Apple Announces The iPhone

[martg]

"Bittorent and a Mac mini combined with my Sky HD box means the @tv is a no sale for me. I really don't think this product will do that well."

Agreed! I wonder if blu-ray DVD players will do better?

It would be great if you could buy and download full copies of movies on to your mac/pc (even from third party movie sites) like you can music (and provided they were high quality). But until then i guess its a bit of a waste! Sure it will get better as other services do though!

 

[kyristal]

Apple and Orange, a UK partnership?

Hello, I'm new here! I posted this on another thread, but just wondered what you thought....?

At the Macworld Expo Steve Jobs announced that the iPhone is scheduled for UK release during late 2007.

According to the Apple website, iPhone is dependent on EDGE technology for many of it's enriched wireless capabilities.

Orange are the only operator of EDGE technologies in the UK and have a significant EDGE infrastructure across the EU. Unless Apple re-engineer core technologies behind the iPhone, it's not unreasonable to predict Orange is the ONLY operator technically capable of a 2007 release of the iPhone in the UK and Europe.

It's my guess Apple and Orange are already collaborating on core software/network technologies to enable the enriched features of iPhone - including 'random access' voicemail, and core music and video download and streaming features.

Integration of iPhone and EDGE is critical for user experience. So is integration of iPhone within home broadband and computer systems. Given this fact, it's no surprise Orange are piloting ways to integrate their services with Apple computers (through an Orange France pilot offering Macbook rental with broadband).

Stan Sigman, CEO of Cingular said their relationship with Apple is a unique relationship that lets "Apple be Apple and Cingular be Cingular."

This sentiment is reflective of why, and how, an Apple and Orange relationship will succeed - Orange delivers pioneering communications and media platforms through EDGE and home broadband, upon which Apple delivers groundbreaking devices capable of enabling enriched communications and multimedia experiences.

I expect an Orange Apple partnership to be announced during Summer 2007 if not before, with a scheduled release date towards the end of 2007.

Article from my blog: http://chrisdane.blogspot.com/

 

[Philsy]

Hello, I'm new here! I posted this on another thread, but just wondered what you thought....?

At the Macworld Expo Steve Jobs announced that the iPhone is scheduled for UK release during late 2007.

According to the Apple website, iPhone is dependent on EDGE technology for many of it's enriched wireless capabilities.

Orange are the only operator of EDGE technologies in the UK and have a significant EDGE infrastructure across the EU. Unless Apple re-engineer core technologies behind the iPhone, it's not unreasonable to predict Orange is the ONLY operator technically capable of a 2007 release of the iPhone in the UK and Europe.

It's my guess Apple and Orange are already collaborating on core software/network technologies to enable the enriched features of iPhone - including 'random access' voicemail, and core music and video download and streaming features.

Integration of iPhone and EDGE is critical for user experience. So is integration of iPhone within home broadband and computer systems. Given this fact, it's no surprise Orange are piloting ways to integrate their services with Apple computers (through an Orange France pilot offering Macbook rental with broadband).

Stan Sigman, CEO of Cingular said their relationship with Apple is a unique relationship that lets "Apple be Apple and Cingular be Cingular."

This sentiment is reflective of why, and how, an Apple and Orange relationship will succeed - Orange delivers pioneering communications and media platforms through EDGE and home broadband, upon which Apple delivers groundbreaking devices capable of enabling enriched communications and multimedia experiences.

I expect an Orange Apple partnership to be announced during Summer 2007 if not before, with a scheduled release date towards the end of 2007.

Article from my blog: http://chrisdane.blogspot.com/

Imagine the marketing possibilities: 'Apple and Orange - a delicious combination'

Sorry, I'll get my coat...

 

[Trekkie]

i was really hoping for an unlocked GSM phone from apple...even when it does make its way to canada i may not buy one if i have to agree to a 2 year contract with rogers (or fido). i will hopefully be in and out of the country over the next year or two and i don't want to pay international roaming fees...i just want be able to swap out my canadian sim card for a local pre-paid one when i'm away. oh well...it's still an amazing mobile device ('phone' doesn't really do it justice).

First off, if there is a market for unlocking the apple phone from the network it's on, there will be someone who learns how to do it.

Second, at least with Cingular, if you have their service for at least six months of the contract you can go in to your local cingular store and ask them to unlock the phone from the network, and they will. Then you can do the pre-paid sim card in other countries.

They've unlocked 3 of my phones now that I've been with them for 20 months. My 2 year end of contract comes up just as this phone is supposed to ship. My, that will be nice.

 

[failsafe1]

First off, if there is a market for unlocking the apple phone from the network it's on, there will be someone who learns how to do it.

Second, at least with Cingular, if you have their service for at least six months of the contract you can go in to your local cingular store and ask them to unlock the phone from the network, and they will. Then you can do the pre-paid sim card in other countries.

They've unlocked 3 of my phones now that I've been with them for 20 months. My 2 year end of contract comes up just as this phone is supposed to ship. My, that will be nice.

I have had several phones "unlocked" over the years. So I could do just what I wanted to with it. Drop a sim from another company or country and be on my way. Unless something drastic happens I see a cottage industry for unlocking this phone as with any other GSM locked phone. It is only a phone and there has to be a way to open it to put the original sim in. So only time will tell but I can hope.

 

[Trekkie]

Can you buy it at the Apple store? Or do you have to buy it from cingular?

Yes.

 

[EstorilM]

Considering a -decent- flip phone with ZERO internal memory, limited file-transfer capabilities, a crapola 176x140 screen or whatever, crappy interface, etc etc goes for $300+ at most phone retailers, to throw in the features of a ~$200 ipod nano basically, only with the addition of an amazing display, you're already at over $500. Not to mention the r&d to work out all the network-side transfer features that cingular doesn't yet have experience with before this phone came along.

I don't know, for so many "firsts" it's impressive that this phone is actually priced right along existing high-end mobile phones - not to mention smart phones, which look rather stupid compared to the iPhone, and fetch even higher price tags.

Do a side-by-side of expensive phones offered by cingular/verizon today and you'll see the light. This is actually very competitive pricing considering there isn't any competition with other carriers or manufacturers, not to mention that the initial demand will probably keep people sold out for quite a while.

 

[moxielady]

Cingular locks out millions of potential customers

Being a macmac, I of course called Cingular this morning to try to change my plan. They have an office 22 miles from my house. But imagine my horror at being told that my home, and the county where I do most of my business, is not served by Cinglular. Despite their having reciprocity with Unicel, which does serve this area, if Cingular finds me using my phone more than 50% off THEIR network, they will terminate my account.

IOW, no iPhone in this family.

My current carrier is Verizon, who doesn't care where I use my phone, as long as I pay my bill.

I have to wonder why Apple would sign on with a company with such a draconian policy. I'd happily pay roaming charges to get this phone, but it is simply not available at any price.

 

[whooleytoo]

Imagine the marketing possibilities: 'Apple and Orange - a delicious combination'

Sorry, I'll get my coat...

If I'm not mistaken, they already are working together - in France I think - where I think you can lease a MacBook & broadband service together for a reasonable rate.

 

[emotion]

Considering a -decent- flip phone with ZERO internal memory, limited file-transfer capabilities, a crapola 176x140 screen or whatever, crappy interface, etc etc goes for $300+ at most phone retailers, to throw in the features of a ~$200 ipod nano basically, only with the addition of an amazing display, you're already at over $500. Not to mention the r&d to work out all the network-side transfer features that cingular doesn't yet have experience with before this phone came along.

Wow you Americans have it bad. I can get a SE k800i (look up the specs but it is a fully featured mp3 player, a 4GB card will cost 40 quid) for 'free' if I commit to just 12 months. Pretty much on any network.

 

[Compile 'em all]

IOW, no iPhone in this family.

AFAIK, you can buy the iPhone from Apple, unlocked. But it will be more expensive of course.

 

[acrafton]

I don't know how you can possibly say that. A huge shortcoming of the iPhone is the limited space on it. I mean really at the 8 gig max you will only be able to carry 7-8 movies without any music! I definately think at least some of this technology will filter into the video ipod. Maybe not the widgets or wi-fi, but definately the touch screen and scrolling capabilities. The question is when the technology will be implemented into a high capacity (read: 80-100 gigs) stand-alone video ipod.

I am now thinking that Apple will not release a wide/touch screen video IPod anytime soon, despite it being quite easy for them to do it (just remove the phone features from the IPhone, add hard drive and bigger battery). The reason is that this will certainly hurt sales of the IPhone - substantively. If both were available in June I would, without hesitation many of us here (me included) would buy the new IPod, not the IPhone (let the price come down and get the bugs out). For this reason, I think Apple will force us to buy the Iphone to get wide/touch screen.

 

[princealfie]

Does iWork exist on the iPhone at all?

 

[princealfie]

Wow you Americans have it bad. I can get a SE k800i (look up the specs but it is a fully featured mp3 player, a 4GB card will cost 40 quid) for 'free' if I commit to just 12 months. Pretty much on any network.

And the screen is very small on the k800i. I have it and you can hardly see movies on it

 

[emotion]

And the screen is very small on the k800i. I have it and you can hardly see movies on it

Indeed. I'm not saying it's a totally comparable device just that the original post that I refer to had some odd facts to justify the price.

It's worth noting that a lot of phone buyers just look at the tech specs and the 'price' (after commitment to the network). Apple will find it very difficult to compete with things like the k800i on that level.

Of course I've seen the keynote and I know, roughly, how the thing works and am pretty much won over despite the massive omission of HSDPA.

 

[Aniej]

Does iWork exist on the iPhone at all?

I don't get why people are asking a million random questions. You saw what is on the development model of the iPhone, just zip it and enjoy this amazing product and watch how it continues to develop. Do you really think that the product is done if it is not due for release until June, but FCC approval typically only runs 2 months.

 

[emotion]

I don't get why people are asking a million random questions. You saw what is on the development model of the iPhone, just zip it and enjoy this amazing product and watch how it continues to develop. Do you really think that the product is done if it is not due for release until June, but FCC approval typically only runs 2 months.

+1

This is beta hardware right now. We need to wait a while before passing any kind of harsh judgement.

 

[Trekkie]

The implementation is NOT a joke -- it is smart marketing with America's largest carrier. Only way to get the initial price down and get double marketing.

I do hope it is marketed better than the the ROKR and the Razr iTunes phones were, or weren't depending on your point of view.

 

[Warbrain]

The more and more I read about the iPhone and droll while looking at the pictures, I want one more and more. I'm definitely saving up the money for the 4 GB version but if I can manage an extra 100 dollars, I'll get the 8 GB.

I have one question though...is OS X on the iPhone installed on the 4/8 GB of space or is it hardwired in somewhere else in the phone?

 

[Evangelion]

So when are we going to see the same technology (touchscreen, Wifi, bluetooth, vert/hoz sensing etc) applied to a new iPod. The iPhone without the phone but with a hard drive?

IMO 2-3 months at most. Price would be a bit higher than current iPod (about 50 bucks more). Taking aout camera, Wifi and cell-phone does save quite a bit of money . And they can reuse the software and design of the iPhone.

 

[emotion]

The more and more I read about the iPhone and droll while looking at the pictures, I want one more and more. I'm definitely saving up the money for the 4 GB version but if I can manage an extra 100 dollars, I'll get the 8 GB.

I have one question though...is OS X on the iPhone installed on the 4/8 GB of space or is it hardwired in somewhere else in the phone?

It's on a ROM, the ipod has an OS too y'know (portal player or the like), that doesn't take up space on the ipod storage does it?

 

[Trekkie]

What a bunch o' psuedo-entitled, whining b!tches. I've been a member of this Forum for a good long time and never heard so much cryin'.

You must be new to keynotes. This happens everytime. Whether it's the MacBook, MacBook Pro, iPod, Mac Pro, whatever is announced isn't good enough and sucks and wah wah wah. Happens every time. The fun part about the forum is you have to filter through the garbage and find the good stuff.

What's really amusing is reading the people with 'industry friends' or whatever who know what they're doing. So far I've seen 14 dates for when the exclusivity of the Cingular agreement dies with various sources that are 'absolutely right' and then the reasons Cingular sucks and/or is the best, or how expensive it is, or how long it is until release, etc.

 

[knackroller]

This is basically the same features as a Windows Pocket PC - phone, touchscreen (big screen), media player etc. But where Windows drives me nuts is the lousy interface and buggy OS. I'm hoping the iPhone will do the same but with a reliable and classy OS - will definitely be getting one ...

 

[knackroller]

...Wait...What, no 3G?

 

[knackroller]

..Wait ...wait..what, no Wifi? (Sorry guys, I can't help but compare this with my O2 pda phone).