New details about the iPhone
By Ryan Block 
posted Jun 23rd 2007 2:24PM
posted Jun 23rd 2007 2:24PM
- The keyboard was simply described as "disappointing". Keyboarding with two thumbs often registers multiple key presses (two or three at a time) resulting in a lot of mistakes. The best way to type is with a single finger (as shown in most of Apple's demos), but two thumbs is supposedly very difficult. After trying it for a number of days our source gave up using their thumbs.
- The text auto-correction only works well for simple words, but doesn't work for proper names. We can only assume this bit will get better with time as Apple fills out its predictive text dictionary.
- "It won't replace a BlackBerry. It's not good for text input. It's just not a business product."
- The touchscreen was said to, in general, require somewhat hard presses to register input, and needs some getting used to.
- In addition to its dock, the iPhone comes packaged with a polishing cloth (the thing's supposedly a fingerprint magnet, no surprise) and the usual smallish power adapter.
- The Bluetooth headset will debut in the $120 range, and will come with its own dock for charging both the phone and the headset. The headset will feature a miniature magnetic charging interface á la MagSafe.
- The Bluetooth headset has a hidden LED and is supposedly a very small and elegant device. Sound quality is said to be "typical". There is no clip; like many headsets you're expected to just let it hang out of your ear, as previously shown.
- The browser "worked well" but page load speeds on EDGE were just as slow as expected. It sounds like 3G users will have a tough run with this.
- Users must scroll through the address book (or use the alphabet-drag on the side) -- one cannot bring up the keyboard and type in a name, as many of us are used to.
- Shocker: YouTube over EDGE didn't work well at all, and will basically necessitate use of WiFi.
i was expecting some more iphone news on engadget at this point
I'm shocked that you can't rotate the iPhone to landscape and get a full screen QWERTY...? I think that's a good idea, no?
I totally agree with you, having the QWERTY keyboard in landscape mode would make, the keyboard larger and easier to use, but I've haven't seen any mention of it anywhere, I think that maybe the reason, if for the keyboard to still be easy to use while in landscape mode, using the same proportions as the portrait one, it would have to take up the whole screen, leaving no room to actually see what your typing, just a thought...
A great idea. So great in fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see it implemented by patch as soon as a few weeks after launch!
Great idea! I have had this exact same thought. Come on Apple!!
if the keyboard maintained the same aspect ratio in landscape mode it would take up the whole screen...
It would be ok to fill the screen. the keyboard is somewhat transparent so you can still see what you type.
of course there is no real way for it to sense that you go into landscape. unless you press a button that switches it to landscape view
Hmm.... I'm guessing you don't pay too much attention to the iPhone huh? It has gyros inside so it knows how you're holding it. That was pretty much one of their proudest features after the obvious touch screen.
Here's a mock up for a landscape keyboard (not my creation):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonsantamaria/357161915/
I feel the same. I'm sure they'll implement that in time.
A widescreen virtual thumbboard could work really, really well. I know because I wrote one for 480x320 Palm OS devices (that's the same resolution as the iPhone, BTW). Here's how it looks:
http://hipnetic.com/geek/thumbboard_0.6.2.gif
I agree for sure with having a larger keyboard when horizontal. whaat about not being able to search for names in contacts. like turning the phone landscape, and that enables a search, cuz having no serach in contacts (and ipod too) frankly, makes looking through 100's of contacts ridiculous.
why couldn't/wouldn't they do 3G. does it require more space than a reciever that deals with EDGE? For me, that's one of it's biggest lackings, and makes it dumb as an "internet device"
"I think that maybe the reason, if for the keyboard to still be easy to use while in landscape mode, using the same proportions as the portrait one, it would have to take up the whole screen, leaving no room to actually see what your typing, just a thought."
Not entirely true: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonsantamaria/357161915/#comment72157600457604770
The great thing about the iPhone is that it's software based, they can write in the code to make this happen, as long as enough people ask for it, they'll do it.
Sorta like the Eten Glofiish's sliding keyboard, which btw is an excellent albeit plasticy feeling keyboard.
Just what I though. Looks really nice but it's like buying a Ferrari in Boston. Looks nice but just doesn't give you what a Land Rover or VW Touareg would. Not yet Apple. Not this version. I refuse to pay you $600.00 and extend my AT&T plan by two years so I can be a betta tester of your iPhone. Maybe iPhone v2? Or perhaps I should wait for the MacPhone Pro.
Looks like it's an xv6800 or i760 for me after all, not that I was expecting the iphone to be useful.
Not to be an iPhone fanboy or anything....but what mobile keyboard DOES type well? I mean....it's a mobile keyboard...
The i730 keyboard is great, I personally haven't used any others though.
I'd be happier with predictive text on screen through a numeric keypad, I know that sounds a bit odd seeing as you could have whatever buttons you want but I'm fast with predictive text, used to it and it would allow the use of buttons big enough to cope with my sausage fingers!!!
hmmm... well the best keyboard until now is the one found on nokia's ugly E70. The US flavor doesn't have 3g if i recall it right, but i've been using it (in europe) since autumn and it absolutely rocks!... check some specs to see for yourself..
and if you don't mind the size, there are several HTC's with good keyboards, and there are the nokia communicators.. i'm really eager to grab the e90
Admittedly it's a low bar, but the standard is pretty much set by the Blackberry devices. There are probably better keyboards out there (and no doubt the landscape-slideout HTC PocketPCs are probably easier to use than the smaller Blackberry), but business and government practically runs of Blackberry email nowadays, so one would expect a competitive offering to be at least comparable to that.
I'm pretty happy with the slider keyboard on my (HTC) T-Mobile Wing. I can't figure out how to post comments on Engadget Mobile with it though...
I had a Sidekick that was STUPIDLY easy to SMS and hold multiple IM conversations on.
My Blackberry Pearl is actually very easy to type with one hand while occupied without really looking that much (the word prediction is excellent, even for obscure words and proper names).
I love devices that just "feel" right and I can type on and work with without feeling as if I'm fighting with the device....My work Moto Q is an example of a device where fighting is involved.
My Treo 680 keyboard types extremely well, as did my Treo 650 before that.
I was considering an iPhone (and giving my 680 to my girlfriend) but whether or not I buy one will be based largely on how (un)easy it is to use the keyboard.
nokia e90?
however i think that whoever provided the comment has used mobile phone before, so i'd understand the comment "iphone keyboard is disapointing even considering that it is amobile device"
MessagEase is a fantastic input method for touch screens. I've been playing with it on my DS, and after getting used to, it is far superior to a miniature QWERTY!
Instead of a too many tiny buttons, there are 12 (maybe more, maybe less) big buttons and you input characters by touching them then moving your finger in a certain direction, as indicated on the individual keys.
It may sound a bit weird, but in action it makes sense and you will eventually get the feel for it, just like with a QWERTY layout. The way it is organized makes fine sense.
Combine the conventional Messag-Ease thing with the fancy scrolling effects that exist in the iPhone's keyboard (press a key, it expands so you can see more clearly where to move your finger), and it can be a really intuitive interface!
A really adventurous designer could go so far as adding a predictive text key with letters that change on the fly.
(Whereas with qwerty, the layout is completely rigid).
I can type 70 wpm on my Sidekick II.
Besides that, I can't think of any other qwerty keypad on a phone that I can type that fast on.
I've resisted the temptation to comment positively or negatively on the iphone's supposed pros and cons, mostly based on the fact that there aren't any real reviews out there right now. But maybe that doesn't matter. I find it really interesting that people seem so quick to jump on the "the touchscreen keyboard must suck" bandwagon without having tried or gotten used to it. Doesn't this basically fall into the "it's just a matter of opinion" category?
To Brett:
No, it isn't just a matter of opinion. People have been using handheld devices with on-screen soft keyboards for over a decade now, and with the exception of Apple's new product, every other company has found that when communication is the primary function, a hardware keyboard functions better. That is why even companies like Palm/Handspring, which were really big supporters of touchscreen devices, eventually went with a hardware keyboard. In fact, except for Apple, you will have a hard time finding any dedicated communication device that doesn't have a hardware keyboard. That isn't because no one else thought of using an on-screen keyboard, it is because they just don't work well for heavy input. That isn't in my opinion, that is objectively provable through many years of experimentation by multiple device manufacturers.
The utilization of multisyllabic locutions enables the assuredly sagacious commenter to floccinaucinihilipilificate the ludicrous notion that his opinion is, well, just an opinion.
Aah... if iPhone sucks, all other mobile must suck too, eh? And you are not a fanboy?
Well, blackberry pearl, even with a very small keyboard, does a good job letting you type, and has a great corrective attitude. And the bigger blackberries (the office type) are even better at it.
iPhone will never be as good ever - as long it does not come with a *real* keyboard. Its going to suck big time for anything related to text.
im not too worried. if the keyboard is as bad as they say it is - people will be in an uproar and a landscape KB will probably be released via firmware update.
And that will magically fix the problem!!??
unfortunately, i don't expect a firmware update to fix the stock price if it dives due to massive reports of the current keyboard not being good.
Wow, looks like this thing is going to suck. It is going to be interesting after all these people buy this phone and start complaining and moaning. Good times.
I am looking forward to seeing Apple fanboys fumbling about with this in the future. Good times indeed.
I feel bad for anyone who buys the iPhone. I am eagerly awaiting the downfall.
mbem, thy name is schadenfreude.
Is Apple REALLY hyping this product so much? I think most of the hype is being generated by the press, fanboys and nay-sayers.
Apple announced the iPhone and then basically shut up about it for 5 months while everybody else turned the product into the second coming. Sure, Apple calls the iPhone "Revolutionary," but every company calls their products revolutionary. Now it is to a point where Apple makes a quiet change to the iPhone portion of the website and Engadget and Gizmodo fire off 5 posts each about it that day.
You wanna see the iPhone hype machine? Look in the mirror...
Not really. Apple is making no secret that this is the biggest product launch in recent memory for them -- the tail may be wagging the dog some places, but I'd like to think not here.
Have you seen the 20 minute apple iphone instructional video on their website?
The best internet EVER on a mobile device!
The best touch screen EVER on a mobile device!
The best keyboard EVER available on a mobile device!(they actually say this)
The best Youtube on any mobile device!
The best iPod we've EVER made!
Yeah, Apple IS hyping this thing.
"Have you seen the 20 minute apple iphone instructional video on their website?"
Itwould have been 30 but the battery went dead
You're joking, right? I haven't seen a single interview with Steve Jobs in almost a year where he didn't find a way to turn any subject around to how "insanely great" the iPhone was. Apple has compared the iPhone to the Mac and the iPod in importance to the history of the company, and has claimed that it represents a new dawn of GUI interaction. Steve Jobs has taken to talking about how the future of computing is "post-PC devices like the iPhone." They are running an add for the thing every five minutes on every station in America. What's more, they are calling the thing a revolution in modern communication, and claiming it does everything it does, better than any device ever released from any company.
How can you, with a straight face, claim that Apple isn't hyping the iPhone?
great post!
Ryan...
I'm gonna have to call shenanegans on you here.
The FACT of the matter is that since January, Apple Proper has released a total of 4 press releases, 4 commercials and 2 quasi-interviews on the iPhone.
The web and Blogsphere, OTOH talks about the thing daily, some sites 6-12 times *per day*.
I mean...let's be objective here: Apple makes hyperbole claims (hyperbole *by definition* is not meant to be taken literally...but literacy is sort of a rare commodity on the web in comment sections, lol) but this is what as know as "marketing."
The "Hype" is *definately* coming from outside of Apple. That's the nice thing about you know, recorded evidence..you can look it up.
So, Apple: 4 press releases since January about the product, 1 20 minute infomercial, two keynotes, 2 "mini-interviews" about the iPhoe...since January.
How much has Engadget/EngadgetMobile written about it...in the last 20 hours? :)
I'm just...sayin'...
If Apple isn't the one playing the damned commercials every 5 minutes on every station I watch, then I'd like to know who is so I can strangle them. Certainly hyped. I hope Apple makes it in bright pink so all the sorority girls will pick it up. At least then they'll have more than just the fanbois purchasing it.
Meant to say "thought" not "though". Sorry.
I'll reply to my own to clarify before the flamers strike. Boston in the winter isn't exactly friendly to rear wheel drive sports cars with wide tires. Also, there tends to be quite an inordinate amount of potholes at times, hence the more bang from the buck out of an SUV than a pretty sports car.
but what mobile keyboard DOES type well?
ever tried HTC's sliding keyboards?
Um, yeah, like HTC slide-out devices are slim and elegant, right? Their PPC phone edition devices are bricks.
Two things iPhone has over all Windows Mobile devices is screen size and resolution. I am fed up with slow processors and low-res 2.8" screens found on HTC PPC phones. Even the Touch suffers from these wretched shortcomings. iPhone offers a 3.5" HVGA display, and that is huge step up from what I have endured with smartphones.
Until I begin seeing Windows Mobile Pro hardware with 400mhz (or better) processors and 3.5" (or better) VGA displays, iPhone is where I'm dropping my Franklins. Wake me up when Microsoft and its hardware partners get a clue.
400+MHz Processor and 3.5+in. vga screen?
Oh, you must mean the HTC Advantage.
From HTC's Spec Sheet:
Spotlight on HTC 7501 Features:
• 5-inch VGA touch display
• Memory HDD 8GB, ROM 256MB, RAM 128MB
• HTC VueFLO™ for easy navigation
• 3.5mm Stereo audio jack
• Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 6 Professional Phone operating system
• 3G (HSDPA-ready) and Wi-Fi® for global connectivity
• Windows Media® Player Mobile for up to 5 hours of video
• Bluetooth® 2.0 for wireless stereo audio
• Built-in GPS to navigate anywhere, anytime
• TV Out feature to send PowerPoint® decks to external TV or projector
• Up to 8 hours of battery life, longer than a laptop
• 3 megapixel camera
• MiniSD® expansion slot for unlimited storage
• Intel® PXA270 624 MHz with ATi™ Graphic Chip W2284 Processor
Link: http://www.america.htc.com/products/advantage7501/features-specs.html
If the iPhone had a malleable/mechanical screen, in-which the keypads would raise-up slightly in the screen and give feel/pressing action when typing in the screen it would be much better. However, that technology is probably still far away from practical implementation. Oh well, maybe the 3rd or 4th generation iPhone will have-it.
"kyocera still hasn't recovered"
The root cause of this is that they give the US crap phones. For some reason, they don't want to give us what they give Japan, otherwise they'd have recovered, and then some (I played with some of their Japanese phones, I know what I'm talking about). So their loss.
I don't think that the iPhone will flop, though- it's the first US phone that's on par with what Japan gets with an easy-to-use UI to boot.
@ apeguero
wow, really bad analogy.
@dan
You must not be from Boston then.
OMG, just came to the site and decided to read my first iPhone post! This thing has EDGE. LOL LOL
AJ has something there...I totally think that a landscape qwerty keyboard would be much more intuitive of a UI. I mean, come on, they've already got the software written, just tweak it!!!
hmm, 600 bucks, plus 100 dollars a month or more for charges. Hmm, no gps, no 3g, no sdk, hmm....passing on this one.
Sorry but I would take this with a grain of salt. This person obviously has something against apple, there is not one positive comment about the iPhone and I find that odd. I will get one myself and find out if I like it or not.
The Bluetooth headset has a hidden LED and is supposedly a very small and elegant device. Sound quality is said to be "typical". There is no clip; like many headsets you're expected to just let it hang out of your ear, as previously shown.
I just removed the ear clip from my logitech ear piece which I got free!! Walllah the new elegant sleek bluetooth headset competitor. No brainer, as the one got was free compared to apple.
Were you trying to type "Beat up Martin"?
Thank you Ted, that was the joke.
Question:
When typing, in ANY app, can you rotate the device and get a wider keypad?
90° would cearly be the most ergonomic position to type in.
Theres no 3G data where I am and anywhere near me that has it is horribly spotty so EDGE is fine for me I'm in wifi enough for it not to be the end of the world
I'm just excited about it for the ipod part of the phone.
I personally like thenumeric keypad because I've gotten so used to it, and many of the japanese cells (DoComo phones...) have Very largekeypads, buttons, screens, while being thin, powerfull, and asthetically pleasing. Mabye we need more of those phones rather than an iphone here in the US...
i have a new top of the line n904i with a wide VGA screen and HSDPA (high speed 3.6Mbps). it's kinda crappy. text input is okay (it actually has english t9 unlike all other j-phones), but it has a "full browser." i figured that in combination with the wide VGA screen would be 'da bomb.' it's not. it ran out of memory on every page i bothered to try. data would come fast, but the requests for said data was slow. the type was tiny and you could only scale the whole page, not just the type.
i think this is the one place the iphone will beat every other competitor - real full simple web-browsing with good user experience. i also have a nokia n800 - it's annoying. i'd gladly trade it for an iphone just to browse the web lying on the couch.
If you watch the demonstration video it doesn't look the keyboard is as bad as they say. Show me a smart phone that has all those features and doesn't suck, Apple is trying their best.
I can't believe you're basing any perception of ease-of-use off of Apple's demonstration video. That's the wrong place to look, my friend. Marketing has its obvious agendas.
I do hope the iPhone is a huge success, though. It'll spell a gigantic shift in cellphone technology across the board. Looking forward to it.
GPRS isn't that slow, In fact I'm pretty happy with it.
I can't believe I just defended the iPhone!
i have to say that even thought some of that information doesn't sound surprising, I have to question its authenticity just for the way the touch-screen was described. The touch-screen of the iPhone is using capacitive touch technology, it requires zero pressure (think macbook touch-pad). I've worked with similar technology before (no multi-touch) and it can even start registering capacitance fluctuations well before complete full contact.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitance
Think it has anything to do with the glass exterior? It seems like the glass might be thicker than your normal touch-screen, therefore might require a firmer press. That's just speculation though. I'm not up to speed on touch screen technology.
Jake one of the advantages of capacitive touch technology is that it allows them to be used behind protective surfaces. Having the ability of installing them behind thick glass makes them specially useful in outdoor kiosk which is what they're mostly use for.
If the distance caused by the protective surface is too much pressing harder won't help specially if that surface is glass. No matter how hard you press your distance from the touch panel willl remain constant, there for capacitance will also remain relatively constant.
The touch screen described sounds more like a resistive touch panel. These panels, specially when brand new do seem to require extra pressure.
Your right. while watching the high tech. video on the apple site, i noticed that the screen was registering the finger coming before it even got there, so a harder press would seem useless. SHENNANIGANS
"Your right. while watching the high tech. video on the apple site, i noticed that the screen was registering the finger coming before it even got there, so a harder press would seem useless. SHENNANIGANS"
Exactly. However, there may be some type of smart software trying to interpret accidental presses behind the scenes so that could be a factor that may require multiple tries if you aren't used to it. My parent's had trouble getting double-clicks to register in Windows when they first got a computer because they didn't do it fast enough. It may be a similar problem. Then again, it may not.
@ Chris:
Yeah...if you read apple's patent on the thing, it petty much outlines how it works. It has quite a few measurements it uses to "grok" intent...important amongst them is velocity. If you watch the orgiginal keynote, the wwdc one and the tour, you'll notice that the "tapping" is a lot more like "pecking" and not "mashing and sliding.
"Eat up Martha"
Awesome.
Rock on Engadget
@David Falcones
Exactly. I don't have an iPod yet and I am looking forward to having this phone as an alternate phone/conversation piece. I already spend a lot on my ATT bill, and so nothing's really going to change. I'd have to pay about 499 for any other phone at this point in my contract, so I figure why not grab an iPhone.
We don't have 3g data where I live either, and I just moved here from an area that was flooded with 3g. I've always had windows mobile devices, and have had yet to require 3g even when it was available.
We have to remember, it's still a phone. The screen is going to be smaller than any umpc or laptop, and so it's inherently limited in what serious stuff it can do.
I had every intention to purchase the new iPhone. I am seriously having second thoughts about purchasing this.
Adults, teens, the kids love to text message (SMS). I travel everywhere and I see people text messaging ALL THE TIME. This function needs to be greatly improved upon based on the current information this device has or more importantly lacks.
I can live with the fact that its not a 3G device but if the keyboard is as bad as its been reported, forget about it.
If Apple is smart, issues I've mentioned and from the other people who've posted as well need to address these problems.
I'll wait a year to buy the next generation iPhone.
@andres
Agreed. To say the touch screen requires "hard presses' to register input seems very suspect. With screens like this even if you get your finger within close enough range w/o even making contact with the glass surface, it can pick up the capacitance. Perhaps the software used to ignore unintended touches or gestures needs fine tuning, but the screen itself should be highly accurate.
Agreed. The "hard presses" comment makes me discredit this post. From what I understand, it's not actually a pressure sensitive screen, but is capacitance based. Therefore, pressure should be irrelevant. Certainly the demo videos seem to use very light touches. Nothing in this post offers anything new that would suggest that it's actually true.
Ishir, I think you should know by now that if this wasn't a source we trust implicitly (and whose opinion on these matters is worthy of relying on) it wouldn't have run here.
@Ryan Block
I work with interactive kiosks using a multitude of different technologies, from typical resistive touchscreens to camera based (touchless) and even capacitive. I'm familiar with Elo's capacitive touch. IF the iPhone's capacitive touchscreen works anything like elo's there is absolutely no need for pressure (see link below). Which is not compatible with the claims of the source. I hope this is something that at least gets looked into a bit further, the quality of this type of material is only as good as the selection of the sources.
http://www.elotouch.com/Technologies/ProjectedCapacitive/specifications.asp#electrical
"Ishir, I think you should know by now that if this wasn't a source we trust implicitly (and whose opinion on these matters is worthy of relying on) it wouldn't have run here."
Why, didn't you ever make this mistake before?
why do phone companies have to charge you sooooo much for soooooo little crappy service?
Just wanted to point out a little comparison. I've been using a Nokia N800 for a few months now (yes I know its not a phone but it does share iPhone's characteristics of being a small touchscreen only device) and I would never want to type with my fingers in portrait mode on it even though the screen is bigger than the iPhone by ~.5 inches. In fact, it doesn't even support portrait mode typing as its meant to be used in landscape mode but that's besides the point.
Apple may have come up with a "revolutionary" way to use the keyboard, but based on my experience with the finger keyboard and the smaller stylus input keyboard on the N800 which more resembles what the iPhone will use although the iPhone's will be slightly bigger than that, the iPhone's keyboard will be way too cramped for comfortable 2 thumb typing.
As for Apple implementing a landscape keyboard, that would be the best solution however just as on the N800, to make a proper landscape finger keyboard, a lot of screen space is required to make it comfortable enough but you'll lose a heck of a lot of vertical screen space so you'll only be able to see 3-4 lines of text when using a landscape keyboard and that's with all the other UI elements removed except for the actual text.
Whatever.
Isn't it funny that the "secret sources" of information basically parrot every speculative criticism that has already been made over and over?
While people who are confirmed to have used the device, Andy Inhatko, David Pogue, etc. have had extremely positive things to say.
"I feel bad for anyone who buys the iPhone. I am eagerly awaiting the downfall."
Really? Then what the hell is wrong with you? Do you work for Nokia? If not then you a sad little person. Did Steve Jobs beat you up when you were a kid?
"Apple is hyping this product like nothing we've ever seen before, and we're ready to bring every detail to light. In the mean time, here's that commercial again."
Oh heck yeah! Apple has announced it, run commercials, and made an 'intro to iPhone' video. Apple's hype machine is at a fevered, unparalleled pace!!
No company has ever announced AND THEN RUN COMMERCIALS prior to a product launch!
Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria!
A tech blog article *about* the iPhone commenting on Apple's hyping of the iPhone...oh sweet, sweet irony!
I already wrote this but I can't stand when people who are wrong think they are right.
Have you seen the 20 minute apple iphone instructional video on their website?
The best internet EVER on a mobile device!
The best touch screen EVER on a mobile device!
The best keyboard EVER available on a mobile device!(they actually say this)
The best Youtube on any mobile device!
The best iPod we've EVER made!
Yeah, Apple IS hyping this thing. It's not just commercials. It's full hype machine.
Stop it.
Jonathan, have you used it yet? NO. Have I? NO. NONE of us have used it, so why don't we all just shut up until it's released and you get to use it for yourself. What's wrong with our country anymore that we can't simply believe something will work as advertised?
AT THIS POINT IT PROBABLY:
IS the best internet EVER on a mobile device!
IS the best touch screen EVER on a mobile device!
IS the best keyboard EVER available on a mobile device!(they actually say this) [We haaven't used it yet, have we?
IS the best Youtube on any mobile device!
IS the best iPod we've EVER made!
Sure Apple is hyping it, but if you were Apple, wouldn't you?
And yes, I agree this entire article's credibility was questioned when it said the screen requires hard touches. I don't buy it. It's a capacitive touch screen...
Mike, I'm not complaining that it's been hyped.
I'm just proving it has been.
I'm not saying these things aren't true. But when the Apple fans come along and say "Stop being so mean, they never hyped it, they just made a commercial wtf" then I'm going to show you that no, you are wrong.
And please. If people are allowed to speculate about how it has the best internet ever, why can't we speculate about how the keyboard might work and if it might suck.
Stop trying to censor people's opinions.
And Apple IS hyping this thing, which was my point. The end.
Come on iPhone haters, this device is not a Blackberry killer, its aimed at a different audience that companies (like RIM) have been trying to target through devices like the Curve. The lack of 3G is less important than the decent battery life and the WiFi capability will make up for loss of 3G speed for things like YouTube. Apple could have released a phone/browser without (or with severely crimped) iPod capabilities in version 1.0 but they went the whole hog. Why? Because they know that iPod owners will buy this for the better iPod video capabilities. Hence the lousy memory (4/8 gb). Apple is expecting people to use this like an iPod, to upload their tracks, podcasts, videos, etc. rather than download over the air (the iPhone doesn't even allow this). That is their business model (as opposed tot he telcos). The cost of OTA downloads is one of the primary reasons for network embracement of 3G, along with the amplified fees. If the iPhone is successful, it could even undercut the business case for 3G with WiFi coverage providing the alternative for the high bandwidth. 3G data plans and download costs might be brought more into line with WiFi.
I'm happy with my BB 8700 but I'll buy an iPhone for its complementary capabilities (whenever Canada gets to sell them).
It isn't a matter of being an "iPhone hater." Every tech blog on the planet has been predicting that this thing will kill not only the BlackBerry, but the Treo, Windows Mobile, and every other smartphone on the market since the moment it was announced. Apple's stock has shot through the roof on the assumption that this thing is going to be as big as the iPod, and Apple claims that it will forever revolutionize the entire telecommunications industry, because no phone on the market can do half what the iPhone can. So while you are right that it isn't a "BlackBerry killer," this is the first article to really address the possibility that there might, in fact, be something less than perfect with the supposedly perfect communication product out of Cupertino.
L. M. Lloyd,
dude, to make a statement that every tech blog on the planet has been predicting that the iphone will kill the BB and other smartphones is ridiculous and false. If anything, most tech blogs, including this one have stated that the iphone will never replace any true business device. And, so what the Apple's stock has shot through the roof? Why are you so bothered by it? What do you have against apple? You can't deny that the iphone will set the bar high in the telecommunications industry. The capacitive touch technology is unlike anything out there. So stop comparing it to Palm/Handspring touchscreen devices. Whether the iphone fails or not, it is revolutionary and it will as big as the ipod because this is the new ipod. As far as I can tell, no one that has commented on this post has used the iphone. Not you, not me, and certainly not Ryan Block. Come June 29th half these people will end-up with egg on their face and the other half will be shouting I TOLD YOU SO. I for one hope Ryan Block has a wash cloth handy, but I guess will have to wait and see.
L. M. Lloyd,
dude, to make a statement that every tech blog on the planet has been predicting that the iphone will kill the BB and other smartphones is ridiculous and false. If anything, most tech blogs, including this one have stated that the iphone will never replace any true business device. And, so what the Apple's stock has shot through the roof? Why are you so bothered by it? What do you have against apple? You can't deny that the iphone will set the bar high in the telecommunications industry. The capacitive touch technology is unlike anything out there. So stop comparing it to Palm/Handspring touchscreen devices. Whether the iphone fails or not, it is revolutionary and it will as big as the ipod because this is the new ipod. As far as I can tell, no one that has commented on this post has used the iphone. Not you, not me, and certainly not Ryan Block. Come June 29th half these people will end-up with egg on their face and the other half will be shouting I TOLD YOU SO. I for one hope Ryan Block has a wash cloth handy, but I guess will have to wait and see.
This post has "ignorant hillbilly" written all over it.
You have not used an iPhone. Almost no one has. Those few who have used one, have raved about it. You have no idea what it will or will not do or how it will or will not perform.
I hope Steve Jobs doesn't "trys" to brainwash me anymore or my "jeneration" might get some strikes, and if I get a strike three then it will be "your out" for me!
@ Matthew House:
"Those few who have used one, have raved about it."
... Then why is the source of this article not raving? In fact, that source is saying "ick" (yes, that is the technical term. *grin*) about several features, unless I'm completely misunderstanding the use of the words "disappointing", "as slow as expected", "fingerprint magnet", and "didn't work well at all".
If you don't like it, you have 30 days to return it.. money back guarantee.
Oh really? Does that apply to the 2-year contract you have to sign up for as well? Will they let you out of it without a hefty penalty?
We'll see...
good guestion Scott
Well I used to sell cell phones and the rule is.. you have 30 days to try the service.. and if your unsatisfied you can get your money back for the phone and pay only for the minutes you used. That hefty (~$200) early termination fee doesn't apply in that 30 day window.
I think we can all agree that this is the most anticipated item in recent memory. With that said, EVERYONE is hyping the iPhone, from Apple to Engadget to business forecasters to users just like you and me. To say that someone is or isn't is just plain ridiculous.
If you don't like the iPhone or just plain can't stand Engadget posting fifty different articles repeating the same stuff about it every day (sorry, had to get that in there), then don't comment the posts complaining about it.
No one can really help the fact that this device WILL revolutionize the PMP/cell phone/mobile computer in SOME way. Whether that be for better or for worse, we'll find out in a few days, now won't we?
So, until then, I plan on waiting until my current AT&T Mobility (formerly Cingular, formerly AT&T Wireless) contract runs out, then I'll weigh my options. I'll just wait and make the right decision-which can ONLY come from first hand experience with the product-when the time comes. And I think everyone else should do the same and wait until they actually USE the product before they render their final verdicts.