Apple iPhone - In the flesh and working in EU

[S2central.net]

And why can't phones be creative ? Especially with the task of converging all the other functions into one device ? Nobody has done it this successfully before - hence the awards showered on the iPhone and so many sold in such a short time.

Its ludicrous to suggest the device has 3yr old technology - the only reason it doesn't run with 3G today is battery consumption. Running at 2.5G uses less power - pure and simple.

To the point that there is no benefit in having a pretty interface - well thats just hilarious - do you think that the world of business, science, technology, entertainment or anything else would have pushed forward at the pace if we all had to use punch cards or give instructions to our devices in binary format. Come on !

Oh and I agree that its a lifestyle choice ---- would I rather carry round an iPhone or one of those Dilbert toolbelts that American engineers would be seen with carrying a cellphone, a pager, a PDA, then maybe a digital camera, and cant forget the tunes so an iPod (or whatever), plus a new fangled MP4 player and some portable device to surf the web on and a SatNav to stop getting lost... PLUS all the damn battery chargers and cables to maintain them.

Like I say - I'm no gadget nerd, but the appeal of such a powerful device with all those features is quite strong - but only cos its packaged in such an easy to use format with a best in class UI.

If you are anti-Apple just for the sake of it then fair enough - I'll never convert you. It would be like someone telling me to test drive a Beemer cos they thought it was the best thing ever - I have turned down lifts in them on a cold/wet day cos I hate them so much... It *IS* a lifestyle thing

Paul

[philKS2]

Tried the iphone when in USA in July - looks and operates so SEXY!!!

BUT it's all hype as there's nothing new on it. I've had a QTEK 2020 PDA phone for 2 years which does all the same things... play MP3, video, internet, word, camera, etc etc

The iphone is just more i-snobbery ... and the tie-in to O2 for £35 a month is a con.

I'm waiting til after Christmas, when all the people who bougth them realise they're too bulky and sell onEbay for £100 !!!

[Laurel]

I have no argument against compiling everything onto one device. I just don't think that the device should be a phone.

For heavens sake, if you use your phone for sending emails or posting on the S2 forum and looking through music files all day long, you're eyesight will deterioate much more quickly - so basically we'll have a society with young people walking around like OAPs.

*smirk* Don't you love my exaggerations.

But to be fair, I have a point. If we want everything to be in one, I say we make it a Computer/TV/DVD/HiFi/Gamestation all in one that sits neatly on your wall in the living room!!

[S2central.net]

Its not *what* it does that appeals - its the *way* that it does it for me - thats what all the fuss is about... Did QTEK (whoever they are) sell millions of that device you talk about - I didn't think so.

i-snobbery - what's that then - jealousy that you bought the wrong gadget ?
Its all a stitch up of course with the O2 exclusivity - that is a different matter though. Then in 6 months there will be a new variant with better battery, more memory, maybe full 3G support and whatever else - and THATs when the snobbery kicks in when those with the most wedge rush out to the shops for the new model My guess is that most people who do that are the same ones that must have a new car every year to play the new registration number numptie game.

I have a 2nd Gen iPod that still does what I bought it for - I wouldn't upgrade it to a new iPod just for sake of it, but when I can have that functionality in a phone then it makes sense... I already pay O2 £30 a month on contract so its no beef for me - but it will upset those with preference for other carriers.

PAul

[S2central.net]

But to be fair, I have a point. If we want everything to be in one, I say we make it a Computer/TV/DVD/HiFi/Gamestation all in one that sits neatly on your wall in the living room!!

Yes - there are those who agree with that thinking - and Apple can sell you one today - AppleTV ! A bit light on the games front for now, but that is the concept. Also likes a media alliance and DRM permissions for European content so that movies and TV shows can be loaded into the thing. The US version is more mature in that respect.

Oh and you shouldn't think of the converged mobile device as being based on a phone just cos Apple called it iPhone - that was a marketing ploy to position them clearly in that space. You could just as easily think of the same device as being a next-gen iPod that had a phone application on it.

Paul

[Laurel]

OOoh I see! You like the *way* the gadget slowly blinds you....Ah.

Isnobbery? Well, we're all snobbs in some way or another....Ross and Sony....you lot and Audi....me and German brands....

Snobb isn't the nicest of words. I think we just choose a brand that is good for us and stay loyal to it.

I could be wrong, feel free to debate.

[Laurel]

Apple Tv? I'll google it and read some reviews.

The fact that Apple iPhone is more like an ipod is disturbing and pointless. If you already have an Ipod, why get an iPhone?

Buisnesses all the same, trying to create a need that isn't there so they can manufacture something appealing and bring in massive ££.

seriously, is THIS what we're supposed to spend our hard earned money on?

[S2central.net]

<contraversial>

With all respect... You are 18 - what have you worked so hard on lately ?

I'll spend my money on whatever the heck I like - always have - always will... So should everyone else... even 18yr olds

I'm not bothering with this thread anymore - I just wanted to share a little excitement about 1st contact with this high-tech device that has been hyped around me and I'm just going to upset people with my views and expasperation when ~children post such tripe. Sure even they are entitled to an opinion so thats fair enuff - if you like it - you buy it - if you dislike it - then don't. I'm not on commission here or nuthin...

</contraversial>

[mcandmar]

i-Snobbery

Have to say i really liked the iPhones when i played with them. At first i just dismissed it as another PDA/Phone/MP3player multifunction thingamabob. (I couldn’t give a monkeys about phones by the way!) But that screen on the iPhone is just lovely, and the way the touch screen and user interface work so well together. Little on the Casio calculator size but it has got a fit and finish only Apple could do. Just a pity it’s a Mac os

[Laurel]

@Paul

I apologise if I came across as disrespectful.

You are right, I couldn't have possibly experienced anything other than a easy life of all fun and games, had everything handed to me on a silver platter, a bright and rosy upbringing with no problems with health or struggle at work - as you said, I'm only 18.

I would caution, that whilst 18 year olds are "children" they are not always naive and spoilt - as you suggest.

Maybe they should join Apple with Microsoft and base it in Scotland? You could call it "McMacrosoft"

[Error404]

I agree with a lot of what you've said Paul

I suppose to summarise my point here:


If the "iPhone" was exactly the same, but was called a Goodmans KV3200is , noone would have ever heard of it.

[madpugger]

Paul, loads of valid points, i agree, some of this stuff annoys me, bloody microsoft users who this apple is crap, use them for a while and then say! I hated apple because i thought microsoft was the only choice, then i tried one, bought a few apple products and they all do what they are supposed to, and in a nice way.

That is what the iphone does, loads of things in one package, all simply and effectively. If you want a phone that is only a phone, buy one of them low end nokias and not an iphone, on the other hand, if you want something that helps you not to take the tiool belt of gadgets, buy an iphone!

Ahhh lol

[KaraK]

Personally I'm not interested in any holy war... Paul, if you are still reading the thread how about I respond to you're earlier question?

Somethings I find is lacking from the iPhone:

3G - I know its not a big deal to some people but if you want to be a serious internet-ready multi-function device in Europe then for me its an essential

Truly custom ringtones - Ability to use sound clips I already own and have as tones WITHOUT having to pay extra, or god-forbid use a recording of my own thats NOT on iTunes?

MMS - C'mon how hard can it be?

Video recording - see above!

Voice recording - see above!

"To-Do List" Functionality for the calendar

3rd Party software - again a serious multi function device that I cant put whatever software I want on? No thanks!

Poor camera - Only 2 MP? No zoom? Hardly cutting edge!

Static battery - batteries have often proven to be the weak point in many mobile devices (PDAs, Phones, Laptops etc), don't really fancy having to post my phone to the manufacturer just to replace the battery! One of the saving graces of phones that drink the juice is that you can always buy a second battery and take it with you if you are on the road.

On the upsides it looks nice, is reputedly tougher then many of Apple's recent products and has a fantastic screen - its just not enough!

[fivepotnoodle]

<contraversial>

With all respect... You are 18 - what have you worked so hard on lately ?

I'll spend my money on whatever the heck I like - always have - always will... So should everyone else... even 18yr olds

I'm not bothering with this thread anymore

I'm taking my ball in