After having the iPod Touch for almost two months I thought it would be worth posting some thoughts on some improvements that I'm hoping that Apple will make in version 2 of the device. Some of the fixes below are relatively small while others call for major hardware/software updates. Here goes:
- Wireless synchronization. The one feature that Zune 2 (and Zune 1 via the software update - a very smart move on the part of Microsoft given that it costs them nothing to do and improves the odds of a shaky device) is the ability to wirelessly synchronize your music library. I must admit that remembering a USB to iPod cable has been a major inconvenience over the past few years. It's high time that Apple stepped up and enabled wireless sync - we have a WIFI iTunes music store how about something useful for all users.
- Ability to enable landscape keyboard across all applications. I must admit that having the ability to use the software driven keyboard in landscape mode in all applications would significantly improve usability of the device. While Safari and Mail enable you to use the keyboard in landscape mode others such as Notes do not allow this functionality. The landscape keyboard improves the typing experience significantly by allowing more screen real estate for the keys.
- Improved battery life. I can say that the battery life is adequate on the device as it stands and varies based on your usage (e.g., video, WIFI, photos) from charge to charge. However I will say that for long flights (3 hours +) as a regular music player I find that you can usually make it but there is not a lot of room for error. It would be nice to see improved battery life in the next version.
- License Adobe's Flash Lite player for Safari. The Safari browser is by far the best mobile web browser that I've used in a small form factor device. The one thing that is missing that would significantly improve the usability of the device on the web is the ability to play Flash content on various websites. Given the ubiquity of Flash as a standard for digital video, websites and media on the web the lack of this plug-in is a major drawback in using the device as a full fledged laptop replacement on the road. I realize that Apple is likely reticent to increase the cost of the bill of materials by licensing the Flash Lite player (the mobile version of the Flash player) from Adobe. However, the inability to play Flash based media on the
- A mobile version of Quicktime. Whether Apple will breakdown and grant my wish in #4 it makes no sense as to why they wouldn't seek to enable their own media player to work on the device as a plug-in to Safari. Come on Apple I realize that you were in a rush to release both the iPhone and the Touch but its high time you ported Quicktime to this platform. My hope is that Apple doesn't pull a Sony in terms of being arrogant and neglecting a device with huge potential to become a true mobile device.
Exterior buttons for volume control. If you're commuting or on the go and don't want to pull the Touch out of your pocket it would be great to have exterior volume controls and a pause function. At the moment its a hassle to have to take the device out and look at the screen for such a simple task. (Full credit for this idea to Fink-Nottle in this ehMac.ca post for pointing out this shortcoming
http://www.ehmac.ca/anything-mac/58406-ipod-touch-great-i-think.html )
- Add an external speaker. This addition didn't jump out at me initially until I tried sharing some videos with others and must admit the lack of an external speaker is a drawback.
