Guess I'll be getting an iPhone this summer

[Jim]

I going to buy it. It will be the first apple device I will buy for myself since 1982

Speaking of Cingular...I heard last night that since AT&T acquired BellSouth, they are killing the name, "Cingular" and changing everyone to "AT&T". Slowly but surely, AT&T is buying back all the baby bells that were taken away from them years ago.

[Cleo]

I plan on buying it too and switching to Cingular from T-mobile despite some short comings that I see although I may wait for version two of the device depending on a few things like if the phone I have now is still in one piece.

[Jim]

An extra phone is always good to have Cleo. If your main phone takes a shit, you have the spare. With us having 5 phones on the family plan, the spare is always in use.

[cd34]

I have Cingular GSM (and have had Verizon and Sprint in South Florida) and in terms of ability to get a signal, even Cingular's TDMA beats those two hands down.

T-mobile coverage in South Florida is provided by TDMA & GSM (and in many cases they lease Cingular/AT&Ts towers)

Honestly, the only real hitch I think you'll have switching from Tmobile is the fact that Cingular has a totally screwed up package for Instant Message/SMS & Data. TMobile's TDMA coverage was better than Cingular's TDMA in some areas, but, their GSM seems about the same.

Hopefully Cingular will have a deal for data that is a little more attractive for users of the iPhone (or whatever Cisco will allow it to be called)

And Cingular is supporting Edge out of the gate -- but not supporting 3G. EDGE is a bit slower, but, still pretty darn useful for instant messaging and emails that you would want to compose on a phone. 3G would allow video to be streamed to your phone without problem.

Edge in South Florida is 135kb/sec in most areas, but, goes down to 70kb/sec based on distance and 'ruralness'

3G in South Florida (if you can get them to sell you 3G) is 400kb/sec - 700kb/sec. Then of course there's CingularConnect which has something like 4000 wifi hotspots nationwide -- many through Wayport (a hotspot provider). Doesn't include McDonalds wifi though...

[Jim]

http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-s...s/signMeUp.jsp
There you are guys...better sign up to get on the list

[Cleo]

Jeff Han is one of the people credited with helping develop the iPhone.
This is so kewl.
"Standing in front of a 36" by 27" screen tilted towards him, he began demonstrating how he could operate a computer using just his hands. The crowd whooped. "I think this is going to change the way we interact with computers," Han said"

And in other news…
YouTube video of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer laughing at it.

[Cleo]

Looks like it is going to be available June 29 as seen is this ad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m798MzUjUz8

Apple also posted ads today.
http://www.apple.com/iphone/ads/

Also looks like Google and Apple are in bed together.

[Jim]

So I am ready to get this phone on the 29th or so. But my son asked me last night, "How long to you think the battery lasts?" I looked and couldn't find that unimportant information

[Cleo]

http://www.apple.com/iphone/technology/specs.html
Technical Specifications

Screen size 3.5 inches
Screen resolution 320 by 480 at 160 ppi
Input method Multi-touch
Operating system OS X
Storage 4GB or 8GB
GSM Quad-band (MHz: 850, 900, 1800, 1900)
Wireless data Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) + EDGE + Bluetooth 2.0
Camera 2.0 megapixels
Battery
Up to 5 hoursTalk / Video / Browsing
Up to 16 hoursAudio playback
Dimensions 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches / 115 x 61 x 11.6mm
Weight 4.8 ounces / 135 grams

I still want to know if it has a silent vibration alert.

[Jim]

I just remembered this...
Did you see Bill Gates introduce this on the Today Show a couple of weeks ago? Seems like I saw it someplace before.

"Microsoft unveils revolutionary device"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18928656/

[Cleo]

Looks kind of like this
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...&q=multi-touch

[Cleo]

A few more specs got released today.
System requirements
- Mac or PC
- iTunes 7
- Internet access is required, and a broadband connection is recommended
- Mac: Mac with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later
- PC: Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2)
External Controls
- Volume Up / Down
- Ringer / Silent
- Power / Lock
- Sleep / Wake
- Menu Button
Dimensions
- 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches / 115 x 61 x 11.6mm
Weight 4.8 ounces / 125 grams
Input Method - Multi-touch
Operating System - OS X
Screen size - 3.5 inches
Screen resolution - 320 x 480 at 160 ppi
Storage - 4GB or 8GB
GSM - Quad-band (MHz: 850, 900, 1800, 1900)
Wireless data
- Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) + EDGE + Bluetooth 2.0
Camera - 2.0 megapixels
Battery
- Lithium
- Up to 5 hours - Talk / Video / Browsing
- Up to 16 hours - Audio playback
(Battery life varies by use)
Connectors and other input & output
- 30 pin iPod connector
- 3.5mm jack includes audio and mic support
- SIM tray
- Built-in speaker
- Built-in microphone

[Thebossxxx]

looks nice!

[Cleo]

A few more leaked details...

It does vibrate and the SIM is removable.

From
http://www.electronista.com/articles...ne.sales.book/

New details of the iPhone's exact features have been revealed, courtesy of a leaked workbook posted online. While the book is primarily intended to help sales agents promote the most common Internet, media, and phone calling features of the device, the text also contains information about commonly asked questions for everyday use of the phone. The handset will be able to multitask in the right conditions, AT&T says: when in the presence of a Wi-Fi network, the phone can browse the web or check e-mail while handliing a call, taking advantage of multiple connections. The device will also sync contacts directly from Outlook or Outlook Express on Windows PCs as well as Address Book on Mac OS X systems.
Other minor features confirmed include a vibrate mode for silent notification, an audio alert option for SMS text messages, and sync support for bookmarks from both Mac and Windows PCs.

But a number of features of other AT&T devices won't be in the phone, the text warns. Many of AT&T's cellular-only services (including direct cellular Internet media download and streaming) won't be an option for the device, the book says. Instant messaging is also absent from the device in its current form. Notably, the text's authors are already aware of objections over the lack of GPS in the initial device and asks AT&T agents to reassure that they will "let Apple know this is of interest" to customers -- pointing to a possible inclusion in a future device.

The leak is not a complete one and only touches on highlights of the iPhone's manual, but whether or not there are more features beyond those revealed in the sales documentation is unknown.

[Simon]

As usual, once there are enough units in distribution to make it possible, Apple is now offering some refurbished iPhones for $100 less than the normal list price. These still have 1-year warranty and AppleCare is available to extend the warranty another year.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...aldeals/iphone

[Cleo]

I was at the Apple store yesterday because I wanted to play around with Finalcut Express. I'm thinking of getting this to work with movies for when I need something with more features then iMovie has.

Anyway I was there for over a hour working with Finalcut Express trying to decide if it would fit my needs but I kept on being distracted by the iPhone that was also hooked up to the iMac that I was using.

I'm still waiting to see if Apple releases a 3G version of the iPhone but being able to pick one up for $100 off is really making it hard to wait.

[digifan]

I can vibrate too

I won't buy it in the near future, I promise you.

[Receptor]

And when is this little beast coming to The Old Continent (Europe)?

[Triton2004]

It looks great, but I don't want to buy it...I have SE and it's good for me...

[Simon]

For those who are interested in using the iPhone on other carriers or maybe in other countries, here's a story about the first hacked iPhone.

Teen trades hacked iPhone for 'sweet' car

The teenage hacker who managed to unlock the iPhone so that it can be used with cellular networks other than AT&T will be trading his reworked gadget for a new car.

[Cleo]

Apple just announced that the 8 gig model is now going for $399.
http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/09...ecut/index.php

I wonder if they are clearing out innovatory because a newer model will be out soon?

[Simon]

Nice... and they added info that the 4GB iPhone is now selling for $299

[Simon]

This letter from Steve Jobs promises a $100 credit if you bought an iPhone before the price reduction...

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/openiphoneletter/

[Cleo]

Looks like a 3G model in November.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles..._november.html

[bDok]

Originally Posted by Cleo

Looks like a 3G model in November.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles..._november.html

yup. That's what i'm waiting for. Friend got the upgraded version of the phone I have (the cingular 8215) he got the new 8525 that uses the UMTS/HSDPA and the speed is nice. He showed that you could stream decent music from the internet.

Plus I'm waiting just for more nice apps to be created before I jump. As of right now except for speed I'm happy with my 8125.

Cheers,
B