apple really expected to use plastic before? crazy - optical glass would seem like the obvious choice. maybe for the more pre release press
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Apple iPhone Glass Surface and Battery Life Improved
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Agreed
GPS support on Macs is pathetic. GPS capability will sell me this phone. I have never owned a cell phone or a GPS, but I'm getting to the point where I need both for my research and teaching.
By the way, as a geologist I want to remind everyone that a glass surface will scratch just as easily as plastic in your pocket. The hardness of silt and sand is way higher than any glass. There's always stuff blowing around or on you fingertips unless they're perfectly clean. Glass is better, but don't look for it to be all that resistant. We'll have to be very careful, just like with other devices. The problem is, a simple phone with a gouge in the screen is still usable with buttons. How will the multitouch input change when the surface coating that detects charge gets scratched?
Apple, you can send me a test phone if you'd like!
GPS support on Macs is pathetic. GPS capability will sell me this phone. I have never owned a cell phone or a GPS, but I'm getting to the point where I need both for my research and teaching.
By the way, as a geologist I want to remind everyone that a glass surface will scratch just as easily as plastic in your pocket. The hardness of silt and sand is way higher than any glass. There's always stuff blowing around or on you fingertips unless they're perfectly clean. Glass is better, but don't look for it to be all that resistant. We'll have to be very careful, just like with other devices. The problem is, a simple phone with a gouge in the screen is still usable with buttons. How will the multitouch input change when the surface coating that detects charge gets scratched?
Apple, you can send me a test phone if you'd like!
And they will do it by sticking the iPhone in their back pocket and then sitting down on it. Then they will sue Apple because they got glass stuck in their butt.
Do you have a spare empty jug too?
Better carry a spare jug if you don't want to skip out of line.
only 11 more days until I camp out in front of the apple store from 7 am (when they let the mall walkers in..or is it 8?) till 6 pm. I'll have a two gallon thing of OJ with some vodka in it and I'll be tailgating all day till 6pm
thats if they do "first come first serve"
I'm so excited, now a better screen and battery life..my credit card...err my dads credit card is waiting
oh for those of you waiting for rev B have fun while I enjoy myiphone
Better carry a spare jug if you don't want to skip out of line.
Corporate or Affiliate or Apple store?
Well, the press release focus was not about the time - the date was mentioned and time has already been firmly established and confirmed.
From what I've researched, only Corprorate Stores, not affiliate stores. If you go to Cingular's website and search for stores around your area, you'll get all the stores. Do yourself a favor and call each one and simply ask them if they'll carry the iPhone. That's how I did my homework - the pattern seems to be Corporate Stores. Then, you can be real anal about it and drive to the stores that claim they'll be carrying it to see if the banner is up in the window, just for double reassurance. (Which I admit is what I did.)
My only quandry now is this: Do I go to the AT&T store on the morning of the 29th and hang out for 8+ hours and hope they have enough in stock to take care of opening day demand? Will the AT&T stores have LESS on stock than the Apple stores, so if I end up being the 101st person in line, and they only had 100, I'll be screwed? Even Steve Jobs made a general statement about staying away from his own stores on that day because of the (probably true) indications that they'll be madhouses. But will the Apple stores stock more because of the anticipation to more folks being there?
And how about an Education Discount? Will there be one, and, if so, will it only be available at Apple stores? That's something else I need to know to make a decision....
Well, the press release focus was not about the time - the date was mentioned and time has already been firmly established and confirmed.
From what I've researched, only Corprorate Stores, not affiliate stores. If you go to Cingular's website and search for stores around your area, you'll get all the stores. Do yourself a favor and call each one and simply ask them if they'll carry the iPhone. That's how I did my homework - the pattern seems to be Corporate Stores. Then, you can be real anal about it and drive to the stores that claim they'll be carrying it to see if the banner is up in the window, just for double reassurance. (Which I admit is what I did.)
My only quandry now is this: Do I go to the AT&T store on the morning of the 29th and hang out for 8+ hours and hope they have enough in stock to take care of opening day demand? Will the AT&T stores have LESS on stock than the Apple stores, so if I end up being the 101st person in line, and they only had 100, I'll be screwed? Even Steve Jobs made a general statement about staying away from his own stores on that day because of the (probably true) indications that they'll be madhouses. But will the Apple stores stock more because of the anticipation to more folks being there?
And how about an Education Discount? Will there be one, and, if so, will it only be available at Apple stores? That's something else I need to know to make a decision....
Yep, guess you'll have to buy the other smart phone that has 16 gigs of flash memory.
re: gps
considering the added component cost, additional point of failure, battery life degradation... anyone think that apple might be a lot more creative and use cellular triangulation for positioning?
seems like a very apple like solution. they might not even announce it as a feature as triangulation wouldn't be as dependable as GPS, but you could hit google maps and "boom" the map automatically locates to your general location.
considering the added component cost, additional point of failure, battery life degradation... anyone think that apple might be a lot more creative and use cellular triangulation for positioning?
seems like a very apple like solution. they might not even announce it as a feature as triangulation wouldn't be as dependable as GPS, but you could hit google maps and "boom" the map automatically locates to your general location.
Same here.
The fact that AT&T has yet to release anything resembling plan features/cost raises a big red flag, in my mind.
I get the feeling that on June 29th, all potential iPhone users are in for a rude awakening when we learn what AT&T has to offer. I can even see those same customers balking at the counter when learning of what it will cost, monthly, to use the device. I hope not. But something tells me on top of the price of the device, there will be a ~$120/mo service plan to consider.
Let's hope AT&T has something user-friendly up their sleeve.
If not, bring on the nanoPhone!!
For playing a number of movies while on a long trip.
I am waiting for an accessory called the iPhone Backpack (made up name). It will be basically the same size as the iPhone and will fit on the back side of the iPhone -- actually the iPhone will slide into the Backpack with its dock connecting to the bottom of the Backpack.
The iPhone Backpack will include extra storage (maybe a harddrive, or maybe a couple of extra Gig of ram) and a battery. The primary focus is for playing movies while being away from your computer for several days.
Same here.
The fact that AT&T has yet to release anything resembling plan features/cost raises a big red flag, in my mind.
I get the feeling that on June 29th, all potential iPhone users are in for a rude awakening when we learn what AT&T has to offer. I can even see those same customers balking at the counter when learning of what it will cost, monthly, to use the device. I hope not. But something tells me on top of the price of the device, there will be a ~$120/mo service plan to consider.
Let's hope AT&T has something user-friendly up their sleeve.
If not, bring on the nanoPhone!!
Don't look now, but this just in: "No Contract Required to Buy Apple iPhone?"
http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/97117
Why is it a joke?
The iPhone will offer more on-board memory than any phone on the market, especially any smartphone.
Why is it a joke? Because of the iPhone design itself. Yes, it is more "on-board memory than any phone on the market", but how many of those phones are selling themselves as a mini-media center, too? None... so they do not need the memory. But the iPhone is a phone AND the next gen iPod, one more optimized for video... and 4 gigs is barely enough to use that function. With no option to add more flash (like MANY other phones, btw), the iPhone is memory-hobbled. That is why I see it as a joke.
Let me make this analogy- sell a Television that only gets one channel... or a DVD player that does not play CDs. Maybe Joke is not the best word... but hobbled is.
One of the things that has me hesitant was the battery- I go through batteries on my phones like crazy. Someone above mentioned user replaceable batteries. I followed the link- I do not see that. For me, no user replaceable battery will be a strong disincentive to get this phone.
The lack of 3G is the other thing holding me back. GPS would be nice, but not the deal-breaker the other two are. Oh well, I still have 8 months w/t_Mobile, so I would not make the move immediately anyway. I am almost forced to wait for iPhone Gen 2... probably a good thing, I think!
As to the glass... good call. There is a VERY nice, scratch resistant and strong glass, used in high end aquariums and other apps that need non-distorting and no color tints... its called Sapphire glass (google it). I hope this is what they use- great glass, and will survive a 2-3 meter fall in most cases. I have a watch with it- simply a beautiful glass. Hope that is the glass they use.
NOt the point of GPS
The point of GPS devices (yes, even on a phone) is that it will locate you by satellite regardless of if there is cell phone reception. I need GPS to tell me where I am away from cities. You folks in NY City, etc. Don't need it - just look at the road signs. If you're out hiking, doing field research, etc. (Yes, there are lots of us!!!), real GPS is a must.
I probably won't buy one if there's not a GPS option. Or I'll wait until there is, since the other GPS options on Mac suck so bad.
The point of GPS devices (yes, even on a phone) is that it will locate you by satellite regardless of if there is cell phone reception. I need GPS to tell me where I am away from cities. You folks in NY City, etc. Don't need it - just look at the road signs. If you're out hiking, doing field research, etc. (Yes, there are lots of us!!!), real GPS is a must.
I probably won't buy one if there's not a GPS option. Or I'll wait until there is, since the other GPS options on Mac suck so bad.
contracts
How does buying a contract phone in the US work?
Here in the UK i would has to pass a credit history check and supply ID before being allowed to walk away with a phone and 12 or 18 month contract. Regardless if the phone is 'free' or costly.
How would buying from the Apple store work in the UK? I know it's a long way off but I'm thinking buyers of the iPhone can insert their current SIM, If compatible.
So what happens in the US?
you buy the iPhone and then can't get a contract because your credit history is bad?
help me out people.
How does buying a contract phone in the US work?
Here in the UK i would has to pass a credit history check and supply ID before being allowed to walk away with a phone and 12 or 18 month contract. Regardless if the phone is 'free' or costly.
How would buying from the Apple store work in the UK? I know it's a long way off but I'm thinking buyers of the iPhone can insert their current SIM, If compatible.
So what happens in the US?
you buy the iPhone and then can't get a contract because your credit history is bad?
help me out people.
Sorry to burst your bubble
Sorry to burst your bubble, but you are absolutely 100% wrong. And here is the proof. Verizon passed on the iPhone, stating Apple's demands are the reason. If the monthly rate were $120/month, no phone company would turn down the iPhone. The reason Verizon turned it down was that Apple insisted on keeping the monthly cost LOW, like around $70/month. There is no way the iPhone comes out at $120/month, especially since the Crackberry costs around $80/month. Apple wants market share, and you don't get that by coming out with a phone that is twice the monthly cost that it should be.
Guess again, Median plan price will be $70/month, anything even near $100 per month is insane.
Same here.
The fact that AT&T has yet to release anything resembling plan features/cost raises a big red flag, in my mind.
I get the feeling that on June 29th, all potential iPhone users are in for a rude awakening when we learn what AT&T has to offer. I can even see those same customers balking at the counter when learning of what it will cost, monthly, to use the device. I hope not. But something tells me on top of the price of the device, there will be a ~$120/mo service plan to consider.
Let's hope AT&T has something user-friendly up their sleeve.
If not, bring on the nanoPhone!!
Sorry to burst your bubble, but you are absolutely 100% wrong. And here is the proof. Verizon passed on the iPhone, stating Apple's demands are the reason. If the monthly rate were $120/month, no phone company would turn down the iPhone. The reason Verizon turned it down was that Apple insisted on keeping the monthly cost LOW, like around $70/month. There is no way the iPhone comes out at $120/month, especially since the Crackberry costs around $80/month. Apple wants market share, and you don't get that by coming out with a phone that is twice the monthly cost that it should be.
Guess again, Median plan price will be $70/month, anything even near $100 per month is insane.
"Let me make this analogy- sell a Television that only gets one channel.."
that did once happen, you have to start somewhere.
"I am almost forced to wait for iPhone Gen 2..."
8GB mobile phone not enough? how on earth are you getting by now... IT'S A START. This time next year the lowest capacity will probably be 8GB.
"I go through batteries on my phones like crazy. Someone above mentioned user replaceable batteries. I followed the link- I do not see that. For me, no user replaceable battery will be a strong disincentive to get this phone."
The lack of a user replaceable battery does not bother me in the slightest. I've been using mobile phones for the last 12 years and have been using iPods since the 3rd gen. I've never replaced a battery in my life and have never had the need to.
PS.
hope you are right about the glass.
Probably one of the reasons why Leopard will be coming in october instead of this month.
Wow, that's great battery life for a phone like that I would love a iPhone. But sadly I won't be getting one. I don't want to switch carriers and lose my 25% discount with Sprint. And pay 2 cancel fees ....
I would love a iPhone. But sadly I won't be getting one. I don't want to switch carriers and lose my 25% discount with Sprint. And pay 2 cancel fees ....
humm... iPhone is pretty, but it's gonna be expensive to carry... i'm totally content with my $25/month landline thank you very much
Most cell phones don't, though. At least, most people don't use them.
BTW, Thanks for re-enforcing my point.
I think the iPhone will sport this feature (triangulation integration with Google maps) at launch.
<rant>Unless you are Batman, you have no business wearing any electronic device(s) on your belt. Period.
And putting any device in a case is redundant.
The freakin' thing COMES in a case already!</rant>
Actually, quite a few of them are doing just that.
Strange. I have owned cell-phones since about 1997 or so, and I have NEVER had to replace the battery. Never. Yes, the capacity does go down a bit as you use the phone, but since I replaced the phone maybe once in three years, the battery and it's diminishing capacity has never been an issue for me.
I have 3G on my phone. Whoop-de-doo! I have yet to think of any useful thing to do with it. It sucks batteries like crazy and it's quite simply not worth the effort.