Suggested iPhone Enhancements (YouTube/Maps)

By Robert on October 16, 2007 2:15 PM | | Comments (0)
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YouTube
  1. When searching allow for sorting by relevance, date added, view count, and rating as provided in the full web client.
  2. Allow user to login to YouTube/Google account to view/maintain YouTube stored favorites rather than the local bookmark tracking on iPhone. This feature could not be implemented until the entire YouTube library is updated to H.264.
  3. Allow the user to sort YouTube bookmarks using the same methods as Safari bookmarks.
Google Maps
  1. When using driving directions, pre-fetch the next and previous map graphic so when the next/previous turn button is tapped the map will appear to load more quickly.
  2. Load map graphics when dragging around, rather than only after releasing the tap. For example, start the Maps application -> browse to a map that is not in cache -> tap and hold -> drag your finger around the screen to view map data that has not been downloaded (do not release). Depending on any map data you have in cache, you will only receive a gray grid. Releasing your finger will result in the map data being downloaded. It would be nicer if the code that downloads map data executed when the application detects unloaded map segments rather than only performing this check after releasing your finger.
  3. Load 1-2 inches of surrounding map segments into cache whenever idle. This will make for an even more enjoyable experience when navigating maps -- depending on scrolling speed the map will always appear to be loaded.
  4. Add the Google hybrid map style/view that places a road layer on top of satellite images.
  5. Add option to view additional layer information such as dining (fast food, barbecue, etc), banks, and gas stations -- see Google Earth for more examples. This feature may provide better results than search strings. For example, in some tests searching for 'Fast Food' results in many gas station results. While they may have food available fast, they aren't specifically categorized as fast food restaurants. Also, the gas stations were selected by the map application/Google when businesses like McDonald's and Wendy's were in the currently viewed map area.
  6. Allow the map view to zoom in to the same level as the satellite view. Currently it is possible to zoom further with satellite than the map view. This behavior is the opposite of how the typical browser based map tools work (which allow full zoom on map views and many times not for satellite images).
  7. Analyze driving directions/routes and suggest alternatives based on shortest distance, fastest speed, and bypassing traffic delays.

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