I was talking about the phone with a friend a little while ago, and he said it could be the next Newton. I may agree with him. Yes, it will sell well the first day or so, but after that, what will happen? With reports of the keypad being hard to use, the fingerprints and screen sensitivity, it may be a problem. Most people don't treat phones like delicate objects. Next to all of this, it lacks basic features that most people expect in a mobile phone. My razr has basic things like java, IM, MMS, 3G, Cell Video, Media Net, etc... THe iPhone has none of that. Granted, it does have things my razr doesn't have .. full email, touch screen, iPod, full html internet browser (with no flash). Those are wonderful things.
However, will non-Mac geeks use email to send pics? Most will say "why can't i send picture messages?" and then say the phone sucks. Many will ask "where is AIM?" and then say the phone sucks when they find out it doesn't have it. People will ask "why can't I play games on it?"
Many of you just brush it aside and say that they will come eventually, but how many of the average user will hack their phones? How many will buy and then wait to see if something comes. I am kind of uncomfortable with doing that, but I will most likely buy it anyway. THese are things we must consider. I can say we, because I am an apple stock holder. A very nervous one after yesterday and some of the reports coming out about the iPhones features, or lack thereof.
I certainly hope this doesn't flop, but PDA/Smartphones aren't used by the masses. If there is a steep data plan required for this device, it may not sell as well. Many people may just it just to use the phone and ipod features and not the internet side.
I guess we'll see come June 29th. Apple has been pretty arrogant in not releasing any kind of feature list nor plan requirement. I am not happy about going in to this not knowing a thing. It isn't fair to any of us. Don't tell me "well no one is forcing you to buy it" BS. They have an obligation to the customer to inform us on what will be on the device so there won't be 21 questions asked by everyone during the launch of the product. it will take forever to get through the lines if everyone has to ask what it does and doesn't do and then get informed on what plans are needed.
I hope this product is successful, I really do. Hell, my money is riding on this launch. But, the closer it's getting to launch, the more concerned I am about its success. I don't want another Newton, a product that was ahead of its time design wise, but lacked features. Same with the G4 Cube. Apple's done it before, I hope it doesn't happen again.
However, will non-Mac geeks use email to send pics? Most will say "why can't i send picture messages?" and then say the phone sucks. Many will ask "where is AIM?" and then say the phone sucks when they find out it doesn't have it. People will ask "why can't I play games on it?"
Many of you just brush it aside and say that they will come eventually, but how many of the average user will hack their phones? How many will buy and then wait to see if something comes. I am kind of uncomfortable with doing that, but I will most likely buy it anyway. THese are things we must consider. I can say we, because I am an apple stock holder. A very nervous one after yesterday and some of the reports coming out about the iPhones features, or lack thereof.
I certainly hope this doesn't flop, but PDA/Smartphones aren't used by the masses. If there is a steep data plan required for this device, it may not sell as well. Many people may just it just to use the phone and ipod features and not the internet side.
I guess we'll see come June 29th. Apple has been pretty arrogant in not releasing any kind of feature list nor plan requirement. I am not happy about going in to this not knowing a thing. It isn't fair to any of us. Don't tell me "well no one is forcing you to buy it" BS. They have an obligation to the customer to inform us on what will be on the device so there won't be 21 questions asked by everyone during the launch of the product. it will take forever to get through the lines if everyone has to ask what it does and doesn't do and then get informed on what plans are needed.
I hope this product is successful, I really do. Hell, my money is riding on this launch. But, the closer it's getting to launch, the more concerned I am about its success. I don't want another Newton, a product that was ahead of its time design wise, but lacked features. Same with the G4 Cube. Apple's done it before, I hope it doesn't happen again.
