Almost everyone knows about this...
Apple's iPhone. I was following the live updates on Engadget, and it really does seem impressive. The touchscreen capabilities alone scream ease-of-use, since the only thing it requires is a finger. Here's hoping the actual screen can handle wear and tear, because my lovely video iPod scratches too easily. The phone shouldn't.
The phones, which will operate exclusively on AT&T Inc.'s Cingular wireless network, will start shipping in June. A 4-gigabyte model will cost $499, while an 8-gigabyte iPhone will be $599, Jobs said.IPhone is less than a half-inch thin -- less than almost any phone on the market today. It comes with a 2-megapixel digital camera built into the back, as well as a slot for headphones and a SIM card.
Ah, exclusivity contracts. I love Verizon, which is why I won't switch, but they have the worst phones. And here again Apple is choosing just one carrier, but I doubt this will garner Cingular legions of new clients, what with that lovely price tag.
Then again it is income tax season. How many people would actually be able to save $600 plus for something that shiny? It's quite a wait.
For a mockup of the iPhone, its measurments, and how it compares to other gadgets, check out Kottke.
Comments
The iPhone sounds cool, and people have been wanting one for years. There were lots of iPhone fanboys when it was just a rumor, and many more now. It will probably get Cingular (which is part of AT&T now) a ton of new customers.
Posted by: Lisa | January 10, 2007 3:45 PM
It does look cool. The features alone had me blinking a few times in disbelief. The touchscreen technology alone seemed incredible. My issues with it are that it is going with Cingular, and expense. Cingular/ATT are horrible here in SA. At least in my part of town, and for that price, it's not worth it. Verizon is the better carrier, and the have great plans, but crappy phones.
So, I can live without the iPhone.
Posted by: yasmín | January 10, 2007 8:53 PM
My biggest question with the phone has to do with texting/email. The idea of software keyboard sounds kinda nice...but the implementation is going to have to be amazing to match the capabilities of a Treo, much less a Blackberry.
Gizmodo's coverage included some hands on time and it didn't sound like the text capability was all the way there yet.
I love the interface for the iPod and speculated this was where things should be headed a while back (i.e. it's all screen and a touchscreen to boot), but I'm not sure it's going to be as functional as current smartphones when it comes to entering text, one-handed, and on the fly.
Posted by: Wah | January 10, 2007 9:55 PM
In Australia we don't have AT&T, Verizon, or any other American carriers so if you guys want an iPhone but don't want to have to change carriers than order one from Australia, because i'm 95% sure that when they come out here you'll be able to use any sim card/phone company you like.
Posted by: Matthew | June 27, 2007 7:52 PM