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All Things iPhone
With the iPhone release coming soon there is no shortage of stories being submitted. Here is an overview of all of its features and specifics on its technical workings. A list of applications is out and still growing. There are warnings however that some applications and peripherals won't be ready or compatible in time for the release. Finally with all the hype associated with the iPhone, we have a reminder of some previous Apple products that ended with a whimper instead of a roar.
No 3G, less memory than an iPod. Lame.
I want the fire back.
I just went past the Apple store in Palo Alto. Nobody waiting in line. Not even much traffic. Big mockup iPhone displays in store windows playing canned demo.
People here aren't buying into the hype. And this is a place where people can afford the thing.
10 Fatal iPhone Flaws:
1. Inability to change the battery. Many people who are willing to pay this much for a phone USE the phone quite a bit and want the ability to change their batteries. Treo made this mistake and Palm corrected it. So will Apple. Guranteed in iPhone 2.0.
2. Inability to swap the GSM card. People who can afford this phone travel overseas and have cell phone numbers overseas. If I can't plug my Hong Kong GSM card into it and get phone functionality (I could give a damn about voicemail) I will not buy one.
3. Mediocre 2.0 Megapixel Camera. If I buy this phone I still have to carry around a digital camera. I am better off buying a Nokia 5 Megapixel camera and getting rid of an extra device in my pocket.
4. Lack of 3G. People will demand faster downloads. Another reason to wait for iPhone 2.0.
5. Lack of External Applications. Many iPhone users will be programmers who will want to design applications for the iPhone. I am all but positive that hackers will resolve this feature limitation very quickly which will remove Apple's ability to control the applications on the iPhone and completely eliminate Apple's ability to assure that applications running on the iPhone are stable, making the iPhone platform less stable. This was more arrogance on Apple's part than anything else.
6. Lack of iTunes on the iPhone. You have Internet. You should be able to buy songs / video on the iPhone.
7. Phone disabled when plugged into base. No, Apple, you may NOT turn off my phone. I like to hear the GSM signal when I am listening to my iTunes. This should have been a user option. Fortunately third-party accessories will solve this problem, but Apple's sales will suffer as a result.
8. Lack of built in GPS. Perhaps because it will not work indoors? But I usually know where I am when I am indoors! If Apple added GPS This device would replace seven other devices I have right now and would be wonderful. Look for this in iPhone 2.0.
9. Lack of Mini SD Card. Why limit expandability? So you can gouge me for $100 for an extra 4G of Flash when I pay $24 for a 4G SD Card?
10. Contract with AT&T. I sincerely hope and pray there is an escape clause from this contract for Apple. I do not want to be forced to change my service provider. This will hurt iPhone sales more than anything else. Its just simple math: Apple sales would be higher with four cell phone service providers pushing their product than with just one. And Verizon is not just going to lay down and die. Maybe they didn't see the incredible opportunity they were missing when they passed on the opportunity to partner with Apple the first time around, but forcing them to wait for five years for a second shot will do nothing but guarantee that other mobile phone manufacturers develop products equivalent or better than the iPhone to meet this demand. While this is good for consumers, it is a mistake by Apple.