iPhone 6 can challenge Android dominance in 2014 -- if Apple makes these changes

Today is the second day of 2014, so everything from last year is now obsolete (I kid, I kid). While only a few months removed from the iPhone 5s and 5c launch, it is never too early to begin dreaming about the next iteration of Apple's smartphone.

2013 was the year of Android from a market-share perspective, but its ongoing dominance isn't entirely assured. After all, it wasn't that long ago that Blackberry led the smartphone market. Google's Android isn't likely to lose market share any time soon (there are too many manufacturers and models for that to happen) but I do think there's a chance for Apple to win big this year. Though I am an Android user, I am not opposed to switching to the iPhone 6 or iPhone Air (or whatever Apple calls it) and I think other Android users could feel the same way -- if Apple makes the following changes.

Make The Screen Bigger

Let's address the 500-pound gorilla in the room -- the iPhone 5s screen is too small. Let's be honest; consumers know it, Tim Cook knows it; it's time to make it bigger. However, how much bigger is important. You see, one of the benefits of an iPhone is the large amount of accessories. This is only possible because of the one-size-fits-all design. In other words, Apple must pick a size and stick with it for many years. This is a hugely important decision; multiple iPhone sizes will fragment the accessory market and lead to the mess that Android has today.

With Android, there are so many makes and models of various shapes and sizes that a retailer must stock too many accessory variations. If a user picks an unpopular phone, they will be stuck with a very limited number of accessories. While choice is a plus, it can also be a negative too.

I don't think 5-inches or more is needed -- Apple does not want to cannibalize its own iPad market with phablets. Instead, I would suggest something around 4.7-inches, like the Moto X.

Level The Web Browser Playing Field

Safari is a great mobile browser, but some users (myself included) want Chrome and Firefox too; if for nothing more than having choices. While Chrome is available, it is not truly 100-percent Chrome. You see, Apple forces third party browsers to use older versions of WebKit and Apple's JavaScript engine.

Safari uses newer versions of WebKit and Apple's Nitro JavaScript engine. Google cannot use its own webkit fork (Blink) or V8 JavaScript engine. Even worse, Apple blocks Google from using the Nitro JavaScript engine that Safari uses. This gives Apple's browser an unfair speed advantage. I can understand blocking 3rd-party engines for security reasons, however, you must at least give the competition the ability to use the same tools as Safari.

While Google caved and released a crippled Chrome, Mozilla has vowed to abstain from iOS with Firefox until its own engine can be used. You know what? I don't blame Mozilla -- quite the contrary. I applaud it for sticking to its guns. Apple needs to reverse course on this silly rule.

More blatantly unfair is that Apple does not allow alternative browsers to be made as default. This means that links from emails will always open in Safari, whether the user likes it or not. If Safari is better than the competition, which it may be, let consumers be the judge.

Add Qi Wireless Charging

Once you go wireless, you never go back. Starting with the Nokia Lumia 928 and continuing to the Droid Maxx and Nexus 7, I have been enjoying the Qi wireless standard. I'm a huge fan of it, but I have encountered skeptics. Buying an additional device to charge your phone is a hard sell. After all, you can use the included plug and charge it for free.

However, I am here to tell you it is not a gimmick, it is truly useful and worth the cost. Let's say it is late at night, you are tired and you just stumble and flop into bed. The last thing you want to do is find the cable, figure out which end of the phone is the bottom and start fiddling with a port. While the lightning cable is pretty easy, it is far easier to just drop the phone onto a charging plate on your nightstand.

While I know Apple likes to go the proprietary route, a new "magic" wireless standard is not needed.

Don't Touch That Home Button!

This is not a suggested change, but a suggestion of something not to change. Android devices have been shunning physical buttons for the capacitive and virtual types. While that works on Android, it would not be prudent on the iPhone. The home-button is iconic and you do not mess with an icon. Sure, they can get some more screen real estate by moving it to the side or back, but that would be a huge mistake.

Apple must keep the home button on the bottom center of the face until it absolutely can't anymore. It is the perfect place to have it and it makes the phone instantly recognizable. The touch-id sensor was pure genius, but to relocate it or kill it already would be a travesty.

Conclusion

I've never owned an iPhone before, but the iPad Air (which I recently purchased) has me impressed. This year, 2014, may be when Apple gets its mojo back. If Apple implements even some of my suggested changes, I will consider moving to the iPhone 6. However, the screen size is the biggest deal-breaker. If the iPhone 6 still has a puny 4-inch screen, I definitely won't be buying and I am sure I'm not alone.

You may be wondering why I want Apple to make changes that already exist in Android. In other words, why not just use Android? Well, I like Android, but I am very intrigued by the speed and polish of iOS. I love the fluidity and beauty of the apps.

What changes do you want to see in the iPhone 6? Do you want a bigger screen? Tell me in the comments.

Image Credit: DVARG / Shutterstock