More iPhone reviews: Newsweek and USA Today

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  • Reply 21 of 44
    dawho9dawho9 Posts: 8member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by dahlenu View Post


    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
  • Reply 22 of 44
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,504member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight View Post


    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.
  • Reply 23 of 44
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,504member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by meelash View Post


    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?
  • Reply 24 of 44
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,504member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by solipsism View Post




    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.
  • Reply 25 of 44
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by meelash View Post


    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.
  • Reply 26 of 44
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight View Post


    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?
  • Reply 27 of 44
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,504member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by meelash View Post


    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.
  • Reply 28 of 44
    tbagginstbaggins Posts: 2,306member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by solipism


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



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    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?



    .
  • Reply 29 of 44
    caliminiuscaliminius Posts: 944member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    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.
  • Reply 30 of 44
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,504member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TBaggins View Post


    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.
  • Reply 31 of 44
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,504member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by caliminius View Post




    And no stereo Bluetooth support sucks too.



    What do you mean by that?
  • Reply 32 of 44
    caliminiuscaliminius Posts: 944member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    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.
  • Reply 33 of 44
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,504member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by caliminius View Post


    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?
  • Reply 34 of 44
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    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?
  • Reply 35 of 44
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,504member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by solipsism View Post


    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.
  • Reply 36 of 44
    tbagginstbaggins Posts: 2,306member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    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.





    Quote:
    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.



    .
  • Reply 37 of 44
    meelashmeelash Posts: 1,045member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    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?

    Quote:

    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.





    Quote:

    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?
  • Reply 38 of 44
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by meelash View Post


    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.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by meelash View Post


    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.
  • Reply 39 of 44
    meelashmeelash Posts: 1,045member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by solipsism View Post


    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.
  • Reply 40 of 44
    solipsismsolipsism Posts: 25,726member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by meelash View Post


    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.



    There was so much talk a few weeks ago just prior to the last Jobisan presentation about ZFS being the default file system despite only sparse rumours of the MAJOR flaws being worked out secretly by Sun and Apple. And despite the glaring impossibilities Sun's CEO didn't help with his latter recanted statement that Apple will be using ZFS as their default file system. And there is also the fact even if all the necessary bells and whistles had been included with Apple's help that there would still be too many bugs to work out for an October release, that a consumer product won't really benefit from ZFS, and that Apple will first have a full-working option in Disk Utility before pushing as a default system for OS X and then most likely start with their server OS where a multitude of large drives can surely benefit.
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