[AMKassirMD]

I also use ePocrates on an hourly basis. It would be great to have ePocrates on an iPhone.

[aidensocal]

Ok so nothing is a "feature" of the iPhone os. The os is based on OSX. Everything that runs on the iPhone (even the dialer to make calls) is an app. The sms app, the camera app, the ipod app... etc. etc. are all apps, not part of the os.

[kill953]

aidensocal said:

Ok so nothing is a "feature" of the iPhone os. The os is based on OSX. Everything that runs on the iPhone (even the dialer to make calls) is an app. The sms app, the camera app, the ipod app... etc. etc. are all apps, not part of the os.

It doesn't matter whether or not they are a part of the OS or an app. Those features are not going to be (legitimately) possible without APIs in the OS being made available to third parties. Given that they aren't available yet as stable APIs to Apple (otherwise those apps/features - that is, voice dialling, MMS, etc. - would already be there!) you are not going to see them from third party developers using the SDK.

[martuca]

Voice Dial! It has to be implemented in such a way that a touch of a Bluetooth Headset activates it. Even a Palm Treo has this feature!!! -Angelo

[ghp2006]

You're kidding right! :)
Most of these are already available on for 1.1.4 Jailbroken iPhone!
The only reason for an SDK is Apple is too lazy and cheap to fix their own shortcomings!

[paughey]

True. Some of the apps listed are already on Jailbroken phones. But, until the apps are an official release and not wiped out every time Apple does an update, they will not be widely adopted. Until wide adoption happens you won't see as many developers. It's a Catch 22 cycle that's coming to an end. I've read lots of good ideas on this forum. I'd love to see the Macworld guys who originally wrote the first list of 25 cull through this blog again and put out an updated list. Some items on the first 25 were good, but there have been some killer app ideas proposed since then.

Keep the great ideas coming. I hope developers are listening; you have an audience!

-p

[fast_ian]

Hi,
I'm not sure if this is really the correct place to request this, but here we go: As of July 1st CA drivers will be required to use hands free devices. I'd like an option that disables the "slide to unlock" and "enter passcode" screens when the iphone is connected to power, as it is when in my car. Placing a call then only requires a double-tap on the home button to get to my "phone favorites" from whence I can place a call - No more fumbling around trying to unlock the thing while driving.
Cheers,
Ian

[cobol89]

Thought I'd chime in with my own wish list:

1) Logon & password manager. This function is the only reason I still carry my Palm around with me.

2) Search. What was the name of the sales rep from Philadelphia?

3) Enterprise-quality email support. I cannot imagine why Apple has been so slow to get this in place. It seems like it should be pretty easy, and would make the iPhone a Blackberry killer. Can't build Rome in a day, I guess.

4) Landscape view of email. A lot of emails are basically HTML pages, and you cannot see the entire width (in legible size) in portrait mode.

5) Not just a task manager, but a front end that shows top tasks, upcoming meetings, and urgent emails on a single page.

I know some of these are lower-level changes that were excluded from the article. I was just listing my most greatly desired improvements.

[techmonkey]

To be honest, there are only a handful of things on your list that I (and I think most iPhone owners would actually use.
More useful to me would be:
A language translation tool (like the existing Apple widget)
A unit conversion tool (another Apple widget)
A dictation program to record voice notes and then have them show up as audio files in an iPod playlist

[kiwiuser]

it would be great to have a "filemaker lite" that can be used and synched with apps developed and maintained on mac systems. That would enable me to use apps developed in filemaker for palm pilot which are no longer supported!
Then I could chuck away my palm and use say ipod touch or iphone instead.

[cobol89]

I wouldn't argue your point. However, I think there are many people who would buy and use the iPhone if it did have some of the features I mention. And they won't with the current features. I know a several people who would like to get the iPhone, but refused or returned it once they found out they cannot get their business's email on it. Apple is targeting only part of their potential market.

[jg167]

Of course a GPS connection would require support for the bluetooth serial profile, which is a huge missing piece just now. This is also needed if you want to use your iPhone as an internet connection for you Mac.

[Don69]

Why did not a proper Notes / Memo application (password protected notes and grouping into categories) make the list? For me, having important notes with me is one of the most used features of a mobile device. This is my main reason for still being on a Treo 650 with Palm OS. Palm has had this since it's inception. Why OS X doesn't have a Memo application to sync with is beyond me. Using Mail is not the same thing. And we need password protection.

[applecore75]

I would like to see a passwords application with categories for username, password, url, and notes section. Then password protect it.