The new iPhone... What do you think?

[wncbmw]

While I am a new convert the the Apple collective, I am not particularly excited by this or any new cell phone. Multiuse devices are wonderful I suppose but I have a preference for my ideal cell phone and no one makes it. All I want is:

- good network
- good quality reception and sound
- solid as a rock construction (armored would be nice! )
- water resisitant
- thin to better carry in the pocket

And that is all! No camera, no tunes, no video, no web, no email! Just a phone.

[NachtRitter]

I've been trying to figure out how to get rid of the *%&(*&%^ telephones that I already have. I cannot imagine buying another one.

When my neighbor visits and the telephone rings, she gets visibly agitated when I ignore it. She says, "How can you not answer that?!" I reply, "Just like this." Then I do nothing.

And what's with call-waiting? If you don't want to talk to the person to whom you are talking, why talk to them in the first place? Just hang up!

And why do I, on a daily basis, see women drivers leave perfectly good parking lots while they are talking on the phone. Why don't they just stay in the parking lot?!

Thanks; I feel better.

mac

I am clearly made of the same (or at least similar) cloth... You've voiced the very same irks I have with phones. The iPhone / iFon is pretty slick looking, and I wouldn't mind seeing one close-up, but to me it is just another phone.

[ScooterCop]

Cingular was by far the worst experience I ever had, customer service wise. In 2002 I switched from Verizon to Cingular, because of a cool new phone they had. Biggest mistake I ever made.

PHONE SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE was a constant problem.

Whenever my phone said that I had a voice mail, that message would be charged as a text-message.

I set up automatic billing on their web site, and every month I got a confirmation email. But after six months my phone was shut off for non-payment. I told them I had confirmation numbers, but they said that they tried to take the money out of my account, but had the wrong account number. I read them my account number and they said that was what they had. Somebody must have entered it wrong. They turned my phone back on, but charged me a reactivation fee of $30. Even though it was their mistake.

After this episode, I paid the $150 to get out of the contract. I was worth it to go back to Verizon.

With all that said, I am extremely exited about the iPhone. I am a huge fan of my iPod and iMac, and am even conidering the Apple TV. But I just cannot go back to Cingular. I will have to wait for another service to pick up the phone, or for the 2nd generation to come out.

[rdsmith3]

And just to confuse you even more, Cingular will be changing its name to Wireless by AT&T, or something stupid like that.

[chris]

Finally, I think Apple nailed a good product idea, development, and design laden with interesting and very functional features - music, phone, camera, computer, gaming device. Just see these other little things as mistakes by the marketeers, green eyeshaders, or product minions. Nonetheless, Steve Jobs has the best track record in the business -- so we'll just see won't we?

Have to agree with everything said except that Apple didn't come up with this at all. I've had a smartphone running all these functions and more for 3 years now so it's just a new case from my point of view, albeit a pretty one! That said, mine is a damn useful device that actually rarely gets used as a phone...

[munchmeister]

Me to Apple: Keep 'em coming Steve... my Apple stock just went up even more, approaching $100/share. And I hope you folks keep buying them.

I now use a Palm based Treo 700p and I still only use the phone, the address book and few Palm apps. I don't use the camera, the browser on it, etc., etc., so I think a lot of these apps on such a small form factor are just to make marketers happy. Still I'd be lost without the Palm apps I DO use on my Treo. But it is sluggish sometimes and freezes up often and I think the more "computerish" these things are, the more likely they are to do that, which can be really frustrating when you are trying to find a number and make a call. There are bound to be similar issues with the IPhone.

Another aspect is that, as soon as they come out, we will hear all sorts of bitching about how easily the screen gets scratched, how fragile it is when dropped, etc. That is what happened with the intro of some IPods.

Ya gotta watch the Steve Jobs keynote (apple.com) where he demos the unit, though. It is really a WOW product. When he shows pulling up a Google map in browser mode, that is pretty neat. I love Google maps, maybe Google Earth is next. He also shows how to "pinch" the screen image so it fits the small screen. I think the most amazing thing about this is the touch screen and interface... very, very cool.

Like I said, keep buying them folks... and Gypsy, go ahead and get one for your daughter, she'll be the coolest kid around !!

[GypsyRR]

Like I said, keep buying them folks... and Gypsy, go ahead and get one for your daughter, she'll be the coolest kid around !!

No way!

I bought myself a new phone instead.

[MikeCam]

Updated 2.0 software with minor (hour long) glitches at the iTunes server, but no locks or faults on the 1st Gen iPhone. Re-activated and works as before with new functionality - Apps. 1st App is SmugShots . It's Free, downloads in less than a minute, self configures. But @#$%& won't recognize my existing account at SmugMug!!! Turns out Baldy has a server crash today and the problem is there not here.

If it works, it will permit a camera shot to automated upload on SmugMug with Geotags. Neat.

Here is last year's assessment and the one year update of the iPhone...


1. Will not sync via Bluetooth (music only or all content not known). Requires a hard wire or dock like the iPod. Still true. Minus 1

2. Power requirements based on existing devices with similar functionality(ies) indicate either a very new and unheard of battery OR a very new and unheard of reduction of power consumption. PLUS, like iPod the battery is not replaceable, is proprietary, and has a questionable yet finite number of charge cycles. Still true Minus 2

3. Antenna placement, gain, and limitations. Apple gets this part of the design engineering wrong as often as right. Powerbooks, for example, have notoriously bad antenna gain due to placement within the case. Still true Minus 3

4. WiFi crossover with Bluetooth and EDGE/GSM/GPRS not demonstrated. Will it be seamless for the user or require intervention? If I am on the cell signal doing web browsing and move into a WiFi served area, how does the device react? Works better than expected. Plus 1

5. Cingular has a low reputation as a customer friendly company. What packages, deals, locks, contracts will they require? How seamlessly will the non-cell functions interact with the cell based functions when Cingular calculates billing and such? Will low cost plans come with certain device features locked out? Good fixed rate service, no surprises. Plus 2 Limited availability in many areas where I go. Minus 1/2 Slow during peak hours. Minus 2

6. No removable, replaceable, capacity based flash card capability. Huh? I don't get that at all. That is an item of device convergence that seems so intuitively right for this device. Still true. Minus 3

7. Will an all white, Beatles themed, pre-loaded version be available? I can dream can't I?

As a direct comment, I think Apple made a strategic error teaming with Cingular in this roll-out, even for a rumored 6 month to one year exclusive period. More cell phone users are non-Cingular customers in the U.S. and overseas markets than are Cingular customers. This could seriously hamper the early adopter cycle that was key to generating the original iPod success. And if the early adopters don't flock and crow about it, the thing is as dead as a Zune, a ROKR, and other recent failed roll-outs. 6 million sold 1st year. No implosions. Plus 1

I suspect there is very little to the Cisco Trademark thing since the lawyers were set to sign as of 9pm (PST) Monday and something just happened to delay that agreement. Much less there than reports indicate I believe. There was very little. Plus 1

Finally, I think Apple nailed a good product idea, development, and design laden with interesting and very functional features - music, phone, camera, computer, gaming device. Just see these other little things as mistakes by the marketeers, green eyeshaders, or product minions. Nonetheless, Steve Jobs has the best track record in the business -- so we'll just see won't we? Better than any previous device or kludge of devices. Seamless, smooth and always worked all year - except for AT&T coverages. Plus 1/2

Lastly - motorcycle riders and particularly touring types will certainly benefit from this move forward in device capability. I carried my iPod, laptop, cell phones (different plans and coverage areas), camera, and various chargers on my long trip this summer. I instantly see the value of replacing all that with one device that makes each little thing easier across the day. Yes, the camera is less capable, the browser less capable and smaller sized, the phone potentially useless in certain areas where Cingular or EDGE do not exist. But overall, the idea is really good and the industry will move this directions with Palm, Blackberry, iPaq type competitors seeking to converge and succeed in this space. All to the probable benefit of us riders (among many other types of users). I used this without the other stuff on multiple trips around the country. It works. Plus 2

New features: GPS receiver. Plus 1/2 3G speed. Wait and see. APPS Plus a million.

[R4R&R]

What do I think? Exspensive.

[DJ Downunder]

I heard that it can even tell you the weather.

What's wrong with just looking out the window?

DJ

[GTR350cc]

It can tell me the weather in Melbourne!

[DJ Downunder]

Ok..You got me there.. ...The iPhone was just released here last week and people here have gone crazy over them.

DJ