8 replies on “Gadget Review #3”

  1. Interesting discussion about the iPhone, guys. Like everyone else out there I am amazed at the device and it’s capabilities and I think it will change the entire cellphone industry. But there are several reasons why I will not be buying an iPhone, at least not anytime in the next couple years. First, the price is much too high for a cell phone. Include all the service/data packages, and you’re going to be pushing a pretty high monthly cellphone bill as well. I am waiting for a device that can excel as a cell phone, web browser, iPod and digital camera and while the iPhone is far and away the closest that any manufacturer has ever come to acheiving this, it’s not quite there yet. I imagine Apple will be successful at perfecting this device in subsequent generations of the iPhone but for now I see it as a cell phone with an iPod Nano attached to it in a stylish package. I can get a separate phone and a video ipod with a ton more memory for less money while knowing that both devices work much better on their own. I can’t say that for sure about the iPhone. Maybe I’ll be wrong, but I’m still skeptical that the iPhone will actually be great as a phone. My second reason I won’t be buying the iPhone is that Apple has chosen to restrict itself to one service provider. I don’t know all the reasons for this, but here on the East Coast, Verizon is far and away the best, period. Their network blows everyone else out of the water and I’ve read several articles about the iPhone that claim that may be a problem if Apple really wants to make a huge impact in the cellphone market as far as sales figures go. I guess we’ll see what happens, but speaking for myself, as amazing as the iPhone is I’m not going to give up Verizon(even if it does have supposedly ancient technology) and I’m sure I’m not the only one that will feel that way. Finally, it is widely anticipated that the next generation iPod will have much of the same technology as the iPhone. I currently have an old iPod Mini, but I’m going to wait and see what the new iPod is like, I think it will be nearly identical to the iPhone minus of course, the phone, web browser, and a two year service commitment. And the best part is, that you’ll be able to get it with more than 8GB of memory. Of course that’s all speculation, but it only makes sense that the evolution of the iPod would employ some of these new amazing technologies found in the iPhone. I am truly amazed by many of Apple’s innovative products and they may have a new convert the next time I buy a new computer, but IMO the only reason to get excited about the iPhone is that it is a sign of great things to come. I enjoyed your tech geek, ramble though 😉 Keep up the good work, I love the show!

  2. I just want to preface this message by saying I’m not a cell phone snob although I agree that my mobile is the most important gadget I use. I’m in sales and use my company-provided mobile (and VOIP) exclusively instead of land-lines in my home and office. I’m issued a new phone once a year and so far I’ve never had to replace the battery (my current phone is 6 mos old and has over 11,000 minutes on it). And DB, I’m sorry to correct you but current technology Lithium Ion batteries do not have a memory like Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride’s of the past, so you don’t need to kill your cell phone battery before charging again. You should, however, be responsible in charging the phone only when necessary, not plugging it in overnight whether it needs it or not. If you are replacing phone batteries yearly, you’re probably buying cell phones with old batteries! ‘Stale’ Li-Ion batteries will not hold a charge as long as fresh ones.

    Instead of just blowing a hole in the PDA market with a PalmOne or PPC replacement, they took the amazing iPod, OSX, and a solid cell network and sprinkled it with Steve Jobs pixie dust to create a truly all-in-one personal device worthy of the Apple logo.

    iPhone is a very cool device and I wish I could use it. Unfortunately, my company uses Gabe’s least-favorite provider, but no, I don’t direct-connect with my wife in the grocery store (insert joke here). Apple has been simplifying our lives for many years and will continue to do it for many more. My original Newton MessagePad still works, thank you very much. It inspired its users in addition to inspiring Palm to develop their PDA’s just like I’m sure the iPhone will raise the bar forcing all other phone manufacturers to start listening to device users and not just their engineers. Congrats Apple on yet another brilliant device!

  3. damn, i wish we would have gone to MacWorld instead of CES this year. The iPhone was much more interesting than anything released at CES.

    i could maybe see myself buying one if the cost of service was reasonable. but, to get EDGE service is probably going to be costly on top of the $500-$600 price point of the device alone. however, i know very little about cell pricing in my area as i only have a little pay by minute tracfone used only when i travel.

    i think one of the more impressive things about the iPhone and Apple in general is the fact that they actually convinced cingular to modify their network to use the various features such as the voice mail inbox. it’s rare the providers even let you use the full feature set of your phone without paying unlocking fees. to get them to change their ways simply to introduce ONE product is a testament to how well cingular thinks this phone will sell. but that isn’t to say that it WILL be a huge seller…tough to say for the very reasons mentioned above.

    brad. (at thetechlounge.com)

  4. What I can’t wait for is the fallout from this device. I would imagine the next generation of iPod will have that awesome interface.

    I could totally see a keyboardless laptop.

  7. DB: I suspect you’re shredding batteries because you’re taking care of them like NiCads. That’s bad.

    Of course, if you cell phone is still rocking NiCads, just disregard this and work on getting a new one. 🙂


    From Wiki:

    Unlike Ni-Cd batteries, lithium-ion batteries should be charged early and often. However, if they are not used for a longer time, they should be brought to a charge level of around 40%. Lithium-ion batteries should never be “deep-cycled” like Ni-Cd batteries.

    And another good read from an esteemed academic university.

    I’m mostly sure that the battery in all the iPod devices are Li-Ion based.

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