![\"download](\"http:\/\/hidefideas.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/download-1.jpg\")
In March, Apple announced its next major revision<\/a> of the iPhone OS, version 3.0. In conjunction with the next generation iPhone<\/a>, this new OS should have existing iPhone users everywhere salivating at its hot new features; although many \u2013 myself included \u2013 expected these features to begin with.<\/p>\nBetter late than never,<\/strong> right? Yes and no, for \u2018never\u2019 seems to be Apple\u2019s unequivocal answer to our cries from the wilderness. Some features – which should be standard on any modern mobile device – are still missing in action from this new release, a simple fact which threatens to make an extraordinary device, well\u2026ordinary.<\/p>\n Here are a few of the major updates to the operating system used ’round the world. These ones all fit into my category of FINALLY!<\/strong>, and most of you will agree that they should’ve been there to start with.<\/p>\n Most interesting (and useful) new features:<\/strong><\/p>\n There are many more proposed features for the OS (I’m not going to deal with those now, but I may if I do a hands-on review), which is scheduled as a free update for all iPhone users this summer. OS 3.0 beta 5 is currently available for registered iPhone developers, and while I normally shy-away from beta releases for gadgets I used on a frequent basis, I may bite the bullet and install it so I can provide a hands-on review. I’ll keep you posted on that one.<\/p>\n I’ll cut to the chase. While I’m eager for the aforementioned add-ons, I still have some issues with the OS. Simply put, there are things which would make this little gad the only gad to own, if only Steve Jobs didn’t hold every exec at Apple by the short and curlies<\/a>.<\/p>\n MIA: (Better) Browser Support <\/strong> Nor will we see any such support in the proposed future. This to me has to the most glaring omission from what is otherwise the best gad in the world. Seriously, I mean that. I’ve been a gadfreak since I was a little tater tot and I’ve never come across anything so close to the perfect app. “It’s a phone. No, it’s an iPod Touch. No, it’s a mobile gaming device. No, it’s a GPS. No, it’s a MID. No, it’s a\u2026” See what I mean?<\/p>\n The glaring omission of the two most ubiquitous technologies on the web today \u2013 Java and Flash \u2013 means that the browsing experience is going to be stilted. And you’re going to notice it, I guarantee you. You just can’t surf to a page today without finding some sort of implementation of the aforementioned code and it just sucks when you’re on a good-looking page \u2013 like this blog \u2013 and you see an ugly gap where the Flash should have been.<\/p>\n Another feature missing from the iPhone OS is the ability to use skins and themes. This is just a theory, but I believe Apple is so in love with its own OS that they can’t imagine why anyone would want to mess with perfection. But if you’re anything like me, then you like a little novelty in your life and the Spartan black screen just doesn’t do it. If you’re really brave, then you probably went and jailbroke your iPhone<\/a>. Once there, you’d have access to all sorts of skins and themes using apps like Winterboard.<\/p>\n That Apple isn’t implementing this feature into the next OS is troubling, because while it has little to do with functionality, it’s one of those things that people expect in their gads today. If you doubt me, walk down to your nearest Apple Store, BestBuy or Radio Shack and browse the iPhone\/iPod accessories. There you will find rows upon rows of things which, while relatively useless, make your phone pretty and somewhat unique.<\/p>\n Surprisingly absent from all iterations of the iPhone (including the upcoming OS 3.0) is the pretty-much standard ability for ringtone customization. Standard in even entry-level cellphones on the market today is the ability to assign specific ringtones to contacts, change ringtones for things like calendar events, MMS messages, emails, and so-on. Of the ones I’ve listed, this missing feature is probably the most frustrating, since we’ve been spoiled to expect this in our phones. Custom ringtone support is akin to leaping through tiny hoops, too, requiring a computer engineer and two level 5 wizards to get it working seamlessly in iTunes. On this one, I have no choice but to give Apple a big ‘for shame.’<\/p>\n Arguably the most glaring omission from the iPhone\u2019s bag of tricks is the ability to run applications in the background. If you\u2019re like me and still suffer from an early childhood diagnosis of hyperactivity disorder, then you should be able to share my pain. A staple for any multitasker, background apps can allow you to do neat (and basic) things like flip over to your camera app in the middle of writing an email; or access a third party app while you\u2019re browsing with Safari. Unfortunately, the iPhone forces you to head on back to the home screen every time you switch between applications, and you needn\u2019t expect that to change with OS 3.0.<\/p>\nWhat\u2019s New?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
What\u2019s Not?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n<\/strong>It’s been no DaVinci code that Jobs decides what goes and what doesn’t at the Cupertino Gravenstein<\/a>. First, there was the airtight policy for iPhone apps that means not only does Apple restrict what apps are available<\/a>, but they also reserve the right to cancel them after the fact<\/a>. Then there was Jobs’ all-out snub of Adobe<\/a> by choosing not to provide Java or mobile Flash support in Safari, the native iPhone browser. This move crippled what is otherwise a superb \u2013 and has potential to be the best \u2013 mobile browser out there.<\/p>\nMIA: Skin(ny) Dipping <\/strong><\/h2>\n
MIA: Better Ringtone Support <\/strong><\/h2>\n
MIA: Background Apps<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Conclusion <\/strong><\/h2>\n