5 features the next iPhone should have

It's been almost a month since the iPhone 4 was released to much fanfare, and even more sales. With each new iPhone, Apple keeps whittling down the list of missing features users have been complaining about since the original model, but there's always room for improvement; these are a few features Apple could add to make their next iPhone better.

1. Better notifications

Notifications have been a longstanding complaint amongst iPhone owners. There's not a way to view more than one at a time, their looks could use some updating, and they always pop up at the worst times, absolutely refusing to go away until you give them a little attention. Think about all the high scores you didn't get in Tap Tap Revenge because you got a text asking if you wanted to see All About Steve. Almost every other smartphone OS has a better notification system than the iPhone. But after hiring webOS' notifications designer, surely something good is coming in the next iOS release, and it'll probably be billed as one of those "We weren't the first ones to have good notifications, but we've figured out the best way" kind of things.

2. Wireless syncing
The jailbreaking community has proven it can be done. There are numerous apps in the app store that will sync files wirelessly with your computer, so how about an official way to do it with your music, pictures, videos, and all the rest of your stuff? And while they're at it, it'd also be nice to be able to actually use the phone while it's syncing. It'd be nice to play a game, watch a video, or even just answer a text without having to stop and start syncing again.

3. Free MobileMe
Speaking of syncing, it's probably time Apple makes it's MobileMe service free to everyone with an iPhone. Blackberry's doing it. Microsoft's doing it. And just because they're doing it doesn't mean Apple can't.

4. Built in turn-by-turn navigation
Apple's built in maps application is pretty good. If I want to find where something's located, I can usually do it without too much trouble. The problem is in driving there. Constantly looking down at my phone to see where the little blue dot's at is not the safest navigation solution. It's true there are a few apps in the app store that offer a navigation experience that rivals dedicated GPS units, but most of those cost around $50, and I've found the options that are free aren't as reliable. There have already been rumors that Google was going to release its navigation software as an app, but it hasn't happened yet, and Apple and Google haven't been on the friendliest of terms lately. But don't forget, Apple bought its own maps company last year, so maybe we'll see some fruit from that acquisition soon.

5. Better file management
The iPhone has been viewed as a "computer in your pocket" for a while now. One area where computers still have the advantage is file handling. It's nice to have a choice of what program you want to open a file in. iOS is getting there, when you have a PDF e-mail attachment you can now open it in QuickLook or in iBooks. Word documents, however, only give the option for QuickLook. This isn't good enough. There needs to be a way to open a Word document in a Word editing app, rather than just being able to view it. You should also be able to go to a picture in the picture gallery and open it directly in Photoshop Mobile, or Photo FX, or whatever program you want.

Eventually, there should also be a file system built in, where you can access all your documents, pictures, videos, etc., and open them in the program of your choice.

So there they are, 5 features Apple could use to make the next iPhone better. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the features Apple should add, so if you have any other ideas please leave a comment.