Hands on the iPhone, and History of iPhone?

[cblackmore]

Interesting that you should mention the touch-screen's similarity to Star Trek. The iTunes Store is now offering all the Star Trek movies for download :)

This reminds me of the computers in Star Trek (not including the original & Enterprise): all of it is done by touch. Plus, you can reconfigure the buttons on the screen and everything.

[nemaslov]

I love the iPhone. Fantastic.

But....

We need a bare bones iPhone. Maybe with just contact info, 2gig and music. that's it and priced at maximum $300

and pleeeeessssseeeee..... another carrier besides Cingular:eek:

Though the introductory price point of Apple's new iPhone device is a steep $499, an analyst for American Technology Research believes the company is likely to follow a similar strategy to the iPod, starting out with high-end units and then working its way down to more affordable models.



"We believe this is the first of many cell phones from AAPL with AAPL having the potential to revolutionize the space," analyst Shaw Wu told his clients following the company's iPhone unveiling on Tuesday. "While its $499 and $599 price points appear high, they are highly functional devices and best-in-class."

Wu said it would not come as a surprise to see simpler Apple-branded cell phones in the future at much more aggressive price points. "We believe AAPL will likely follow its iPod strategy, which is to start out at the high-end and then trickle down to mid-range and low-end," he said.

Overall, the analyst says he is "very impressed with iPhone and its minimalist touchscreen design," but finds the functionality much more ambitious and aggressive than we anticipated for a first phone.

[Rustus Maximus]

Interesting that you should mention the touch-screen's similarity to Star Trek. The iTunes Store is now offering all the Star Trek movies for download :)

Logical cblackmore. Flawlessly logical.

[Clive At Five]

Think about every multimedia package around today. They provide, high-speed internet, digital phone and digital cable. Think about Apple's newest offerings... a phone, and a TV-media interface. It is becoming more and more clear that Apple is treading a path to becoming a content-provider.

1) They already offer internet services (.Mac) which may expand to an ISP service.
2) Once the iPhone has established itself, Apple will dump Cingular and become an MVNO, providing its own digital phone services
3) The iTS will morph into a platform for providing digital TV content.

Does anyone else see this?

-Clive

[gugy]

Though the introductory price point of Apple's new iPhone device is a steep $499, an analyst for American Technology Research believes the company is likely to follow a similar strategy to the iPod, starting out with high-end units and then working its way down to more affordable models.

I sure hope so my friend!:)

[thirteen1031]

Whoah. Okay This probably already occured to you all, but it just occured to me.

I was trying to think about what this phone didn't have that the average mobile phone does (obviously, if you only need a phone, there's no reason to pay $500 for this--but I'm thinking on down the line, buttons vs. no buttons).

It doesn't have speed dial. I want to call my brother, I press #2 and the phone calls him right up.

But we're seeing with Leopard that Mac is going that way--make your own program, your own widget....and there's room for more buttons on the phone.

So. I take a picture of my brother. Make him into a button on the computer (i.e., indicate a connection between that image and the contact number for him), put it on the phone. Hey, presto! I've a speed dial that doesn't require me to remember which number I gave to my brother.

This is the way they're going...isn't it? :cool:

[nemaslov]

I sure hope so my friend!:)

OF COURSE.

Three years ago I purchased a 50" plasma for about $6500. We just got the same updated model three years later (Panosocic industrial monitor) for $1695. plus $100. rebate plus free five year in house warrenty worth $500.

You KNOW other models will come this year like the NANO.

[Speedracer04]

I would love to get one however if I must buy a data plan from Cingular then that might be a deal buster for me...

Do you guys think it will be completely nessessary to buy a data plan if I dont plan on using EDGE? The WiFi would be fine for me since I am connected almost everywhere I go on a daily basis.

My only concern is the email capabilities...but I thought I heard Steve say that the Yahoo mail service was free....am I reading that wrong? will I still be able to recieve emails without the data plan? Will emails still be able to be sent to me if Im not connected to WiFi, however not recieve them until I am connected?

All I know is that adding a costly data plan on top of my monthly bill already would probably be too great of a cost. All of this on top of a $600 bill for the phone itself...can anyone answer these questions?

[bigjohn]

With new compression formats emerging - this will be less of a problem.
I saw a near HD quality demo of an hour movie which took up less than
320M.

XVID baby! (via isquint)

[SiliconAddict]

According to Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/09/the-iphone-is-not-a-smartphone/), the iPhone is not open to 3rd party development at this time. Only Apple is providing (built-in) applications for the device.


While for now this is a deal killer for me I'm not overly concerned. Look at the launch date of the device....June right? What month is WWDC? June\july right? I don't beleive this is chance. My guess is that Apple is working on an API toolkit for developers. Like it or not the screen size will require a slight retooking of the UI ince there is no menu bar, no dock, no minimize\max buttons.

My guess is along with the patting on the back about leopard we will see an iPhone and iPod Video dev kit. The iPod Video being released in late Fall with nutered features such as no phone or WIFI.....bluetooth though.....

[peharri]

Whoah. Okay This probably already occured to you all, but it just occured to me.

I was trying to think about what this phone didn't have that the average mobile phone does (obviously, if you only need a phone, there's no reason to pay $500 for this--but I'm thinking on down the line, buttons vs. no buttons).

It doesn't have speed dial. I want to call my brother, I press #2 and the phone calls him right up.

But we're seeing with Leopard that Mac is going that way--make your own program, your own widget....and there's room for more buttons on the phone.

So. I take a picture of my brother. Make him into a button on the computer (i.e., indicate a connection between that image and the contact number for him), put it on the phone. Hey, presto! I've a speed dial that doesn't require me to remember which number I gave to my brother.

This is the way they're going...isn't it? :cool:

Nice idea, but remember one of the advantages of speed dial is that it's naturally spacial and uses muscle memory. You usually don't have to look at the keypad to use it. In the above case, you would. You also may find it confusing if you have a lot of similar photos, which require some degree of squinting at to pick from.

One more thing: I've noticed most modern phones have voice recognition. Really recent phones don't even need to be trained, ie you just enter the name in the phone book, press the Call button on your handsfree, and say "Call John Smith", and it understands what you mean.

I can't think of anything simpler than that. I wonder if Apple will incorporate that kind of technology, because I didn't see them mention it.

[MacPhilosopher]

In either case, the actual interface is great groundwork for future products, such as iPods tablets and other gizmos. I like the clickwheel though, I'd hate to see that item be discarded.

Agreed. I may not be buying this first iteration, but I am looking forward to the products Apple presents in the future using the technology thay have developed for the iPhone.

Also, Jobs was very adamant about protecting the patents on this device. Probably because of numerous current lawsuits, and the legacy of people ripping Apple's innovation off.

[dmelgar]

Too expensive.
I hope and think its likely that this is the first of a series of phones. Rumors have been circulating about two different phones. They've decided to release the high end phone first to build up their cachet. In that regard its worked. I'd be surprised if this phone is a big seller. Too expensive. But a lower end phone would be very hot.

Weaknesses:
- Too expensive
- EDGE... too slow
- Too little memory for an otherwise awesome video ipod.

Gotta admit, it does make the Zune look embarrasing. What remotely innovative in the Zune? Nothing. Microsoft is toast.

[sishaw]

Agreed. I may not be buying this first iteration, but I am looking forward to the products Apple presents in the future using the technology thay have developed for the iPhone.

Also, Jobs was very adamant about protecting the patents on this device. Probably because of numerous current lawsuits, and the legacy of people ripping Apple's innovation off.

Speaking of other products, do people think a version of the flat-panel iMac with multi-touch technology is almost a no-brainer? You'd still have the keyboard for text, but imagine moving and resizing windows, choosing photos or songs, etc., all with the touch of a finger or two. Goodbye, mouse, mighty or otherwise.

Apologize if this has been mentioned, but it just sort of hit me that this would be a very cool and very near-future application.

[killmoms]

I'd imagine that in the next six months before the phone comes out, or perhaps at the six month mark WHEN the phone comes out, we'll see this same multi-touch widescreen come to a HDD-based iPod near you—not a phone, just an iPod with video playback and the new interface.

Apparently MacInTouch is reporting that it was said that in order to develop for the phone, developers would have to contact Apple Developer Relations—AKA apps have to go through Apple first. However, this seems to be coming from "Apple representatives around the iPhone" (physically) at MWSF, so I'm not sure it counts as an official statement as of yet.

Like I said, there are six months between now and the actual arrival of this device—anything can change in that period of time.

[Rocketman]

And something else will superceed WiMax at some point, but it's a bogus argument.

They key element you forget is "will" because right now it's mostly non-existent and will be irrelevant for a good while, unlike 3G networks which are available worldwide right now - again the US lack of 3G is a very special case.And like all afterthought aftermarket hacks and dongles, it will be more expensive and bigger than if the feature was built-in.I guess then it doesn't have a slot for the SIM on the left side and a port for a dock, otherwise it's not an all-in-one device by your logic.But I thought it was an all-in-one, so I need to carry something else too???I have no idea what you mean.I have no idea where you are getting this because I can’t find it in the ADC preview documentation myself – which document and page please?

Obviously if it were possible to install 3rd party applications Steve would have talked about it because it's on everybody mind and why not advertise that it has a built-in GPS if it has one? Probably because it doesn’t it.

OMG.

3/4G is not being deployed well enough in the USA to matter for a variety of reasons. Wimax is, or is on the edge of, doing so. EDGE (AT&T) is essentially a first generation cellular data system. It's main advantage is wisespread deployment. Hence why Apple went with it. This first generation iPhone really needs to work with SOMETHING now. Now = EDGE and 11g, with all their limitations. Of course Apple is focused on USA.

The whole rest of the world is GSM. Hence the SIM card, and yes I admit THAT is a slot. I stand corrected.

Do you need to carry something else too? Headphones.

IF you need a battery life boost you will either carry your dock, an auto charger dongle, or a spare battery dongle. That aside for the moment . . .

You do NOT need to carry storage. That is actually one of the cool things about this Apple Tablet Nano (ATN) (iPhone) "platform". It uses server storage, notably via wireless access, either on your LAN or on your WAN. That is just cool.

This device replaces your tablet.
It replaces your Newton.
It replaces most "smartphones" and it will replace "all" when closed networks begin to interact with the ATN via plug-ins and contractural agreemets (may happen, may not).

The 3rd party SDK will be part of the Leopard developer release.

Remember is was indeed I who was talking about THIS device and its RELEASED capabilities several months ago. Look up my posts "make it so".

I have a suggestion. Let's all just watch as Apple leverages its iPod fad status (mindshare) to reduce public resistance to simply adopting iPhone, slowly at first due to V1.0 cpabilities and high price points, but geometrically more as Apple adds more network options, lower price points, increased software options, and localization to huge international markets, some of which have cellphones as the ONLY telecom access as landlines are not even deployed.

Some others still may enter with ONLY wimax!

Be gentil. :)

Rocketman

[failsafe1]

Too expensive.


Weaknesses:
- Too expensive
- EDGE... too slow
- Too little memory for an otherwise awesome video ipod.


Don't know about it being too expensive. I am in the market for a new phone and the models I like are $100 plus and I was looking for a refurbed video capable iPod at $175 so $275 to $400 for two devices or $499 for one? Seems like a fair trade especially for the new item premium that early adopters pay.

[digitalbiker]

One more thing: I've noticed most modern phones have voice recognition. Really recent phones don't even need to be trained, ie you just enter the name in the phone book, press the Call button on your handsfree, and say "Call John Smith", and it understands what you mean.

I can't think of anything simpler than that. I wonder if Apple will incorporate that kind of technology, because I didn't see them mention it.

Yeah, I agree.

I hope that Apple does end up incorporating voice recognition. Think of the power if Automator in OS X on the iPhone is mated with voice recognition. You could have this thing do so many useful tasks it would destroy any competitors product.

[blybug]

My "home" computer is in an upstairs den but I want the charging cradle on my dresser downstairs where my put my wallet and keys every evening. I'm hoping the cradle can be plugged right into the wall like my iPod one can and that would trigger a WiFi sync to my PowerMac.

Today, I hate having to take my iPod upstairs and every day to sync up my podcasts. I've been thinking about ditching it and finding some kind of aux-in for my Palm T|X and start using it as my podcast player.

Maybe you need this: wiDock (http://www.silexamerica.com/wiDock/index2.php)

[avalys]

Apparently MacInTouch is reporting that it was said that in order to develop for the phone, developers would have to contact Apple Developer Relations—AKA apps have to go through Apple first. However, this seems to be coming from "Apple representatives around the iPhone" (physically) at MWSF, so I'm not sure it counts as an official statement as of yet.

I think you're misinterpreting their statement: they meant that developers would have to contact Apple Developer Relations in order to get information about developing for the iPhone - the people at the booth were not qualified to say anything about it either way.

[dojunmarn]

I would bet that the iPhone will exchange info over WIFI by the time it comes out. Apple is all about the WIFI these days, look at the Apple TV and new Base Station....


What I have not seen mentioned thus far is the ability to use the iPhone via WIFI, Bluetooth or USB cable as a modem for one's PowerBook. Now that is a great idea. Yes, I know it has email, web, etc., but I have big fingers and would much prefer typing on my PowerBook, for emails anyhow. I don't suppose I'd go nuts using such a feature, but seeing as there are no PC cards native to Macs that will connect a road warrior to the Net it would have been a nice touch, especially as Apple is touting this as a "Breakthrough Internet Device".

[twoodcc]

Interesting. Apple is a truly enigmatic company, I wonder where they'll go with iPhone in a few years time.

Anyone else feel no wireless syncing is a letdown?

yeah i wonder as well. obviously the size of the hard drive will increase. not sure if bigger is better for this product though.

yeah i agree that the wireless syncing is a letdown. maybe later down the road...

[NorCalLights]

yeah i agree that the wireless syncing is a letdown. maybe later down the road...

Later down the road I'm sure we'll see not only wireless syncing, but also off-site syncing via .Mac.

And "later down the road" might be four months from now, when the iPhone is actually released and we have a better idea of what Leopard will offer.

[MrCrowbar]

Yeah, I agree.

I hope that Apple does end up incorporating voice recognition. Think of the power if Automator in OS X on the iPhone is mated with voice recognition. You could have this thing do so many useful tasks it would destroy any competitors product.

True. I have lots of stuff done with Automator that i put in my speakable items folder. "Play Beatblender" opens iTunes and plays that internet station (www.somafm.com) in a predefines volume. Very cool and impresses the girls when yo go to the darkly lighted bedroom and tell the computer to play some mood music. "What time is it" (the predefined voice command) is useful when you wake up at night and don't want to open your eyes to know what time (or day) it is. I use the apple remote and voice feature a lot, too bad the voice recognition in Tiger crashes all the time. They worked on it in Leopard, so it might gt into the iPhone. I would love the new Leopard male voice to come to the phone, read new Mails and SMS when you squeese that thingy on the headphones. That would be awesome when driving. "Rrrrring, new message from $name_in_address_book. Press headset button to listen" <squeeze headphone> "no subject: Buy 100 Viagra pills for only 19.99 on ..." you get the idea. :D

[EagerDragon]

It provides no wireless sync in its current state. Keep in mind that there are still six months to go.

It comes with a sync and charge cradle. Does not need wireless download, but it would be nice to have. To me it is not a selling point eiter way, the wired sync is fine.

ummm 18 months from now I may switch (contract expires), maybe it will be even nicer then.

[Digital Skunk]

I would like to see my .Mac subscription bundled with some kind of cell service... just dreaming.... don't flame me :o :o

Imagine paying $90 a month for .Mac and cell service with Cingular...

Nevermind forget it. :mad: :mad: :mad: UNLOCK THE PHONE

SET THE PHONE FREE so I don't have to switch service providers. :mad: :mad:

Gosh!!!!!

[EagerDragon]

Since it is OSX, I wonder if I can sync a BT keyboard to it (not that I want to).
Just wondering.

The iPhone will really rock when they get the 100 Gig HDD version, plenty of space for video on the road and an idight camera on the front so you can do video chat.

[pale9]

sorry to play the devil's advocate here... but, has anybody looked at cingular's data rates????

they charge a whopping $49 a month for unlimited data transfer, compared to $15 with sprint!!! and even for a lousy 5MB transfer cingular wants $19. so together with a 'qualifiying' voice plan, this will turn out to be verrrrry expensive. thanks steve, for locking in the ipone with the most expense carrier. you really should have made it so it works with everybody....

[psychofreak]

sorry to play the devil's advocate here... but, has anybody looked at cingular's data rates????

they charge a whopping $49 a month for unlimited data transfer, compared to $15 with sprint!!! and even for a lousy 5MB transfer cingular wants $19. so together with a 'qualifiying' voice plan, this will turn out to be verrrrry expensive. thanks steve, for locking in the ipone with the most expense carrier. you really should have made it so it works with everybody....

iPhone has huge data transfer abilities. As engadget has mentioned, cingular will likely have an iPhone-specific contract.

[MarkCollette]

Expect to see the Album Flow interface w/ touchscreen on ALL iPods. 6 months is a long time to go.. Just watch them release a new widescreen iPod w/ album flow sans camera and phone before then. We said it here first.

True, those features might trickle down to the other iPods, but they would not come out before the iPhone, since that would reduce the impetus to buy the iPhone.

[bbydon]

yes multitouch is the game changer...not the phone.

[BobMcBob]

Jobs didn't say "It runs Mac software" because he doesn't want to scare non-Mac people away. He didn't use the word "Mac" for a reason. Non-Mac people get very nervous if you tell them they will have to use a Mac. Most of the world doesn't use a Mac, but anyone is a potential customer for the iPhone, just like the iPod market. Instead, they are emphasizing the main focus, the main reason to buy the thing: it's an iPod and a phone, and it will work that way no matter what PC you have. You don't need any other reason to buy it. If it runs Mac software or 3rd party apps, that's a plus. Instead, he said:

"It runs OS X" (with a huge Mac OS X logo! filling the screen)
"It uses Cocoa, Core Animation, etc."
"It has widgets"
"It runs desktop quality apps"

These were code-words to the loyal followers. We know what they mean. Windows users don't, and that's okay. Don't you get it? Jobs would not have used the term Widgets if it wasn't going to run Mac Widgets. That would be silly. And, Jobs wouldn't have mentioned Cocoa if developers couldn't use it. Cocoa and Core Animation are developer technologies. If developers couldn't use it, he would have just talked about the great features the iPhone has and left it at that. For iPods, you never heard him talk about the development features. We don't know how they develop iPod software, because it doesn't matter.

This tells me, it will run Mac software, and developers will be able to use Cocoa and Core Animation, and everything else they already use on OS X to develop new software. Maybe there will be additional APIs, or settings in Interface Builder. But, it won't be a completely different API, it will be Cocoa, that's what he said.

As was mentioned, developers have been told to get ready for "Resolution Independence" in Leopard for coming "high resolution displays". Gee, what new displays do we have that are high res? Only the iPhone. It's 160dpi.

Maybe it will be some time before developers can write software for it so that Apple can fully control the direction and future of the device before they have to worry about breaking 3rd party software - I don't know. But, it will happen. We have (select) 3rd parties developing games for iPod now. Some day, it will probably be for any developer. But, the iPhone will probably allow 3rd party software early on.

The cool part is, after millions of people buy the iPhone, then Apple can inform them that they already own a Mac and can run Mac software. They are Mac users! All of the sudden the Mac doesn't seem so scary and weird. Now they can switch painlessly. And, if they really need to run Windows, their Intel Mac can do that too. No worries.

[gwangung]

Jobs didn't say "It runs Mac software" because he doesn't want to scare non-Mac people away. He didn't use the word "Mac" for a reason. Non-Mac people get very nervous if you tell them they will have to use a Mac. Most of the world doesn't use a Mac, but anyone is a potential customer for the iPhone, just like the iPod market. Instead, they are emphasizing the main focus, the main reason to buy the thing: it's an iPod and a phone, and it will work that way no matter what PC you have. You don't need any other reason to buy it. If it runs Mac software or 3rd party apps, that's a plus. Instead, he said:

"It runs OS X" (with a huge Mac OS X logo! filling the screen)
"It uses Cocoa, Core Animation, etc."
"It has widgets"
"It runs desktop quality apps"

These were code-words to the loyal followers. We know what they mean. Windows users don't, and that's okay. Don't you get it? Jobs would not have used the term Widgets if it wasn't going to run Mac Widgets. That would be silly. And, Jobs wouldn't have mentioned Cocoa if developers couldn't use it. Cocoa and Core Animation are developer technologies. If developers couldn't use it, he would have just talked about the great features the iPhone has and left it at that. For iPods, you never heard him talk about the development features. We don't know how they develop iPod software, because it doesn't matter.

This tells me, it will run Mac software, and developers will be able to use Cocoa and Core Animation, and everything else they already use on OS X to develop new software. Maybe there will be additional APIs, or settings in Interface Builder. But, it won't be a completely different API, it will be Cocoa, that's what he said.

As was mentioned, developers have been told to get ready for "Resolution Independence" in Leopard for coming "high resolution displays". Gee, what new displays do we have that are high res? Only the iPhone. It's 160dpi.

Maybe it will be some time before developers can write software for it so that Apple can fully control the direction and future of the device before they have to worry about breaking 3rd party software - I don't know. But, it will happen. We have (select) 3rd parties developing games for iPod now. Some day, it will probably be for any developer. But, the iPhone will probably allow 3rd party software early on.

The cool part is, after millions of people buy the iPhone, then Apple can inform them that they already own a Mac and can run Mac software. They are Mac users! All of the sudden the Mac doesn't seem so scary and weird. Now they can switch painlessly. And, if they really need to run Windows, their Intel Mac can do that too. No worries.

Word.

[MrCrowbar]

J
This tells me, it will run Mac software, and developers will be able to use Cocoa and Core Animation, and everything else they already use on OS X to develop new software. Maybe there will be additional APIs, or settings in Interface Builder. But, it won't be a completely different API, it will be Cocoa, that's what he said.

As was mentioned, developers have been told to get ready for "Resolution Independence" in Leopard for coming "high resolution displays". Gee, what new displays do we have that are high res? Only the iPhone. It's 160dpi.


Weren't devs supposed to ditch Cocoa so it's easier to use universal binaries? I don't really care, I use the checkbox in XCode and it works fine for me. :-)
I guess there will be a major update in XCode and Dashcode so you can make apps for the desktop and the mobile (iPhone and successors) at the same time, share packages etc. I love the idea of making a widget and just having to do 2 different interfaces: one for mouse/keyboard and one for multitouch. The basic source code can stay as long as it does not go too deep into the hardware. Widgets are Java anyway, I imagine a lot of widgets would work on the iPhone right out of the box. Most of them don't make a lot of sense on a mobile device tho (iStats pro) :D

[Fab_Fab]

sorry to play the devil's advocate here... but, has anybody looked at cingular's data rates????

they charge a whopping $49 a month for unlimited data transfer, compared to $15 with sprint!!! and even for a lousy 5MB transfer cingular wants $19. so together with a 'qualifiying' voice plan, this will turn out to be verrrrry expensive. thanks steve, for locking in the ipone with the most expense carrier. you really should have made it so it works with everybody....

Just wait for the phone to be released in europe. Over here almost every phone can be purchased without a contract (of course at a higher price level). BTW, i really wonder at what price the phone will be sold here. Usually jou can get up to 400$ price reduction if you get a 2y contract (and still you can use the phone with other providers). So for the iPhone this could mean 1000$ for the device without contract, which is quite much in my opinion. The most expensive phone i found with 2 year contract is about 690$, the Treo 750 you will get for 490$ and the Sony Ericsson W950i (including 4GB and UMTS) will cost you about 350$.

I highly doubt that a iPhone at such a hig price can be sucessfull in europe, also because it lacks the UMTS (G3) functionality, where as most of its "smartphone" rivals already include this high speed comunication protocol.

So please Apple, lower the price at least to 399$ and 499$ with the contract.
And put in UMTS!

else i'll have to buy any other cheap phone with UMTS and if i wish real internet i'll hook ip my MacBook via Bluetooth and enjoy some real highspeed Internet!


P.S. How is the price compared to other "Smartphones" available in the U.S.?

[MrCrowbar]

And, if they really need to run Windows, their Intel Mac can do that too. No worries.

Parallels for iPhone anyone?
... :eek:

[sushi]

Jobs didn't say "It runs Mac software" because
<big snip>
Very well said! :)

I would also add that this is Apple's way back into the PDA market, albeit limited, but they are testing the waters. With Flash memory prices plummeting, it won't be long until future versions of the iPhone have more memory and hence more capability.

On a side note, the introduction of the iPhone reminds me of when the iPod was introduced. So many of my friends, both Windows and Mac users, who said that it was too expensive, nobody needed an HD based mp3 player, etc. Now look at the iPod today.

The iPhone will evolve as well. Can't wait to see it introduced here in Japan, which it looks like will be in 2008. :)

[Rocketman]

Jobs didn't say "It runs Mac software" because he doesn't want to scare non-Mac people away. He didn't use the word "Mac" for a reason. Non-Mac people get very nervous if you tell them they will have to use a Mac. Most of the world doesn't use a Mac, but anyone is a potential customer for the iPhone, just like the iPod market. Instead, they are emphasizing the main focus, the main reason to buy the thing: it's an iPod and a phone, and it will work that way no matter what PC you have. You don't need any other reason to buy it. If it runs Mac software or 3rd party apps, that's a plus. Instead, he said:

"It runs OS X" (with a huge Mac OS X logo! filling the screen)
"It uses Cocoa, Core Animation, etc."
"It has widgets"
"It runs desktop quality apps"

These were code-words to the loyal followers. We know what they mean. Windows users don't, and that's okay. Don't you get it? Jobs would not have used the term Widgets if it wasn't going to run Mac Widgets. That would be silly. And, Jobs wouldn't have mentioned Cocoa if developers couldn't use it. Cocoa and Core Animation are developer technologies. If developers couldn't use it, he would have just talked about the great features the iPhone has and left it at that. For iPods, you never heard him talk about the development features. We don't know how they develop iPod software, because it doesn't matter.

This tells me, it will run Mac software, and developers will be able to use Cocoa and Core Animation, and everything else they already use on OS X to develop new software. Maybe there will be additional APIs, or settings in Interface Builder. But, it won't be a completely different API, it will be Cocoa, that's what he said.

As was mentioned, developers have been told to get ready for "Resolution Independence" in Leopard for coming "high resolution displays". Gee, what new displays do we have that are high res? Only the iPhone. It's 160dpi.

Maybe it will be some time before developers can write software for it so that Apple can fully control the direction and future of the device before they have to worry about breaking 3rd party software - I don't know. But, it will happen. We have (select) 3rd parties developing games for iPod now. Some day, it will probably be for any developer. But, the iPhone will probably allow 3rd party software early on.

The cool part is, after millions of people buy the iPhone, then Apple can inform them that they already own a Mac and can run Mac software. They are Mac users! All of the sudden the Mac doesn't seem so scary and weird. Now they can switch painlessly. And, if they really need to run Windows, their Intel Mac can do that too. No worries.

I endorse this post.

Rocketman

[Fab_Fab]

Very well said! :)
The iPhone will evolve as well. Can't wait to see it introduced here in Japan, which it looks like will be in 2008. :)

Do you think they can be successful in the asian market? I always have the feeling that the mobilephone market in Asia is at least 5 years ahead. Is it possible that people there would buy a phone without 3G?

[stagi]

looks like cisco didn't authorize apple to use their iPhone trademark
and filed a lawsuit today.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/cisco-files-infringement-suit-against/story.aspx?guid=%7B3C3C5C85%2D43E7%2D45A7%2D91B5%2D7FC32D3880E5%7D&dateid=39092.7481000579-886923964

[jlewis2k1]

maybe cingular will have specialy designed plans just for the iphone?

[sushi]

Do you think they can be successful in the asian market? I always have the feeling that the mobilephone market in Asia is at least 5 years ahead. Is it possible that people there would buy a phone without 3G?
In a word, yes.

There is a large foreign market in Japan that do not use Kanji/Hiragana/Katagana but rather Romanji (English) characters. So the user interface for inputing text will be a welcome change.

The added features will be welcomed as well.

IMHO, 3G is not all that necessary. Anyhow, by 2008 when the iPhone is projected to be released it may be 3G so it may be a moot point.

Edit: Besides the foreign market, the Japanese market will enjoy a much more robust entry method. The current input method used by most cell phones here is tedious to use. Having a customizable screen will be wonderful! :)

[BobMcBob]

Since it is OSX, I wonder if I can sync a BT keyboard to it (not that I want to).
Just wondering.

The iPhone will really rock when they get the 100 Gig HDD version, plenty of space for video on the road and an idight camera on the front so you can do video chat.

Wow, I hadn't thought about using a BT keyboard, but of course you will. It's OS X with bluetooth. You will also be able to use a BT mouse = Full blown OS X, on a tiny 160dpi display.

Now, I wonder if you can use wifi to Apple-TV from the iPhone to interact with a giant display.

Imagine, just bring home your iPhone in your pocket; sit down on your couch, turn on your widescreen 1080p HDTV; the Apple-TV senses your iPhone and displays it's output. At the same time, your keyboard and mouse that are sitting on your coffee table pair with the iPhone and you can go to work using your Mac.

[Rocketman]

Cell networks and hardware in other countries tend to be more advanced for several reasons:

- Fewer regulatory barriers
- Smaller and less diverse geography
- More concentrated target markets
- Less legacy installs.

As such hardware is localized to the market. Many Asian markets therefore have 3G and 4G and 4.5G networks. Phone hardware to match. Lower incomes also command lower price points thus longer payoff periods for the handset and network owners.

In the USA we have

- Far more harsh regulations
- Much larger and more diverse geography
- Far less concentrated markets (rural example)
- Massive legacy installs

The #1 way to get 5G tomorrow in the USA is to deregulate it (FCC). Not going to happen.

So with the reality we live with, the only non-regulated communication method is internet. Therefore Wimax is our salvation, not 5G, sad as that might be.

Good news is we have higher prices and customer incomes and lower political overhead on investable assets, so our payoff periods are short and prices shift to commodity faster here.

Lookie! Cell phones in Wal-Mart for about $20 bucks!

Rocketman

[jhande]

Whether Apple wants to or not, this baby's going to 'squirt' (man, Microsofts marketing people must be smoking something really strange) in very short order.

Think about it, with 3rd party apps, it's not just the VOIP thing, instead think thepiratebay via WiFi.

Carriers is one thing, but I'm going to be very interested to see how **AA are going to handle this little bundle of joy :D

[MrCrowbar]

In a word, yes.

There is a large foreign market in Japan that do not use Kanji/Hiragana/Katagana but rather Romanji (English) characters. So the user interface for inputing text will be a welcome change.

The added features will be welcomed as well.

IMHO, 3G is not all that necessary. Anyhow, by 2008 when the iPhone is projected to be released it may be 3G so it may be a moot point.

Right. I've seen japanese Thinkpads with lots of Kanas on every key... must be a pain in the ass to use a regular keyboard to write in japanese. There should be ways to make an intelligent touchscreen system for japanese characters. I can imagine using the thumb of one hand for the vowel part of a sign (a o u e i), and the rest of the virtual keyboard for the consonant part. I guess you wouldn't have to use the thumb for every character as some words are obvious. Example: "K N CH W" is likely to be "konichiwa", so the vowel buttons would be optional. Of course, drawing the Kanji characters for names (3" on the screen should be plenty) would be kinda cool. :D

Sometimes I feel like computer designers forget that there are other languages than english. Languages with special characters can be a real pain to type. French keyboards (AZERTY) use the top row where the numbers are for the special chars. To type a number, you need shift. That's where touchscreens (or thiings like the optimus keyboard) can really score.

I like how the asian contact's names are displayed in asian characters on my iPod.

[cw10]

I can tell you why you arent going to see the iphone unlocked for a while. its because cingular had to bend of backwards to completly re-vamp there voice mail box system in order to make it posible to use the visual mailbox feature that apple wanted. no other network has this kind of system, therefor, if the phone were unlocked, this message feature would be completly usless if you dident use the phone on cingular.

but as soon as this baby is out, im buying it. it looks amazing, end of story.

[Compile 'em all]

I highly doubt that a iPhone at such a high price can be sucessfull in europe,


I live in Europe too and a 600-Euros phone _with_ contract is unbuyable (tm).

[tschull]

From MSNBC article:

SanDisk Corporation has introduced a 32GB, 1.8-inch solid-state drive (SSD) which is built to be a drop-in replacement for standard mechanical hard disk drives. This means the device has no moving parts.

In addition to being reliable, these drives are fast. SanDisk claims a sustained read rate of 62 megabytes per second and a random read rate of 7,000 inputs/outputs per second.

[Monomni]

Oh come on! It's only available to Cingular customers?!?! What is Apple thinking???
A) I'm not going to switch phone carriers AGAIN,
B) Why aren't they at least including Verizon?!... the biggest network AND the highest rated network by Consumer Reports...

SUCH a short-sighted and unappealing move by Apple!

I would have bought one of these in a heartbeat, but not now with the pain of being forced to one cell phone company...

:(

[Rocket850]

Oh come on! It's only available to Cingular customers?!?! What is Apple thinking???
A) I'm not going to switch phone carriers AGAIN,
B) Why aren't they at least including Verizon?!... the biggest network AND the highest rated network by Consumer Reports...

SUCH a short-sighted and unappealing move by Apple!

I would have bought one of these in a heartbeat, but not now with the pain of being forced to one cell phone company...

:(
I wish I could switch carriers but Verizon is the only dog in this town. No Cingular in my area.

[dojunmarn]

There is a special SMS application installed in this phone. Isn't that pretty much iChat without being called iChat?

[MikeLuck]

I love the way it truly syncs your Apple Address Book, iCal and even the iTunes. I love that it has WiFi, widgets and the rest of the new features but...I will not buy one until they make a few important changes.

1)External Storage - Imagine your important data that you need all the time like your contacts and calendars in the internal memory but being able to put your music or movies on an external SD memory card or two. I have a Sony PSP (Playstation Portable)for now with a nice size screen and memory stick pro duo card for playing movies. The PSP is also capable of playing a really nice game or two.

2)Replaceable Battery - I will never buy another iPod or the new iPhone until you can change batteries during those heavy talk times or when you forget to charge the one and only. My Treo is fine for now. External SD memory card, replaceable battery, plays movies (with Kinoma Player) and I can still sync all of my contacts or calendars even wirelessly using bluetooth on the Mac. TomTom Navigator is another plus on the Treo and you can also download Google Earth for it. The browser sucks but having bluetooth allows me to use my computer anywhere if I need a real browser or email. Even the PSP has replaceable batteries.

A phone is much more important when you use it for business. I can't afford a dead battery. An Excel compatible program would also be a plus. At first I was excited about the iPhone and I was even ready to switch carriers when my plan ran out but after reading the following:

http://blog.treonauts.com/2007/01/palm_treo_680_v.html

I thought about it more and maybe I will be ready when the 3G, as in Generation iPhone comes out with those features. I'm loving my 9 Macs but not ready to trade in my 4 cell phones yet. Not trying to be negative but maybe Steve will read this and make a few changes for the better before June. Yeah it's almost midnight and I guess I'm dreaming. :rolleyes:

[sushi]

From MSNBC article:

SanDisk Corporation has introduced a 32GB, 1.8-inch solid-state drive (SSD) which is built to be a drop-in replacement for standard mechanical hard disk drives. This means the device has no moving parts.

In addition to being reliable, these drives are fast. SanDisk claims a sustained read rate of 62 megabytes per second and a random read rate of 7,000 inputs/outputs per second.
Sweet! :)

I don't imagine that it won't be a long time until we see Flash memory being used in more and more ultra laptop computers and other digital devices.

[dojunmarn]

One must assume that for all of the iPhone's features to execute properly the other end of the network has to have the right infrastructure. Unlocked would be nice, but all of the carriers have network resources specific to what they sell.

Verizon Wireless didn't sell Bluetooth enabled phones, so I went without because I didn't want to change my mobile business number and screw up customer relations. Then they made phone numbers transferrable but I heard Apple was working on a cell phone and I've been waiting ever since.

Now that it's here I hope all corporate entities do the right thing and not stick us too hard. I really want this phone and would love to use the browser and email and all of the other nifty stuff, but my business is not talking on or playing with a phone.

Bravo Apple, it looks like a winner. Let's hope the "rest of us" can afford it, not just the "best off of us".

[eric_n_dfw]

iPhone CAN be synced wirelessly using iSync/Bluetooth for
Address Book, Address Book Pictures, Calendars, To Do Items, etc...

While I hope you are correct, nothing was said at the Keynote nor posted on the official web site regarding it.

[eric_n_dfw]

Weren't devs supposed to ditch Cocoa so it's easier to use universal binaries?

Huh? When was that said?

[icollectmacs]

Will you people stop complaining already? This is a breakthrough device that we have not seen all of. By June I am sure we will see wireless synching, ringtone making, more widgets, etc. Also here is a nice newsflash for you guys.

WWDC 2007
Calendar: Conferences
When: Sun, June 10, 2007, 1:00 pm - Fri, June 15, 2007, 1:00 pm

iPhone update/ Leopard release date anyone??????

Again... this was a Preview not something for sure yet.

also.... for any apple guys working there tell steve to have the background also be used in the home screen behind the buttons in the UI.

EDIT:
http://www.auc.edu.au/tiki-calendar.php?editmode=details&calitemId=35

for any of you skeptics

[Marx55]

The value of the iPhone is not only what it is now, but mostly what it may become. Such potential is due to the Mac OS X inside it. The same as with the Mac. But for that Apple must deliver. Apple must allow to use the iPhone as a miniaturized Mac, so that you can use it to give wireless presentations, install and run any application (even Parallels Desktop), synchronize with your Mac, carry all your stuff in it (your whole Mac in your pocket), boot from it any Mac to work on a larger screen, etc. Then the iPhone will become a new standard. Can Apple deliver?

[SiliconAddict]

As was mentioned, developers have been told to get ready for "Resolution Independence" in Leopard for coming "high resolution displays". Gee, what new displays do we have that are high res? Only the iPhone. It's 160dpi.

320 by 480 on the iPhone isn't all that great of a resolution. And it certainly isn't high resolution. My iPaq has 800 x 600. That being said the screen will be perfectly fine since even quarter VGA resolution looks good when done right.

[SiliconAddict]

Apple must allow to use the iPhone as a miniaturized Mac, so that you can use it to give wireless presentations, install and run any application (even Parallels Desktop), synchronize with your Mac, carry all your stuff in it (your whole Mac in your pocket), boot from it any Mac to work on a larger screen, etc. Then the iPhone will become a new standard. Can Apple deliver?

Keep dreaming. There is NO way in heck the iPhone will ever be able to run parallels. And frankly if it did you would get 30 minutes of battery life, at best.

[Maestro64]

sorry to play the devil's advocate here... but, has anybody looked at cingular's data rates????

they charge a whopping $49 a month for unlimited data transfer, compared to $15 with sprint!!! and even for a lousy 5MB transfer cingular wants $19. so together with a 'qualifiying' voice plan, this will turn out to be verrrrry expensive. thanks steve, for locking in the ipone with the most expense carrier. you really should have made it so it works with everybody....

Well my plan with Cingular is almost 2 yrs old and I am paying $19.95 for unlimited data. On top of my $39.00 phone plan. So I am not sure what you are talking about unless their plan prices have gone up. I would not say they are the most expensive, I would say Verizon is since they charge you for each an every feature you want to add to the plan, they have those nice entry level plans but before you know your paying more.

[Maestro64]

One more thing: I've noticed most modern phones have voice recognition. Really recent phones don't even need to be trained, ie you just enter the name in the phone book, press the Call button on your handsfree, and say "Call John Smith", and it understands what you mean.

I can't think of anything simpler than that. I wonder if Apple will incorporate that kind of technology, because I didn't see them mention it.

Gee, you right, I am surprised that no one else picked this up, I use my voice dail all the time, I hardly look up a number on my phone, I say the name especially in the car. If they do not incorporate this feature it will not be too user friendly especially when you are driving. I think someone said here her comes more accidents.

[peharri]

Well my plan with Cingular is almost 2 yrs old and I am paying $19.95 for unlimited data. On top of my $39.00 phone plan. So I am not sure what you are talking about unless their plan prices have gone up. I would not say they are the most expensive, I would say Verizon is since they charge you for each an every feature you want to add to the place, they have those nice entry level plans but before you know your paying more.

What you're paying $19.95 for is unlimited WAP and some other services that typically would be in a phone, but not a PDA or laptop. (This is branded MediaNET or SmartPhone Connect.) Cingular's "plans" for PDA and laptop use, which generally open up the use of more services including access to non-WAP websites, are generally much higher. PDA Connect Unlimited is $40 (though quota plans start at 5Mb for $19.95.) Blackberry Unlimited is an amazing $45. Tethered plans are frequently even more.

That said, reading Cingular's page on it, I wouldn't be surprised if Cingular does an Apple over the next few months and reorganizes their data options to be much simpler. By comparison, T-Mobile offers the equivalent of MediaNET Unlimited/SmartPhone Connect Unlimited for $6 a month, and "Tethered Plans" for $20 - and actually doesn't care if you use the $6 for your laptop (interestingly, right now, the service is completely unblocked, you can use it for anything including browsing the real WWW, not just WAP and MMS, so there's little point in using the $20 plan. That could change at any time though.)

[Maestro64]

Oh come on! It's only available to Cingular customers?!?! What is Apple thinking???
A) I'm not going to switch phone carriers AGAIN,
B) Why aren't they at least including Verizon?!... the biggest network AND the highest rated network by Consumer Reports...

SUCH a short-sighted and unappealing move by Apple!

I would have bought one of these in a heartbeat, but not now with the pain of being forced to one cell phone company...

:(

Simple, Verizon lack any vision and could never work with Apple. Verizon has no clue about technologies and where things are going, they are like MS look at what eveyone is doing and use thier market force to compete. What I mean by that is they build road blocks to make it hard for anyone else to compete with them. I can go on and on with what Verizon has done to slow technology adoption like something as the iphone.

As I said before, you will probably not see a CDMA version of this phone since the only company that makes the chips is Qualcomm and from a world wide view is a small part of the market. I could be wrong if Verizon somehow convinces Apple, but it probably be 2 or 3 yrs away. Look at how long it took the RAZR to show up at Verizon, that because of Qualcomm was unable to make a low power chip and Verizon demand that things about the phone be change to restrict what the customer can do with the phone.

If I was you I would run away from Verizon...

[Maestro64]

What you're paying $19.95 for is unlimited WAP and some other services that typically would be in a phone, but not a PDA or laptop. (This is branded MediaNET or SmartPhone Connect.) Cingular's "plans" for PDA and laptop use, which generally open up the use of more services including access to non-WAP websites, are generally much higher.

Actually, that is for data, I connect the phone to my computer via cable/bluetooth and surf the net and check email. Agree it is not too fast as it has been pointed out it is between 150 to 220 Kb/s. I would say it pretty good for email, websurfing has a little to be desire depending on the website you hit. I know they charge more as does Verizon if you get one of those PDA/PC cards that allow you to use their network, but I am using my phone.

I also have T-mobile plan with data and connect the phone to a computer and surf the web and check email. This is work phone and it is $19.95 for unlimited, and best part it works outside the USA unlike Cingular or Verizon. I was in China last year and was able to check email and Websites since China block some sites from within the country if you use loca WiFi connections.

[eric_n_dfw]

Maybe you need this: wiDock (http://www.silexamerica.com/wiDock/index2.php)
That's pretty sweet! No price listed though.

[BobVB]

The thing I haven't heard about is voice dialing. After getting my last supposedly 'smart' phone that was missing this very basic feature I swore I would never get one without it again.

Why drop this feature when it must be a simple self contained chip by now? I don't want to be messing with a phone to dial frequently used numbers.

[joose]

FOLKS WAKE UP there will be no such thing as ichat in that phone. Your favorite company is there to make money and keep there partnes happy. Who would use the phone capability if you could use the free ichat (or skype for that matter). That won't happen ever (though that would real innovation wouldn't?) I am not mad about it because that is just a fact of life that big companies want to make big money.

That is legacy thinking.

Take a look at Nokias phones, say Nokia E70. It has wlan, quadband, voip (SIP), MMS, etc... And still the company is making money and phone operators are making money. You can even install skype on mobiles today.

Currently, 1 Mbps 3G connection flat-rate price is under 50 e/month (Finland). Other phone models makes video calls possible, and still companies are making money. Nokia is way ahead of apple when talking about connectivity, even my old phone (Nokia 6820) had GSM+EDGE and it was release 2004. GSM+EDGE = legacy technology.

Many companies are moving to IP-phone systems, so using phone with wlan+SIP = only option. And if iPhone comes to europe with those specs that it has now, it is not 5 years ahead, more like 5 years behind others.

Phone service providers have to change with the world. They have to offer GSM networks, Internet-connections (3G, ADSL..) and dropping old products, like landline phones. In the future, everything goes through Internet (SIP) and phone service provivers comes more like ISP.

- Joose

[rosalindavenue]

Simple, Verizon lack any vision and could never work with Apple. Verizon has no clue about technologies and where things are going, they are like MS look at what eveyone is doing and use thier market force to compete. What I mean by that is they build road blocks to make it hard for anyone else to compete with them. I can go on and on with what Verizon has done to slow technology adoption like something as the iphone.

\

This is true, and I admit it knowing that I just signed a new two year verizon contact to get a treo 700p. Verizon's unlimited data plan is $50 a month (and this isn't v-cast or any of their advertised stuff); and they made Palm get rid of wifi. But where I live cingular and sprint blow, service wise, and I have to have a Palm to sync with my work (PC) apps.