Apple takes you on an iPhone guided tour

We know, we know, seven days is just too long to wait. So what's a salivating iPhone junkie to do to pass the time? Apple has the answer with its new incredibly detailed "Guided Tour" video of the device. No real secrets being revealed, but the video gives an in-depth look into the ins and outs of using most of the apps and getting your way around everyday functions like unlocking the phone, merging phone calls and skipping through Visual Voicemail like a rockstar. There's nothing here to dispel doubters, since the real proof of the pudding is going to come from touching the screen with your own hands and waiting on EDGE to deliver sites quite a bit slower than shown in the demo, but the true believers in the room aren't going to be exactly disappointed by the consistently slick interface and features shown off in the video.

Update: Engadget buddy Michael Gartenberg points out that "if you watch closely, you'll notice mail does appear to support Office attachments after all." Damn, there goes one more solid argument for the WinMo camp.

[MDB @ Jun 22nd 2007 12:59PM]

I'm really beginning to question how well the keyboard works on the touch interface. Apple says it's perfect, of course, but I have pretty big fingers, easily twice or maybe even three times the size of one of the tiny buttons. Between the typos that were made at the WWDC and the fact that apple never, ever shows anyone actually typing in any commercials or anywhere on their website, I'm skeptical.

[James @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:04PM]

The guided tour shows some thumb-typing and it seems to work fine. So, unless your pointer finger is bigger than most people's thumbs, you should be okay.

[Bart Lee @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:17PM]

The Hand of God types 'seafood' during the calamari spot. Of course, they probably wouldn't use the take where he made a typo.

[Alan Carr @ Jun 22nd 2007 3:57PM]

You can see that the typist isn't perfect in the demo - he often misses the exact key, but the iPhone is still figuring out which key he intends to press. I honestly think that by taking the time to think about how their keyboard will work, Apple has been able to really make a software keyboard that works.

[MDB @ Jun 22nd 2007 4:24PM]

I think if you take that demonstration at face value, then you are the exact kind of sucker Apple is preying on with that kind of advertisement.

First of all, even if it is an actual person manipulating the device, do you think Apple would include the footage where the person screwed up an mis-typed? I bet to recreate that video in the perfect way it is now would take at least triple the length of it, just because of all the mistakes you would make.

Secondly, someone below points out that the hand very well could be superimposed in the video, while the iPhone is being controlled remotely in some other way. If you look closely, sometimes the touches don't all sync properly as you would expect them to.

[Alan Carr @ Jun 22nd 2007 5:36PM]

MDB, you're always such a cynic in all these iPhone comment threads. I'm basing my belief on my past experience with Apple Products which I can often use exactly how I expect to use them. This is because Apple take the time needed to make the user experience "just work".

Steve Jobs would not have shipped this product with a keyboard that only works some of the time, or for some people. He is a perfectionist, and while I am not contending that the iPhone is entirely perfect, I do believe that Apple does not need to pull out the special effects crews to produce a demo of a product that people will be touching with their own fingers in just over a week.

Of course Apple only includes takes in which everything works as it should. Just as of course Apple compares their product in a chart designed to make it look favorable compared to all other products on the chart. You're not smarter for assuming other human beings don't already know this and include this in their judgements when encountered with such a presentation.

[L. M. Lloyd @ Jun 22nd 2007 6:57PM]

To Alan Carr:

You know, there is always somebody in every Apple story who feels the compulsive need to say "just works" and "so much thought went into it." Do you really think that every company but Apple just throws random parts together without any thought or concern for how it works, and hopes everything will be OK? Do you really think that Palm, a company that has already sold more PDAs and Smartphones that Apple probably will for many years, never thought about how to make their devices work?

I understand that Apple fits a certain lifestyle and aesthetic, and thus is much beloved by some people, but it isn't like the rest of the industry is just sitting around goofing off. Just looking at devices like the Helio Ocean or HTC Mogul will give you a good indication of how Apple can't be THAT focused on perfection. What is the point point of a mobile data device with a crappy data connection? What's the point of having mapping software when the device can't even figure out where it is? No, the iPhone is very much a compromise device, just like every other smartphone on the market, it is just one with a bigger marketing budget. In many ways, it is really just a Sidekick without the keyboard.

[MDB @ Jun 22nd 2007 7:28PM]

You're right, Alan, I am a cynic. And I believe it makes me a better consumer. Not buying into all of Apple's marketing before I even try the device at all makes me smarter than you. So, go ahead and believe everything Apple tells you--the Nokia N95 doesn't have WiFi, remember? I'll wait until I hold the device in my hand before I assume everything works like they say it does.

[Constable Odo @ Jun 22nd 2007 8:03PM]

If you say your fingers are larger than average, then don't you even have problems using tiny fixed keyboards. Maybe if you just used your pinky for swiping and gestures the touch screen might be suitable for you. Obviously the device is not going to be for everyone. Even I can't imagine how well it will work in the wintertime or rainy days especially if you have to do a lot of text messaging. Obviously it's a try before you buy situation. I wonder if they give a trial period in case you want to return it.

[James @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:06PM]

Actually, it was revealed that you can view any Word or Excel files that are emailed to you, which wasn't previously known. No editing of course, but the view capability is still nice for corporate folk and others who insist on sending you Microsoft files.

[Douglas A. Brace @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:46PM]

I big question about viewing Word/Excel files on the iPhone is not whether it will open DOC or XLS files, it is whether it will be able to open DOCX and XLSX files associated with Office 2007.

[Lokizilla @ Jun 22nd 2007 10:46PM]

It'll open DOCX and XLSX when Microsoft finally get their act together and release the new version of Office:Mac...

[Tim @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:13PM]

Has anybody else noticed how politically charged the iPhone commercials are? Every time they show it browsing the NY Times... it's always on headlines such as "Dems take over congress", "Bush.... making mistakes," "50 Die in bagdad." I can't be the only one who picked up on this?

[Bart Lee @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:16PM]

Yeah I noticed that too. You know Al Gore is on Apple's board of directors, right?

[Tim @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:19PM]

That would make a lot of sense..... Yea in the back of my head I know this, but I'm not as Apple suave as I should be.

[The M Show @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:46PM]

I think it's more that they are showing the NYTimes...

[nikster @ Jun 22nd 2007 2:24PM]

what's "politically charged" about that? seems like just a list of facts...

[Tim @ Jun 22nd 2007 4:17PM]

Facts, yes I agree. but they select the facts to show. Why not show the sports page?

[ryan @ Jun 22nd 2007 8:40PM]

They're just showing the front page. The current cover stories aren't golfing. Loaded or not, that's the Times (pun intended)

[roulette843 @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:16PM]

Wow, I sincerely hope the tutorial phone was using EDGE to load the web pages in the video.

I loaded the same page (http://inside.nikerunning.com) on my MacBook Pro and it took a bit longer. Can't seem to figure out why...

[brendan Sheehan jnr @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:21PM]

The flash storage would act as some great RAM.

[JAmerican @ Jun 22nd 2007 2:55PM]

They definately speed up the loading times. EGDE is in no way that fast. That's more like EVDO to WiFi speeds.

JAmerican

[Alan Carr @ Jun 22nd 2007 4:39PM]

It was WiFi. Reportedly, the WiFi Signal Icon changes to a lowercase "e" in a box when the phone is using edge.

[brendan Sheehan jnr @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:18PM]

I like everyone one else is sick of the iPhone news at this stage... but you gotta admit, that video was fuckin' awesome!

What other company would have the balls to do a straight-up 25 minute close up demo of a phone? The demo speaks for itself. And 8 days before the products launch mind you. Actually come to think of it, what other consumer electronics product on the planet could have a 25 minute intimate demo without boring you shitless? Seriously, try answer that question? This damn iPhone, quite simply.. rocks!

[Khris @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:43PM]

I'd be happy if it all just went away and we never heard anything more about the iPhone. It's getting to the point of information overload and it's WAY past the point of being annoying.

[BandB @ Jun 22nd 2007 2:11PM]

I was just thinking that the fact that it only takes 20 minutes to go into almost everything it can do bodes-well for it's ease of use and even if you don't see the vid, I could see how anyone could learn to use it effectivly and quickly. I hope it does well and works like promised.

non-purchaser but would like one.

[JJ @ Jun 22nd 2007 2:04PM]

I agree. No other company I know of in recent years or even now has gone so far to put up a 25-minute demo of their product. I've seen demonstration videos and flash presentations on websites for current and new products, but nothing equivalent to the magnitude and effort Apple put into this. Regardless of the criticism that many do have of the iPhone regarding non-replaceable battery; no true 3rd party app. support; or 3G support, you have to admit that Apple put a lot of thought into making this phone. When 3G becomes more widely available and the next generation of the iPhone is released to support it, I'm definitely getting one. Of all the PDAs and cellphones I've used in past years and up to now, I have not seen anything that compares to the iPhone at this time. Windows Mobile 6 PDAs or the latest cellphones coming from Samsung, Sony Ericcson, or LG still do not hold a candle to what this phone offers. I know that in the months to come, competitors will start to take a second look at the iPhone and come up with look-alikes and similar features, but they will have a lot of catching up to do.

[Dave95 @ Jun 22nd 2007 3:46PM]

Jobs doing. Don't care if many hate him, but you have to respect him for his insisting on a product being usable (easy to use), works well and looks good before release. You can look at every inch of this iPhone and tell that a lot of thought went into it.

[Constable Odo @ Jun 23rd 2007 2:16AM]

Every friggin' Tom, Dick and Harry copycat wannabe company will be putting up half-hour long demos of their products now. Wait until you see the next version of the Microsoft Zune with dancing girls, elephants and marching band using stereo and 3D images and All Hail to the Chief in the background. I swear, the next new thing will be video product demos up the Wazoo. Where can I watch the Gone with the Wind-length Vista demo? I'd like some buttered popcorn and bon-bons while I watch.

Okay, who's gonna be the first to say, that (insert the company) did it first and Apple just copied them. Dammit. Apple just grabbed our genitals and our hearts and minds will follow.

[Constable Odo @ Jun 25th 2007 12:49PM]

Don't worry. If Oprah Winfrey endorses it, the iPhone will be runaway success.
.
.
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I'm joking, of course.

[Bart Lee @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:23PM]

I'm glad they're really exploiting gestures. That "swipe to delete" email function is great.

[daedalus @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:25PM]

ah the good old days of the Newton... I'm glad it's back in spirit at least

[linton @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:28PM]

There was plenty of new stuff to see. You can view Word and Excel documents, the content of the elusive settings button was finally shown, we heard more ringtones, airplane mode, etc. We finally see how to turn the iphone off completely, a new gesture for deleting unwanted content with the quick finger swipe to the right and also a zoom out with the double-finger tap in google maps. A nice teaser.

All we're missing now is a full version of ichat, syncing with google address book and calendars, some more widgets like white/yellow pages, flight tracker, that nifty package tracker, dictionary/theasuraus (see i spelt it wrong), and a unit converter, oohh and translator and wikipedia. Some version of iWork compatible with office and of course compatibility with blackberry servers for those who need it.

Am I missing anything? besides 3G and GPS of course :)

End of rant :)

[me @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:32PM]

wtf no personal ringtones? i wanna put the music on my phone as the ring tone!

other than that it looks amazing!

[brendan Sheehan jnr @ Jun 22nd 2007 2:14PM]

This is still unproven, you manage them in iTunes. Who's to say you can't drag and drop any of your songs into the 'Ringtones' panes within iTunes? Honestly, why do people give out about features the iPhone doesn't have.. when the iPhone may very well have them?

[Jonah Lee @ Jun 22nd 2007 5:32PM]

Yea this is huge to me as well. If using the music was so easy, it would be a feature they would be proud of, like being able to specify different ring tones for different people (as I do with my Treo).

I also don't like no 3rd party apps. I mean I could do without the Stock Widget Completely, and even if they are not internet enabled apps, since I want Filemaker Mobile, Something like Documents to go, and Password so I can carry all my passwords with me and have them synced on my phone.

I have even been giving $500 to pick up an iPhone, and am thinking it might be time for me to hold off for a year, and just stick with my Treo until they get 3rd party support and 3G internet.

[Andrew @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:37PM]

We just need to find this Johnny Appleseed guy - he's had an iPhone the longest!

[sheehanj @ Jun 22nd 2007 2:03PM]

Give John Appleseed a call!

[phone]

[Andrew @ Jun 22nd 2007 8:35PM]

Nicely done Apple --- once again!

[Gordy @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:38PM]

I wonder if Macy Gray's album is doing better with all the free iPhone publicity.

[John @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:39PM]

No keyboard. That's a deal breaker. I've tried virtual interfaces. They dont work. Yes, I've tried the iphone. Glass is breakable too. Oh, and no 3g. Yet another deal breaker. Nothing quite like carrying DSL speed in you crotch.

[ColdPack @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:45PM]

I don't know about you folks, but this whole "doesn't have 3G" crap is meaningless to me.
It has wifi. That's the only time I'll need to use the internet. I have no need for cellular-based browsing... it's a waste of money, for sure, when you add that into your plan.
Just use the wifi to connect... screw 3G or Edge. Whatever.

cp

[John @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:48PM]

Might be meaningless to you but when i'm at the beach and I get paged I sure like to crank out my ThinkPad and have some sweet speed. Plus, work pays for it. 3g OWNS, once you have it you'll never go back.

[Bobo @ Jun 22nd 2007 2:00PM]

Let me guess, your last name is Dvorak.

[Peter James @ Jun 22nd 2007 5:28PM]

Don't give this guy a low ranking, maybe it is John Appleseed

[ColdPack @ Jun 23rd 2007 10:11PM]

Well that's nice. But seriously, as a cellphone user who does not have a data package and doesn't use his phone to connect to the internet, I saw the iphone as the answer to what I really need. I don't like traveling with my laptop, for the most part, so having a phone with wifi is the answer.
I don't hang at the beach nor do I bring my laptop to the beach when I go... distracting. :)
All the same, for the rare need to connect to the internet via 3G or Edge, at least it ALSO has wifi for those that really need a higher-speed connection when out and about.
cp

[websuperman @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:40PM]

Anyone else notice they pointed out that google was the default search provider but it could easily be changed to Yahoo. No mention of MSN ;) Just thought that was funny.

[michael @ Jun 22nd 2007 4:07PM]

Yeah, I'm an MSN fan too. It's too bad that they don't provide that option. But I'm certain there's probaly a way to get it.

[Chris @ Jun 22nd 2007 8:50PM]

michael, websuperman never said he was an MSN fan. You are the only one. Sorry.

[St3phen @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:40PM]

Nice. The site now clearly says you can buy iPhone online:
"Buy online. Browse, shop and buy your iPhone online. Coming soon."

Maybe there won't be a lot of standing in line now....