iPhone Cut-and-Paste Apparently Withheld Out of Spite
Apple rolled out iPhone 2.2 early this morning, as expected. And, as expected, it boasts enhancements to the device’s Maps application, improvements to its telephone functionality, better security and support for over-the-air podcast updates, as well as a few other interesting additions. Among them, an app-scoring feature that allows users to rate applications purchased from the the App Store before deleting them, slideshows of App Store application screenshots, “return to home screen” functionality and an off-switch for autocorrection.
Notably absent from this latest firmware update: landscape SMS, MMS support and, of course, cut-and-paste–whose continued absence Apple (AAPL) apparently views as a feature.
Comments
Cut & Paste is long overdue. It’s just the arrogance of Apple, self evident in this latest release. Also, “no way of replacing a battery” !!! Probably the biggest “gaffe” in consumer electronics history !!
Posted by Joe Hailey at November 21st, 2008 at 7:48 amThe iphone works great and so far we have not heard of the masses trying or needing to replace the battery. Cut and paste would be great but the other features out weigh C&P. Im sticking with my iPhone.
Posted by Quincy Davis at November 21st, 2008 at 8:42 amthe most missed app is mms, for which I blame ATT.
Posted by David Owens at November 21st, 2008 at 9:15 amI think the iPhone is a fantastic phone and Apple has done an amazing job in a very short time. 9,281 iPhone apps in about 4 months is the icing on the cake. The best phone I ever owned and I have had Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Nokias.
Sure cut and paste is wanted and would be nice, but I can wait as the need is not as important as some claim. MMS is a sticking point, but the iPhone can already send them, just not receive them. Another thing that is no deal breaker.
The non replaceable battery is hugely over hyped. I get plenty of battery life and there are dozens of extended batteries that do not need to open the phone to use. I own one and almost never need it. Clip it on in the middle of a call if you like. NO ISSUE! Cost no more than a replaceable battery and easier to use.
BB Storm, no WiFi and little in the way of apps, NOW THAT IS A DEAL BREAKER.
Posted by Stephen Antonucci at November 21st, 2008 at 7:42 pmHerein is the distinction between an aficionado and a mainstream business user. Cut & Paste is not just a nice-to-have, it is an absolute must for a business phone.
Also basic is the ability to invite people to meetings from my iPhone, a feature BB has long supported and a must for a mobile professional worker.
Finally, gotta add Adobe Flash support. A browser that does not support Adobe Flash is minor league material - end of story. The main reason I am enduring the high battery draw is to be able to access the web.
Posted by Allan Scott at November 23rd, 2008 at 5:08 amcut and paste? cut and run is more like it
glad i don’t own an iphone
Posted by Sam Harrison at November 25th, 2008 at 12:48 pmI do not hear much mention of the ability, or inability as it may be, to sync email and calendars for those who do not use Outlook. Trying to sync calendars with Thunderbird is possible, but its a kludgy work around at best and the plugins Thunderbird requires to do it drag down its performance. I could care less about 1000s of games, but the lack of support for this, as well as editing spreadsheets to me keeps the iphone from being the killer business tool I was hoping for.
Posted by Mike Stone at November 26th, 2008 at 5:49 am“cut and paste? cut and run is more like it
glad i don’t own an iphone”
Frankly, as an iPhone Tech support agent, I’m glad you don’t too.
Posted by Rocky Torok at December 13th, 2008 at 3:29 pmI have to say, I really like my iPod Touch. I walk into a bar, the wi-fi kicks in, there is Google Earth, my email, the web. I get a pdf file as an attachment, it opens!! A word doc, it opens! And of course lots of cool apps, etc.
Then one day, I want to do the most fundamental thing that makes computers valuable. Why word processing matters. Why typing isn’t quite as important as it might be. BUT..
This amazing powerful computer has no cut and paste. Mind boggling. Especially in a context where typing is something to be avoided as much as possible!
I scrapped my ancient Palm Zire to move on up. I depend on the basic PIM functions, contacts, calendar, email (which didn’t exist in Palm world). There is no reason they can’t easily implement cut and paste (across apps, system clipboard).
I kept using the Palm because:
1. I could carry the Webster’s unabridged dictionary in my pocket (iPod has that covered nicely)
2. I DEPEND on it as a calendar/appointment scheduler. My memory needs all the help it can get, and I am literally dependent on this thing.
BUT
IPT does not allow searching the calendar. This basically reduces the functionality of the scheduler to little more than a flip pad of paper and a pencil.
These are things that are not extras. They are essential to efficient use of the device for what is intended!
Mr. iPhone tech: What is the best way to get this up the priority list???
Posted by Don Elliot at December 29th, 2008 at 3:43 pmThe iphone is an EPIC FAIL because of the lack of cut and paste. I mean, come on! What fucktard thought that omission would be helpful?
Also lack of a card slot sucks. Video takes up enormous amounts of memory. Storing video on cards keeps the onboard memory less crowded. Being a filmmaker, I could put my reel, or current project on a card and show it to clients, etc. Also the ability to back up onto a card is useful.
The iPhone has a lot of problems, but no one will fess up because they don’t want to admit Apple screwed the pooch big time on this. I own Apple products, but I’m not a fanboy and don’t buy any Apple hype.
There are a lot of reasons why I may start using my old PC again, or buy a laptop. For me there are reasons to run both.
I have a Treo 755, which I hate. The Palm Desktop interface is completely outdated and lacks a lot of functionality. I wish there was a Mac version of ACT! I might get a Blackberry, or maybe an Android phone. The iphone isn’t worth switching networks for, maybe the Palm Pre will be. At least that thing can cut & paste. For just music and such, maybe an iPod Touch. decent functionality and apps.
Sadly,no phone seems to have it all.
Posted by Mark Sasahara at February 22nd, 2009 at 11:34 pm