More iPhone reviews: Newsweek and USA Today

[AppleInsider]

On the heels of reviews from the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, Newsweek's Steve Levy and USA Today's Edward Baig have also weighed in on their official two-week iPhone experiences with a pair of reviews from their respective publications.

"If you're looking for quibbles, flaws and omissions, you'll certainly find them in this first version of the iPhone," Levy wrote for Newsweek." But the bottom line is that the iPhone is a significant leap. It's a superbly engineered, cleverly designed and imaginatively implemented approach to a problem that no one has cracked to date: merging a phone handset, an Internet navigator and a media player in a package where every component shines, and the features are welcoming rather than foreboding. The iPhone is the rare convergence device where things actually converge."

Meanwhile, USA Today's Baig says: "After months of hype, Apple has delivered a prodigy -- a slender fashion phone, a slick iPod and an Internet experience unlike any before it on a mobile handset. [...] Still, iPhone isn't perfect, or even the most ideal smartphone for every user. It's pricey. It lacks certain features found on some rival devices. AT&T's coverage was spotty in some areas I tested over the past two weeks."

Points of interest (Newsweek's Steve Levy)
"One of the most hyped consumer products ever comes pretty close to justifying the bombast."
iPhone comes in a "snugly fit black box."
"When the phone is at your cheek, the screen goes dormant. But when you lower the phone to tap in some numbers in a voice mail system, the screen reappears to take in your input."
"Learning to type on the iPhone requires some concentration."
"You can also play with other applications while you talk."
"If you've been using the iPhone a lot it feels warm on your cheek."
"E-mail looks more like you're working on a computer than a clunky phone."
"Workout lovers will want to keep their Nanos and Shuffles for the gym."
"Web-browsing is where the iPhone leaves competitors in the dust."
"Simply typing 'yo' qualifies as one of the 200 SMS messages that come with your plan."
iPhone allows you to merge up to five conversations into a conference.
"It will expertly route a trip for you and even clue you in on the traffic density."
"The specially formatted YouTube videos work great on Wi-Fi, but can display in a lower quality when you're not at a hotspot and are using AT&T's EDGE network."
"The calendar works as you'd hope, with a charming odometer-style way of setting the time of appointments."
"The EDGE network actually has two speeds, and when you're on the slower one, Web pages load up with what feels like dial-up speed."
"As for wear and tear, I've been jamming it in my pocket with keyrings, coins and pens, and so far it's nearly as good as new."
During Levy's iPhone conversation with Steve Jobs, the Apple boss professed that he wasn't concerned about inflated hopes, and certainly not whether he would meet his own projections of 10 million sold in 2008. “I think we're going to blow away the expectations," Jobs said.
Check out Steve's complete iPhone review over at Newsweek.

Points of interest (USA Today's Edward Baig)
"The scratch-resistant glass-top surface protects iPhone's gorgeous 3.5-inch touch-screen display, which I found visible even in direct sun."
"Finger-tapping takes getting used to."
"This is the closest thing to the real-deal Internet that I've seen on a pocket-size device — but there are limits."
"On the data side, it works through AT&T's Edge network, which is pokey compared with third-generation, or 3G, data networks used with other phones. At times, I fell off the Edge and lost coverage. Even at its best, Edge never felt close to the broadband-type speeds I experience on my home network."
"Apple CEO Steve Jobs has called iPhone the best iPod that Apple has ever made. I agree, unless you want to carry a music library larger than either the 4- or 8-gigabyte iPhone can hold."
"I experienced one snag playing music. A song wound up in an endless loop. I had to turn iPhone off to restore order."
"Lots of people (me included) eschew iPod earbuds in favor of their own headphones. Now the bad news: They may not work. Because of how the connector is designed on the Shure headphones I use, I could not fit them into the iPhone headphone jack. Shure is readying a $40 accessory that would let you plug in its headphones and use them for voice."
"Though iPhone has Bluetooth capabilities for connecting to hands-free headphones, it does not support wireless Bluetooth stereo."
"Movies can eat up a lot of space. When I finished watching A Bug's Life, iPhone offered to remove it from the device to free up some."
"Pictures look fabulous on iPhone."
"I expected to miss the tactile feel that a physical keyboard provides. I didn't."
"Once you get the hang of its "multitouch" interface — give it a few days — you won't have to schlep a separate iPod and cellphone in your pocket."
"Battery life didn't prove to be a big problem in my unscientific tests — a mix of calling, surfing, listening and watching. Still, it's a good idea to charge it overnight. You receive warnings when you have just 20%, 15%, 10% and 5% of power remaining."

Check out Edward's official iPhone review over at USA Today.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[ajunr]

"I expected to miss the tactile feel that a physical keyboard provides. I didn't."

That is the one thing that worried me, so that is good to know

[mariofreak85]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

"Simply typing 'yo' qualifies as one of the 200 SMS messages that come with your plan."

um ya, just like every other phone

[Kasper]

Originally Posted by mariofreak85

um ya, just like every other phone

Ya -- It was added for giggles. =P

[Cubit]

Originally Posted by mariofreak85

um ya, just like every other phone

Well that clinches it, I'm going back to this tin cans and a string-- That was cheap~!

[Bageljoey]

All in all, it has been a good day for my impression of the iPhone.

Reasonable plan rates and generally glowing reviews from a variety of sources (though all with some reservations).

That said, I still don't feel the need to rush out and buy one. The mandatory 2 year contract and the inevitable first gen issues would give me pause. What if they upgrade the iPhone line to 3G in 6 months? You can't just eBay yours and buy the new one--you would have to sign up for another 2 years, no? Then you would be tied to a phone with no replaceable battery for 3.5 years...

I dunno, maybe they will deal with upgrades better than that, but I just can't see myself jumping into this pool yet. Fortunately for me there will probably be millions who will so the second gen iPhone should be that much awesomer.

(With all the iHype this iWeek, I thought it would be ok to use a fake word...)

[Wojciechowski]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

iPhone comes in a "snugly fit black box."

I'm sold.

[joeYYY]

Originally Posted by ajunr

That is the one thing that worried me, so that is good to know

I agree, this was one of the main technical question mark with this product that was raised over and over during the past weeks. From all the reviews I read today it looks like the keyboard is working great once you get used to it which takes a few days.

Even so, I still think that iPhone users will not be using the keyboard as much as predicted mainly due to the strength of the UI and the strong browser application.

[macfly]

all in all the iphone looks pretty nifty but there are a few things i dont understand. i have been using a sony ericsson p800 and then a p910 for the last few years. short of wifi they both have a large touch screen and do pretty well. i can sync my contacts and calendars over bluetooth...why cant the iphone do this? why must i be tethered to sync? i can send pics that i take with the phone via mms...iphone cant do this. ? i can take video too. not iphone?
obviously i think the iphone has a slicker gui but im confused about the things it lacks.
not bashing here...just truly confused. what do others think?

[heyjp]

Great on the positive feedback on the virtual keyboard. i was concerned about that.

Bummer on the mono-only support for bluetooth (no wireless stereo ;-(

Double-bummer on the quality and speed of the ATT network.

Jim

[meelash]

Originally Posted by macfly

all in all the iphone looks pretty nifty but there are a few things i dont understand. i have been using a sony ericsson p800 and then a p910 for the last few years. short of wifi they both have a large touch screen and do pretty well. i can sync my contacts and calendars over bluetooth...why cant the iphone do this? why must i be tethered to sync? i can send pics that i take with the phone via mms...iphone cant do this. ? i can take video too. not iphone?
obviously i think the iphone has a slicker gui but im confused about the things it lacks.
not bashing here...just truly confused. what do others think?

Can it not sync contacts and calendars over bluetooth? I had assumed that this would happen..

[melgross]

Originally Posted by macfly

all in all the iphone looks pretty nifty but there are a few things i dont understand. i have been using a sony ericsson p800 and then a p910 for the last few years. short of wifi they both have a large touch screen and do pretty well. i can sync my contacts and calendars over bluetooth...why cant the iphone do this? why must i be tethered to sync? i can send pics that i take with the phone via mms...iphone cant do this. ? i can take video too. not iphone?
obviously i think the iphone has a slicker gui but im confused about the things it lacks.
not bashing here...just truly confused. what do others think?

I don't understand why some people are so rattled about syncing over a Bluetooth connection that is at least an order of magnitude or two slower than USB (likely USB 2 these days).

Other than having a thrill when doing it, I can't see any advantage, and only negatives.

You don't mind that it will take several times as long to do?

[dahlenu]

Originally Posted by Bageljoey

What if they upgrade the iPhone line to 3G in 6 months?

I asked a friend of mine, who works for Sony Ericsson, why they didn't go with 3G. "Battery Life" was the immediate answer. 3G draws much more power, apparantly. But I would assume 3G will come in the next version of iPhone. It has been rumored the iPhone will be 3G when it arrives in Europe this fall/winter.

[BlackSummerNight]

Auto Synch'ing over bluetooth allows you to just be in the general area of your computer. No need to connect a cable, but I don't see how it would be a deal breaker for anyone.

Originally Posted by melgross

I don't understand why some people are so rattled about syncing over a Bluetooth connection that is at least an order of magnitude or two slower than USB (likely USB 2 these days).

Other than having a thrill when doing it, I can't see any advantage, and only negatives.

You don't mind that it will take several times as long to do?

[steviet02]

I haven't read any reviews about securing the iPhone, does anyone know if you can manually lock people out of the phone with a password?

Is the 700MB for the OS coming out of the 4GB or 8GB that they are advertising is in the iPhone?

Maybe it's a memory issue but Voice Recognition for hands free dialing seems like a great feature, I hope they add that in at some point, much safer when driving.

[BlackSummerNight]

Awwe shucks...no business discounts.

[Outsider]

From the article:

Alas, I was unable to test my USA TODAY e-mail with iPhone because our company tech department raised questions about the security settings Apple required with our Microsoft Exchange servers. Apple insists corporate e-mail through the phone is safe. But because the product is so new, many businesses remain cautious. If receiving corporate e-mail is important, check with your tech department first.

I wonder if they are referring to enabling the mobile access setting in Exchange? To support push email on Windows Mobile devices you need this on anyways. It could be their IT department are just being difficult about it.

[meelash]

Originally Posted by melgross

I don't understand why some people are so rattled about syncing over a Bluetooth connection that is at least an order of magnitude or two slower than USB (likely USB 2 these days).

Other than having a thrill when doing it, I can't see any advantage, and only negatives.

You don't mind that it will take several times as long to do?

Syncing calendars and contacts is so fast that it doesn't make any difference bluetooth vs. USB. It's much better to not have to manually connect the cable to your computer every time you change something on one of the devices. Bluetooth automatically keeps them up to date as soon as your in the same room.

[PBG4 Dude]

Originally Posted by Outsider

From the article:
I wonder if they are referring to enabling the mobile access setting in Exchange? To support push email on Windows Mobile devices you need this on anyways. It could be their IT department are just being difficult about it.

No MAPI support on iPhone so Exchange needs IMAP enabled. Most places don't want to enable IMAP.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by macfly

all in all the iphone looks pretty nifty but there are a few things i dont understand. i have been using a sony ericsson p800 and then a p910 for the last few years. short of wifi they both have a large touch screen and do pretty well. i can sync my contacts and calendars over bluetooth...why cant the iphone do this? why must i be tethered to sync? i can send pics that i take with the phone via mms...iphone cant do this. ? i can take video too. not iphone?
obviously i think the iphone has a slicker gui but im confused about the things it lacks.
not bashing here...just truly confused. what do others think?

Originally Posted by meelash

Syncing calendars and contacts is so fast that it doesn't make any difference bluetooth vs. USB. It's much better to not have to manually connect the cable to your computer every time you change something on one of the devices. Bluetooth automatically keeps them up to date as soon as your in the same room.

Besides what Melgross stated...

• It will not only use your battery while syncing but use even more battery power by taxing the Bluetooth component to do the transfer
• The iPhone not only syncs your contacts and calander but also syncs your email, music, movies, TV shows, pictures and Safari bookmarks
• You don't need to carry the USB connector with you. Just keep it with your computer. If you have more than one computer and a seperate iPod then you can keep a dongle with each as it's the same connector

Did your Sony-Ericsson phones come with an attachment to connect directly to your computer or did it only come with a power supply and expet you to sync via Bluetooth?

Originally Posted by dahlenu

I asked a friend of mine, who works for Sony Ericsson, why they didn't go with 3G. "Battery Life" was the immediate answer. 3G draws much more power, apparantly. But I would assume 3G will come in the next version of iPhone. It has been rumored the iPhone will be 3G when it arrives in Europe this fall/winter.

That would a smart assumption. The non-US models due out in 6 months will surely have 3G.

Originally Posted by PBG4 Dude

No MAPI support on iPhone so Exchange needs IMAP enabled. Most places don't want to enable IMAP.

There is a recent Digg article (so take with a grain of salt) that claims Apple will license Exchange ActiveSync for complete compatibility. I doubt it's true, but thought I'd mention it anyway.

[meelash]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Besides what Melgross stated...[INDENT]• It will not only use your battery while syncing but use even more battery power by taxing the Bluetooth component to do the transfer
• The iPhone not only syncs your contacts and calander but also syncs your email, music, movies, TV shows, pictures and Safari bookmarks
• You don't need to carry the USB connector with you. Just keep it with your computer. If you have more than one computer and a seperate iPod then you can keep a dongle with each as it's the same connector

Again, we have both stated that bluetooth syncing would be used only for contact and calendar syncing. The beauty (and necessity) of this is that contact and especially calendar information is something that is changed frequently on either or both of the two devices. Using bluetooth to sync these components means that one doesn't have to remember to plug in to the computer at regular intervals in order to keep things up to date, and worry about the havoc created if it is not done.

FWIW, I'm guessing this is a feature on the iPhone and it just hasn't been covered by these reviews because it's not a very exciting feature. I mean, every Mac comes with built-in bluetooth, iSync has been handling this for years now (and it was a much promoted feature when it first started), and it just doesn't make sense to not include it.

[dawho9]

Originally Posted by dahlenu

I asked a friend of mine, who works for Sony Ericsson, why they didn't go with 3G. "Battery Life" was the immediate answer. 3G draws much more power, apparantly. But I would assume 3G will come in the next version of iPhone. It has been rumored the iPhone will be 3G when it arrives in Europe this fall/winter.

My plan is easy with 3G. I know its coming out and I will want it when its here. My wife will want my iPhone as soon as I have it. So when the 3G version comes out, transfer my Edge iPhone to the wife and I get a new one!!!

Its too easy. Cannot wait to get one on Friday!!! They just better have one when I get there.

dw9

[melgross]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

Auto Synch'ing over bluetooth allows you to just be in the general area of your computer. No need to connect a cable, but I don't see how it would be a deal breaker for anyone.

Of course, I know that. But if you have a fair amount to sync, plugging it in could save you several minutes. I would think that would be much more important.

Besides, you have to charge the damn thing anyway. I assume that the USB charges it while you sync, as it does with my Treo.

So, not only will Bluetooth take longer, it will use power to sync, while USB will add power.

Wireless syncing seems to be a waste.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by meelash

Syncing calendars and contacts is so fast that it doesn't make any difference bluetooth vs. USB. It's much better to not have to manually connect the cable to your computer every time you change something on one of the devices. Bluetooth automatically keeps them up to date as soon as your in the same room.

When you sync, the phone and computer look at everything on both that MAY have to be synced. If you have a lot of music or video, it checks through that as well.

If you are adding music or video, then it must pass that through the pipe as well. Bluetooth, even rev 2, is not known for speed. How long will it take to sync 10 4 MB songs? Or one half hour Tv show?

A movie?

[melgross]

Originally Posted by solipsism

That would a smart assumption. The non-US models due out in 6 months will surely have 3G.

A number of new phones intended for Asia and Europe don't have 3G, and they aren't "free" models.

Here's one.

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/06...stek/index.php

Despite what is being said here by some, Many people in these regions don't use 3G yet.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by meelash

FWIW, I'm guessing this is a feature on the iPhone and it just hasn't been covered by these reviews because it's not a very exciting feature. I mean, every Mac comes with built-in bluetooth, iSync has been handling this for years now (and it was a much promoted feature when it first started), and it just doesn't make sense to not include it.

Despite your accurate assessments regarding iSync and Bluetooth I highly doubt there will syncing via Bluetooth. If anything, there will be wifi syncing first. My reasoning is that Bluetooth is too limited in speed, iTunes can already share via wifi so syncing via wifi wouldn't be difficult, and it's much, much faster and offers a far greater range. Still, I also doubt this will be happening.

[CRHain88]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

Auto Synch'ing over bluetooth allows you to just be in the general area of your computer. No need to connect a cable, but I don't see how it would be a deal breaker for anyone.

It really shouldn't be a deal breaker, after all, contacts sync when you charge your iPhone. Out of habbit, I charge my phone every night, so I think I can live for 24 hours of not having my phone and computer address book match perfectly. I also don't collect that much information on people, maybe a new contact every month?

[melgross]

Originally Posted by meelash

Again, we have both stated that bluetooth syncing would be used only for contact and calendar syncing. The beauty (and necessity) of this is that contact and especially calendar information is something that is changed frequently on either or both of the two devices. Using bluetooth to sync these components means that one doesn't have to remember to plug in to the computer at regular intervals in order to keep things up to date, and worry about the havoc created if it is not done.

FWIW, I'm guessing this is a feature on the iPhone and it just hasn't been covered by these reviews because it's not a very exciting feature. I mean, every Mac comes with built-in bluetooth, iSync has been handling this for years now (and it was a much promoted feature when it first started), and it just doesn't make sense to not include it.

You can't say that.

First of all, phones tend to sync everything that is on them. You don't have a choice. Secondly, having the phone automatically sync every time you come into range, if the iPhone will even do that, isn't something I'd ever want.

How many phones let you use them when syncing? I don't know of any offhand, though it's possible.

So, every time you walk out of range, and then walk back in, it syncs? If so, that would really suck.

I would think that you would want to be able to control that.

I still see no advantage in not plugging a device that MUST be recharged into the computer while it's syncing.

When I come home, and go to my computer, I simply pick up the plug that's left connected to my computer, and plug the Treo in. I then hit the sync button. I leave it plugged in as long as I'm at the computer, or don't need it.

Big deal.

[TBaggins]

Originally Posted by solipism

That would a smart assumption. The non-US models due out in 6 months will surely have 3G.

Originally Posted by melgross

A number of new phones intended for Asia and Europe don't have 3G, and they aren't "free" models.

Here's one.

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/06...stek/index.php

Despite what is being said here by some, Many people in these regions don't use 3G yet.

In Europe, you're correct, the majority of people aren't 3G subscribers yet, so yep, non-3G phones still get released. Check back in 2 years though... I think it'll be hard to find one then, except at the low-end or in areas that are lagging (Eastern Europe).

Asia, though, is a bit different. Both Japan and Korea have 3G penetration rates of over 50%. By 2008, when the iPhone launches there, it will of course be even higher. Non-3G handsets should start to go the way of the dodo over there... read somewhere that 87% of Japanese handsets will be 3G capable by early next year.

Which leads me to believe that there will definitely be a 3G iPhone in time for the Asian launch... which could then circle back and be released in Europe and the US.

Just wish I knew if '2008' for the Asian release means 'early '08', 'mid '08', or 'late '08'. Apple weren't too durn specific, were they now?

.

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by melgross

I don't understand why some people are so rattled about syncing over a Bluetooth connection that is at least an order of magnitude or two slower than USB (likely USB 2 these days).

Other than having a thrill when doing it, I can't see any advantage, and only negatives.

You don't mind that it will take several times as long to do?

Screw Bluetooth, why can't it sync over wi-fi? That would be a pretty nice feature. Bring it home and tell it to sync email and podcasts without having to go plug it into the computer. Or even if it had to be in the dock for wireless syncing would be okay. That way you could possibly even remotely sync it to your computer at home over the internet. Wouldn't that be impressive or at least partially make up for the inability to directly access the iTunes Store?

And no stereo Bluetooth support sucks too.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by TBaggins

In Europe, you're correct, the majority of people aren't 3G subscribers yet, so yep, non-3G phones still get released. Check back in 2 years though... I think it'll be hard to find one then, except at the low-end or in areas that are lagging (Eastern Europe).

Asia, though, is a bit different. Both Japan and Korea have 3G penetration rates of over 50%. By 2008, when the iPhone launches there, it will of course be even higher. Non-3G handsets should start to go the way of the dodo over there... read somewhere that 87% of Japanese handsets will be 3G capable by early next year.

Which leads me to believe that there will definitely be a 3G iPhone in time for the Asian launch... which could then circle back and be released in Europe and the US.

Just wish I knew if '2008' for the Asian release means 'early '08', 'mid '08', or 'late '08'. Apple weren't too durn specific, were they now?

.

I would agree with the two year number, but that's a long way away.

By the time we see a new iPhone, it will have 3G. No later than mid 2008, I would suspect.

Even the 50% number means that about half don't use 3g. That's still a very large market.

And sure, I would think that once 3g is released anywhere, it would be shortly available everywhere.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by caliminius

And no stereo Bluetooth support sucks too.

What do you mean by that?

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by melgross

What do you mean by that?

It would nice to be able to use a stereo Bluetooth headset with the iPhone. I understand it wouldn't be a good idea to use while driving but you could remove the one side during those periods. Just seems a little weird (maybe I'd even call it un-Apple-like) and cumbersome to have to carry around a Bluetooth headset for calls and another wired headset for music. Maybe a modular Bluetooth headset system, where you can unplug the one side and just plug it back in when you're ready to use it again.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by caliminius

It would nice to be able to use a stereo Bluetooth headset with the iPhone. I understand it wouldn't be a good idea to use while driving but you could remove the one side during those periods. Just seems a little weird (maybe I'd even call it un-Apple-like) and cumbersome to have to carry around a Bluetooth headset for calls and another wired headset for music. Maybe a modular Bluetooth headset system, where you can unplug the one side and just plug it back in when you're ready to use it again.

Ok, that's what I thought.

I didn't read anywhere that it wouldn't work with a stereo BT headphone.

Did you?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by melgross

Ok, that's what I thought.

I didn't read anywhere that it wouldn't work with a stereo BT headphone.

Did you?

I haven't read a pro or con review on that either. I'm interested to know if that will be possible.



PS: AnandTech released a Safari on Windows review yesterday taht was removed quickly. I was only able to read the first page before it disappeared. Anyone else see this or have ever experienced AnandTech removing articles?

[melgross]

Originally Posted by solipsism

I haven't read a pro or con review on that either. I'm interested to know if that will be possible.



PS: AnandTech released a Safari on Windows review yesterday taht was removed quickly. I was only able to read the first page before it disappeared. Anyone else see this or have ever experienced AnandTech removing articles?

I don't remember them doing that before.

Perhaps it was put up by mistake, before it should have, or they found a serious error.

[TBaggins]

Originally Posted by melgross

Even the 50% number means that about half don't use 3g. That's still a very large market.

Yes, but its also a market thats shrinking pretty rapidly, i.e. non-3G subscribers in Japan and Korea.

Originally Posted by melgross

And sure, I would think that once 3g is released anywhere, it would be shortly available everywhere.

Makes sense, especially considering that a 3G iPhone can be made such that it will switch from 3G to 2.5G(EDGE) if thats the only network that's available. The Samsung Blackjack already does this.

.

[meelash]

Originally Posted by melgross

You can't say that.

First of all, phones tend to sync everything that is on them. You don't have a choice. Secondly, having the phone automatically sync every time you come into range, if the iPhone will even do that, isn't something I'd ever want.

Phones "tend to"? What does that even mean? Are phones some uncontrollable random wild organism that just crop up with certain feature sets?

Phones do whatever the designers program them to do. How difficult would it be to program a phones software to only sync the contacts and calendars via bluetooth, and sync other things when plugged in?

How many phones let you use them when syncing? I don't know of any offhand, though it's possible.

So, every time you walk out of range, and then walk back in, it syncs? If so, that would really suck.

I would think that you would want to be able to control that.

Again, if you're only syncing contacts and calendars it would only take a few seconds, and if everything is already up to date, even less time- it just has to connect and confirm that everything is the same. You're acting like this is some radical new feature- it's been around for a while now, and having used it, I find it very convenient.

I still see no advantage in not plugging a device that MUST be recharged into the computer while it's syncing.

When I come home, and go to my computer, I simply pick up the plug that's left connected to my computer, and plug the Treo in. I then hit the sync button. I leave it plugged in as long as I'm at the computer, or don't need it.

Big deal.

Because, if you have a dock that plugs into the wall and for example a stereo system, then you would want to come home and plug directly into that, and not worry about random cables all over your desk to plug devices into. Plug into your computer here, hit sync, monitor progress, unplug when done, then move it to your dock so you can listen to something you've been waiting to listen to..... Is there no advantage in not having to "hit the sync button"? In having it sync new calendar appointments automatically so that you are always up to date without having to consciously update it?


All of this having been said, it appears that iPhone does not have any bluetooth features besides headset use built-in. Very useful iPhone FAQ by Dave Pogue answers this and some other questions that people have been asking. Whether the other bluetooth profiles are locked or can be used, remains to be seen.

Among other questions answered in the FAQ: the phone has a screen lock like current iPods. Not sure if it just locks the iPod features, or the whole phone?

You cannot use any ringtones besides the 25 supplied by Apple.

iPhone cannot be tethered as a modem for a computer.

This one's intriguing: You can disconnect the iPhone during syncing and reconnect it and it continues without missing a beat. In fact there is no "Do Not Disconnect" message like on iPods. Is this ZFS in action??

The keyboard only rotates with the screen in the web browser. Huh? This is clearly just an oversight, right? Software version 1.1, anyone?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by meelash

You cannot use any ringtones besides the 25 supplied by Apple.

Just like with changing the startup background with OS X, you can perhaps change the default tunes. I think that AT&T had adamant about this in their contract, and I'm sure Apple knows that these issues—especially on the well known OS X—will be easily tackled.

Originally Posted by meelash

This one's intriguing: You can disconnect the iPhone during syncing and reconnect it and it continues without missing a beat. In fact there is no "Do Not Disconnect" message like on iPods. Is this ZFS in action??

If I here another ZFS comment I'm going to shoot somebody. ZFS isn't ready for widespread release yet, and it certainly wasn't designed for the small capacity of the iPhone. The iPhone will have HFS+ as the file system. I think Bonjour is probably involved, but how Apple is handling the syncing features is probably related to elements of iTunes. I look forward of a breakdown as it paves the way for an OS X based, G6 iPOd Video in the future.

[meelash]

Originally Posted by solipsism

If I here another ZFS comment I'm going to shoot somebody. ZFS isn't ready for widespread release yet, and it certainly wasn't designed for the small capacity of the iPhone. The iPhone will have HFS+ as the file system. I think Bonjour is probably involved, but how Apple is handling the syncing features is probably related to elements of iTunes. I look forward of a breakdown as it paves the way for an OS X based, G6 iPOd Video in the future.

Sorry (Dont shoot me) I don't really have a clue, I was just throwing that out based on some of the stuff I've been reading here over the past few weeks. Generally unplugging anything during copying is a pretty significant no no though right? And has been for years? So something big must be different here.