Apple Finally Unveils The iPhone
After months of speculation and rumors, Apple finally unveiled the iPhone a few hours ago. The thing is pretty impressive, but looking at it from a gamer’s perspective, the most important features are the touchscreen and the built-in accelerometer.
The touchscreen supports dual-touch, the ability to use two fingers at the same time, while the accelerometer can be used to control games in totally new ways. And with Apple already offering casual games for its iPod, we can only hope they take advantage of the iPhone’s hardware and make some really interesting games.
Oh, and in case you didn’t already know, the iPhone is pretty much stunning, featuring anything from Google Maps to IMAP enabled email, and a 3,5″ widescreen with dual-touch capability. It comes in 4 GB and 8 GB variants, and will retail for $499 and $599 respectively. Check out the official product page here.
Via MobileWhack
January 10th, 2007 at 1:26 am
As usual Apple charges way too much initially for their products. I know many people like them and I am going to take some heat for having my own different opinion but I just don’t like them and think they have just turned into a gimmicks driven electronics company instead of the revolutionary Computer/Software company they once were. There is no way I would ever own anything they currently manufacture and sell. Apple is just not the company for me. But I respect that other people love them to death and will stick up for them until the bitter end. The iPhone just doesn’t impress me … sorry. Maybe if it was priced at $300 but not for $500-$600. I would actually rather get a PS3 if the truth be told.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:45 am
christ thats expensive. all there is to say, other than its not worth it.
January 10th, 2007 at 1:57 am
No way I’m paying that much for the iPhone. The thing has great features, no doubt, but so does the PS3 and even that isn’t worth 600. I can’t see anyone besides Mac-addicts getting this.
And what the article doesn’t mention is that you are bound to Cingular for 2 years when buying the iPhone, and rest assure that those guys will certainly rip you off.
January 10th, 2007 at 2:01 am
Cingular is not all that bad … I use them and have been happy with the service over the last 5 years. Maybe it is time for a change though since AT&T now owns them … who would you recommend?
January 10th, 2007 at 2:06 am
It’s not that I got anything agaist them, they’re probably like everyone else, I just don’t like to be tied with something for 2 years… not even for 6 months. I want to pick my own service.
And the “rip-off” part is because since you got this hot new hardware, any company who’s go the rights to carry it will squeeze every penny out of it (and they can charge what they want, there’s no competition)
Remember, Apple didn say how much you would pay for the service, for the mail, for Google Maps, or even the monthly fee.
January 10th, 2007 at 3:27 am
… Umm.. Why is everyone so mad? $599 for an 8GB iPhone is a great price. That touch screen technology is advanced and well beyond regular TSs. It also has an accelorometer built in so that when you turn it it changes from landscape and portrait automatically. It also has a proximity sensor built in so it knows when you’re using as a phone. It’s ambient light senor detects light levels and the screen adjusts accordingly. I garentee you that you wont have to pay for the online mail and google services ect, but chances are there will be a slight service fee. And not to mention, this isn’t a gaming machine, it’s not supposed to cost $250.
January 10th, 2007 at 3:32 am
Watch this presentation first and learn what you are talking about, then criticize.
http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/j47d52oo/event/
January 10th, 2007 at 3:34 am
You buy it then Q-man … I think it is way overpriced like most of their other stuff is when it first comes out. It may be nice but not worth the price imo. But of course I don’t really care for Apple anyway so I wouldn’t get this if it was $100. I would wait for someone else to develop something similar if that is what I wanted. But all I really want from a Phone is just a phone … not all the added stuff. of course that is just me. I would still take $600 (if I had it to spend on gadgets)atm and buy a PS3 instead of this thing … but as always say to each his own.
January 10th, 2007 at 3:38 am
EXACTLY!! Apple isn’t catering to you, or gamers at all. I’m not sure why DB posted this, because apple is now trying to take the palm pilot industry, and they will do it via phone.
January 10th, 2007 at 3:42 am
Like the PS3 it is worth the price, it delivers value to it’s target audience.
January 10th, 2007 at 3:51 am
I’d certainly buy it for $400, but 600 bucks is seriously pushing it.
On the other hand, I just saw what an 8GB and 4GB ipod was retailing for, combine that with a cellhpne, you’re talking $400, plus the new features, I can understand the price.
But it’s still too much for what’s essentially a phone with an MP3 player, a lot og phones can play music and surf the net, under half the price of an iPhone.
January 10th, 2007 at 3:55 am
Actually, it essentially a computer with a phone.
January 10th, 2007 at 4:21 am
^Skype?
January 10th, 2007 at 8:21 am
You can’t change our minds about this Q-Man but you can go out and buy one yourself and tell us all how great it is once you get it. Have fun with it. That is pretty much all I have to say on the topic. One thing that did happen though is that their stock saw a pretty large increase … I think close to $6 … so obviously there are a lot of people who see things your way and believe Apple will do quite well in this market they are getting into. But for me it is a no sale.
January 10th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Apart from the high price tab this looks like an extremely good phone to have if you don’t already own an iPod (which I don’t). The google maps function looks very useful (I got lost the other night and had to stop and ask for directions), and over all the touch screen makes it extremely easy to use. I can see how people would see this as a waste of money though because of the high price tab, especially in Australia where this will probably retail for over $1000. But it’s always worth waiting for v2 to come out.
January 10th, 2007 at 8:44 am
You got me on that map stuff Josh … maybe if/when the price drops I MAY (HUGE MAY) consider it MAYBE (but I doubt it) … but we all know the “cool” “in” crowd will pony up the big bucks just to say they have one. Apple banks on that type of mentality and I hate to say it but they are usually correct. That’s why I can’t stand them. In many ways they appear to me to be just as arrogant as Sony. But of course that is just my opinion … take it or leave it.
January 10th, 2007 at 9:17 am
I’m not trying to change your minds, I’m trying to get you to understand. This is exactly like with the iPod, people were like “Uh, der! why would i pay $300 for a thing that plays music when I could get a $20 CD player?”
January 10th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Zzzz, this product has been available in PDA from for years… try hard apple.
January 11th, 2007 at 2:05 am
personally i think it looks awesome, and most of the people i’ve talked to like it as well… although it does look a little big for a phone. whether or not you like it, its just exciting to see how the cell phones are progressing. i do understand about the price and the 2yr contract. i have verizon right now and it sucks to have the same phone for 2yrs as you watch the new ones improve on many features.
January 11th, 2007 at 2:15 am
To each his own I always say … and yes it is more than likely that Apple will do well in this market segment with this product in the months ahead as I can see most iPod owners actually buying this product … some as Valentines Day gifts and many as Birthday and Christmas presents.
January 11th, 2007 at 2:35 am
I saw this on Tv and the demo blew my away ! It is truely a next gen product I can see why its so damn high. I guess thats what we all get lol everyone wants the future and when it comes we all say its to high. I guess we should warp back into the 80’s when they had those big a** cell phones lmfao . I like it but damn I also want a Ps3 , a Sony cybershot and that sh*t is gonna hurt my pockets. I guess thats what we get for jumping ahead in the future. I dont know If cingular gives you a plan I might get one ,which im sure they will . Nobody will pay 600 dollars they will try to make a deal , like a two year contract just to get this product.
January 11th, 2007 at 2:43 am
The Sony Cybershot looks like a very nice camera I must admit … which model are you talking about though? The 7.2 megapixel one of the 10.2 deluxe one? Just curious since I will not be getting any more cameras … my 3.2 mp Kodak works just fine for me.
January 11th, 2007 at 3:43 am
The one with the touch screen and the slide down viewfinder . I think its the T-50 but man its so damn high I might settle for the T-10 . I think it is the 7.2 megapixel. I been doing so research and some love it and some like it or dont like it. I dont know I seem to always want wont nobody else has yet lmao . I wanted the Razor when it came out , now I dont because everyone and they momma has one
. All in all.. I have to say that this is what we will have to deal with when new products come out. Just look at Flatscreen Tv ,they were so high at first. Now they are more common and are thought to be $999 by the next holiday season th (42in ones). So im sure the Iphone will come down in do time.
January 11th, 2007 at 3:49 am
That T-50 is very nice indeed … I would get that one if I were in the market for a camera … but the major one is the R-series … purely for professionals I would think. But yes the prices will come down so you may want to wait until around Christmas if you can hold out that long.
January 11th, 2007 at 3:52 am
Actually I just checked again and I would go for the N2 … that one is super sweet and it is 10.1 Mp … now that is a slick azz digital camera with real stamina … 3003 shots with the large 3.0 LCD touchscreen to boot and the ability to store 500 VGA images. That is just plain sick!
January 11th, 2007 at 5:42 am
lol damn Anuban I see that cam it is very nice now I want both for cryin out loud . That is a very small stylish cam for that price . nice find
.. I guess I have alot of shoping on my wish list . This will come in handy on road trips and taking picture of the family.
January 12th, 2007 at 2:32 am
Quartecks – thank you for posting the demo video
Steve Jobs calling Starbucks to order “4000 lattes to go” – classic!
I think the iPhone looks fun – I like things that multi-function – It is the same reason I like my PSP.
I tend to spend a lot of time in dark DI bays waiting for things to render – that and standing in line at Disneyland
– I like things to entertain me.
January 14th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Hahaha, that was the best. But think about it, you aren’t paying $600 for a bunch of gimmicks, these are all practical tools that nearly everyone could find a use for.
January 14th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I totally agree – many of my friends think I am insane for wanting to spend that much money on what they see only as a phone – but i think it looks pretty cool.
and if I can get my company to buy me that is even better
= )
thanks again for the demo
January 18th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Mmm… Seems no one knows Apple stole the iPhone trademark! Cisco has filed a lawsuit against them and they’ve owned the trademark since 1999!
With the bad luck Apple has been having in court lately and with aggreement being worked out with Cisco to share the name, why chance a lawsuit? More backdoor stuff will come out of this and you may still get your iPhone, only it’ll be a Cisco brand at a much cheaper price.
Apple should have skipped using iPhone and called it just Aphone Not A iPod!
January 18th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Mmm… Seems no one knows Apple stole the iPhone trademark! Cisco has filed a lawsuit against them and they’ve owned the trademark since 1999!
With the bad luck Apple has been having in court lately and with aggreement being worked out with Cisco to share the name, why chance a lawsuit? More backdoor stuff will come out of this and you may still get your iPhone, only it’ll be a Cisco brand at a much cheaper price.
http://news.com.com/Cisco+sues+Apple+over+use+of+iPhone+trademark/2100-1047_3-6149285.html
Apple should have skipped using iPhone and called it just Aphone Not A iPod!
January 18th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Link for above: http://news.com.com/Cisco+sues+Apple+
over+use+of+iPhone+trademark/2100-1047_3-6149285.html