[Big Mac]

Yeah, it sounds like a noob, lame 'tard question, but I was astonished to find out that there's no native support for video wallpapers, aside from jailbreaking options. The reason I ask is because my middling bar phone LG Glance that can't even take video has video wallpaper by default. Is Apple really that afraid to let users drain their batteries a little faster with some animation?

[Spheric Harlot]

a) they eat battery, and battery life is already the #1 concern (as with all smartphones).

b) You never actually SEE the backdrop except in the half-second when you're unlocking it, and when you're taking a call - in which case it's covered with the call options/control overlay.

c) Apple has enough taste not to overdo bling, let alone by default. Video wallpapers are the King of Cellphone Tacky.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

Is Apple really that afraid to let users drain their batteries a little faster with some animation?

Yes. And the fact that Apple has understood that less is more. Actually, it couldn't be more obvious than in this case.

If you need the video wallpaper I suggest you stay away from the iPhone, stick with whatever you have and enjoy.

[Big Mac]

Thank you for the input, SH (and now Simon), to which I respond:

a) okay, reasonable, but if the user wants it why should Apple restrict choice so substantially?
b) true, but a lot of money is still made on wallpaper, and I know there is some demand for the animated variety on the iPhone;
c) I thought Apple had enough taste, but then I started browsing the entertainment category of the App Store and was amazed to find all the low-rent, pseudo porn dominating the section. Certainly I love big-uns, but Apple doesn't even have enough sense to put them in a separate category to make the entertainment section look respectable. Animated wallpaper would be a step up in taste compared to what the App Store has going on, IMO.

And to clarify, I don't need animated wallpaper, and I'm not in the market for an iPhone since I just reuped with the V. I am only brining up the issue for those who may have an actual want or need for it.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

Thank you for the input, SH (and now Simon), to which I respond:

a) okay, reasonable, but if the user wants it why should Apple restrict choice so substantially?

Fair enough, but:

Apple has never let freedom of options stand in the way of choosing the Less Stupid.

Perhaps they will allow for this at some point when battery life ceases to be a concern, but I really can't imagine this being any higher on the priority list ATM than, say, petitioning Pepsi to stop selling bottles in metric units.

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

b) true, but a lot of money is still made on wallpaper, and I know there is some demand for the animated variety on the iPhone;

I doubt that there is any real money made here - at least, compared to the ringtone business.

In any case, there isn't any real money to be made *by Apple* here.

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

c) I thought Apple had enough taste, but then I started browsing the entertainment category of the App Store and was amazed to find all the low-rent, pseudo porn dominating the section. Certainly I love big-uns, but Apple doesn't even have enough sense to put them in a separate category to make the entertainment section look respectable. Animated wallpaper would be a step up in taste compared to what the App Store has going on, IMO.

I'm sure Apple feels exactly the same about these things, and it's one of the BIG issues that took them so long to figure out before settled on the App Store.

It's bad enough as it is, and there's so much crap there. Svarovski-studed iPhone cases and pseudo-soft-porn apps are an embarrassment to the platform that Apple grudgingly accepts, and tries to limit as they can, so the image of the line doesn't get too diluted.

Opening the market for what invariably appears to be third-party ripoff subscriptions aimed primarily at looting twelve-year-olds' pocket money is certainly not something Apple would smilingly oblige with.

[Big Mac]

Who said anything about subscriptions?

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

Who said anything about subscriptions?

Pretty much everybody who's trying to make money with them, judging by the TV commercials.

[Big Mac]

Oh, well, I'm talking about it being sold for a flat price like wallpaper is sold for in the App Store right now, not SMS subscription scams.

[imitchellg5]

Because they're ugly and hog processor/battery.

[mduell]

The value add is small and the iPhone battery life is bad enough.

[Eriamjh]

Apple has never let freedom of options stand in the way of choosing the Less Stupid.

People wonder why Apple's something doesn't do this or that, and I think this is why.

Just because you can do something, doesn't mean it is a good idea.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot 

In any case, there isn't any real money to be made *by Apple* here.

Thread answer here. Please continue to discuss details and other stuff, but this is why Apple doesn't do it.

[mkerr64]

if you have a jailbroken ipod/iphone you can do it

[chabig]

The iPhone can already play video. Check into the "iPod" function.