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iPhone – Software Replaces Hardware

Published on January 12, 2007 in Design, in English, IT and Mobile. 0 Comments

Apple Inc. (former Apple Computers Inc.) introduced iPhone this Tuesday at Macworld San Fransisco. As the extreme buzz around the device continues I’m making my own contribution as a blog is not really a blog without an iPhone story. The question remains what is there to say that hasn’t been said already everywhere else on the web? Well probably nothing but hopefully you’ll find some inspiring links and analysis. To start with, Time has an interesting article covering the development of the Apple iPhone.


Apple Inc. – iPhone

Before
The general consensus was that iPhone is to be released at Macworld but majority was waiting for a more traditional device. At least for me the new interface was something not expected; only wished. Concepts around touch screen interfaces have been around for a while like the Black Box concept by BenQ-Siemens & Onyx Concept by Synaptics. The electronic touch interface was invented in 1971 and after that touch screens have been widely used. However they often feel clumsy and slow as one finger can be used at a time. Touch interfaces might be not very suitable for large surfaces other than sketching boards but for handhelds they are definitely the way to go (some problems probably arise when trying to use in winter with gloves). With the latest mobile phones (like S60 devices) navigating is a long process: searching with eyes, locating it with cursor and finally entering the function. When using a touch screen it is possible immediately choose the right operation.

Software Replaces Hardware
The innovation of the iPhone is its incredible multi touch interface and fantastic integration with iTunes. Probably the best working demonstration of an interface-free, touch-driven computer screen is made by Jeff Han (Ted Talks, February 2006) – highly recommended! As Jeff’s presentation show, big about multi touch is gestures – no more of that one finger pushing. It becomes all about feeling. I’m eagerly looking forward to test the Apple’s device. If it works it’s going to revolutionize the mobile industry. Not by sales figures but new ideas and creative thinking. Also updating new programs with unique interfaces is possible when there is no hardware tied to.

Closed System
Jobs quote from New York Times article makes it quite clear why the environment is a closed system (no 3rd party apps): “We define everything that is on the phone. You don’t want your phone to be like a PC. The last thing you want is to have loaded three apps on your phone and then you go to make a call and it doesn’t work anymore. These are more like iPods than they are like computers.”. This is also interesting as Nokia has renamed their N-series to multimedia computers and Jobs says he don’t want people to think of iPhone as a computer. Nokia’s strategy is to be the center when Apple’s is computer centric – Mac(/PC) acting as a hub. Back to the issue. In the long run I believe that the platform is being opened at least for some widgets. Now it’s too early as the system is not user tested. In future I would like to see some new input methods as well – QWERTY keyboard is not the way to go.

Remaining Questions
iPhone is not about technology but usability. However a few vital questions remain as the first model of the phone is a gadget; not a mass market device mainly because of the cost. To be perfect for my personal everyday use at least the following should be verified:

  • Does the Web browser support Flash or Java? – No. Likely to be added.
  • Can it open Word and Excel documents? – No. (Can open PDF files, though).
  • Does the camera record video? – No. Apple may add this feature by June.
  • iTunes songs as ringtones? – No. Definitely going to change.
  • Voice over IP support? – No, Can be enabled but Cingular is the problem here.
  • Voice recognition/dialing/memos? – No. Could change by June when the phone ships.

At least it connects to standard iPod accessories like car docks and speaker systems. And when GPS and 3G for video calls are added then what more can you ask for?

Nokia
What does all of this mean to Nokia. In short term not much for Mobiles and E-series but Nseries is a different matter. Kallasvuo was stating in his CES keynote only a day before Jobs announcement that Nseries phones are “well designed and easy to use”. For example Nokia’s N95 (coming in March) is truly state of the art device – technologically. Mr. Vanjoki’s, EVP of Nokia Multimedia, last sentence in commentary on the just released iPhone was that “it is missing 3G, a crucial function”. 3G is not a function it is a technology (and it’s good to remember that the 3G coverage in US is limited and Jobs mentioned in his keynote that 3G is coming). I have always used Nokia phones (Nokia 3110, 6210, 3510i, 6230 and E50). My E50 has no 3G or WiFi as there is no real use for them at the moment. Later this is to be changed and maybe it is time to try out something else – maybe an iPhone?


Nokia N95