The Second Coming
June 10th, 2008 by Joe Bardi in Random Acts
Apple honcho Steve Jobs unveiled the electronics giant’s new iPhone 3G yesterday. The second incarnation of the company’s hipster-coveted handset, the iPhone 3G is a little bit thinner (much like Jobs himself), a lot faster (about twice as fast as the first generation iPhone) and now has built-in GPS. All this for a new lower price of $199-$299 depending on how much memory you want. You’re thinking, “where do I line up?”
Not so fast there, Captain MasterCard.
Technology fans have notoriously short memories. Think back to September 2007: Three months after Apple unleashed the original iPhone, they dropped the price by $200. A few (i.e., tens of thousands) of the early iPhone adopters were outraged — outraged!!! — that Apple had taken them for a ride. But that was then. The price of the iPhone 3G has already been cut way down, a smart move by Apple that will halt any “They’re just going to drop the price in a few months” scuttlebutt dead in its tracks.
So, should you buy one when the phone hits the street on July 11? It depends, but probably not.
Along with the iPhone 3G, Apple unveiled the new iTunes App Store. Starting in early July, Apple will upgrade for free both first and second generation iPhones to the new iPhone 2.0 software. (iPod touch users will have to fork over $9.99 for the upgrade.) In addition to refining the Operating System (OS), the new software will allow you to download applications that run natively on the phone. Currently, all third-party programs are Web-based (requiring an Internet connection to work), and have no access to the powerful iPhone OS. These new applications, distributed through the iTunes App Store, will take full advantage of the power of the iPhone. Since almost anyone with the know-how can download Apple’s development software for free and start creating programs, there should be hundreds of desirable programs in very short order. Expect iPhone gaming to take off in a big way right after launch.
But note that while Apple is about to unleash hundreds of programs for you to download, it did not bump the storage options for the phone. There are still only two choices: 8 or 16 gigabytes (GB) of storage. For users that just want a cool phone and don’t really care about the iPod, watching video or using a large number of the new applications the phone will offer, this new iPhone 3G is a winner.
But for people who, you know, actually want to use all the bells and whistles they just plunked down their hard-earned cash for, 16 GB is woefully small. And Apple knows it.
(Author’s note: I have a 16 GB iPod Touch, and it’s a constant battle for me to create enough free space.)
My prediction is that by November (and probably sooner), a 32 GB iPhone 3G will be available. 32 GB is a much more reasonable storage size for a phone that is capable of doing so many things. (iPod fans: Bet on a 64GB iPod Touch before the holidays as well.)
The bottom line: The new iPhone 3G looks great, GPS and 3G are much needed additions, and the App Store is very promising. But the phone will look a lot better in the fall, when you can actually load the phone with all the content your heart desires. Can you hold out that long? Apple is betting you can’t. But what do they know? They’ve only sold millions of phones all over the world and turned the cell phone market on its head — all in less than a year. Jesus phone, indeed.
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June 10th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
MAC is so good at promoting, and every one just falls on there tail.
But Apple/MAC needs to do better.
Yes the phone is great looking, but what’s new, faster internet ?, is the camera much better ? why is there no video call’s ? Actually the new things is still OLD. Can I change my battery ?, No the iPhone is the same old phone, wit a faster internet, still stone-age technology, in this business
No Apple, has done this again. People like my self got the first one, and was happy with the internet and mail, but in a business you need copy / Paste, but this are you still not getting. Apple’s discussion forum, is no good, all you will hear is ” the iPhone does not do this or that” so get the new iPhone 3G and get ready to get disappointed
June 11th, 2008 at 12:18 am
i really can’t bring myself to drink the apple (read iPod/iPhone) kool-aid.
that said, i am currently lusting after a macbook.
i am now searching for a ’smart’ phone, but it will probably be a blackberry pearl 8210, tilt, or treo.
June 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
The iPhone continues to be a work in progress. It’s my feeling that once the App Store is up and running, most of the “This is missing from the iPhone” complaints are going to disappear, as the software will fill in the gaps.
That being said, here’s my list of what’s wrong:
— Memory. Needs to be at least 32GB, and even that is only going to suffice for another year or so.
— The camera is in dire need of an upgrade.
— In addition, the phone cries out for a camera on the front for video conferencing.
— Programs need to be able to run in the background (I appreciate Apple’s reasoning as to why this doesn’t happen now, but they better figure this one out).
— The phone needs to be available for any carrier. Screw this AT&T exclusive deal. Congress should ban these types of deals as anti-competitive.
That’s not a huge list, and I’ll bet many of those are addressed when iPhone 3.0 shows up next year.
JJ, I’ve messed around with the Blackberry, and I personally prefer the iPhone. I don’t think the Blackberry is a bad choice, though. It all depends on what features you’re looking for. I thought the Blackberry was far to “serious” for my taste, and the OS is still very clunky.