The iPhone's critics have focused on a handful of issues that could serve to to derail its would-be path to retail dominance; of those, the lack of a removable battery, 3G radio, and
support for third-party apps are frequently cited as the top three (presented in no particular order). We may be waiting for
round two to get either of the first two niggles resolved -- but contrary to initial reports, it seems that independent devs may end up getting a crack at the first model after all as
Jobs had suggested at D. The New York Times is citing "a person briefed on Apple's plans" as saying that
WWDC will see the introduction of a software development kit that allows folks to convert small Mac apps to run on the iPhone, seemingly making good on Apple's claim that the handset runs OS X. So who's ready to take the plunge if -- and
only if -- this announcement pans out?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phil Ringsmuth @ Jun 4th 2007 2:19PM
Not for the price they're asking. I am an Apple fanboy, always have been, but I've gotta step back and think about this one. No matter how much "cool factor" the iPhone will, and certainly does already, have, they are just asking for way too much money for it. Plain and simple.
Jon Hubbard @ Jun 4th 2007 2:51PM
Phil,
No offense man but in 2004 I paid roughly $640.00 for my Hp Ipaq HX 4700! The only real advantage there was VGA screen, Magnesium casing, and dual memory (SD & Compact Flash). The iphone is far better even despite the lack of memory expansion. Worth it from that comparative perspective. Add to it that it can effective replace my 4gb Samsung K5 and my Samsung Sync phone then I still see a winner. Especially since it will be slightly under the cost of my Ipaq HX4700 from 2004. "End of two cent rant..."
carlos @ Jun 4th 2007 2:38PM
I have waited to replace my cell phone since December to get an iPhone. I feel the price is reasonable. 3rd party apps I could careless about. I would rather have all application go through an Apple certification process to make sure it will not crash the phone. Just like made for iPod software and hardware, I'd like to see made for iPhone.
Micah @ Jun 4th 2007 2:53PM
What about no being able to access the SIM card?
el-indiano @ Jun 4th 2007 4:15PM
first off i would like to say, i do want an iphone but there are several factors that seem to be no brainers that will keep me from purchasing one:
1. price, price, price. (most people that will buy and iphone are apple fans, and already have a ipod, so paying for another ipod is silly. i dont even use the 3 i all ready have.
2. no 3g. this is a shock to me and i still cannot figure out why this was the way apple went?
3. 5 hour battery. my razr can go 3 days without recarging, am i expected to charge this thing every night? what about if im going to a business meeting several hours away? is the phone going to die before i can charge it?
4. no 3rd party support. like most people i get my email from an exchange server, so no support for this is definate no purchase!
5. 2 year contract and again the price is still 499/599. if your signing a 2 year, the price should drop dramatically.
granted, i still want one but unless i get one through work, which wont happened b/c of the email/change server think, i wont be getting one.
gopi @ Jun 4th 2007 10:55PM
> 1. price, price, price. (most people that will buy and iphone are apple fans, and already have a ipod,
> so paying for another ipod is silly. i dont even use the 3 i all ready have.
Apple could do a cheaper phone but it wouldn't be as nifty. Sell your iPod on ebay :)
> 2. no 3g. this is a shock to me and i still cannot figure out why this was the way apple went?
The reason you can't figure it out, of course, is because you're not a manufacturing engineer working on the design team. I'm also unhappy about the lack of 3G, but I'm certain that there is a reason for it. Too many people want it for them to drop it just to save a few pennies. 3g generally uses more power; it's possible that the EDGE chipset Apple used was exceptionally good, and they couldn't find a 3G one that matched.
> 3. 5 hour battery. my razr can go 3 days without recarging, am i expected to charge this thing
> every night? what about if im going to a business meeting several hours away? is the phone
> going to die before i can charge it?
5 hours of _talk_ time, not 5 hours of standby.
> 4. no 3rd party support. like most people i get my email from an exchange server, so no support
> for this is definate no purchase!
Interesting comment on an article that says there will be third party support.
Can't you set up your exchange server to support POP or IMAP? I'm pretty certain the iPhone can do standards-based email.
> 5. 2 year contract and again the price is still 499/599. if your signing a 2 year, the price should
> drop dramatically.
"is still"? You need to read more carefully. Those are the 2 year contract prices; we have no idea how much it will be _without_ contract.
tnkgrl @ Jun 4th 2007 5:04PM
> What about no being able to access the SIM card?
Do you know gor a fact that the SIM card cannot be accessed?
mc @ Jun 4th 2007 6:46PM
I saw either in the key note address or on the apple site somewhere else that there is a sim card slot up near headphone jack. I am not sure whether this means anyone could access it, or just a apple technician. I assume that it would disrupt cingular's current model too much if you could not easily access the sim card.
Mitch Cerroni @ Jun 4th 2007 5:42PM
the only thing I really care about is an IM client. Having 3rd party apps definatley gives it the smartphone title and makes it more worth its price.
macserv @ Jun 6th 2007 4:59AM
Yes, I think it might. My two biggest problems with it are lack of an AIM client, and its closed nature.
If it were open, an AIM client would soon follow.
So, it's either this, or the Nokia E90, which is a couple hundred dollars more expensive, but has:
- A completely open system, S60 UI, plethora of apps
- 800x352 screen
- Camera on inside for videochat
- physical keyboard
- 3G, WIFI, Bluetooth, everything else
- Expandable memory
Wouldn't integrate with my Mac as well though. Hmmm... tough call.
Matt @ Jun 6th 2007 5:00AM
Oh, and the E90's a fair bit bigger than an iPhone, but smaller than my Sidekick3 in every dimension.
db @ Jun 6th 2007 7:24PM
This is coming from someone who isn't even interested nor planning on getting the iPhone. I totally agree with everything that gopi just said. A lot of people claim to be "Apple fans" or "interested in the iPhone" yet they won't buy it and complain about things that could either be easily resolved or just live with it.
1. Yes, the iPhone is expensive for a phone on a 2-year contract, however you have to take into consideration that you're probably paying for the 4-8GB hard drive, as well as the Apple software and branding. And besides, since when has Apple ever made something priced really low? Heck, their computers still cost more than the majority of PCs out there . . . And why would anyone have 3 iPods anyway? I'm not trying to be rude here, I'm just curious . . .
2. 3G DOES use up a lot of power. I've had 2 3G phones already and the battery life seems to go down faster when I'm using 3G than 2.5G. I've just recently noticed that a lot of the more "cooler" phones lately have left this out. There was probably a good reason for this. Either live with it or find another phone to worship.
3. Having a phone with great battery life is definitely a plus, however, how hard can it be to just recharge your phone every night before you go to bed, or to just carry your charger with you? How about a car charger? The battery life on my phone sucks if I constantly use the multimedia features, however my charger is really small and my phone is also rechargable through the USB on my computer at work, which is more than convenient for me. Plus it recharges super-fast (maybe that's why the batter doesn't last more than a day and a half or so? LOL).
3. People complaining about 3rd party support is understandable. It's as simple as waiting for 2nd gen, or just find another phone to your liking = )
In short, I guess there's just no pleasing anyone when it comes to technology . . .
Just my two pennies.