Apple Announces iPhone 3G

[TuffLuffJimmy]

arguing you need a better camera on a phone is a little ridiculous. The only thing that they could have added would have been a flash. More megapixels does NOT mean the camera is better. In fact more megapixels on the same size sensor just means more noise and poorer quality images that also take up more space on your phone.

Go check out the photography forum to see why there are marginal differences between a 6 megapixel DSLR and a 12 megapixel DSLR. (Hint the amount of megapixels hardly has anything to do with the quality of the image put out by the camera)

 

[Palliser]

Here are a couple good questions:

Why buy an 8GB iPod Touch for $299?
Why buy an 8GB iPod Nano for $199?

umm..because you don't have to pay a monthly fee to use them...just a thought

 

[billysea]

Same. With the increased monthly cost, I'm quite tempted to stay with my 1st gen. It will still be pretty awesome with the 2.0 firmware.



Phones such as...? Features such as...?



I've never in my life sent or received an MMS, nor wanted to. In fact, I don't know a single person who (to my knowledge) has ever sent or received an MMS. It amazes me that people consider this a significant feature.



But what amazes me far more is the gripping about the camera. Do you honestly think any of those cameras in phones are good cameras? I don't care how many megapixels they have - they can't take pictures anywhere near the quality of even point and click digital cameras. All camera phones are good for is taking a quick shot when you don't have a real camera available, and the iphone does a good job of that.

But what amazes me even MORE is the whining about a front facing camera. Why on earth would I want that? I cannot envision any conceivable scenario in which that would be a useful feature. You're going to video chat on your cell phone? Seriously?

Everything you listed as not useful are important to a lot of people. If you don't care so much of those features, I guess you could also argue why need Safari on the phone? Who surf the web on your phone anyway? Why listen to music on it? You should get an iPod to have more memory to store your songs etc.

When the competitors are having video chat capability and at least 3.2mp as the lowest standard for their phone's camera, you can't help but feel wtf is Apple thinking.

But in the end, no matter what kind of disappointment brings out, there will still be tons of people waiting in line to get their stuffs, or defend everything they pull out.

 

[sliderocity]

I agree with the subsidizing point. However, I have a question. Is the plastic backing on the new iPhone better than the material that was on the original iPhone? To me, this is not the same quality.

I will concede that I have no clue why Apple chose to change the material, but we shouldn't automatically conclude it was to decrease cost even thought that may be the case. It may have been to slightly decrease weight, or it could have something to do with reception or the interior components. I have no idea. There are plenty of very quality, super hard plastics available now, some of which is already used in many of Apple's products. In any case, it's pretty moot for most iPhone users (myself included), because it seems that most iPhone users purchase a case to protect their investment.

 

[javaGuru]

I will concede that I have no clue why Apple chose to change the material, but we shouldn't automatically conclude it was to decrease cost even thought that may be the case. It may have been to slightly decrease weight, or it could have something to do with reception or the interior components. I have no idea. There are plenty of very quality, super hard plastics available now, some of which is already used in many of Apple's products. In any case, it's pretty moot for most iPhone users (myself included), because it seems that most iPhone users purchase a case to protect their investment.

I don't really care why they lowered the cost. I'm not happy with the cheaper materials. Obviously when you use cheaper materials the cost of the product can be lowered. I'm not saying this is why the cost is lower but it is usually a contributing factor to a cost reduction.

 

[maokh]

Umm... I have been looking through all the info and couldn't find anything about video chat..

And now I just figure out that's because the iPhone 3G doesn't have one! Are you kidding me? That's like the main point of 3G phone and every major cities in Asia have been using it like 2 years ago.

Seriously, US phone technology are like a century behind everywhere else. It's funny to see some forum posters here get excited over something so dated in other countries. It's like someone from 1890s time travel to 2008 and shock at what a television is.

There's need to time travel, plenty of handsets in the US have had this functionality for quite some time now, and the capability has been around since the launch of 3G service a couple years ago. Just not the iphone ... which is my question.

 

[Twinnie]

arguing you need a better camera on a phone is a little ridiculous. The only thing that they could have added would have been a flash. More megapixels does NOT mean the camera is better. In fact more megapixels on the same size sensor just means more noise and poorer quality images that also take up more space on your phone.

Go check out the photography forum to see why there are marginal differences between a 6 megapixel DSLR and a 12 megapixel DSLR. (Hint the amount of megapixels hardly has anything to do with the quality of the image put out by the camera)

Yeah but some people just use it, and if the phone's to be cutting edge then it should at least be keeping up with the bare minimum, which is generally accept to be 3.2MP. To be honest, coupled with the lack of video or even a zoom I get the impression that Apple really don't take the camera aspect seriously. The iPhone camera wasn't even that good to begin with and the lack of flash means that for what is the most common use for some people, taking drunken photos on a night out, the iPhone is useless. They were happy enough to compare the 3G speeds with the N95 (a year and a half old phone might I add) but I bet they wouldn't mention the camera). It's one thing saying the iPhone shouldn't be compared with the N95's camera because the iPhone isn't an emphasised camera phone in the way that the N95 is, but then the N95 was never advertised as an internet phone.

 

[maokh]

By all means, Mr Maui, the 3G version is better: it incorporates a 3G chip, a GPS and a better battery life.

Lets not forget: it has better battery life on accident. I think what marketing is really telling us is they had to boost the heck out of battery capacity to give 3G the same battery life as the 2G iphone -- inadvertently giving the 2.5G/TDM voice twice as much battery life.

Marketing also had to make up for steve job's previous excuse of poor battery life on 3G devices.

When the competitors are having video chat capability and at least 3.2mp as the lowest standard for their phone's camera, you can't help but feel wtf is Apple thinking.

megapixels ratings on sensors that size are meaningless. They all output the same: garbage. The same goes for most consumer end cameras boasting high megapixel counts. Good optics on an SLR with a quarter of the pixels would probably kick its butt.

But again, its all marketing, right? Just like the "real" GPS... half of these things are thrown into products just to make consumers think its going to give them something better. But best not also tell them that GPS works soo poorly indoors, that its all going to be network-based triangulation 90% of the time they use the feature.

 

[macenforcer]

Hmm,

New ipod classic released. What? can't plug into my existing ipod radio or use the headphone jack for video? NOT.

.....umm, hello where is the new mac mini? cricket.. cricket... cricket...

New mac pro released. WHAT? Same design? NOT.

.....umm, hello where is the new mac mini? cricket.. cricket... cricket...

New macbook pro released. WHAT? Same design? NOT.

.....umm, hello where is the new mac mini? cricket.. cricket... cricket...

New macbook air released. WHAT? 1 usb port? 80gb HD? NOT.

.....umm, hello where is the new mac mini? cricket.. cricket... cricket...

New iphone 3g relased. WHAT? Thats it? No video conferencing? NOT.

.....umm, hello where is the new mac mini? cricket.. cricket... cricket...

 

[xSeanZx]

Apple has lost its commitemnt for its true followers and early adopters. No way to buy now (I think this is a first for them) and no deal for those of us who dropped $599 for the first iPhones.
Very disappointed.

Are you kidding me? Are you seriously sitting here bitching about 600 dollars you spent almost a year ago?

If you can not handle upgrades in technology without regretting money you spent (especially a year ago), you need to get out of the world of electronics my friend. Get over it.

 

[mmoosa]

Yeah but some people just use it, and if the phone's to be cutting edge then it should at least be keeping up with the bare minimum, which is generally accept to be 3.2MP. To be honest, coupled with the lack of video or even a zoom I get the impression that Apple really don't take the camera aspect seriously. The iPhone camera wasn't even that good to begin with and the lack of flash means that for what is the most common use for some people, taking drunken photos on a night out, the iPhone is useless. They were happy enough to compare the 3G speeds with the N95 (a year and a half old phone might I add) but I bet they wouldn't mention the camera). It's one thing saying the iPhone shouldn't be compared with the N95's camera because the iPhone isn't an emphasised camera phone in the way that the N95 is, but then the N95 was never advertised as an internet phone.

the n95 was advertised as a computer in your pocket, which is what apple is actually saying about the iphone when the only good thing about the phone is its amazing UI, i have both the n95 8gb and the 8gb iphone so im not taking sides but its my opinion, its rediculous to compare a brand new profuct with a 2 year old product. MADNESS!!!

 

[brian4610]

I feel bad for being pretty disappointed...but that's how i feel about this 'update'.

These are 2 features (3G, GPS) i thought should have been in the iphone last year. And now for that to be the only difference a year later bums me out.

I think that apple is appealing more to the masses with this iphone, and i don't blame them in a way. They'll get people that typically wouldn't pay the type of premium that is associated with macs. It will work as the second coming of the ipod. They'll get people to try an apple product for a small price (ipod nano's, shuffles) and then perhaps down the line they'll consider an apple computer.

I just feel that this update was lazy, and not really for the mac enthusiasts. I always expect to be blown away by apple. I woke up this morning feeling like a kid on christmas, but am pretty disappointed with what happened. I appreciate the price point, but i guess i would have paid a little more for more (bigger memory, video chat, video recording, cut and paste, etc). I fully admit that i expect too much, but that's how high the bar has been set by apple.

 

[daneoni]

Meh

I just read about the specs and i have to say i'm a bit underwhelmed, obviously 3G, GPS and price points are big pluses but they don't seem to have address basic issues such as video recording, flash, MMS, copy/paste etc and they've become more draconian (activating in store?..common!). Also no more Dock?

Overall not impressed and i'm very happy i didn't give into the temptation to sell my iPhone 1. Looks like i'll be getting the BlackBerry Bold after all

 

[xSeanZx]

On another side note, why are all of you assuming the worst saying there will be no cut and paste, no video chat, no mms etc.

He did not mention anything about specific phone features (besides hardware). Wait until more details come out before you start talking **** on those aspects.

 

[mmoosa]

I feel bad for being pretty disappointed...but that's how i feel about this 'update'.

These are 2 features (3G, GPS) i thought should have been in the iphone last year. And now for that to be the only difference a year later bums me out.

I think that apple is appealing more to the masses with this iphone, and i don't blame them in a way. They'll get people that typically wouldn't pay the type of premium that is associated with macs. It will work as the second coming of the ipod. They'll get people to try an apple product for a small price (ipod nano's, shuffles) and then perhaps down the line they'll consider an apple computer.

I just feel that this update was lazy, and not really for the mac enthusiasts. I always expect to be blown away by apple. I woke up this morning feeling like a kid on christmas, but am pretty disappointed with what happened. I appreciate the price point, but i guess i would have paid a little more for more (bigger memory, video chat, video recording, cut and paste, etc). I fully admit that i expect too much, but that's how high the bar has been set by apple.

i feel the exact same way, while i was watching the keynote i couldnt help but think those poor buggers sat there for 2 hours watching retarded demos, then finally after the long wait, the iphone, which was just an insult really.

 

[macenforcer]

This is what apple has always done. Give a good OS and crappy hardware. Just look at the notebook line. They are horrible. You get twice the hardware for half the price in a thinkpad but you don't get the OS. Apple knows this. Its their businiess plan. Make good os, cheat on hardware then charge oodles. Worked so far but I don't see it going on much longer. People are catching on.

 

[grapefruitx]

Its the price that is the real difference

Not convinced by 3G and mobile high speed internet, nice to have, but can live without it, the real news is the price, Apple must realise that to convince people of the benefits of its software paradigms and integrated services the device has to be plucked of the shelf by everyone else, not just technology freaks and geeks, and to do this end the cost of ownership has to come down, slashing the sticker price is absolutely necessary first step, whilst it is a game changing mobile device, There are still some very good mobile phones out there, that look great, maybe nicer than the iphone and for 1 to 1 Talk and text, work brilliantly.
The enterprise stuff is timely, it could be a great business tool, but again i see problems employers are always keen to drive down cost, 3G services do not span national boundaries very well, they don't want employees wasting time on facebook, trivial games or thought to be buying a frivolous electronic toy, however much you can lock it down, I suspect that many employers will not look at it all, and will stick with what they know RIM.

The positive side is those of us subject to the corporate whim in the choice of a phone, will see RIM Nokia etc raise there game and improve the software to be more data object aware and easer to use

 

[Hey Jude]

Awful plastic case

I feel bad for being pretty disappointed...but that's how i feel about this 'update'.

These are 2 features (3G, GPS) i thought should have been in the iphone last year. And now for that to be the only difference a year later bums me out.

I think that apple is appealing more to the masses with this iphone, and i don't blame them in a way. They'll get people that typically wouldn't pay the type of premium that is associated with macs. It will work as the second coming of the ipod. They'll get people to try an apple product for a small price (ipod nano's, shuffles) and then perhaps down the line they'll consider an apple computer.

I just feel that this update was lazy, and not really for the mac enthusiasts. I always expect to be blown away by apple. I woke up this morning feeling like a kid on christmas, but am pretty disappointed with what happened. I appreciate the price point, but i guess i would have paid a little more for more (bigger memory, video chat, video recording, cut and paste, etc). I fully admit that i expect too much, but that's how high the bar has been set by apple.

Your post expresses my feelings, almost exactly. I have to throw in that awful, awful, black plastic case. I would have gladly paid an additional $200 over the current price to have the option to keep the aluminum.

I know now not to expect as much from Apple in the future....once bitten, twice shy.

Jude

 

[japeurotrash]

Disappointing!

No front video camera, no video chat, no 32 gig. Not sure it is worth getting a new one yet. I understand the price point thing, but as the first model proved, there are lots of people that will pay top $$$ for top features.
I am still hoping for a surprise announcement!

 

[maokh]

On another side note, why are all of you assuming the worst saying there will be no cut and paste, no video chat, no mms etc.

He did not mention anything about specific phone features (besides hardware). Wait until more details come out before you start talking **** on those aspects.

What do you think iPhone 2.0 is?

We already know whats going to be in it ... download the SDK and experience it for yourself

 

[SchneiderMan]

what i cant believe this, Israel wont have the iphone and other middle east countries will?!
its not fair!
israel is the most demanding and also as 3g for a long time
http://www.apple.com/iphone/countries

how dare you apple, intel israel is the one developing your intel chips

 

[Roller]

This will be open for development by a third party company.

I suspect that it might be possible for an iPhone 2.0 app to interpret voice commands, including voice dialing. But you'd have to run the app first, so how could this work with a Bluetooth headset or handsfree auto kit?

I find it hard to believe that all those enterprise people didn't identify voice commands as a must-have feature.

I'm not averse to paying for a few third party apps to fill in the gaps left by Apple. But it's going to be interesting to see how large iPhone apps are, especially given the lack of a 32GB model. I was really expecting one, especially since the iPod touch already offers it.

 

[bigwig]

Jeebus what a ripoff... those rates are just insane. What is it with US carriers...

Telia, the iPhone carrier in Sweden, doesn't have any prices up yet but their unlimited Turbo-3G plan is 199 SEK / month. In USD that's... OK, deduct the 25% sales tax... 159 SEK = $26, but the comparison is skewed due to the rock-bottom value of the USD (6 SEK). The 'normal' USD rate is about 10 SEK, so think approx. $16/month for unlimited 7,2 mbit downstream.

It's cheaper in Sweden only so long as you ignore the taxes you paid to subsidize the service. The same goes for broadband in Japan. People in the US whine about how cheap and fast broadband services are in Japan, but forget the Japanese government subsidizes it, so overall it's probably more expensive than it would be if entirely private.

 

[Roller]

On another side note, why are all of you assuming the worst saying there will be no cut and paste, no video chat, no mms etc.

He did not mention anything about specific phone features (besides hardware). Wait until more details come out before you start talking **** on those aspects.

It's hard to believe that these features wouldn't have been mentioned somewhere if they were in 2.0, especially since their absence has been mentioned so often in reviews.

On the other hand, it would be great if Steve pulled a "one more thing" and announced them on the eve of the 2.0 release in July. I think that's unlikely, though.

 

[PhilaScott]

Great and all...but without 32 GB there is no way I'll be getting one.

Damn you solid state memory get cheaper!!

Also, that was an incredibly boring keynote...I'd expect His Steveness to have the sense to speed up the demoes.

I second that... I'm disappointed that it isn't 32 Gig... Doesn't the iPod Touch come in a 32 Gig version? I've been waiting for more memory to buy this... might have to keep waiting!