*** Official iPhone thread - NO IPHONE POSTS ALLOWED OUTSIDE THIS THREAD ***

[jerk]

I think people are making a big deal over the mp3/ringtone issue when there's not clear info on how it works. *My* assumption is that the phone portion of the iPhone can't directly access the iTunes library and ringtones have to be in a designated directory/area on the phone. I don't know that it'll play protected mp3/acc files, but I'm sure that they wouldn't make it impossible to use an mp3 as a ringtone.

[SchrickVR6]

You'll be able to convert songs to ringtones via an iTunes update for $0.99 each.

[jerk]

I'm guessing that this is just for protected AACs purchased from the iTMS? While that sucks, it's sure a lot cheaper than other carriers charge for ringtones. I can't imagine all ringtones must come from the iTunes Music Store.


Modified by jerk at 5:43 PM 6-27-2007

[juventuss]

Quote, originally posted by SchrickVR6 »

You'll be able to convert songs to ringtones via an iTunes update for $0.99 each.

Forget that...

[VWGti AudiA4]

Quote, originally posted by SchrickVR6 »

You'll be able to convert songs to ringtones via an iTunes update for $0.99 each.

This is still a rumor from what I understand, unless there is a link? I am wrong most of the time though.

[KeiCar]

Quote, originally posted by juventuss »

Forget that...

yea I agree... Chances are it WILL get hacked...eventually. But for now, gotta pay to play

[Karma]

Jobs is giving an All Hands update to the entire Apple workforce tomorrow morning. He hasn't done that since 2001. This guy is really excited for this thing...

Quote »

From: Steve Jobs Date: June 27, 2007 1:47:55 PM PDT To: [redacted] Subject: Town Hall Meeting Tomorrow Team, We're launching the most revolutionary and exciting product in Apple's history this Friday. And given Apple's legacy of breakthrough products, that's saying a lot. I'd like to get together and share my thoughts about this amazing moment for our company. So please join me for a company-wide communications meeting tomorrow, Thursday, at 11:00AM in Town Hall. This meeting will also be broadcast to other Apple campus locations. Please check [redacted] for details. See you there, Steve

[mikemcnair]

Quote, originally posted by Karma »

Jobs is giving an All Hands update to the entire Apple workforce tomorrow morning. He hasn't done that since 2001. This guy is really excited for this thing...

where did you learn of this?

[GolfPro]

It's on Engadget right now:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/0...orrow/

[Karma]

Uh huh dat be it

[mikemcnair]

i see how i missed it. i only go to engadgetmobile.com. for some reason it isn't there yet.

weird.

either way, the BEST commet on that link is....

NeutralAlex Padilla @ Jun 27th 2007 9:14PM
Will we be able to find out what was said during the meeting? Maybe a super-secret video recording? Can an AppleTV even do that?

Reply
Highest Rankedd_schrute @ Jun 27th 2007 9:50PM
Maybe someone will use a 'revolutionary' phone that records video to record it.

bingo!

[Karma]

Engadget used to have a better user base now it's pretty /. like But yeah that one was funny.

Bright point is that it's a pretty safe bet that Apple will fix most of the missing/crippled features in very short order via software updates.

The 3G and GPS thing is gonna have to wait for 2nd gen though.

[mikemcnair]

Quote, originally posted by Karma »

Bright point is that it's a pretty safe bet that Apple will fix most of the missing/crippled features in very short order via software updates..

indeed. and that news settled my fears.

[16v]

Quote, originally posted by Seabird »

Here's an early review from the NYP:

that appears to be a rehash of the other "official" prerelease reviews from reputable publicatoins. I highly doubt Jobs gave some hack at the Post an iphone to try out.

[pturner67]

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/hughes/14081

Why I'm Not Getting an iPhone

Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:06PM EDT

The iPhone hype is so intense right now, I think people will be buying this phone based on hype alone. I mean, is the phone really that great? Our duty is to keep you informed regarding details we come across, so the more I read about the iPhone, the less I want it.

At a glance, the device looks fantastic, features sound fun, and there's no doubt this phone is the "it" phone this year. But realistically, would you pay $500-$600 for any other phone? Like many of you, I'm still debating whether to buy an iPhone or not, so I've compiled a list of cons (since the pros are obvious) just to give myself a reality-check come Friday night.

* Price/Storage: Probably the biggest reason to wait is the price.The iPhone will retail in stores for $500 (4GB) and $600 (8GB) — AND you still have to sign a new two-year agreement. Don't expect this phone to replace your iPod either. The top-of-the-line $600, 8GB iPhone only holds 2,000 songs, and only a handful of videos and full-length movies. I also don't understand why you have to buy the iPhone at full price, and still sign a two-year contract. You could easily get a comparable phone actually running on a 3G network like a Treo 750 for $199 with a two-year contract, or an 80GB video iPod for almost half the price.

* Plans: What's really bothering me about this is AT&T is playing into all this hype too, forgetting about its customers. I called AT&T today to find out more details about switching carriers, and the rep was clueless. Come on guys, we needed pricing details about a month before the phone went on sale so we could estimate costs. Why is the company being so secretive? We know the phone is launching on Friday, and we know what it does. So why did it wait so long to reveal service plans? At least now we know getting an iPhone isn't going to be cheap. Chris Null outlined the cost of each service plan, the cheapest plan being $60/mo for 450 minutes. He says that in two years, you'll end up paying close to $2,000 for service alone. Plus there is that $36 activation fee, and a two-year contract on top of that. Those who already have an AT&T account can expect to pay an additional $20-$30 for the "iPhone plan" which includes Visual Voicemail, 200 SMS text messages, and unlimited data since there is no voice-only plan. And if you think you can get the iPhone to use without service, think again. Apple's web site says a two-year agreement is required for iPhone activation including iPod features.

* Network: Surprisingly, the iPhone does not run on a third-generation (3G) network, instead it runs on the slower EDGE network. Forbes thinks Apple opted for the slower network because AT&T's EDGE coverage spans across 13,000 cities and towns nationwide, compared with only 165 major U.S metro areas that have 3G coverage. It also brings up another excellent point. Since 3G devices are interchangeable between faster and slower networks, why did Apple still choose EDGE? Other AT&T smartphones like Samsung's BlackJack and Treo 750 run on 3G, and for what I understand AT&T is slowing moving away from EDGE. So perhaps a second- or third-generation iPhone will have 3G capability. And while the iPhone may have Wi-Fi capabilities, realistically, looking for a hotspot when you're out can be a challenge, unless you pay an extra $10 for T-Mobile access at Starbucks.

* First Generation: A geek's rule of thumb is to never get a first generation gadget. Apple is one of the few companies that revamps its products at such a quick pace, that in this case, they actually make it quite bearable to wait for the second revision. Look at all the improvements they've made on iPods and MacBooks. It may seem like waiting for a new iPhone will be an eternity, but I bet it'll be a matter of months before we see a better, faster version.

* Long Lines: I love technology as much as the next guy, but no gadget is worth standing in line days in advance for, not even the iPhone. People have already started to line up, and some are even betting real money that someone will get trampled. I would add getting shot at, beaten, mugged, and possibly being hospitalized to the list.

On top of all the above reasons, there's still some doubts about about the lack of keyboard, inability to sync with corporate internal email systems, and battery life. So lets get this straight. We're expected to pay for an overpriced phone, an expensive service plan, sign a new two-year contract, and still wait in line hoping to get one? No thanks.

[tmerc]

I think this is becoming the new rage.

"I haven't seen it, touched or know all the facts about it, but I'm going to do a write up or review of it so i can show my bosses that I get readership. As long as I slap "iPhone" in the title kudos to me"

[devnull]

Yep, the classic Book Report on the spec sheet and other "knowns" with a little dash of bitter opinion that they didn't get a review copy

[pturner67]

but is the write-up untrue?

[tmerc]

It's not untrue, but how would it be dis-similar to me writing a review on a 2009 audi from what was written in fourtitude

[lojasmo]

I'm waiting. Software updates will correct some of the browser issues (no java, etc)

Also, the price should decline, and $500 is a lotta bucks.

[mikerosoft]

Mmmm...sticky screens.

[ROCK AND ROLL CHEVY]

Engadget also mentioned that customers will be limited to purchasing two iPhones. Which means that you can buy one for your mom, but your blow-up doll is going to have to buy his own.

[theevilshiftkey]

Even if the phone massages me when in my pocket I have to agree that the price is not only too much, but that 50% if not more of the people who jump into an iPhone will be regretting it in a year's time.

Think about this. You have to buy a two-year contract! The people who are buying this are all lovers of the latest Apple stuff or maybe just the latest phone du jour. There's no way an iPhone user would wait two years to replace it. In a year or less the next gen iPhone will come out, or Motorola will come out with a clone that does 3G... and those people are either going to be stuck, or they'll pay huge cancelation fees to get the next big thing.

But back to the price. Here are the high and low:
$500 phone plus two years at 60/month= $1940
$600 phone plus two years at 100/month= $3000

[mikemcnair]

so, does anyone know what the "big meeting" was about?

[tmerc]

apparently they are giving all part time and full time Apple employees that have been with the company for a year and 8 gig iPhone. GGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[Karma]

WOW

[DownShift]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQISGk9GwMI

[mikemcnair]

wow, just wow.

this is totally out of control.

[-YZ-]

Quote, originally posted by mikemcnair »

wow, just wow. this is totally out of control.

Really, I'll spare the get a life comments but it's a fuxing phone for xrist sakes!

[DownShift]

Quote, originally posted by mikemcnair »

wow, just wow. this is totally out of control.

Any guesses as to what these things will top out at on ebay?

Heres a buy it now at $1200.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-new-...wItem

And for all the people getting paid to wait in line for someone, why not instead just buy two phones, then throw it on ebay?

[AIRider]

whats the big thing.. its just a phone .. i'm not really getting this.. it reminds me of all the nerds waiting in line to see star wars..

before you know it, it will be surpassed by something else, better looking smaller with more features ..

[Weerez]

Quote, originally posted by -YZ- »

Really, I'll spare the get a life comments but it's a fuxing phone for xrist sakes!

[EpicVW]

Quote, originally posted by -YZ- »

Really, I'll spare the get a life comments but it's a fuxing phone for xrist sakes!

Truly, I agree. However, wasn't there the same type of lines/prices for Xbox/Xbox360/PS2/PS3? Could be said "It's just a fuxing video game console for xrist sakes!"

Toys, regardless of what they do (phone/vid console/etc.) are something people will always pay a $ or time premium for.

[c_rod44305]

Quote, originally posted by DownShift »

And for all the people getting paid to wait in line for someone, why not instead just buy two phones, then throw it on ebay?

um maybe because you have to get a contract when you get the phone?

[devnull]

Quote, originally posted by c_rod44305 »

um maybe because you have to get a contract when you get the phone?

Um, not really? All of the activation and plan selection is after your unboxing (which you have to photograph and post on flickr) in the privacy of you own home .. Unless you're going prepaid or need your hand held.