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General discussion

Thoughts on the iPhone?

Jan 9, 2007 2:56AM PST

That sound you hear? It's the collective release of nine million simultaneous geekgasms as the iPhone is announced. Here are my thoughts - please feel free to add yours.

1) Wow.
2) No, seriously - wow. The adaptable, dynamic interface, push email, photos, iPod video functionality, photos and ten thousand other things all in one device is absolutely incredible. Particularly in terms of the touchscreen, this, like the iPod, will have ramifications for the entire tech sector, specifically in how people conceive of the interplay of design, functionality and interface.
3) But - and it's a big one - did they just 'PS3' themselves? $600 US *with* a contract is an enormous amount of money. Like the PS3, it's 'worth it' in the literal sense, but is this so expensive that it will drastically reduce the rate of uptake? I'm not saying that the device itself is akin to a PS3 - it obviously offers something that nothing else does - but I sorta' felt like it was a huge buildup that led to... "six hundred bucks US?!". Are they out of their minds?

Discussion is locked

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FYI (actually FEI, for everyone's information)
Jan 12, 2007 3:11AM PST

Here are a few things users seem speculative about; mixed in are some pros, cons, and other interesting information consumers seem confused about.

There is an option of a $500 iPhone.

Everyone is complaining, "$600 for a phone!" But that's not their only option. No, it also comes in a $500 4GB version. People should learn how to get better with syncing their iPods, so they can take off high-capacity videos or TV shows when they've finished watching them.

Mac OS X.

Everyone is excited about the iPhone having "OS X" but don't they realize that OS X Leopard is coming out soon for computers? This OS seems more technologically advanced, and probably worthwhile for waiting to the iPhone second generation.

Video Conferencing.

With this current generation of the iPhone, (1G) there will not be video-conferencing. There is no camera on the front! Why would you want to video-conference someone if you can't see them? Just so they can see you? ...Don't think so.

3G might be available with an update.

I can't remember where I heard this, but someone said that 3G might be available with a firmware update. Considering the Chocolate had speaker phone added through a firmware update, it doesn't seem impossible that the iPhone will be able to take advantage of 3G through an update also.

Apple will definitely make their 10 million mark.

With Cingular's 58 million customers already, how many more will switch just to get the iPhone? Considering there are millions of Mac fanboys, I would think at least a couple million users would switch their service just for the iPhone.

2 Megapixel camera.. no flash?

I was surprised when I saw the back of the iPhone. I saw the camera lens, without an accompanying flash! I know they had to make it a small form factor, but throwing in flash for an expensive phone seems standard, not a luxury, to me.

I hope you agree and disagree with some of my points, I find all of the iPhone speculation and debate interesting, even though few people have seen one, held one, used one, or reviewed one.

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there are cellphones that do Video Conferencing?
Jan 13, 2007 2:57AM PST

which ones?

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probably couldn't have thrown in a cam flash
Jan 13, 2007 6:20AM PST

I'm not expert, but truly with these compact, feature laden handhelds, designers use absolutely every cubic centimeter of space they have to cram all that in. Flash may have been planned, but was probably removed as it wasn't as important the other stuff. Besides, it looks like this is no worse as a cam phone than your typical mid level cell phone cam.

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BRAVO
Jan 12, 2007 4:53AM PST

at least i am not alone.....

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Iphone the best
Mar 31, 2008 5:46PM PDT

I have an iphone for over 7 months now..and I can say it was a good product one shall have. The technology on it is pretty stunning and the data connection is actually a lot better than i thought it would be. Moreover it provide enhance support for conferencing very well. I normally use it as an alternative to my http://www.rhubcom.com turbomeeting whenever I am outstation....Even technically see there are thousands of cases around that you can try to protect it with. There are a lot of video's on youtube you can check to see how hard it is to break. It turns out dropping it from 5ft on its facia will break the screen - but to be honest thats expected, isn't it? With such a massive screen it has to be flawed somehow - fragility.
If you do break the screen, apple can replace it for you. I'm not sure how much this will cost but i'm sure it's better than shelling out for a new phone.

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No PlaysForSure
Jan 12, 2007 5:02AM PST

I think the iPhone is really really cool. The only thing is it dosn't have PlaysForSure. I know Apple would never use Microsft's PlaysForSure but if they did I would buy it in a heartbeat.

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$600 not so bad, will anyone use it not so sure.
Jan 12, 2007 7:30AM PST

The price is about what the market will bare, for a top of the range smartphone.
I use an unlocked Treo 650 thats about what i paid 2 years ago,I use the email capabilities, I use the phone obviously, I use the e-reader i find these tools very useful, however i do not use the built in mp3 player( its a massive drain on battery life and the proprietry 2.5mm jack is just annoying)
I have not turned my 650 into a nav system though if i was in the market for one it might be a good idea.
the biggest problems as i see them are will the iphone do all the jobs well and is the extra 400 bucks worth the difference to those buying a 680 from cingular at 200 bucks with built in bt-2 for headphones and the ability to use anydownload service the want.

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The Apple iPhone: A Revolution That Costs As Much As A PS3
Jan 12, 2007 7:46AM PST

I really like the features of the new Apple iPhone. Of course I've never bought one yet, but reading many reviews, specs, and viewing multiple photos, I'm very sure this will be a revolution in portability and functionality. But, $600? A person could just buy a new PS3 with that kind of money, right? Well, I remember years back, I saw this 20GB RCA LYRA jukebox which allowed a person to view photos and videos and listen to music as well. It was like a bigger version of the future Apple iPod Video. That RCA jukebox cost $700, and with only 20GB? I think the iPhone wouldn't be too bad, although they are still pretty expensive for just a small construct of aluminum, metal, plastic and electronics, which, by the way, is packed with features. Well, If I had that kind of cash, I think I'd consider buying one too.

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i think that it is going to be over rated
Jan 12, 2007 7:53AM PST

I'm a windows guy my self but I love the look of the iphone. I have a feeling that it will be just as durable as the ipod's and that?s really not good at all. I refuse to spend 500-600 bucks on any phone! Their are phones out their that are close to the iphone but nothing that hits it on the spot THEY ARE ONLY $200 with a 2 year contract!!!!! Ware this extra $400 bucks come in!!!!!! with the "stolen, or lost" topic, I?m sure that they will have insurance on the phone but just think... lower end phones are 50 bucks to replace so this will be like 200(I don?t know about you but I don?t have 200 bucks to throw around!!!!)


That?s what I think about the iphone
JTW

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Look behind you
Jan 12, 2007 5:15PM PST

Who ever buys the iphone, better be packing heat. Because criminals will be looking to steal them. One moment you are admiring your iphone, and the next moment someone has a gun stuck in your face yellling GIVE-IT-UP.

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I would wait a year or so
Jan 14, 2007 1:39AM PST

Just as the first ipods were too fat and too expensive, just as the nanos had dodgy screens, the iphone will have it's downsides, these should all be ironed out with a 2nd generation release probably in under a year. However, i think adding a slot for memory expansion would be a good idea, as it is, you can have 8GB, but put in an SD slot, and you can have 10GB quite comfortably, which also opens opportunities to share data, maybe that's why they left it out.
The screen doesn't seem big enough to put a full qwerty keyboard in it, unless they supply a small plastic pen with it, which as far as i know they don't.
As for the price, i paid

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SD slot would be an "optional essential"
Jan 14, 2007 2:54AM PST

altho it should be mentioned SD cards currently max out at 4GB. Altho they're more expensive, if you alr paid $600 for a phone, what's another $50 to $100 for one of these... or 2? For cheaper, but less convenience, one could opt for many 2GB SD cards instead. And goodness forbid should they add an SD card slot, also make it modern. The new SD card slot is entitled something like SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity), can currently take 8GB SDHC cards which is already out at $100+.

HOwever, given the relatively small size of the iPhone, I believe microSD will be used intead. AFAIK, it maxes out at 4GB, but at least it isn't that much more exp than SD.

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Why wouldnt you combine them??
Jan 15, 2007 12:11AM PST

Because most iPod users fill up 30-80 gigs of space and 4 or 8 gigs is stupid for that price.

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you argument of "most ipod users" is innacurate
Jan 15, 2007 12:17AM PST

since the nano is the highest selling ipod. And it's not stupid for that price. It's basically a $300 phone + a $200 widescreen nano. pretty good deal to me.

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The next BETAMAX has arrived!!
Jan 13, 2007 2:18AM PST

Besides the fact that Ms. Jobs infringed on CISCO SYSTEMS copyright of the name IPHONE, which is gonna cost APPLE millions in-the-end, he also made a big mistake in tying this geeeewhiz device to the WORST celluar company around.

Eventually, if it doesn't just fall by the wayside like their previous attempt at a PDA, they are going to have to rename it as part of the patent infringement settlement. Maybe they should call it I-dentity Theft?? Grin

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Your betamax analogy doesn't even make sense.
Jan 13, 2007 2:37AM PST

this is not a new format of anything, so I don't know what you're talking about.

I like Cingular, so what's your deal with them? It's so easy to you spout "oh I hate them, blah blah blah", but I get great reception, no dropped calls, and a decent service plan. how is that bad?

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This phone is gorgeous.
Jan 15, 2007 8:15AM PST

If I didn't have a Razr, and if I hadn't just bought an 80 GB Video iPod, I might think about it. But I don't see myself ditching them and my Blackberry for this just now. Perhaps when my Blackberry dies, or my company stops paying for it, I will change my mind. It's on my wish list.

Having said all that Cingular is pretty good in the Area I live in. They are also the largest cell phone company in the US so it makes sense that Apple would link up with them. I know service isn't as good everywhere.

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Looks aren't everything
Jan 16, 2007 11:02PM PST

I think some people put too much importance in looks instead of in features and overall quality, but it's their money so they do whatever they want with it. With this I'm not saying the phone doesn't have fetaures (it certainly does have many) but I think it's overly priced.

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there haven't been any issue with apple...
Mar 9, 2008 3:52PM PDT

I have an iPhone and it is great.I purchased it 3 months ago just to have collaboratory conversations with clients other than my http://www.gomeetnow.com software whenever I am out. I'm not sure why some of you have issues about it. For me it always works, battery life is great and it does not take long to charge, you get service everywhere, it runs faster then my $2000 laptop, text messaging is very easy and fast, the ipod works better then any other ipod.

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Correction
Jan 16, 2007 11:05PM PST

Just to point out the only *really* new feature the Apple iCopiedPhone has is the Visual Voice Mail and that comes from Cingular, not from Apple; all other features are already implemented in many Windows Mobile 5 smartphones.

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Not impressed.
Jan 16, 2007 11:33PM PST

That sound you hear? I agree: it's the collective release of nine million simultaneous geekgasms as the iCopiedPhone is announced... to nine million uneducated millionaire Apple fanboys who don't know what a Windows Mobile 5 phone is.

1) Looks? I agree: wow.

2) Features? No wow (read my post above).

3) Price? Ridiculously exagerated when you can have a Windows Mobile 5 phone with practically the same feautures for $199.

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Why would I want Windows Mobile?
Jan 17, 2007 12:14AM PST

I hate using regular Windows when I have to, why would I want to choose to have it [Windows Mobile] on a smartphone? From what I've seen in the past, Windows Mobile felt much more difficult to navigate and get information from than it should have.

-Ryan

P.S. - I'm aware of the terrible grammar in that second sentence, it just flowed like that and I don't want to spend the time to edit it.

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edit/view word/ppt/excel/pdf... torrent... skype... last.fm
Jan 18, 2007 7:19AM PST

the list goes on... divx... expandable memory cards... sync with outlook...


I guess notepad is cool tho, too. Silly

(PS: dear windows mobile. can i plz have java and flash 9)

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What I would do
Jan 18, 2007 7:41AM PST

I would try to go with a Palm OS-based smartphone if I were to get one. I could do the things I wanted with something like a Treo 700p. To be honest, though, regular cell phones still fit me the best, with a PDA on the side somewhere.

That's just me.

-Ryan

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$600 in your pocket
Jan 17, 2007 1:19AM PST

Whats the big deal? People these days lug around $1500 laptops, wear $500 watches, bang on $300 stylus touchpad phones, and drive $65000 Corvettes.

I don't even own an apple and I think this thing is coolness. Not that its high technology, but that it doesn't suck like 99% of the stuff out there. Face it, most tech hardware is difficult to use and if you really want the masses to buy it, the thing better be easy to work. Soccer moms and superfan sports dads don't have time to log into the manufacturers website to download and install the latest firmwares, read manuals in 20 languages, and call tech support just to learn how to turn thing phone on.

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Sounds like PEBKAC again ...
Jan 17, 2007 3:18AM PST

First of all, "soccer moms" and "superfans" actually DO have more time than most of the working class who have 9-5's (and maybe more) and dont have time to pick up all the neighborhood kids and drive them to soccer practice. So how is it that these people with no time can figure out other smart devices, but you can't? And umm yeah I own a mac, and I've had to spend lots of time browsing the net and updating firmware and crap when the iSight and USB ports dont work for no apparent reason. Thats a bunch of nonsense that Macs dont require tech support because unlike windows, when Macs stop functioning, they give you ZERO information as to what is actually going on and why it isnt working.

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ummm, apple/mac/i-anything sucks
Jan 17, 2007 10:38PM PST

so here is the solution.....buy a pc, not mac. buy an ALL AROUND mp3/mpeg player. buy a cheaper, more reliable brand phone like lg which can do the same, if not more than that worthless $600 piece, for less. and stop contributing hard earned money to that fraud steve jobs for the crap hardware that apple produces.
everyone, do yourselves a favor......get a decent sansa, that can play any media, and get a decent lg phone. you will be happy your money was well spent.

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follow up, not just lg...
Jan 17, 2007 10:43PM PST

just buy any phone, smart phone, from any other company. do more, spend less. ignore the propaganda and do not support THAT company.

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interested to know what your gripe is?
Jan 18, 2007 12:18AM PST

How can you hate one company so much? what did they do to you? Can you seriously believe that every product they make sucks? Have you ever owned a Mac? Have you ever owned an iPod?

How can you state that the iPhone is unreliable? You have never used one. That is a ridiculous assumption.

you are cheating yourself out of a great experience with this lame attitude. I don't like using Windows, but I love my 360. I would be stupid not to own it just because Microsoft makes it...really.

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apple still kinda ehh
Jan 22, 2007 7:04AM PST

i had a gen 3 ipod and really couldn't stand it, i think that my biggest gripe is lack of subscription support, which is something apple could easily adopt. Also i use mac g4's at school runnin OSX and i reallly can not stand them. I use them for web design (macromedia dreamweaver) and the machine will just shut down and lose all my work about once a day. Albeit the macs at my school are probably pretty abused, i still can't stand macs for lack of a right click.