1. The device is hugely over hyped, it’s only popular because it has the Apple name on it. The device, and the technology are nothing more than a rehash of what already exists on more affordable devices. The hype has nothing to do with special features because there are devices that cost 1/3 of what the iPhone will cost that do all the same things (and more). This, without a doubt, the most over hyped product in a decade.
2. Due to Apple’s choice to lock down the phone in terms of 3rd party apps, the iPhone will be severely limited in terms of customizability. The plethora of Windows Mobile 3rd party apps covers just about any need you could have. Need a feature? download a 3rd party app. This is not the case with the iPhone. Need an app? Maybe Apple will make one, but they will sure as hell charge you for it.
3. The touchscreen (multi-touch, whatever the hell you want to call it) really is pretty useless when you consider the fact that you cannot “touch dial” with this phone. The tactile sensation of pushing a button is severely under appreciated and people will see that when they try this full touchscreen. Also, the fact that you’re touching the screen this often will very likely lead to all kinds of scratches and smudges…my favorite thing on a screen.
4. The lack of a replaceable battery is an absolutely idiotic move. Cell phones are not like MP3 players, and this is what Apple fails to grasp. Sure, your iPod dies and you can live without music, but your cell phone cannot die because it is a very important device (to some people). The sad thing is that Apple did this ONLY to screw customers out of more money, and for no other reason. On a similar note, business/corp users will never put up with this idiocy because most of them currently carry at least one additional fully charged battery because they expect the standard cell phone battery to die during the day. With the iPhone, you don’t have this (obvious) luxury because Apple wants to screw you. That is nice of them huh?
5. The price is aimed at the wrong market. The price is suitable for business/corp users who might be willing to pay $500 for a phone. However, this is definitely not a business/corp phone due the lack of syncing with Outlook and the lack of support for MS Exchange. Therefore, they must be aiming at “normal” consumers, and a 16 year old kid (for example) is definitely not going to be running out and pay $500 for a phone that is sitting on the shelf right next to a $100 that does all the same things.
6. The network and the carrier (Cingular/AT&T) are all wrong. One of the key features that Jobs described about this device was it’s “full powered” web browser (Safari). This is all good and nice except for the fact that the network speed (2.5G) that Cingular/AT&T offers is painfully slow compared to competitor’s 3G networks. So, you have a “full powered” web browser, but a sub par browsing experience. wonderful. Cingular/AT&T might be the largest cell phone provider in the US, but that by no means makes them the best. It’s funny that they claim to have the fewest dropped calls and yet they don’t actually provide evidence of this so called study. Also, if you plan on using your shiny new iPhone to its full extent (including the built in wifi) you will likely have to shell out close to $200-$250 per month for all the services you will require. Sounds a little expensive huh?
The ironic thing is that Windows Mobile 5 ( and soon to be 6) does everything the iPhone plans to do, except all the nerds (they are the only ones who will actually buy this device) are blind to that fact because it doesn’t say Apple.
Wandering the Interwebs 