Pogue's iPhone Frequently Asked Questions

[Stella]

Other smartphones aren't locked down to the hilt by the manufacturer @ $600.

Other smartphones can play ( unprotected ) AAC, MP3, WMA et al so the lack of iTunes isn't a big deal.

Such wonderful insight. Thanks.

For those that actually contribute to the conversation, the price is justified. You need to take out the price of the iPod that you're buying with the iPhone to understand it. 499-199=300. That's about right for a brand new, top of the line smartphone.

 

[sokrates]

who says's it can't play unprotected mp3s? iTunes can, so why shouldn't the phone?

 

[Stella]

who says's it can't play unprotected mp3s? iTunes can, so why shouldn't the phone?

Since your post is undermine and seems related, I'm assuming its a response to mine:
Read my post again, I never said iPhone cannot play unprotected MP3 ( are any MP3s DRM protected?!) ( hint: other smartphones, unprotected AAC ).

Yes it may be early in the morning for you too

 

[peharri]

"Does the Web browser support Flash or Java? –No."

Umm....then how does it work with Yahoo or Google maps? No Java?? Maybe Im missing something.

Google Maps is 100% Javascript and HTML. No Java at all.

I don't think anyone claimed it does Yahoo maps, but I may be wrong. Even if it does, there's some lattitude to the claim, as Yahoo's maps are available in both flash and non-flash forms.

 

[Warbrain]

Other smartphones aren't locked down to the hilt by the manufacturer @ $600.

Other smartphones can play ( unprotected ) AAC, MP3, WMA et al so the lack of iTunes isn't a big deal.

Have you tried to purchase a smart phone that was unlocked of late? 600 dollars. I've been looking into smartphones for a while and it's impossible to find an unlocked one for less. And plus, you pay as much for an Apple product which you know will work much better than those other devices.

 

[dual64bit]

I'm starting to think the iPhone is gonna kinda iStink.

Apple is on a roll right now, but let's not act like everything they do is success. Remember that whole "iPod by HP thing"? And the g4 cube?

In fact I'm calling it right now, the iPhone shall suffer the same faith as the g4 cube. Stunning design, but it just won't find success in the market place.

Although I am looking forward to the full screen iPods of the future, after apple learns from it's mistakes on this first touch screen endeavor.

/trolling

I agree, Apple has had it's share of disasters. You can even go back and look at older machines, the G4 cube wasn't the only over-priced computer, look at the TAM (20th Anniv. Mac). This could be another product being offered that's going to overshoot the market, perhaps ahead of it's time? They don't even do marketing research! They have a few people who sit around and decide how much it should sell for. It's a great device, with little flaws. It'll be interesting to see exactly how well it does do.

 

[mtrctyjoe]

Ouch!

Wow... I hate to say this, but if even half of this is true - then I sure am not interested in the 1st version. This thing lacks memory, is expensive, Cingular sucks where I live, can't sync with Outlook, no third party support... on and on and on.....

I hope for Apple's sake this is not true, they will no doubt release some surprises between now and June. The touch screen is great - If they incorporate this into a fully functional tablet (like that cool OWC thingy!) I might give them my coin.

The iPone is "cool" but at those prices and limited functionality - no one is getting off of their crackberries and plams. I could see this as useful for a .mac member - but this is about it.

 

[Stella]

Have you tried to purchase a smart phone that was unlocked of late? 600 dollars. I've been looking into smartphones for a while and it's impossible to find an unlocked one for less. And plus, you pay as much for an Apple product which you know will work much better than those other devices.

Yes. In Canada the Nokia E-Series start from around $450 unlocked ( Symbian ) and I'm sure there are palms, Blackberrys around the same price range.

I have to disagree that the iPHone works better than <unspecified smartphones> ( that is a very far reaching statement by the way ). For one , once again, there are a large library of applications that you can install for all smartphones. All platforms encourage 3rd party developers, freely. Any one who has used a smartphone can appreciate the need for 3rd party applications - unrestricted.

 

[Speedracer04]

booooo I know for a fact that the iPhone will not be able to take over the corporate world if it cant open Excel or Word documents with editing capabilities. Until then there will always be a place for Blackberries and Treo's.

 

[peharri]

Have you tried to purchase a smart phone that was unlocked of late? 600 dollars. I've been looking into smartphones for a while and it's impossible to find an unlocked one for less. And plus, you pay as much for an Apple product which you know will work much better than those other devices.

Nokia 9300, unlocked: $249
Blackbery Pearl 8100 Unlocked - $449

Those are just the first two phones I searched for. Literally just the first two. Couldn't find the unlocked Pearl on Amazon but a quick Google found a whole bunch. For sheets and giggles I did a search for Unlocked Sidekick III, and while there doesn't seem to be an official channel for them, used sales are under $200.

I'm not saying either are as good as the iPhone of course, but then none of them approach $500+Absurd Contract in price.

BTW, I think people shouldn't ignore the Sidekick. It's an extremely populist platform, overlaps with the iPhone in functionality to a high degree, and has done T-Mobile a world of good in the US, but would it have sold at twice to three times the price? I doubt it.

If I were T-Mobile and Hiptop, I'd be looking right now at rolling out something that could be the Nintendo DS to the iPhone's Sony PSP. Ironically, that would probably push up sales of the iPhone too.

 

[Warbrain]

Yes. In Canada the Nokia E-Series start from around $450 unlocked ( Symbian ) and I'm sure there are palms, Blackberrys around the same price range.

I have to disagree that the iPHone works better than <unspecified smartphones> ( that is a very far reaching statement by the way ). For one , once again, there are a large library of applications that you can install for all smartphones. All platforms encourage 3rd party applications. Any one who has used a smartphone can appreciate the need for 3rd party applications - unrestrictive.

Yea, 450. So 500 dollars isn't much higher. And I'm sure that you'll be able to expand the iPhone software-wise. You need to remember that it's not fully developed and completed yet.

 

[Stella]

Yea, 450. So 500 dollars isn't much higher. And I'm sure that you'll be able to expand the iPhone software-wise. You need to remember that it's not fully developed and completed yet.

Erm, thats $450 unlocked, no contract. A better deal than iPhone. As previous poster said, they found cheaper smart phones.

Apple want to *control* the 3rd party software. No other smartphone platform does that. Like I just said, others encourage and want 3rd party software - uncontrolled, unrestrictived.

 

[peharri]

Yea, 450. So 500 dollars isn't much higher. And I'm sure that you'll be able to expand the iPhone software-wise. You need to remember that it's not fully developed and completed yet.

$450 is certainly lower than $500.
$500 + contract is considerably higher than $450 without one.

Or to put it another way, $250 with contract is considerably lower than $500 with contract.

You can't really suggest the iPhone's price is low or reasonable by comparing the prices of unsubsidized phones with the iPhone's subsidized price. And someone can, unquestionably, get a much cheaper good, carrier-neutral, smartphone for less than the price of an iPhone.

 

[Warbrain]

$450 is certainly lower than $500.
$500 + contract is considerably higher than $450 without one.

Or to put it another way, $250 with contract is considerably lower than $500 with contract.

You can't really suggest the iPhone's price is low or reasonable by comparing the prices of unsubsidized phones with the iPhone's subsidized price. And someone can, unquestionably, get a much cheaper good, carrier-neutral, smartphone for less than the price of an iPhone.

But one that you'll need to purchase additional software and cables for because it's not supported on a Mac? The iPhone is great because you don't need to do that. It'll work through iTunes just fine. If I wanted to connect a Treo, I'd have to buy Missing Sync...

 

[Stella]

But one that you'll need to purchase additional software and cables for because it's not supported on a Mac? The iPhone is great because you don't need to do that. It'll work through iTunes just fine. If I wanted to connect a Treo, I'd have to buy Missing Sync...

I don't need to purchase additional software for my phone. iSync does a great job - I'm quite impressed by it.

Give your example, however. Say I buy an unlocked , out of contract phone for $450 and then have to spend $50 on Missing Sync. Its still cheaper than $500 + 2 year contract.

Edit: a given, Missing Sync does a bit more than iSync. But my example still stands.

 

[furrylogic]

Flash and Java support

I read on a German website that Apple will definitely get Flash and Java working no the iPhone. They would like to have as many plug-ins for Safari as possible. I would assume that QuickTime would also work. No? The problem will come with other streaming media in Real or WMV formats. Apple would not be likely to want to support those technologies.

Another interesting point made in the German article is that the OS and applications will be contained within the 4MB and 8MB storage. They should take up "well under" 1/2 GB, according to Apple.

For those who can read German, check out the article at http://www.macwelt.de/news/messen/342764/index.html

 

[MarcelV]

No 3rd party apps = smartphone buyers won't buy it.

I am using a Blackberry for work for approx. 2 years, and so does 150 others with me in the company. I can tell you, almost not a single person has a 3rd party app loaded! And I have met quite a few people at our vendors that have Blackberries and Treo's. guess what, not a lot of people from them either that install 3rd party software.

Do I think it is missing some things? Yes, it does. Yahoo mail does push to the iPhone, but no push announced for .Mac mail. No outlook integration either. But just like the Treo, it is just a matter of time that someone will build a gateway for that on the desktop, IMHO.

I am very surprised that some people state they were very excited initial, but based on the answers of David Pogue, became less excited. Strange, because non of those things Steve showed at the Keynote. it's not that he showed something, and took it away later! It's still the same device.

I am not sure I will buy one, and the major reason is the 2 year commitment. I want an iPod widescreen video, I like the Wifi sync for applications, but I have a phone from work. And they are using a contract with Verizon. And I don't have a need for a second phone. So, please Steve, give me all of the iPhone, without phone, just the i part of it...

 

[age234]

Remember how upset people were over the "crippled" 1G iPod? Couldn't sync with Windows, not enough space, yadda yadda. Well, guess what?

#1, give it a chance to be finalized. There are 5+ months to go yet.

#2, this is just the first generation. At least give it a chance in the marketplace before making wild predictions of doom.

#3, Apple's stock has not faltered with all this negativity, so obviously all these assumptions aren't a problem for the people whose opinions matter most.

 

[jellomizer]

Looks like this product is on the waiting list.

The thing that is really hindering Cell Phones is not the keys or the interface. It is just the lack of good features. It seems the iPhone has a lot of potential but... other then the first gee wiz factor real life use will be quite limited. A lot of these Questions from the FAQ are very good questions. While some of them are just asking about switching services (not Cingular). The other things are probably just as important if not more. 3rd party software is vital for the iPhone main success. Syncing with iTunes and iSync may not be good for people in business environments which are PC based and they don't want iTunes installed on the work PC for obvious reasons. While PDF are fine, right or wrong the rest of the world attached Word Docs and excel files. As well I could understand putting limits on what they features they can do off the Cingular network. But accessing normal internet data should be reasonably open.
I think when we wanted Apple to make an iPhone we wanted something close to a G3 iMac in performance and functionality. I dont think apple needs to make it super easy to install new apps but it would be nice if they could provide the functionality for those who need it.
I hear arguments that these cell phones are targeted for rich people for non-business use. But the reason these people have the extra cash to buy a $600 cell phone is because of business. If Palms offering although a technically inferior phone, offers more functionality. They will go with that other then the iPhone. It is like the old IBM vs. Mac debate in the 80's IBM won (then) because they had more software available and thus more functionionality even though the macs were technically superior.

 

[macintel4me]

perspective

To provide some perspective here. Steve Jobs has been involved in 5 major technology revolutions.
1) Apple Personal Computer. Didn't sell well until the Apple II two years later.
2) Mac. Didn't sell well at first. Steve was even found crying in his office for its perceived lack of success.
3) NeXT. Didn't sell well. Sales were simply awful in the beginning.
4) iPod. Did sell well which was a total surprise to everyone including Steve. Wasn't until the iTunes Store did it really take off....oh yeah and that Windows port of iTunes helped too.
5) iPhone. ??? I expect it won't do well in the beginning simply because that's the way it goes for Steve.

It's a real honor and great fun to be following such great technology revolutions. The iPhone in 5 years will probably do VoIP over WiFi/WiMAX, have no ties to a single provider, GPS device, perfect iTunes integration, HD camcorder/camera, incredible car, Apple TV integration, among so much more I can't think of. I can't wait!

 

[acrafton]

I am using a Blackberry for work for approx. 2 years, and so does 150 others with me in the company. I can tell you, almost not a single person has a 3rd party app loaded! And I have met quite a few people at our vendors that have Blackberries and Treo's. guess what, not a lot of people from them either that install 3rd party software.

My company (200K+ employees) locks blackberries so you can not install any 3rd party apps even if you want to. . . Also, most/all companies involved in stocks/bonds/banking/etc also lock them.

 

[serious damage]

The REAL killer app

... would be VoIP but what do you think, is this the reason 3rd party software is banned? Because someone would develope that application for iPhone and eat the network's dinner...?

 

[BillHarrison]

To provide some perspective here. Steve Jobs has been involved in 5 major technology revolutions.
1) Apple Personal Computer. Didn't sell well until the Apple II two years later.
2) Mac. Didn't sell well at first. Steve was even found crying in his office for its perceived lack of success.
3) NeXT. Didn't sell well. Sales were simply awful in the beginning.
4) iPod. Did sell well which was a total surprise to everyone including Steve. Wasn't until the iTunes Store did it really take off....oh yeah and that Windows port of iTunes helped too.
5) iPhone. ??? I expect it won't do well in the beginning simply because that's the way it goes for Steve.

It's a real honor and great fun to be following such great technology revolutions. The iPhone in 5 years will probably do VoIP over WiFi/WiMAX, have no ties to a single provider, GPS device, perfect iTunes integration, HD camcorder/camera, incredible car, Apple TV integration, among so much more I can't think of. I can't wait!

Well, All I see here is that we cannot really judge the success / failure of a product based on previous failures / success's of the company. The iPod did great, but it was a breakthrough, a large storage based mp3 player, when all the others were nary more than toys with 32 or 64mb of memory. It was a revolution.


THIS, however, is NOT. Take away fancy interface, and your left with a very poor smartphone judging by what has been found out so far. Yes, the interface is intuitive, and "Snazzy". Intuitive and snazzy however fail when you want to install a new program. When I want to watch divx on my iPhone, will "Apple/Cingular" let me? My smartphone does it just fine, with a 3rd party application.

These are the things that make a smartphone smart. Note, steve avoided calling it a smartphone, but labeled it an "Internet communicator".

I see this being locked down tightly like an iPod, and while that works great for an ipod, I definitely would not want that for a smartphone.

At this point, it offers nothing my smartphone in my pocket has, other than a snazzier interface. And to me, I cant justify paying another 300 dollars for (My 200mhz smartphone was 199).

 

[harmless]

I am very surprised that some people state they were very excited initial, but based on the answers of David Pogue, became less excited. Strange, because non of those things Steve showed at the Keynote. it's not that he showed something, and took it away later! It's still the same device.

OK, I'll explain it to you.

This thing was introduced as a smartphone. Actually, Steve made it sound like it was way better than any smartphone on the market.

Additionally he made a big point of it coming with (a version of) OS X.

Those two points made the audience (or at least a great portion of it) think, that this is in effect a very small Mac. And that the applications shown were only a glimpse of what that system is capable of. Similar to an iLife demo on a new Mac.

Now that Steve announced that there will be no 3rd party applications (only Apple-approved is just as bad as none at all) on this thing, it's practically dead in the water. A great machine with no way to reach it's potential.

It's really just like an expensive litte Mac with only iLife on it. Sure, there will still be people who'll buy it. But I, and may others who were thinking about the possibilities with diverse software on it, will not.

 

[asphalt-proof]

I can't believe that I am writing this, but the more I hear about this iPhone, the more I am disinclined to purchase it when it comes out. No Outlook!? That is a huge deal breaker for me. Not open to other developers?! There are several Palm programs I use FREQUENTLY that are 3rd party only. Most people that own smartphones are the same.
The more I hear about this phone the more I realize that this is NOT a smartphone and I don't think Apple has tried to hide it. Its a media phone ala LG Chocolate or SE W810i.
I assume Apple knows what they are doing and I have no doubt that it will be a huge hit. It will do what it does very well and look dead sexy while doing it. Its just not going to be in my pocket.