Anybody else feel underwhelmed?

[speakerwizard]

exactly, I compared a low light bar picture that i took on my iphone and one my friend took on his N95 with flash and mine was way better, This is a fantastic update, I didnt wanna get my hopes up at GPS just incase but we still got it, sure apple are trying to keep it affordable, IE not upgrading the camera or adding a front facing one (that i have never seen anybody ever use) and storage but they have improved sound / call / speaker quality, gps, 3G the best battery life ive seen on this type of devise and the 'cloud' updating system is more revolutionary than a lot of people realise, This is a fantastic upgrade, YES i would have liked to have seen 32GB who wouldnt but i am still very impressed, especially at the UK re-structuring.

 

[netdog]

Very nice upgrade that is easy on the wallet here in the UK.

 

[bmh16]

Ok, so like a few others have mentioned i think looking at all these rumors for possible features beforehand may have left me disappointed because with GPS, and 3G, and small other updates, the iPhone is even better, plus the app store looks like it could be amazing! Ok, so the only things I'm disappointed about (and i'm not willing to wait the few more months for it to come out) is the 32Gb model which i was really hoping for. Having a 16Gb touch now, and recently has become too small for all the music, vids and also the apps when they come. Also, the camera is a disappointment, as top of the range phones don't tend to have 2mp these days, i was shocked they didn't bump it to 3.2! Putting those 2 things aside, i can't wait for it to come out!

 

[netdog]

Who can afford to blow their phone battery on lots of iPod playing? There is room for a few films and a lot of music, but carrying your full library on your phone just strikes me as weird. I far prefer to carry an iPod and preserve my battery. I use the phone all the time and can't afford to be shaving the battery life even further. Browsing, email and calls chew up pretty much all the juice an iPhone has during the day. I really don't expect that this new phone will somehow have much better battery life at the end of the day, despite the claims. Standby increase won't prove to be a big deal for me.

Honestly, I've gotten over trying to carry my whole library around anyway. The music alone is well over 400GB, and with playlists, my little Nano always has plenty to choose from.

 

[Rigsby]

I think that people on here are forgetting that the target audience is probably not people who already have iPhones, but increasing the market share by appealing to those who haven't switched yet.

Yes, I was a little underwhelmed, I would have liked a better camera and enjoyed video conferencing - but even without this is a great device. Given that the UK seems to be getting a good deal from O2 on it, I'll almost certainly be upgrading early.

I don't think enough credit is being given to the App Store and the potential that brings to the device, nor to the new price points. I'd been assuming improvements at a similar price to before (better camera, more storage, faster, etc.) instead we've got some improvements that could never be close to the rumour-mill but we've got a huge price drop as well.

The iPhone was always an object of desire, only last weekend I had a group of people pawing at mine and an extra 100 photos as a result, now it's attainable by the masses - and that's what Apple really wanted.

 

[needthephone]

No way, what do you want.

OK the camera but cameras on mobile phones are jokes anyway. I wouldn't care if it was 1Mp.

This thing is huge.

 

[Michael CM1]

I think that people on here are forgetting that the target audience is probably not people who already have iPhones, but increasing the market share by appealing to those who haven't switched yet.

Yes, I was a little underwhelmed, I would have liked a better camera and enjoyed video conferencing - but even without this is a great device. Given that the UK seems to be getting a good deal from O2 on it, I'll almost certainly be upgrading early.

I don't think enough credit is being given to the App Store and the potential that brings to the device, nor to the new price points. I'd been assuming improvements at a similar price to before (better camera, more storage, faster, etc.) instead we've got some improvements that could never be close to the rumour-mill but we've got a huge price drop as well.

The iPhone was always an object of desire, only last weekend I had a group of people pawing at mine and an extra 100 photos as a result, now it's attainable by the masses - and that's what Apple really wanted.

Tis probably true about the new customers thing. I just wish I had foreseen such a price cut a couple of months ago, but I didn't. Oh well.

I bet part of this is AT&T being in on the deal. Any cell phone company would be the same, but I think the data rate getting jacked up does kinda suck even though it's not exactly wrong for faster data. I guess I'm just used to Apple magically giving you more and then slashing the price on it. AT&T is part of the old school that finds a way to give you less, make you think it's more, and then charge you an arm and a leg for it. Go check out how much Caller ID costs on a landline phone (it's about $7/month).

Ah, if Apple was only in the communication biz as well. "Buy a Mac, get free 6Mb DSL for a year."

 

[geekygoddess]

I think yesterday was ok. I love the new price!!! It definately justifies me spending that on a phone now. There is no way I would have paid $399 for a phone. Apple or not.

 

[g8bo]

i'm quite happy with the result! although i've calculated with a metal back, but what the heck, i'm more disappointed about the delay (july 11th)... at that time, i'm in the army and it will get hard to buy one in a store -.-

 

[Kwill]

Happily underwhelmed

I already have an iPhone and will get the new software for free. That part makes me happy.

But what happened to the FrankenPhone? I mean no video, no printing capability, no portable home folder (unless you count mobileMe), no ability to modify files remotely, no handheld remote for computer, no 32GB model, no camera flash, no Flash support, no trip planner software with real GPS (Garmin competitor), no real price reduction (less up front; more over contract term), it's thinner only on the sides...

Anyway, it will be nice phone for many new users. And terms will vary by country so that cost will be "no more than $199" worldwide.

 

[The Phazer]

The price is good to attract new users, but honestly the lack of MMS, Bluetooth and a camera flash puts off a lot of people in my experience - more so than 3G.

People on nights out take photos of their friends and send them to their phones. And the iPhone can't do that. It's embarrassing. I don't think the App Store will sell the phone nearly as much as fixing the above would.

EDIT: Oh, and just to be prefectly clear - the iPhone chipset and hardware would support a 3.5 megapixel camera. It's in the specs.

Phazer

 

[spinkick]

It seems like every other phone already has 3g and gps. They really didnt do much of an upgrade at all. How hard is it to add flash, cut/paste, and maybe even java support? MMS isnt even a feature.. oh, what about a chat program? No, not available eaither, it would cut into att's texting plans... It sure would be nice to play video's on the iphone as well.

The phone is NOT cheaper. They upped the data plan so you are actually paying 40 dollars extra than the old iPhone. Pretty shady of apple. I guess we should expect this, apple is the king of marketing gymnastics.

 

[stuuke]

I was very underwhelmed. Most of these improvements were things that people felt should have been in the original iPhone. You build the latest and greatest phone but don't have it running on the current network? You have an operating system that is set up perfect for widgets but don't let other software companies develop anything for it? This new release just lacked any "wow" factor. My wish list would have included a better camera, video recording (another feature most phones offer), bluetooth music streaming, copy and paste, support for flash and if I'm really putting a dream list together a usb port to connect a camera to and moving over to the Verizon network

 

[ipodtouchy333]

^^^Toally agree. No "wow" factor or anything. Like he said, thse are things that should have been inlcuded in the first revolutionary iPhone anyway. The thing I am most mad about is actually the release date (o, and of course AT&T, thats another thread). I mean July 11, whaaaatttt ? How do they expect to sell 10m iPhones and not sell them for 2 months...

And another problem........... black or white ?

 

[Loonytik]

Who can afford to blow their phone battery on lots of iPod playing? There is room for a few films and a lot of music, but carrying your full library on your phone just strikes me as weird.

Simple....this was touted as an "all in one device" from the beginning. Theres no way of knowing but just as an estimation I would say most people have between 5GB & 20GB of music. That leaves very little room for podcasts, movies etc. I personally dont want to sit at my computer and cherry pick the items I want to take with me that day. I want to plug the iphone in, sync it up and go! The 16GB is barely enough for me and in a couple of months it wont be enough storage.

 

[crazzyeddie]

... One major negative was the plastic backing. I saw someone mention that it may have been done to make the phone cheaper, but it also makes it cheaper...

It was necessary for Apple to put a plastic back on the phone for a few reasons (in order of importance):

1) GPS. In order for the GPS receiver to work relatively well, it can't be behind any significant amount of metal. The plastic will allow the GPS to be faster and more accurate.

2) Reception. One of the things that some people disliked about the iPhone was the reception (although many said it was the best phone AT&T offered). The new plastic back will allow for the cell transmitter to get better reception and sound clearer, and probably also allow for faster 3G data when all's said and done.

3) Price. I think that was definitely a motivating factor, although not the most important. Metal is certainly more expensive than plastic, so its a no-brainer as to why they would cut that relatively unimportant expense out first.

 

[davem7]

Simple....this was touted as an "all in one device" from the beginning. Theres no way of knowing but just as an estimation I would say most people have between 5GB & 20GB of music. That leaves very little room for podcasts, movies etc. I personally dont want to sit at my computer and cherry pick the items I want to take with me that day. I want to plug the iphone in, sync it up and go! The 16GB is barely enough for me and in a couple of months it wont be enough storage.

Yeah, agree with this. I've got the 8gb, and whilst it's okay and I'm not having huge issues or anything, the ability for me to have my whole (20gb) collection on the phone is great not only for variety, but also to have a mobile backup of the whole library.

My original plan was to sell my 1st gen phone and pick up the 3G version as I thought an upgrade in memory was almost certain given the Touch's extra capacity. However, given that the second-hand prices probably aren't going to drop as quickly as I thought, I don't feel I can justify the £159+£35/month with the 18 month lockin given that they're probably going to upgrade it with more storage in a couple months. So for the time being I'll stick to the £25/month Simplicity SIM and wait for the next version.

 

[jlblodgett]

I think you people who are "underwhelmed" need to get your heads examined.

Everything great about the original iPhone plus...

* 3G
* Hardware GPS with software assist
* Huge and enthusiastic developer community
* State-of-the-art App store
* Broad and deep Enterprise functionality (not that anyone here would appreciate that, but it's a huge addition to the iPhone arsenal, and certainly wasn't cheap or easy for Apple to put together)

....all starting at $199 for 8 gigs!

Really, what were you expecting after a year? What would have been more likely to meet your expectations, much less surpass them??

Snap out of it...

Correct me if I am wrong, but people who have the first generation iPhone will also be able to use the App Store, will also be able to use the Enterprise functionality, and will also get the enthusiastic developer community.

The ONLY things that the new 3G model bring are

1) GPS -- which I admit, I wouldn't mind having.
2) AT&T's 3G network -- which isn't as good as their EDGE network where I live.

I am not at all impressed with the new form factor - the older form factor was better, IMO.

Why no upgrade in storage? The 16G should be the base, and a 32G should be available. (The iPod Touch comes in 32G variety - why not the iPhone?)

Why no upgrade in processor? I would assume some better processing chips have come available in the last year.

Why no upgrade in camera? Granted, I'm not using the camera to shoot professional photographs, but the camera, and the camera software, are poor. It is almost as though apple thought, "Oh crap, we forgot a camera" when they originally designed the iPhone, and they STILL haven't actually TRIED to make this more of an integrated part of the phone. No video recording? WTF? My mom's refurbished Samsung phone can record video. Granted, it does it bad - but at least it does it!

My $20 1st generation iPhone data plan includes unlimited data, visual voicemail, and 200 text messages - for $20 a month. The 3G iPhone data plan includes unlimited data and visual voicemail - for $30 a month - or $35 if you want the texts?

Where is the MMS update? How many times am I going to have to get the www.viewmymessage.com text?? I thought for sure Apple/AT&T would come up with a solution for this by the time the 2nd generation iPhone came out.

I was really looking forward to this release, and was of a mind to go buy one yesterday, if it had been released. But after seeing just what has been released, and comparing it to my current iPhone - I'm not so sure I want to upgrade. I think I will wait and see what happens with the App Store and the updated 2.0 software.

 

[Rigsby]

The ONLY things that the new 3G model bring are

1) GPS -- which I admit, I wouldn't mind having.
2) AT&T's 3G network -- which isn't as good as their EDGE network where I live.

AND a price cut to 1/3rd of the launch cost!

This is now a cheap consumer phone, here in the UK it is free on some tariffs.

You cannot having everything - I'm sure they could have improved the camera or the memory or added video conferencing, but could they have done it at such a low price? Doubtful. And why should they when they have improved what was already the best phone on the market?

 

[El Magnificante]

exactly, I compared a low light bar picture that i took on my iphone and one my friend took on his N95 with flash and mine was way better, This is a fantastic update, I didnt wanna get my hopes up at GPS just incase but we still got it, sure apple are trying to keep it affordable, IE not upgrading the camera or adding a front facing one (that i have never seen anybody ever use) and storage but they have improved sound / call / speaker quality, gps, 3G the best battery life ive seen on this type of devise and the 'cloud' updating system is more revolutionary than a lot of people realise, This is a fantastic upgrade, YES i would have liked to have seen 32GB who wouldnt but i am still very impressed, especially at the UK re-structuring.

Quite simply, your friend has no idea how to take a picture if yours came out "better"

And the only difference between the old and new iPhone is 3G/GPS. Developer community blah blah blah....What about A2DP to take advantage of the "incredibly improved audio" and how about a decent camera? MMS?

I was anticipating buying the 3G iPhone but the specs are just ... underwhelming.

 

[jlblodgett]

AND a price cut to 1/3rd of the launch cost!

This is now a cheap consumer phone, here in the UK it is free on some tariffs.

You cannot having everything - I'm sure they could have improved the camera or the memory or added video conferencing, but could they have done it at such a low price? Doubtful. And why should they when they have improved what was already the best phone on the market?

Hooray for the UK and the tariffs!!

Here in the US, which quite honestly is the only locale I care about, the "cheaper" iPhone is going to cost a customer MORE when the increased monthly data plan costs are factored in. (1st gen iPhone data plan $20 = $480 over 2 year contract / 3G iPhone data plan $30 = $720 over 2 year contract [with text messaging the 3g contract is $35 a month]) In other words- the $399 iPhone I purchased in September is STILL cheaper than the 3G iPhone that will be released on July 11.

 

[TexasAg]

Here in the US, which quite honestly is the only locale I care about, the "cheaper" iPhone is going to cost a customer MORE when the increased monthly data plan costs are factored in. (1st gen iPhone data plan $20 = $480 over 2 year contract / 3G iPhone data plan $30 = $720 over 2 year contract [with text messaging the 3g contract is $35 a month]) In other words- the $399 iPhone I purchased in September is STILL cheaper than the 3G iPhone that will be released on July 11.

But now the question is whether it is worth a mere $40 for GPS, faster internet speed, etc. I see people on threads complaining that it will cost over $1000/year for the new iPhone (since they include the voice plan) without considering how much it would normally cost with the older iPhone.

 

[dbwie]

Underwhelmed?

Underwhelmed? I suppose if you actually believe all the hype and rumors, then reality will be underwhelming. How can we lose sight of how amazing the iPhone is? We may find better features (e.g. the camera) in other devices, but when putting all the features together, no other mobile device comes close to the iPhone. For me, "underwhelmed" is the term I would reserve for my feelings if Apple weren't around, and I had to wait anxiously for these other cell phone makers to come up with something cool. Imagine listening to a Motorola or Nokia announcement about a new phone if it had been hyped... now that would be underwhelming.

 

[jlblodgett]

But now the question is whether it is worth a mere $40 for GPS, faster internet speed, etc. I see people on threads complaining that it will cost over $1000/year for the new iPhone (since they include the voice plan) without considering how much it would normally cost with the older iPhone.

I currently own a 1st gen 8GB iPhone.
Purchased 9/2007 for $399
Voice rate plan $39.99 (959.76 over 2 years)
Data rate plan $20.00 per month for unlimited data, visual vm, 200 texts (480.00 over 2 years)

Total for 2 year contract = $1,838.76 + applicable taxes


Comparable 2nd generation 3G/GPS 8GB iPhone
Purchase 7/2008 for $199
Rate plan $39.99 (959.76 over 2 years)
Data iPhone rate plan for 3G iPhone is $30.00 per month for unlimited data & visual vm (720.00 for 2 years)
200 texts costs $5 per month (120.00 for 2 years)

Total for 2 year contract = $1,998.76 + applicable taxes



I guess the question is -- is the 3G network and the included GPS chip worth the difference in price. Many people will say it is definitely worth the difference in price, and it may be. I am just not sold on it, at this point.

 

[benmrii]

I love the people whining about those of us that are underwhelmed sharing our opinion as if it is unjustified against their brilliant one.

The fact is, 3G has been available for over 5 years and has been the standard for 3G phones for 3+. Adding it to the iPhone is a non-issue. It's an upgrade that should never have been, it should have been on the initial release.

I'm making an educated guess on the numbers here, but I'd say that GPS is, if used at all, a novelty for about 90% of smart-phone users, at the very least in the face of the Wi-Fi and cell tower location finder functionality that the iPhone already had. In other words, for most people it's just a flashy new title ("now we can call it GPS!") and minor upgrade to location finding functionality that was already present. For people that actually need/want the GPS functionality it is tardy. All in all, a very minor upgrade.

And that is it. Oh, right, I forgot the white version (gag) and a flush headphone jack, another prime example of an "upgrade" that is actually a mistake corrected from the original design.

Software was amazing. Hardware was lame.

No upgrade to the camera which was significantly out of date when it was released a year ago. No video camera or conferencing functionality, another feature available on smart phones for 2+ years. No upgrade in storage is a flat out joke - even with the high cost of 32GB flash drives the subsidy would have made them still 'affordable' for people who wanted it. No live TV options. No mention of cut and paste, SMS, flash, etc.

The software and interface is what will continue to sell this device, and as I said the glimpses of 2.0 and its abilities were amazing. And the drop in price will help everyone - including myself - to buy the new iPhone. But if I still worked for Apple I would be embarrassed for the hardware "updates."