Topic: The iPhone

[Skeeve]

I hated flip phones, found them too girly. Only good thing was flipping the screen down violently after an angry phone call.

Realistically, I'm not sure what else they could introduce on smartphones that would revolutionise the game. Perhaps the ability to play 3D movies or act as a HD cinema projector.

I think Lenovo or somebody like that has already made phones including a projector, it is probably not a huge use-case for many people particularly as it would reverse a lot of this stupid need to make phones thinner.

[Skeeve]

People saying that Apples phones arent innovative anymore? I would say that applied to all phones. Since the iPhone 4 all weve had is improvements. Better screen, better camera, faster hardware, better battery life. I think the only true progression has been with fingerprint and facial recognition technology.

We could actually look at this as a positive for us as consumers, your expensive phone lasts that much longer or your cheaper phones are that much more effective, now if they would only up battery life more per generation we would have even less need to upgrade and sadly that is probably why they don't do it.

[CraigDS]

I don't think it's running out, I mean I imagine 15 years ago many people couldn't have imagined today's smartphone features if you asked them.

Think we'll see advancements like over-the-air power, which will see the need for big batteries diminish. That could lead to see through screens which in turn would allow AR/VR to be workable on phones. The AI side of things will keep on developing too.

In the end it'll probably lead to the screen not even being needed with it all displayed in front of your normal vision (contact lens maybe?).

[owens_2k]

I don't think it's running out, I mean I imagine 15 years ago many people couldn't have imagined today's smartphone features if you asked them.

Think we'll see advancements like over-the-air power, which will see the need for big batteries diminish. That could lead to see through screens which in turn would allow AR/VR to be workable on phones. The AI side of things will keep on developing too.

In the end it'll probably lead to the screen not even being needed with it all displayed in front of your normal vision (contact lens maybe?).

Not much has changed in the last 7 years though . From Iphone 4 to Iphone 10 the only major differences are improvements in existing tech (i.e better batteries & faster processors), facial recognition and wireless charging. Other than that the 4 is just a slower, smaller 10.

[CraigDS]

Not much has changed in the last 7 years though . From Iphone 4 to Iphone 10 the only major differences are improvements in existing tech (i.e better batteries & faster processors), facial recognition and wireless charging. Other than that the 4 is just a slower, smaller 10.

I think you're underestimating the level of development which has gone on during that time though. Some of the things you pass off as just improvements to existing tech are actually massive steps forward and have taken a ridiculous amount of knowhow (and research dollars) to develop.

Apple don't spend upwards of $10bn a year on research for nothing!

[Yanwoo]

Not much has changed in the last 7 years though . From Iphone 4 to Iphone 10 the only major differences are improvements in existing tech (i.e better batteries & faster processors), facial recognition and wireless charging. Other than that the 4 is just a slower, smaller 10.

Agreed, we're reaching the a point of maturity in smartphones where innovation naturally becomes more gradual and evolutionary - as it did in desktop PCs and laptops. Even those things you mention, from a user perspective, are quite small improvements (and that's subjective if they're even improvements) - our phones have been secured with user authentication and chargeable since the early days...

AR and VR are exciting possibilties, but not inhererently about smartphones and the compelling use cases will take time to unfold. Smartphones will obviously have a role in that, but they may not be the primary delivery mechanism.

For me, the most exciting developments are happening outside of the phone. If you think about it, a phone is a similiar paradigm to the early days of personal computing: a bunch of tech in a box that can do lots of different things. We're just at the beginning of putting connected technology out in the world, not locked up in a box on our desk or in our pocket. The possibilties there are enormous, and that's probably where we're going too see more revolutionary stuff.

[sminp]

Anyone else take the plunge? I was sorely tempted to stick with my iPhone 6 but I was swayed in the end by having something new with more storage, the 20% corporate discount I get with EE helped too. I'd maxed out the storage in my 64GB iPhone 6 so I've gone for an iPhone 8 with 256GB storage for £50 a month on an 8GB data contract.

[CraigDS]

Will go for the X when it goes up for pre-order at the end of October.

The 8 doesn't offer enough of a temptation over my 6 given it isn't a form factor change and I'm pretty happy with the performance of the 6.

[Skeeve]

For those considering the X, does that ugly notch at the top put you off it somewhat, it just seems like an unnecessary change when nobody would have criticised them for allowing enough room for the camera on the front any more than they did with Samsung, LG etc when they brought out designs like this earlier in the year.

[CraigDS]

For those considering the X, does that ugly notch at the top put you off it somewhat, it just seems like an unnecessary change when nobody would have criticised them for allowing enough room for the camera on the front any more than they did with Samsung, LG etc when they brought out designs like this earlier in the year.

It's wasted space if they do that though. This way it can be used for battery/signal strength/time and other apps will find novel ways to use it.

[Skeeve]

It's wasted space if they do that though. This way it can be used for battery/signal strength/time and other apps will find novel ways to use it.

Talking of wasted space:

https://twitter.com/thomasfuchs/status/907764896829452288

[Brian Blessed]

It's to maintain the rectangle when browsing, and will do the same when watching videos. It would be a bit silly if it didn't.

[CraigDS]

Talking of wasted space:

https://twitter.com/thomasfuchs/status/907764896829452288

I imagine any phone with rounded corners to the screen will do so, not much of a shocker.

[Fordy]

Will go for the X when it goes up for pre-order at the end of October.

The 8 doesn't offer enough of a temptation over my 6 given it isn't a form factor change and I'm pretty happy with the performance of the 6.

Same mate but to be honest I am just thinking about keeping the 6.

It does depend what the likes of EE are charging monthly though also.

[El Denzel Pepito]

When's it all gonna end? iPhone 27? iPhone 58?

Surely we're getting to the point where purchasing a phone now is as good as we will ever need. How much longer can the likes of Apple produce new phones that make people actively go out and buy, despite having the 'best' phone already. I'm not sure if I'm framing this right, but compare Nokias to the iPhone 4 - big gap. iPhone 4-X - big gap. In both cases, the original technology was good (for the time) but never brilliant. iPhone X - and other phones now - are arguably brilliant and so my question really is, in 5 years time, is the technology really going to be that much better to warrant buying that model over the latest release?

I feel like it's a bit of an end game in terms of smart phones, unless technology massively changes - such as not needing batteries, circuit boards etc. but we're far off that to be in phones, aren't we? Plus I don't know how much better the OS can get - bar the freshened up look every time.

[Chakan]

I can get an iPhone 8 pre-order if I trade in my iPhone 6S for $300 off.

[Fordy]

I can get an iPhone 8 pre-order if I trade in my iPhone 6S for $300 off.

Might well just get the X.

The 8 isn't much of an upgrade.

[TepidT2O]

iOS 11 has dropped.  A new visual style for some apps.  It will take getting used to, the icons look a little less defined.

The new control Centre seems good, and the drag and drop file Centre seems sensible, but I’ve yet to use it.

[Rush 82]

I can get an iPhone 8 pre-order if I trade in my iPhone 6S for $300 off.

I'm going to hang on for the X - the Plus screen size in non-Plus form factor is mighty attractive

[Chakan]

I'm going to hang on for the X - the Plus screen size in non-Plus form factor is mighty attractive

It depends what they offer me. If I can get $300 off a new phone I don't mind that.

[TepidT2O]

A,though multitasking on ios11 is superb....

Very clever and simple to do

[TepidT2O]

Actually it’s incredible...  totoally changes the user experience.

[Fordy]

All my text messages have disappeared. How do I get them back?

[John C]

All my text messages have disappeared. How do I get them back?

Just ask Charlie to send the 2 pictures again mate 

[CraigDS]

All my text messages have disappeared. How do I get them back?

Did you back it up?

[Fordy]

Just ask Charlie to send the 2 pictures again mate 

 

[Fordy]

Did you back it up?

No.

It says they're saved in settings. Saved where?

[SheikhMo]

How long till we get phones that can produce holograms?

[Trump's tiny tiny hands]

Came in here hoping to see others leading me away from the temptation of the X over the 8 (I have a 6 with a dying battery) but ya'll tech whores

[Halewooder]

Came in here hoping to see others leading me away from the temptation of the X over the 8 (I have a 6 with a dying battery) but ya'll tech whores

I've pre-ordered the 8 plus so will hopefully be able to pick it up tomorrow. Moving from a Galaxy S6 that is having more bad days than good lately, so gonna try iOS again.

[Rush 82]

Came in here hoping to see others leading me away from the temptation of the X over the 8 (I have a 6 with a dying battery) but ya'll tech whores

Is correct



That said, 6 to 8 is a good upgrade  - 7 to 8 not so much

[Fordy]

I've pre-ordered the 8 plus so will hopefully be able to pick it up tomorrow. Moving from a Galaxy S6 that is having more bad days than good lately, so gonna try iOS again.

Why go for the 8 plus?

Why not the X?

[Fordy]

Apple had no idea how to get my messages back which is worrying and having gone on the Apple forum it seems that this is now a common problem.

Apple seem clueless to why it's happening.

[Rush 82]

No.

It says they're saved in settings. Saved where?

Why did you not make a backup of your phone?

[Fordy]

Why did you not make a backup of your phone?

Got a life.

[Rush 82]

Got a life.

Och! Was a serious question.

Golden Rule - always take a backup before any major operating system update (irrespective of platform - IOS, Android, Windows, Linux, etc)

Edit: I mean 'backup' requires plugging it in, pressing a button, entering a password and going off for a cup of tea. It's really not time consuming.

[Fordy]

Och! Was a serious question.

Golden Rule - always take a backup before any major operating system update (irrespective of platform - IOS, Android, Windows, Linux, etc)

Edit: I mean 'backup' requires plugging it in, pressing a button, entering a password and going off for a cup of tea. It's really not time consuming.

I haven't updated my software.

My messages just disappeared. It seems a major problem that Apple has no idea why it's happening.

[Halewooder]

Why go for the 8 plus?

Why not the X?

Don't like that notch at the top, no home button either and I can imagine the upfront cost of the phone and the tariff prices will be huge.

My Galaxy S6 is getting worse by the day so need a new phone now. Can't wait another 6 weeks or so for the X to be available.

[TepidT2O]

Don't like that notch at the top, no home button either and I can imagine the upfront cost of the phone and the tariff prices will be huge.

My Galaxy S6 is getting worse by the day so need a new phone now. Can't wait another 6 weeks or so for the X to be available.

O2 is looking like £30 upfront and £77 per month for 20gb of data.. not cheap.

[Rush 82]

I haven't updated my software.

My messages just disappeared. It seems a major problem that Apple has no idea why it's happening.

oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh

ah okay