Not much has changed in the iPhone user interface and users are looking at the same screen since the iPhone first launched in 2007. iPhone is up to its sixth-generation smartphone, the iPhone 5, and it still looks exactly the same as the very first iPhone.
Android smartphone users have customizable user interfaces and have shortcuts and widgets for easy access to apps. There are also various launchers available to Android users for when they get bored with their smartphone and want to give it a different look. Apple is expected to release another phone this summer, presumed to be the iPhone 5S, a revamped version of the iPhone 5.
Apple is expected to release a total of two new iPhones this year that will feature iOS 7, the next firmware after iOS 6. iPhone users may hope to get a few coveted and useful features found in the firmware of other smartphones. Although improvements were made to the speed and feel of the iPhone with the software updates, not much improvements were done to the UI. The iPhone followup may need to be updated for those users that are getting bored with the same old user interface. There are also some features that would help to make the Apple iPhone experience a little bit better, according to some users.
Here are some of the built-in features iPhone users might want to see in the next release after the current iPhone 5:
Shortcuts to settings - iPhone users may want easier access to the phone's settings, such as brightness, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. A drop down bar with setting toggles as seen on Android might be usefeul. There is a way iPhone users can add settings shortcuts here.
Alternate password options - iPhone users only have the option of using numbered passwords. iPhone users would probably like the pattern passwords as seen on Android. Smartphones running Windows 8 have a cool photo password feature.
More actions from notifications pane - In iOS, users can jump to apps from the notification in the drop-down drawer but are unable to interact with it. iPhone users could benefit from being able to delete or reply to emails from here.
Swype keyboard - The Swype keyboard lets users swipe their finger across the keyboard to type instead of the traditional way of peck typing. An upgraded iOS keyboard to include Swype is one feature iPhone users could use. Perhaps Apple will license Swype or even make their own.
Data and power usage - Data management is important, especially if users have a data plan in which they pay for data per megabyte. Android Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean have built-in data and power management controls. These controls allow users to see what apps are sucking up battery juice and what uses the most data. Alerts are even available to let the user know when they are about to go over their data usage. iPhone users could use something like that and are probably hoping this will be in the next generation iPhone.
