Mobile Nagging on Network Use

IanFogg | December 03, 2007, 01:09 PM

I can't say how much I agree with Martin Geddes' post about the way Nokia Series 60 phones nag everytime they need network access. (Telepocalypse by Martin Geddes: Tiresome LAN). There are a few options Martin hasn't found but the spirit of what he says is very true.

My 'favourite' quirk is on the N80 where browser bookmarks are specific to a network connection i.e. if I bookmark a site using my home WiFi, and then try and access the bookmark on the move using a 3G connection, then the phone complains that it can't find my home WiFi. Arghh. Horrible user experience. UI 101.

Martin's wrong on the iPhone. It does nag about network usage but just in a different way. This is one of the v1.0 iPhone's flaws and one of the areas where it desperately needs additional user-selectable options. Here's the main issues I have with the iPhone and network access for mobile Internet:

1. On the tube in London, the iPhone repeatedly complains about not being able to connect to a network whenever I read email. Apple you need to LOCALISE LOCALISE LOCALISE: there is no mobile coverage on the tube, where commuters will be reading their email on the way to/from work every day!!!! Oh, and in English it's called "no signal" or "no network" or " no coverage" but not "no service" !

2. Roaming abroad, where the bundled data tariffs cost users both arms and both legs, the only iPhone option is "allow data roaming" yes/no. There's no setting to say, automatically download one email account but not others, or to set email to be more frugal with attachments and html messages, or allow email to go online and download data but prevent Google maps or Safari from running up a vast bill etc. etc.

3. "Ask to join [wifi] networks" option. If this is set to "on" then the iPhone repeatedly asks to join any passing unsecured WiFi network. Nagging again. Fortunately this option can be set to "off".

And, before the Microsoft folks become excited that they pass these tests... they don't. The "connecting to a network" popup that obscures a large part of the screen on every connection attempt using a Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC, is incredibly irritating too! There seems to be no way to switch it off.

Bottom line - there's lots of room for improvement for all mobile phones in the way network access works.