iPhone Release Date

[HardOCP News]

Just so you know, approximately 2,324,566,000 people sent me e-mail letting me know the iPhone goes on sale June 29th. I can see it now, Apple geeks all over the world are beside themselves deciding between paying rent for August or buying an iPhone.

Sunday night's ads showed off several of the gadget's features and ended with the pronouncement that the phone will be available "Only on the new AT&T" and "Coming June 29." One aired on the CW network before a 7 p.m. broadcast of "7th Heaven."

 

[note235]

i might get one
if unlockable that would be nice
slow network? ill use wifi

is HF slower?

 

[obviouslytom]

I still don't see what is so special about that phone. There are phones that have been on the market for at least a year that do the same thing, if not better.

Although I can't wait to see the maps program that Jobs claims will destroy Google Maps

 

[pettybone]

I still don't see what is so special about that phone. There are phones that have been on the market for at least a year that do the same thing, if not better.

Although I can't wait to see the maps program that Jobs claims will destroy Google Maps

Like what phone? I have no faith in your statement. This phone seems like a big advancement for the U.S. market. There might be a phone better than this in Japan but not the U.S. The way you can navigate through the phone is simplistic and worth getting on that merit alone.

 

[ceng-phil]

Simplistic? But could you use it blindfolded?

 

[Boozer]

Simplistic? But could you use it blindfolded?

course not! no "feelable" keys >.<

 

[Damar]

Just one opinion, but.....

It's overpriced. The "neat" screen interface does not justify the price range the phone is in. As noted above, if you're blind or can't look directly at the screen (say, while driving which is another whole issue anyway), you're screwed if you need to dial a number.

The phone has features that many other phones do have, and those phones are far cheaper.

It's neat, but not $500-600 neat, and certainly not a "must have" item for anyone cept those with cash to blow without care and fanboi's who must have every item Apple ever makes.

This coming from an avid iPod user/lover.

 

[pettybone]

It's overpriced. The "neat" screen interface does not justify the price range the phone is in. As noted above, if you're blind or can't look directly at the screen (say, while driving which is another whole issue anyway), you're screwed if you need to dial a number.

Yeah this phone never was designed for the blind. Everything else you are spot on. If and when this phone comes down to around 200 I might be interested.

 

[collegeboy69us]

I'm excited, the 29th cant come soon enough for me.

I used to have a Razr - and thru an unfortunate incident it fell on the concrete and broke into a million pieces. Knowing of the iPhone I reverted back to using the uber cheap free bottom of the barrel phone I got when i first signed up with Cingular.

After six months with this POS - I will have NO problem going in an slapping down 500+ dollars for this phone (my contract is up this month too - thats like a sign from god I need this phone)

I just hope that on the 29th it will ACTUALLY be on the shelves ready to buy.

 

[pgwalsh]

I still don't see what is so special about that phone. There are phones that have been on the market for at least a year that do the same thing, if not better.

Although I can't wait to see the maps program that Jobs claims will destroy Google Maps

Do what the same? Make phone calls? Sure I'll give you that one. But if you're going to tell me that the iPhone is just a copy of what's out there, then please give me examples of said product.

It's not just a phone, it's an ipod and internet device. It has a touch interface and wifi. Which competing device has all of the features in one package like this? If you think in terms of phones, yes there's plenty, but think of it as an iPod and handheld net device and then you starting thinking differently. It would be a pretty cool device without the phone features. Kinda like the iPod, but juiced up.

 

[wiseoracle]

In some terms it isn't too bad, but still a bit too pricey.

240 for an iPod
350 for a PDA phone

Still it shouldn't cost more than 350-400 bux.

I'll consider it, if I can get someone to buy my iPod, and save some more money to buy it. But i'll wait for awhile till things get settled and hear if there are any issues with it.

 

[shadowduck]

The only truly new feature on the iPhone is Visual voicemail, and its only new on a cell phone. Other providers (VoIP) have been doing it for a while..

Nokia N-series phones come the closest what the iPhone has to offer. Granted, they dont have 4GB or 8GB of built in storage, but they are expandable through flash memory. They have GPS, a full qwerty keyboard (better than onscreen keys anyday), and most of the other features of the iPhone.

Like another poser said- the Nokia phones are not available in the US from any of the major cell phone carriers. Some look at that as a bad thing, I look at that as a GOOD thing. When i bring my own UNLOCKED phone, I am not chained to one provider. If they suck, I can ditch them and look elsewhere. iPhone users are in shackles with AT&T. If you don't like them or their service.. tough crap... you are stuck! In the mousetype on the ads: "Minimum 2 year agreement required. So for the iPhone you might even have to chain yourself longer than 2 years!!

Apple fanbois will buy one if they need or one or not. For the rest of you- think long and hard before you give up $500 and at least 2 years to a company such as AT&T. Really study their history of screwing customers and think if thats what you want.

'Nuff said.

 

[Ockie]

Like what phone? I have no faith in your statement. This phone seems like a big advancement for the U.S. market. There might be a phone better than this in Japan but not the U.S. The way you can navigate through the phone is simplistic and worth getting on that merit alone.

Samsung i730, i830, Audiovox XV6700, XV6800, and various others from more private vendors.

Simplistic is a term of self agreement. I do not find touch screen navigation simplistic, especially when driving or if you have fat fingers.

Do what the same? Make phone calls? Sure I'll give you that one. But if you're going to tell me that the iPhone is just a copy of what's out there, then please give me examples of said product.

It's not just a phone, it's an ipod and internet device. It has a touch interface and wifi. Which competing device has all of the features in one package like this? If you think in terms of phones, yes there's plenty, but think of it as an iPod and handheld net device and then you starting thinking differently. It would be a pretty cool device without the phone features. Kinda like the iPod, but juiced up.

Most smart phones if not all, can play music, you can even install an IPod interface. If you are saying that the Itunes is what makes this device, well then you might just as well say the Itunes makes the Ipod superior to all other players out there.

All smart phones can access the internet, most of the new ones if not all, have access to the broadband networks, which blows the iphones offering out of the water... kinda like comparing dialup to cable. All smart phones has a touch screen display, in addition to that, they also have quick shortcut buttons which can be hot linked for various of customizable functions... They also have many media input capabilities. Not to mention, most of the phones out there such as the Samsung i-series lineup absolutley creams the iphone in price, performance, and features... not only does it have a much faster processor, but it also has the ability to switch betwen CDMA and GSM (i830) networks and can be bought unlocked for various carriers.

The ipod WITH the itunes function is the only reason to buy this phone, for all other reasons, Apple has been beat years ago.

 

[pgwalsh]

Samsung i730, i830, Audiovox XV6700, XV6800, and various others from more private vendors.

Simplistic is a term of self agreement. I do not find touch screen navigation simplistic, especially when driving or if you have fat fingers.




Most smart phones if not all, can play music, you can even install an IPod interface. If you are saying that the Itunes is what makes this device, well then you might just as well say the Itunes makes the Ipod superior to all other players out there.

All smart phones can access the internet, most of the new ones if not all, have access to the broadband networks, which blows the iphones offering out of the water... kinda like comparing dialup to cable. All smart phones has a touch screen display, in addition to that, they also have quick shortcut buttons which can be hot linked for various of customizable functions... They also have many media input capabilities. Not to mention, most of the phones out there such as the Samsung i-series lineup absolutley creams the iphone in price, performance, and features... not only does it have a much faster processor, but it also has the ability to switch betwen CDMA and GSM (i830) networks and can be bought unlocked for various carriers.

The ipod WITH the itunes function is the only reason to buy this phone, for all other reasons, Apple has been beat years ago.

I think SmartPhones make the ideal comparison to the iPhone and I didn't make that clear. When someone refers to a SmartPhone as just a phone it peeves me because it's much more than just a phone. A lot of technology had to converge for that to happen. I remember when I worked at Nortel, as a wireless product manger, we were getting our hands on very early smartphones. There was a lot of debate to whether the technologies could/would converge. I said they clearly would and they have. But they they are much much more than just a phone. What sets the iPhone apart will be the way you interact with the phone and the software.

 

[Exavior]

I think SmartPhones make the ideal comparison to the iPhone and I didn't make that clear. When someone refers to a SmartPhone as just a phone it peeves me because it's much more than just a phone. A lot of technology had to converge for that to happen. I remember when I worked at Nortel, as a wireless product manger, we were getting our hands on very early smartphones. There was a lot of debate to whether the technologies could/would converge. I said they clearly would and they have. But they they are much much more than just a phone. What sets the iPhone apart will be the way you interact with the phone and the software.

Regardless of how much extra features they might have they would still fall under the category of a mobile phone. All phones now adays have moved past just your basic phone service on the device. But that doesn't change that they are still phones. I don't think anybody was trying to compare the features of the iPhone to a $10 basic phone. I'd like to think that people had stuff like the devices Ockie mentioned in mind when they were using the word phone.

 

[Mike Armstrong]

I think SmartPhones make the ideal comparison to the iPhone and I didn't make that clear. When someone refers to a SmartPhone as just a phone it peeves me because it's much more than just a phone. A lot of technology had to converge for that to happen. I remember when I worked at Nortel, as a wireless product manger, we were getting our hands on very early smartphones. There was a lot of debate to whether the technologies could/would converge. I said they clearly would and they have. But they they are much much more than just a phone. What sets the iPhone apart will be the way you interact with the phone and the software.

Exactly! Good post. I almost think it was a mistake to name it the iPHONE. The actual Phone part of it is very minor and easily replicated with any average $50 cell phone. Its the other 90% of the iPhone that makes it so appealing. Its not only all the many features presently being touted but those that will be added in the near future that will make this unique device so appealing. Also, as pgwalsh put it so well, its the way you will be able to interact with the pnone and the software.

And about the comment, 'uh, um, oh ya! what if your blind man!!?', are you kidding me?! How about, 'what if your a double arm amputee? how are you supposed to use the phone then man! What was Apple thinking!!!' I know you were probably kidding, just as I am but thats the kind of stuff your gonna start seeing the Apple haters resort to when this device explodes onto the market, pathetic.

And about the comment that 'you cant type on it when your 'DRIVING', again, are you kidding me?! Hello! Your not supposed to be typing on your phone, combing your hair, putting on your makeup or anything else when your attemting to operate a two ton machine at 70mph, your supposed to be DRIVING numbnuts! Those are the jerkwads that obliviously cut in front of, slow down or smash into the smarter drivers around them without a clue as to what happened. Get a friggin hands free setup or better yet, stay off the phone and pay attention to what your supposed to be doing until you park, turn off the ignition and set the friggin brake!

 

[Exavior]

At what point does a device become a phone with extra featrues, or some device with a phone feature?

Helio with their slogan of don't call it a phone, don't call us a phone company even goes on to list their devices as cell phones on their own site.

forgetting for a moment if the device has 1 feature or 18000 features. Which one is meant to be the main feature. If you add a phone to a fridge the main features is still a fridge so you have a fridge with a built in phone. In this case regardless of the extra features, they are still wanting to push this as a phone with tons of extras so it is a phone with built in everything under the sun as opposed to a everything under the sun with built in phone.

 

[pgwalsh]

At what point does a device become a phone with extra featrues, or some device with a phone feature?

Helio with their slogan of don't call it a phone, don't call us a phone company even goes on to list their devices as cell phones on their own site.

forgetting for a moment if the device has 1 feature or 18000 features. Which one is meant to be the main feature. If you add a phone to a fridge the main features is still a fridge so you have a fridge with a built in phone. In this case regardless of the extra features, they are still wanting to push this as a phone with tons of extras so it is a phone with built in everything under the sun as opposed to a everything under the sun with built in phone.

I can certainly see where you are coming from, but I respectfully disagree with you. Your analogy of a fridge with a phone is the perfect example. If you use your computer to enable voip with skype or something, your PC isn't a phone, but it has the capability. It falls into the category of what Bill Gates and Steve Jobs labeled Post PC devices at D.

To fully benefit from the iPhone you need a cell phone plan so it makes sense to use the name iPhone and market it that way. Just the same, you have to have internet access service to benefit from the browser on your PC, but you wouldn't necessarily call your PC an internet device because it does much more than the internet. You can still use the device without a cell phone plan via Wifi, but you're missing out on a portion of the experience. This device is essentially a really small form factor person computer but more specifically a communication device.

 

[FLECOM]

its stupid to release a new phone with a large screen and then cripple it with EDGE

 

[pgwalsh]

its stupid to release a new phone with a large screen and then cripple it with EDGE

Well they tried to go with Verizon in the beginning but Verizon said no. AT&T only has edge now, but they're building a 3G network. I bet version 2 may have 3G and some of the kinks worked out.

 

[FLECOM]

I think AT&T has HSDPA dont they?

 

[Ockie]

Exactly! Good post. I almost think it was a mistake to name it the iPHONE. The actual Phone part of it is very minor and easily replicated with any average $50 cell phone. Its the other 90% of the iPhone that makes it so appealing. Its not only all the many features presently being touted but those that will be added in the near future that will make this unique device so appealing. Also, as pgwalsh put it so well, its the way you will be able to interact with the pnone and the software.

And about the comment, 'uh, um, oh ya! what if your blind man!!?', are you kidding me?! How about, 'what if your a double arm amputee? how are you supposed to use the phone then man! What was Apple thinking!!!' I know you were probably kidding, just as I am but thats the kind of stuff your gonna start seeing the Apple haters resort to when this device explodes onto the market, pathetic.

And about the comment that 'you cant type on it when your 'DRIVING', again, are you kidding me?! Hello! Your not supposed to be typing on your phone, combing your hair, putting on your makeup or anything else when your attemting to operate a two ton machine at 70mph, your supposed to be DRIVING numbnuts! Those are the jerkwads that obliviously cut in front of, slow down or smash into the smarter drivers around them without a clue as to what happened. Get a friggin hands free setup or better yet, stay off the phone and pay attention to what your supposed to be doing until you park, turn off the ignition and set the friggin brake!

Nice response

Perhaps you would know that business people are the largest market segment for smart phones, so they will be constantly on the go. Therefore, it's safe to assume that they will be moving as they are using their mobile devices... hence the need for a mobile device.

Also, it seems as if you have never used a smart phone while driving, but perhaps let me remind you.... this is EXACTLY what I am talking about.

With the IPhone, you have to watch the screen. with other smart phones, you can just hit the button on the side and it can shortcut you to your menu you need... therefore you do not need to type or watch the screen.

If you are thinking of writing a letter... then I don't know what to tell you, because that is a lame counter-argument that you are trying to extract.

And don't dare call me an apple hater, I probably have more Apple junk than you could ever dream of.

 

[Ockie]

Exactly! Good post. I almost think it was a mistake to name it the iPHONE. The actual Phone part of it is very minor and easily replicated with any average $50 cell phone. Its the other 90% of the iPhone that makes it so appealing. Its not only all the many features presently being touted but those that will be added in the near future that will make this unique device so appealing. Also, as pgwalsh put it so well, its the way you will be able to interact with the pnone and the software.

And about the comment, 'uh, um, oh ya! what if your blind man!!?', are you kidding me?! How about, 'what if your a double arm amputee? how are you supposed to use the phone then man! What was Apple thinking!!!' I know you were probably kidding, just as I am but thats the kind of stuff your gonna start seeing the Apple haters resort to when this device explodes onto the market, pathetic.

And about the comment that 'you cant type on it when your 'DRIVING', again, are you kidding me?! Hello! Your not supposed to be typing on your phone, combing your hair, putting on your makeup or anything else when your attemting to operate a two ton machine at 70mph, your supposed to be DRIVING numbnuts! Those are the jerkwads that obliviously cut in front of, slow down or smash into the smarter drivers around them without a clue as to what happened. Get a friggin hands free setup or better yet, stay off the phone and pay attention to what your supposed to be doing until you park, turn off the ignition and set the friggin brake!

To add more:


What makes this so much better than another SMART PHONE out there? Please enlighten me.

Is it because it can interface with Itunes? Well, thats about all it can do over all other smart phones.

Are you aware that Apple started suing all the companies who tried to replicate the interface navigation. Does this mean that it's not an exclusive apple thing? You are correct if you said Yes. As you may not know, all the standard PDA phones has a touch screen navigation system and yes, you can install your own application. Many people sells custom applications for the phones to replicate an ipod, replicate other phone functions, and even the iphone menu.


So please enlighten me of how they are the first besides the integration of itunes with the phone. Please.


And don't dare think of comparing this to the cheap phones that you see at the store, start thinking about the smart pda phones. As far as I am concerned, you are just spouting out words of which apple speaks of, nothing concrete that you have researched yourself.

 

[Ockie]

I can certainly see where you are coming from, but I respectfully disagree with you. Your analogy of a fridge with a phone is the perfect example. If you use your computer to enable voip with skype or something, your PC isn't a phone, but it has the capability. It falls into the category of what Bill Gates and Steve Jobs labeled Post PC devices at D.

To fully benefit from the iPhone you need a cell phone plan so it makes sense to use the name iPhone and market it that way. Just the same, you have to have internet access service to benefit from the browser on your PC, but you wouldn't necessarily call your PC an internet device because it does much more than the internet. You can still use the device without a cell phone plan via Wifi, but you're missing out on a portion of the experience. This device is essentially a really small form factor person computer but more specifically a communication device.

I would disagree. You are saying "but you're missing out on a portion of the experience", it would be the same if a fridge was attached and you couldn't use the fridge.

Options on a phone not being used to their full function is a portion of the experience. You can still use this as a phone without the phone contract, such as using it on Wifi with skype. Therefore, the phone option is much less of a factor as much as the pda option.

If the PDA was disabled, you would in essence have a standard cheap run of the mill phone with NO features. If the phone died, you'd still maintain a majority of the devices features.

So what the poster said was correct, when does the device become more like something else other than a phone? The PDA function of this device can do more than the phone, so it's more dominating as a PDA function than it is of a phone function.

its stupid to release a new phone with a large screen and then cripple it with EDGE

Yep, and this is really the main reason why I don't think it will be as sucessful as other phones and this is the feature that all other pda phones will absolutley cream it on.

If it had a proper network for broadband support I would be all over it, but to charge more, lock it down more, and give you a shittier bandwidth package is lame. Yet, people still manage to convince others that the phone is superior... most can't tell how it is, they just know it is since it's an APPLE!

Well they tried to go with Verizon in the beginning but Verizon said no. AT&T only has edge now, but they're building a 3G network. I bet version 2 may have 3G and some of the kinks worked out.

Apple wanted too much out of the deal. Cellular companies does not work on the same profit margins as computer companies, it's a very cut throat environment and the iphone is going to feel the heat from the industry, I can guarantee you that!

A version 2 would be almost ill to conceive as a version 1 isn't out yet, also, it would be premature to assume so as some networks have been known to cripple devices for cutbacks.

And what do you mean that they are "building a 3G network"? They already offer 3G services to most of their smart phones and they offer 3g network for their PC cards.
The network is operational and you can receive service... just not with an iphone. The iphone will be the latest PDA device without this feature, kinda as if a computer now ships with a 56k modem.

 

[smizack]

I'm excited, the 29th cant come soon enough for me.

I used to have a Razr - and thru an unfortunate incident it fell on the concrete and broke into a million pieces. Knowing of the iPhone I reverted back to using the uber cheap free bottom of the barrel phone I got when i first signed up with Cingular.

After six months with this POS - I will have NO problem going in an slapping down 500+ dollars for this phone (my contract is up this month too - thats like a sign from god I need this phone)

I just hope that on the 29th it will ACTUALLY be on the shelves ready to buy.

I'm with you, but I think they are going to be hard to get on the release date. I read on slashdot (I think) that each store is expected to get around 40 phones.

 

[pgwalsh]

I would disagree. You are saying "but you're missing out on a portion of the experience", it would be the same if a fridge was attached and you couldn't use the fridge.

Options on a phone not being used to their full function is a portion of the experience. You can still use this as a phone without the phone contract, such as using it on Wifi with skype. Therefore, the phone option is much less of a factor as much as the pda option.

If the PDA was disabled, you would in essence have a standard cheap run of the mill phone with NO features. If the phone died, you'd still maintain a majority of the devices features.

If you had followed the conversation from the beginning, I was saying the same thing you are saying for the most part. Without the phone contract you still have an iPod video and internet with the wifi. You can still travel around town and use Cafe hot spots and share wifi or paid wifi. Your phone is 2/3+ functional. The fridge doesn't require service (beyond electricity) to use as a refrigerator, but to make calls with the fridge you would. You just changed the argument around to suite your needs instead of the issue at hand which was the "other" functionality beyond phone service.

However, I agree with you on the PDA aspect. I was just pointing out that it still functions as a great iPod Video and Wifi device. So it really is much more than just a Phone.

 

[InorganicMatter]

Yay. Another overpriced smart phone, only this one is special - it supports the iPod/iTunes monopoly link! So totally worth $600 initially and $900+ of obligatory contract to the worst service provider on planet earth!!!

 

[Ockie]

If you had followed the conversation from the beginning, I was saying the same thing you are saying for the most part. Without the phone contract you still have an iPod video and internet with the wifi. You can still travel around town and use Cafe hot spots and share wifi or paid wifi. Your phone is 2/3+ functional. The fridge doesn't require service (beyond electricity) to use as a refrigerator, but to make calls with the fridge you would. You just changed the argument around to suite your needs instead of the issue at hand which was the "other" functionality beyond phone service.

However, I agree with you on the PDA aspect. I was just pointing out that it still functions as a great iPod Video and Wifi device. So it really is much more than just a Phone.

Actually, I have been following your posts. You are agreeing with me for "the most part", and I am disagreeing with you for the other part

Okay, so without the phone contract you still have a usable device... thus what I said earlier (if you followed the converstation from the start, lol), its just like any other Smart PDA phone, except it has itunes capability.

You seem to cater the argument to suit your needs, if you search my posts, I have been screaming the same thing for months.

 

[Ockie]

Yay. Another overpriced smart phone, only this one is special - it supports the iPod/iTunes monopoly link! So totally worth $600 initially and $900+ of obligatory contract to the worst service provider on planet earth!!!

QFT, and not to mention you get a slower, less featured product than whats currently out on the market. You also get a crippled internet capability and a limited operating system. You get a device which scratches more easily than the current phones on the market, one which is also slippery according to some. (Don't quote me, but IRC you are not able to install your own software on the phone). So in essince, you get less for more, but at least it has an itunes interface (OMG!!@!@#@ IPOD!@##@$)

But hey, it's an Apple, it must be the first and best!

 

[pgwalsh]

Actually, I have been following your posts. You are agreeing with me for "the most part", and I am disagreeing with you for the other part

Okay.. So you're a smart ass and proud of it.

Okay, so without the phone contract you still have a usable device... thus what I said earlier (if you followed the converstation from the start, lol), its just like any other Smart PDA phone, except it has itunes capability.

I never said it wasn't.

You seem to cater the argument to suit your needs, if you search my posts, I have been screaming the same thing for months.

Don't flatter yourself. I'm not going to waste anymore time. We both agree for the most part and I made my point that it's more than just a "phone" which is all I'm after.