Apple announces iPhone OS 3.0 and more than a few people are not impressed

So, finally Apple rolls out features for iPhone OS 3.0 and along with me, many people are unimpressed. Why? Because packing features that should be in a 1.0 OS and releasing them as 3.0 isn’t going to impress people who know their technology. Sure, it’s better late than never. But if anyone hypes 3.0 and counts it as a blessing for themselves from the honorable Steve Jobs than be my guest. But, lets call a spade a spade. The major new features in this update have been more ways to monetize iPhone apps, or more ways for Apple to get richer. Paul Thurrott nails it with his blog post:

So what did they announce? This:

1. Search (across more iPhone apps). Including Mail, which was sorely missing and should have been included on day one.
2. Cut, copy, paste. Another 1.0 feature we should have had two years ago.
3. Send photos, contacts, audio files, and location via MMS. No video though. Still.
4. Read and compose email and text messages in landscape. See my original iPhone review from mid-2007: Should have been there in 1.0.

On the good news front, 3.0 will be a free software update.

But what about tethering? (As I used to do 3+ years ago with my Motorola Q on EVDO.) Flash playback? The 10-inch device, be it iPod “mano” or Mac tablet? Lower- and higher-end iPhones?

Heck, what about some truly innovative new features?

Thanks Paul. Couldn’t have said it better myself.