“Apple has been furiously working with their partners on games and applications for the iPhone/iPod and the standardized Human-Interface Controls that will go along with them. For instance, EA is currently porting their iPod lineup to the OSX iPod/iPhone platform to be sold along side the classic iPod OS versions. Other big developers with strict confidentiality agreements are also on board,” Cleve Nettles reports for 9 to 5 Mac.
“Apple is specifically looking to replicate the model of TMobile’s successful SideKick application development and distribution platform (although obviously not in the Sidekick’s Java). Apple has even brought in some of Danger’s (SidekickOS creators) application development team to help with the architecture. A public SDK announcement will likely be made in the coming months which could possibly be included with Xcode. More likely, the SDK will be given only to high level developers with established close ties to Apple,” Nettles reports.
“Whether Apple would make the applications available on Mobile iTunes via an over the air upgrade compared to their current model of installing from a host computer’s iTunes is uncertain… [but] one shouldn’t expect Apple to release a way for non-developers to freely install applications on their iPods and iPhones,” Nettles reports.
Full article here.
Applesoft Strikes Back.
Maybe this will help stop all that whining coming from that vocal minority.
“@JadisOne
Maybe this will help stop all that whining coming from that vocal minority.”
Couldn’t agree with you more there Fellow Fanboy. I’m sick and tired of all the whining too!!! As Apple fanboys, we know that the only software we need on our computers is what Steve decides to give us…. Why would anyone want anything else??
Window trolls expect 3rd parties to be able to write applications for their machines, but we all know that if it didn’t come with the iPhone, we don’t need it.,.. I hope Apple soon disallows crappy 3erd party apps on the Mac too!!
Woooooo Hoooooo Steve!!!!!
People complaining about this are about 1/10th of 1% of the market.
@Moo
Sorry Moo, looks like the number of iPhone breakers may be as much as 10%, judging by how many times AppTapp has been downloaded.
My iPhone 1.0.2 is better than any 1.1.1 iPhone out there, thank you very much. I have have pseudo-GPS, true IM, ability to display more than 16 icons of apps, can maintain iTunes from two different computers, can change my desktop themes, customize my icons, can use my excess RAM as disk space, and can play blackjack, tetris, mines, tiles and Sudoku. All of this (and much, much more) because of third-party apps. Jobs just wants you to buy your apps from Apple’s iTunes Music Store, so he can get more of your money.
Applesoft is truly their new name.
Apple i$ working furiou$ly to ca$h cu$tomer$ for third party app$.
Zune Tang: skip
Camel’s Milk Drinker: skip
Shoeman: skip
Luke Skywalker: skip
Apple: “We’ve got this great phone with a state-of-the-art interface, a great web browser, an amazing iPod, and a few other little apps you might like.”
Tech Dork Customrer: “Wow! That’s great! I want one!”
Apple: “Super! Well there are no third party apps for now. Maybe in the future (possibly) but not now.”
Tech Dork Customer: “No problemo! Gimme, gimme, gimme!”
Apple: “The only carrier will be AT&T;. Period.”
Tech Dork Customer: “Sure thing, man! Give it to me, bro!!!”
Six months later…
Tech Dork Customer: “$%^%$ Apple! I can’t run *&%&#xin;g 3rd party apps!! And I can’t get off the &^(^&)*ing AT&T;network”
Geez…
Skywalker gives a perfectly example of someone suffering from Tweakers’ Syndrome. Fortunately, there is a cure.
Hey, all of you supposed geniuses who know more about Apple products than Steve and the development team in Cupertino:
DON’T BUY THEIR DAMNED PRODUCTS! DON’T DO IT, NO MATTER HOW TEMPTED YOU MIGHT BE!
Support Vista and Windows Mobile and XBox and Zune and ALL THAT CRAP, and show ’em how indignant and superior you really are.
Come on. DO IT! Put your money where your fat mouths are, and stay away from iPod/iPhone/iTV/iMac/ietc. in droves. Show us all the courage of your convictions!
(Whatever you decide to do, however, please STFU.)
@BustingTheSkullsOfIdiots
Skywalker gives a perfectly example of someone suffering from Tweakers’ Syndrome. Fortunately, there is a cure.
Yes, just avoid Stevie when necessary. Really, why should I be forced to pay Apple (and ATnT) to send SMS text messages when I can do it for free with Apollo IM? And why can’t I used the available space on my iPhone to store my files, such as my Keynote presentations or Aperture files? Apple is handicapping the iPhone community.
@Randian
None of us know more about Apple products than the folks in Cupertino, but we sure know about their motivations. They don’t like people who activate the iPhone for use on other networks and to install third-party apps because it cuts into their revenue. Plain and simple.
And we will continue to pound Apple on this because we also know Apple employees lurk on MDN – we need to get our message across to them. (After all, how many Apple ads do you see on this page?)
@MDN morning skim
Good thing you don’t have your head in the sand.
Maybe this will help stop all that whining coming from that vocal minority.
You mean from the developers who don’t have close ties to Apple?
Clearly you prefer to keep yours up your ass.
Free SMS text messaging with a third party app? Because that’s not stealing? Activate the iPhone for use on other networks?
contract
noun |ˈkänˌtrakt|
a written or spoken agreement, esp. one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law
Dear anonymous,
You say: Clearly you prefer to keep yours up your ass.. Nice language. Since we all know that profanities are the crutches of the intellectual anemic, we forgive you for your lack of communication skills.
Nonetheless, my iPhone is a computer just like my other Macs. What software I install on it is my business, not Apple’s or ATnT’s. If you don’t like it, fine; keep your handicapped iPhone the way it is. Meanwhile, those of us who are accustomed to Apple’s historical concern for its customerbase will remind them that we have supported Apple over the decades because they were not Microsoft.
Looks like jailbreak for 1.1.1 is getting closer…
http://www.tuaw.com/2007/10/08/announcing-a-preliminary-iphone-1-1-1-jailbreak/
Randian is absolutely right when he says:
“… DON’T BUY THEIR DAMNED PRODUCTS! …”
The iPhone in its current state is only good for the simplest of users. If you just want a nice phone that you can make calls on, listen to music, and play a video on, the iPhone is probably the best phone on the market.
If you expect more out of your phone, as do most of the normal Smartphone market types, the iPhone is not the phone for you.
The iPhone would be what Fischer Price would design if they designed phones.
If you want a phone that’s at least as capable as a (sorry to say) Windows Mobile phone, or as powerful as a Nokia Smart Phone, or as fast as a freaking Blackberry, get one of those. The iPhone is not for you.
If you have you head stuck so far up Steve’s bum that even the iPhone looks good to you, it’s the phone for you.
I know of no truly tech savvy people that like much about the iPhone. The typical iPhone lover is a literally clueless person that simply likes gadgets. Those folks are completely satisfied by the iPhone, and apparently like it or not, those are the majority of people out there, consequently the majority of iPhone users, and Apple clearly knows what it is doing.
Satisfy the morons, uh the masses and you’ll make money.
Radio for iPhone?????
In the 1.1.1 dissection is a reference to com.apple.mobile.radio and com.apple.mobile.nike. Sounds like some more updates are coming.
@Luke Skywalker
“Nonetheless, my iPhone is a computer just like my other Macs.”
No, it’s a phone. See, it’s right there in the name. Just because you want it to be more doesn’t mean it is. And Apple has no obligation to make it anything other than a phone. If you don’t like it that way, don’t buy it. No one held a gun to your head. If you break into the phone to install other apps, you have violated the EULA, and if your phone gets bricked by an update, that’s not Apple’s fault or responsibility, it’s yours.
What the heck is wrong with this entiltlement society these days? Everything is someone else’s fault and the world owes you everything. Uhm, no. If you screw it up, it’s your fault, and for the most part the world owes you exactly nothing.
“@Randian
Hey, all of you supposed geniuses who know more about Apple products than Steve and the development team in Cupertino:”
Wooooo Hoooo Fanboy, Agree 100%. I have no idea what i want or need and neither does anyone else on this planet. It’s up to Steve Jobs to decide what I need and want and provide it….
Wooooo Hooooo Steve….. I’m with ya buddy!!!
Hmm. Could the reference to Nike mean some sort of pedometer using the iPhone’s accelerometer? Any engineers here?
Ferchrissakes, the damn iPhone has only been out for 3 1/2 months! How long did it take for the original Macintosh to get third-party apps?
Apple wants and needs people to have a rock-solid and satisfying experiences with all their devices. What Apple DOESN’T need is for some poorly written apps to start crashing everyones’ iPhones.
Third-party apps WILL come to the iPhone at some point. Apple just wants it all done RIGHT!
MDN Magic Word: Give it TIME folks. Give it TIME.
@Galloway
If you break into the phone to install other apps, you have violated the EULA, and if your phone gets bricked by an update, that’s not Apple’s fault or responsibility, it’s yours.
I’ve never said, and never will say, that bricking my iPhone is Apple’s fault so long as I have to option to not install update. Upon what do you base your assertion?
What the heck is wrong with this entiltlement society these days? Everything is someone else’s fault and the world owes you everything. Uhm, no. If you screw it up, it’s your fault, and for the most part the world owes you exactly nothing.
Since your first statement is incorrect, this statement is irrelevant.
To anonymous who wrote: “I know of no truly tech savvy people that like much about the iPhone. The typical iPhone lover is a literally clueless person that simply likes gadgets. Those folks are completely satisfied by the iPhone, and apparently like it or not, those are the majority of people out there, consequently the majority of iPhone users, and Apple clearly knows what it is doing.”
Ah, the smugness of the psuedo-intellectually superior person. Everyone I know who owns an iPhone is in fact quite tech savvy, and all work in or are supportive of the tech industries. What’s the point of your generalization? That we should all be defined by your myopic, undernourished view of the world? Why don’t you try giving credit for some level of intelligence to others that you arrogantly reserve only for yourself?
I hacked my phone through 1.0.2, and enjoyed the little cute things I could do, but when 1.1.1 came along, I had zero problem tossing of those things. Do you ever read John Gruber of Daring Fireball? He observed the same thing, i.e., that he doesn’t really miss any of the hacks. As a pompous ass, I guess you don’t recognize that the concept of “choice” applies to those who also do not necessarily agree with you.
As for Skywalker, who wrote: “And we will continue to pound Apple on this because we also know Apple employees lurk on MDN – we need to get our message across to them.”
Um, what powerful earth-shattering message is that? That you don’t like their business model with the iPhone? Big woo.
Then you wrote: “Meanwhile, those of us who are accustomed to Apple’s historical concern for its customerbase will remind them that we have supported Apple over the decades because they were not Microsoft.”
Actually, I supported them because they were BETTER than Microsoft, not merely because of the negative proposition you convey. Apple is still better, even when I might wish–and I do–for more flexibility with the iPhone. Will it come? I expect so, but even if it doesn’t, it is still IMO the best mobile device for a Mac user.
” …my iPhone is a computer just like my other Macs.”
WRONG
From the iPhone Keynote:
An iPod. A Phone. An Internet communicator.
An iPod. A Phone. An Internet communicator.
Are you getting it?
————-
Clearly, you didn’t.
Every time you post, you make a mockery of yourself. Your best bet is to stop posting for a couple of weeks – long enough for other posters on this board to forget that you’re an imbecile. Come back later with a new handle and start over.
Sincerely,
Anonymous
Message to Steve and Co:
Wake up before the iPhone wannabes (HTC,etc) beat you with their combination of low price and ability to freely install 3rd party applications (not just some Apple-blessed applications). You did a similar mistake with the Mac, please don’t repeat your past mistakes with the iPhone. It’s too wonderful a platform to languish in the hands of a select few.
@Luke Skywalker
Since you said in your first post that you did not update your iPhone to 1.1.1, the latter comment didn’t really apply to you, but to all the other whiners on these boards. Although I respectfully disagree that the update must be optional — which it is, of course — to make any bricking not Apple’s fault.
I have to agree with Mr. Paranoid.
Apple, please don’t pass on the shitware market like you did with the Mac. Open up the iPhone. We need adware, spyware, viruses, 47 flavors of spreadsheets, and a home cosmetology makeover progam.
@Luke Skywalker
TFSU
Go have a chat with Yoda, for a few months, somewhere in a cave on a distant planet would be nice. Learning is a slow process so you need to have patience, grasshopper.
Lot’s of trolls here now. Sad…..
Opening up the iPhone doesn’t mean it would be filled by adware, spyware, viruses etc. Macs don’t have them either.
It’s good to keep a system somewhat closed, but the iPhone is just too damn closed. I definitely won’t buy one, no matter how good the UI, if I don’t get to freely choose my operator and install 3rd-party software at will. Apple plays a losing game here.
And before you whine back, I want to remind you I’m a proud and satisfied owner of a Mac.
Hear hear, Randia (and the agree-er above)
There’s one thing I need the iPhone to do before I buy one. I’m more than willing to write it, if Apple will publish SDKs. While “hacking” is fun, I have a real job that requires my attention and I don’t have the time to go through and figure out all the iPhone pieces.
So, I’ll wait. I have no problem waiting until the iPhone does what I need it to do.
If nothing else, as we all know, the longer you wait, the cheaper and/or better they become. So by the time Apple ships an SDK, I’ll probably be able to spend $599 and get a 32GB flash-based iPhone with built-in GPS (necessary for what I need), iChat, MMS, copy & paste, VoIP, and all the other things that smartphone users take for granted.
You idiots who break into your iPhones to add functionality really are blind.
Swiss cheese, third party functionality is what made Microsoft’s Windows the outstanding piece of mediocrity that Vista is today.
Now you want to turn the iPhone into a crash prone, sieve like, Windows CE device. Thank goodness Steve won’t let you.
Go peddle crazy somewhere else. We’re too sane to fall for that shite here.
@Anonymous
From the iPhone Keynote: An iPod. A Phone. An Internet communicator. Are you getting it? Clearly, you didn’t.
It runs OS X, Safari, Mail and other OS X-native apps. It’s a computer that also happens to be a phone. You seem to think that whatever Stevie says is written in stone like the 15 commandments.
… forget that you’re an imbecile
And name calling. Lovely, just like profanities. You must be on your second year of 8th grade.
@Gandalf
Go have a chat with Yoda, for a few months, somewhere in a cave on a distant planet would be nice.
Ok, but only if you go to Mordor to have a chat with Sauron. Deal?
@Yours Smugly, who said “And before you whine back, I want to remind you I’m a proud and satisfied owner of a Mac.”
Um, so what? Seriously, WTF does that prove? I’ve been a Mac user since 1987. So effing what? It neither grants nor denies any credence to comment on the iPhone. My home has 10 Macs in it. So what? Our family has 2 iPhones. So what? What does your ownership of a machine prove? Absolutely nothing.
You have made a decision not to buy until certain criteria are met [like Peter]. That is absolutely your right. And you have a similar right to criticize Apple for not delivering what you personally want. NP. But nothing about that gives anyone the right to criticize people who do not agree and refer to them as non-savvy merely because they have made a different choice. This sort of generalization is what I mean: “The typical iPhone lover is a literally clueless person that simply likes gadgets.”
In the absence of evidence, the truly clueless resort to ad hominem attacks.
@Big Al
You idiots…
Can we spare the name calling (and profanities); I’m sure most of us would like to keep the discourse civilized.
…who break into your iPhones to add functionality really are blind. Swiss cheese, third party functionality is what made Microsoft’s Windows the outstanding piece of mediocrity that Vista is today.
Should we also abandon third-party apps for our Macs, such as EndNote, M$ Office, Photoshop, Handbrake and the like, too? Where do you draw the line on third-party apps that are or aren’t “swiss cheese”?
“It runs OS X, Safari, Mail and other OS X-native apps. It’s a computer that also happens to be a phone.”
I can have sex in the back of my Honda. That doesn’t make it a car that also happens to be a chicken ranch.
You’re wrong. You’re grasping at straws. And again, you’re making a fool of yourself.
the iPhone has third party apps, i.e., YouTube viewer, Google Maps, .. just chill, more apps are imminent. Apple’s even left room for them in the UI.
@ibookfast
I don’t think those qualify as third-part apps since they were written by Apple. I’m referring to the apps out there that are written by non-Apple people and which dramatically increase the functionality of the iPhone, such as iToner from Ambrosia (which was also broken with the 1.1.1 update).
@Luke Skywalker person:
From the iPhone Keynote:
An iPod. A Phone. An Internet communicator.
An iPod. A Phone. An Internet communicator.
Are you getting it?
From the iPhone Keynote:
iPhone runs OSX. Now, why would we want to run such a sophisticated operating system on a mobile device? Well, because it’s got everything we need. It’s got multi-tasking. It’s got the best networking. It already knows how to power manage. We’ve been doing this on mobile computers for years. It’s got awesome security. And the right apps. It’s got everything from Cocoa and the graphics and it’s got core animation built in and it’s got the audio and video that OSX is famous for. It’s got all the stuff we want. And it’s built right in to iPhone. And that has let us create desktop class applications and networking. Not the crippled stuff that you find on most phones.
Are *YOU* getting why developers and users are disappointed?
No problem, Poppycock. It’s just those extremists who get on my nerves. And I didn’t call people who buy iPhones clueless. They’ve made their choice too, hopefully an informed one.
Let’s review:
iPhone runs OSX. Now, why would **we** want to run such a sophisticated operating system on a mobile device? Well, because it’s got everything **we** need. It’s got multi-tasking. It’s got the best networking. It already knows how to power manage. **We’ve** been doing this on mobile computers for years. It’s got awesome security. And the right apps. It’s got everything from Cocoa and the graphics and it’s got core animation built in and it’s got the audio and video that OSX is famous for. It’s got all the stuff **we** want. And it’s built right in to iPhone. And that has let **us** create desktop class applications and networking. Not the crippled stuff that you find on most phones.
Are *YOU* getting where developers made a huge assumption?
It ain’t open yet. And it’s still relatively new. Give it some time. And if Apple chooses not to open it up, move on. It will be Apple’s loss in the big scheme of things.
@Anonymous
(From Steve Gates’ KN)Not the crippled stuff that you find on most phones.
Have you used Apollo? How about Navizon? Do you think these are “crippled stuff”? If you’ve not used them, then how can you even have an opinion?
Are *YOU* getting where developers made a huge assumption?
The developers never made such an assumption because Stevie made it clear that no SDK was going to be released, other than for use through Safari. Thus was born the iPhone hacker’s movement.
It ain’t open yet. And it’s still relatively new. Give it some time.
Time? There are already dozens of third-party apps that make the iPhone substantially better than it is out of the box. How much more time should we give Apple, which knows the phone’s architecture better than anyone else? If we give them more time, they’ll start selling apps through ITMS to take more money from people. Since the dev community is scooping them, Apple’s striking back because they’re losing money on service charges.
And if Apple chooses not to open it up, move on. It will be Apple’s loss in the big scheme of things.
And the hackers will thrive in this environment. And Apple will continue to get bad press as they attempt to take more money from people by closing the iPhone.
“If we give them more time, they’ll start selling apps through ITMS to take more money from people.”
Horror of horrors! They’ll make more money. Because . . . THEY’RE A BUSINESS! RUN FOR YOU LIVES! AAAAAAAHHHHHH!
They won’t “TAKE” more money from people. People will “GIVE” them money. You know, voluntarily pay?
You make it all sound like such a crime. Seriously, hack your phone. Nobody really cares. It’s yours. But don’t come onto this board and make it sound like anyone who doesn’t support the “iPhone community” (snicker) is guilty of sheepism.
“If you don’t like it, fine; keep your handicapped iPhone the way it is.”
Not everyone who bought an iPhone wants the iPhone to do more than it does.
I have no problem with Apple making and selling software for the iPhone. I have a major problem with them blocking others from also doing so. Can you imagine what would happen if Apple told all but “select” developers that Macs would be off-limits to third-party apps?
In other mobile computing platform news, Trolltech just announced a port of their portable Qt application toolkit to Windows Mobile 6. This will foster growth of multi-platform applications to include WM6 mobile devices, in addition to the already-supported Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux platforms…but of course, the closed iPhone OS will be left out. Apple, stop swimming upstream for once!
http://trolltech.com/qt-wince
10% of the iPhones were sold to 2% of the buyers who were buying them with the intention of unlocking them and re-selling at an outrageous profit.
I’m supposed to feel sorry for them or their “marks”, pfffft!
@Luke Skywalker
“I have a major problem with them blocking others from also doing so.”
It is now common knowledge that the way Apple upgrades the iPhone is by wiping out the existing OS and totally replacing it with the update, which removes all the hacks too. Easy, clean and simple. The OS is still changing, these changes make the hacks unworkable. They are not obliged to avoid the unauthorized hacks and third-party shite when they do this. The OS is still a work in progress that awaits the release of Leopard.
Gee people,
Shoeman, man.
keep tha language cool huh? Hands up who likes me.
See you all mac users, you hot Mac girls email me please.
Also I have started a SocialNewtorkingSite for Kiwi users.
myzealand.com free for macies.
Can you imagine what would happen if Apple told all but “select” developers that iPods would be off-limits to third-party apps?
The iPhone should offer 3rd party application development. The reasons for holding it back are political and not technological. AT&T;doesn’t want 3rd party development, because the iPhone is powerful and could easily be turned into as good an IP phone as it is traditional, which would decrease the need to have higher minute packages. It could also then sync with the Amazon music store, view videos from sites besides YouTube and have a map program that would rival the Google one. Apple has it pretty sweet right now as it can determine what the mainstream gets and give its chosen partners a monopoly on a piece of its functionality. Apple could hold back the iPod because not as much could have been added, just check the iPod linux team. Apple has the right to do everything they have done under US law, but it sucks. It’s not a nice move for consumers. And please stop arguing as if it is. Hopefully, some fucked up EU challenges them, however nothing will come of it.
Well, the votes are in.
On one side we have the bitter and indignant few. They bought an iPhone expecting that they could crack it and do anything they wanted with it, despite clicking “Agree” to an End User License Agreement that said otherwise. It isn’t like they weren’t told the rules. They just don’t think rules apply to them personally.
Also on that side is a few trolls who didn’t buy and iPhone at all, but just get some weird enjoyment from demonstrating bad manners, poor grammar, and lousy upbringing in the form of gratuitous foul language.
On the other side are iPhone owners who believe that Apple will continue with its record of providing a superior user experience. By waiting for Apple to officially support third party software, we have the best chance of getting there without compromising that user experience. My iPhone works great.
Call me a fanboy if you want. My position is supported by facts, and Apple’s 20-year history of plain speaking and fair dealing with me.
The opposing position is supported by a lot of self-serving, disingenuous sniveling.
@Rip Ragged
Well, the votes are in. On one side we have the bitter and indignant few. They bought an iPhone expecting that they could crack it and do anything they wanted with it…
Nope, you’re wrong. I only bought my iPhone after the hacks came out to allow access to non-ATnT providers. If this wouldn’t have happened, Apple would have not had $800 in iPhone sales to me and we’d still be using RAZRs. I’m not bitter; I’m extremely happy. I have an iPhone that’s better than anyone’s that’s running 1.1.1 or hasn’t been opened to third-party software.
Also on that side is a few trolls who didn’t buy and iPhone at all, but just get some weird enjoyment from demonstrating bad manners, poor grammar, and lousy upbringing in the form of gratuitous foul language.
There’s been plenty of foul language, bad manners and poor grammar from both sides. What’s amazing to me is that so many people have become so worked up about this that they’re willing to cast dispersions at others and to behave in an otherwise uncivilized manner.
On the other side are iPhone owners…
I guess I’m included in this definition since I’m an iPhone owner.
…who believe that Apple will continue with its record of providing a superior user experience. By waiting for Apple to officially support third party software,…
Oops. I guess I’m not included.
…we have the best chance of getting there without compromising that user experience. My iPhone works great.
Now we diverge in opinions. Apple gets a monthly sum from services that can be had for free with a hacked iPhone. I never use SMS, but I use IM a lot. Apple left IM off their phones because it forces people to use SMS – a fee service from which Apple gets revenues from ATnT. I can now IM with my wife on her iPhone without paying ATnT and Apple for texting. This is just one example; there are plenty of others.
I’m glad your iPhone works for you as is. Mine works for me as is, too. I say live and let live. How ’bout you?
The opposing position is supported by a lot of self-serving, disingenuous sniveling.
And this doesn’t qualify as bad manners? You might also want to look up the definition of ‘disingenuous’.
“It is now common knowledge that the way Apple upgrades the iPhone is by wiping out the existing OS and totally replacing it with the update, which removes all the hacks too. Easy, clean and simple.”
If that were really their intention then they could also blow all firmware in the phone back to standard, undoing any sim hacks, removing any 3rd party apps but not bricking anything.
It’s pretty clear that Apple regards the bricking of the phone as a desirable result.
Well I’ve had a Windows Mobile 5 phone (Motorola Q). The email was not very straight forward to set up . I was directed to a web site by verizon, I followed the directions to a T. Never did get my Verizon email to work on that phone. I was working a job inspecting building assets for the NYC Board of Ed. I bought a program to tell me the subway stations and maps from this company that does them for subways all over the world. $50 later with the activation code the phone would not activate the program despite numerous erasures and re-installations and contacting the firm did not get me another working code.
The only work around I had was to go the the NYC MTA web site and zooming in. About a month after that I decided to get the equivalent map software program and a blue-tooth enabled receiver. This turned out to be the only useful application I was ever able to use on my Q but at the expense of $270 for the software and $85 for the GPS receiver. So with every thing said and done I paid $200 for the phone and $405 for 3 rd party apps and peripheral hardware with little more to show for it than a glorified phone and navigation system that had no functionality when it came to my emails and could not synchronize my numbers and addresses without another 3 rd party app called missing sync. So in the year I operated the Q with Verizon I used it primarily as a web browser, camera, navigation system and little else. and last year Verizon’s system was not the 3G system they boast now and was more pokey and prone to locking up as most WM smart phones.
Internet explorer for WM 5 mangled most web sites that I tried to navigate and made them almost impossible to use. I tried navigating site in the performance of my duties but found that most of the sites used for my work were not smart phone friendly. When I bought the phone Verizon predated any carrier and had exclusivity for at least 6 months. In order to use the phone just for data I had to take a minimum voice package which allowed me a paltry 400 minutes per month. I had Cingular with roll over and 900 minutes per month on my RAZR having been burned by verizon years earlier for overages.
My point …with the I phone I was able to consolidate all of my portable electronics and had a smart phone with all the features and software I paid extra for and they just worked . I’m a licensed professional engineer the now works in the civil arena but I came up through the ranks as an analog desginer with significant digital and software experience and eventually transferred to the manufaaturing engineering area before cheap overseas labor forced me to get my PE license to be able to obtain employment that could not be easily outsourced.
$650 for the Iphone allowed me to save over $1000 on a worthless piece of crap that was not very intuitive to use . I gladly paid the cancellation charge to not pay $85 per month for 400 minutes and unlimited data and frequent lock ups also having to buy another smart phone to work on Verizon’s limited 3G network. True the I phone does not have all the 3 rd party apps I desire but I don’t need to play games on my phone, and the apps that I need I’m willing to wait. As for those ares where ATT are not as strong I have it on good authority that they are continuously improving their network. I feel no need to hack the phone and rush Apples schedule to get 3rd party apps out, I have full experience in poor product execution from Motorola and Verizon. I have a smart phone with key entertainment from my itunes library, Google maps I use constantly, all my emails work the camera is the best I’ve had in a phone and for my purposes I find AT&T;as good a provider as Verizon if not better at some things.
Apple did their homework in bring out this phone and many of us have such high expectations we tend to forget what we had to put up with before. I applaud apple for not going the way of the cheap easy buck and growing the product and the brand properly. Improperly designed and tested apps are akin to faux leopard print fur seat covers in a Rolls or Bently .
I think the argument gets lost and repetitive about halfway down. The argument most people have about the iPhone is not what it is, but what it could be. It is disagreeing with Apple’s business model in this situation. Those of use who have been around Apple products for awhile (off and on since early 1994, 100% on since 1999) know their superiority to products in the Windows world—from hardware to software. We have come to expect the best! And the iPhone is it.
But many of us have also come to expect Apple to “Think Different”. By choosing to keep the iPhone completely closed (both hardware and all software) they say only they are allowed to think different, which is actually group think. It’s their choice, but could you imagine a Mac where ALL your software was made by Apple ONLY? Wow.
I like almost all Apple software better, but many times they don’t tackle everything. Example being Handbrake. They won’t tackle that because of certain implications, but I couldn’t do without it. I know the iPhone is not a “personal computer”, but that’s the crux of what the dissenter’s are saying. Apple has chosen to make this AWESOME small tablet personal computer and cripple it to ONLY make it an AWESOME PHONE/iPOD/INTERNET COMMUNICATOR!!
Unfortunately (in my opinion) they are trying to do the same thing as the big 3 wireless telecoms. They are trying to milk out every dime possible. The main difference is the hardware manufacture is doing all the work and reaping much of the profit. It’s better for Apple—and in many ways better for the consumer (a la user interface / new technology)—but still limiting the possibilities!! It’s not about GREAT UI, but about dumbing down something awesome for company gain. (which is ok i guess…but sucks for us!!)
Luke Skywalker
Your points are understandable to certain level, but it gets lost in your “My iPhone is O’ so better then your iPhone” argument which you may not even be aware you are projecting.
Seriously do you want to discuss whose Dad can beat up who next?
Next about messaging. Please contact AT&T;and Apple and their lawyers. I’m sure they would love to talk to you about the phrase “Breach of Contract” which you are doing right now.
Next, Apple is a business. i’m willing to be that Apple has a long way to recoup their development costs. 3 1/2 month of fees probably hasn’t even come close IMHO.
Lastly you approach to internet “debate” is hardly unique. You look down from on high casting just as much scorn as you receive. Maybe its not intention, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, but that is what it looks like from where I’m sitting.
Hmm wierd post issue before I finished:
Luke Skywalker
Your points are understandable to certain level, but it gets lost in your “My iPhone is O’ so better then your iPhone” argument which you may not even be aware you are projecting.
Seriously do you want to discuss whose Dad can beat up who next?
Next about messaging. Please contact AT&T;and Apple plus their lawyers. I’m sure they would love to talk to you about the phrase “Breach of Contract” which you are doing right now.
Next, Apple is a business. I’m willing to bet that Apple has a long way to recoup their development costs. 3 1/2 month of fees probably hasn’t even come close IMHO. As a business they have the right to manage said business as they set fit within the bounds of the law. You remember the law right? Oh yeah its that thing you are flouting every time you IM. And to be honest you should be busted by for said breach of contract.
Lastly you approach to internet “debate” is hardly unique. You look down from on high casting just as much scorn as you receive. Maybe its not intention, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, but that is what it looks like from where I’m sitting.
I’m willing to bet that everyone here wants the iPhone to do everything under the sun. Unlike you, some of us are willing to wait. I have every faith that Apple is working exceptionally hard to make the iPhone even better then it is right now. What harm is that?
What some lacking from some (read: you) is patience; so much so you are willing to go through an amazing amount of mental gymnastics to support at best a tenuous position regarding the iPhone and at worst a severe breach of contract one.