Jun

26

The Apple phone combines intelligent voice calling, and a full-blown iPod, with a beautiful new interface for music and video playback. It offers the best Web browser we have seen on a smart phone, and robust email software. And it synchronizes easily and well with both Windows and Macintosh computers using Apple’s iTunes software.

It has the largest and highest-resolution screen of any smart phone we’ve seen, and the most internal memory by far. Yet it is one of the thinnest smart phones available and offers impressive battery life, better than its key competitors claim.

It feels solid and comfortable in the hand and the way it displays photos, videos and Web pages on its gorgeous screen makes other smart phones look primitive.

The iPhone’s most controversial feature, the omission of a physical keyboard in favor of a virtual keyboard on the screen, turned out in our tests to be a nonissue, despite our deep initial skepticism. After five days of use, Walt — who did most of the testing for this review — was able to type on it as quickly and accurately as he could on the Palm Treo he has used for years. This was partly because of smart software that corrects typing errors on the fly.

Read Full Review at All Things Digital

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Jun

26

activation_hero20070626.pngWhen they purchase an iPhone, customers can use iTunes on a Mac or PC to activate their new phones in the comfort and privacy of their homes or offices instead of waiting for activation in a store. With iTunes guiding them through the simple steps of choosing a service plan, authorizing their credit, and activating their iPhone, they can complete the activation process in minutes. Following activation, new iPhone customers can again use iTunes to easily sync their phone numbers and other contact information, calendars, email accounts, web browser bookmarks, music, photos, podcasts, TV shows, and movies with iPhone.

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Jun

18

email_image_20070612.jpgApple® today announced that iPhone™ will deliver significantly longer battery life when it ships on June 29 than was originally estimated when iPhone was unveiled in January. iPhone will feature up to 8 hours of talk time, 6 hours of Internet use, 7 hours of video playback or 24 hours of audio playback.* In addition, iPhone will feature up to 250 hours—more than 10 days—of standby time. Apple also announced that the entire top surface of iPhone, including its stunning 3.5-inch display, has been upgraded from plastic to optical-quality glass to achieve a superior level of scratch resistance and optical clarity.

“With 8 hours of talk time, and 24 hours of audio playback, iPhone’s battery life is longer than any other ‘Smartphone’ and even longer than most MP3 players,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’ve also upgraded iPhone’s entire top surface from plastic to optical-quality glass for superior scratch resistance and clarity. There has never been a phone like iPhone, and we can’t wait to get this truly magical product into the hands of customers starting just 11 days from today.”

iPhone introduces an entirely new user interface based on a revolutionary multi-touch display and pioneering new software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. iPhone combines three products into one small and lightweight handheld device—a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and the Internet in your pocket with best-ever applications on a mobile phone for email, web browsing and maps. iPhone ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, which completely redefines what users can do on their mobile phones.

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May

29

Ok, so here’s a guy that’s dreaming. VIM3 blog clams to have “inside” info on several unannounced iPhone features. I don’t think Apple would intentionally leave out all of these features. We examine below.

Here’s the low down:

4 and 8 gig?! There’s more Memory! - The iPhone will be sporting a substantially “larger” flash memory drive that first announced. There will be two models one with about 40% less memory than the other. This explains the the 100 dollar difference in price from the smaller model to the larger. (Note: Makes sense…at the 4 and 8 gig sizes, the Nano size premium is only 50 dollars…why would the iPhone be 100?)

iPhonePlanet: notice how they give no clam to size. This would be nice but …… not going to happen.

User Replacable Battery - The iPod has been critized by many for not having a way for the user to have the battery replacable by the user. Well, the iPhone guys heard you…at least for the iPhone. The iPhone will sport a way to replace the battery. The lower speaker area of the iPhone slides down to reveal a battery…(this was not featured in the Macworld display model). No more worries of 3 hour battery life.

iPhonePlanet: no iPod has every had a user replaceable battery. First gen iPhone …. not going to happen.

Wireless N Support - The iPhone features a wireless chipset, which includes draft-N support. Nothing more to say here.

iPhonePlanet: why would this be a secret?

Software - Why was OS X delayed? Maybe because teams have been hard at work on iPhone software? The iPhone will feature variations of iWork and iLife suites. The iPhone variation of iWork will feature word processing, spreadsheets, and a slideshow viewer.

iPhonePlanet: now this I could see and really use. I see this coming in a software update at a later date, but ……. not going to happen .. out of the box.

iTunes Streaming - Want to listen to something on your computer that not on you iPhone? iPhone features built in Bonjour (from OS X)! The iPhone will allow you to stream content from an iTunes computer on a Wi-Fi network! You can watch The Incredibles on your iPhone without taking up disk space!

iPhonePlanet: I like the concept and this may come true, but …. not going to happen …. out of the box.

iTunes Store - Ever want to buy those DRM free EMI music on your phone? The iPhone can let you do that! The iPhone features a variation of the iTunes Store, which allows you to buy pretty much anything already available. The service will allow you to download using Wi-Fi internet or if you have internet service through your carrier (AT&T in the USA). The best part is…you can transfer your purchases to your computer. Just as iPhone copies media from your computer, iPhone utilizes iTunes “Transfer Purchases” to copy your recent iPhone/iTunes Store purchases.

iPhonePlanet: again possible future feature.

Price / AT&T Service Plans - The 500 or 600 buck price point seem a little high? Steve knows it high, but would u buy an iPod in Feburary or March if the price difference between an iPod Video and iPhone wasn’t that great? You might have waited. The iPhone will see a rebate with a 2-year contract and special iPhone plans from AT&T.

iPhonePlanet: the opening price’s are set in stone ….. expect nothing different.

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May

24

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Analyst: Apple to demo new MacBook Pros at WWDC, but no iPhone.: “Apple will show off new MacBook Pro notebooks along with a full demonstration of the next operating system, Mac OS X 10.5 (a.k.a. Leopard), at next month’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), a Wall Street analyst predicted Wednesday.

PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster rejected rumors that Apple will tout its iPhone at the conference, which opens June 11 in San Francisco. Instead, Apple will launch the new cellular phone in late June. At WWDC, Munster wrote in a note to investors, CEO Steve Jobs and crew will flesh out the remaining undisclosed features of Leopard, announce updated or new MacBook Pro models, and perhaps unveil a revamped iMac desktop lineup. ‘We believe the Street would react positively to such product announcements,’ he said.

Munster’s forecast didn’t exactly come from left field. Apple has already promised that Leopard, once scheduled for a spring release but now shooting for October, would be feature-complete by WWDC. Developers, in fact, are to receive beta copies of the new operating system at the conference.

Nor is the MacBook call a long shot. Just last week the Cupertino, Calif. computer maker tweaked the MacBooks by boosting hard disk capacity and bumping up processor speeds, clearing the way for an upgrade to the pricier Pro models. Analysts, pundits, and bloggers have for weeks been hyping the idea of LED-backlit MacBook Pros using the new Intel Santa Rosa chip set.

Although neither Apple or AT&T have spilled an iPhone launch date, Munster figures it will come after WWDC. That means there’s little chance sales will boost Apple’s bottom line for the quarter ending June 30. However, during the next three months, Munster predicted Apple would sell approximately one million iPhones at an average price of $550 each. But because Apple plans to account for iPhone revenues over the life of each phone’s contract, the company will see only $27.5 million in recognized revenues for the quarter.

Munster also pegged the September quarter as the time frame for a widescreen iPod — essentially a stripped iPhone. ‘Expect Apple to launch new widescreen iPods with the iPhone’s multi-touch technology at a price-point below the iPhone’s $499,’ said Munster. ‘Like $399.’”

(Via InfoWorld.)

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May

12

apple_truck.jpgThe release of Apple’s iPhone is getting close. For the last six months the news has been all over the place. Perhaps one of the most anticipated electronic product launches ever.

Our sources inside Cingular AT&T have told us the iPhone will be delivered to some company stores via armored truck. We laughed at this too, but then realized all the implications. We were told that during the launch of the Moto Razr several hundred units went missing, and to combat would-be thief’s all precautions would be taken by Cingular AT&T. “We are currently scrambling trying to get store’s ready for delivery. Management staff has been told no vacation time will be granted during the initial lunch period.”

iPhonePlanet.net

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May

12

T-Partner.jpgGermany-based T-Mobile may become the iPhone’s official carrier for Europe, according to those close to the negotiations. Although it had previously been suggested that Vodafone would win — an implication the carrier publically denied — it’s now believed that its rival at T-Mobile is favored as the sole outlet for iPhone sales in the continent. Other Europe-wide providers such as O2 and Orange were said to have been in the running but unsuccessful in reaching the later stages of contract discssions. Terms of a possible deal weren’t discussed but may be different than the multi-year exclusivity agreement Apple has signed with AT&T in the US.
Concerns have been raised about the wisdom of the deal, however. Gartner research head Martin Gutberlet has indicated that while Vodafone’s customized Live! Portal would be at odds with Apple’s handset, which will likely insist on iTunes as its sole PC interface, the choice of T-Mobile would artificially limit the iPhone’s potential market.

“It would be in Apple’s best interests to get more than one operator to distribute the phone because the European market is more fragmented than the US,” Gutberlet said. T-Mobile does not operate in as many countries as Vodafone, and would be locked out of key European countries such as France, Italy, and Spain.

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May

12

“I wish developing great products was as easy as writing a check,” Jobs said. “If so, then Microsoft would have great products.”

Jobs also pointed out the challenges Apple faces when entering the cellular phone market. He pointed out that in 2006 there were 135 million MP3 players and 200 million PCs sold. In contrast, during 2006 one billion cell phones were sold.

“We’re beginners and we have a lot to learn,” said Jobs. “The market is large and the opportunities are great. A few of us have been using the iPhone a lot and if you wanted it back, you would have to pry it from our dead hands.”

Jobs did acknowledge that the company is still struggling to decide if third-party developers will be able to create software that will run on the iPhone. It’s a decision Apple “is wrestling with,” according to Jobs.

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Apr

25

steve.jpg“We are taking this bold step to leverage what we do best,” chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer said during a conference call with analysts and members of the media. He added that some of the new iPhone applications will be “entirely new applications.”

Oppenheimer offered few additional details on the two-pronged initiative, but implied that the new features and applications would be made available through automatic software updates to both iPhone and Apple TV.

In order to account for the new features, Apple said it will document iPhone and Apple TV income through a subscription based accounting model, in which income will be distributed over a 24-month period. Payments from AT&T/Cingular will be reported on a quarterly basis.

During the call, executives for the Cupertino-based company also revealed that Apple retail store personnel are “putting a lot of energy into preparing for the launch” of iPhone and how to best market the revolutionary device to customers.

Although Apple has yet to begin taking iPhone orders through retail or its online store, it said to expect an announcement at a later date.

The company remains on track to introduce the device in Europe during the fourth calendar quarter (Oct. - Dec.) and Asia in 2008. In the United States, iPhones will be sold via Apple.com, Cingular.com, Apple retail stores, and Cingular/AT&T retail stores. They will not be sold through Cingular/AT&T partner stores such as Best Buy.

Apple chief operating officer Tim Cook would not comment on initial iPhone supply, explaining that the company had not yet begun manufacturing ramp of the device.

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Apr

23

att_cingular_logo.jpgCingular, which acquired AT&T Wireless, recently decided that the iPhone will appeal to business users and the operator is now working hard to ensure that its back-end enterprise billing and support systems will accommodate the device when it ships, said a source familiar with the company’s plans, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

An AT&T spokesman said he couldn’t comment on the iPhone beyond when it will become available and its price. The phone is expected to become available in June. It will cost $499 or $599 depending on the memory size. Initially, AT&T will be the exclusive provider of the iPhone, although other service providers are expected to eventually start selling it as well.

The idea of marketing the iPhone as an enterprise product baffles some analysts.

If AT&T announces that it will be marketing the phone to enterprise customers, “we’d be against it,” said Ken Dulaney, an analyst with Gartner, who said he hasn’t heard of such a plan from the operator. “We’d immediately tell our customers that’d be a very serious mistake.”

No matter what kind of reputation a vendor has, if it’s making its first phone, Dulaney would be unlikely to recommend it. “Building a phone is one of the most difficult things to do,” he said.

Also, the iPhone is expected to have a number of shortcomings for business users, he said. For example, it doesn’t have a removable battery. “You’d be crazy to buy without that,” Dulaney said. The phone has multiple processors, which consumes more battery life than single processors, he said.

It also comes with a touch screen and no buttons, making it difficult for users to dial while driving, he noted.

He suspects that enterprises will likely decide against the iPhone for similar reasons that many decide not to standardize on Mac computers. Even if the iPhone is attractive, like the Mac, they’ll choose BlackBerry or Windows Mobile devices because those have more software application options, he said.

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