iPhone

[punky]

Originally Posted by Chris T

It runs widgets, which can be developed by anyone - I reckon the answer to that is 'yes'.

Widgets aren't applications though. There's a big difference between a desktop addon (what Apple calls a widget) and a system-level app.

It all widgets are a highly cut down version of an application will permits only very certain system calls. If any.

So its not a given that just because Apple says we can run widgets, that we'll be able to run OpenOffice on it or something.

Originally Posted by Gavin

Widgets aren't applications though. There's a big difference between a desktop addon (what Apple calls a widget) and a system-level app.

It all widgets are a highly cut down version of an application will permits only very certain system calls. If any.

So its not a given that just because Apple says we can run widgets, that we'll be able to run OpenOffice on it or something.

I have heard somewhere that it can run apps. they need to be developed for it though because of the different interface and interaction methods.

[punky]

Originally Posted by Damien

It hardly just a phone though, I cannot see any device that matchs this. Its a new area almost, a hybrid of Phone, PDA, and iPod. Its got a lot more functionality than a PDA or smartphone.

It plays movies, widescreen.
It detects if the phone has been placed in portrait or landscape
Music fades out when you have a call, then fades back in after
Photo display
Music (iPod mode)
Phone mode looks cool, nice way of going though contacts
Internet, with google maps. Which detects where you are! You can phone direct of google maps/internet.
and so on

3rd party apps are a possiblity IF they are provided I think Punky. It is OSX after all.

Those are new features?

PDA-Phone hybrids have been available for years. The also play more music and video than Ipods support. Every feature there is available elsewhere already. The Orbit/HTC P3300 includes all that, and has a memory card slot and 2mp camera. Actual features worth having it appears the iPhone doesn't

---------- Post added at 23:34 ---------- Previous post was at 23:31 ----------

Also, there's no 3G/HDSPA which more phones will have next year.

We'll see. I think Apple can pull it off anyway, from the look of it it all works quite well. There is a difference between having the features and making them work. Lack of a camera is odd, again makes it hard to place this device .

The phone and ipod section and combo looks good though so thats what would get me to buy it

[downquark1]

Originally Posted by Gavin

Widgets aren't applications though. There's a big difference between a desktop addon (what Apple calls a widget) and a system-level app.

They are still applications, they are just framework dependent/restricted.

Those are new features?

PDA-Phone hybrids have been available for years. Every feature there is available elsewhere already. The Orbit/HTC P3300 includes all that, and has a memory card slot and 2mp camera. Actual features worth having it appears the iPhone doesn't

It's a typical apple release, a stylish, well made if not slightly over-priced item that implements previously thought of features with an innovative new rehash.

Still early days yet anyway, until we see it in the wild and such we will never know for sure. Again it appears to be small touchs that do that. I like the motion sensing between portrait and landscape. Like the idea of putting my ipod and phone into one as well...

Price will be a sticking point, hope we get word on the UK release

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Damien

We'll see. I think Apple can pull it off anyway, from the look of it it all works quite well. There is a difference between having the features and making them work. Lack of a camera is odd, again makes it hard to place this device .

The phone and ipod section and combo looks good though so thats what would get me to buy it

Doesn't it have a 2MP camera?

I think by the time it reaches us they might add 3G support in one way or other, seen as Edge isn't really available over here, just GPRS.

[punky]

Originally Posted by Damien

We'll see. I think Apple can pull it off anyway, from the look of it it all works quite well. There is a difference between having the features and making them work. Lack of a camera is odd, again makes it hard to place this device .

The phone and ipod section and combo looks good though so thats what would get me to buy it

I don't doubt it will sell. Apple will sell millions. The form factor is very nice.

Details are still coming in though, but atm, I don't think it will realise its potential. Its being burdened down with Apple's policies for one, and doesn't contain anything revolutionary. Even the much heralded multi-touch screen, I don't think is a first (could be wrong)

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Gavin

Phones are always expensive in the US, so I wouldn't go by that. Phones that are/were free here on 12 month contracts with free gifts, were cost money + connection fee + 2 year contracts in the US.

Thats because the network subsidies are much much lower.
$60 so GBP30 gets you 900 minutes to use between 7am and 7pm. Unlimited calling between 7pm and 7am and unlimited calling to other phones on the Cingular network. Unused minutes roll over to the next month. The 2 year contract is if you get a handset subsidy. I have no contract as I am using an unlocked Orange K750i.

This unlimited calling is to any US number consider that the equivilant of having unlimited european roaming and free calls to any EU number land or cell.

The best Cingular benefit is being able to add more handsets to the same contract for $10 a month.

Contracts map differently and certainly the roaming costs in the EU mean that there is no eqivilant plan.

---------- Post added at 18:53 ---------- Previous post was at 18:52 ----------

Originally Posted by downquark1

They are still applications, they are just framework dependent/restricted.

It's a typical apple release, a stylish, well made if not slightly over-priced item that implements previously thought of features with an innovative new rehash.

And there is nothing wrong with that. Reinventing something thoughtfully and stylishly.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by downquark1

It's a typical apple release, a stylish, well made if not slightly over-priced item that implements previously thought of features with an innovative new rehash.

Slightly?????? This is Apple. Try massively

Originally Posted by Gavin

I don't doubt it will sell. Apple will sell millions. The form factor is very nice.

Details are still coming in though, but atm, I don't think it will realise its potential. Its being burdened down with Apple's policies for one, and doesn't contain anything revolutionary. Even the much heralded multi-touch screen, I don't think is a first (could be wrong)

I not sure about its success, mostly becauses it overloaded with features and I am not sure what to call it. Its more than a phone, ipod or pda like i said.

I think that it may not be revolutionary but Apple have made a stylish job here. The screen is not only nice but the touch looks good (again, not used it). The Phone looks good. It may not containing anything new but the implementation, ease of use, style and combination of what is included could make it succesful.

The Visual voicemail looks cool, and other small touchs. With Apple is usually about how they do it. No point have features if they dont work or are difficult to use. Here they all look quite seemless to work.

[downquark1]

And there is nothing wrong with that. Reinventing something thoughtfully and stylishly.

Not suggesting there is, I love the phone, I'm watching the demo as we speak (he mentioned 3g support in the future).

I'm not likely to get one soon though. As I mentioned many of the features are for sake of style than pure practicality and some people can't justify the purchase price on style.

But many people can and I expect it will be a big success. Looks lovely.

[punky]

Originally Posted by Damien

I not sure about its success, mostly becauses it overloaded with features and I am not sure what to call it. Its more than a phone, ipod or pda like i said.

I think that it may not be revolutionary but Apple have made a stylish job here. The screen is not only nice but the touch looks good (again, not used it). The Phone looks good. It may not containing anything new but the implementation, ease of use, style and combination of what is included could make it succesful.

The Visual voicemail looks cool, and other small touchs. With Apple is usually about how they do it. No point have features if they dont work or are difficult to use. Here they all look quite seemless to work.

Overloaded with features is a bad thing?? Eh??

Its what it lacks (quite a lot, camera, memory card, 3G atm) which is more important. Brand loyalty has its limits, even with Apple.

[downquark1]

Originally Posted by Gavin

Overloaded with features is a bad thing?? Eh??

Its what it lacks (quite a lot atm) which is more important. Brand loyalty has its limits, even with Apple.

What does it lack besides a camera?

edit: As posted below it does in fact have a camera

[handyman]

Originally Posted by danielf

Slightly?????? This is Apple. Try massively

What no one ever factors in is style and quality. Something that will always make the likes of aple and sonydearer.