iPhone reviews arrive

Overall, Apple good but weakened by AT&T

The iPhone has arrived. So what's the verdict on the most anticipated electronic gadget of the year? I'll sum it up this way: Apple good. AT&T bad. That seems to be the consensus whether it be AT&T's slow Edge network or the awful typical customer service at AT&T stores versus Apple stores. Apple demonstrates once again that it really has its act together when it comes to producing and launching a new product. Being partnered with AT&T really just highlights that further since it gives a contrast.

Here are some of the more interesting reviews we've seen:

 

The strengths of the iPhone are mostly about its construction, fantastic UI, ease of use, good speaker, and WiFi support.  The downside revolves very largely on two points which some (myself included) consider show-stoppers.  First, unless you're using it in a WiFi area, forget surfing the net with it. The Edge network is dial-up quality. So web browsing is not going to be something you would want to do. Secondly, the battery cannot be removed and is expected to only last about 2 years. To replace the battery, users have to send their phone to Apple for battery replacement. I don't know about you but I either need my phone or I don't. Having it gone for a week or two is not something I can do and at $600, one assumes that the user needs their cell phone.

My personal take is to wait for a second-generation iPhone. One with a removable battery and 3G support.  I wouldn't be surprised to see that come out next year.  It's a bummer, however, that the iPhone has an exclusive with AT&T for 5 years.

17,257 views 34 replies
Reply #1 Top
After reading the news today, I would say $600.00 for something that doesn't work well is like buying a computer without a monitor. Well spent $600.00 I don't think so. I say wait and some say I gotta have. Good luck to the gotta haves, cause it just might not work and your old cell may look great, but you can't use both. Shame on the cell companies, they do this all the time. Hate the new phone, well too bad the old one won't work. Just like buying a new computer with Vista on it, some were so sad, wanted the old xp back, wow you can do that!!! Saved !!!! My husband owned one of the oldest cell phones Sprint saw recently, he finally upgraded after soooo many years. He really doesn't like the phone but said it will be a very long time before he upgrades again.
Reply #2 Top
locked to AT&T and can't change the battery....

looks pretty, but I'll wait also.
Reply #3 Top
I read that Apple chose to use the EDGE network instead of the 3G network. I don't know for sure, but that's pretty sad if they did.

Oh well.

I just don't want the pastiche of Apple.
Reply #4 Top
I don't even want the cell service . . give me the PDA and I'd be happy.  I'll grab the cell after the network opens up.  -sigh-
Reply #5 Top
The TV news said there will be a second version of iPhone at the end of the year. Which means if you want to upgrade it'll cost you another $500. AT&T upgrade is every 2 years.

I think i'll buy Apple stock.  
Reply #6 Top
i wonder how long it will take people to realize they can get almost the exact same thing in a smart phone but its a lot cheaper and not as flashy looking, but at least you can have a removable battery and be able to choose your service provider
Reply #7 Top
$600.00 for a phone! And people say I'm crazy. I don't even own a cell phone. I can't think of anyone I want to talk to so bad, I can't wait till I get home.
Reply #8 Top
The TV news said there will be a second version of iPhone at the end of the year. Which means if you want to upgrade it'll cost you another $500. AT&T upgrade is every 2 years.


The rumors that the news are reporting is that the iPhone will get a somewhat "major" software update to address issues like instant messaging, ringtones, etc.


Reply #9 Top

I read that Apple chose to use the EDGE network instead of the 3G network. I don't know for sure, but that's pretty sad if they did.

I suppose the slower EDGE network was chosen because 3G is not as widespread as EDGE.

I think for up to $600 the IPhone shouldn't be soo locked up. I think the biggest Con of the IPhone other than it being on AT&T is it is 100% Apple. Hardly any flexibility, Expandability and no third party. Maybe in future updates Apple will loosen it's grip on the IPhone.

Pros?...It is the next newest, sleekest, awesome, amazing Gadget that you must have to be the coolest person on the planet.

 

elvee runs for cover from potential IPhone luvers!   

Reply #10 Top
just looks good..thats about it
Reply #11 Top
That's about par for Apple. They design the most powerful phone ever, and lock it into crappy vendor, make it seamless with zero battery replacement possibility. Sound familiar?

5 year agreement will kill iPhone. 5 years is insanely long in this day and age.
Reply #12 Top
I recently purchased a Treo 750, major piece of junk, IMO, considered the IPhone but traded the Treo back in for the new Blackberry Curve. It does exactly what I need and the battery life is exceptional, (and you can actually change it!), and it's features, OS and GUI are solid . The Curve is a really nice device by RIM so the IPhone became a distant consideration at this point. After my 2 yr. contract comes up on the Curve I might consider again but the cons outweigh the pros at least at this point on the $600.00 Iphone that you can't even replace the battery on. I guess the steep price is to help Apple pay for all the hype they have been pumping out of their PR machine. Locking into a 5 year agreement in that market sector seems a little crazy to me, but what do I know . Pretty GUI, pretty ugly execution, again, IMO.
Reply #13 Top
Okay, first I'm very happy that the iPhone is finally under good hands to review; I'm also happier that none of the apple fanboys got the chance to review this product before other people, thank god.

Secondly, I live in the UAE (Google it) so everyone must know that the mobile technology advancement in my country is way ahead of the known technologies in the USA, it is a fact and I've seen it in front of my eyes, and been hearing about it all over the net every time someone talks of some service in the USA or some new mobile.
My point is really clear; I'm not a PC vs. MAC "guy", I'm more of a technology lover, I like good stuff that gives me hope of a better tomorrow and a dream like future (which will happen wither we like it or not).

I've read all the talk that have been running around the Internet about this "Jesus" phone, I've heard of many competitors and many tries that for some reason Analysts and writers always called them "a failure" compared to the iPhone... Wait a second, a failure??? So, I started questioning: How the hick did they decide that these iPhone-like mobiles are not as good as the iPhone without even touching the iPhone??
So I reached into a simple conclusion: These writers and analysts are a bunch of air-head, talk-loving, rumor-spreading, unreliable sources whatsoever... hold on, don't shift to the next post until you finish reading my comment.

Why do I call them air-heads? Basically, because all their talk and hype lifting stories are only based on: the look, and the good talk from Steve Jobs conferences, without taking into consideration the bad side of every single feature the iPhone has.
Guys, at some point in history Steve Jobs had a great idea, he actually lead the start of a PC (Personal Computers) market from its "A" point, in other words, 20 years ago, Steve Jobs had a new thing to show the world, but now, sorry to say this: He is fooling people around by joining the Hollywood hype of advertisements and crappy marketing strategies.

I'm not talking about Microsoft here, so don't start bringing up names and other companies; I'm only talking about the Apple as it being the Apple brand, nothing more and nothing less. If you think that Apple is great then that's good for you, and if you hate them then also well for you, because at the end life goes on and sticking to an opinion is not bad after all.

Anyways, the way I would like to think of this whole market war is: Give me more, in less price; I'll then respect you until someone else brings up something good... If I buy a Samsung and love it and after one year I find a nice thing from Phillips then I will defiantly shift, especially if it suits my standards of life... I'm not going to stick around Samsung and defend them for whatever they do, I'll not even care of them until they keep up with the commitment and potential they showed me in the product that I bought from them. I think that everybody agrees on this part.
And now, after the respected reviews are out and the iPhone spics are revealed I would like to announce my full disrespect to Apple's Steve Job for all the talk he did and all the dreams he made me had of a brighter future!

Around me right now people who own 3.5G compatible phones, with full browsing support, and full flash and JAVA support, with extendable memory that I think is really cheap in the UAE (2 GB card for DHR 200 = USD 50 ), with high resolution cameras, video recording, any song ring tones, nice and bright screens, audio and video playback, visual voice mail through the network, Mobile TV (through the wonderful 3.5G network we have), MMS and email support, free SDK support for developers, and much much more.
All of this makes me wonder why do people still talk of the iPhone? Then it pops up and the answer comes: it is because of the Multi-Touch Screen, the coolness of the flicking motion that you do to view lists and pictures... That's it??????!!

History is repeating itself! Remember when Steve Started the PC evolution and everybody were hyped and cool about it, but what did actually happen next? Steve found himself stuck with no usable software, so bill takes the game and starts the real revolution... So, what do I want to say?

Well, I predict that the iPhone is going to be a real failure for Steve, maybe not money wise, but morally and technologically, simply because he has a huge fan base, but if you come to think about it very well, the iPhone cuts the human mental smartness into 2 pieces and grills the brains of people then stab us in the back with a handful of evilness and absolutely ugly intentions.

Eventually some company is going to take over the Multi-touch Screen and re-introduce it in a better way and better services or hardware; in a way that will really serve the human race the right direction, going parallel with the technology that people get from their networks and service providers.

The iPhone has nothing new except for the touch-Screen which might be the best thing around but with humiliation we cause to our selves by using this outdated, service wise, mobile that has got the attention of the entire human race.
Don't get me wrong people, but the iPhone really is nothing but a cooperation game which Steve decided to play with AT&T, throwing away all of his nice and respectable morals and way of thinking.

iPhone is: a system that works so good that it reminds me of a Flash game; a system so damn locked and SDK-less that reminds me of a stupid Flash game; a system that is so money-sucking that reminds me of a business "GAME"!
Enjoy the hype people; I'm still waiting for a better phone, a better device, or maybe a better iPhone!

Peace out
Reply #14 Top
the Samsung i730 is a much better phone than the iPhone or Treo. I'm surprised it's never gotten the press it deserves.

5 years with AT&T? WOW! In 2 years Windows Mobile phones will all be running 800x480 resolution and use broadband internet. Then there's the other little features called "thousands of applications by 3rd parties".

3rd party apps are the best thing to happen to a mobile phone. Want to track your bowling average, manage your diet plan, read your RSS feeds, play casino games, surf the web, work with office docs, even remote control your home computer!!! You can do it all right now with a Windows Mobile phone. Who would have thought microsoft would be running the "more open" OS!
Reply #15 Top
Mr Jobs might like to think the iPhone will ride on the coat-tails of the success of his beloved iPod, but a moblie phone is a more dedicated piece of technology than a portable music/video player, so the iPhone is bound to go down like a lead balloon as the market identifies with other manufacturers/providers offering greater services/options, etc.

The iPhone and the suicidal 5 year stint with AT&T will be a marketing disaster and the final nail in Jobs' corporate coffin.
Reply #16 Top
Here's a brief summary of what I need from a mobile phone....
1.A bit to talk into.
2.A bit to listen to the other person on.
3.A bit that takes messages.
4.A bit that receives and sends texts.

That's it for me ,the rest is just garnish as far as my needs go.
If I want to buy a phone I buy a phone,not some company's vision of how my life should be.
What a shallow vacuous place this world is becoming.
Reply #17 Top
The iPhone and the suicidal 5 year stint with AT&T will be a marketing disaster and the final nail in Jobs' corporate coffin.


I seriously doubt that.  Not trying to defend Jobs' here, but that is the same thing I constantly here about Microsoft, etc.  Even if the iPhone were to "fail",  it's not going to shut Apple down.


Reply #18 Top

elvee agrees with Island Dog on that one.

I do think Mr. Jobs can be closed minded though.

Reply #19 Top
I seriously doubt that. Not trying to defend Jobs' here, but that is the same thing I constantly here about Microsoft, etc. Even if the iPhone were to "fail", it's not going to shut Apple down.


I wasn't suggesting it would bring Apple down, but rather that Jobs' 'cult' following will take a few steps back and not so blindly follow him where wiser businessmen would fear to tread.

His penchant for exclusivity (option limiting) will make people more wary of keeping up with the Jobses.
Reply #20 Top
I wasn't suggesting it would bring Apple down, but rather that Jobs' 'cult' following will take a few steps back and not so blindly follow him where wiser businessmen would fear to tread.


BLASPHEMY!!

You will be punished!



Zubaz passes the kool ade back to Island dog


Reply #21 Top
My hatred of AT&T > My interest in the wonderful iPhone. Simple as that.

AT&T = not even if they gave it to me for free.
Reply #22 Top
I bought a 4gig iPhone on Saturday and LOVE IT! It has better reception than my Moto RAZR V3, showing a stronger signal in my office and at home, so far. The call audio quality is very good, as is the iPod audio. And using Cover Flow to navigate the iPod function is a revelation on a portable device. I don't use it much on my iMac but it seems very useful on the phone.

You don't realize just how sucky the RAZR software is until you spend a few minutes using the iPhone, finding settings to tinker with is incredibly easy with this device. Using your finger to flip, tap, swipe, etc is MUCH better than trying to use that awful little flat touchpad/joystick piece of crap on the RAZR.

I suspect the main reason they didn't go with full 3G is that after checking AT&T's coverage maps last week, 3G is only available in 35 states, and only in 1-2 metropolitan areas in most of those states. They just don't have nationwide coverage for 3G. Why release a product that is only going to work in a minute part of the country? I don't care if that small land area covers 80% of the population, people move around, and would lose signal quite often and be even more angry.
Reply #23 Top
BLASPHEMY!!

You will be punished!


Yeah, and who's got a big enough stick????? Surely you jest if you think his smugness (Jobs) could do it....it's doubtful that turtleneck would have the strength to even pick it up, much less swing it.

Anyway, you go and enjoy your kool ade....I deserve to be punished and am off to find the missus' cat o' nine for her.
Reply #24 Top

Here's a brief summary of what I need from a mobile phone....
1.A bit to talk into.
2.A bit to listen to the other person on.
3.A bit that takes messages.
4.A bit that receives and sends texts.

Mine's a bit shorter...and what a flipping phone is SUPPOSED TO DO.

1.A bit to talk into.
2.A bit to listen to the other person on.

If I want to fart around with a load of extraneous crap I'll buy myself a can of beans...


 

Reply #25 Top
Phone, cell, wireless, thats what was intended. I do not have a home phone, because I don't like people to call me unless I want them to. text, yes thats good too. IPhone is a small computer, so buy a laptop with wifi, spend $600.00 get something they will replace in a couple years, I can buy (guts) for the computer to upgrade. Please tell me why people flock to get new stuff, untested? Why can't people wait till the (bugs) get worked out first? Second generation is always the best. If you wait, they will improve if no one buys but they flock in to spend hard earned money on junk, cause they just gotta have it. Hats off to people with too much money to waste.