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  1. #1
    Avery
    Guest
    http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech...cons_print.htm

    The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons
    By David LaGesse
    Posted 6/22/07
    Face it, the iPhone can only have so many folks swooning if it's got raw
    sex appeal. This is one device that will appeal to both genders, leaving us
    to ponder just what will draw people when Apple launches the phone on June
    29–and what everyone should be wary of.

    Seven attractions:

    Striking looks: And we don't just meet the slim, hot look of the case. This
    phone has a large, beautiful, and bright screen–which is all the more
    surprising since it's a touch-screen, which is usually less vivid. The
    screen measures 3.5 inches across, bigger than just about anything made for
    the hand, and can produce as good an image as a typical desktop monitor did
    just a few years ago.

    Friendly demeanor: This looks to be one of the easiest cellphones to get to
    know and use. Apple does software well and has packed nearly 30 years of
    experience into lists that scroll with the flick of a finger, photos that
    expand and shrink with a stretch of a thumb, and a screen that gets wider
    or taller with the twist of a wrist. In short, the iPhone strives to become
    one with your hands.

    Smarts: The phone comes with all the elements of a smart phone, including
    an address book, calendar, maps, notes, and, of course, E-mail. A
    full-fledged Web browser comes with the system, which also is a version of
    the OS X that runs Apple's computers. That means it can do several things
    at once, such as send a photo to a friend while checking the calendar.

    Good voice: The iPhone hails from the folks who brought you the iPod, and
    you can bet this will be the best phone yet for listening to tunes. Plus it
    will work with the hundreds of iPod speakers and other accessories out
    there, including docks built into your Mercedes or Volkswagen, and maybe
    even at your seat on a Boeing Dreamliner. Just be sure to turn off the
    wireless before take-off.

    Sensitive communicator: Besides a cellphone, the iPhone has built-in WiFi
    and Bluetooth, which should make it easy to connect to high-speed Internet
    hot spots and companion devices, like headsets. The phone itself is no
    slacker, with the industry's first visual voice mail: Your messages show up
    on a list, making it easy to find the one you want to hear first.

    Buff muscles: With built-in memory of at least 4 gigabytes, the phone has
    the heft to carry a goodly amount of music, photos, and videos.

    Worldliness: The iPhone is ready to roam the globe, with its four bands of
    cellphone reception.

    Seven reasons to be wary:

    Gold-digging: Starting at $500, the iPhone is one pricey date. That's even
    before the cost of a monthly voice and data plan, whose prices AT&T and
    Apple haven't yet revealed. Analysts estimate that Apple's cost is about
    half of that $500, suggesting that the company is milking the early
    adopters.

    No prenup: Purchasing an iPhone will force you to sign a two-year contract
    with AT&T, which will provide voice and data service. And unlike just about
    every other phone out there, there is no discount on the purchase price for
    signing that two-year agreement.

    Touchiness: There's only one key, and that simply brings you back the
    phone's main menu. Not having a mechanical keyboard means you'll need to
    focus your eyes on a virtual keypad to dial a phone number or a virtual
    keyboard to text a message. The soft versions look responsive, but they can
    never perform as well as hard keys.

    Lack of sociability: The iPhone won't run on AT&T's fastest data network,
    making it painfully slow for Web browsing or sending and receiving photos,
    unless you happen to be at a coffee shop with free WiFi. But the WiFi can't
    be used to connect to other iPhones, unlike the Microsoft Zune, nor can it
    sync music with a desktop computer.

    Unfriendliness: Apple won't let software developers write their own
    programs for the iPhone, saying it wants to ensure tight security and ease
    of use. The phone's Safari browser can run applications developed for the
    Web, but that means having to connect first to the Internet, and that's
    slow with the iPhone unless it's within range of a WiFi network.

    Questionable stamina: Apple promises eight hours of talk time, but analysts
    suggest that's optimistic—and that using WiFi or playing videos will cut
    that time significantly. Plus, it appears users won't be able to change the
    battery, and they'll have to send it back to Apple for a new one.

    Weak eye: A phone this expensive should do better than a 2-megapixel
    camera. It should even have an optical zoom.

    Print | E-mail





    See More: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons




  2. #2
    Kurt
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    In article <[email protected]>,
    Pegleg <[email protected]> wrote:

    > On 23 Jun 2007 01:04:59 -0000, [email protected] (Avery) wrote:
    >
    > >http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech...oscons_print.h
    > >tm
    > >
    > >The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    >
    > Why is this **** here?


    Whiney techies.

    --
    To reply by email, remove the word "space"



  3. #3
    Ura Dippschit
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    In article <[email protected]>,
    Pegleg <[email protected]> wrote:

    > On 23 Jun 2007 01:04:59 -0000, [email protected] (Avery) wrote:
    >
    > >http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech...oscons_print.h
    > >tm
    > >
    > >The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    >
    > Why is this **** here?


    Where, you ****wad? It was posted in five groups. They all fit. Go take
    a nap.



  4. #4
    Larry
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    [email protected] (Avery) wrote in news:ZDNZ0GV339255.7951273148
    @anonymous.poster:

    > which is all the more
    > surprising since it's a touch-screen


    I can't WAIT to see that first cellphone bill after the touch screen has
    been in a shirt pocket touching the pens and glasses or the stuff it
    touched on a holster/pouch...(c;

    No WONDER cellphone companies want us to have it....REVENUES!

    Larry
    --
    "Hello? No, ma'am. I'm in America, not Vietnam! How long have you been
    listening to us? An HOUR?! Wow!...."



  5. #5
    Larry
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    Pegleg <[email protected]> wrote in
    news:[email protected]:

    > On 23 Jun 2007 01:04:59 -0000, [email protected] (Avery) wrote:
    >
    >>http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech...ple.proscons_p
    >>rint.htm
    >>
    >>The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    >
    > Why is this **** here?
    >


    To sell iPhones, obviously! You don't detect the company in the post?

    Larry
    --
    http://www.spp.gov/
    The end of the USA and its Constitution....RIP




  6. #6
    Mitch
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    In article <[email protected]>, Avery
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    Only looking at this side right now:

    > Seven reasons to be wary:
    >
    > Gold-digging: Starting at $500, the iPhone is one pricey date.
    > Analysts estimate that Apple's cost is about
    > half of that $500, suggesting that the company is milking the early
    > adopters.

    I've yet to see any cost analysis that had a good idea what specific
    components would be in it, let alone one that could be considered
    close.
    Anybody know of one?

    > No prenup: Purchasing an iPhone will force you to sign a two-year contract
    > with AT&T, which will provide voice and data service.

    People keep harping on this, like they want a phone without any service
    contract. Aren't you going to expect to use it for two years?

    > And unlike just about
    > every other phone out there, there is no discount on the purchase price for
    > signing that two-year agreement.

    Stupid criticism; the deal is specific to Cingular/AT&T. How can we
    claim there is no discount, when they are pricing the whole thing as a
    package in the first place?
    You can't show anything about a supposed 'discount' until you know the
    price without the contract! (or, you could say that EVERY purchase
    comes with a huge discount -- but it's still the only price known.)

    > Touchiness:

    Valid; we'll have to wait to see how people like it.

    > Lack of sociability: The iPhone won't run on AT&T's fastest data network,

    Not on the fastest, but on a fast network. The fastest isn't also the
    only one.

    > making it painfully slow for Web browsing or sending and receiving photos,

    Relatively slow; and it's not locked into that alone.

    > unless you happen to be at a coffee shop with free WiFi. But the WiFi can't
    > be used to connect to other iPhones,

    Whoa -- don't know that yet. But why? What do you want to move or
    exchange? Isn't Bluetooth much more likely to connect to other devices,
    anyway? Are you sure you know all of what will be possible in the
    wireless arena?

    > unlike the Microsoft Zune,

    This is silliness embodied. The Zune can do almost NOTHING with its
    wireless, and has almost nothing to compare to. Who wants to send
    anything for just three days?

    > nor can it
    > sync music with a desktop computer.

    Whoa -- too early, dude. You don't know that.

    > Unfriendliness: Apple won't let software developers write their own

    I still think it's stupid to complain about not using third-party tools
    when you haven't tried the built-in tools. This isn't a PDA in that
    sense; it's supposed to be a finished product for which you won't
    _want_ to add anything more. (Yet many just won't accept that thought.)

    > programs for the iPhone, saying it wants to ensure tight security and ease
    > of use. The phone's Safari browser can run applications developed for the
    > Web, but that means having to connect first to the Internet, and that's
    > slow with the iPhone unless it's within range of a WiFi network.

    I don't think either of those are true; the third-party developer's
    tools use Safari, but do we actually know it can't be stored
    internally, and that it has to be online, and that it has to be built
    as a Web tool? None of that is necessarily true, so I don't know why
    people are assuming it.

    > Questionable stamina:

    Right: questionable. No criticism against, none for. We simply don't
    know. Can't use it as a point against it, especially because if it
    comes close, you'd be totally wrong!

    > Weak eye: A phone this expensive should do better than a 2-megapixel

    Maybe, but anyone who cares doesn't use those, anyway. Cameras in
    phones are junky. Good arguments for banning them.



  7. #7
    Rod Speed
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    Mitch <[email protected]> wrote
    > Avery <[email protected]> wrote


    > Only looking at this side right now:


    >> Seven reasons to be wary:


    >> Gold-digging: Starting at $500, the iPhone is one pricey date.
    >> Analysts estimate that Apple's cost is about half of that $500,
    >> suggesting that the company is milking the early adopters.


    > I've yet to see any cost analysis that had a good idea what specific
    > components would be in it, let alone one that could be considered close.
    > Anybody know of one?


    >> No prenup: Purchasing an iPhone will force you to sign a two-year
    >> contract with AT&T, which will provide voice and data service.


    > People keep harping on this, like they want a phone without any
    > service contract. Aren't you going to expect to use it for two years?


    Anyone with a clue prefers no contract so you can use the phone
    with whoever currently provides the best value service and you
    can change to a better value one when one of those shows up.

    >> And unlike just about every other phone out there, there is no
    >> discount on the purchase price for signing that two-year agreement.


    > Stupid criticism; the deal is specific to Cingular/AT&T.
    > How can we claim there is no discount, when they are
    > pricing the whole thing as a package in the first place?


    True.

    > You can't show anything about a supposed 'discount' until you know
    > the price without the contract! (or, you could say that EVERY purchase
    > comes with a huge discount -- but it's still the only price known.)


    >> Touchiness:


    > Valid; we'll have to wait to see how people like it.


    Yeah, without some form of touchscreen lock, its not going to be viable.

    Its unlikely that it doesnt have something tho.

    >> Lack of sociability: The iPhone won't run on AT&T's fastest data network,


    > Not on the fastest, but on a fast network. The fastest isn't also the only one.


    It would be better if it could use that too tho.

    >> making it painfully slow for Web browsing or sending and receiving photos,


    > Relatively slow; and it's not locked into that alone.


    >> unless you happen to be at a coffee shop with free WiFi.
    >> But the WiFi can't be used to connect to other iPhones,


    > Whoa -- don't know that yet. But why? What do you want to move or exchange?


    Anything anyone is likely to want to move or exchange, any of the content.

    > Isn't Bluetooth much more likely to connect to other devices, anyway?


    Much more limited range.

    > Are you sure you know all of what will be possible in the wireless arena?


    >> unlike the Microsoft Zune,


    > This is silliness embodied.


    Nope.

    > The Zune can do almost NOTHING with its wireless, and has almost
    > nothing to compare to. Who wants to send anything for just three days?


    Irrelevant to whether that feature is useful.

    He didnt say its worse than the Zune, just that the Zune can do THAT.

    >> nor can it sync music with a desktop computer.


    > Whoa -- too early, dude. You don't know that.


    >> Unfriendliness: Apple won't let software developers write their own


    > I still think it's stupid to complain about not using third-party
    > tools when you haven't tried the built-in tools.


    I want to be able to use the best tools available.

    > This isn't a PDA in that sense; it's supposed to be a finished
    > product for which you won't _want_ to add anything more.


    How odd that so many other high end phones can do that.

    > (Yet many just won't accept that thought.)


    Yep, because nothing is ever supplied with the best in all areas.

    >> programs for the iPhone, saying it wants to ensure tight security
    >> and ease of use. The phone's Safari browser can run applications
    >> developed for the Web, but that means having to connect first to the
    >> Internet, and that's slow with the iPhone unless it's within range
    >> of a WiFi network.


    > I don't think either of those are true; the third-party developer's
    > tools use Safari, but do we actually know it can't be stored
    > internally, and that it has to be online, and that it has to be built
    > as a Web tool? None of that is necessarily true, so I don't know why
    > people are assuming it.


    >> Questionable stamina:


    > Right: questionable. No criticism against, none for. We simply don't
    > know. Can't use it as a point against it, especially because if it
    > comes close, you'd be totally wrong!


    >> Weak eye: A phone this expensive should do better than a 2-megapixel


    > Maybe, but anyone who cares doesn't use those, anyway.
    > Cameras in phones are junky.


    Plenty of phones have decent cameras.

    > Good arguments for banning them.


    Nope, there are plenty of situations where what is in the phone is quite
    adequate with the best high end phones and that approach has the real
    advantage that you will always have the camera handy if you need it.






  8. #8
    Ura Dippschit
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    In article <[email protected]>,
    Larry <[email protected]> wrote:

    > To sell iPhones, obviously! You don't detect the company in the post?


    Are you trying to be the biggest idiot here?



  9. #9
    zeez
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    On Jun 22, 8:10 pm, Mitch <[email protected]> wrote:

    > I still think it's stupid to complain about not using third-party tools
    > when you haven't tried the built-in tools. This isn't a PDA in that
    > sense; it's supposed to be a finished product for which you won't
    > _want_ to add anything more. (Yet many just won't accept that thought.)
    >


    There is one problem: There is no way in hell that the manufactuer
    could of thought of all the
    possible uses of the phone, or what every user may want. Maybe I want
    to do some scripting (like a batch file)
    to execute various different functions and have it all tied to a soft
    key so I don't have to trundle through
    menus and selections. Wait, that tool isn't available?! OOPS! Maybe I
    want to be able to upload pictures to my own web server, or send it to
    an e-mail address used for that purpose with the touch of a button.
    Oh
    wait, can't do that either? Never ASS-U-ME that the tools on the phone
    is enough for ALL users' needs.




  10. #10
    zeez
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    On Jun 22, 6:04 pm, [email protected] (Avery) wrote:
    > http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech...apple.proscons...
    >
    > The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons
    > By David LaGesse
    > Posted 6/22/07
    > Face it, the iPhone can only have so many folks swooning if it's got raw
    > sex appeal. This is one device that will appeal to both genders, leaving us
    > to ponder just what will draw people when Apple launches the phone on June
    > 29-and what everyone should be wary of.
    >



    What I want is something that can be used as a pocket computer that
    dosen't force me to go through
    some middle man to load apps on it. I want to load anything I damn
    well please (within hardware capatability that is) without the damn
    thing squawking "NO NO, YOU CAN'T DO THAT! PLAY WITH THIS
    RATTLE INSTEAD!" at me. I want to have full directory access to the
    PDA (which this thing seems to
    to be, simaler to a Treo or a Blackberry), and if it's not built in,
    allow me to install a utility to do it, and don't
    try to hide ****, or play games with me, or otherwise attempt to
    thwart my attempts at accessing the files. If this phone can do it,
    good, if not, I'll just chalk it up to another expensive toy for
    overgrown teenyboppers
    At the peice this is being sold at, I expect an uncrippled pocket
    computer and no less.

    <rant mode on> The one thing that really bothers me about cell phones
    is that they are being used
    to get users used to the idea that the phone (i'll call it a computer
    for now on scince that's what modern
    cellphones basicly are) isn't really theirs, and that companies and
    only companies have the right to
    decide what you are allowed to run on the computer you bought, down to
    the very programs on it in some
    cases. Anything else is forbidden, and anybody who tries to use the
    computer for anything other that
    what the companies explicity says must be an evil hacker or an outlaw.
    This is like the Trusted Computing
    bull****, but even more draconian. <rant mode off>






  11. #11
    Mitch
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    In article <[email protected]>, Rod Speed
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    > > People keep harping on this, like they want a phone without any
    > > service contract. Aren't you going to expect to use it for two years?

    >
    > Anyone with a clue prefers no contract so you can use the phone
    > with whoever currently provides the best value service and you
    > can change to a better value one when one of those shows up.

    No need to get insulting; I can follow.
    The point you are making is against an exclusive carrier contract, not
    against two years of service. People use the same reason to make two
    entirely different points against the device, which is invalid.
    Certainly exclusivity is undesirable for consumers; it also happens to
    have been entirely necessary. But having a contract is not the bad
    part.

    > > Not on the fastest, but on a fast network. The fastest isn't also the only
    > > one.

    > It would be better if it could use that too tho.

    Sure, but this doesn't seem to be far off. Apple may even be planning
    for it, and enable it in firmware, like with 802.11N.

    > > The Zune can do almost NOTHING with its wireless, and has almost
    > > nothing to compare to. Who wants to send anything for just three days?

    > Irrelevant to whether that feature is useful.

    Is it? That feature specifically builds in the limitation. It has no
    other uses. It prevents the usefulness of such a feature in other ways.

    > He didnt say its worse than the Zune, just that the Zune can do THAT.

    He DID say it was worse; he was making a comparison. And since it's
    something the Zune does very horribly, and most people think it's an
    embarassment, it's a weird example.

    > > This isn't a PDA in that sense; it's supposed to be a finished
    > > product for which you won't _want_ to add anything more.

    >
    > How odd that so many other high end phones can do that.

    Not really; none of the other companies are renowned for software
    development. Most analysts suggest they aren't very skilled at making
    it work better (Palm notwithstanding.) Many suggest Apple's lead may
    focus them on how to develop better software and a consistent OS.
    In any case, Apple deserves at least respect now for what they have
    done; we should criticize it when we know of a real problem, not just
    because we assume there will be a problem.



  12. #12
    Bob Fry
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    Link didn't work.
    --
    Writing is turning one's worst moments into money.
    - J. P. Donleavy




  13. #13
    none
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    Bob Fry <[email protected]> wrote:

    > Link didn't work.


    yes, it did... but try this:

    http://www.apple.com/iphone/usingiphone/guidedtour.html

    You are still trying to use Windows, so that's probably part of the
    problem.



  14. #14
    none
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    zeez <[email protected]> wrote:

    > There is one problem: There is no way in hell that the manufactuer
    > could of thought of all the
    > possible uses of the phone, or what every user may want. Maybe I want
    > to do some scripting (like a batch file)
    > to execute various different functions and have it all tied to a soft
    > key so I don't have to trundle through
    > menus and selections. Wait, that tool isn't available?! OOPS! Maybe I
    > want to be able to upload pictures to my own web server, or send it to
    > an e-mail address used for that purpose with the touch of a button.
    > Oh
    > wait, can't do that either? Never ASS-U-ME that the tools on the phone
    > is enough for ALL users' needs.


    sure you can, you obviously did hear what happened last week.

    http://webkit.org/

    http://www.satine.org/archives/2007/01/



  15. #15
    Wes Groleau
    Guest

    Re: The iPhone's Top Pros and Cons

    Mitch wrote:
    > In any case, Apple deserves at least respect now for what they have
    > done; we should criticize it when we know of a real problem, not just
    > because we assume there will be a problem.


    Especially we shouldn't criticize the lack of features
    Apple has clearly advertised, such as the ability to
    lock the touch-screen.

    --
    Wes Groleau

    There ain't no right wing,
    there ain't no left wing.
    There's only you and me and we just disagree.
    (apologies to Jim Krueger)



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