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Maybe the whole concept of in-phone, out-of-date apps is itself out-of-date? Apple would seem to think so, asking iPhone users to "expand" the capabilities of their device by taking it online. Doing so has drawbacks (e.g. relying on a network signal and cost-effective data plans) and doesn't always provide a solution. In a follow-up to my previous post I look at possible workarounds for the iPhone's "missing features". People seem to be raving about how well it does what it does, so far less elegant workarounds are the only way to address the iPhones limited functionality at launch.

The following list is composed from the features I considered lacking in my personal functionality wish list:

• The lack of an in-phone task (to-do list) manager (with Mac sync) could be addressed with the arrival of Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), but for now Ta-da List has an iPhone friendly view (free);
• The lack of text note synching (Notes does not sync) again might be addressed in Leopard. For now one way to sync notes would be to use an IMAP e-mail account with Mail on the iPhone;
• The lack of an in-phone password manager (with Mac sync) is a tough obstacle. I can't think of a way to overcome this that doesn't depend on network access to a secure online file store;
• You can't scribble quick notes or draw rough pictures using a built-in app, but maybe you don't need to if you can display photos (e.g. a map showing how to get to your house) or take them (e.g. a snap of the agent's details on a real estate sign);
• There's no voice memo facility for handy dictation (so much quicker than typing—why did they leave this out?). You could use iPhone to leave a message on the answer-machine of your home telephone. Lame, huh?;
• The lack of an in-phone file manager is not a huge issue. According to rumours an in-phone file "browser" should be added later this year, along with a disk mode for drag-and-drop file transfer between the iPhone and a computer. Meantime use Mail for file storage or purchase iPhoneDrive to add an iPod-like disk mode;

  

• Office docs can only be viewed as attachments in Mail, and not edited. SoonR allows iPhone viewing of remote documents kept on your Mac or PC. Google Docs are working on Safari compatibility, promising network-only viewing and editing of Office documents, as is presently possible with Zoho for iPhone;
• The lack of GPS software for use with a Bluetooth receiver is not critical, although would be nice for geocaching (a dedicated system is preferable for in-car navigation);
• There won't be an on-phone version of WorldMate (a great app) for currency conversion/ weather/ world clocks etc., but if you can find a free WiFi access point at that market in Siem Reap (Yeah, right!) there's always Google Calculator for currency conversions, iPhone Weather, and the iPhone does have world clocks built-in;

  

• Missing Epocrates Rx or the Mobile Merck Medicus? Leave clinical practice—or brush-up online. Epocrates Online apparently works, even the useful interaction checker. Alternatively, carry around your old Palm or Pocket PC in your work bag;
• I need a dictionary, and although the iPhone's spell-check would auto-correct what I'm typing definitions are called for and these can be had via Safari;
• There's no expansion capability, so if you need iPhone access to a large file store look to Box;
• To get great pictures use a "real" camera (e.g. your digital SLR). Shame you can't hook it up to your iPhone via the iPod Camera Connector as it will not work. If you're a photographer don't get rid of that old iPod;
• It's not 3G, but they say it will be when released in Europe;
• There's the iPhone Out-of-Warranty Battery Replacement Program; a replacement costs $US86. Give Apple feedback requesting a user-replaceable battery;
• SoonR Talk users can initiate Skype calls from their iPhone, using a Mac or PC to bridge the call;
• It remains to be seen if iPhone will ever be available on pay-as-you-go for light users. If so this might require a hack to free it from being carrier-locked, and would no doubt kill some carrier-specific functionality (e.g. Visual Voicemail);
• There's no copy-and-paste, but perhaps Apple can modify Notes to act as a clipboard;
• You can't search the device, so use multiple in-boxes to stay organised.

One more thing: you may need to surgically alter your headphones to fit the recessed audio jack on the iPhone.

Update 16.08.07: A number of Skyscape medical products (including the BNF) are now available in an iPhone-friendly format (network connectivity required).

Updates 19.10.07:

• PasswordWallet for iPhone (and iPod Touch) is a $US10 utility supporting one-way synching of data from the OS X app to an encrypted Safari bookmark on your device (i.e. no network access or hacks required).
• Apple plans to release a Software Development Kit for 3rd-party iPhone (and iPod Touch) apps in February 2008.
• An unlocked iPhone will go on sale in France.

Update 28.10.07: Mac OS X (Leopard) and new iPhone firmware did not deliver an in-phone task manager with Mac sync, nor does Notes on the iPhone sync with Mac (but the HTML "Notes" in Mail do, via IMAP).

Update 02.12.07: iPhone is available unlocked in Germany for 1000 Euros.

Update 19.12.07: Epocrates write:

We wanted to let you know that Epocrates free Online drug content is now available in a format that's optimized for the Apple devices. Simply point your Safari browser to http://m.epocrates.com/iphone to access continually updated monographs for more than 3,300 drugs. Apple plans to launch the Software Developers Kit in early 2008; we are excited to explore the opportunity to offer our mobile products on this new platform as well.

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