Listening to her answer the calls and scream into the phone about her loser boyfriend, all while remaining at her table, is still much worse.
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Pogue Answers Common iPhone Questions
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Listening to her answer the calls and scream into the phone about her loser boyfriend, all while remaining at her table, is still much worse.
Marketing 101
Like a prior poster said, a company's main goal is to make money or make their shareholders happy. Those usually go hand in hand.
Yes, you will see some of these features added to the iPhone via software updates, as well as many others not even mentioned. The iPhone is the first and only phone (that I know of) that appears to be designed for the long-haul in that its software CAN be updated easily. Unlike the iPod, I think Apple does not expect folks to buy a new iPhone every 3 years.
Look, it's already drop-dead gorgeous and people are standing in line to get one. Are they going to sell out the first day? You bet they are! How long will they be able to sell them as quick as they can produce them? Who can say, but for every iPhone they sell, there are three to X number of people out there who won't buy because it lacks feature Y.
Apple is a marketing genius. Guess what happens when (1) product begins to stack up on shelves or (2) purchases drop because they have satisfied the early adopters? They release a software update that adds new features. Suddenly, a segment of the market not previously interested will now consider an iPhone as it now has the features they are looking for. Others still hold back due to other missing features. When the second wave of interest begins to wane, release another update.
Rinse. Repeat.
This keeps the iPhone constantly in the public eye, keeps everyone talking about it, and keeps sales high. On the plus side, the iPhone is always improving and getting new features. On the negative side, the timetable for those updates will most likely depend on sales. If the iPhone is a strong seller for months, it may be months before the first update (actually, I'll bet there's at least one or two updates pretty soon after release (maybe at the 1 week and 1 month mark, regardless of sales, just to keep it in the news and blogs). Also, it means a semi-constant stream of new articles on macrumors (sorry iPhone-story-h8rs).
My prediction: A new feature update at the 1-2 week mark, another at the 1 month mark, then more as determined by sales.
Like a prior poster said, a company's main goal is to make money or make their shareholders happy. Those usually go hand in hand.
Yes, you will see some of these features added to the iPhone via software updates, as well as many others not even mentioned. The iPhone is the first and only phone (that I know of) that appears to be designed for the long-haul in that its software CAN be updated easily. Unlike the iPod, I think Apple does not expect folks to buy a new iPhone every 3 years.
Look, it's already drop-dead gorgeous and people are standing in line to get one. Are they going to sell out the first day? You bet they are! How long will they be able to sell them as quick as they can produce them? Who can say, but for every iPhone they sell, there are three to X number of people out there who won't buy because it lacks feature Y.
Apple is a marketing genius. Guess what happens when (1) product begins to stack up on shelves or (2) purchases drop because they have satisfied the early adopters? They release a software update that adds new features. Suddenly, a segment of the market not previously interested will now consider an iPhone as it now has the features they are looking for. Others still hold back due to other missing features. When the second wave of interest begins to wane, release another update.
Rinse. Repeat.
This keeps the iPhone constantly in the public eye, keeps everyone talking about it, and keeps sales high. On the plus side, the iPhone is always improving and getting new features. On the negative side, the timetable for those updates will most likely depend on sales. If the iPhone is a strong seller for months, it may be months before the first update (actually, I'll bet there's at least one or two updates pretty soon after release (maybe at the 1 week and 1 month mark, regardless of sales, just to keep it in the news and blogs). Also, it means a semi-constant stream of new articles on macrumors (sorry iPhone-story-h8rs).
My prediction: A new feature update at the 1-2 week mark, another at the 1 month mark, then more as determined by sales.
No wireless modem use is a big disappointment. I'm on the edge on whether to get an iPhone or not. Having modem use would push me over the edge since it's a feature I would use regularly. Not having it? We'll just have to see.
I see the motivation being the inexpensive "unlimited" data plans. You stick you laptop on that for a whole day and you could use quite a bit of their bandwidth.
I see the motivation being the inexpensive "unlimited" data plans. You stick you laptop on that for a whole day and you could use quite a bit of their bandwidth.
Not even one. That new phone that Verizon's got a boner over doesn't let you change the battery. I can't remember what It's called.
Edit: The UPSTAGE.
I DOUBT that. The iPod would have to disappear and the iPhone would have to become much smaller. My biggest beef with it currently is putting it in my pocket, it's just not going to work.
hahahahaha, funniest quote of the day! iPhone=iCatch-Up to modern phones.
When you say software, I'm not sure if you mean software as in Firmware ( the OS ) or software as in software applications:
There are other phones around who's firmware can be updated easily.. for example, SonyEricsson and Nokia smartphones: Plug in your phone , load the Software Updater, the firmware is downloaded, and your phone firmware ( software ) is updated. Simple. Microsoft smartphone etc can also up date their firmware too.
OTA ( Over The Air ) firmware updates are now ( or very soon ) possible, using the phone 3G / WIFI ability to download the firmware straight on to the phone itself. Exactly how the PSP does it, for example.
So, no, the iPhone isn't the first.
When it comes to updating the software on the phone ( i.e., applications), thats nothing new. Most smartphones can download an app from internet directly on the phone and install without touching a computer.
On another note, can the iPhone's memory be backed up, so if something does go wrong, all your preferences etc can be restored?
There are other phones around who's firmware can be updated easily.. for example, SonyEricsson and Nokia smartphones: Plug in your phone , load the Software Updater, the firmware is downloaded, and your phone firmware ( software ) is updated. Simple. Microsoft smartphone etc can also up date their firmware too.
OTA ( Over The Air ) firmware updates are now ( or very soon ) possible, using the phone 3G / WIFI ability to download the firmware straight on to the phone itself. Exactly how the PSP does it, for example.
So, no, the iPhone isn't the first.
When it comes to updating the software on the phone ( i.e., applications), thats nothing new. Most smartphones can download an app from internet directly on the phone and install without touching a computer.
On another note, can the iPhone's memory be backed up, so if something does go wrong, all your preferences etc can be restored?
It's Sprint, not Verizon, but that's besides the point. A non-replaceable battery's still a dumb idea and the upstage looks like a piece of you-know-what too
Ok, I've thrown together a VERY rough draft of the idea (sorry, I can't remember who to credit for it) of the landscape home screen (to get rid of the INSANE number of steps to make a call). Probably one obvious improvement would be to have buttons going across the bottom on the sides so you could get to the different list available in the other call section.
Ok, so my picture disappeared. Anyone know where I could easily host this picture for showing?
For now, you can see this concept by going HERE.
Ok, so my picture disappeared. Anyone know where I could easily host this picture for showing?
For now, you can see this concept by going HERE.
You should call your provider and ask if they care.
As someone previously noted, tethering, while possible with many phones and smartphones, is sold as a premium by American cell phone companies. There's a simple explanation for why providers charge increasingly more for data on a phone, pda and laptop: expected bandwidth usage. Providing bandwith cost companies money and they want to be compensated and profit from providing the service.
As for AT&T's exclusive and the fact that you can't insert a competitors SIM (or unfortunately a Foreign SIM: Apple needed an exclusive partner so the could dictate and control how the phone was sold and supported (and also require the partner to invest in new technologies, visual voice mail, etc). They've asked a much larger company to change their business practices. For that AT&T has asked for exclusivity. If one could buy the phone and easily use it on another carier AT&T wouldn't have agreed to the terms... it's a tradeoff and one that a person could reasonably be unhappy about. Though only a fool would be suprised. I sense, in the long run, it will bode well for the US phone market.
Another note on using the phone overseas. I suspect once the phone is introduced to other markets (with, of course, exclusive arrangements with providers in those markets) that one would be able to insert a sim from those providers and get a fully functional iPhone w/ a local foreign number. Also, I suspect, once activated, you could insert a sim from another provider while travelling internationally - though much of the functionallity (VVmail for sure, email possibly) will be unreliable.
No need. T-Mobile's unlimited data is truly unlimited, not limited to 5 gigs like Verizon. Nowhere in their terms does it say that unlimited is limited or that you can't tether.
And if you look around howardforums.com, you'll see others who claim to use a ton of data while tethered and T-Mobile's never said anything. I pay for unlimited data and get unlimited data. Sounds like a novel concept, doesn't it
Conceeded. I am not as up-to-date on smartphones as I thought I was.
Do these smartphones alert you when new updates are available, handled automatically, or is it left up to the user to seek out if an update is available? The iPhone may be "easier" in that respect if most smartphone updates have to be manually checked.
You have to check yourself manually, with Nokia. In this regard, yes, iPhone is simpler because iTunes will notify you ,as it does with iPod ( which is very useful ).
OTA are usually pushed automatically by the provider. My Sony Ericsson w810i had a software update checker built-in, and I think Windows Mobile is manual check and update, so are Blackberries (When I had a Pearl, I would get texts from T-Mobile telling me there was a new update available though). Not sure about Treos. WM may be automatic if you use Windows with ActiveSync on your computer, I don't, so I can't say for sure.
From what we've heard about the network speeds, it might be a blessing in disguise. I dunno, my current phone doesn't do modem either and I don't miss it.
I've seen this on a couple of different threads here, but my guess is that iPhone in the Keynote was specially built for development/testing/demonstration only. Anyone with a video iPod knows that the video out does not mirror the iPod screen, it only shows the videos/photos you're currently watching. If you look closely at the keynote video, there is a huge black tether coming out of the bottom of the demo iPhone, not a standard dock connector cable. My guess is that it's just a prototype case with the touch-screen, accelerometer, buttons, mic, and speaker inside, and the actual guts of the device are in the black podium. Plus, it would take a fancy bit of scan-converting to get the iPhone's screen resolution onto the big screen.
Anyways, I do hope the shipping iPhone does have video out. The Apple site does say that many properly designed dock connector iPod accessorys will work with the iPhone. Let's hope that means the A/V dock!
Lack of modem capability is another deal-breaker for me - thats a feature I use *very* regularly on my N95
Shame really, looks a nice bit of kit but between cost, lockdowns, no 3G and no modem use thats four major strikes against what I'm looking for, two of which are absolutely essential.
Shame really, looks a nice bit of kit but between cost, lockdowns, no 3G and no modem use thats four major strikes against what I'm looking for, two of which are absolutely essential.
Slow, but, it's better than nothing. I've had to tether using EDGE on my phone several times when I was somewhere without access to a WiFi hotspot, or my cable connection at home went out.
as a PHONE, the iphone is problematic
the iphone is sure to be a great gadget, but the phone portion is what worries me.
1) bad signal quality thanks to last-ranked att network.
2) no voice dialing
i am sure the phone will keep me entertainled while waiting to catch flights but if the practical use as a phone sucks then the whole concept is flawed.
the iphone is sure to be a great gadget, but the phone portion is what worries me.
1) bad signal quality thanks to last-ranked att network.
2) no voice dialing
i am sure the phone will keep me entertainled while waiting to catch flights but if the practical use as a phone sucks then the whole concept is flawed.
Indeed. I mean, you want me to shell out $500-600, and be locked into a two year contract, and change carriers, and then have all of these restrictions placed on me? I mean my phone (T-Mobile Dash) ain't the best thing since sliced bread, but it works decently well enough. I can install 3rd party software on it, I can type easily on the keyboard, and I can stream audio off the Internet without issue.
I was initially quite curious about the iPhone and I'm sure I'll drool over the ones my coworkers are likely to get. But it'd have to pretty damn good to convince me it's worth jumping over all those hurdles at this point. It just feels like Apple's letting it's own image go to it's head. Yeah you make swanky cool products, but there's only so far I'm willing to go purchase them.
HA, so I take the multitouch screen isn't considered in this equation when discussing UI? Just because Apple didn't add a few features that some of the population "needs" doesn't mean this is not an amazing, revolutionary, breakthrough device.
Also I think we are beginning to live in a world more and more focused on products that look good. While this should be in tandem with UI, this is evident with the iPod as well as Macs. Apple is a company that designs both beautiful hardware and software. Not many other companies doing both!
I've yet to see anything from the multitouch screen that impresses me. On a screen that small, multitouch isn't even useful (like it was on that Microsoft table demo which had a huge screen).