iPod Motorola E790 Apple iTunes phone w/ Pic's

[speleoterra]

Apple not in communications

when will apple get it? why bother with motorola at all?

Apple needs Motorola or some other company because they are not in the telecommunications biz. Better to have their software on some elses phone to make sure Bill's crap doesnt get on there 1st. By flagging iTunes to a phone and carrier its more publicity for iTunes and therefore Apple own products & OS. I don't think the long rumored iPhone is around the corner yet, everything isn't in place yet. Its been thought that the cell phone companies and carriers are currently holding the balls,...Steve will swing his set right by them and create a network via satellite. Why isn't there a Apple cell/PDA? Because we've been there done that. Apple is likely to revolutionize personal communications via satellite. One phone-one phone #-from anywheres in the world. Theres hints that Apple is up to this but very casually in the background because of the undertaking and partnerships with other companies with expertise that Apple doesnt currently have+not to give someone else the idea either.

 

[Cvstos]

Damn, I was hoping for a flip phone. The candy bar designs get damaged way too easily.

 

[Demon Hunter]

If it matches my PowerBook and lets me use Bluetooth, they get my dollar.

 

[Jazzbolicious]

Let's be honest here, that phone is underwhelming at best. I seriously doubt that's the actual phone, but a demonstration of the software on a current model. Apple wouldn't make a big announcement if that thing is the only phone running itunes. Perhaps it will come with a set of earbuds with microphone/volume control built into the cord? Or wireless buds and microphone? It's going to be something better than a simple phone with itunes on it, at least it better be.

I have Verizon, and my guess is they will get itunes for sure! In a couple years.

 

[mkrishnan]

I have Verizon, and my guess is they will get itunes for sure! In a couple years.

Hey, these things follow a cycle:

- Announce you intend to release a music service and a phone to go along
- Get the press to lambast Apple for being a late follower and lacking the innovation your product contains for about six to ten days.
- After the six to ten days, start designing said product
- After six months of development, quietly start dropping features
- Release one year after promised date
- Herald all the subscribers in the first week, and then fail to mention how they all cancelled and you are making no revenue
- Try to blame and fire the division that created the service and then announce that it will be cancelled
- Get lambasted by the same press that initially heralded your product, for its failure to be exactly like iTunes. These articles will look exactly like the above articles, except words like "will make it much better than" will be replaced like "is an example of how it will never rival...."
- Launch new expensive iTunes phone and blatantly fail to provide an upgrade route for the people who gambled on your accursed service platform

 

[agent79]

i agree that apple vs the cell phone companies is a losing proposition. stepping around them and creating a network of satellite phones is way too far down the line and will have to incorporate convincing people to switch to that technology in order for it to be a success. what i dont agree with is that there is no reason why there can't be an apple ipod-pda. i know apple may have dabbled with pda's in the past, but i find it hard to believe with the success and, in some circles, the dependancies on pda's in today's world that apple cant see the light. this would be the logical first step in the evolution towards something like an infrastructure of satellite phones. of course the cell phone companies dont want an apple phone because they would lose money from the exorbitant prices they charge for downloading songs and wallpapers. in this scenario it makes sense to partner with motorola and sell an itunes phone through cingular. but it doesnt, and shouldnt hinder them from developing an ipod-pda seperately. included in the architecture of the pda would be a framework that would grease the skids towards including phone capabilities when the economy sees fit. simple. but for the here and now if apple modified the ipod adding a tiny OSX and encompassing all media (movies, pics, music, et al) plus internet capabilities they would profit immensely.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi
Ugly if you ask me. Not terribly but definitely nothing like the RAZR.

There's a little video of the phone I have verizon and I can't see them doing anything for the customer that doesn't involve using their network exclusively. I went into three stores in my area and they all told me I can't use bluetooth to transfer pics from my phone to my computer. I have to send them through the network via a msg. Thereby using up my pic msg allowance. They've gotten greedy.

Now with their press release about their own download service and music phone, they'll be losing my business...

This is why many providers openly opposed wishing to offer such. They know it will likely be computer-to-phone first and maybe jump to itunes-to-phone (network) sometime later. This gives most providers bad thoughts about it since they don't expect additional revenue.

Eh, I was expecting something better. Hopefully this isn't the actual "iPhone" and it's just a sample of what the interface will be. Everyone says it's going to be Cingular which is good since that's what I use, but bad because it totally BLOWS. I had AT&T and loved it, but since the Cingular merger, things got worse and their plans are a total rip.

I happen to disagree. I am currently still a [former] ATTW customer [with a Nokia 6820] but planning on jumping to an official Cingular plan (Nation 450) and maybe a Moto V3 (RAZR) Special Edition (black). I have about 2 months left on my 1 year ATTW contract. Despite the complaints, I've very recently contacted Cingular customer support about three times with questions unrelated to actual problems and while they obviously had some sales hints they were more than informative and very kind. I pay ~$36 ($29.99 plus taxes / fees) right now for 350 anytime minutes. Can't recall the weekend amount. Plus, it is only regional, but free long distance from my 'home' area. So, $44-46 ($39.99 plus taxes / fees) for 450 anytime, 5,000 weekend, free mobile-to-mobile, nationwide (no roaming), and Rollover sounds pretty darn good to me.

 

[Abstract]

One phone-one phone #-from anywheres in the world. Theres hints that Apple is up to this but very casually in the background because of the undertaking and partnerships with other companies with expertise that Apple doesnt currently have+not to give someone else the idea either.

I want a phone that supports 2 SIM cards at once. That's more realistic.

Here's one desire that's less realistic within the next 3 years, but still do-able: I want Apple to hook up with Skype and a phone carrier and somehow offer calls via high-speed internet to your phone rather than through traditional mobile phone towers like we have now. If you can offer this internet connection, you wouldn't need to use phone towers for mobile use. All the carriers would need are high speed internet satellites or something. They'd save money in a way because they don't need to maintain mobile phone towers all over the place. Also, make that internet unlimited, and you'll be chatting AND browsing the web for some standard monthly fee to a mobile phone ISP, or to a current phone carrier. Long distance may be cheap too!

Or make internet unlimited (for a standard fee), and yet you just use "Skype credit" like you do now. Plus with Skype-In, maybe you can have lots of different phone numbers all over the world, and when friends and family call you, it'll be like phoning a local number instead of long distance (which is just the idea behind Skype-In, but for mobile use). I mean, there's no long distance fees for internet anyway, but I'm just saying.

 

[ryanw]

I think having iTunes in a phone is a waste. Why would you be so desperate to listen to music on a phone? Leave it to the iPod for the music.

Well, if I need to have a cell phone with me anyway, it would be nice if it could play some of my music. Why not? Those iPod Shuffles are very cool, if the cell phone has the same abilities, it could be a nice addition.

I have had cell phones with calanders and various PDA functions before, I never use anything beyond syncing the Address Book. I would totally use the "iTunes" functions of the phone.

 

[toneloco2881]

I think having iTunes in a phone is a waste. Why would you be so desperate to listen to music on a phone? Leave it to the iPod for the music.

Desperate? You don't believe the convergence of devices is a good thing? Cutting down the number of devices I have to carry on me is a great thing. Granted, right now you have to make sacrifices with space, battery life, etc. but in the not so distant future, devices will be capable of performing multiple functions with aplomb. Im all for innovation, and look forward to the day where i can ditch my digicam and ipod, for something which incorporates all relative functionality into one device. I'm not looking to take SLR quality pics or listen to my music in lossless format. Just give me something where I'm not sacrificing huge comparative quality.

The iPod was never said to have been explicitly a music device. I think Apple in the future is going to have to think about creating their own "iPhone" rather than just licensing iTunes mobile to existing manufacturers.

 

[SiliconAddict]

*shrugs* A phone that does iTunes. OK. Sure. And? Color me uninterested. I mean sure some may care but most people on this thread have iPods already or have shuffles. Wake me when Apple designs their own phone and then lets talk.

 

[Object-X]

Pocket super computer

Damn, I was hoping for a flip phone. The candy bar designs get damaged way too easily.

Why is everyone thinking singular? Pun intended! I don't think it's going to be just one phone, there will be a whole line of them; and a flip version seem s likely.

I also agree with the poster who wants a PDA/phone/iPod. I think an Apple PDA running a small version of OS X would be killer! A PDA with a hard drive. Why did that concept take so long? Palm finally got it but their OS and screen sucks big time. I want a cool Apple PDA with H.264 HD, wireless internet, ect.

And cool little genie effects too.

A super computer in your pocket.

 

[el greenerino]

Disappointed I am.

If it were something that followed an Apple aesthetic I would've gotten it without even considering using it for music.

Sadly It looks like a teenybopper phone. Fine for people who dont care about how their phone looks or even like the design. But I would rather not look like an 18 yr old borrowing my 12 yr old cousin's phone.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi

You don't believe the convergence of devices is a good thing? Cutting down the number of devices I have to carry on me is a great thing. Granted, right now you have to make sacrifices with space, battery life, etc.

I know I'm being somewhat contradicting considering the phone I have now and that I do use it for very light photo taking but usually that sacrifice is quality. I do like multi-function devices but right now phones have quite low resolution, nothing at all serious performance, and low sound quality. Some have 40KHz capability but let's talk about another sacrifice. Price. You pay a lot for that convenience. Like a portable computer, the value is usually kicked out of the window. While they are getting better, can we make the phone part of it stupendous and than work on the extras?

 

[Jalexster]

I'm not sure if someone has said this before, but it's not called TransFlash anymore. It's now called microSD I believe (not the same as miniSD).

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000967035857/

 

[Rootman]

I think having iTunes in a phone is a waste. Why would you be so desperate to listen to music on a phone? Leave it to the iPod for the music.

I already get music on my phone when they put me on hold. What I need is something to filter out Jimmy Buffet and crap.

 

[sw1tcher]

After seeing this i doubt that apple could be holding a huge media event about this. I would be VERY dissapointed with apple if they did.

Same here. VERY disappointed indeed.

 

[GregA]

i agree that apple vs the cell phone companies is a losing proposition. stepping around them and creating a network of satellite phones is way too far down the line and will have to incorporate convincing people to switch to that technology in order for it to be a success. what i dont agree with is that there is no reason why there can't be an apple ipod-pda. i know apple may have dabbled with pda's in the past, but i find it hard to believe with the success and, in some circles, the dependancies on pda's in today's world that apple cant see the light.

The iPod is almost a PDA today, but an Apple PDA would need a redesign to work well for input. Far more feasible than Apple replacing the mobile-phone world with satellite phones. If that was economically viable then Globalstar and Iridium wouldn't have such a tough time.

I want a phone that supports 2 SIM cards at once. That's more realistic.

I'd like that, can't see what 'value add' Apple brings to that, but if they networks dislike an "Apple phone" then why not make it work on multiple networks.

Here's one desire that's less realistic within the next 3 years, but still do-able: I want Apple to hook up with Skype and a phone carrier and somehow offer calls via high-speed internet to your phone rather than through traditional mobile phone towers like we have now. If you can offer this internet connection, you wouldn't need to use phone towers for mobile use. All the carriers would need are high speed internet satellites or something.

Hmmm... well it is realistic for Apple to release a WiFi-VoIP phone. They certainly have the Wifi know-how, and they've got VoIP (voice and Video-over-IP) experience with iChat, though they'd need to match that up with standard telephones and phone numbers. Anyone with Airport Express in their house could plug in an Apple Wifi-VoIP phone and use it instantly. They could have the same number work at home, work, and friend's houses.

Apple is probably already looking at how Apple laptops can simply connect wirelessly to the internet wherever there's a wireless access point - so any deals they're sorting out there could work for an Apple Wifi-VoIP phone as well. (I still don't see much room for satellite to play into that scenario).

 

[mkrishnan]

I already get music on my phone when they put me on hold. What I need is something to filter out Jimmy Buffet and crap.

At a moment like this, I can't help but wonder...what would Jimmy Buffet do? He'd say: pour me something tall and strong, make it a hurricane before I go insane...it's only half past twelve, but I don't care...it's five o'clock somewhere.

 

[ebunton]

Well it doesn't look like an an innovative phone does it?
I would've expected innovation from an Apple-supported project.

It looks to me like a Tom Peters's "mediocre success".

Let's hope it's not the real iTunes phone.

I guess that there's no need for a scroll wheel at such low capacities - but hey, what a non-event.

 

[Platform]

Nice phone............just hope MOTO have fixed their menues and speed...some of their phones are really slow

 

[dontmatter]

well, I don't know about you guys, but I sure as heck hope this thing can't hold more than 512, or else it's shuffle competition, and that would be stupid. no? We'll find out soon, I hope.

 

[Abstract]

Anyone with Airport Express in their house could plug in an Apple Wifi-VoIP phone and use it instantly. They could have the same number work at home, work, and friend's houses.

Apple is probably already looking at how Apple laptops can simply connect wirelessly to the internet wherever there's a wireless access point - so any deals they're sorting out there could work for an Apple Wifi-VoIP phone as well. (I still don't see much room for satellite to play into that scenario).

I didn't mean a WiFi phone. What I mean is using the internet ability of mobile phones today. My phone can connect to the internet. Not well, but it can.

And with 3G phones, some phones certainly take advantage of a higher-speed internet than I can get with my SE k700i, so if you can send video, you can certainly get enough bandwidth to connect to a Skype-like service that lets you make calls, including long distance, at a low price instead of using todays mobile service providers like Sprint (or whatever you have in the US).

And like I was trying to imply before (but failing miserably), the problem is mobile internet costs right now. However, if a mobile carrier were to base their entire system on internet calling rather than through typical 850/90/1800/1900 MHz phone signals and towers all over the place, they could cut costs by not having to maintain towers. The carrier would basically be an ISP for mobile phones, and the Skype-like service could then be used to make calls, even long distance, at say $0.10 cents per minute, flat out.

 

[GregA]

And like I was trying to imply before (but failing miserably), the problem is mobile internet costs right now. However, if a mobile carrier were to base their entire system on internet calling rather than through typical 850/90/1800/1900 MHz phone signals and towers all over the place, they could cut costs by not having to maintain towers. The carrier would basically be an ISP for mobile phones, and the Skype-like service could then be used to make calls, even long distance, at say $0.10 cents per minute, flat out.

How does the "internet calling" system work if they don't have towers?

 

[mkrishnan]

How does the "internet calling" system work if they don't have towers?

Yeah, I'm confused too. Had Abstract meant a wifi phone (which he clearly does not), it would only work in hotspots. It would be nice if a Wifi-enabled phone could automatically link in to a hotspot and use VOIP to lower costs as appropriate, i.e. when making international calls. Something similar was supposedly a killer app of BT, which never materialized (but at the time, hooking into landlines).

But he seems to mean a phone that uses VOIP in tandem with GPRS/EDGE or something similar. And to do that, from my understanding, *someone* still needs to provide a tower and access to get you onto the GPRS network. The only question would be whether accessing GPRS/EDGE instead of GSM would somehow be a cheaper service to provide customers. I'm not really clear that it would, except perhaps for international dialing.