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No iPhone For 64-Bit Windows

Mizled writes "After buying a new iPhone yesterday and bringing it home to sync and activate it, I found out that Windows 64-bit is not supported. Neither XP 64-bit nor Vista 64-bit works with the iPhone. I called the Apple support line and the rep said I needed to downgrade my computer from a 64-bit operating system. I also posted about my concerns on the Apple iPhone discussion forums, but my post was quickly removed."

102 of 762 comments (clear)

  1. Look on the bright side... by niceone · · Score: 5, Funny

    the rep said I needed to downgrade my computer

    Look on the bright side, he could have told you needed to upgrade to OSX.

    1. Re:Look on the bright side... by tsa · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yeah, whatever. The customer should not have to worry that his/her computer is 'compatible' with the iPhone in any way, as long as it's fairly modern and mainstream. Isn't one of Apples 'soundbites' "It just works?"

      --

      -- Cheers!

    2. Re:Look on the bright side... by Whiney+Mac+Fanboy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The rep should have said "Stop whining. Noone supports desktop 64 bit windows"

      --
      There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
    3. Re:Look on the bright side... by Odiumjunkie · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It "just works" with *our* hardware and *our* software.

      Come on, who'd buy a first-gen iPod without checking to see if it would work with their XP box? Or a Newton without checking to see if it could data transfer with Windows 3.1?

    4. Re:Look on the bright side... by dleifelohcs · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I think you miss the concept of a 64-bit _OS_ entirely. The CPU doesn't matter! An AMD or an Intel CPU running a 32-bit OS will work just fine. An AMD or an Intel CPU running a 64-bit OS will _NOT_ work.

    5. Re:Look on the bright side... by Kohath · · Score: 5, Insightful

      64-bit Windows isn't mainstream.

      Linux is more mainstream than 64-bit Windows. iTunes doesn't support Linux either. But if you complain about that on the Apple forums, no one will listen to you. Why should it be different with 64-bit Windows?

    6. Re:Look on the bright side... by _pruegel_ · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Well, my pre-(first-gen-iPod) noname MP3 player does work pretty well with XP, Vista and the 64bit versions thereof.

    7. Re:Look on the bright side... by Tuoqui · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Oh dont worry it works. If not they'll just delete any evidence to the contrary!

      --
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      +2 Troll is Slashdot's way of saying groupthink is confused
    8. Re:Look on the bright side... by speaker+of+the+truth · · Score: 5, Funny

      I thought by downgrade he did mean switch to OSX.

      --
      Using openSUSE instead of Windows since 9th of October, 2007 and liking it.
    9. Re:Look on the bright side... by DrXym · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Apple would address linux before 64 bit windows. With that said, the manual says it in quite a few places that it's not supported.

      Building software for 64-bit windows would usually be a matter of a few compiler switches and using the proper types and macros. Or just building a 32-bit app that runs properly in 64-bit. Apple might have some crazy in-house cross-platform environment or a lack of QA resources which prevents doing either but that isn't much of an excuse.

      They could be doing it for political reasons of course which isn't forgiveable either.

      Considering Apple's reputation for software which "just works", their recent offerings on Windows seem to be doing anything but.

    10. Re:Look on the bright side... by MindStalker · · Score: 2, Funny

      Why? You can sell it on ebay for $900+

    11. Re:Look on the bright side... by KaptajnKold · · Score: 2, Insightful

      First of all, Apple does not make "good hardware," they have been sued for cutting corners on things like display back lights.

      It's not saying much that they have been sued. Have they been convicted? A great deal of people seem to agree that Apple does in fact make superior hardware, although any opinion is bound to be just that: An opinion. Yours is as valid as anybody elses, but I'd say that it depends on what you compare it with. I know it's an ongoiong discussion here and elsewhere whether it's possible to get a better deal on the same quality hardware as Apple delivers, but I've never seen anyone who claimed that Apple hardware is downright bad.

      Why do people only seem to complain when a company in a monopoly position doesn't release technical information?

      Firstly, they don't just complain when it's a monopoly as you claim. You must be new here. Secondly, the reason why they may complain more when it is a monopoly is because it's considered illegal only in that case. Please eloborate on the ethical principle that tells us why Apple (which is not a monopoly) should be forced to make life easier for it's partners and competitors.

      Of course, Apple has never been very developer friendly, and they have always tried to hide technical details. Why do they keep trying to roll with the strategy that failed during the 80s?

      Again, I'd like to emphasise that your statement is a matter of opinion. You may be a developer and you may feel that Apple has been unkind to you, but I'm confident that lots of other developers feel differently. Your statement about Apples strategy is downright ignorant. Apple has had about as many strategies as they've had CEOs. The current strategy (since 1997) is seen as a departure from the "not-invented-here" strategy of the mid-90s. It's this strategy that has seen Apple embrace open source (Darwin, WebKit), open standards, interoperability, and partnerships a-plenty. This strategy btw has proved to be hugely succesful, which should answer your question as to why they're sticking to it.

    12. Re:Look on the bright side... by timeOday · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Come on, who'd buy a first-gen iPod without checking to see if it would work with their XP box? Or a Newton without checking to see if it could data transfer with Windows 3.1?
      I'm surprised to hear that the iPhone needs a computer at all. Why would it? The thing is a computer... the "real internet" on your phone. Especially if it's locked to a single provider (AT&T) anyways, it ought to be able to connect to that provider to activate itself without a computer.
    13. Re:Look on the bright side... by dosquatch · · Score: 4, Insightful

      the manual says it in quite a few places

      You're suggesting people should RTFM for products they haven't even bought yet? BWAAHAHAHAHAhahaha.. heh... hooooo... oh, you're serious, aren't you?

      --
      "Hey, the third matrix movie would have been good except for the plot,story, and acting." --AC
    14. Re:Look on the bright side... by Zeinfeld · · Score: 4, Informative
      Building software for 64-bit windows would usually be a matter of a few compiler switches and using the proper types and macros. Or just building a 32-bit app that runs properly in 64-bit. Apple might have some crazy in-house cross-platform environment or a lack of QA resources which prevents doing either but that isn't much of an excuse.

      No its not.

      64 Bit Vista uses the new driver model. It requires code to be done right. The botchwork that programmers could get away with for 32 bit Windows no longer works.

      And 64 Bit Vista drivers have to be signed. Which is something that vendors should do for all versions of Windows, its only been a recommendation for like 5 years.

      That said, I beleive that to get the 'designed for Vista' logo you have to support 64 bit.

      Taking the comment off the bulleting board is doubleplus lame. Makes it look like Apple can't deal with non cult members as customers.

      --
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    15. Re:Look on the bright side... by mmeister · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Next up: complaints that iPhone won't sync with Sun, Amiga, Atari and Coleco systems.

      Relatively speaking, how many users do you think really are using Windows 64 vs. Windows 32? Maybe .5%. 64-bit is great for certain types of applications and is seriously overkill for others (like iTunes).

      Windows 64-bit is not mainstream AT all. And Microsoft has insured it never will be -- at least until such time as they follow Apple's lead and create a Vista 32-bit/64-bit combo that allows 32-bit apps to run alongside 64-bit apps with no compatibility issues. At that point, it won't matter than iTunes is 32-bit.

    16. Re:Look on the bright side... by MCSEBear · · Score: 3, Informative

      If Microsoft doesn't support Zune on Windows 64 bit, then why in the heck should Apple bother to write drivers for iPhone? 64 bit Windows is *not* mainstream and never has been.

    17. Re:Look on the bright side... by mmeister · · Score: 3, Informative

      First of all, Apple does not make "good hardware,"

      Nice opinion -- although based on my own experiences, my Macs have much longer life than my PCs.

      And anyone who bases their OS on BSD will have something solid (even though OS X still has more unpatched vulnerabilities than *BSD).

      I love how you absolutely refuse to give any credit for Apple's efforts and as a bonus claim they're just riddled with security holes beyond anything *BSD has - all without real evidence.

      ut their competitors should have access to the iPod/iPhone interface specs.

      Apple does give access to specs to create iPod/iPhone accessories, via licensing. It is a reasonable approach. In fact, it created a whole new market for accessories.

      Why do people only seem to complain when a company in a monopoly position doesn't release technical information? Apple should be held to the same standard

      Again, your facts are a bit off. Microsoft was found to be illegally using its monopoly to get into new markets. It is not illegal to have a monopoly. Second point - Apple does not have a monopoly and is actively pursuing efforts to open iTunes music to all players (by removing DRM). Effectively, they're opening up to more competition.

      I sense a "All software should be free" mentality here.

      Of course, Apple has never been very developer friendly and they have always tried to hide technical details.

      Except for the FREE development tools (Xcode, IB) that come with EVERY copy of OS X. And the tons of API specifications that show you how to write for OS X. So developer unfriendly! How dare they not expose every single line of code.

      Your comments speak of ignorance of Apple's actions or just plain contempt (which means no amount of reasoning will change your mind). Either way, you're off base in your assessments.

    18. Re:Look on the bright side... by zefram+cochrane · · Score: 2, Informative

      An awful lot of electronics manufacturers offer downloads of their product manuals online in pdf format.

    19. Re:Look on the bright side... by HAKdragon · · Score: 2, Informative

      http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/ There you go. Apple makes their manuals available online.

      --
      "Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs. We have a protractor."
    20. Re:Look on the bright side... by KarmaMB84 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      If Microsoft didn't want x64 to be mainstream, why do they require that any software and hardware with a Certified For or Works With Vista logo to be tested and pass on x64 editions? Vendors got a free pass on XP x64 since it wasn't in the logo requirements so that is how we've gotten into this mess, but any new retail boxes with a logo for Vista must work on all version of Vista.

    21. Re:Look on the bright side... by Zeinfeld · · Score: 2, Interesting
      bzzzt, x64 Vista editions use the same driver model as 32-bit versions.

      My understanding was that 64 bit Vista was going to be somewhat more finiky about doing the right thing.

      Apple is just lazy. It's also a good thing they don't want to put so much as a "Works with Windows Vista" logo on any of their software since they would fail the certification process (must work with x64 Vista editions).

      Well yes, and it is all the more irritating that they don't build products to Windows look and feel when they get all snotty about Windows products that don't have the Mac look and feel. There are plenty of shops that write Windows device drivers that pass certification. Why not use one of them, it would cost rather less than just one of the stupid iPhone ads drumming up business for a product thats going to be out of stock.

      iTunes on Windows sucketh. I did a three part series on my blog on the various dimensions of its suckiness. If I could get Windows Media Player to do AAC and talk to an iPod I would switch back.

      --
      Looking for an Information Security student project suggestion?
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    22. Re:Look on the bright side... by j79zlr · · Score: 2, Informative

      The x86_64 version of java from sun has been on their bugzilla for 4 and a half years and its in the top five requests to be fixed. If it was as simple as changing some compiler options I think it would be done by now. Also Adobe has released a version of flash for SPARC ahead of x86_64, so I somehow don't think its that easy. Not that this is an excuse, but I don't think its as easy as changing the arch for compilation.

      --
      I'm not not licking toads.
    23. Re:Look on the bright side... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      > And 64 Bit Vista drivers have to be signed

      That's a very good point. Getting the Microsoft blessing is very expensive, and if you're a competitor to them, impossible. We've given-up supporting Windows with our newest products because Microsoft will not allow our drivers to be installed into Vista because we make a health-care product that they are going to attempt to compete against in the near future. I can easily see Microsoft not allowing Apple to use the iPhones with 64-bit Vista like they did to so many other companies.

    24. Re:Look on the bright side... by mkendall · · Score: 2, Interesting

      iTunes on Windows sucketh. If I could get Windows Media Player to do AAC and talk to an iPod I would switch back.

      I can solve one of those problems for you:
      MGTEK dopisp iPod plug-in for Windows Media Player
    25. Re:Look on the bright side... by TheThiefMaster · · Score: 2, Insightful

      No, the main reason is that Windows x64 users don't need a 64-bit browser plugin because they still use a 32-bit browser, meaning the only people who need a 64-bit version are running linux x64, and they both: are a very small market share and have that workaround.

      Essentially, they don't matter.

    26. Re:Look on the bright side... by SEMW · · Score: 2, Informative

      Why does the iPhone software need a driver? Why don't they make it an application? Just about any standard Win32 app will work on Win64. Why do drivers need to be involved? Mozilla doesn't need a driver, why should iPhone? A driver is a program that allows you (i.e. the OS) to interface with a piece of hardware. Driver is short for "device driver". The iPhone is a hardware device, so it needs a device driver to allow the OS and software to control it. The question about Mozilla doesn't make any sense: Mozilla is not a hardware device, it's a web browser (your network card or modem do need device drivers).
      --
      What's purple and commutes? An Abelian grape.
    27. Re:Look on the bright side... by SEMW · · Score: 2, Informative

      Do you see any mention of iPhone working with 64 bit Windows? Me either. Um... So? You seem to be under the impression that the 32 and 64-bit editions of Windows are marketed as different products, sold seperately, and generally kept distinct. While this was true with XP, it is no longer true with Vista: -- if you buy a retail copy of Vista, both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions are included (OEM copies are still sold seperately, for obvious reasons). Whether your installation is 32 or 64-bit is just another decision to make whilst installing Windows. If I bought a copy of Vista labelled "Windows Vista Ultimate" (See any mention of 64-bit? No, me neither), decided to go for 64-bit because my hardware supports it, and later buy a product that claims to support "Windows Vista Ultimate", only to find that it does not do so, I'd be fairly annoyed, and rightly so.

      Honestly, Microsoft is lucky Apple bothered to support 32 bit Vista given it's tiny market share and all MacOS/Vista market share (percent) for March: 3.8/1.9. April: 3.8/2.6. May: 3.8/3.1. Figures for June aren't out yet, but it's now July; I'd be surprised if the market shares aren't approximately equal by now. For Apple to proclaim that Vista market share is too small to bother with would be perhaps a little humiliating for them...
      --
      What's purple and commutes? An Abelian grape.
  2. Locking down by dreamchaser · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Apple has been so intent on totally locking the iPhone that you *have* to use iTunes just to use the damn thing. They through the anti-DRM a small bone with DRM free iTunes, but in almost every other area they show an almost manic desire to maintain total control over their hardware and software.

    This surprises me just a little. How hard could it be to port iTunes to Vista x64?

    The list of reasons I didn't and won't buy an iPhone anytime soon keep growing. No, not this one specifically as I'm not running Vista x64, but the overall arrogance Apple shows routinely plays a part.

    1. Re:Locking down by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      wow - I've never actually seen someone use "through" for "threw." I've seen the opposite - but you've correctly spelled the longer, incorrect, homophone. Congratulations sir.

    2. Re:Locking down by Kohath · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I think you're confusing a "manic desire to maintain total control over their hardware and software" with Apple just not doing what you wish they would do. (You haven't specifically said what that is though.) I'm not sure why Apple should want to make you happy with their actions. They're offering some products. Your choice is to take them or leave them.

      Apple doesn't owe each individual person their dream product -- specifically tailored to your personal individual desires and biases. No one owes you that. And it's not "arrogance" when folks don't focus on what you want.

      If you don't like their products, you're probably outside their target market.

  3. virtualize man! by wwmedia · · Score: 5, Insightful

    install xp in a virtual machine! virtual pc + windows xp FREE from microsoft!

    or install your legal 32bit copy of windows in vmware

    or google for running osx in vmware like im doing

    1. Re:virtualize man! by dreamchaser · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Or buy a phone that doesn't make you jump through hoops to use it? I can't believe you're actually saying people should use kludges just to use a phone. Amazing.

    2. Re:virtualize man! by ditoa · · Score: 3, Informative

      Unfortunately Virtual PC has no USB support so your plan fails :(

    3. Re:virtualize man! by wwmedia · · Score: 2

      well looks like the thread starter is already the bigger fool for buying an Apple product, so i was just trying to help the poor soul (well not poor financially anyways if he afforded an iphone)

    4. Re:virtualize man! by jallen02 · · Score: 4, Informative

      They have two free products. VMware Player can play any VM out there. VMWare Server is their hosted product. VMWare server is completely free, no strings attached and it works great.

    5. Re:virtualize man! by weave · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I can't believe you're actually saying people should use kludges just to use a phone. Amazing.

      Kind of like how I had to install XP inside a Parallels VM to use my Nokia smartphone on my Mac?

      Mac users have to live with that kind of crap all the time, and we hear it's because Mac OS is not mainstream enough. Well guess what, 64 bit Windows is not mainstream either.

    6. Re:virtualize man! by Hal_Porter · · Score: 5, Funny

      Or buy a phone that doesn't make you jump through hoops to use it? I can't believe you're actually saying people should use kludges just to use a phone. Amazing.

      It's not just a phone, it's the iPhone. Apple fans queued overnight to get one. Some dude sold his corneas on eBay just to get the $500. He can't see for shit anymore unless he holds it a few inches from his face, but he's got his iPhone and he growls at people like a dog when they try to take it away.

      You've got to be more careful. Apple fans monitor these forums. What you posted may get you bitten by some blind fanatic.

      --
      echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
    7. Re:virtualize man! by ColdWetDog · · Score: 2, Funny
      Some dude sold his corneas on eBay just to get the $500.

      I didn't know the multi touch interface had a Braille component. Cool.

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  4. Apple lists this problem in fine print by ragingmime · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...on this page.

    Apple's hardware is generally very well-designed, and their software is solid on Macs, but they can't seem to write a decent Windows program to save their lives. For example: why does iTunes run the iPod service even when iTunes isn't running and even though I've never used an iPod? Why does Quicktime automatically have your browser open MP3s in Quicktime instead of downloading them (and not give you the option of turning this "feature" off?) Why do Apple programs "break" the usual look and feel of Windows programs? Honestly, this isn't rocket science here. How hard would it have been to recompile the iPhone software for a 64-bit machine?

    --
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    1. Re:Apple lists this problem in fine print by doctormetal · · Score: 3, Insightful

      How hard would it have been to recompile the iPhone software for a 64-bit machine? It is not just about recompiling the code. The device drivers for the iphone must be rewritten to run on a 64 bit OS.
      If they made their dfrivers right that should not be hard, But we are talking about apple here...
    2. Re:Apple lists this problem in fine print by garcia · · Score: 3, Informative

      I use iTunes to play my MP3s which unfortunately requires QuickTime be installed. Is QT opening the MP3 because of your browser settings because it's not happening to me in Firefox (and I just had a computer upgrade at work and had to reinstall QT and iTunes).

    3. Re:Apple lists this problem in fine print by weicco · · Score: 4, Informative

      The device drivers for the iphone must be rewritten to run on a 64 bit OS

      Not if you did it the right way at the beginning. MSDN has contained information on this one for quite a time. I remember that back in 2000, when I was writing network driver for Windows 2000, I thought "What are these stupid macros, why I can't just write unsigned int instead of that ugly looking DWORD." Luckily my code wasn't compiled to any 64 bit Windows since I think I unintentionally left couple of mines there :)

      But device drivers are just a small part of "iPhone software" what ever that is. I can envision that GUI and data transfer parts are much bigger things. User-space components are much easier to write to be 32/64-bit compatible unless you really don't know what you are doing.

      I don't know why Apple can't produce quality stuff for Windows (and many other companies). Or maybe they are and this is just a marketing decision "See? It doesn't run nicely on Windows because Windows sucks. Luckily we have nice OS X here for you..."

      --
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    4. Re:Apple lists this problem in fine print by PenguSven · · Score: 2, Informative

      Quicktime Installer gives you the option to change it's MIME type associations when it's finished installing.

      --
      What is...?
  5. Some or the other by CSHARP123 · · Score: 4, Funny

    People are waiting in line to buy our product and you are complaining about not working in 64 bit OS. Man, this was not released to people like you. The buyers we thought would shell out this kind of money to buy our product will only be running 32 bit OS. You sir, should get a life. Thanks Apple Customer support.

  6. Why do I need a computer to run my phone anyway? by C+R+Johnson · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am required to have a computer to use the phone?

    Huh?

    You would think that with the supposed capabilities, you would it could be your computer.

    --
    The alternative to limited government is unlimited government.
  7. not surprising by edwardpickman · · Score: 4, Informative

    A lot of apps still aren't supporting 64 bit. Might have been a good idea to ask. That would have been my first question. I have both Macs and PCs so I don't forsee a problem when I make the plunge. Personally I'm waiting for the dust to settle. There seems to be a few issues that are going to be resolved with software upgrades and the service provider wasn't ready for the onslaught so I can wait a few weeks to make the switch.

  8. Join the club by Alioth · · Score: 4, Informative

    Join the club, I bet the iPhone doesn't support Linux at all either.

    I like Apple hardware but I won't be buying the iPhone. Too expensive, too locked down. FIC are apparently releasing an open phone (the OpenMoko project), if I upgrade any time soon it'll be to the FIC product.

  9. Apple Forums by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 4, Informative

    I also posted about my concerns on the Apple iPhone discussion forums, but my post was quickly removed. There are several threads in the iPhone forums mentioning that 64-bit Windows isn't supported. I'm guessing Mizled's iPhone post may have been removed because it might have been less charming than this one about his iPod calling iTunes 7 Junk and crappy software. I don't think Apple should remove a legitimate post (and Mizled's iPhone issues are definitely legit), but perhaps it was a little too unpleasant (and who can blame him after dropping $$$ on an iPhone).
  10. The Zune doesn't work on 64 bit windows, either. by dimer0 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is there anything that DOES?

  11. you're wrong by biscon · · Score: 2, Informative

    64 vs 32 bit is not just about being able to address more memory.

    A 64 bit CPU is able to move 64 bits at a time where as a 32 bit CPU only moves, you guessed it, 32 bits.
    Besides that most of the registers are 64 bits as well.

    If you - for example - want to multiply two integers larger than 32 bit you can do that in one
    operation on a 64 bit CPU (since EAX is 64 bit), on a 32 bit CPU you will have to split the operation
    in two parts. (because the numbers won't fit in the registers).

    debunking you in way to many lines ;)

  12. Cheer up. by jrq · · Score: 5, Insightful

    At least if you downgrade you can run Google Desktop, and a whole host of other programs and utilities that don't properly support XP 64bit.

    --
    My UID is prime!
  13. No.. requirements list itself omitted the info. by Dogtanian · · Score: 5, Informative

    Come on, who'd buy a first-gen iPod without checking to see if it would work with their XP box? Or a Newton without checking to see if it could data transfer with Windows 3.1? That's a poor and downright misleading comparison. The listed product requirements mention XP and Vista, but didn't (and at the time of writing still don't) mention anything about incompatibility with 64-bit versions.

    It's reasonable to assume that- unless otherwise stated- the requirements in Apple's list would be both necessary and sufficient. It's not like it says "see this obscure Apple doc for more details". Apple probably kept that on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying 'Beware of the Leopard'... ;-)
    --
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    1. Re:No.. requirements list itself omitted the info. by doce · · Score: 4, Informative

      In fact:

      http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305 703

      The default search option only hits "Manuals" and ignores technical documents, leading any casual search to _appear_ empty. Changing it to search _everything_ rendered that link. Notice footnote (1) in the Windows section...

      --
      woof!
    2. Re:No.. requirements list itself omitted the info. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      No, it is not. Microsoft's own documentation is clear on what the name of its products are. Just go to their website and you will see that when 64-bit is not specified, the version of Windows being discussed is a 32-bit one. Microsoft's names for the 64-bit versions of its operating systems:

              Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
              Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
              Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
              Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
              Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
              Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

      This is not a raw deal. Until Apple offers to support its products on 64-bit editions of Windows, no such contract as you describe exists.

    3. Re:No.. requirements list itself omitted the info. by Wordsmith · · Score: 5, Informative

      Actually, it says "Beware of the 64-bit Windows." It should work just fine with Leopard.

    4. Re:No.. requirements list itself omitted the info. by Dogtanian · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Just go to their website and you will see that when 64-bit is not specified, the version of Windows being discussed is a 32-bit one. No, you provide a link to that page, thank you.

      And as I've said at least 4 times now, the name "Windows XP Professional 64-bit edition" (or whatever) implies that it's being sold as a version of "Windows XP Professional". Regardless of some convoluted argument based on something squirelled away on MS's website.

      The fact that Apple acknowledge the 64-bit incompatibility elsewhere (why bother if it was as cut-and-dried as you imply?) shows that even they acknowledge the potential for confusion.
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    5. Re:No.. requirements list itself omitted the info. by Wordsmith · · Score: 3, Funny

      Clearly, I did. But I still wanted to make a funny.

      Actually, it's not clear that I did. But I did. I'm clear on that.

    6. Re:No.. requirements list itself omitted the info. by lilfields · · Score: 2, Informative

      I suppose that's why my Windows Vista Ultimate disk shipped with both 32 and 64 bit discs under the same package name "Windows Vista Ultimate". The discs pertain no titles "Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit" or "Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bit", but rather a notice: "This disc contains 64-bit software only" and "This disc contains 32-bit software only"...I also remember Microsoft having a new rule that in order to say you are "Vista Compatible/Ready" you must support both 64 and 32 bit editions. I think this should void the contract between the customer and AT&T, and I would suggest Apple simply have a disclaimer saying "currently we do not support 64 bit operating systems" right on the iPhone package or promotional. Considering I was actually considering an iPhone for the future after seeing it is actually quite nice, and I run 64 bit Vista Ultimate...this is quite disappointing. I hope Apple and AT&T make it right with their new iPhone customers running 64 bit operating systems, or I'll just be sticking with Verizon until Apple moves to them as a carrier, or a competing phone hits the market. I have a feeling AT&T will be more stingy about this than Apple...we'll have to wait and see.

  14. Re:The Zune doesn't work on 64 bit windows, either by Kneht · · Score: 3, Informative

    My Zune works fine on 64 bit Vista.

    --
    "Are you on some kind of medication?"
    "No"
    "Well, you should be."

    --Bean

  15. Re:64 bit but do you have the memory ?? by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 5, Informative

    Not that it is useful to respond to an inarticulate troll, but whatever I'm bored.

    There are plenty of reasons to install a 64-bit OS, even if you don't have >4GB of RAM. One would simply be to support larger amounts of memory in the future. If you've just got a new computer, why not be prepared? Seems rather silly to install an OS that you know you can hit a limit on and have to reinstall later.

    Another would be that 4GB isn't the real 32-bit limit. There are two limits you hit first. One is the 2GB per process limit. In Windows, virtual address space is divided right down the centre, with 2GB of kernel, 2GB for user (64-bit Windows does the same just with larger limits). This means that no single process can access more than 2GB of memory, since that is all the virtual address space it is given. So having more memory is fine for multiple programs, but if you have a single program that wants more it doesn't do you any good. Another is the 3.somthing GB limit from PCI devices. PCI devices grab memory ranges to use for getting data to and from them. Not a problem when your memory isn't near the limit of the address space, but when you get above 3GB, you run in to it. At work we have a DVR system with 4GB of memory but only 3.4GB is actually addressable, the rest of the address space is eaten up by the PCI devices.

    So really if you have more than 2GB of memory, and especially if you have more than 3GB, a 64-bit OS is the way to go.

    However there are other reasons too. In 64-bit mode, the processor has some features it doesn't in 32-bit mode. The most notable are extra registers and 64-bit integers. The extra registers are useful for optimising certain complex, but tight calculation loops (like encryption and such). 64-bit integers are useful any time you have a counter that needs to go past 4.some billion. In 32-bit mode, those numbers must be split in to 32-bit parts with a math library and that is rather slow. In 64-bit mode, they can be operated on natively.

    What it really comes down to is that 64-bit is the future. We are rapidly approaching 4GB in normal systems, and the need to move over is well recognised. Even Apple is releasing their OS as 64-bit soon.

    Perhaps in the future you'll take a bit more time to educate yourself before posting.

  16. Free Software and Open Source by Pope+Raymond+Lama · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So,
    this is waht we from the Free world use to claim: closed source slows down inovation and locks you out.

    In a few weeks there will be some reverse engeneered software to synch IPhone with GNU/Linux.

    Yes, if I want to use it on the day it is out, I will have to compile it (which likely ammounts to typing three or four commands on my console), and quite possibly it still be a command line tool but in a few more days, it will be improved to integrate nicely with other tools I already use, under the same interface, without changes. Open specifications anyone??

    And...it will work with 32 or 64bit gnu/Linux, and possibly even with other Unix variants.

    But people prefer to be trapped to a monoculture of badly writen code than "pioneering" very nice software.

    I should remember that the fact that now we have to wait for having iPhone or other vendors official support is mainly due to not having a "meaningfull slice of desktop share" of desktops in use. And even then...if they invent things like "no 64 bit support" - we can run our own.

    --
    -><- no .sig is good sig.
  17. Insane relatives by matt+me · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I once visited the iTunes forums. The majority of posts were windows users being driven insane by iTunes adding a shortcut to itself on their start menu, quicklaunch and desktop every time *any* user ran it.

  18. 64 Bit Support is new to everyone by nurb432 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You can count the number of apps that currently support 64 bit windows on one hand.. ( ok, not quite that bad, but close ).

    Hell, not all of micrsoft apps dont even support it yet, and its THEIR OS.

    By the time this matters to their target market, it will have been taken care of.

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
  19. Re:32bit windows runs 16bit apps by Parsifal713 · · Score: 3, Informative

    All a 64-bit OS does it run applications built with 64-bit libraries. If 1 link in the chain of code from the application itself, down to the lowest level library linked in, is 32-bit, you generally need to build the whole application 32-bit. Often, a 64-bit does not automatically install all the 32-bit versions of the system software (and why would it, since the vendor wants to spend most of their time developing and testing the 64-bit installation) ergo, the 32-bit software won't run.

    P.S. In my experience, it is almost never worth it in terms of performance vs. sotware availability to run a 64-bit desktop. People do it to look macho, then get incensed when all their favorite consumer-grade software won't work.

    Cheers,

  20. Missing the Point by asphaltjesus · · Score: 2, Informative

    This surprises me just a little. How hard could it be to port iTunes to Vista x64?

    First, nearly all big-time software vendors wait quite a while before moving their products to the next flavor of OS. They don't allow engineering to get started unless the PHB's see compelling adoption of that platform. XP 64-bit is in a very awkward place in this regard. Microsoft has all their eggs in Vista.

    Second, it's a heck of a lot more work in the average big company dev environment.

    Third, it's really important to remember there is even more kernel-level DRM in vista64 such that it's easy for me to imagine the USB hacking changing more code than just some usb bits.

    Finally, why are you surprised that another corporations intent is to create vertical silos that don't interoperate?

    --
    Got Trader Joe's? friendwich.com RSS feeds work now!
  21. Not being funny... but by wallyhall · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm not being funny, honestly, but why (as a Windows user) are you so shocked? This is the kind of thing that Microsoft have being doing to all non-Microsoft users for years already. The difference is, I'm willing to bet that it's only a case of waiting for Mac to finally port iTunes or whatever it needs to Win64 (as apposed to waiting for the moon to turn blue for Microsoft to port Office / PocketPC Sync / Windows MP / whatever to Linux for example). If you buy a device such as an iPhone, which much alike the iPod is very clearly an Apple device which is stated to require Apple software, are you so suprised that it's not working for you on Windows? I personally steer as far from all closed source stuff as I can. I use Windows when I practically need to use Windows and I'd absolutely love to own a MacBook for the benefits they bring (stability, size, weight, battery life, usability etc). However I don't kick up a fuss when something doesn't work on Linux because it's Windows only, because /that's life/. People are so quick to accept Microsoft's marketing on their own stuff, but "oo dear", when Apple's new toy doesn't work on it everyone goes awol. If I were you, I'd be asking myself why I'm using an Apple device on Microsoft's platform. If it's because I need both, I'd not be complaining that I have to buy a Mac to use the Apple hardware (when infact you don't, all you need is 32bit Windows).

    --
    I think therefore I am... a Linux geek.
  22. OpenMoko Neo1973 by SteveM · · Score: 2, Interesting

    "Too expensive, too locked down." Well, one for two ain't bad. From the OpenMoto site (for the mass market version):

    "We will sell this device through multiple channels. Direct from openmoko.com, the price will be $450 for the Neo Base and $600 for Neo Advanced."

    Not much of a price advantage, although discounts and subsequent costs are unknown.

    I agree with you about the lack of third party access, although access to the source code while nice is not of great importance to me. YNMV.

    "... if I upgrade any time soon it'll be to the FIC product."

    Anyone interested in this phone should review the FAQ. The current time table is for the mass market phone to ship in October.

    An interesting project. I hope they pull it off.

    SteveM

  23. PEBKAC by WhatAmIDoingHere · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The iPhone requires iTunes to work. Does iTunes support 64bit Vista or XP?

    I don't see how you can make that mistake.

    --
    Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
    1. Re:PEBKAC by Yosho · · Score: 2, Informative

      You may have iTunes installed, but if you did what I think you did, you had to copy files from a 32bit Windows install. Meaning, iTunes does not support your OS.

      No, I don't even have a 32-bit installation of Windows. I downloaded the iTunes installer and installed it. I'm telling you that iTunes works just fine, straight from the Apple web site to a 64-bit Windows XP installation. Does that not make sense to you?

      --
      Karma: Terrifying (mostly affected by atrocities you've committed)
  24. Re:The Zune doesn't work on 64 bit windows, either by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You BOUGHT a Zune! Bwa ha ha ha

  25. Troll Feeding Time ... by SteveM · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "Customer service, security, and quality are at best an afterthought at Apple."

    Curious, Business Week would seem to differ, at least on the customer service ranking.

    I'm just wondering, how many iPods do they need to sell before it's "more than a happy accident"?

    SteveM

  26. That's correct... by msauve · · Score: 3, Interesting

    the customer shouldn't have to worry about compatibility. When they buy a product called "Windows XP," it should provide compatibility with all programs written for "Windows XP." Microsoft claims that "Windows XP Professional x64 Edition gives you access to greater amounts of memory while continuing to support 32-bit applications." and "seamlessly run 32-bit...applications." (emphasis added)

    So blame Microsoft, not Apple. Even Microsoft's own Zune didn't run on XP64 when it was released.

    --
    "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
    1. Re:That's correct... by KarmaMB84 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Here I thought the Zune was a piece of hardware targeted at the consumer market. XP x64 was not a consumer release and not in the XP logo certification requirements. Vista x64 IS a consumer release and compatibility is REQUIRED for certification. Apple does not have theirs so it's not even guaranteed their stuff will work with Vista.

    2. Re:That's correct... by TheThiefMaster · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Windows x64 does run 32-bit applications. However to plug something in you need a 64-bit DRIVER, and that's a whole other story.

      It's also annoying when you find out that a game has licensed a copy protection system that doesn't work on 64-bit Windows, and so stops you playing. In some cases without any message or anything, leaving you guessing about the problem. The last game that I got that did this also had a no-dvd crack out before release, so it seems to me that the companies should give up on copy protection.

    3. Re:That's correct... by Emetophobe · · Score: 3, Informative

      I already mentioned this in another thread, but take a look at the iPhone: Minimum system requirements page

      1. 64-bit editions of Windows are not supported

      Not sure if Apple added this after the fact or whether this little tidbit of information was there all along...

  27. No, Joke AC. Neo1973 out next month. by twitter · · Score: 2, Informative

    Boo-yah, baby. $200 cheaper than an iPhone.

    The Neo1973 is the first smartphone to support the OpenMoko software platform, made by FIC. It is named for the first year of mobile telephone communication: the inventor of the mobile phone, Martin Cooper, made the first call in 1973.

    I like it like that.

    --

    Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.

  28. His own fault. by Beer_Smurf · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'm sorry.
    Windows 64 bit is not listed as supported.
    http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html
    How is this guys problem anything but his own fault?

  29. Re:Apple is missing a HUGE opportunity by Afecks · · Score: 3, Funny

    Anyone willing to pay $500+ for a phone will certainly pay $400 or less for some entry-level iMac device.
    Anyone willing to pay $500+ for a phone will not be satisfied with an entry-level iMac device.
  30. It's not my Zune! It's a false one! by Gary+W.+Longsine · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This is a very silly and utterly artificial debate. Anybody running a 64-bit version of Windows on their PC surely has access to a 32-bit version of Windows. They also know enough about 64-bit Windows to know that precious little software actually runs on 64-bit Windows, simply because it's not a consumer operating system. It's designed basically as a database server OS. The original parent is a Troll.

    --
    If you mod me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.
  31. Now you know by theolein · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "After buying a new iPhone yesterday and bringing it home to sync and activate it, I found out that Windows 64-bit is not supported. Neither XP 64-bit nor Vista 64-bit works with the iPhone. I called the Apple support line and the rep said I needed to downgrade my computer from a 64-bit operating system. I also posted about my concerns on the Apple iPhone discussion forums, but my post was quickly removed."

    Now you know what it's like to be a Mac or a Linux user.

  32. Re:It will be supported by pasamio · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You do realize that the G5 and latest Intel chips are all 64bit. The fact that you don't notice it or that there aren't five different versions of the operating system just to get 32bit/64bit working together nicely doesn't mean it isn't that way even if not all of the layers are full 64-bit (thats Leopard). You may or may not realize that a universal binary actually contains four binaries, one for each platform (PPC and x86) and for each word size (32 and 64 bit). The fact that every time I read about 64-bit Windows its some form of gripe (XYZ app doesn't have a native version, hacks to run in 32bit mode) and that even Microsoft documentation clearly designates a difference (why not just like "Vista XYZ Edition" instead of "Vista XYZ Edition 64-bit" if its the same) is a problem with the Microsoft platform. To be honest Apple have made transitioning between architectures a breeze, my Mac runs some PowerPC applications (like my Palm synchronization software and my TI software) without blinking. And thats PPC running on an Intel. Perhaps when Microsoft get building across the 32-bit/64-bit bridge (hey remember how long it took to get a full 32bit native desktop operating system from Windows?) it'll be smooth again. The issue for Microsoft is that when people went to 32 bit, the CPU was there in almost every machine, they were catching up. Now they're trying to push ahead and it isn't as easy as last time (Windows 95). Perhaps they should look at what Apple have done and try to copy it...again.

    --
    I always wondered where this setting was...
  33. YES, Sim Is Accessible by johnpaul191 · · Score: 2, Informative

    you have to use a paperclip or pin to release it, but it pops right out.
    http://www.powerbookmedic.com/iphone/simcard.html

    an interesting thing i saw posts say that once the iPhone is activated (through iTunes), you can pop out the sim card and all the non-AT&T based stuff still works. the web browsing, email etc will revert to WiFi.

    that makes me think that maybe the computer is only needed for activation, syncing songs and future software updates. if that's true you could probably find somebody else's computer and use it to setup the phone till this is sorted out.

    the fact that the phone requires no in store activation makes me wonder if you will be able to buy them at other Apple retailers in the future?

  34. Requirements omit to mention Windows 3.1 by Scrameustache · · Score: 5, Informative

    Come on, who'd buy a first-gen iPod without checking to see if it would work with their XP box? Or a Newton without checking to see if it could data transfer with Windows 3.1? That's a poor and downright misleading comparison. The listed product requirements mention XP and Vista, but didn't (and at the time of writing still don't) mention anything about incompatibility with 64-bit versions. So they list the ones they support, and don't list the ones they don't support?

    What a shocker.

    The official name of the 64 bit product is Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
    That name is not listed on the iPhone page, don't expect it to be supported.
    --

    You can't take the sky from me...

  35. Pedantic if not downright false by Dogtanian · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The official name of the 64 bit product is Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. That name is not listed on the iPhone page, don't expect it to be supported. At my most charitable I'd consider that downright pedantic, though more likely it's simply false. Are you honestly claiming that "Windows XP Professional x64 Edition" isn't being sold as a particular version of "Windows XP Professsional"?

    You can argue the toss about the actual code base, but if it's being sold as XP Professsional, that's all that is relevant. I guess you'd use the same argument against any product being sold as "Windows XP comptatible" that didn't work with 32-bit Home or Pro because, hey, they're sold as "Windows XP Home" (etc.) not "Windows XP".
    --
    "Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
    1. Re:Pedantic if not downright false by vux984 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Are you honestly claiming that "Windows XP Professional x64 Edition" isn't being sold as a particular version of "Windows XP Professsional"?

      x64 isn't like the difference between Home, Pro, and MCE. Or between Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, etc.

      x64 isn't a feature set its an architecture.

      Suppose I released a Microsoft Office plug in, and just listed 'any edition of Microsoft Office 2003 or later' as the requirement. Would you really expect it to work with "Microsoft Office 2004: Mac" without a specific mention of the Mac platform? Of course not.

      I concede a lot of consumers don't really know what x64 is. (Hell, a LOT of IT nerds don't really know what x64 is. In fact, I know almost nobody who actually needs or really benefits from an x64 desktop OS. 64-bit Linux users *included*. )

    2. Re:Pedantic if not downright false by Dogtanian · · Score: 2, Insightful

      x64 isn't like the difference between Home, Pro, and MCE. Or between Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, etc. x64 isn't a feature set its an architecture. That as may be- and I acknowledged this, whilst making clear that this wasn't my point. It's sold as "Windows XP Professional x64 edition". That strongly implies that it's a subset/variant of "Windows XP Professional", which *is* listed.

      Suppose I released a Microsoft Office plug in, and just listed 'any edition of Microsoft Office 2003 or later' as the requirement. Would you really expect it to work with "Microsoft Office 2004: Mac" without a specific mention of the Mac platform? Of course not. I probably wouldn't, but I think a lot of people would, and I wouldn't blame them for that.
      --
      "Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
    3. Re:Pedantic if not downright false by Saville · · Score: 2, Informative

      iPhone requirements as of today:

      Windows system requirements
      * PC with USB 2.0 port
      * Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate Edition; or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
      * iTunes 7.3 or later

      It does not specify 32bit. There is no indication Vista Ultimate needs to Vista Ultimate 32bit.

      MS is really pushing 64bit. You can't get a 32bit driver WHQL certified anymore unless there is a 64bit version. This is so people don't need to worry about 32bit or 64bit, the customer just needs to read "requires Vista" and the IHV just needs to print "requires Vista". Nice and simple. Apple is writing "requires Vista" and then behaving differently than the rest of the Windows ecosystem. While this is shameful for any company, it's extra shameful for one that prides itself on just working.

      Who needs 64bit? Today, all Vista users that are gamers. Company of Heroes (for non gamers out there it's a RTS set in ww2 that is a Games For Windows game and it won a ton of Game of the Year 2006 awards-It's a pretty big fully windows designed game, not just some weird exception to the rule nobody plays that I've found.) will actually run out of Virtual Address space and crash in Vista when CoH worked fine on the exact same system using XP drivers! The user can either figure out how to boot into 3 gig mode in Vista32, or just use Vista 64.

      CoH was released in September 2006 and is bumping into the 32bit Virtual Address space limitations! (A 32bit PC can only see 4 gigabytes, generally 2 gigabytes is for the OS and each application gets 2gigabytes. In 64bit mode the 32bit application gets a full 4 gigabytes of VA space.) What is going to happen with all the new games released this coming Autumn? They're obviously going to use more memory than year old games.

      Every new computer should have a 64bit OS now.

    4. Re:Pedantic if not downright false by RMingin · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually, thanks to some ancient badness, x64 OSes are needed by anyone requiring more than 2-3GB of RAM!!11!one All of your PCI devices take a bite out of that 4GB space long before it gets matched to your physical RAM. It's a corner case, but if you have two GeForce 7950 GX2s, that's 2GB of address space gone. Throw in another PCI device or two and you won't even get 2GB of usable physical memory without x64. It's time. Anyone claiming x64 is unneeded just hasn't paid attention to all the little details.

      --
      The preceding comment is my own, and in no way construes an opinon of the Emperor of Mankind.
  36. Re:Technical technicalities, techincally by Dogtanian · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Are you honestly claiming that "Windows XP Professional x64 Edition" isn't being sold as a particular version of "Windows XP Professsional"? I'm actually saying that when you're reading a particular product's requirements you should make sure that the actual product name is actually listed. Yes, but your argument only holds water if "Windows XP Professional x64 Edition" can't reasonably be considered a version of "Windows XP Professsional".

    MS's naming/marketing clearly implies that it *is* being sold as such (regardless of the actual underpinnings), so it's disingenuous to suggest that Apple didn't imply compatibility when they listed "Windows XP Professional" without qualifying that in any way.
    --
    "Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
  37. PAE works extremely poorly by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 2, Insightful

    More or less it is a throwback to the old EMS/XMS days. What happens is an app will map a certain section of its virtual address space for high memory access. It'll then page around to get at the data it needs. This is inefficient, and requires special support on the app level. 64-bit removes and and all problems with that. There's simply more memory available and programs and the OS use it as they see fit.

    What I don't understand is why anyone wants to hate on 64-bit. Processors are 64-bit now, that's just how it is. They are not going to revert to 32-bit, there's no reason. Thus it is perfectly feasible to run a 64-bit OS (I'm doing so right now). Pointing to old technologies like PAE is silly. It's a hack, always was, and there's no reason to use it when you've got something better.

    It's also not hard to support. If you do a quick search, you discover that almost all hardware these days has 64-bit drivers. It's really not a big deal to do if they were written properly in the first place. Thus there's no reason to hate on it or say "Why do you use it? That's stupid." Like it or not, it is where things are going. OS-X will be 64-bit soon enough (Leopard is supposed to have full 64-bit support), and the next generation of Windows will be 64-bit only. The idea is to avoid the problems we had back in the 16-32 bit days when there was hardware but no software and have everything up to date by the time normal systems start needing it.

  38. Re:Unless you want to unload a DLL. by Bishop923 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    In 10.5, Carbon was not ported to 64-bit.

    Uh no... The only part of Carbon that wasn't ported to 64bit are the GUI layers of HIToolbox.

    http://www.carbondev.com/site/?page=64-bit+Carbon

  39. Re:It will be supported by jnf · · Score: 3, Informative

    just for the record, you're not using the phrase 'word size' correctly, because both ia32 and amd64 have the same size word, 16-bits, with a dword being 32 and a qword being 64. i understood what you meant, but between that and talking about how smart apple is you lost any credibility i might've thought you had.

  40. Re:Apple is missing a HUGE opportunity by Quasicorps · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Anyone willing to pay $500+ for a phone will certainly pay $400 or less for some entry-level iMac device."

    Absolutely. Anyone who has just spent $500 on a phone would be more than happy to almost double their spending to use a main feature of the phone. It's common sense.

  41. Here's The Thing... by Mizled · · Score: 2, Informative


    Half of my post was edited from Slashdot but I'll give you more info on what happened. Everyone at the AT&T store told me that the iPhone works on ALL versions of XP SP2 and Vista. They also had a paper saying it was supported and I quote "The iPhone is supported on Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista and Mac 10.x.x.x". It didn't say only XP SP2 32-bit and only Vista 32-bit. I even have a paper they made me initial to prove this. That lead me and others to assume our 64-bit systems were supported.


    Not only this my iTunes works GREAT in 64-bit Windows and my iPod Nano syncs fine to it too. Why would my iPhone be any different than those. Apple even said themselves that it is a "Wide-screen iPod".


    Luckily, I do have multiple computers with a copy of Windows XP SP2 32-bit that I could sync and activate my iPhone with. There are some people posting on the Apple forums that can't even activate their phone since their home computer is only running 64-bit Windows. There's even multiple people saying their Windows Vista 32-bit copy won't let them sync their iPhone or activate it.


    All the specs I read before hand on the iPhone all stated that it was supported under XP SP2 and Vista. How is it my fault if they can't make it specific? Don't get me wrong, I love my new phone but it would have been nice to know way before hand that this wasn't going to work on a 64-bit OS so I could have been a little more prepared.



    Also, My post on their discussion forums was not out of hand and flaming them. It simply stated I was upset and the lack of communication from Apple on the 64-bit OS as well as their representatives telling me to downgrade my computer. You don't downgrade the computer, you upgrade the software to support it. That's counter intuitive. Here's the e-mail I received from them about why my post was deleted.



    Your post was removed from the iPhone forums as it does not follow the guidelines specified in our terms of use. These areas are intended to address technical issues about Apple products. Posts that do not conform to the Apple Discussions Use Agreement are inappropriate.

    Reasons that your post was removed may include but are not limited to:
    -Speculation or Rumors
    -Discussion of Apple Policies, Procedures or Decisions
    -Off topic or non-technical posts
    -Rude or inappropriate behavior/language

    Please read our Apple Discussions Use Agreement so that you may discover what constitutes an appropriate post to our service. Section two, "Submissions," is most germane.

    Please see the Apple Discussions Use Agreement at http://discussions.apple.com/help.jspa for more information on the proper use of Apple's Discussion forums.

    Each Discussion user is required to agree to these terms before gaining posting privileges. You reserve the right to not post on Apple Discussions should you disagree with these terms.

    If you would like to send feedback to Apple about a product, please use the appropriate selection at http://www.apple.com/feedback

    Sometimes you have comments or concerns for which there is no technical response. If you need the kind of help that a troubleshooting expert can't provide, you can call Apple's Customer Relations group.


    Well, Anyway that's just my 2 cents on the whole ordeal.

    --
    Bite my shiny metal ass.
  42. Re:Unless you want to unload a DLL. by Brett+Johnson · · Score: 2, Informative

    Unloading bundles containing Objective-C was enabled in Mac OS X 10.4.7, and presumably works in 10.5 as well.
    [Although the new Obj-C garbage collection mechanisms could throw a wrench into the works...]
    There are some restrictions, most of them obvious (don't unload a class that is a superclass of instanciated objects,
    or that is attached to a Key-Value Binding, etc.)

    From the Release Notes:

    Mac OS X Tiger Release Notes
    Objective-C Runtime ...

    Unloading bundle libraries

    Bundle libraries containing Objective-C code may now be unloaded. However, there are some restrictions on the bundle's contents and on the behavior of the unloader. These caveats include:

    * An unloadable bundle must not define a category on a class that will exist after the bundle is unloaded.
    * A class in an unloadable bundle must not pose as any class that will exist after the bundle is unloaded.
    * A class in an unloadable bundle must not be the superclass of any class that will exist after the bundle is unloaded.
    * No instances of any class defined in an unloadable bundle can exist when the bundle is unloaded. In particular, autoreleased instances of unloaded classes will behave incorrectly when the autorelease pool is popped.
    * Foundation's Key-Value Coding and Key-Value Observing may not behave correctly when used with classes that are then unloaded.

    objc_unloadModules() remains unimplemented. Use the NSBundle, CFBundle, or dyld APIs to unload bundle libraries.

  43. Ha ha ha by pjt48108 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Anyone who would spend several hundreds of dollars on an iGadget from any company WITHOUT FIRST confirming that it is supported on their OS, is simply naive.

    Anyone who goes out of their way to get the 64-bit implementation of any Windows (in the first place), and THEN spends said fortune on a shiny iToy WITHOUT FIRST confirming support under their 64-bit Windows OS, is a chump.

    Perhaps using Macs has gotten me used to checking system requirements religiously when making software and peripheral hardware purchases. However, even when I have owned/used Windows systems, I always checked to make sure those systems were supported before shelling out a fistfull of cash.

    So, cry me a river. 'nuf said.

    --
    Mmmmmm... Bold, yet refreshing!
  44. Re:Technical technicalities, techincally by Kalriath · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Give it up. If you're against Apple, you'll be modded Troll into oblivion, and getting anyone to agree with you is downright impossible. Apple can do no Evil, you know? The Great Jobs Will Save Us.

    Slashdot's web server has a portable Steve Jobs Reality Distortion Field Generator, I tell you.

    --
    For a site about things like basic rights, Slashdot users sure do like to censor "dissent".
  45. Re:Cell Phones could be the greatest but by skrolle2 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sooner or later, someone will bring unlocked service to the US masses and only then will they have to adapt to the demands of a liberated consumer. There, fixed it for you. We're so sorry your phone companies are assholes over there.
  46. Re:Cell Phones could be the greatest but by BroadbandBradley · · Score: 2, Interesting

    you're right, it's not a democracy over here like people want to think it is. government follows the golden rule "He who has all the gold makes all the rules" and politicians are nothing but corporate puppets. George Bush is the biggest puppet of all, the Bush empire is all oil money and war in the middle east has served to bring the price of gas up at the pump not because of lack of supply but because of FUD propagated by the political powers who use fear to win votes.
    It's no surprise that I've heard different unrelated people talking about revolution recently (older people who've been around for awhile) because of the widening gap of those who have and those who have not in our society. Foreclosures on homes are at an all time high and when housing becomes out of reach of the common man who works 60 hours a week something has got to give. I have hopes that advancing technology will change the equation and level the field between individuals and large companies, and erase centuries old programming that religion has placed on a large portion of otherwise free thinking people. It's a strange time we live in.

  47. Re:It will be supported by jnf · · Score: 2, Informative

    I can't help but wonder where you read that rubbish. If you check chapter five in the intel developers manual, specifically the section titled 'fundamental data types' you will find the following sentence:

    'The fundamental data types of the Intel architecture are bytes, words, doublewords and quadwords (see Figure 5.1). A byte is eight bits, a word is 2 bytes (16 bits), a doubleworld is 4 bytes (32 bits) and a quadword is 8 bytes (64 bits)'

    That itself is pretty hard to argue against, but then when you consider the syntax of the instruction when you actually program in it, you also realize that a word on intel is 16-bits, i.e.

    mov dword ptr [...], [...]

    Or if you prefer at&t syntax it becomes even more prevalent, i.e.

    movw 0xFFFF, %[...]

    So really, I don't see how you or anyone else could claim a word size is >16-bits on an intel architecture, because its plainly not.

  48. Re:It will be supported by jnf · · Score: 2, Informative

    I guess my first example wouldve made more sense if I had actually used a word instead of a dword, so i.e.:

    mov word ax, 0xFFFF

    and in the at&t syntax I needed to put a $ in front of the immediate value