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Ryan Block on why an Apple phone is so anticipated

by David Chartier Jan 2nd 2007 at 7:00PM

For the sake of not trampling trademarks, I guess we can no longer refer to the feverishly-anticipated Apple phone as an 'iPhone.' Nevertheless, no matter what you want to call it, Ryan Block has written an interesting analysis of why everyone wants an Applephone so badly. I think it's a great look at the dynamics of the industry and what a phone from Apple could mean for it, in part because Ryan includes a down-to-earth list of realities about the device. The list includes things such as questionable battery life and how Apple's minimalist design philosophies might not yield a perfect phone that will be adored by all - that is, if the phone even exists in the first place.

If you aren't quite tired of hearing about the Applephone just yet and you've been hoping for some more sensible insight into the possibilities of this much-rumored device, check out Ryan's post for a refreshing dose of speculative realism.

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For the sake of not trampling trademarks, I guess we can no longer refer to the feverishly-anticipated Apple phone as an 'iPhone.'...
 

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gg

I'm with #1 Rod.

January 03 2007 at 8:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andrew

"The reason for all those gee-whiz features offered by manufacturers is to detract users from the fact that the vast majority of mobile phones, with the exception of satellite phones, really don't work as well as promised or expected."

On my Sprint phone I can download MP3's (for $1.99 a pop, and ringtones expire after 90 days) and watch streaming video...but I can't get service in my house. Beyond that I generally like my Samsung A900 ("Blade"). Even though the T9 input is, at best, crappy, I like the form factor and the interface, which is very Aqua-like.

If Apple were to release a mobile handset I would probably buy it, but I don't expect Apple to solve problems that exist with the providers (craptacular coverage). Moreover, I suspect if it was released it's iTunes support would be generally lackluster--unless they partnered with a carrier who doesn't have their own media-download service (which rules out Sprint and Verizon as far as I know). If Apple were to release and sell the handset on their own, with a model for each carrier, expect a ridiculous price since it would most likely not be subsidized by a certain provider, I'm guessing somewhere between $399 to $499 for a phone that looks prettier than the one you have now, but does pretty much the same things the same way.

January 03 2007 at 1:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
andrew

Well, for one, most current phones suck badly.

Anyone who's used the UI on the Verizon RAZRs knows exactly what I'm talking about....

January 02 2007 at 8:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rod

I just hope El Jobso says something about it one way or another so that everyone will shut up about it already.

January 02 2007 at 8:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
maczealot

The best phone that Apple can deliver will be a bust, or at least as bad as all the rest, as long as dropped calls and dead zones continue to plague users. The reason for all those gee-whiz features offered by manufacturers is to detract users from the fact that the vast majority of mobile phones, with the exception of satellite phones, really don't work as well as promised or expected. I'll pass on mobile phones until tranmission and reception service is a good as satellite phones.

January 02 2007 at 7:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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