which attempts to fix the issue which would have been found if they just tested it with their developers rather than keep it underwraps.
Another Apple Class Action Lawsuit on the way? I think so.
Apple has some great products, but they need to make the products stable for EVERYONE not just some people who have perfect configurations. Apple is totally getting too big for itself and doesnt know how to handle it.
It's ashame.
1000% right! And it's getting old quickly. Case and point - iPhone's 2.0 s/w. They (actually, everyone) knew there was going to be a flood of new iPhones to be activated along with all existing iPhones that had to be reactivated when being upgraded to the 2.0 s/w. Did Apple release 2.0 early for existing users to help ease the activation bottleneck that was certain to occur? No. Instead, it seems it's more important to them for Steve to walk onto stage and make his grand announcements at a big splashy event. The activation process is then, predictably, a giant CF for all of the customers during the first week or so.
I suppose someone will argue that no one forced the existing users to try to upgrade to 2.0 as soon as it was released and no one was forced to buy an iPhone in the first week (which is why I waited). While that's true, it's not realistic. It doesn't take a marketing whiz to know what most people are going to do as soon as the s/w or new product is released. If you can minimize your customer's inconvenience then do it; otherwise, don't have a big event implying you're ready when you're not.
While my example doesn't speak to the quality of the 2.0 s/w (which is its own topic) the pattern is the same - more concern for the big event and corresponding hype than for the impacts to their customers. I really think it ultimately comes down to arrogance - we're Apple and people will line up to buy our stuff because it's cool. The rules don't apply to us. This same pattern can be seen in their attempt to launch MM, 2.0 and iPhone 3G on the same day and their efforts to keep everything so secret that things don't get properly tested before being released.
I know they're the "flavor of the month" right now so they have to be more secretive than others for fear of being copied or losing their image appeal that is working so well; however, I do think they can do much better in the QC and customer impacting areas. It seems like this latest CF may have gotten their attention. I hope so.
Did Apple release 2.0 early for existing users to help ease the activation bottleneck that was certain to occur?
The activation from a new user or new phone IMEI is not the same as the same phone finding the network after getting a new version of the OS installed.
No. Instead, it seems it's more important to them for Steve to walk onto stage and make his grand announcements at a big splashy event. The activation process is then, predictably, a giant CF for all of the customers during the first week or so.
I agree that they should have spaced out MM, v2.0 and the iPhone 3G releases (emphasis on the MM release) but the activation process within AT&T had nothing to do with these things. The process was much better than the year prior and there were a lot more phones being activated. We're talking a million devices in a weekend. Part of the better success this year was probably from AT&T's decision to activate all iPhones in store, this meant that activations from their employees were happening only 1 per employee per unit every 10-20 minutes instead of having a surge of people accessing AT&T through iTunes in large bursts.
I really think it ultimately comes down to arrogance - we're Apple and people will line up to buy our stuff because it's cool. The rules don't apply to us. This same pattern can be seen in their attempt to launch MM, 2.0 and iPhone 3G on the same day and their efforts to keep everything so secret that things don't get properly tested before being released.
There certainly seems to be an arrogance, but not from the AT&T activation side of things. v2.0 was tested, and v2.1 is being tested too. I think you'd be upset if Apple gave software to someone before you just because he bought his iPhone a day before you or because his IMEI is lower. Or you'd be upset if Apple gave you the update before others but it was buggy so now you feel that those who bought it after you should suffer before you. Whatever the reason, software will be buggy and only massive prolonged testing can prevent it.
I assure that v2.1 will cause people to complain. There is bound to be something that don't work for someone. v2.1.1 will solve the problem for some and cause issues for others. This is normal; this is software development. This is another substantial update, not just a bug fix, so more issues will arise.
I know they're the "flavor of the month" right now so they have to be more secretive than others for fear of being copied or losing their image appeal that is working so well; however, I do think they can do much better in the QC and customer impacting areas. It seems like this latest CF may have gotten their attention. I hope so.
The only major issue they've had is MM. They've apologized, identified the issue and have given everyone 3 months. Have they learned from it? We'll see, but I can tell you they will surely F-up again. The QC issue has to carry into a lot of areas and it is one of the growing pains of becoming more successful. There isn't a company out there that has had complaints about a product.
Apple is just in the public eye more these days and so any single complain is amplified. An iPod battery melts the device and every tech site carries the story. Those pictures are really cool!
Apple isn't being secretive because they are "favour of the month" it's their MO. It's one of reasons that tech sites cling onto them and why you'll have regular news organizations talking about a lackluster Apple release before a major release by another tech company. BTW, Dell put out some really nice E-series laptops last month.
I think the point is that some people want to have pure lossless quality at home and for their "master library," while using compression on the go for the sake of having more music.
They want BOTH formats for different uses--as can be done with the Shuffle in a very nice automatic way.
Makes sense to me.
Exactly!!!
Spotlight for iPhone, so I don't have to carry my 2 year old Treo around with me to find my data.
I'd love that for Mail, though it only keeps the last 50 messages on it. Still, if it's not find-as-you-type, I'd like something since I can't access MM from the Safari browser to do a proper search.
I'd also like to be able to search a webpage for text the way it works in Safari on the Mac.
I'm hoping Apple finally decides to give Airtunes the push it deserves. The "Killer App" for Airtunes is the Remote program on iPhone/iPod Touch. This thing is very cool for a version 1.0 release, and can only get better.
Here's what I'd like to see:
A new version of the iPod Hi-Fi, with an Airtunes client built it. Drop the iPod dock to distinguish it from the million other speaker systems out there and make it look more streamlined. Change the name and sell it for $249. People could buy more than one of these for different areas in their house. Drop in it, plug it in, control the "Zone" from the Remote program. Apple simplicity.
Also, Apple could make a slimmed down version of Airport Express. Call it "Airtunes" and it's only function is a client with an audio out mini-jack. No router, no ethernet jack, no USB. Airtunes only. Sell it for $49. That way people would have a cheap way to use their existing audio equipment (anything from an old boom box to a high end amp) to receive music from iTunes and have that "Zone" controlled by the Remote app.
The Remote app could be updated to version 2.0. Among it's features are being able to access a CD in iTunes, and call up various internet radio station. Also, fix the album art issue with Remote and Apple TV.
One last thing. Update Apple TV to allow the volume to be controlled with Remote app.
Yeppers.
I think Copy will come with 2.1 and Paste will come with 2.2.
Some clever developer will market an external storage device to handle the huge clipboard!
One last thing. Update Apple TV to allow the volume to be controlled with Remote app.
I'm not sure what config you have but my TV is the master volume, last I knew Apple TV won't have a way to control the TV volume control.
I'm not sure what config you have but my TV is the master volume, last I knew Apple TV won't have a way to control the TV volume control.
The remote for the AppleTV has volume controls.
Dear Apple,
Regarding the iPhone update:
Instead of more new features, how about more consistent, day-in-day-out stability?
Thanks...
No doubt. I'll second that and not just for the iPhone OS but for OSX Leopard for the Mac. (Snow Leopard might be the stability we're looking for)
Besides stability how about some polish on the existing applications as well?
... are missed call reminder beeps.
And options to turn it on or off, set the beep type, the snooze time, and include this for for email and SMS too. Am I asking too much? Why should I have to ask my phone if it has any messages for me if I'm away when a call comes in? It's a smart phone damnit, so it should act like one.
Yes! Every phone I've had has had a light that flashes every few seconds to tell you you've had a missed call or SMS. And yet on the iPhone you have to check manually yourself, it seems such a simple omission.