Will you ever buy an iPhone?

[NakaNaka]

Apple just announced they changed the screen from plastic to optical glass, like eye glasses. Much better at avoiding scratches/breaking. Smart move by them.

 

[tji]

Like others here, I'm not a big cell phone user. But, I'm very interested in what is effectively a pocket computer. Full web browser, sync to calendar / address book, etc. The iPod functionality is nice, but I can live without that -- my Nano fits quite well in my bag. The video capabilities are also interesting, but I don't see myself using that a lot.

I think the iPhone is especially compelling for Mac users, for the excellent synchronization with iPhoto, iCal, Address Book, iTunes, etc. (iPod does this today, but with no input capability it's not too useful).

The main things holding me back from buying one:

- Two year commitment to Cingular/AT&T without any subsidy of the phone cost.
- Unknown Call / Data plan requirements. Will I be able to use my current $40/month plan? I doubt it. Probably $60-80 minimal cost.
- No 3rd party apps / development. -- As a relatively new Cocoa programmer, I was excited about being able to write my own apps for the iPhone. It would have been a no-brainer with this. But, without any 3rd party apps your at Apple's mercy. Big drawback.

- The cost is an issue, but relatively minor for me. I'm willing to pay a premium for something that meets my needs well. The MacBook Pro fits that category, and I did buy one. If I was happy with the iPhone, I would pony up the cash. As it is now, I'll wait for actual user reports before buying. I may buy the first revision after the intiial release. Or, I may not buy one.

 

[Kaido]

What I would really like to see is (1) built-in GPS, (2) a sunlight-readable display, and (3) a quality camera with optical zoom. Google Maps + GPS would be fantastic for driving or even walking around in big cities. A sunlight-readable display is a must, even my Q's super-bright screen can hardly be read outdoors. And a quality camera would be icing on the cake. All they need to do is slap a Canon 850 IS on the back of it and we're all set - camera + phone + iPod + navigation

 

[QueBert]

does any phone have a sunlight readable display? I have a Q too and it sucks outside in the sun, the best phone I've used outdoors was still pretty poor quality in sunlight. as for GPS I agree a touch screen that's this big screams GPS. I'm really glad I don't have Cingular and wouldn't switch for the world. If this phone was Verizon I'd be having a tough time resisting it.

 

[aphex]

Not sure people are going bonkers over the talk time, I never get anywhere near what the manufacturer claims the talk/standby time on cell phones will be, don't expect this one to be any different.

 

[Tegeril]

Buying it on Friday.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: QueBert
does any phone have a sunlight readable display? I have a Q too and it sucks outside in the sun, the best phone I've used outdoors was still pretty poor quality in sunlight. as for GPS I agree a touch screen that's this big screams GPS. I'm really glad I don't have Cingular and wouldn't switch for the world. If this phone was Verizon I'd be having a tough time resisting it.

At the very least, I hope they'll let you use a Bluetooth GPS receiver along with Google Maps, that'd be invaluable if you have a car or live in a big city. On a tangent, I actually just cancelled my data plan with Verizon...the Internet is a pain to use. EVDO is like 1/2 as slow as on my brother's Treo 700wx and it's much more difficult to navigate non-WAP sites without a touchscreen. Even Google Maps wasn't fun.

I'm really super psyched about the iPhone because rather than doing a million different things like a Windows Mobile phone it actually does what I'm interested in...phone, easy music player, calendar/contacts/email sync, and Google Maps. $600 is crazy high for a phone, but if it's anywhere near as usable as the commercials make it out to be then it'd totally be worth it. All they need to do now is release an ultraportable laptop and I'm set for life

 

[TallBill]

Nope, my phones are meant to call people, nothing more.

 

[kfranc9]

YOu betcha! When I am t3h l33t and working for Fortune 500 company (1 - 1 & 1/2 year). It also depends if the iphone is actually a great phone....ive played around with pda phones and the like and while I do believe the iphone is an improvement on them, i need my phones to be a good phone first!

 

[Keitero]

My 8525 (HTC TyTn for others outside of the US) works fine. I <3 3G and while 4/8GB is nice, at least my firmware (OS) doesn't take up 700MB.

 

[dwcal]

I don't have a smartphone, but if I did, a thumb keyboard for texting and emailing would be pretty important. From the reviews and videos, the iphone has a pretty good touchscreen keyboard but not good enough for me.

 

[Oil]

Yes if the price ever goes below $150 (HAHA, never), holds more than 15gb, and its on Verizon also

 

[kaioshade]

Eventually. As my own needs evolve, i will be needing something a bit more advanced than just a phone. But all the crazy bells and whistles that the iphone has dont appeal to me. Plus ill be damned if i will ever drop 600 dollars for a phone, i dont care what it does. That is way too much money for just a phone.

 

[Kaido]

I'm reconsidering buying a first-gen model. They don't seem to have any glaring flaws. Now that EDGE has been upped to 200k+, 3G isn't a huge issue anymore. The tethering capability is really important to me and the iPhone doesn't appear to have it, but I'm sure that's one of the things that will be hacked first. Hmm...

 

[Looney]

If they release the SDK for third party developments and enable a2dp BT.

Or if i get a free iphone.

 

[quackagator]

Originally posted by: TallBill
Nope, my phones are meant to call people, nothing more.

What he said

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: quackagator
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: TallBill
Nope, my phones are meant to call people, nothing more.</end quote></div>

What he said

Do you both think that email is only for text and not attachments too? I've met some purists who only like the original function that the tool was intended for. Personally I'm all for consolidation as long as it's quality. The iPhone pulls that off quite well. My motto is "dedicated hardware always works better", but the iPhone seems to be the exception. If they can add GPS and tethering it'd be perfect!

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Noema
No chance in hell.

I'm not a fan of cell-phones. I don't go out of my way to let people reach me wherever I am.

I still use a 4 year old Nokia, and it's all I need. It's lightweight and sturdy, and it has a lamp, which is much more useful to me than calendars and internet. I don't need my phone to be able to do 10,000 things and I don't like the touch screen. And if I want music, that's what my iPod's for.

:thumbsup:

 

[venkman]

Add 3G, GPS, and a price point of $300 and i'm in.


In other words, it doesn't look good for me buying one.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Eventually I will.

 

[QueBert]

add voice dial, the ability to make my own mp3 ringtones and let me get it as a pre-paid phone I'll jump on it. I messed with somebodies and I love the UI, Apple would absolutely own if they created an iPod based off the iPhone without the phone part. I've never seen a device with such a cool looking interface, and it's actually very functional.

 

[Tegeril]

Do people seriously use voice dialing? I don't know a single person who does.

 

[QueBert]

I use voice dialing with my BT headset while I'm driving, it's about the most useful thing on my phone to be honest. I don't even have to know where my phones at, I tap my headset say the name and boom. talking while driving is bad enough, but dialing while driving can be a hazard especially if your phone is in your pocket or somewhere where you have to look/dig for it.