Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Open Source, iPhone
The latest iPhone Twittering, on a map
I have a confession to make: even though I was there at the iPhone launch, I haven't actually purchased an iPhone. Yes, I'm part of that supposedly small (though I think there are quite a few of us) group of Mac fans who have chosen not to shell out $2k over the next few years to own a little piece of the revolution.But I still want to be on the cutting edge of the iPhone zeitgeist and that's why I think this little mashup is so cool. Reader ADM tells us that he's squeezed together Google Maps, Twitter, and Ning to bring you a geographic, browsable representation of what people are saying on Twitter about the iPhone. Now you too, even if you don't have an iPhone, can stay up to date about what people are saying and where they're saying it.
What's that? You don't care about the iPhone? And even if you do, you think something like this is completely silly and unnecessary? Touché. But ADM has also included the source code through Ning, so you're welcome to make your own mashup about whatever you want. Meanwhile, I and mine will continue to listen intently through the tubes, and hope for our own little bit of salvation: a price drop.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gary Lee said 4:49PM on 7-09-2007
I've just added the twitter app to my iPhone bookmarks and I'm loving it . . . plus I've decided to give away my other iPhone on my blog . . you know anyone interested? - http://www.mrgarylee.com/2007/07/08/im-really-giving-away-a-free-iphone/
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muaddib420 said 4:52PM on 7-09-2007
i don't know why everyone keeps saying it costs $2000 to own an iPhone, factoring in the monthly cell bill. aren't you already paying a cell phone bill?
that's like saying this flatscreen TV is going to cost you such and such factoring in the electricity.
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PSM said 4:54PM on 7-09-2007
Not enough comments yet to make it very useful, but this could be a great way to help people weed through information about the iPhone relative to how it works in their specific area. As we all know, cell phone carriers are not equally good across the country. For instance, if I decide to get a next-gen iPhone, I wouldn't listen to what people think of it in L.A., I would only make a decision based on what people in New York say because I know the specific geography and buildings are going to make a difference in call quality and data speeds, and in my experience AT&T sucks in New York but works well elsewhere. With enough samples, this could be a very helpful tool.
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Jonathan Allen said 5:07PM on 7-09-2007
muaddib420 beat me to it.
Seriously, the iPhone plan isn't that expensive. Infact, it's cheaper than AT&T's Blackberry Connect by $10 a month, so simmer down already.
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Johnny Thrash said 5:08PM on 7-09-2007
I don't get the 2Gs thing either. My bill only went up 5 bucks after changing plans and adding on the 1500 txt msgs... so none of this 2G stuff makes any sense at all to me.
If you have a cell phone, you're already paying a bill that is likely around 50$, which would increase your bill by $20, which would only raise the total cost of ownership over 24 months by $480, add in the cost of the phone itself and you still only looking at $1100.
But as it has it... mine only increased by $120 for a 2 year period, which really is no sweat off my paycheck. I spend more than that in coffee every morning... and I have the phone I've always wanted to boot.
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Shepard said 5:08PM on 7-09-2007
I'm in the same boat as you. My plan doesn't end for another year and I'm hoping by then either the price will have gone down or I the bugs are fixed so it's open to most IM services so I'm relying on SMS service through the ATT plan. I had my heart set on getting that little piece of history but it's really a saving grace I was not able to and I'm one that can wait. My patience is at a level of rationalization.
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Johnny Thrash said 5:11PM on 7-09-2007
Clarification LOL.... I spend more than 5 bucks on coffee every morning... not 120$... now that would have to be some badass coffee. :P
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am said 5:22PM on 7-09-2007
hi. thanks for posting, tuaw. thanks for the comments, 1 and 3.
there is also an Atom feed if you want to subscribe in your newsreader. look right below the map on the site.
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john russell said 5:23PM on 7-09-2007
Portland FTW!
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Michael said 7:36PM on 7-09-2007
hey hey, i am not alone, I belong to the same small group of mac geeks that was in line for iPhone launch that did not buy an iPhone. I want 3G and cut, copy and paste function in an iPhone, only then I will buy.
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Kim said 8:30PM on 7-09-2007
Nope, you're not alone. I'm another one who went to my nearby Apple store to take photos on launch day (and was at MacWorld, too, admiring the spinning phones) but I can't justify purchasing one right now when it doesn't do quite *everything* just yet and is stuck to one carrier. I'll resist until rev 2!
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JeffDM said 12:56AM on 7-10-2007
I think that iPhone-owning Mac users are still a minority, even among Mac users. There are over 20 million Macs in use now, and I don't think Apple has sold 1 million iPhones. I think it's safe to say that less than 5% of Mac users have an iPhone, it may be as low as 1%, considering that most iPod owners are Windows users, and that trend probably carries over with iPhone.
For me, the additional cost of ownership over a carrier-provided free phone would be about $1400, which is basically counting the phone, the cellular internet service & extra tax for service that I don't get now or need much, and it also includes the termination fee from my old carrier. I want to see the iPhone concept extended farther before I'm willing to pay to cancel my current contract.
I like the idea of combining my PDA, music player and phone (which actually all play music, but...) into one device, but the devices I have now are paid for and do the job that I need them to do, iPhone falls short for my needs because if a limited or no todo list, and no text file / note syncing, which are two major needs that my current devices handle better.
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Brian said 1:40AM on 7-10-2007
Yay, me! I'm internet famous!
I wants me an iPhone. I'm just waiting for my T-Mobile contract to expire in October. Or to talk myself into having two cell phones until October.
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Chris Friedberg said 5:06PM on 7-10-2007
You do realize that the iphone doesn't cost 2000 over the next two years right? I mean, if you had any cell phone, you would be paying upwards to 1500-1900 for a plan. But it's interesting to see people manipulate the data there, and make excuses for why they didn't get one.
just say you don't want it, or you can't afford it, but don't use an invalid reason.
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