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Apple Announces iPhone 3G
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It seems unlikely the front has been changed.
As far as I know, the change to a plastic back has less to do with cost or weight, and more to do with better reception (especially important for both the GPS and 3G).
I was about to make some remark about O2 kicking ass with the iPhone now, Pay As You Go and 18 month contracts at £30 but that 75 minute thing's a kick in the balls. Really looks like it's just something to tempt you into the shop then bump you up to the £35 contract.
For the PAYG I expect they'll keep the $199 rule but they'll probably make you buy so much PAYG time, like £500 worth or something. Or maybe it'll only be the 16gb version, I don't believe Steve made any commitments to the price of that one, they can probably charge all they want for it.
For the PAYG I expect they'll keep the $199 rule but they'll probably make you buy so much PAYG time, like £500 worth or something. Or maybe it'll only be the 16gb version, I don't believe Steve made any commitments to the price of that one, they can probably charge all they want for it.
This is a very awkward time for Apple, because they are meandering away from their computers a little and focusing on the phone alone. And what of iPods? How do iPods fit into all this?
Seems the phone will overtake the iPod on all levels aside from the lowest end products. They should try to reduce their shuffles even more to make them extremely accessible.
Seems the phone will overtake the iPod on all levels aside from the lowest end products. They should try to reduce their shuffles even more to make them extremely accessible.
Does anyone know if it will have Copy / Paste? I can't believe that it has not been added after so many revisions of firmware and it is not a function that can be added using the sdk.
Can the SDK be used to write a new Summerboard type application where it just goes in and replaces the built-in images so we can still theme the device?
I really would like to see repeat reminder messages so I don't sleep through important alerts like I did last night. The program IntelliScreen is perfect for that, but cannot be added via the SDK because it is a background application. I really wish Apple would allow for a special approval process for background apps.
Can the SDK be used to write a new Summerboard type application where it just goes in and replaces the built-in images so we can still theme the device?
I really would like to see repeat reminder messages so I don't sleep through important alerts like I did last night. The program IntelliScreen is perfect for that, but cannot be added via the SDK because it is a background application. I really wish Apple would allow for a special approval process for background apps.
I think around September there may be the introduction of the 32 GB iPhone. And next year we may see an increase all the way up to 64 GB.
What of iPods? The iPod Touch pretty much represents the future of the iPod line; stuff like the Nano and Classic are still sort of stop-gaps in a way.
That really is the thing, the OS and platform for the iPhone and the iPod Touch are a significant part of Apple's future. I think it's kind of missing the point to say they are meandering away from their computers by focusing on the iPhone, because the iPhone and iPod Touch both represent a new type of computing platform for Apple.
And the thing is, in the long run, the more people you get doing development on the iPhone platform, the more that is people working with Apple developer tools who could also easily do Mac OS X development.
Copy/Paste doesn't yet seem to be there (or if it is, no-one has discovered it yet).
It seems unlikely that an entire new launcher could be allowed, but an icon skinning system might not be completely out of the question.
Regarding IntelliScreen, Apple announced yesterday a system to allow for developers to have their apps send notifications/etc. for apps that have been quit (thus giving most of the benefits of something like that, without having to have it constantly running as a background process). Seemingly it would be useful for that.
-Zadillo
Is it really an "upgrade" if the end-result is the same or worse? So the camera was not "upgraded" to more megapixels. Big deal. Cameras on phones are not really meant for photography as such. For those we have proper cameras that take proper pictures. Sure, more pixels might let you make larger prints. But quality would still suck so much, that making larger prints is next to useless. If you want to take a picture that you want to print, use a proper camera.
Um, 3G consumes more power than 2G does. If you want to compare battery-lifes, you should be comparing apples and oranges. That is: 2G-longevity on 1st gen iPhone and 2G-longevity on 3G iPhone.
Apple can't change the fact that 3G consumes more power. What they CAN do is to make sure that the device has good enough battery to handle it. And apparently it does. And that improved battery also happens to boost 2G-longevity.
Why did you put "real" in quotes? the iPhone has real GPS. Sure, we might argue about the speed and reception (although we should reserve our judgement to the reviews) but fact remains that it has real GPS.
Something better than what? Not having GPS at all?
Except the problem of knowing that the SMS has not been read on the phone side. I guess if it comes down to it I can write my own app and integrate it into our monitoring software somehow.
It just sucks that some of the simplest things that I had on my PocketPC can't be done with the iPhone. I had a nice application that would alert you X times for a max of XX minutes if you have not read the SMS yet. I tend to sleep right through the important voicemail and alarm notifications from work.
- James
Probably one of those folks who mistakenly think that A-GPS is not real GPS, not realizing that A-GPS means it is real GPS which also uses cell towers/etc. to help locate faster/etc. as a supplement to the real GPS chip.
Seemingly, although perhaps it could do something like where until you launched the app again or something, it would assume it hasn't been read, and would keep sending additional alerts? Not sure.
I think that's the thing, it's not the perfect platform; there are things that Android or Windows Mobile or Mobile Linux or Symbian or whatever will be able to do that the iPhone won't; if those things become critical, it obviously rules it out as a platform you could depend on.
Yes it is amazing that the world will be deprived of views of your face when you make those so-important conference calls.
Console yourself this way: If you are ugly, likely, nothing defines ugly more than close-ups from a wide-angle lens.
And those stupid cell towers are going to transmit annoying choppy video anyway, if there is any reception in the first place.
Heck, most of the "conference" calls are really pervert calls anyway, right?
o2 ireland
so o2 ireland have NO info on new tarrifs/prices of te phone. infact the guy told me apple WERE NOT releasing a new iPhone in the near future......i did however set him straigt on the matter! i find it a bit silly that o2 uk have banners on the website, and even pricing info, while over here the staff dont even know about the iPhone 3g!
anyway, does any one think that iPods will be phased out over the coming year or 2? apple are focusing alot of time and money on the iPhone, and seeing as its now cheaper than an iPod touch, why would you bother?!?! although the iPod is such a revolutionary product, that i think it will be timeless and around in one way forever!
so o2 ireland have NO info on new tarrifs/prices of te phone. infact the guy told me apple WERE NOT releasing a new iPhone in the near future......i did however set him straigt on the matter! i find it a bit silly that o2 uk have banners on the website, and even pricing info, while over here the staff dont even know about the iPhone 3g!
anyway, does any one think that iPods will be phased out over the coming year or 2? apple are focusing alot of time and money on the iPhone, and seeing as its now cheaper than an iPod touch, why would you bother?!?! although the iPod is such a revolutionary product, that i think it will be timeless and around in one way forever!
Generally, I'm pretty excited about the new iPhone 3G. I have the current iPhone.
Admittedly, I'm somewhat disappointed that the camera wasn't upgraded as I enjoy using the camera a lot. While the iPhone's camera will never replace my Nikon D300 (and it's not meant to), if they're gonna put in a camera which is gonna be used for fun snaps, do it properly the second time around. A small bump to 3.2mp would have been an easy upgrade and frankly is standard for today's camera phones. The 2mp camera in the current iPhone was outdated even then.
I am concerned about the plastic material now being used for the back of the phone. I worry that it will be a fingerprint magnet and scratch prone. Still, if it supposedly helps the signal strength and makes the phone lighter, so be it. The black model looks pretty sweet.
End of the day, I just wanted 3G and at USD299 for the 16GB model, you can't really go wrong.
Admittedly, I'm somewhat disappointed that the camera wasn't upgraded as I enjoy using the camera a lot. While the iPhone's camera will never replace my Nikon D300 (and it's not meant to), if they're gonna put in a camera which is gonna be used for fun snaps, do it properly the second time around. A small bump to 3.2mp would have been an easy upgrade and frankly is standard for today's camera phones. The 2mp camera in the current iPhone was outdated even then.
I am concerned about the plastic material now being used for the back of the phone. I worry that it will be a fingerprint magnet and scratch prone. Still, if it supposedly helps the signal strength and makes the phone lighter, so be it. The black model looks pretty sweet.
End of the day, I just wanted 3G and at USD299 for the 16GB model, you can't really go wrong.
For me, the camera in the original iPhone was a huge upgrade for me from previous cameras in my cellphones which were absolutely terrible. So, them staying put isn't that big of a deal for me
Space, eh....I wish they would have gone to 32-gig's but it isn't the end of the world. I will just deal with it just as I deal with 8-gig's now and am still happy
3G - So damn excited. I tried visiting a web-site last night that took FOREVER with Edge....made me realize how much I want 3G now
GPS was never a big deal to be honest
Space, eh....I wish they would have gone to 32-gig's but it isn't the end of the world. I will just deal with it just as I deal with 8-gig's now and am still happy
3G - So damn excited. I tried visiting a web-site last night that took FOREVER with Edge....made me realize how much I want 3G now
GPS was never a big deal to be honest
This is something I am actually not looking forward to unless it is free. Come on, I have to pay for someone to come up with a cut and paste or an mms feature???
Was this really necessary, no need to point out the obvious?
Yes it is still amazing that the iPhone is missing some basic features, this NOT being one of them. If they are going to go up against blackberry, they need to at least have a good portion of the items it can do.
Usually I jump on Apple hardware updates with my eyes closed and wallet open. Unfortunately this time I think that I will stick with my Jailbroken and Unlocked 1G iPhone. If it does become impossible to buy a 3G iPhone without a contract then hopefully my EDGE iPhone will keep its value. It will be interesting to see how much they will charge for the 3G iPhone with a Pre-Pay SIM.
I guess this is gonna be like the iPod story all those years ago.
Whilst there were better, more able, MP3 players about, the 1st gen ipod was no great shakes, 2nd Gen was better, 3rd, 4th and 5th just polished the product at a rate tat other MP3 players didnt compete with.
The iPhone might continue the same way I hope...
First Gen, testing the water, 2nd gen GPS and 3G, 3rd Gen, Ichat and digital imaging, 4th Gen, maybe 4G streaming and suchlike....we'll have to wait and see I guess
Whilst there were better, more able, MP3 players about, the 1st gen ipod was no great shakes, 2nd Gen was better, 3rd, 4th and 5th just polished the product at a rate tat other MP3 players didnt compete with.
The iPhone might continue the same way I hope...
First Gen, testing the water, 2nd gen GPS and 3G, 3rd Gen, Ichat and digital imaging, 4th Gen, maybe 4G streaming and suchlike....we'll have to wait and see I guess
Hey everyone,
I'm pretty new here, and a pretty new mac user too (less than a year).
Not to be overly critical, and no offense to anyone- (dont take this the wrong way...)
but...
Why does it seem like almost everyone is bitching and moaning about the new iphone? Is there any other phone out there that compares in terms of quality of user interface, smoothness of operation? Sure, there might not have been a forward facing camera or other things in this update...but how many of you are engineers capable of saying that apple could have, and should have added that feature in? and what about the marketability? who's done the research and the polls? and the financials? was it a financially viable option for them?
Apple is in the business to make money, and they've done a fantastic job. my parents used to own apple stock when it was worth less than 10 dollars (unfortunately, they sold it- they didnt think Apple would get big lol). this wasnt that long ago. now its worth 18x that. so obviously Apple knows how to do its job.
Im sure Apple had to weight the pro's and con's of every suggestion out there. I'm sure they considered all the things we wish could have been put into it, and they probably decided that the features they did put into the new iphone represented the best shot they had at making money while providing people with an amazing product.
if you really dont like the new iphone because it isnt ultra loaded with more hardware and software, then maybe it would be best to stop complaining and figure out a solution and send it to them, or get a different phone...
sorry if i offended anyone, didnt mean to. just wondering why people choose to bash on something that is already leaps and bounds (overall, at least in my opinion) ahead of the competition.
p.s.
I think it was said a while back that the plastic back on this iphone was to improve signal strength and what not...not so much as a cost cutting move. i cant imagine having an aluminum back would cost much more for apple or the end user.
I'm pretty new here, and a pretty new mac user too (less than a year).
Not to be overly critical, and no offense to anyone- (dont take this the wrong way...)
but...
Why does it seem like almost everyone is bitching and moaning about the new iphone? Is there any other phone out there that compares in terms of quality of user interface, smoothness of operation? Sure, there might not have been a forward facing camera or other things in this update...but how many of you are engineers capable of saying that apple could have, and should have added that feature in? and what about the marketability? who's done the research and the polls? and the financials? was it a financially viable option for them?
Apple is in the business to make money, and they've done a fantastic job. my parents used to own apple stock when it was worth less than 10 dollars (unfortunately, they sold it- they didnt think Apple would get big lol). this wasnt that long ago. now its worth 18x that. so obviously Apple knows how to do its job.
Im sure Apple had to weight the pro's and con's of every suggestion out there. I'm sure they considered all the things we wish could have been put into it, and they probably decided that the features they did put into the new iphone represented the best shot they had at making money while providing people with an amazing product.
if you really dont like the new iphone because it isnt ultra loaded with more hardware and software, then maybe it would be best to stop complaining and figure out a solution and send it to them, or get a different phone...
sorry if i offended anyone, didnt mean to. just wondering why people choose to bash on something that is already leaps and bounds (overall, at least in my opinion) ahead of the competition.
p.s.
I think it was said a while back that the plastic back on this iphone was to improve signal strength and what not...not so much as a cost cutting move. i cant imagine having an aluminum back would cost much more for apple or the end user.
WOW...ur pretty pathetic! FYI, i'm 14 and I have a Blackberry Curve and I'll be getting the iPhone on July 11th. Just because I'm not old doesn't mean that I'm some kind of nerdy video-game playing freak who destroys business peoples' 'reputations.'
Regardless, I'm kinda dissappointed that there was such a lack of features. No 32 GB, no improved camera, no front camera, crappy cheap-a** plastic back. I'll buy one, nonetheless, but I will probably replace it with the next generation as soon as it comes out.