Apple Announces The iPhone

[daysleeper]

What's in a name?

I think the iPod was successful in large part because of its catchy name and the incredible advertising campaign Apple has put together. I think they should have capitalized on this and called it the "iPod Phone". I bet a lot of people would be happier just *thinking* this is a 6G iPod, not a totally new product.

Along the same lines, I wonder if Apple had called this the "Porta-Mac" or "Mac Mobile" the people in here complaining about no mac news would change their tunes.

 

[Ugg]

I think here, especially in business, short emails are the rule. If you want to be sure you are in line with someone, an email to their biz email is the way most go. Texting to a phone may not be timely. Some people do not have their mobile with them all the time at work, or even on. Of course there is the battery issue and you might be trying to confirm something like a meeting and they just never see it.

I just look at texting as time consuming. That's just me and going through that keypad scrolling each button on the phone to get a letter is tedious beyond belief.

But then again, my touch typing is probably near 70 words a minute.
Most other folks are somewhat competent on a keyboard as well.
When you consider that many people can send text to a phone via email, and consider the speed difference, well many of us have a long non-arthritic future for our thumbs, what can I say.

Does that give you a better picture?

Texting is just one more tool for me to use. Personally I love it. It's great for short messages, it's immediate, I don't have to listen to someone's long winded voice mail message, etc, etc. Sure, there are times when it's not appropriate but there are a lot of times when it is.

 

[fiddle245]

Yeah, it's not like they still is going to sell Macs, Pro software, AirPorts and iPods... oh, wait...

I meant their Cell phone business.

I already said Apple should stick to their core business- computers.

They still have a long ways to go marketshare wise before they are on the same footing as PC's.

The Cell phone market it probably the most volatile & competative market in electronics.

Add to that the politics of cell carriers, and 2 year contracts,and it
becomes a minefield for the inexperienced.

Apple still hasnt even got FCC clearance to sell this device,
or the legal right to use the name "iPhone" yet!

I think the iPod was successful in large part because of its catchy name and the incredible advertising campaign Apple has put together. I think they should have capitalized on this and called it the "iPod Phone". I bet a lot of people would be happier just *thinking* this is a 6G iPod, not a totally new product.

Along the same lines, I wonder if Apple had called this the "Porta-Mac" or "Mac Mobile" the people in here complaining about no mac news would change their tunes.

the iPod was successful in large part it because if its simplicity. The
iPhone is trying to do 10 things at once, in 10 new ways. Add to that
having to deal solely w/ Cingular, the $600 price, and 2 year contracts,
this may have been better off as a concept device.

 

[Philsy]

Can't speak for the whole US, it is 300 million folks after all, but yes we do have bluetooth on many phones but I'm not familiar with Address Book and how this allows your thumbs to be more useful.

I think here, especially in business, short emails are the rule. If you want to be sure you are in line with someone, an email to their biz email is the way most go. Texting to a phone may not be timely. Some people do not have their mobile with them all the time at work, or even on. Of course there is the battery issue and you might be trying to confirm something like a meeting and they just never see it.

I just look at texting as time consuming. That's just me and going through that keypad scrolling each button on the phone to get a letter is tedious beyond belief.

But then again, my touch typing is probably near 70 words a minute.
Most other folks are somewhat competent on a keyboard as well.
When you consider that many people can send text to a phone via email, and consider the speed difference, well many of us have a long non-arthritic future for our thumbs, what can I say.

Does that give you a better picture?

Enable Bluetooth in Address Book and click on a phone number and you get the option to send SMS message.

You know, maybe I'm old, but I've just realised I don't text with my thumbs, but rather a finger!

 

[absurdio]

The price tag and features of the iPhone reminds me of the early days of the iPod. It was way expensive for most of the people, but that changed a couple of years later. I expect the same will happen with the iPhone. The thing is packed with innovation but expensive for now. That won't hold true 2 years from now.

Yeh. Exactly right. The thing's pretty amazing, for sure, but for now it's too expensive and a bit exgtravagant for my needs. I'll wait for rev. B. The future looks amazing.

Edit: also, I'm terrified by the prospects of getting my grimy fingers all over a device on which I'm also supposed to be watching videos.

 

[Macmadant]

They are are going to have a tough time competing against what people see as 'free' phones it has to be said.

I always though the iPod would remain a niche device (like it did for the first year or so). Mainly due to the cost, I didn't figure that people will definitely pay extra for something they consider to be a status symbol (for better or worse). That is almost certainly the case with this phone.

Only us nerds flag up the daft omissions (see above). The rest of the non-tech world are marvelling at how pretty it looks and working out how to get one before their friends.

Maybe my logic needs rethinking, i've just seen Steve stalking about it on CNBC, and he seemed so happy about it, just something about the way he was talking about it, i haven't seen him this keen on anything for a while, maybe it's just the Reality Distortion Field, but who knows, if it does become a huge hit, i hope they don't forget the mac faithful that got them there, and i hope the mac doesn't suffer because of the iphone

 

[buffsldr]

Two Words

Freakin' awesome!

 

[Ugg]

I already said Apple should stick to their core business- computers.

They still have a long ways to go marketshare wise before they are on the same footing as PC's.

The Cell phone market it probably the most volatile & competative market in electronics.

Add to that the politics of cell carriers, and 2 year contracts,and it
becomes a minefield for the inexperienced.

Apple still hasnt even got FCC clearance to sell this device,
or the legal right to use the name "iPhone" yet!

the iPod was successful in large part it because if its simplicity. The
iPhone is trying to do 10 things at once, in 10 new ways. Add to that
having to deal solely w/ Cingular, the $600 price, and 2 year contracts,
this may have been better off as a concept device.

The iPhone is a computer, your saying otherwise doesn't make it so.

Apple has never yearned to be the market leader. Look at Dell's razor thin margins and its depressed stock price. What's the point in being the largest computer maker if you don't make money?

Once again, this isn't simply a cell phone but a high end, portable computing device. Sure, the makers of cheap phones all have problems but the makers of premium products don't. See above.

Steve wouldn't have named it the iPhone if he wasn't assured of Apple being able to acquire the name.

Why would the FCC turn them down?

Just as the iPod and iTMS transformed music, so will the iPhone transform communication.

The way you are constantly trashing the iPhone makes me believe that you are nothing more than a shill for all the low end cell phone and computer makers out there.

If it weren't for Apple's constant innovation, we would still be in the dark ages of computers.

 

[petvas]

The only real advantage this has over other phones is its
prettier-

People prefer having real keyboards- not touch screens that
scratch up & are super hard to type on.

There are few things you can do on iPhone than you cant already
do today on mobile phones.

On a Treo/ Blackberry you can already:

-Surf internet
-Get email
-Listen to Music
-Watch Videos

etc, etc etc,

With the iPhone, you also have to deal with:


$600 for something where 95% of its features are overkill?

Plus being trapped in a 2 year contract?

Plus paying $80+ for a data plan on top of Cell Service?

Plus having to deal with crappy Cingular?

Plus having super slow internet browsing since
its uncompressed internet on non 3G network

Plus Having a screen that will be so scratch up, you
wont be able to see anything?

Plus not having enough memory for videos, & other media,

Plus having to deal w/ bugs bugs bugs of initial
apple products?

Plus knowing that the $600 device will be obsolete
the second you buy it?


I think I'll stick to my Pearl that I got FREE
from T-mobile

I already have a 30gb iPod, that I bought
for $150 so this is pointless.

Smells like the 2nd coming of Newton / PS3- Lots of Hype
but awful bugs & poor execution.

Apple is starting to drift from its core base...

The way you are comparing iPhone with all other Smartphones is unfair, as I see it. If I compare features with my iPaq 6915 then the differences arent that big. Its how these features work that make the iPhone so revolutionary. Just try surfing with Pocket Internet Explorer...
Just try running multiple apps on a pocket pc. The device slows down to an unusable state...
The interface is also not to be compared with anything else...
Having a keyboard is also nice but for most people that makes the device bulky and not very usable. Apple once again made the impossible.

The only thing that I dont like is the lack of UMTS and the price...

 

[emotion]

....stuff about other mobile phones...

We disagree. It's all about the interface. As is OSX but possibly to a lesser extent due to what the iphone appears to be like (and that's saying something).

This iPhone signals a return to niche products that are too expensive
for the typical consumer.

No, too expensive for *you*. I guess you'll have to live with that if you want one or just not buy one if you don't.

These will sell like hot cakes. Millions of people are going to buy one.

Ironically I'm not sure if I will or not, it's pretty far from a perfect device in my eyes but the way this seems to be going is pretty encouraging.

 

[hug]

iPhone, Just the beginning

Some of you don’t seem happy with the announcement of the iPhone at this year’s keynote. You’re not catching the vision. Jobs stated right at the first of the keynote that this keynote address was going to be about something besides the Mac. Mac stuff would come later. There will be many new Mac, software, and iPod announcements coming soon. The first 30 years just a beginning. Welcome to 2007. That wasn’t on the Apple home page exclusive for the iPhone.

The iPhone is big. Not just for the iPhone but for what technology has been developed for the other Apple products. Do you think a full screen, high resolution, touch sensitive, and WIFI iPod is very far away? All you have to do is strip down the iPhone and you have one. We will be seeing this from Apple within six months.

How about OS X running on the iPhone. This means that other applications will be able to run as well. It’s just a matter of time before other OS X applications will show up on the iPhone making it even more functional.

How about the touch technology in the iPhone. It’s just a matter of time, (six to eight months) before Apple includes this with laptops and iMacs. Just think of having an option of using either the mouse or your finger to move things around the screen.

The rumor was that Apple was going to introduce new monitors during this year’s keynote. Why so many rumors on something that isn’t that big. The reason is that Apple will soon release some new monitors and they will have the touch technology that the iPhone has. My bet is that they are working on the applications now to work with the touch technology.

So many new products from Apple will come out soon with the touch technology. By soon I mean 2007. The first 30 years just a beginning. Welcome to 2007.

 

[joshwest]

i'm quite in love with it, i just wish apple as able to sell a unlocked version on their website for every provider. now that would of made me jump out of my seat.

 

[LC III]

I am very interested in the iPHONE but I am not crazy about Cingular as my cell phone service provider.

I've done several searchs and I can't find anything definitive stating the iPHONE is either LOCKED or UNLOCKED. I see a lot of speculation leading up to yesterday's introduction that the phone will be UNLOCKED but nothing about it afterwards. Maybe I am missing something..???


Perhaps one of you experts here can set me straight..????

 

[fiddle245]

We disagree. It's all about the interface. As is OSX but possibly to a lesser extent due to what the iphone appears to be like (and that's saying something).

What is this interface you are talking about? the fact you can
pinch your fingers & make pictures smaller on this thing?

How is the interface going to matter, when web pages take forever
to load since you will be browsing full web pages on super slow
networks?

I have a BB pearl, & I am more than satisfied w/ the internet
experience. If I need internet that badly, I'll buy a mobile broadband
card for my laptop- I wont spend $600 on an untested device
that will likely be obsolete well before your 2 year contract w/
CINGULAR expires

No, too expensive for *you*. I guess you'll have to live with that if you want one or just not buy one if you don't.

I'll have to "live with that"? The fact that I cant pinch my screen
to make web pages smaller?

I'm perfectly happy w/ my Blackberry pearl- it already has all
the internet/ phone/ email functionality I need.

I guess iPhone users will have to just "live with" the fact they
will have a terrible time typing w/o a tactile keyboard, and the
fact they'll need to live on foodstamps to pay for this thing &
voice/ data service.

These will sell like hot cakes. Millions of people are going to buy one.

Ironically I'm not sure if I will or not, it's pretty far from a perfect device in my eyes but the way this seems to be going is pretty encouraging.

Who are you to speak for millions, when you dont even know you
will buy it? I am 100% sure I will not buy the iPhone when it comes
out, so I have the credibility here.

 

[The Scotsman]

5 Years ahead, To Soon

Wow iPhone is sexy, Ahead of the competition and down right genius but where is the market. Yes lots of mobile phones were sold last year and 1% share is ten million units but what market share in general does the smart phone market hold. I think roughly 1 million units would be more accurate to predict 1% market share in the smart phone market.

Would apple not be better off releasing two products:
1: iPod 80gb or higher with same UI as iPhone and same features such touch screen, photos, videos all done the same as iPhone. I just dont think 4gb or 8gb is enough to replace a video iPod so even if you do buy an iPhone and use your 80gb iPod as your music/video and photo center chances are you are still going to carry both products therefore making the ipod part of the phone useless. I beleive also this product should be the internet communicator. The 80gb or higher is better for all the internet has to offer. I am not a technical person (obviously) as maybe all this is to much to fit into one device. But it would be cool as F=@#

2: Sleek Small mobile phone Slightly Larger than nano but smaller than current iPod video. Same features as phone part of iPhone with same UI for phone features. Smaller and obviously still the camera and photo viewer. Smaller in size and therefore would open up a much larger market. Guarantee everyone who owns an iPod of any kind would buy this as a phone but dont think everyone will buy the iPhone in its current state.

Dont get me wrong the iPhone is brilliant but I think Apple has merged two markets phone/iPod into one and think they will lower the custom from each one. Two products would make a lot more people apple buyers and make apple a hell of a lot more money.

And Mr Jobs when do we get video products on itunes UK. Keep up the great work.

 

[Blue Velvet]

So I show selected edits from the keynote demo of the phone to colleagues — designers, web editors, journalists, managers, PAs, IT administrators — today and it was instant lust for every single one of them. It also lead to a interesting lunchtime conversation about the future of publishing when such devices are commonplace...

And the moment that had them all going 'wow' was 'the pinch'; the moment when Steve Jobs zoomed into that picture of the boy...

Make no mistake. This is a seriously important piece of hardware in the overall context of the evolution of mobile convergence devices just on the basis of its interface alone.

If you don't get it, there are other devices for you. I'm sure the CEOs of Nokia and Ericsson, amongst others, have plenty of food for thought this week, even if you don't.

 

[50548]

Some of you don’t seem happy with the announcement of the iPhone at this year’s keynote. You’re not catching the vision. Jobs stated right at the first of the keynote that this keynote address was going to be about something besides the Mac. Mac stuff would come later. There will be many new Mac, software, and iPod announcements coming soon. The first 30 years just a beginning. Welcome to 2007. That wasn’t on the Apple home page exclusive for the iPhone.

The iPhone is big. Not just for the iPhone but for what technology has been developed for the other Apple products. Do you think a full screen, high resolution, touch sensitive, and WIFI iPod is very far away? All you have to do is strip down the iPhone and you have one. We will be seeing this from Apple within six months.

How about OS X running on the iPhone. This means that other applications will be able to run as well. It’s just a matter of time before other OS X applications will show up on the iPhone making it even more functional.

How about the touch technology in the iPhone. It’s just a matter of time, (six to eight months) before Apple includes this with laptops and iMacs. Just think of having an option of using either the mouse or your finger to move things around the screen.

The rumor was that Apple was going to introduce new monitors during this year’s keynote. Why so many rumors on something that isn’t that big. The reason is that Apple will soon release some new monitors and they will have the touch technology that the iPhone has. My bet is that they are working on the applications now to work with the touch technology.

So many new products from Apple will come out soon with the touch technology. By soon I mean 2007. The first 30 years just a beginning. Welcome to 2007.

EXACTLY.

One may say the following about this keynote:

1 - It's the most moving keynote EVER.

2 - SJ was on fire, and extremely honest in his remarks...I've never seen him so good in terms of performance.

3 - the iPhone is a monumental thing, at the same height as the Apple II, the Mac and the iPod...a truly AWESOME product that cannot be compared to ANY crappy PDA or smartassphone out there...it simply has no competitors, apart from the carrier restrictions, lack of immediate availability in Europe and other markets and price (for some). This is already an icon, with a mindblowing UI and paradigm. Thank you, Apple, for another ****ING AMAZING gadget.

I wasn't even worried about an iPhone...but it simply ROCKS, I must say.

4 - The Beatles are REAL at Apple...the keynote just confirmed that, and the announcement will follow.

5 - I just hope that new Macs are announced soon as well, as we still wait for a small MBP and updated towers...

Once more, THANKS Apple for an awesome keynote...it was the most brilliant one, for old and new users alike. And yeah, shove it MS, MS fanboys and PC apologists...there is simply no comparison with Apple.

 

[fiddle245]

The iPhone is a computer, your saying otherwise doesn't make it so.

A blackberry/ Treo is as much of a computer as a iPhone. If I want
a real computer, I'll spend the $600 for a used laptop.

Apple has never yearned to be the market leader. Look at Dell's razor thin margins and its depressed stock price. What's the point in being the largest computer maker if you don't make money?

If Apple is trying to swim upstream by pissing off cell phone
carriers, it is just one more obstacle to the success of this device.

Once again, this isn't simply a cell phone but a high end, portable computing device. Sure, the makers of cheap phones all have problems but the makers of premium products don't. See above.

IMO its only premium in its looks. As far as functionality, I am fine w/
a Blackberry/ Treo. A ferrari is a premium product too, but
Toyota outsells it 100 to 1. & a Toyota will get you there more
reliably than a Ferrari will.

Steve wouldn't have named it the iPhone if he wasn't assured of Apple being able to acquire the name.

Why would the FCC turn them down?

I'm just saying its not the slam dunk you guys claim it to be

Just as the iPod and iTMS transformed music, so will the iPhone transform communication.

How exactly will it transform communitcation ? Will it translate
your voice into a different language?
Will it let you talk to space aliens?? No- it cant really do anything
as far as email/ internet/ & phone that you cant already do w/
current technology. Touch screens have been out forever, &
the public hasnt accepted them. This is a pretty phone, this is a cool
phone, but its NOT a revolutionary phone.

The way you are constantly trashing the iPhone makes me believe that you are nothing more than a shill for all the low end cell phone and computer makers out there.

I'm just trying to cut through the hype in BS- I'm more impressed
in the the looks of the phone, & the fact Apple was able to keep this
all a secret than the actual functionality of the phone. W/ my current
phone I can already do email/ internet/ phone/ music / &Video.
The fact I dont have a touch screen is a GOOD THING imo.

If it weren't for Apple's constant innovation, we would still be in the dark ages of computers.

Being innovative is one thing, not serving the needs of the market
is another thing.

 

[LC III]

Overheard at the office:
"Jesus came back, and he's a phone now"

 

[Ugg]

Being innovative is one thing, not serving the needs of the market is another thing.

Do you own a Mac?

I find it highly suspicious that in the short time you've been here all you've done is trash Apple.

What market are you speaking of? One that is solely dedicated to your needs?

 

[shecky]

Being innovative is one thing, not serving the needs of the market is another thing.

apple not only serves needs of the market, it creates new ones. the original macintosh and the original iPod being just 2 examples. they just created a new market, and now we get to watch everyone else play catchup. in fact they have been playing catchup for the past couple of years and apple just passed them by.

do not let your own need to be the voice of distention cloud your opinions.

 

[aiongiant]

the iPhone is soo awesome!
unfortunetly it's locked to Cingular and for us here in Canada we might not get it anytime soon..

i hope Apple decides to sell an Unlock version at Apple stores or online even if it's a tad more expensive

 

[fiddle245]

Do you own a Mac?

I find it highly suspicious that in the short time you've been here all you've done is trash Apple.

What market are you speaking of? One that is solely dedicated to your needs?

I am typing this on a Macbook, & have a 30GB video ipod- which is
one more reason, I'm not going to spend $600 for something w/
the functionality of an iPod Nano

& I'm still waiting on a response to the 20 other points I made
to rebut your statements.

apple not only serves needs of the market, it creates new ones. the original macintosh and the original iPod being just 2 examples. they just created a new market, and now we get to watch everyone else play catchup. in fact they have been playing catchup for the past couple of years and apple just passed them by.

do not let your own need to be the voice of distention cloud your opinions.

It also created the Newton, the Cube, & other devices that no
one cares about anymore.

You seem to forget that just 10 years ago, Apple was a company no
one wanted to touch w/ a 20 foot pole.

I like many Apple products. The iPhone is not one of them

 

[failsafe1]

the iPhone is soo awesome!
unfortunetly it's locked to Cingular and for us here in Canada we might not get it anytime soon..

i hope Apple decides to sell an Unlock version at Apple stores or online even if it's a tad more expensive

Can't see anyone offering an unlocked version as OEM equipment. If the phone is locked I have posted earlier that there will probably be a way to get a third party supplier to unlock it. This is standard practice for almost every locked phone you buy. Either with a cable and software as a DIY project or for $25 or so from a shop.

It also created the Newton, the Cube, & other devices that no
one cares about anymore.

You seem to forget that just 10 years ago, Apple was a company no
one wanted to touch w/ a 20 foot pole.

I like many Apple products. The iPhone is not one of them

I think people still care about the Newton as seen by the multitudes who still use them. I also have 5 coworkers who seek out Cubes at the surplus warehouse here in town and buy all of them they can when the local University sends them to surplus.

 

[50548]

It also created the Newton, the Cube, & other devices that no
one cares about anymore.

You seem to forget that just 10 years ago, Apple was a company no
one wanted to touch w/ a 20 foot pole.

I like many Apple products. The iPhone is not one of them

Sorry, you are in the wrong place then...go visit microsoft.com...the iPhone just BLOWS anything related out of the water...it IS a breakthrough product and an instant icon...there is simply no way to overlook it...Apple has done a FANTASTIC job, and has created demand out of a static market...it simply RULES, and no Treos come close...it's just offensive to compare it with other PDAs, really.