Okay, maybe that won't be quite the same war cry that Apple fans were making last summer on June 29 as the company released its (some say) life-altering mobile phone, the iPhone, but we'll find out on July 11 how those same fans, and others willing to part with $199, will react. At the new pricetag, will the iPhone become the must-have accessory for Baristaville's information warriors? Will we be seeing it in third-grade backpacks?
Yesterday Apple announced the new 3G iPhone, which will start at $199 and have a 16 gigabyte model at $299. While last year's announcement certainly targeted the Apple fan and the have-to-have it techie, this year's announcement is clearly targeted at just about anyone who wants a new phone and thinks that the iPhones they've been playing with are the thing to play with. Sure, $199 isn't small potatoes, but considering people were dropping five bills last summer to get the first generation, bringing Apple to about 6 million phone sold according to Steve Jobs' latest keynote, they'll probably sell a few.
So, what's important about this iPhone thing and why might you want it? Well, breaking it down, the speed is almost - but not quite - comparable to the WiFi connection you might find in your house, it has *real* GPS, unlike the WiFi-using setup the previous one had, and some of the mobile features that allow you to connect to your Web-based setup and those of your home computer(s) are more than ample. On top of that - and this is something you'll be able to get on the 2.5G iPhone you already might have - the iPhone 2.0 software is going to enable corporate America to hop on board with Exchange support (for you Outlook users), among other things. And if there's one thing that a lot of people who currently rock the iPhone aren't so pleased about, to date, it's that they are carrying around a BlackBerry and iPhone too - that isn't necessarily going to have to be the case going forward.
It's been pretty clear over the last few years that Apple really is working its way past its hardcore "fanboy" days of the past, between its varied iPod multimedia players to slim notebooks and desktop computers, and this is just the latest step for the company to make its way into your pocket, and not just in the sense of removing some cash for it.
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Comments (7)
It is worth mentioning that your bill will be at least $100 a month with the services. Also, expect your phone bill to jack up even higher, since you are on an AT&T network and most of the world uses Verizon. Blackberry users dont have this problem, as most are company provided phones
Well, Apple's done half of the things I said they'd have to do for me to buy an iPhone (went on 3g and slashed the price).
Now all they have to do is come out with a model with at least 30gb (seeing as my 30gb iPod is nearly full, that's the least amount of memory I'd need from a device that would also have movies and/or games) and make the device available on Verizon. I'd actually be willing to pay $400 - $500 for a 40gb iPhone if it were on a network I could trust while in the country.
AT&T sucks. They've got horrible service outside of the immediate NYC area and their customer service department is appalling (not that Verizon is a whole lot better in that second category).
Come on Jobs, say it: "Screw AT&T. We want to sell as many of these puppies as possible, so here we come Verizon!"
Does anyone have a Casio GZ? These phones are the best things going if you live a hectic lifestyle like myself. I only wish blackberry would make a GZ model.
I've never paid more than state sales tax (usually $5) for any of my phones, thanks to manufacturer rebates and Verizon's two year contract commitment. And for that, I have a phone that is twice as slim as the iPhone (RZR) that can fit unoticably in my pants pocket. If I need directions, I plan ahead with Google Maps before I leave. If I travel, I take my laptop with wifi. I love Apple, but I don't NEED to have internet access EVERYWHERE. Plus, I'm betting wi-max will someday allow my laptop to stay connected longer when I am out of the house and office.
Razr is a great phone if you dont ever use it. That phone has a battery life of about 3 conversations. That, and its a very popular phone so you end up checking it every time another Razr rings. I have a GZ, its a great phone. for all you youtubers, type in "GZone test" and click on any of the tests. You can freeze it in a block of ice, swim with it, heat it up to 140 degrees, and drop it off a building. Still works perfect. http://youtube.com/watch?v=_SvQBIxdinA
I've had an iPhone since last fall (former BlackBerry user). I travel a lot for business (media) and need to be able to check email/websites frequently (without schlepping my computer all the time). The iPhone has been grand, and it's incredibly easy to use. I've had AT&T for years (cell) and rarely have problems. In fact,
my iPhone also worked perfectly in London twice this year already.
I use AT&T, no problem in country and...out of country Verizon peeps are staring at no signal.