New Ideas and New Products

Skype have released their iPhone software today. But is it actually worth using?

In my opinion there are two main issues with the use of the application on the iPhone. One relates to the network providers and the other to the phone itself.

1. You can only use it if you can connect to a wifi connection. Presumably network providers didn’t want this using up their mobile data bandwidth. That in my opinion makes it fairly useless.
2. You will only be able to receive calls if you have the application open. I know I don’t intend to walk around with my iPhone permanently running Skype.

Perhaps it makes it a bit easier to call your friends around the world but the benefits look fairly minimal.

An application that ran on Google’s Android would make more sense as at least it would be able to run in the background.

The iPhone is a great phone and I know I wouldn’t want to be without mine but I’m frustrated with some of the issues. You know that if Apple owned Skype they would not release the Skype app in its current state as they know they wouldn’t be able to wow their customers with the current restrictions. Perhaps by allowing apps such as this on the iPhone Apple are actually diluting their brand which they have worked so hard to build. Apple is known for quality IT and software that work out of the box. The Skype app doesn’t really fit with that idea and I expect there will be more apps like this to come.

Do you have any examples of other apps that are high profile but disappoint?

So we got it, “Cut and paste” is coming to the iPhone at long long last! Another 100 improvements will also be added to the iPhone software which includes multimedia messaging and a fully integrated search function. Unfortunatley there was no mention of Flash but I guess we all knew that was a long shot. Tethering also didn’t get a mention until the Q&A which is really going to be a factor for the operator to decide.

The first half of the presentation, which you can see here, was given over to how developers can use the various new tools at their disposal. I think the main thing to come out of it was the fact that there is going to be more flexibility in how developers can generate revenue. Clearly the current model is not terribly attractive for producers of material suitable for subscription. Magazines and newspapers are now likely to embrace the opportunities along with games developers who could in future charge for extra levels and the like.

We will also get the use of landscape keyboard when typing emails and SMS. Stereo bluetooth will also be available.

According to Apple iPhone 3.0 should be with us this summer. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a new handset following on soon after. Let’s hope there is a better camera and video calling. What would you like to see?

Apple has sent invites out to various journalists inviting them to come to an event where they will unveil the latest version of the iphone software.

As you would expect from Apple the whole invite is rather cryptic. We don’t know if Apple will actually release the new software or if it will just show journalists what is coming. I think they will actually release the software as Apple don’t tend to start talking about products unless they are ready or very close to being ready to release.

As you would expect there are loads of rumours circulating as to what features will be in this release. The features that people really seem to want are: MMS messaging, copy and paste, and flash. Also I have seen people who want to be able to use the iPhone as an external modem for their laptops. I still don’t understand why they didn’t include something as simple as copy and paste in the first place.

Perhaps they will add the voice technology which has just been added to the new iPod shuffle which i mentioned a couple of days ago. Clearly Apple could have launched the new iPod shuffle the same day as discussing the new software but perhaps they don’t want to distract from the new software. Some expect this software release to be a precursor to a new iPhone. I wouldn’t expect to see the new iPhone before maybe August or September but if anyone is likely to surprise us it is Apple.

What features do you expect to see? What features would you like to see?