iPhone - Official Thread

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mrkgoo said:
That's actually a good point. I have a an iPod dock, and a car charger (FM transmitter), so it is likely to work with all that stuff.
It may work with existing docks but the dock that comes with it is shaped differently. Here's a picture. Notice that it is open in the front. I'm assuming that's so you can press the 'Home' button even when docked.

dock1.jpg
dock2.jpg
 
White Man said:
I don't think you will find many smart phones in that price range that do not support 3G, though. How can they have such an expensive phone without 3G? I got my first taste of it 2 days ago, and I knew my next phone had to have it.

Yeah this is the one problem for me. I would not put that much money down on a phone that doesn't have 3G. I had my first taste in Japan and I can't wait to get back to a nice 3G phone.

Do we think there will be a future version that supports 3G? I mean it just comes down to network code right? Or is it more complicated than that? Maybe 3G support when they release in Japan?
 
BudokaiMR2 said:
Do we think there will be a future version that supports 3G? I mean it just comes down to network code right? Or is it more complicated than that? Maybe 3G support when they release in Japan?

It's different hardware, at least to the degree that it is not something that can be patched in.

But yes, I fully expect version 2 to support 3G, and I expect idiots like imastalker to pretend that Apple invented it and innovated the market.

Aside from the slick voice mail, the iPhone offers no features over my 8525. Well, aside from some very nice animation. Apple needs 3G, real applications, and exchange support before I can realistically consider the iPhone.
 
White Man said:
It's different hardware, at least to the degree that it is not something that can be patched in.

But yes, I fully expect version 2 to support 3G, and I expect idiots like imastalker to pretend that Apple invented it and innovated the market.

Aside from the slick voice mail, the iPhone offers no features over my 8525. Well, aside from slick animation. After using this for a couple days, touch screen is kinda too imprecise without a stylus.
White Man : iPhone threads on GAF :: PC entusiasts : Mac threads on GAF

You hate the phone and bought something from another manufacturer, you're free of Apple's tyranny and mind-altering marketing hype.... we get it already.
 
Terrell said:
White Man : iPhone threads on GAF :: PC entusiasts : Mac threads on GAF

You hate the phone and bought something from another manufacturer, you're free of Apple's tyranny and mind-altering marketing hype.... we get it already.

I was considering buying an iPhone up until last week. Look in this very thread. I was always wary, but in the end I decided against it.

I am a hardcore Apple enthusiast, but that doesn't mean I will accept a product that is substandard. See AppleTV. I spent over 10k on Apple products last year (not counting my iTunes purchases). Don't you dare try to paint me as an Apple hater.
 
White Man said:
I was considering buying an iPhone up until last week. Look in this very thread. I was always wary, but in the end I decided against it.

I am a hardcore Apple enthusiast, but that doesn't mean I will accept a product that is substandard. See AppleTV. I spent over 10k on Apple products last year (not counting my iTunes purchases). Don't you dare try to paint me as an Apple hater.
Well then why state an opinion about the product being crap by comparison more than once in the same thread, pushing a feature-set on another phone in the process, when no one requested clarification on your opinion? You stated it pretty well the first time, and no one has really questioned it.
And I wasn't "painting you" as anything, just drawing a parallel to the kind of things I've seen in the past from other Mac threads to what I have seen you post in this thread over the past few pages (it's 10 pages of thread, I skimmed, sue me). Besides, I'm in Canada, not like I can have any vested interest in the topic or your decision anyways.
 
Terrell said:
Well then why state an opinion about the product being crap by comparison more than once in the same thread, pushing a feature-set on another phone in the process, when no one requested clarification on your opinion? You stated it pretty well the first time, and no one has really questioned it.
And I wasn't "painting you" as anything, just drawing a parallel to the kind of things I've seen in the past from other Mac threads to what I have seen you post in this thread over the past few pages (it's 10 pages of thread, I skimmed, sue me). Besides, I'm in Canada, not like I can have any vested interest in the topic anyways.

I didn't call the iPhone crap in this thread at all. . .nor in any thread I can recall. And heck, I talked about my new phone because I just got it and it's better than the more expensive iPhone as far as features go. . .and cheaper.

I've always been on the edge for the iPhone. Unlike AppleTV, it isn't clearly crap, but when you study the market relatively closely, yes, it isn't quite up to par for its price. The interface and voice mail are nice features, but they're not enough for me.

If you find a way to view my iPhone posting history, you will see I flipped and flopped a lot, and in the end, the non-iPhone side won. Don't ever accuse me of having an agenda on this topic, because I have always been split on the subject.

EDIT: I may have used the word "crap" in relation to the inability to develop 3rd party apps for the phone, but that is understandable. That's a really lame limitation.
 
White Man said:
I didn't call the iPhone crap in this thread at all. . .nor in any thread I can recall. And heck, I talked about my new phone because I just got it and it's better than the more expensive iPhone as far as features go. . .and cheaper.

I've always been on the edge for the iPhone. Unlike AppleTV, it isn't clearly crap, but when you study the market relatively closely, yes, it isn't quite up to par for its price. The interface and voice mail are nice features, but they're not enough for me.

If you find a way to view my iPhone posting history, you will see I flipped and flopped a lot, and in the end, the non-iPhone side won. Don't ever accuse me of having an agenda on this topic, because I am fairly certain I have been split on the subject.
Like I said, I'm in Canada, and with Rogers being stupid about its dealings with the product, I might not get this "substandard" iPhone anyways and will be FORCED to wait for the 3G version (you Americans should be thankful you even get the choice, I'm in a country in the same CONTINENT and can't bloody well get one). And really, when you call the product "substandard" instead of saying it simply doesn't meet with your personal expectations or needs for what it should be, what do you honestly expect? Whether you WERE split on the discussion or not, your mind appears firmly made up now, and as I stated, was stated perfectly fine the first time. That's all, no need to get yer dander up.
 
Terrell said:
Like I said, I'm in Canada, and with Rogers being stupid about its dealings with the product, I might not get this "substandard" iPhone anyways and will be FORCED to wait for the 3G version. And really, when you call the product "substandard" instead of saying it simply doesn't meet with your personal expectations or needs for what it should be, what do you honestly expect? Whether you WERE split on the discussion or not, your mind appears firmly made up now, and as I stated, was stated perfectly fine the first time. That's all, no need to get yer dander up.

If I might interject:

Terrell said:
White Man : iPhone threads on GAF :: PC entusiasts : Mac threads on GAF

You hate the phone and bought something from another manufacturer, you're free of Apple's tyranny and mind-altering marketing hype.... we get it already.

You're the one who had the "For Your Consideration..." moment, sport.
 
Terrell said:
Like I said, I'm in Canada, and with Rogers being stupid about its dealings with the product, I might not get this "substandard" iPhone anyways and will be FORCED to wait for the 3G version. And really, when you call the product "substandard" instead of saying it simply doesn't meet with your personal expectations or needs for what it should be, what do you honestly expect? Whether you WERE split on the discussion or not, your mind appears firmly made up now, and as I stated, was stated perfectly fine the first time. That's all, no need to get yer dander up.

A 600 dollar phone (costs more without a contract) without 3G is substandard. If you can find another phone in the US that charges, heck, a hundred dollars less without offering 3G, you get a cookie. 600 dollars is a high end phone. 3G is a standard high end feature.
 
White Man said:
A 600 dollar phone (costs more without a contract) without 3G is substandard. If you can find another phone in the US that charges, heck, a hundred dollars less without offering 3G, you get a cookie. 600 dollars is a high end phone. 3G is a standard high end feature.
If you listen to most, $249 is too much for an iPod, a glorified 30GB MP3 player, when they can get a Zune. Do you think the iPod is substandard? It doesn't nearly match the features of Zune, is more expensive, has the same storage capacity....
Simply put, in spite of its technology, applying terms such as "substandard" to a product is dangerous... look at what that type of thing does to Wii threads as a good example.
 
Terrell said:
If you listen to most, $249 is too much for an iPod, a glorified 30GB MP3 player, when they can get a Zune. Do you think the iPod is substandard? It doesn't nearly match the features of Zune, is more expensive, has the same storage capacity....
Simply put, in spite of its technology, applying terms such as "substandard" to a product is dangerous... look at what that type of thing does to Wii threads as a good example.


Are you kidding? Zune's features are laughable (I own one). It may seem to have better features than the iPod (I own *lots*)when described, but there are many devils in many details. The iPod is a very fine product. The Zune is merely acceptable.

And the Wii? That system that is selling well without any great games? I can't explain that aside from folks' love of shiny things (I own one myself). I don't think it is particularly applicable to this situation, since Apple's phone is MORE expensive than anything else out there, unlike the Wii situation.
 
White Man said:
Are you kidding? Zune's features are laughable (I own one). It may seem to have better features than the iPod (I own *lots*)when described, but there are many devils in many details. The iPod is a very fine product. The Zune is merely acceptable.

And the Wii? That system that is selling well without any great games? I can't explain that aside from folks' love of shiny things (I own one myself). I don't think it is particularly applicable to this situation, since Apple's phone is MORE expensive than anything else out there, unlike the Wii situation.
Sure it's applicable... how many times have we heard people say that perceived value for the system isn't there? "Why should I pay $250 for a glorified GameCube with games that only rarely match the previous system's standards? $250 for a GameCube Waggle just ain't cutting it."

And if you can describe in detail some of this "devil in the details" thing in regards to Zune vs. iPod, I'd love to hear it.
 
Terrell said:
Sure it's applicable... how many times have we heard people say that perceived value for the system isn't there? "Why should I pay $250 for a glorified GameCube with games that only rarely match the previous system's standards?"

On iPhone: "Why should I pay 600 bucks for a glorified. . .wait, there's nothing glorified about this? Nice voicemail, yeah, but who lets voicemail accumulate to the point where it needs organization?"

At least Wii has a spiffy controller.

And if you can describe in detail some of this "devil in the details" thing in regards to Zune vs. iPod, I'd love to hear it.

The Zune's interface is slug-like compared to the iPod, and when you use the battery-killing wifi to trade tracks, the person recieving the track can only play it 3 times. The software for syncing is also, well, not as agood as iTunes. The initial setup is (this is a crapshoot) often more difficult than iTunes. Also, the Zune store is like a sad joke compared to iTunes. No videos to buy at all.

I can't be quite as definitive on Zune because, well. . .I put it back in the box. I tested it for a week, but my large music collection is more suited to my 5.5 iPod.
 
White Man said:
On iPhone: "Why should I pay 600 bucks for a glorified. . .wait, there's nothing glorified about this? Nice voicemail, yeah, but who lets voicemail accumulate to the point where it needs organization?"

At least Wii has a spiffy controller.
It's a glorified smartphone with borked features, by your own admission due to lack of 3G, and you got a less expensive product WITH this function. Same situation.

White Man said:
The Zune's interface is slug-like compared to the iPod, and when you use the battery-killing wifi to trade tracks, the person recieving the track can only play it 3 times. The software for syncing is also, well, not as agood as iTunes. The initial setup is (this is a crapshoot) often more difficult than iTunes. Also, the Zune store is like a sad joke compared to iTunes. No videos to buy at all.

I can't be quite as definitive on Zune because, well. . .I put it back in the box. I tested it for a week, but my large music collection is more suited to my 5.5 iPod.
To use your little trick up there, on iPhone compared to, as an example, your 8525:

The 8525's interface isn't as intuitive compared to the iPhone, and when you use 3rd-party apps on it, you occasionally run the risk of borking the phone. The software for syncing is also, well, not as good as iTunes. The initial setup of software like ActiveSync or something such as The Missing Sync for a Mac to sync is (this is a crapshoot) often more difficult than iTunes. Also, the 8525 gives me no option to play my iTunes Store purchases, and Media Player 10 Mobile just isn't as solid. It also simply doesn't have the same kind of storage capacity to use as a full-fledged multimedia device, which iPhone does and may be enough capacity to decrease my necessity for an equally-expensive iPod.


Now, given that whole thing there, after the 2-year contract fee AND a mail-in rebate on the 8525, the difference between phone pricing is $200. To gain some of the value of the "substandard" iPhone (its storage capacity) and keep them as even-featured as possible, you'd need to buy some sort of SD card for the 8525, which would set you back an additional $50 or more just to get the 4GB available in the basic iPhone model. So now, we have a price difference of about $100-150... but for some, the difference simply may not be that wide of a gap and the lack of 3G might not be a big issue to them, just like features beyond the basics doesn't seem to dissuade people from buying an iPod, and just like inferior graphics and dearth of games doesn't seem to stop Wii from selling like crazy.

(and this is when I compare it to your 8525, it was even MORE brutal when I compared it to something like the top-of-the-line CrackBerry)


Please tell me you see what I'm getting at here. Just because you don't see the value in iPhone doesn't make it substandard for lacking 3G, just like lacking features don't hurt these other products lacking features compared to competing products, some of which are cheaper. It's nothing but perceived value, not technology that you have deemed necessary for it to be of equal value in the market.
 
I've been banned since this was announced, so I couldn't rant on how shitty the iPhone is. Everything is wrong with it except for the big screen.

I'm glad to finally see some people who can see through the over-hyped bullshit that the phone is.
(For the record I own 3 iPods)
 
M3wThr33 said:
I've been banned since this was announced, so I couldn't rant on how shitty the iPhone is. Everything is wrong with it except for the big screen.

I'm glad to finally see some people who can see through the over-hyped bullshit that the phone is.
(For the record I own 3 iPods)

Um, what? How could you know how shitty it is if it hasn't been released?!
 
Lack of hardware buttons makes serious typing a pain. No tactile feedback is a big problem. I don't need to touch it to see it. Sending texts, writing emails, etc. is all going to be a hassle when compared to a device with a real keyboard.

The price is the cost of a phone + full-featured iPod. That means I shouldn't have to settle for 8GB max. You're buying an iPhone to replace your iPod AND phone. So anyone using an iPod with a hard drive is already going to get shafted. I have an 80GB iPod nearly full. I could never touch this.
(Treo 755p, the latest model from Palm is $280 with a 2-year agreement. Adding a 30GB iPod is $250. That's less than the iPhone and you get a LOT more. Don't give me this crap about it complementing my iPod or being handy if I forget it. For the cost I pay for the iPhone I could BUY AN EXTRA iPOD to keep in my truck. It's not a convenience at all. It's part of the cost.)


No choice of networks. No removable storage. Sim card is not removable. Battery is not removable. Those are self explanatory.

Browser is not launching with flash in it. So it's not as special as Jobs made it out to be.

Custom iPhone apps = web document? Oh woopee.

1 hardware button = crappy games and custom apps. There's no texture for you to feel if you want to use it to change songs without looking.

Tilting iPhone in music mode turns on Coverflow. Tilting yourself tilts iPhone. So if you lay down, you may inadvertently turn on Coverflow.

The iPhone is heralded as some kind of magic device that is going to bring about world peace when in actuality it's just Apple releasing a basic phone that's overpriced.

I was shocked watching the keynote when Jobs was pointing out fantastic features like seeing the face of the person when they're calling you, or you could change the background. I didn't understand it. Those aren't bulletpoint worthy since nearly all smartphones have that stuff. And my phone has Google Maps, too. I can drag around, zoom in and out, call a restuarant that pops up and get directions, no problem. I don't know why this is a big deal. It's NOT NEW.

Questions I still have are:
What bluetooth headsets will it support?
Can Coverflow be disabled?
Will iPod games work?
Can it sync over wifi or bluetooth?
Is the display REALLY multi-touch or does the "pinch" technique just work on a special input. (Like the point is rapidly switching between two spots)

I'm on Sprint. I'm happy I'm on Sprint. I love my Treo 650 and my 80GB iPod. But they aren't meant for each other yet. I pay $8 a month for unlimited text/data/sms.

Edit:
I just watched that video demo at the bottom of page 9. I'm seriously considering doing a shot-for-shot remake using my phone showing how useless that is. OMG Look! I can dial a number OR browse contacts! It syncs from your computer! THAT'S MAGIC! If I tap a person's name I can see all their details! Nothing else does that! Email! :O Email's POP or IMAP! Isn't that AMAZING! Oh! It has a web browser! :O
 
whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa hold up.

The sim card's not removable? So I can't use my 810 for when I go out? I like to use different phones for different occasions by just swapping out the sim card; I can't now?

Anyway, I don't know how so many of you can be so against the phone before it's even come out. The phone looks hot, has OSX, and a great touchscreen. Hell, if they released a touchscreen 8 gb ipod, I'd buy it for $400.

BTW - Sprint is horrible! I'd punch my niece in the face before I ever went back to Sprint.
 
I'm on a multi-line plan with my family that's ancient as all hell.
4 lines. 2000 minutes. N/W free. Unlimited data/IM for everyone. Like $100 a month or so. It's hilarious.

The only problem is every few months my brother has to call up Sprint and bitch to make them not change our plan.

And yes, the SIM card slot was removed.
 
M3wThr33 said:
I'm on a multi-line plan with my family that's ancient as all hell.
4 lines. 2000 minutes. N/W free. Unlimited data/IM for everyone. Like $100 a month or so. It's hilarious.

The only problem is every few months my brother has to call up Sprint and bitch to make them not change our plan.

And yes, the SIM card slot was removed.

I had a ridiculously awesome plan with Sprint once. They had some promotion, and I jumped all over it. Then, Sprint changed my plan to something far worse, and the plan I originally had was no longer available. Less minutes, worse data plan, lot more money. So I called Sprint to ask them why they changed my plan without my permission, and they said "Sir, you asked us to change your plan." So I said to her, "I called you up and said to you, "Hey, please decrease my minutes and give me a worse data plan. Oh, and please charge me more money for this inferior plan." That's what I did? Do I sound stupid?" She said, "Sir, I don't know why you called and changed your plan, but you did."

I was so mad. I hate Sprint. Die, Sprint, die. I wrote a very very very very angry to everyone in Sprint I could find. The senior VP of customer service called me up, even.

Oh, and no sim card IS a deal breaker to me. I gotta look into this.
 
White Man, it looks like you hurt someone's feelings by stating your opinion about a hardware device. I suggest you apologize.
 
M3wThr33 said:
The iPhone is heralded as some kind of magic device that is going to bring about world peace when in actuality it's just Apple releasing a basic phone that's overpriced.

I find this statement funny because this argument can be made against anything Apple makes. There's always a computer cheaper/therefore better than theirs. An MP3 player better than theirs. Having a basic, overpriced phone is not out of line with anything they've done previously. The difference, I think, between this and other smartphones is that it's based around the iPod, a device with software that consumers are already largely familiar with and like the interface for, so they're much more likely to spring for this even if it's more expensive than a smartphone by any other name.

The iTunes/iPod link is--for me and I'm sure others--a very strong selling point. In general cell phone carriers are much more interested in upselling you on *their* (usually expensive) music/video services than allowing you to put your own stuff on it. I don't think you can really discount that iTunes is the most popular way to buy digital music/video and this phone is the only one compatible with purchases made from it.

Will iPod games work?

I believe they already said no to that one.

Edit:
I just watched that video demo at the bottom of page 9. I'm seriously considering doing a shot-for-shot remake using my phone showing how useless that is. OMG Look! I can dial a number OR browse contacts! It syncs from your computer! THAT'S MAGIC! If I tap a person's name I can see all their details! Nothing else does that! Email! :O Email's POP or IMAP! Isn't that AMAZING! Oh! It has a web browser! :O

Well no one else is doing a commercial/demos where they're showing you how fast/easy it is to get into everything, are they. Either it's not or there's no way they can do it without cutting away. :P And that's not to say at least some of the iPhone commercial or that demo video isn't staged, since I'm sure they had that web site cached.
 
aoi tsuki said:
MMS is one of those things i don't really need, but it's really nice to have. i get a couple of MMS messages a day, usually random stuff from friends or family that they're sharing. Yeah, you could accomplish the same thing with email but pretty much no one uses email on their phone. That's almost like saying you could use email instead of texting. To think that i wouldn't be able to get MMS messages on a $600 smartphone when i could with a free-with-contract cell is maddening.

i'm in the US BTW.

See, I think there is a huge difference between text and MMS. I can see a need to send someone a simple message where ever they are at, at any time. This is a feature that I use. I simply don't see the need to send someone an image or video where ever they are at. I've never once thought "Oh, I have to snap a picture of that and send it to my friend on his phone" Although I might snap a pic of something than e-mail it to him to look at on his computer screen later. I just, personally, feel that there is a huge gap between the two services.

Oh! And where was it confirmed that the sim card slot was removed? I have heard rumors about that, but I haven't seen it confirmed, and I'm not sure it can be confirmed at this point. Jobs showed the sim card tray in the keynote where the iPhone was introduced. Seems kind of odd that they would remove it now.
 
Kung Fu Jedi said:
See, I think there is a huge difference between text and MMS. I can see a need to send someone a simple message where ever they are at, at any time. This is a feature that I use. I simply don't see the need to send someone an image or video where ever they are at. I've never once thought "Oh, I have to snap a picture of that and send it to my friend on his phone" Although I might snap a pic of something than e-mail it to him to look at on his computer screen later. I just, personally, feel that there is a huge gap between the two services.

Oh! And where was it confirmed that the sim card slot was removed? I have heard rumors about that, but I haven't seen it confirmed, and I'm not sure it can be confirmed at this point. Jobs showed the sim card tray in the keynote where the iPhone was introduced. Seems kind of odd that they would remove it now.

I send tons of MMS.
 
commish said:
I send tons of MMS.

Good for you. The lack of MMS is a deal breaker for you then obviously. As I've said before in this thread, it means nothing to me, as I don't understand the need for it. Especially when I can pass photos and video on through e-mail anyway.
 
I've owned an 8525 for several months. White Man, you should definitely get a WM6 Rom, it is quite a bit better in feel and responsiveness than WM5. My personal favorite is the Black lite edition. I have to say the 8525 is the first smart phone I have ever not hated using, it finally has the speed and application package to do everything that a smartphone is supposed to do. That being said, I'm still going to be getting iPhones for everyone on my family plan (if possible). Not having to do handhold everyone through setting up and using the devices, and still having the features be used is pretty damn HUGE. My mom currently has a phone that has most of the features of the iPhone/8525 already and only uses contacts because everything else is just so damn cumbersome/confusing to use. I think that's where the genius of Apple comes in, it's not so much that they do anything technically better, it's that they do most things more accessibly.

As for me and my 8525, I can honestly imagine myself switching back and forth between the two. EDGE is barely faster than dial-up, and I haven't had dial up since 98. If I don't happen to be near free WiFi, a fully featured browser actually becomes a detriment to web use. I'm still hoping and praying that Jobs will pull a "Oh, and one more thing..." and announce it has UMTS capability, or it just happens to work with UMTS out of the box.
 
M3wThr33 said:
No choice of networks. No removable storage. Sim card is not removable. Battery is not removable. Those are self explanatory.

Hold on a minute there. This is simply not true. It'll be locked down to AT&T's network like any U.S. GSM phone is locked down. All you need to change that is to get the subsidy unlock code, which as far as U.S. copyright law is concerned, they're required to give you.
 
xsarien said:
Hold on a minute there. This is simply not true. It'll be locked down to AT&T's network like any U.S. GSM phone is locked down. All you need to change that is to get the subsidy unlock code, which as far as U.S. copyright law is concerned, they're required to give you.

the subsidy wha?

(I could throw in my Finnish SIM then?)
 
Chittagong said:
the subsidy wha?

(I could throw in my Finnish SIM then?)

OK, here's the skinny on U.S. cell phone carriers: They're tightwads; they want to make it as annoying as possible to move to another network. You should've seen the hell they were raising when they were forced to institute number portability.

They also more or less lock their phones to their networks. So, say, you take your phone that you bought directly from AT&T to T-Mobile. The T-Mobile SIM won't work because the phone only wants an AT&T SIM, and if it sees another SIM it'll ask you for an unlock code. That code is tied to your specific phone. There are 3rd parties who charge to enter this code, but a lot of people don't know that the carrier is more or less required to give it to you if you ask and provide your reason - usually overseas traveling - for wanting it.

The iPhone is kind of unique in that it has features designed into it that will ONLY work on AT&T's network, but I'd imagine that all hell won't break loose if you check your voicemail by pressing a speed dial button instead (or something.)


All of this drama can be avoided if you just buy an unlocked phone to begin with. I don't know how it is in Europe, but here in the U.S. that involves a "birds and bees" level discussion with your wallet.
 
GeMiNii said:
I've owned an 8525 for several months. White Man, you should definitely get a WM6 Rom, it is quite a bit better in feel and responsiveness than WM5. My personal favorite is the Black lite edition. I have to say the 8525 is the first smart phone I have ever not hated using, it finally has the speed and application package to do everything that a smartphone is supposed to do. That being said, I'm still going to be getting iPhones for everyone on my family plan (if possible). Not having to do handhold everyone through setting up and using the devices, and still having the features be used is pretty damn HUGE. My mom currently has a phone that has most of the features of the iPhone/8525 already and only uses contacts because everything else is just so damn cumbersome/confusing to use. I think that's where the genius of Apple comes in, it's not so much that they do anything technically better, it's that they do most things more accessibly.

As for me and my 8525, I can honestly imagine myself switching back and forth between the two. EDGE is barely faster than dial-up, and I haven't had dial up since 98. If I don't happen to be near free WiFi, a fully featured browser actually becomes a detriment to web use. I'm still hoping and praying that Jobs will pull a "Oh, and one more thing..." and announce it has UMTS capability, or it just happens to work with UMTS out of the box.

I've played with Smart Phones and non-phone Windows Mobile devices for years. This is really the first one I have ever really liked, and I like it a ton. In the past, there would always be all sorts of crappy concessions made when it came to things like basic network connectivity, and I remember them being headachey to navigate. This phone, with the slide out keyboard and touchscreen, is easy to navigate. The keyboard gives good, clicky feedback (unlike some WM phones that have those awful spongey keys), and the buttons are shaped well enough that you can accurately hit what you think you are going to hit (I find that with flat keyed, small keyboards, my accuracy goes down). The only interface complaint I have is that the 2 keys on top of the keyboard (which map to the 2 standard cell phone keys) should be moved up a bit. They are flush with the regular keyboard, and small, which makes them slightly prone to get hit by accident when you are typing in that area.

The touch screen works well enough, and I am still interested in Apple's tech in their screen. The screen on this is clearly high quality, but it still gets smudgy quick when you use fingers on it. It's also about a zillion times easier to use the stylus. It is difficult to gauge exactly where the tip of your finger is going to hit on the screen, and I'd like to see if the iPhone has somehow made using fingers on a tiny touchscreen easier.


But if I were buying a high end cell for someone in my family not as gadget whorey as me? I'd probably get them an iPhone over an 8525. I got an 8525 because the feature list was attrractive to me, but I get the feeling that, you know, internet use and exchange server functionality aren't things that my mom would be using.

Also, as I understand it, isn't WM6 going to be released for 8525? I heard either this month or next an official release would happen. I'd rather wait for this than void my warranty with a rom. But we'll see. . .I may go for it if there is no news by next month.
 
xsarien said:
OK, here's the skinny on U.S. cell phone carriers: They're tightwads; they want to make it as annoying as possible to move to another network. You should've seen the hell they were raising when they were forced to institute number portability.

They also more or less lock their phones to their networks. So, say, you take your phone that you bought directly from AT&T to T-Mobile. The T-Mobile SIM won't work because the phone only wants an AT&T SIM, and if it sees another SIM it'll ask you for an unlock code. That code is tied to your specific phone. There are 3rd parties who charge to enter this code, but a lot of people don't know that the carrier is more or less required to give it to you if you ask and provide your reason - usually overseas traveling - for wanting it.

The iPhone is kind of unique in that it has features designed into it that will ONLY work on AT&T's network, but I'd imagine that all hell won't break loose if you check your voicemail by pressing a speed dial button instead (or something.)


All of this drama can be avoided if you just buy an unlocked phone to begin with. I don't know how it is in Europe, but here in the U.S. that involves a "birds and bees" level discussion with your wallet.

Interesting.

This whole concept is a bit foreign since phones are never locked in Finland, and even in UK you can buy either locked or unlocked from same retail.

It'll be interesting to see how to get this done. I'm sure there is a huge mass of people hacking away until they manage to unlock it.

So, should they give me the code just if I call and demand it?
 
Chittagong said:
Interesting.

This whole concept is a bit foreign since phones are never locked in Finland, and even in UK you can buy either locked or unlocked from same retail.

It'll be interesting to see how to get this done. I'm sure there is a huge mass of people hacking away until they manage to unlock it.

So, should they give me the code just if I call and demand it?

Well, the catch is that the locked ones are cheaper by a significant amount.

And no, I should clarify that AT&T will only help you unlock it if you're a customer of theirs. You'd probably need to take it down to some place that specializes in that line of work, and even then I'd hold off just because they probably won't know how to do it the moment the phone's released.
 
We should just make an official Smartphone thread. The interest seems to be there...the OP could update with links that take you directly to reviews posted in the thread itself (As well as other resources like CNET impressions/reviews and the like).
 
According to Gizmodo, Apple has already updated the iPhone with better battery life and an all glass face. The battery is now 8 hours of talk time and 10 days stand by. It'll also ovffer 6 hours of Internet use, 7 hours of video playback, or 24 hours of audio. Also the plastic covering of the screen and front of the phone has been updated with all glass to offer better protection.

Link here:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/apple/ap...e-and-extends-talk-time-to-8-hours-269721.php
 
Kung Fu Jedi said:
See, I think there is a huge difference between text and MMS. I can see a need to send someone a simple message where ever they are at, at any time. This is a feature that I use. I simply don't see the need to send someone an image or video where ever they are at. I've never once thought "Oh, I have to snap a picture of that and send it to my friend on his phone" Although I might snap a pic of something than e-mail it to him to look at on his computer screen later. I just, personally, feel that there is a huge gap between the two services.
Sure there is. Most of my MMS usage is centered around taking shots of stupid stuff while i'm out partying. But there is the occasional useful MMS, like if i need to confirm that i'm buying the right thing for someone, especially my mom. Sure, you could email it, but first, most people don't have email set up on their phones and secondly, most are within arm's reach of their cell pretty much all the time. Not so with a laptop or desktop.

Granted, you're better off getting a picture in email versus a shitty MMS thumbnail, but it's an issue of convenience. On one hand, it seems like a major oversight not to include it, but i'm thinking Apple's aiming to raise the bar on the quality of pictures being sent and displayed.

Kung Fu Jedi said:
According to Gizmodo, Apple has already updated the iPhone with better battery life and an all glass face. The battery is now 8 hours of talk time and 10 days stand by. It'll also ovffer 6 hours of Internet use, 7 hours of video playback, or 24 hours of audio. Also the plastic covering of the screen and front of the phone has been updated with all glass to offer better protection.

Link here:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/apple/ap...e-and-extends-talk-time-to-8-hours-269721.php
Slick move, Apple. In the span of a month, they've officially announced third party support, released Safari for Windows to boost said support, "increased" battery life, and "added" a glass screen. All just a few weeks before launch.
 
aoi tsuki said:
Sure there is. Most of my MMS usage is centered around taking shots of stupid stuff while i'm out partying. But there is the occasional useful MMS, like if i need to confirm that i'm buying the right thing for someone, especially my mom. Sure, you could email it, but first, most people don't have email set up on their phones and secondly, most are within arm's reach of their cell pretty much all the time. Not so with a laptop or desktop.

Granted, you're better off getting a picture in email versus a shitty MMS thumbnail, but it's an issue of convenience. On one hand, it seems like a major oversight not to include it, but i'm thinking Apple's aiming to raise the bar on the quality of pictures being sent and displayed.

I can see where that could be useful. Not for me at all, but for others. As I said earlier though, I do think it's odd that they didn't include MMS. Seems like a fairly standard feature these days, even if it's not something I would use.
 
Apple Press Release said:
iPhone Delivers Up to Eight Hours of Talk Time
Now Features Durable Glass Top Surface

CUPERTINO, California—June 18, 2007—Apple® today announced that iPhone™ will deliver significantly longer battery life when it ships on June 29 than was originally estimated when iPhone was unveiled in January. iPhone will feature up to 8 hours of talk time, 6 hours of Internet use, 7 hours of video playback or 24 hours of audio playback.* In addition, iPhone will feature up to 250 hours—more than 10 days—of standby time. Apple also announced that the entire top surface of iPhone, including its stunning 3.5-inch display, has been upgraded from plastic to optical-quality glass to achieve a superior level of scratch resistance and optical clarity.

“With 8 hours of talk time, and 24 hours of audio playback, iPhone’s battery life is longer than any other ‘Smartphone’ and even longer than most MP3 players,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’ve also upgraded iPhone’s entire top surface from plastic to optical-quality glass for superior scratch resistance and clarity. There has never been a phone like iPhone, and we can't wait to get this truly magical product into the hands of customers starting just 11 days from today.”

iPhone introduces an entirely new user interface based on a revolutionary multi-touch display and pioneering new software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. iPhone combines three products into one small and lightweight handheld device—a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and the Internet in your pocket with best-ever applications on a mobile phone for email, web browsing and maps. iPhone ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their mobile phones.

Pricing and Availability
iPhone will be available in the US on June 29, 2007 in a 4GB model for $499 (US) and an 8GB model for $599 (US), and will work with either a PC or Mac®. iPhone will be sold in the US through Apple’s retail and online stores, and through AT&T’s select retail stores.

I like that battery life (even if it's not quite up to the claim...I thought the last claims were good), and I'm interested to hear what the first reviews think of that and the new glass front. So I guess this press release confirms that I can order it through their online store. Woo! (I'll be doing that, probably.)

batterylifechart.jpg


competitivedatachart.jpg
 
White Man said:
I've played with Smart Phones and non-phone Windows Mobile devices for years. This is really the first one I have ever really liked, and I like it a ton. In the past, there would always be all sorts of crappy concessions made when it came to things like basic network connectivity, and I remember them being headachey to navigate. This phone, with the slide out keyboard and touchscreen, is easy to navigate. The keyboard gives good, clicky feedback (unlike some WM phones that have those awful spongey keys), and the buttons are shaped well enough that you can accurately hit what you think you are going to hit (I find that with flat keyed, small keyboards, my accuracy goes down). The only interface complaint I have is that the 2 keys on top of the keyboard (which map to the 2 standard cell phone keys) should be moved up a bit. They are flush with the regular keyboard, and small, which makes them slightly prone to get hit by accident when you are typing in that area.

The touch screen works well enough, and I am still interested in Apple's tech in their screen. The screen on this is clearly high quality, but it still gets smudgy quick when you use fingers on it. It's also about a zillion times easier to use the stylus. It is difficult to gauge exactly where the tip of your finger is going to hit on the screen, and I'd like to see if the iPhone has somehow made using fingers on a tiny touchscreen easier.


But if I were buying a high end cell for someone in my family not as gadget whorey as me? I'd probably get them an iPhone over an 8525. I got an 8525 because the feature list was attrractive to me, but I get the feeling that, you know, internet use and exchange server functionality aren't things that my mom would be using.

Also, as I understand it, isn't WM6 going to be released for 8525? I heard either this month or next an official release would happen. I'd rather wait for this than void my warranty with a rom. But we'll see. . .I may go for it if there is no news by next month.

The PPC 6800 or Mogul just released for Sprint today. As long as you keep a copy of the original rom for your carrier, you can always try custom roms and revert back the original if you ever need to take your device in for service (that's what I did). I'm sure there may be some unofficial WM6 roms out there. Not sure when the official stuff will be available.
 
Odd. Why put up two Windows Mobile devices when they could have put up the Treo 755p, running the PalmOS?
Is it because the screen is glass? Or because it has a longer talktime than the 750? Or because it's thinner?

I don't even understand why Apple is trying so hard. It's going to sell out anyway. Maybe this is a pre-emptive strike to quell the imminent bad press after launch.
 
M3wThr33 said:
Odd. Why put up two Windows Mobile devices when they could have put up the Treo 755p, running the PalmOS?
Is it because the screen is glass? Or because it has a longer talktime than the 750? Or because it's thinner?

I don't even understand why Apple is trying so hard. It's going to sell out anyway. Maybe this is a pre-emptive strike to quell the imminent bad press after launch.

I'm still not convinced that they're going to sell out at launch. 3 million units would be a very impressive number to sell in the first weekend or so. I know there is a lot of interest in the iPhone, but it's still more than most people want to pay for their phone. It kind of reminds me when everyone said that the PSP would sell out at launch, and yet it was fairly easy to walk into a lot of stores and find them sitting on the shelves.

The new battery life numbers and glass face are great, now how about a little info on the damn plans Apple/AT&T! It's really the make or break element for me at this point.
 
Unlimited data is going to be key for this. What's the relative rate for that now?
I know some charge per IM/SMS/MMS and that crap, but I couldn't imagine that.
 
M3wThr33 said:
Unlimited data is going to be key for this. What's the relative rate for that now?
I know some charge per IM/SMS/MMS and that crap, but I couldn't imagine that.

I've seen a few posts over at Howard Forums that say there is a $39.95 "All In" data plan at Cingular that they haven't been playing up much yet, but it would include data, e-mail, SMS, and so on.

I'm still leaning towards plans starting at $79.95 or so and including data and phone minutes. If there are $70-$80 plans, with unlimited data and texts, I'll likely jump aboard. Anything above that, and I'll likely look elsewhere.
 
Theoretically, you should be able to use the

UNLIMITED Cellular Video
Cellular Video brings you video clips of your favorite TV shows, music videos, movie trailers, comedians and sports highlights. Play high-quality news, sports, weather, and entertainment video clips on demand on your 3G phone. Plus, you can add exclusive video programming from HBO Mobile(SM) and HBO Family Mobile(SM).

UNLIMITED MEdia Net
With MEdia Net, you can browse the mobile web, check your Email, get your sports scores, movie times, weather and news right on your mobile phone. Plus, you can access the latest ringtones, games, graphics and AT&T Mobile Music.

1500 Messages (3 cents/additional messages)
You have the freedom to message any way to any one - text, picture, video and IM - without worrying what each message costs. That means every message counts the same. You can send and receive ANY combination of messages. Want to send all picture messages? No problem. All IMs? Go ahead and chat away - send and receive messages for less than pennies per day!

All for $29.99, versus

UNLIMITED Messaging
You have the freedom to message any way to any one - text, picture, video and IM - without worrying what each message costs. That means every message counts the same. You can send and receive ANY combination of messages. Want to send all picture messages? No problem. All IMs? Go ahead and chat away - send and receive messages for less than pennies per day!

UNLIMITED Cellular Video
Cellular Video brings you video clips of your favorite TV shows, music videos, movie trailers, comedians and sports highlights. Play high-quality news, sports, weather, and entertainment video clips on demand on your 3G phone. Plus, you can add exclusive video programming from HBO Mobile(SM) and HBO Family Mobile(SM).

UNLIMITED MEdia Net
With MEdia Net, you can browse the mobile web, check your Email, get your sports scores, movie times, weather and news right on your mobile phone. Plus, you can access the latest ringtones, games, graphics and AT&T Mobile Music.

For $39.99.

Only difference is the first plan gives you 1500 total texts, versus unlimited on the other.
 
Texting is probably one of the largest sources of revenue for these wireless companies. It costs them almost nothing and they charge quite a bit per text or for the different plans.

I refuse to pay Verizon $45 for EVDO (when Sprint has it for $15) so there's no way I'd pay $40 for unlimited Edge even if it includes ulimited SMS. At the very least they need to knock off another $10 off the price.
 
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