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Jul 14, 08 - 06:10 pm Comment from: ericdano

Complicated issues meaning that TomTom and Garmin will probably sue....

Why are people obsessed with copy-paste and turn-by-turn GPS?
Think about it, how would you select a text, drag? Maybe Right-finger it.

The thing is just over one year old. Get real feature creepers.

Apple is far smarter than the lot of you combined. They know what the buying public wants IN VOLUME, and they'll supply that first. Copy and paste. Sheesh.

WTF how is copy paste a low priority?! Every other handset manufacturer out there should be advertising on the fact that they have a big feature the iPhone doesn't. Even my gay Razr and my old nokia 3390 had copy and paste. If your not going to give us MMS, then at least give us copy paste so we can copy the password stuff that it sends us. Steve Ballmer should have said, "it doesn't have copy and paste which means it's not a very good email machine."

maybe Apple is working on a better way of doing it. Like THINK and paste.

As usual I feel I must point out that if Microsoft were to deliver a device without copy and paste, there would be no end to the name calling, yet when Apple delivers a device lacking one of the most fundamentally expected types of data manipulation, that THEY helped to invent mind you, the peanut gallery here apologizes for them.

I figure there are design issues that Apple can't figure out just yet or copy/paste would be there.

What astonishes me is that we finally get the ability to select multiple mail messages to delete, and they don't carry the functionality over to text messages????

Duh.

How could copy and paste be a low priority when users have been clamoring for it for a while? Apple spent time on a scientific calculator. Sure, it's neat, but how many average iPhone users will use it? I think a tip/conversion calculator (I know we can download those from the App Store) made by Apple would've been more useful than a scientific calculator. I'm going off on a tangent, but it just irks me that a feature that more people would likely use (copy and paste) is treated as a lower priority than something I don't think as many people would use (scientific calculator).

Another case in point: When Apple introduced the third generation iPod nano last September, Steve Jobs said that users would like Cover Flow, but then corrected himself to say WE (as in Apple) would like Cover Flow. This was yet another gimmick feature that is largely useless other than for show. It was something Apple likes, but is not necessarily useful to the average user. They could've offered other features users would really appreciate and many would use.

I hope Apple remembers the masses of average users and not just cater to the hardcore/technical users as it seems to do.

sounds like a classic misdirection. i'm not putting much value in statements like this. apple will never give clues to what they are working on.

Re: the GPS navigation..

I heard the rumor that TomTom has it's navigation software currently running on the iPhone3G in it's labs. The last mention of it, there were issues being that they want to sell their own hardware as a priority or something in that line. The money pit they would find here if they sold their app on iPhone3G could be rather significant. I wish there was some way to contact them via e-mail correspondence but I can't find any such address on TomTom's site. I'd like to know when they expect to sell the software 'cause I'd buy it with a $50.

Are you fscking kidding me?

If copy & paste is a low priority, I'll NEVER see my universal landscape keyboard. That must be down at the bottom of the pit. It must not even be on their radar.

Jul 14, 08 - 06:54 pm Comment from: TomBoy

I have no pressing need for either of these features. That said, I know that my iPhone is an evolving platform and I look forward to future enhancements.

I bought my iPhone on Day 1, 2007, fully aware that it was Version 1. I've been blown away from the start, and it's only gotten better from there. THAT's why I give Apple more leeway in delivering additional functionality over time that actually WORKS, and works beautifully. Compare this to a v1, or v2, or v3 WinCE/Mobile/whatever device. There is no comparison.

Is iPhone perfect? No. Is it orders of magnitude better than anything else? Without a doubt. In the U.S. world of Wal-Mart-style cheapness, I'll take orders of magnitude better over some illusive definition of perfection.

It's a beautiful day; go outside and breathe, enjoy, live. Hug your kids, make love with someone you care about; but don't spend too much energy on the state of inconsequential electronic devices.

That video is awesome! LOL!! I'm still laughing about it five minutes later!

Btw, perhaps Apple just doesn't get enough feedback on wanted features like copy & paste.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Jul 14, 08 - 06:57 pm Comment from: jarrettdailynews

Apple has always and will always build what they deem to be the best products. If Apple can't build cut and paste the way "they" want it to work, look and feel I can say that they won't do it. Same goes for GPS. If you need cut and paste that bad, there are other phones out there, go buy them. Apple currently has the world by the balls.

Hundreds and in the case of Japan, thousands of people are standing on line for their products.Apple still had lines on Sunday for iPhones. They are not going to give us everything we need or want in any product ever. That would be a very dumb business move.

Like back in the day when everyone was pissed that they didn't offer enough memory with their machines. You have to give doses or you will go out of business quickly. So take what they give you, or go buy someone else's garb.

Pretty simple really, and again, go complain to Apple at least they have a chance of smoothing things over with you. You know, they you that thinks they are the most important customer on the planet.

Jul 14, 08 - 06:59 pm Comment from: Jubei

It's all about licensing, licensing, legal, legal..... let them work it out and it will come.

Jul 14, 08 - 07:20 pm Comment from: Scott

Copy and paste and turn by turn are not going to be a deal breaker for someone.

Now as for the MMS ability, I know that has been a deal breaker for some....

Come on Apple! Give us simple picture text ability. Or at least do away with the terrible and horrific viewmymessage.com

Jul 14, 08 - 07:23 pm Comment from: shen

"The bottom line is that copy-and-paste is a core feature that must be implemented into the iPhone’s Operating System by Apple"

ok look, i know there is a die hard core who think they just can't live without copy and paste, but honestly, in over 3 months with my iPhone, i have wished i had it.... carry the 2... ok, twice.

how is that a core feature?

is there a list of "core OS features" carved into granite somewhere that god handed moses right after the 15 (oops! crash) 10 commandments? and why copy/paste? if something is core to an OS, maybe it should be handling files? can you directly handle files on your iPhone? well then i guess Apple needs to address that right the hell now!

would it be? sure, if Apple can do it their way. and maybe that is trouble. maybe there just isn't a good way to do it with touch that Apple accepts right now. hopefully it comes soon, so that the vocal minority will shut-up.....

low priority for iPhone's sales strategy.
high priority for user demands.
don't be stupid Apple.

"Copy and paste and turn by turn are not going to be a deal breaker for someone."

Why do additional features have to be deal breakers? Is that the only criteria for enhancing your product? Why can't they just add it to help make the iPhone the best smartphone on the market? Why can't they add it because that's what their customers want?

As we can see from the YouTube proof-of-concept video it really wouldn't be all that difficult. In fact like many other aspects of the iPhone its ease of use might make the feature more accessible to customers who normally wouldn't go through the trouble of copying & pasting with other smartphones. Multi-touch might be the key reason that Apple gets it right.

Jul 14, 08 - 07:42 pm Comment from: El Guapo

@Rob
"Why are people obsessed with copy-paste and turn-by-turn GPS?
Think about it, how would you select a text, drag? Maybe Right-finger it."

Middle finger it!

ya know, by making one of those proof of concept video, Apple is going to have to think up of another idea for the feature. Just so that they don't get trashed for using a concept thought up by an amateur and not being innovative as they claim xD

Which means it'll take double the time -_-

Jul 14, 08 - 07:54 pm Comment from: Greg L

Funny spoof video

Jul 14, 08 - 08:01 pm Comment from: Brau

"other features were simply judged far more important than copy-and-paste"

Riiight! I really believe him.(cough) I really do!

have used smart phones and pda devices for over 7 years and haven't needed cut-n-paste more than about 1 or 2 times.

if you need turn-by-turn GPS to get somewhere, it is time to get your head up, look out the window and start reading street signs and building numbers.

...the GPS-like of iphone v1.0 is enough to get you close enough where you need to go and then use your brain and eyes

Jul 14, 08 - 08:29 pm Comment from: January 24, 1984

@TomBoy.

What he said.

Smart.

@let down -- you nailed it: Apple spent time developing a scientific calculator rather than copy-and-paste. Who on earth voted a sci calc to the top of the list?

Why not a prog calc? or a bus calc? Who knows.

If apple needs direction on what priorities should be, perhaps a blog with a voting mechanism will help? or a pledge fund? sheesh...

Jul 14, 08 - 08:36 pm Comment from: ken1w

That video is creepy...

honestly, there have been perhaps 10 situations in the past year where I could have REALLY used copy and paste. but nothing that would cause me to say "well, this really should be on the next firmware update...". I'd say its a low priority to me. And I am sure that Apple asked a whole lot of folks questions about what they wanted.... and not enough said copy and paste.

The two button mouse was also low priority

Perhaps they want all their new users from all around the world to get used to the basics of this new interface and input method prior to introducing more advanced multi-touch gestures. Their recently published patent app. for a teaching module encompassing an entire multi-touch gesture language, coupled with their understanding of the consumer's needs, would certainly lend creedence to this possibility. While many of us have had a year to get used to the lack of tactile feedback and intuitive controls, the rest of the world has not, and providing copy and paste functionality now would not aid in shortening that learning curve and weaning users from their plastic, hard-to-press keys. What was their MO when they inteoduced the mouse for popular consumption?

MDN Word: Return; as in, they didn't eliminate the Return Key.

@El Guapo
Yes, you're right, I can see it now after watching that video.

I can live without copy and paste on my phone. I've been doing it since..... forever. What I can't live without is a task manager. For the life of me I can't understand why this simple function was not on the original from day one. This ought to be the number one priority!

Jul 14, 08 - 09:09 pm Comment from: LeftCoastDude

Cut & paste? Could care less. In one year of using the iPhone, I really doubt it has come up more than once. And yes, if Microsoft did it we would get on their ass, but that's because it's fun, and I wouldn't in a million years buy a Windows based phone. So, I continue with I don't care. I have a BlackBerry, and I have no clue if it cuts and pastes, because I don't care if it does. The only time I care is if I need to save a phone number, and it does that well.

As for turn-by-turn, again, I don't care. Both of my cars, and frankly my motorcycle, has built in GPS with a 7 inch screen, perfect sound coming through the speakers (or in the case of my motorcycle, my headset), and because they tie into the speed sensor, they're much more accurate for exits and the such.

If I want a nav system, I'll buy one. However, I was walking through downtown San Diego today, and the iPhone got me a nice restaurant. And it finds restaurants and gas stations better, because my effing Infiniti requires me to come to a complete stop to program the Nav system. Probably designed by Microsoft.

I'm on a rant. Sorry.

Jul 14, 08 - 09:12 pm Comment from: motopsyco

When did Mac users start using the term "Cut and Paste"? I've only heard Windows users use this term in place of "Copy and Paste". As a Mac user I only "Copy and Paste", as it should be. You see, "Cut and Paste" is a dangerous operation, yes?

Jul 14, 08 - 09:32 pm Comment from: MizuInOz

Why "copy and paste"?

For me because I have certain phrases and items in my Notes that I would like to copy and paste somewhere else - as in Safari - to make for less typing of - oh, say - letter and numbers and symbols and uppercase letters; which at the present time (1st Gen or G3) is a total pain in the arse...

BUT Apple took how many years to admit that there is such a thing as a right click...? Customer needs are a low priority with Steve Jobs - always have been - always will be - unless it creates good PR!

Jul 14, 08 - 09:39 pm Comment from: PowerPhone

I was gonna quote someone but it is too hard to remember all of it. And then type it. Wish there was a simpler way.

Maybe Apple will come out with something that could help me.
Call it "iCopy and YouGlue".....

@MizuInOz – Mac OS has had control-click (identical in function to what is commonly but mistakenly referred to by Windows users as "right-click") since OS 8. They haven't done a great job of making everyone aware that it's there (which is a definite perception problem), but it's been a feature of the Mac UI for, what, almost 10 years now?

Oh, and I really only commented because the video was (1) a great demo of how copy/paste could be done and (2) dang funny the way the used Mr. Presenter Guy. The "I love you" at the end was the cherry on the top!

It's also interesting comparing the comments here from people saying copy/paste should be in the iPhone, who sound like they haven't really used one and are simply complaining about it on principle… versus the comments from the folks who have used an iPhone (or other PDA/cell phone) and say it's *extremely* rare that they've ever needed to do this.

So, Apple's priorities (combined with their upcoming development of a "gesture language", which will probably encompass this feature in a more comprehensive manner) seem to mesh well with reality.

Copy/paste is to smartphones what Java was to web pages in the 90's: everyone seems to think you need it, but hardly anybody uses it.

Send your copy and paste complaints to Apple. Posting them here is rather pointless. If you really want something you need to know who to ask. It like asking me for a raise. I'm not your employer. Learn to ask the right people.

"WTF how is copy paste a low priority?! Every other handset manufacturer out there should be advertising on the fact that they have a big feature the iPhone doesn't."

And they still won't sell a million of them over three days.


"How could copy and paste be a low priority when users have been clamoring for it for a while?"

One million iPhones over the weekend just showed how low priority it is. That's roughly 1/6th of all the iPhones that had been sold to date. This thing will clear 2 million by the end of the month, easy... 2 million copyless, pasteless iPhones. Either it's not a dealbreaker feature for people OR... umm, that's about it. It's not a dealbreaker, ie, it's a low priority to have it added.

And you know what? They'll CONTINUE to sell!

"As we can see from the YouTube proof-of-concept video it really wouldn't be all that difficult."
You can also see from the proof-of-concept video the kind of thinking that becomes your "average run-of-the-mill" product. For example, look for the interface on the tool the hackers created to do iPhone screenshots. THEN look at what Apple came up with. Simple, elegant, not in the way cluttering things for those who don't want it, but exactly what those who needed it require. If any Copy/Paste function requires more than 30 seconds to explain, then it's obviously not intuitive.

I think Apple has good reason to leave this feature out for now. Just look at the demo video -- when he went to paste, he did the exact same touches, but that that, it initiated the paste... what if he wanted to do a second copy?

About right-clicking -- give this up. It's a handicap that we're now forced to live with thanks to Redmond.

Jul 14, 08 - 10:21 pm Comment from: MacFhearghaile

When are you going to change the name of the web site to Mac daily iPhone, some of us would like a little more Mac news please. I for one am sick and tired of this constant iPhone drivel, its worse than a 2nd rate soap.

"Hundreds and in the case of Japan, thousands of people are standing on line for their products.Apple still had lines on Sunday for iPhones."

And in the weekend, without a single newspaper article being written, Nokia quietly and effienctly sold more phones than Apple, and will do every day this year. Why are lines and crashing servers a good thing? Isn't smoothly and effectively selling and activating a LOT of product better business?

@Loser Jarret

Depending on the stock price Apple has been the 4th largest tech company in the WORLD!! Apple doesn't believe in QUANTITY they believe in QUALITY! The "he we sell more SH*T" doesn't mean it is better. Apple only has roughly 8% of the market but it is the TOP 8%...Apple is NOT a bottom feeder.

Jul 14, 08 - 11:11 pm Comment from: MacSmiley

Wow! In 4 more years, when the iPhone MIGHT be available for sale and use in South Dakota and several other states, it had better be nothing less than perfect!

Business users need copy and paste, it's fundamental.
Palm has had it forever, it is the one thing that that degrades the beauty of the iPhone and iPod Touch. Really disappointing.

@Rob

Dude, click the freakin link to the video. Your entire post is retarded.

Jul 15, 08 - 12:12 am Comment from: Rip Ragged

If copy and paste is a major issue for you, buy a Treo and shut the hell up.

Apple just sold a million of the frigging things in three days. Apparently the lack of copy and paste isn't hurting business...

In case you missed it, Apple is a business.

If copy and paste was a widespread dealbreaker, it would be there.

It ain't

"Apple doesn't believe in QUANTITY they believe in QUALITY! The "he we sell more SH*T" doesn't mean it is better"

So why is MDN trumpeting one million phones sold? Why, if sales figures really didn't matter would anyone care?

"Apple only has roughly 8% of the market but it is the TOP 8%...Apple is NOT a bottom feeder."

8% of what market? Not the cellphone market, they're well under a percent there. Not the worldwide computer market, they're only at about 3% there. Not the mp3 player market, they're well over 8% there.

So what market are you talking about?

They need a diaper changing feature for the sniffling little ass cry babies that bitch about everything.

There used to be some a lot of really great, insightful posts on MDN, but over the past six months it really seems like there's been a downward trend to the quality of comments. The past few days, when the vibe should have been positive, it instead seems to have reached a nadir with endless whines by many about MobileMe and the iPhone and what is has or doesn't have. I can understand people having high expectations of Apple, but it seems like some are demanding absolute perfection in everything the company does, even if the profits that fuel R&D;for more amazing products are penalized. Don't mean to criticize, but I happen to feel Apple is by far the best choice for a computer, phone and portable entertainment device and I don't comprehend the nitpicking of the company when the alternative offerings in the marketplace are such distant seconds.