I had lunch with journalist Steve Gillmor yesterday. I wanted his input on the Google/Salesforce story I was working on and so we met at our favorite hangout near San Francisco airport. But he jokingly answered all of my questions with “Yes, but what does that have to do with the iPhone?” His point was that the iPhone will change everything this year, and it was all he wanted to talk about. In particular, it changes how we will think of the integration between a computer and a device.
As of June 29, the launch date for the iPhone, the two devices will really be a single integrated computing device – you just take part of it with you when you leave home. If you can watch the new iPhone television ads that were published today and still not believe that, then I’d like to hear why.
The real hype around the iPhone hasn’t even started yet. And I can’t wait to get one of these things in my hand. I expect light posting here on June 29, as I and the rest of the team will most likely be standing in a very long line waiting to get one of these very expensive little gadgets.
I’m especially interested in reports of an SDK in the offing.
I’m not one to buy products sight unseen, but this phone will tempt me to no end. I’ll give it a few months and hopefully the hype will die down, making it easier to secure one without such a restrictive contract.
Sitting Duck – yes, it looks like developers may have a way to port mac apps over to the iphone, which is awesome. Crunchgear is also saying the device may have a GPS, which is also great news.
It’s the futre. Eventually that will be your whole computer and operating system. Nand flash memory will be cheaper in the future. I think that this device will hook to blank LCD and everything will be there. It’s going to be huge, i dont’ think steve jobs want to make something that is crap.
Wow. Speechless. I have never before been more excited about a product in my lifetime. I will camp for a week to get one!
I continue to say the same thing. The price puts this out of the reach of most of the population. Period. Now will people buy it? Sure.. the same people riding around in MB’s working McD.
The data cost alone will be why the phones get disconnected. Oh Mrs. Jones you didn’t realize that everytime you load TechCrunch that is a charge of $1.25 in data charges, so sorry.
And from the iPod perspective, does it have an FM tuner?
Is it pretty? Yes. Is it functional for personal use? Yes. Is it a Blackberry replacement? No. Will the Fortune 500 run out and buy them? Nope. Do I win the bet? Yep.
You just know that justin and the other “live” bloggers will be out at the apple stores in san fran and sv to capture the excitement of sleeping on the ground waiting for one of these devices.
And I will bet that we will see loads of “boxes” up on ebay
It is too expensive and the multiyear contract with at&t limits it to customers who can put up with a horrible network. By the time the contract expires there will be competing products on the market and apple would not have established a edge as it did with the ipod. So the idea is great but it won’t be apple that captures this market.
Apple wants to sell 10 million of these by the end of 2008, giving them a 1% market share. They are going to blow right through that number. I’d bet TechCrunch on it.
Well, maybe not. But I’d bet my Motorola Q on it.
You mean the Q that you dropped and broke?
I still stand firm that while the phone is nice and pretty, it won’t work for biz and biz is where it’s at. Consumers will buy this up quick initially because well the stars will have it.
Whatever Paris has or fidy cent, etc has — people will want. But this is out of the reach of most American consumers.
iPod is easy – spend $200 and you are done.
Not with iPhone. Breaking a contract from current provider, paying for $599 device plus the data and other charges will eat people alive.
Makes me think back to 1992 AOL and my $500 AOL bill. But my guess is that for most who read this blog, this will be nothing. But for me, it is something. I am happy with my Slvr.
Great insights, Michael. iPhone really implies true convergence of mobile and Internet industries and will likely spark the real mobile Internet revolution; perhaps as significant as Web 2.0 or the original Web was. It’s the Internet in your pocket for real this time.
Developers of “baby” mobile software and services will now compete in a much more open and level playing field. As a developer who has worked in both industries, I laugh hysterically and eagerly await this new era.
Services (mobile, Web, or otherwise) that leverage this convergence will lead this new wave of innovation.
There are 3 things that make for a good phone.
1) A great network, good coverage, few dropped calls, Apple has no control over that.
2) A good battery. I remain very skeptical of the iPhone battery. It has a big backlit screen, it has wifi and BT and cellular radios. And you’re going to use it for other things besides talking on the phone.
3) A small form factor. This device is bigger than a treo in X and Y and a little smaller in Z. It is not a small device.
I think the iPhone will be an amazing iPod. I think it will be an amazing internet device. I think it will be a mediocre telephone.
Expect to hear a lot of stories of thugs stealing iPhones and expect at least two people killed so the BAD GUY can have an iPhone.
I like Apple, but I really don’t see what the big deal is with the iPhone.
Erik – no one wants this phone for the telephone piece. They want it because it’s “cool”
Air Jordan III
SNES
Coke Black
AMEX Black
Bentley
etc
I agree Allen.
But they’re going to feel like idiots when they are ALSO carrying their old RAZR to make phone calls.
Erik, didn’t Jobs state that it will do telephone really well? And that might be the difference.
I continually fail to see the allure of this sort of gadget.
Yes, it’s got nifty features and yes it’s all new and shiny… but in the end, it’s hype and advertising. It’s Corporate selling more Product to the masses, not because they want you to own it, but rather they want to own YOU. All the hype, speculation and pomp surrounding a new electronic doodad is just that, and for the life of me I can’t understand why so many people agree to be willing sheep shuffling through the field of “Must Have the Next New Toyâ„¢” mindlessness.
Besides all that, two years from now this thing will be worth about $35 and you’ll all be cooing about the next new Must Have.
I refuse to buy in.
I REALLY wouldn’t bet again steve Jobbs and APPLe i really wouldn’t
I think the iPhone will have its detractions upon its initial launch (Apple doesn’t have a good track record with the first run of its new products). But I expect it will shake up the world in a positive way.
It’s price tag is an issue, but it shouldn’t impede its progress. Yes its more expensive then other products targeted at consumers (Palm 680, Blackjack). But other products also suck making them not worth the money. This is a very compelling mobile product that could completely change this industry (provided it works out well).
It’ll also be exciting to see where all of this goes. Remember the first iPod? Look at where that product has evolved. If the iPhone has a similar development program then it will certainly be a great product in years to come.
My online issue in the contract, im already with cingular and have been contract free for years now. It just nice to know i can go to another carrier at anytime if needed. But f’ it, im ganna get it just because im impulsive and it looks like a great gizmo.
I realllly don’t see what all the hype is about. The thing is really just a second generation (or third) PocketPC. It doesn’t do anything the PocketPC didn’t do, but they just took it up a notch. It won’t do email as well as BlackBerry… and I just saw the new Curve today… thing is DOPE. I’m more siced for it than for the iPhone. Plus… touch screens blow. Especially when trying to use them while driving or walking or whatever.
Bleh.
Keep in mind the first generation ipod was a brick, had a 5 GB hard drive on it and was $450 in 2001. The price on this one will drop as well.
I’m concerned with the data packages and the rumor that one must buy a package with this phone. The phone has wifi and with wifi becoming easier to find each week, I don’t see the need for the data package unless a connection is a necessity.
I’m very excited about this product and will wait for the price to drop…and my Sprint contract to expire. By then, the iPhone will have a larger flash drive…8GB is not large enough right now.
I know the number one issue with the iPhone:
http://www.cent...with-the-iphone
#23 Bill – I had that iPod along with basically every other one that has come out since. Big difference and I don’t remember the 2001 5 gigger being $450. Tho I could be wrong.
Remember stealing wifi can put you in jail
But I agree that wifi should help this device succeed.
The price will drop – my estimates are by holiday shopping period because they need to make their numbers.
And remember one very important thing (which is in my post):
Unlike the iPod which Apple controlled, the iPhone is basically controlled by AT&T. If the service is crap, iPhone takes the rap.
iPhone is nice, but I don’t see why people think this is a big deal or how it will change the industry.
Doesn’t PocketPC pretty much have all the features iPhone has?
iPhone is nicer and slicker, but also 2-3 times more expensive.
Ok….according to Wikipedia, iPod 1 was $399 for 5GB and $499 for 10GB.
Wifi..I of course was referencing the Whataburgers and rest stops on Texas that have free wifi.
This will be fun to watch.
I know Bill – I was kidding about the Wifi
Hrm, I only remember a 5gb iPod 1 – course mine was the PC version.
And using the gas pump price as a guide, $399 then is $1.59 today.
#25 what – yes, but PocketPC is geek, iPhone is sex.
Why all this excitement about something that’s cute, not been seen and which is already trumped by Nokia’s N95? I’m a huge Mac fan but I don’t get this obsession – perhaps it’s cos I don’t live in the Valley.
I brought hype PSP… Now, it’s useless.
Samething like iphone. Once you buy iphone… you will get bored two-three years.
i don’t think you guys can afford it. First, you pay rent, phone bills, gas, bank interest rates, food, and electric bills.
Once you get good job or CEO job position. I think you can afford it either. I don’t see billionaire larry ellison, google founders, bill gates use iphone. Men can’t afford gas and iphone at the same time.
I’m looking for an icon on that screen that’ll clue me in on what I can do that I can do now, other than be forced to look at my phone when I’m dialing because I have zero tactile feedback. Or to stay within range of a charger because I can’t carry an extra battery.
It might make life a little more exciting, having to pay so much attention to it all the time. Between avoiding oil marks, scratches, watching the battery levels, finding a pocket big enough, and looking at it so that I can text or call correctly, I could see myself spending a lot of time with one of these. A lot more time than necessary.
I’m looking for an icon on that screen that’ll clue me in on what I can do that I can’t do now, other than be forced to look at my phone when I’m dialing because I have zero tactile feedback. Or to stay within range of a charger because I can’t carry an extra battery.
It might make life a little more exciting, having to pay so much attention to it all the time. Between avoiding oil marks, scratches, watching the battery levels, finding a pocket big enough, and looking directly at it so that I can text or call correctly, I could see myself spending a lot of time with one of these. A lot more time than necessary.
Sorry didn’t press ’stop’ soon enough to fix my typo.
What I’m most interested in is what in the world could possibly qualify as a “favorite hangout” near SFO? Do tell. What are we missing out on? Is it Kincaid’s in Burlingame?
OK, the folks who want to use their iPhones while driving? Could’ya do me a quick favour? Could you take your car keys and throw them in the nearest river? Thanks.
Michael,
It’s funny how you (and many others) talk about the “two devices will really be a single integrated computing device” and then say “these very expensive little gadgets.”
Everyone’s groaning from sticker shock, but the iPhone is really not all that expensive when you consider that it would cost considerably more to purchase the devices seperately.
What I mean to say is, the iPhone is a bargain when you consider that the price of an iPod and a decent mobile phone separately would be far more than the cost of an iPhone.
Lifehacker says you might be able to save time going to the Cingular store instead of the Apple store. Lines will most likely be shorter. Although, if that news spreads (somewhat likely), it may only save you a few minutes.
What’s amazing and sad is that many people out there think there’s only Apple’s iPod/iPhone and Microsoft’s Zune. Meanwhile, one of the industry’s most innovative players, Archos, gets ignored.
Unfortunately, Archos will be revealing its next-gen DAP/DVR line in late June – ensuring it’ll be totally overlooked because of the iPhone.
Killer app on the Archos players for me? Being able to play DIVX and XVID out of the box. Spend a few more bucks and get MPG-1, MPG-2, MPG-4, WMV, and AAC.
People who compare the PocketPC to the iPhone are the same people who bought the iRiver and never understood what the big hype about the iPod was. (The guy who calls us all sheep because we’re excited about this product probably still uses lynx to browse the web.) If you’re complaining that the iPhone doesn’t have FM radio, then you’re definitely not part of the target market.
And that’s the thing: if you don’t own an iPod, if you’re not an active user, then you don’t understand why people love it. It’s precisely why there is this group of people who cannot understand why people are so hyped about this product.
I also wouldn’t assume that the iPhone’s price will drop precipitiously simply by looking at the iPod. As cool as it is, the iPhone won’t push as much volume as the iPod. Plus the iPod benefitted from the precipitous fall of memory prices.
There isn’t anything in the iPhone ad that you can’t do with smartphone now. It just appears to do it a lot better. Way better actually but I don’t see it how it is making two device one anymore than what you can do now. I can’t stand WinMobile phones but I know lots of people who control there PC remotely with them.
As for GPS…I know it is the sister site and all but for the love of god don’t tell me you take the bizarrely bad TechCrunch seriously.
hey Mike,
..don’t be a ‘Cramer’ quit pumping Apple stock
Why would fiddy want an iPhone? He made $40 million off promoting a soft drink. Unless he can negotiate 10% of Apple…
Danny said:
‘…I know lots of people who control there PC remotely with them’
Those people you know are probably very tech saavy folks who consist of the top 1/2 of .1% of mobile users in the US.
The iphone, if the hype is to be believed, should make computing on the go as easy as using an iPod.
..now i sound like i’m pumping Apple sotck..
Here’s CenterNetworks back of the envelope accounting on cost, which s/b taken seriously though it’s very possible that early adopters won’t figure this out ’til it’s too late (or won’t care): http://www.cent...t-of-the-iphone.
Mike,
MotoQ isn’t that bad =P
Yes! If Crunchgear says it “may” have GPS than it must be TRUE!
woah, is that like 7 CN links? lmao
The thing that spoils the iPhone for me, at least version 1.0, is that it has no 3G/HSPDA. Here in Amsterdam (and I assume other European markets) Vodafone is already offering unlimited 1.8Megabit HSPDA connections for smart phones for 9.95 euros per month. I love the idea of the iPhone as a platform, and the storage it will have, and I hope they will allow 3rd party widgets. But how can I live with the connection speed when I know I can use the N95 right now and get better service? I heard version 2.0 will have the fast connection, but I think it was short sighted to leave it out of version 1.
I think this hype is more to do with the fact that the US starved of any kind of decent looking handsets is finally getting something nice. Othe than the looks I don’t see what all the hype is about.
iPhone will make no ground outside the US (particularly Asia), where there are already amazing phones and its going to price out the vast majority of the users who are more than happy with a free handset.