Issues with new iPhone OS3
bocciaman (64 points) | Thu, 2009-06-18 18:40Were you guys aware that MMS will still not be available on the first gen iPhone even when AT&T turns on that functionality? So this means is that Apple/AT&T are forcing you to buy a new phone. If you want a functionality that is already available on most other phones.
Doesn't seem right to me. What do you guys think?
A.B.
www.insidethatad.blogspot.com
Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.
http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/SwirlyMMS-is-working-MMS-for-jailbroken-iPhone-article-a_2963.html
Without my sense of direction, I don't know where I'd be.
I think the first generation can't do MMS for some technical reason, is it not the case?
Nope, it's not available (because of the hardware used), but you can still access web-enabled MMS (provider permitting).
As to the issue of Apple/providers 'forcing' you to upgrade: that is nonsense. If you bought an original iPhone or iPhone 3G they couldn't send MMS when you bought them - and purchasing them was your choice. If you choose to upgrade to make use of newly added functionality/technology that is your choice too.
There are plenty of things to complain about (upgrade prices for original iPhone owners, for exaple) but this isn't one of them.
People always forget that Apple or the mobile providers are not obliged to do anything and they are not forcing anything.
When the first iPhone came out all of the Apple fan boys were defending the high unsubsidized price and exclusivity contract because the platform would be expanded and new features would be added. Now the reality is that Apple used these eager early adopters as beta testers and is leaving them in the dust.
Ultimately someone that didn't get burned will come and make the argument that Apple doesn't owe you anything. However I think this move is just cheap and low. There is absolutely nothing stopping the original EDGE iPhone from sending MMS messages. The poster above you doesn't know what he's talking about when he claims it's hardware related.
This is a behavior that Apple is doing more and more often. I bought an iMac in December and they decided to not write in support for OpenCL on the video cards that came standard with it. Thanks a bunch, glad I also shelled out for Apple Care.
I can expect it, but let's not act like they aren't burning people. MMS is a simple protocol that's readily available in the simplest of phones. And the only reason it's not included is to push you towards upgrading.
Apple never promised to provide MMS in a later upgrade. So they are morally and legally in the clear.
They can decide to risk your anger and still hope getting your money again on an upgraded device. Let's see if they are betting right or not.
Looking into the MMS 'hardware issues' it looks like you are right:
http://www.maclife.com/article/news/truth_behind_mms_original_iphone
It is a software issue rather than a hardware one.
However, I stand by my point that apple sold original iphones as original iphones, with all the features and lacks of features that that entailed. Technology is always becoming less expensive and more complex. If you want a better deal on any technology, just wait.
(I'm writing this as someone who boutght the original iPhone one day short of the rebate period, and also owns an iMac purchased in December. Both devices still do exactly what I purchased them for.)
I understand your point of view, but I simply can not agree with it.
They gave the Voice Memo app to original iPhone owners. So why not MMS? How is it decided? Could we have gotten MMS instead of the Voice Memo apps? They could have held Push Notifications?
I understand that certain features needed to be held in order to create incentive for people to upgrade. I never expected to receive the ability to record video. However not being able to send contacts via SMS is a slap in the face. A 10 dollar phone can do that, it's not the killer feature you withhold to try and force people to upgrade.
In another product market it would never be tolerated.
"Your computer is capable of sending and receiving email, but it's been deactivated because we want you to purchase a new one, but don't feel bad we're now subsidising it!"
That's just the way I see it.
Also what happens if I want to write an app that enables MMS messaging on the original iPhone? Will Apple reject it from their App Store, which is the only (monopolistic) entrance into the device, because they want you to upgrade?
Without insider info it's imposible to know whether MMS was left out to:
a) make people upgrade
b) save time and reduce code (rather than coding for 2G, 3G and 3GS hardware), or
c) both of the above
My guess is that it was b) as I just don't think that MMS is a big enough draw that people will upgrade for it (though perhaps that's just my phone usage talking).
It would be interesting to see if one could build and market an alternative MMS app - the only limitations I can see to this are that you may have to use some non-api code to access the relevant hardware. (There are MMS apps available, but they tend not to be true MMS - unless you are using a jailbroken phone).
It seems a lot of these features are just turned off and are present in both the 3G and Edge iPhone. You can activate video recording by following these steps:
1.connect to your iPhone with SSH/FTP
2. goto /System/Library/CoreServices/Springboard.app/
3. download M68AP.plist
4. edit it for example with Mac PlistEdit Pro
5. add a Boolean value under capabilities dictionary
6. like this
Boolean Key = video-camera / Boolean Value = true
7. save and upload back
8. reboot or Respring
9. now open camera and you will see video recording interface
I fully expect them to have enable MMS and Tethering by the weekend : )
Can the process you listed above be done on the original iPhone?
A.B.
www.insidethatad.blogspot.com
I haven't done it myself. Unlike MMS, there is a good reason IMHO why the original iPhone doesn't do video. I get lag just opening my SMS app, so I can only imagine what recording video will do. If you want to try it out go to hackint0sh.org and do some search to see what other people recommend. Although I've read that the lag when recording is quite substantial.
Also It seems they are quite close to enabling tethering on the 2G iPhone. Hopefully MMS is next, all I really want is to be able to send and receive contact via SMS like on any other 2 euro cell phone
** EDIT **
If you are really interested it's very likely that this will all be automated in a couple of weeks. Right now you need to open preference files and change values, but sooner or later it will be wrapped in a nice point and click package.
I see your point, I guess something about the way AT&T is doing business just rubs me the wrong way.
A.B.
www.insidethatad.blogspot.com
Apple fixed what was by far the most irritating iTunes/iPhone behavior. Pre iTunes 8.2 if you had iTunes minimized and set your iPhone in the dock iTunes would get delusions of grandeur and expand on top of whatever more important window you had open.
I sent feedback on that issue at least 3 or 4 times. I'm so glad it's fixed, because it really drove me crazy.
Just read that you can no enable MMS in the default Messaging app by running a package on Cydia called "ActivateMMS2G" you need to add this source: http://cydia.alpden.com to Cydia first, then search for "AcitvateMMS2G
Thought you might want to know
** EDIT **
I can confirm that it works I just sent an MMS on my iPhone 2G, no thanks to you Apple.
Wow - so... can someone explain to me what the draw of having MMS on your phone is compared to not having it?
I'm planning on purchasing an iPhone in the very near future, and the only difference I could see between the 3G and the 3GS was the video capability.
Since video really ain't my thing, I'm considering going with the less expensive 3G... but I want to know if MMS is going to be something I'm screaming "OMG! I can't handle not having it!!!". (Although, thank you, ItalianMike, as it appears you posted a workaround in case I do have the urgent need for MMS but get the 3G instead of the 3GS)
It's the original iPhone that Apple kindly turned the switch to off on MMS. However there it can be enabled with about two minutes worth of hacking.
MMS is a feature that enables you to send pictures, videos, and contacts to other cell phones via text messages. Personally I feel the feature is overrated, and all the people clamoring for it did themselves a disservice. In another two years everyone will have email on their phone, and you can send all the pictures you want via email for free. With MMS you are charged per message by your phone operator.
The only real plus to it is being able to send a contact from your cell phone to another, it's a feature every cell phone has even those without MMS (at least in Europe) but Apple glaringly omitted it from the iPhone, and made up by including it as a part of their MMS feature.
Enjoy the iPhone, my girlfriend after a year of stealing mine and playing with it, just got a 16GB iPhone 3G for next to nothing.
Thank you for the explanation!
I think the newest iphone 3GS can do it all, it's also a great speed improvement over the normal iphone that only had edge and the normal 3G. Overall though I think the improvements are just speed, and a few other options like that video editing.