Problem is, more than 90% of the potential market IS outside of the U.S.
So, for a worldwide phone, GSM is really the only choice, no matter how the two compare. Unless Apple wants to make twice as many models, which seems unlikely.
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3rd Sensor is Another Proximity Sensor
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So, for a worldwide phone, GSM is really the only choice, no matter how the two compare. Unless Apple wants to make twice as many models, which seems unlikely.
Not that this is the thread for this discussion, but I think that Apple will make a CDMA variant of the iPhone after the exclusivity deal is up. VZW could have 75+ million subscribers by then, so taking a chance on that market could be very beneficial to Apple, financially speaking. They'd have to pay for two models, but they'd make their money back, guaranteed, and then some.
People seem to forget that VZW was #1 on the list when Jobs went shopping the iPhone idea. He knew that their network was superior to AT&T's. The CEO didn't want to give in though (idiot!).
If Apple had to make 10 different models of the iPhone for worldwide sale, I believe they'd do it, because people would still buy it, and Apple would get discounts for the chip quantity they'd have to buy.
People seem to forget that VZW was #1 on the list when Jobs went shopping the iPhone idea. He knew that their network was superior to AT&T's. The CEO didn't want to give in though (idiot!).
If Apple had to make 10 different models of the iPhone for worldwide sale, I believe they'd do it, because people would still buy it, and Apple would get discounts for the chip quantity they'd have to buy.
I sometimes get the feeling iLounge's glass is always 1/4 full
From iLounge: "...will actually be a more expensive device to operate in the United States than its predecessor, thanks to a 50% or greater increase in monthly service charges." ....
(Not the first time iLounge has slanted some facts against Apple instead of giving the full picture.)
We are and have always been committed to both accuracy and transparency in our reporting; whenever merited, we make a point of making rapid and public corrections. While most people would have interpreted the quote above as it was intended to be read -- that the iPhone-specific component of the bill, as distinguished from the cost of using a plain cell phone, was going up by 50% or more -- I've added the word "data" to remove the ambiguity. It now reads "a 50% or greater increase in monthly data service charges."
Regarding "1/4 full" or "slanted some facts," that's a complete load of crap. I can't speak for the perspective you bring to the table, but in addition to the time I spend writing and editing iLounge, I spend my days testing Apple products, doing research, and talking with industry insiders, real users, and people whose investment funds hold huge amounts of Apple stock. I also have the privilege of working with some of the most clued-in users of Apple's digital media hardware and software out there, people who have been following the iPod since well before it was cool, and using iTunes in ways that most people would never imagine. We all own lots of Apple products -- I had my first Mac in '85 -- but we're not so blind as to believe everything the company does is great or purely motivated.
I can tell you with certainty that we aren't trying to cater to Apple apologists or day traders whose lives seem to depend upon the company and its products being perceived as shining white icons of perfection. Our informed belief is that users deserve to know both the good and the bad about new products, so that they can make informed decisions, and that we have every right to express opinions that aren't 100% favorable. We also don't hide behind pen names -- if I post on iLounge, or elsewhere, you know it's me -- and make every effort to prevent representatives of companies from masking their identities and motivations from our readers. On the rare occasion that I have the time, I'll also stop by other sites and forums to try and help them set the record straight on points I know to be inaccurate, as I did when I contacted Arn today about the iPhone 3G case story. Our goal at iLounge, and my personal goal as well, is to get good information out there.
At some point, you might want to ask yourself who is really trying to give you as much of the "full picture" as is possible, and who is presenting only the best parts of a story for marketing purposes. When the iPhone came out at $499 and $599, we said it was too expensive; some others apologized it away. Then the price dropped. Then Apple admitted that people felt the price was still too high and "dropped" it again for the iPhone 3G. But really, for U.S. customers, the price is going up. For us to point out that undeniable truth is not a 1/4 glass full thing -- we're seeing the glass as it is, and as anyone not wearing rose colored lenses would see it. Call it slanted or less than the full picture, but I'm confident that it's much closer to the full picture than what Apple told people on Monday.
That's assuming you're right-handed. Us southpaws hold it in our right hand (hafta write while we talk sometimes). I'd start a class-action lawsuit, but I'm just so used to the discrimination...
Deaf People Demand Video Conferencing
Video conferencing is a multi-million dollar business for the deaf and hard of hearing community. Check out http://www.hovrs.com http://www.snapvrs.com http://www.hawkrelay.com http://www.viable.net
There are estimated 30 million deaf and hard of hearing people in America and most will immediately jump over to the iPhone if there was video conferencing available. Europe and Asia already got this - c'mon America!
Video conferencing is a multi-million dollar business for the deaf and hard of hearing community. Check out http://www.hovrs.com http://www.snapvrs.com http://www.hawkrelay.com http://www.viable.net
There are estimated 30 million deaf and hard of hearing people in America and most will immediately jump over to the iPhone if there was video conferencing available. Europe and Asia already got this - c'mon America!
I was actually surprised that Steve did not announce a non-camera version. With the push to open the phone up for enterprise use, there are still plenty of business (and gov/mil) sites that do not allow phones with cameras. It seems to me that it would have been trivial to offer such a model.
As to the front facing camera, I have been working on 3G video related systems and services for 3 1/2 years and the take rate/usage of person-to-person video calling is substantially below the original projections. Additionally, the willingness to pay extra isn't there. It definitely was NOT the killer app of 3G. So far, the 3G high speed data network has been the most significant revenue generator for many service providers. Based on the significant increase in data usage associated with the deployment on iPhone on AT&T's EDGE network, the iPhone is the first smart device to really take advantage of pervasive data connectivity. It is no wonder that AT&T added $10 to the data plan ... an extra $120 per iPhone subscriber per year will generate some significant cash. It will certainly soften the costs of the subsidy for the 3G iPhone.
Why would this be getting negative votes? The iPhone is only being improved with a second proximity sensor. What's so negative about that?
The first part of your quote begs the question. If you work for Apple at Apple HQ are you allowed to carry an iPhone (or any camera phone) in the building? One would think with as secretive as Apple is that would not be allowed.
To the second part, I don't doubt Apple could make video conferencing/chatting popular. The real problem would be the additional cost that AT&T (and other providers) would want to levy on the service.
i've had the same problem with hitting the mute button and occasionally the speaker phone button with my face.
glad to see its been addressed.
glad to see its been addressed.
Another reason to NOT buy an iPhone at this time.
The 4G or 5G phone will have ironed out everything, give far better bargains, and be a better device all around. I never buy version 1.0 because they tend to be a little complicated and sad. Next year is when I'll think about springing for an iPhone.
The 4G or 5G phone will have ironed out everything, give far better bargains, and be a better device all around. I never buy version 1.0 because they tend to be a little complicated and sad. Next year is when I'll think about springing for an iPhone.
Completely agree with you. Having video conferencing would be a nice feature to play around with, but eventually just become a fad.
It's kind of funny, video conferencing has been around since the 60's, people didn't like it then because they thought it was invasion of their privacy. Now EVERYBODY wants video conferencing on the iphone.
Wow.... that could open some doors. They did choose to highlight a musical instrument app @ WWDC.
Good insight.
On a side note, I was talking to an Apple CSR the other day, playing naive, and asking about MMS, and why I can't get messages past 7 days. (it's fun to 'dumb down' sometimes) Anyway, the girl seems pretty new, and starts getting confused when I'm asking if the 3G will handle MMS any different. So then she says "wait, is your phone the one with 2 cameras?" apparently thinking I somehow had the newer phone.... Granted she sounded new and a little confused, but she did mention an iPhone with 2 cameras.
ALS, Ambient Light Sensor. Isn't a camera a type of an ambient light sensor?
I like Apple's style, now I'm genuinely intrigued. It's a Theremin vs. Camera saga now... win win.
Millions of Deaf Use Video iChat Conversations Daily
Millions of deaf people use video ichat conversations on daily basis and there are companies that makes multi-million dollars from this. Check out http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/videorelay.html
Millions of deaf people use video ichat conversations on daily basis and there are companies that makes multi-million dollars from this. Check out http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/videorelay.html
I agree with you, however the blanket statement: "I absolutely hate CDMA, and refuse to switch to a carrier with it" is HIGHLY ignorant and doesn't really add anything to the argument. So, I presented the argument to the commenter this way:
Removing the iPhone from the picture and looking at this from a US perspective, what EXACTLY is the "personal issue" this person has with CDMA?
All this person (reallynotnick and others on this board) said that they "hate CDMA." Well, why? This person didn't present, so I presented some facts: Verizon Wireless, a CDMA carrier, consistently rates higher in network performance, uptime, call quality, customer support than AT&T, a GSM carrier.
Please realize that I was playing devil's advocate, but just blanketly saying that one "hates CDMA" makes little sense.
w00master
Whoever highlighted that pic is an idiot!!! The "4th sensor" in the earpiece is NOT a 4th sensor, it is NOTHING. The other 3 on the left, YES those are the 3 sensors.
You honestly think Apple could make a camera INSIDE the earpiece that is the size on a pin head??? LOL seriously? It is NOTHING.
As you seem quite knowledgeable about this topic, I am sure that you realize that major manufacturers rarely go out of their way to make their products specifically support features that help the disabled community. In most cases, they are only motivated when congress legislates it, OR if some feature for able bodied users just happens to be useful to the disabled community they will gladly advertise how hard they are working to adapt their products. (I sound really cynical ... but its true!)
Keepin the Faith in Video Conferencing
Yes, you sound cynical and what you've said may be true...which is why I disclosed that there are multi-million dollars that companies are making off this through deaf people. I'm pretty sure Apple would want a share of this multi million dollar profits. Another thing is that most deaf users have a T-Mobile Sidekick or Blackberries due to its excellent qwerty keyboard however if the iPhone had provided video conferencing, I'm pretty certain that not just millions but tens of millions of deaf people would leave their Sidekicks and Blackberries for an iPhone. Just to think of 20-30 million new deaf customers times $200 iPhone along with $40 a month plan equals hundred of millions dollar revenue.
Oh by the way, its not widely known but Steve Jobs of Apple is one of millions of people with hearing loss. I'm hopeful that one day he'll pick up sign language and realize how beneficial video conferencing is to us.
Yes, you sound cynical and what you've said may be true...which is why I disclosed that there are multi-million dollars that companies are making off this through deaf people. I'm pretty sure Apple would want a share of this multi million dollar profits. Another thing is that most deaf users have a T-Mobile Sidekick or Blackberries due to its excellent qwerty keyboard however if the iPhone had provided video conferencing, I'm pretty certain that not just millions but tens of millions of deaf people would leave their Sidekicks and Blackberries for an iPhone. Just to think of 20-30 million new deaf customers times $200 iPhone along with $40 a month plan equals hundred of millions dollar revenue.
Oh by the way, its not widely known but Steve Jobs of Apple is one of millions of people with hearing loss. I'm hopeful that one day he'll pick up sign language and realize how beneficial video conferencing is to us.
I don't know if Apple is able to, but I do know that it can be made. The real problem there is costs. A color camera that small would need tons of light, and be rediculously expensive.
Ask anyone who has a 3g phone with video call ability (certainly in Australia) and they will tell you the same thing-waste of time, despite what Telstra is trying to tell us.
This sums it up perfectly.
I read this in Mac Talk Australia in their FAQ on the iphone
http://forums.mactalk.com.au/47/512...updated-australian-iphone-faq-v2-0-a.html#q04
This sums it up perfectly.
I read this in Mac Talk Australia in their FAQ on the iphone
http://forums.mactalk.com.au/47/512...updated-australian-iphone-faq-v2-0-a.html#q04
On the iPhone site, they say they've stuffed antennas everywhere - the chrome bezel, integrated with the circuits, and even the metal ring around the camera.