Hands on the iPhone, and History of iPhone?

[cblackmore]

Star Trek on iTunes

Interesting that you should mention the touch-screen's similarity to Star Trek. The iTunes Store is now offering all the Star Trek movies for download

This reminds me of the computers in Star Trek (not including the original & Enterprise): all of it is done by touch. Plus, you can reconfigure the buttons on the screen and everything.

 

[nemaslov]

I love the iPhone. Fantastic.

But....

We need a bare bones iPhone. Maybe with just contact info, 2gig and music. that's it and priced at maximum $300

and pleeeeessssseeeee..... another carrier besides Cingular

Though the introductory price point of Apple's new iPhone device is a steep $499, an analyst for American Technology Research believes the company is likely to follow a similar strategy to the iPod, starting out with high-end units and then working its way down to more affordable models.



"We believe this is the first of many cell phones from AAPL with AAPL having the potential to revolutionize the space," analyst Shaw Wu told his clients following the company's iPhone unveiling on Tuesday. "While its $499 and $599 price points appear high, they are highly functional devices and best-in-class."

Wu said it would not come as a surprise to see simpler Apple-branded cell phones in the future at much more aggressive price points. "We believe AAPL will likely follow its iPod strategy, which is to start out at the high-end and then trickle down to mid-range and low-end," he said.

Overall, the analyst says he is "very impressed with iPhone and its minimalist touchscreen design," but finds the functionality much more ambitious and aggressive than we anticipated for a first phone.

 

[Rustus Maximus]

Interesting that you should mention the touch-screen's similarity to Star Trek. The iTunes Store is now offering all the Star Trek movies for download

Logical cblackmore. Flawlessly logical.

 

[Clive At Five]

Think about every multimedia package around today. They provide, high-speed internet, digital phone and digital cable. Think about Apple's newest offerings... a phone, and a TV-media interface. It is becoming more and more clear that Apple is treading a path to becoming a content-provider.

1) They already offer internet services (.Mac) which may expand to an ISP service.
2) Once the iPhone has established itself, Apple will dump Cingular and become an MVNO, providing its own digital phone services
3) The iTS will morph into a platform for providing digital TV content.

Does anyone else see this?

-Clive

 

[gugy]

Though the introductory price point of Apple's new iPhone device is a steep $499, an analyst for American Technology Research believes the company is likely to follow a similar strategy to the iPod, starting out with high-end units and then working its way down to more affordable models.

I sure hope so my friend!

 

[thirteen1031]

Custom buttons....

Whoah. Okay This probably already occured to you all, but it just occured to me.

I was trying to think about what this phone didn't have that the average mobile phone does (obviously, if you only need a phone, there's no reason to pay $500 for this--but I'm thinking on down the line, buttons vs. no buttons).

It doesn't have speed dial. I want to call my brother, I press #2 and the phone calls him right up.

But we're seeing with Leopard that Mac is going that way--make your own program, your own widget....and there's room for more buttons on the phone.

So. I take a picture of my brother. Make him into a button on the computer (i.e., indicate a connection between that image and the contact number for him), put it on the phone. Hey, presto! I've a speed dial that doesn't require me to remember which number I gave to my brother.

This is the way they're going...isn't it?

 

[nemaslov]

I sure hope so my friend!

OF COURSE.

Three years ago I purchased a 50" plasma for about $6500. We just got the same updated model three years later (Panosocic industrial monitor) for $1695. plus $100. rebate plus free five year in house warrenty worth $500.

You KNOW other models will come this year like the NANO.

 

[Speedracer04]

I would love to get one however if I must buy a data plan from Cingular then that might be a deal buster for me...

Do you guys think it will be completely nessessary to buy a data plan if I dont plan on using EDGE? The WiFi would be fine for me since I am connected almost everywhere I go on a daily basis.

My only concern is the email capabilities...but I thought I heard Steve say that the Yahoo mail service was free....am I reading that wrong? will I still be able to recieve emails without the data plan? Will emails still be able to be sent to me if Im not connected to WiFi, however not recieve them until I am connected?

All I know is that adding a costly data plan on top of my monthly bill already would probably be too great of a cost. All of this on top of a $600 bill for the phone itself...can anyone answer these questions?

 

[bigjohn]

With new compression formats emerging - this will be less of a problem.
I saw a near HD quality demo of an hour movie which took up less than
320M.

XVID baby! (via isquint)

 

[SiliconAddict]

According to Engadget, the iPhone is not open to 3rd party development at this time. Only Apple is providing (built-in) applications for the device.

While for now this is a deal killer for me I'm not overly concerned. Look at the launch date of the device....June right? What month is WWDC? June\july right? I don't beleive this is chance. My guess is that Apple is working on an API toolkit for developers. Like it or not the screen size will require a slight retooking of the UI ince there is no menu bar, no dock, no minimize\max buttons.

My guess is along with the patting on the back about leopard we will see an iPhone and iPod Video dev kit. The iPod Video being released in late Fall with nutered features such as no phone or WIFI.....bluetooth though.....

 

[peharri]

Whoah. Okay This probably already occured to you all, but it just occured to me.

I was trying to think about what this phone didn't have that the average mobile phone does (obviously, if you only need a phone, there's no reason to pay $500 for this--but I'm thinking on down the line, buttons vs. no buttons).

It doesn't have speed dial. I want to call my brother, I press #2 and the phone calls him right up.

But we're seeing with Leopard that Mac is going that way--make your own program, your own widget....and there's room for more buttons on the phone.

So. I take a picture of my brother. Make him into a button on the computer (i.e., indicate a connection between that image and the contact number for him), put it on the phone. Hey, presto! I've a speed dial that doesn't require me to remember which number I gave to my brother.

This is the way they're going...isn't it?

Nice idea, but remember one of the advantages of speed dial is that it's naturally spacial and uses muscle memory. You usually don't have to look at the keypad to use it. In the above case, you would. You also may find it confusing if you have a lot of similar photos, which require some degree of squinting at to pick from.

One more thing: I've noticed most modern phones have voice recognition. Really recent phones don't even need to be trained, ie you just enter the name in the phone book, press the Call button on your handsfree, and say "Call John Smith", and it understands what you mean.

I can't think of anything simpler than that. I wonder if Apple will incorporate that kind of technology, because I didn't see them mention it.

 

[MacPhilosopher]

In either case, the actual interface is great groundwork for future products, such as iPods tablets and other gizmos. I like the clickwheel though, I'd hate to see that item be discarded.

Agreed. I may not be buying this first iteration, but I am looking forward to the products Apple presents in the future using the technology thay have developed for the iPhone.

Also, Jobs was very adamant about protecting the patents on this device. Probably because of numerous current lawsuits, and the legacy of people ripping Apple's innovation off.

 

[dmelgar]

Too expensive.
I hope and think its likely that this is the first of a series of phones. Rumors have been circulating about two different phones. They've decided to release the high end phone first to build up their cachet. In that regard its worked. I'd be surprised if this phone is a big seller. Too expensive. But a lower end phone would be very hot.

Weaknesses:
- Too expensive
- EDGE... too slow
- Too little memory for an otherwise awesome video ipod.

Gotta admit, it does make the Zune look embarrasing. What remotely innovative in the Zune? Nothing. Microsoft is toast.

 

[sishaw]

Agreed. I may not be buying this first iteration, but I am looking forward to the products Apple presents in the future using the technology thay have developed for the iPhone.

Also, Jobs was very adamant about protecting the patents on this device. Probably because of numerous current lawsuits, and the legacy of people ripping Apple's innovation off.

Speaking of other products, do people think a version of the flat-panel iMac with multi-touch technology is almost a no-brainer? You'd still have the keyboard for text, but imagine moving and resizing windows, choosing photos or songs, etc., all with the touch of a finger or two. Goodbye, mouse, mighty or otherwise.

Apologize if this has been mentioned, but it just sort of hit me that this would be a very cool and very near-future application.

 

[killmoms]

I'd imagine that in the next six months before the phone comes out, or perhaps at the six month mark WHEN the phone comes out, we'll see this same multi-touch widescreen come to a HDD-based iPod near you—not a phone, just an iPod with video playback and the new interface.

Apparently MacInTouch is reporting that it was said that in order to develop for the phone, developers would have to contact Apple Developer Relations—AKA apps have to go through Apple first. However, this seems to be coming from "Apple representatives around the iPhone" (physically) at MWSF, so I'm not sure it counts as an official statement as of yet.

Like I said, there are six months between now and the actual arrival of this device—anything can change in that period of time.

 

[Rocketman]

And something else will superceed WiMax at some point, but it's a bogus argument.

They key element you forget is "will" because right now it's mostly non-existent and will be irrelevant for a good while, unlike 3G networks which are available worldwide right now - again the US lack of 3G is a very special case.And like all afterthought aftermarket hacks and dongles, it will be more expensive and bigger than if the feature was built-in.I guess then it doesn't have a slot for the SIM on the left side and a port for a dock, otherwise it's not an all-in-one device by your logic.But I thought it was an all-in-one, so I need to carry something else too???I have no idea what you mean.I have no idea where you are getting this because I can’t find it in the ADC preview documentation myself – which document and page please?

Obviously if it were possible to install 3rd party applications Steve would have talked about it because it's on everybody mind and why not advertise that it has a built-in GPS if it has one? Probably because it doesn’t it.

OMG.

3/4G is not being deployed well enough in the USA to matter for a variety of reasons. Wimax is, or is on the edge of, doing so. EDGE (AT&T) is essentially a first generation cellular data system. It's main advantage is wisespread deployment. Hence why Apple went with it. This first generation iPhone really needs to work with SOMETHING now. Now = EDGE and 11g, with all their limitations. Of course Apple is focused on USA.

The whole rest of the world is GSM. Hence the SIM card, and yes I admit THAT is a slot. I stand corrected.

Do you need to carry something else too? Headphones.

IF you need a battery life boost you will either carry your dock, an auto charger dongle, or a spare battery dongle. That aside for the moment . . .

You do NOT need to carry storage. That is actually one of the cool things about this Apple Tablet Nano (ATN) (iPhone) "platform". It uses server storage, notably via wireless access, either on your LAN or on your WAN. That is just cool.

This device replaces your tablet.
It replaces your Newton.
It replaces most "smartphones" and it will replace "all" when closed networks begin to interact with the ATN via plug-ins and contractural agreemets (may happen, may not).

The 3rd party SDK will be part of the Leopard developer release.

Remember is was indeed I who was talking about THIS device and its RELEASED capabilities several months ago. Look up my posts "make it so".

I have a suggestion. Let's all just watch as Apple leverages its iPod fad status (mindshare) to reduce public resistance to simply adopting iPhone, slowly at first due to V1.0 cpabilities and high price points, but geometrically more as Apple adds more network options, lower price points, increased software options, and localization to huge international markets, some of which have cellphones as the ONLY telecom access as landlines are not even deployed.

Some others still may enter with ONLY wimax!

Be gentil.

Rocketman

 

[failsafe1]

Too expensive.


Weaknesses:
- Too expensive
- EDGE... too slow
- Too little memory for an otherwise awesome video ipod.

Don't know about it being too expensive. I am in the market for a new phone and the models I like are $100 plus and I was looking for a refurbed video capable iPod at $175 so $275 to $400 for two devices or $499 for one? Seems like a fair trade especially for the new item premium that early adopters pay.

 

[digitalbiker]

One more thing: I've noticed most modern phones have voice recognition. Really recent phones don't even need to be trained, ie you just enter the name in the phone book, press the Call button on your handsfree, and say "Call John Smith", and it understands what you mean.

I can't think of anything simpler than that. I wonder if Apple will incorporate that kind of technology, because I didn't see them mention it.

Yeah, I agree.

I hope that Apple does end up incorporating voice recognition. Think of the power if Automator in OS X on the iPhone is mated with voice recognition. You could have this thing do so many useful tasks it would destroy any competitors product.

 

[blybug]

My "home" computer is in an upstairs den but I want the charging cradle on my dresser downstairs where my put my wallet and keys every evening. I'm hoping the cradle can be plugged right into the wall like my iPod one can and that would trigger a WiFi sync to my PowerMac.

Today, I hate having to take my iPod upstairs and every day to sync up my podcasts. I've been thinking about ditching it and finding some kind of aux-in for my Palm T|X and start using it as my podcast player.

Maybe you need this: wiDock

 

[avalys]

Apparently MacInTouch is reporting that it was said that in order to develop for the phone, developers would have to contact Apple Developer Relations—AKA apps have to go through Apple first. However, this seems to be coming from "Apple representatives around the iPhone" (physically) at MWSF, so I'm not sure it counts as an official statement as of yet.

I think you're misinterpreting their statement: they meant that developers would have to contact Apple Developer Relations in order to get information about developing for the iPhone - the people at the booth were not qualified to say anything about it either way.

 

[dojunmarn]

One thing I was hoping for.....

I would bet that the iPhone will exchange info over WIFI by the time it comes out. Apple is all about the WIFI these days, look at the Apple TV and new Base Station....


What I have not seen mentioned thus far is the ability to use the iPhone via WIFI, Bluetooth or USB cable as a modem for one's PowerBook. Now that is a great idea. Yes, I know it has email, web, etc., but I have big fingers and would much prefer typing on my PowerBook, for emails anyhow. I don't suppose I'd go nuts using such a feature, but seeing as there are no PC cards native to Macs that will connect a road warrior to the Net it would have been a nice touch, especially as Apple is touting this as a "Breakthrough Internet Device".

 

[twoodcc]

Interesting. Apple is a truly enigmatic company, I wonder where they'll go with iPhone in a few years time.

Anyone else feel no wireless syncing is a letdown?

yeah i wonder as well. obviously the size of the hard drive will increase. not sure if bigger is better for this product though.

yeah i agree that the wireless syncing is a letdown. maybe later down the road...

 

[NorCalLights]

yeah i agree that the wireless syncing is a letdown. maybe later down the road...

Later down the road I'm sure we'll see not only wireless syncing, but also off-site syncing via .Mac.

And "later down the road" might be four months from now, when the iPhone is actually released and we have a better idea of what Leopard will offer.

 

[MrCrowbar]

Yeah, I agree.

I hope that Apple does end up incorporating voice recognition. Think of the power if Automator in OS X on the iPhone is mated with voice recognition. You could have this thing do so many useful tasks it would destroy any competitors product.

True. I have lots of stuff done with Automator that i put in my speakable items folder. "Play Beatblender" opens iTunes and plays that internet station (http://www.somafm.com) in a predefines volume. Very cool and impresses the girls when yo go to the darkly lighted bedroom and tell the computer to play some mood music. "What time is it" (the predefined voice command) is useful when you wake up at night and don't want to open your eyes to know what time (or day) it is. I use the apple remote and voice feature a lot, too bad the voice recognition in Tiger crashes all the time. They worked on it in Leopard, so it might gt into the iPhone. I would love the new Leopard male voice to come to the phone, read new Mails and SMS when you squeese that thingy on the headphones. That would be awesome when driving. "Rrrrring, new message from $name_in_address_book. Press headset button to listen" <squeeze headphone> "no subject: Buy 100 Viagra pills for only 19.99 on ..." you get the idea.

 

[EagerDragon]

It provides no wireless sync in its current state. Keep in mind that there are still six months to go.

It comes with a sync and charge cradle. Does not need wireless download, but it would be nice to have. To me it is not a selling point eiter way, the wired sync is fine.

ummm 18 months from now I may switch (contract expires), maybe it will be even nicer then.