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Apple Announces iPhone

cashman   on 09 January 2007 - 19:50 · 122 comments & 34013 views

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Macworld is going on right now, and Apple’s biggest announcement of the day so far has been the introduction of the iPhone. Steve Jobs describes the iPhone as “having your life in your pocket”. The phone will be available in two models, 4GB and 8GB priced at $499 and $599 respectively, and will ship to the US in June of this year. Europe will get the phone in the fourth quarter, while Asia will wait till 2008.

Over 200 patents were filed for the inventions in the iPhone, which they intend to vigorously protect. The phone hopes to be a smartphone, music player, camera and video player all in one. The screen will have 160 pixels per inch, the phone will run OSX, and only has one button. The rest of the navigation is controlled by the touch screen display.

The phone also features a 2 megapixel camera, and is only 11.6mm thick. It can differentiate between the user holding it landscape or portrait, and has an ambient light sensor adjusting its brightness dependent on what environment you are in. Google and Yahoo are on board offering mapping and mail services too.

Expect to see a lot of information about the iPhone in the next few days. Check back on neowin for the publics reception to Apple’s new product and any more features that make their way onto the phone.

View: Macworld
View: iPhone Home

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(7 replies) #1 purplehaze32 on 09 Jan 2007 - 19:55
Why oh why did they have to pick Cingular?
#1.1 shockz on 09 Jan 2007 - 19:58
Out of all the providers I've used... cingular has been the best for me... I can be almost anywhere and have 5 bars.
#1.2 excalpius on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:01
Making it exclusive to the Cingular (they bought AT&T, the worst wireless company ever, remember?) was a huge mistake.

However, after taking the tours of the phone on the link about, the touch screeen interface is pretty damn revolutionary. Bravo.

Last edited by excalpius on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:11
#1.3 sin-ergy on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:34
Quote - (shockz said @ #1.1)
Out of all the providers I've used... cingular has been the best for me... I can be almost anywhere and have 5 bars.

You are alone on that one. I had cingular back when I was in California and I could barely get 1 bar in my apartment.
#1.4 Betaz on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:25
Quote - (sin-ergy said @ #1.3)
Quote - (shockz said @ #1.1)
Out of all the providers I've used... cingular has been the best for me... I can be almost anywhere and have 5 bars.

You are alone on that one. I had cingular back when I was in California and I could barely get 1 bar in my apartment.

Works great for me. Wouldn't use anyone else. With my family all around the country, I always have great coverage.
#1.5 305 on 10 Jan 2007 - 01:56
Quote - (sin-ergy said @ #1.3)
Quote - (shockz said @ #1.1)
Out of all the providers I've used... cingular has been the best for me... I can be almost anywhere and have 5 bars.

You are alone on that one. I had cingular back when I was in California and I could barely get 1 bar in my apartment.

I've been with Cingular for many years and not a single problem. I've traveled across the country without a hitch. I'm one of those greatful people that will be welcoming the new phone to our network. Finally we get a fullfeatured phone here in the states without having to buy from overseas.
#1.6 Nave on 10 Jan 2007 - 02:53
Remember now that AT&T is merging back with Cingular, although I have no complaints paying $40 for a 3-line family plan with a promotion they had long ago...
#1.7 Swordnyx on 10 Jan 2007 - 02:59
Have you put aside the iPhone and on with the Cingular thing?

iDont like the price.

I'd rather get a PS3...
#2 Admodieus on 09 Jan 2007 - 19:58
Costs as much as a PS3.

Pass for now.
#3 Gowcra on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:00
Ach well better things to come
#4 Cookie on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:00
It's beautiful. When is it coming to ireland??? I can dream.
#5 kezzzs on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:05
*dribble*

that looks absolutey fantastically amazingly lush. Too bad won't be able to afford it
Hopefully might be able to get it free on contract or something when it comes to the UK!

*dribble*
#6 traxor on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:05
That's awesome, apart from the price tag of course. I'm so glad that Europe is finally getting something before Asia, I'm sick of having to wait until all the other countries get a product!!!
(2 replies) #7 Earl on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:07
Goodbye Zune.. say hello to iPhone
#7.1 Julius Caro on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:11
After watching the videos (you can find them on gizmodo) of the iPhone playing music... I guess we all can expect the ipod to have a similar interface in the future.

iPhone seems to good to be true !!
#7.2 hotdog963al on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:38
Hello iPhone.. say goodbye to wallet
#8 +alex. on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:08
OMG I can't wait till this gets released in the UK.
(1 reply) #9 looseone on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:09
whens the release date in the UK?
#9.1 deadmonkey on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:15
Quote - (looseone said @ #9)
whens the release date in the UK?


Q4 2007.
(3 replies) #10 MeWhOeLsE on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:15
Oh. and that price includes a 2 year contract! Its waay too expensive. I'm very underwhelmed
#10.1 Peter McGrath on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:28
Quote - (MeWhOeLsE said @ #10)
Oh. and that price includes a 2 year contract! Its waay too expensive. I'm very underwhelmed


Me too, and don't forget in true Apple iPod style they'll release new models every 6 months with more features but the old phones won't be able to be upgradable, so all their customers will get ****ed off after having spent so much money on an obsolete product.
#10.2 Nose Nuggets on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:46
Quote - (Peter McGrath said @ #10.1)
Quote - (MeWhOeLsE said @ #10)
Oh. and that price includes a 2 year contract! Its waay too expensive. I'm very underwhelmed


Me too, and don't forget in true Apple iPod style they'll release new models every 6 months with more features but the old phones won't be able to be upgradable, so all their customers will get ****ed off after having spent so much money on an obsolete product.



i dont get that. why does the release of an updated product render the previous release obsolte? just because they can release tech at a certain rate does not meen you HAVE to allways buy the newest one.
#10.3 YaddaMe on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:03
Quote - (Peter McGrath said @ #10.1)
Me too, and don't forget in true Apple iPod style they'll release new models every 6 months with more features but the old phones won't be able to be upgradable, so all their customers will get ****ed off after having spent so much money on an obsolete product.


I bought a 2005 model car in mid-05 & what do you know.... several months later they released a friggin 2006 model. I can't even begin to tell how you cheated I felt.

After getting burned & learning my lesson, I now cruise around in a Radio Flyer red wagon.
#11 tmahmood on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:16
I guess I can only watch until it comes to my country...
I want one...
(5 replies) #12 Mando on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:16
erm correct me if im wrong but how can Apple release this "iphone" with that name as Linksys/Cisco own the rights to that brand name & copyright to the name "iPhone"

Quote -
Ladies and gentlemen, will you please welcome the iPhone from... er... Linksys. Yes, the iPhone has indeed been launched today, as forecast, but it's not the device so many people were expecting. Instead, it's Linksys' new brand name for its range of VoIP handsets.
The news will disappoint folk hoping for an Apple announcement, but that was always unlikely given CEO Steve Jobs' annual launchathon at Macworld Expo is just around the corner. Plenty of analysts - let alone rumour watchers' sources - reckon an Apple phone is on the cards. And while iPhone was a handy way to name the as yet unannounced product, we're sure Apple can come up with a better name than one already trademarked by a handful of companies throughout the years.


http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/12/18/li...aunches_iphone/

"there could be trouble ahead........."
#12.1 dp123 on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:19
Nope, no trouble. Apple negotiated with Cisco and they have an agreement. They know their dinky Linksys VOIP phone isn't going to be confused with the real thing.
#12.2 vetcashman on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:20
It is my understanding that Apple have been in talks with Linksys and a contract is being signed tomorrow about the use of the name.
#12.3 Mando on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:22
Quote - (dp123 said @ #12.1)
Nope, no trouble. Apple negotiated with Cisco and they have an agreement. They know their dinky Linksys VOIP phone isn't going to be confused with the real thing.


ahh okies , cheers for clearing that up although doesnt anyone else think it quite ironic that Apple use a name from another , when they go after anyone who makes anything with a ipod related name....heh, i bet they are paying a pretty penny to Linksys/cisco to use the brand name.

gotta admit it looks pretty slick (although i prefer my mp3 player to be seperate form a mobile phone tbh), its used in-car via line in and the thought of disrupting my tunes to answer a call hmmm no thanks.

Last edited by Mando on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:50
#12.4 dobee on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:46
Quote - (Mando said @ #12)
erm correct me if im wrong but how can Apple release this "iphone" with that name as Linksys/Cisco own the rights to that brand name & copyright to the name "iPhone"


Cisco Offers to License 'iPhone' Name to Apple

Last edited by dobee on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:07
#12.5 vetmarkjensen on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:54
Quote - (Mando said @ #12.3)
...although doesnt anyone else think it quite ironic that Apple use a name from another , when they go after anyone who makes anything with a ipod related name....
Like Microsoft did for MikeRoweSoft and Lindows? Companies have to go out and actively protect their trademarks, or they risk losing the rights to that trademark under law. No ulterior motives there.

And it makes sense for Apple to license the "iXxxx" name, since so many of their other products use it. In this case, another company had the rights to the name, so it had to be legally negotiated and licensed.

I guess I don't see the irony here.
#13 dobee on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:20
I've always wanted the iPod to be a mobile
Shame it's only EDGE though, been saving up for a 3G or 3.5G/HSDPA phone


Last edited by dobee on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:43
(10 replies) #14 Peter McGrath on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:24
So what's innovative about this phone?

Nokia et al have been producing phones with all these features for years and what's more the phone makers haven't crippled them with DRM.

#14.1 dp123 on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:30
Ha, ha, ha!!!

You funny.
#14.2 Exosphere on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:46
yeah, I'm with you on that one, Nokia & Sony Ericsson are ahead of the game.
I've been enjoying my 4GB of Ogg Vorbis files for a year now on my Nokia N80, you can't do that on this product!
I'm surfing using Wireless & 3G, and not buying rip off tracks from iTunes.

Still, because it's Apple, the sheep will flock and follow the white light.
#14.3 Mando on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:53
Quote - (dp123 said @ #14.1)
Ha, ha, ha!!!

You funny.


funny and hes talking the truth mate
#14.4 Neomac v6 on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:06
Quote - (Exosphere said @ #14.2)
Still, because it's Apple, the sheep will flock and follow the white light.

No, they'll flock because it's a revolutionary new design. Some, however, will hate anything Apple does.
#14.5 Xavien on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:46
OMG! an iPhone is already out, check the link: http://www.my-xda.com/

/sarcasm

Theres nothing revolutionary about the iPhone, all it is, is an XDA, with 1 button and a mac OS, plus the sheer cost is massive compared to an XDA and you get a mini keyboard tucked away on the XDA. Many phone providers have been there and done it so i dunno what the fuss is about.
#14.6 excalpius on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:54
um, guys. I'm the complete anti-apple fanboy, but I've yet to see a phone with THAT touchscreen interface. The one button is irrelevant, it has as many buttons, etc. as it needs because it uses a TOUCHSCREEN for all input and navigation, including one and two finger navigation controls i've only seen in research lab videos.

So, can someone show me a link to ANY other phone with a touchscreen interface like this? Cause I would definitely like to see it...as I hate Cingular and am no fan of Apple to be sure...but this phone ROCKS as far as I can tell.

Check out the demos here

http://www.apple.com/iphone/
#14.7 Exosphere on 09 Jan 2007 - 22:17
Quote - (excalpius said @ #14.6)
So, can someone show me a link to ANY other phone with a touchscreen interface like this? Cause I would definitely like to see it.


Urm yeah, 3 years ago or more, things like the p800, p900, p990
This is old hat, touchscreen is annoying after a while, I owned all those previous models and after a while you do miss the tactile feedback from a standard button.
#14.8 timothy on 09 Jan 2007 - 22:44
Quote -
So, can someone show me a link to ANY other phone with a touchscreen interface like this?


http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/15/the-lg-...able-chocolate/
#14.9 dp123 on 09 Jan 2007 - 22:59
Exosphere and timothy, I'm still looking for the multitouch capabilities and integrated proximity sensor.
#14.10 excalpius on 09 Jan 2007 - 23:59
Exosphere, that was really, really funny...thanks.

Timothy, that isn't released either, but yes, it's closer to what we're talking about here. Thanks!
#15 jbrunt1990 on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:32
Who cares, its apple.
(4 replies) #16 Kreuger on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:33
iCan'tComeUpWithAMoreOriginalandUniqueName
#16.1 dp123 on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:35
iCan'tComeUpWithALegitCriticismSoI'llMakeTheLamestTiredestJokeEver
#16.2 magik on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:45
Quote - (Kreuger said @ #1)
iCan'tComeUpWithAMoreOriginalandUniqueName

iRealizeTheValueOfBrandNameMarketingAndDon'tNeedTo
#16.3 Samboini on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:48
OkNowIThinkThisJokeHasGoneOnLongEnoughButIStillWantToSqueezeMoreWordsOutOfItJustToMakeSureEveryoneGetsThePoint.
#16.4 Kreuger on 09 Jan 2007 - 23:31
Quote - (dp123 said @ #16.1)
iCan'tComeUpWithALegitCriticismSoI'llMakeTheLamestTiredestJokeEver

Tiredest? Is that a word? Anyway, I haven't seen it used much. I'm just so sick of all this iCrap. Yeah, I can't come up with a better criticism because I haven't used it any of them except iPods but they're garbage in my opinion anyway. Keep on strokin' your e-penis though.
(3 replies) #17 Neonemesis on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:34
i think looking back, this was one of the biggest and most anticipated events ever. people were talking about this in the halls at school today (well, the nerds were :p), and the story on digg recieved over 7000+ diggs in a few hours. this is absolutely crazy. and the best part is, this is actually an amazing product.
#17.1 Exosphere on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:43
You got to be kidding!
Apart from the fact it can run OSX, there's nothing many other phones can do that this can.
Open your eyes and compare.

I'll stick to my N80, a lot cheaper and does just about everything that thing can.
#17.2 Beastage on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:06
Quote - (Neonemesis said @ #17)
i think looking back, this was one of the biggest and most anticipated events ever. people were talking about this in the halls at school today (well, the nerds were :p), and the story on digg recieved over 7000+ diggs in a few hours. this is absolutely crazy. and the best part is, this is actually an amazing product.


Its a nice ipod, a nice pocketmac, a nice gadget ---- good phone? its not even 3G.... and the big boys already making 3.5G phones -- whats the idea of having this nice display without being able to recieve content to it? aside from content you store there yourself
#17.3 meamog on 09 Jan 2007 - 23:06
Quote - (Beastage said @ #17.2)
Its a nice ipod, a nice pocketmac, a nice gadget ---- good phone? its not even 3G.... and the big boys already making 3.5G phones -- whats the idea of having this nice display without being able to recieve content to it? aside from content you store there yourself

I know this sounds crazy, but that WiFi seems plenty able to handle quick data. Plus, I use a phone to make phone calls, not to watch streaming video. I do, however, watch TV shows on my iPod.

This is definitely my kind of device.
#18 +ludeboy12 on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:42
and hopefully soon to follow will be an upgraded ipod widescreen just like that but without the phone part and with say a 60+ gb HD
(1 reply) #19 Samboini on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:46
DRM is the only setback but as much as don't want to say it; "I want one". I wouldn't generally consider myself an Apple person but this has made me do a little wee.
#19.1 hagjohn on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:04
I'm sure it will work fine with MP3's.
(1 reply) #20 Nose Nuggets on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:48
all this fantastic technology


and i cant sync with a friggin exchange server? you must be daft.
#20.1 Elliott on 10 Jan 2007 - 02:31
Blame Microsoft. Not even the Microsoft Mac Business Unit can put MAPI in their products. Apparently, those secrets are best left to Outlook.
(1 reply) #21 +guylaroche on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:49
When will it be in Canada?
#21.1 Dr.Jones on 09 Jan 2007 - 22:34
canada+1
(2 replies) #22 sin-ergy on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:50
I can't believe people bash the price of the PS3, yet those same people want this phone. $499?!?! That's just mad.
#22.1 Elliott on 10 Jan 2007 - 02:34
You know, this is just a wild guess, but maybe that's because this product is actually useful.
#22.2 excalpius on 10 Jan 2007 - 04:18
bingo! nice retort
#23 cooljerk_dv on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:55
I love the UI . . I hope they release a new IPOD with all the features minus the phone stuff, and a large HDD.

Regardless . . when will it come to Canada, and which provider can I buy it come june

Last edited by cooljerk_dv on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:08
#24 vetBoffa Jones on 09 Jan 2007 - 20:57
It looks nice, but for me that kind of money completely pushes me away from even considering it.
(1 reply) #25 Mr Dickie on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:11
most men will have this iphone™ in their pocket, how is the screen protected?
#25.1 Betaz on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:30
Quote - (Mr Dickie said @ #25)
most men will have this iphone™ in their pocket, how is the screen protected?


www.shieldzone.com
(1 reply) #26 maash on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:30
Absolutely useless for the price, Treo's (both palm and windows) have much more features than this. This phone is not 3G which is a backward step to whats available in 3g mostly in europe and Japan. Seriously high price phone users will go for the Blackberry or Treo which is much cheaper than this and has much more features and applications. Young people will hardly be able to afford that price.
#26.1 Samboini on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:40
I guess 3G won't be 'as' necessary if you can surf via WiFi, which is present in a lot of places nowadays. Granted you may need to pay for the privilege and there will be times when 3G would be better suited, but it isn't the worst thing they could of done. I guess.
#27 RAID 0 on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:33
Too expensive. I'm sure by the end of next year the price will go down. I'd want to play with it a while before I pony up that kinda cash for a "phone".
#28 Robbeke on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:48
Well, all the comments I saw I have to agree with most of them:

- It is very expensive for a phone...
- I totally agree it should be open instead of an exclusive contract with singular.
- Most other phones can do a lot of or part of it's features

But I think we should give Apple at least *some* credit for making this again a nice product. Nice new interface (touch screen only) and it looks to be very pleasant to work with. Nice piece of engineering imho.

I'm more a Microsoft user as I don't have any Apple device over here (yet?), but if you compare their products with competitors on the moment they are released you have to admit they are able to do something nice with it and migrate it very well in their portfolio. (iPod history, OS X concept, instant search like spotlight). If you compare this with Microsoft (Zune, Vista) you have to admit Apple did a nice job on this and the Zune offered really nothing new. The only really innovating product I saw from Microsoft the last 5 years was Office 2007. (I'm talking about home-user stuff now)

And never forget: Apple has a strong marketing department: why would they release an iPhone now, that has 3G, and is not exclusive contracted? They need to have features they can add for iPhone 2nd generation
(1 reply) #29 ShawnB on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:49
It should be a direct competitor to Windows Mobile / Smartphone devices since they share the exact same feature set.

Touchscreen, media player, wifi, broadband. phone, internet browser, mail client are all available today in a windows package.

The difference, as always, will be in the marketing.
#29.1 excalpius on 09 Jan 2007 - 21:57
I've yet to see any Touchscreen interface design come anywhere near that functionality. Can you point me to a link, cause I'm not going Cingular...no how, no way.
(1 reply) #30 Danrarbc641 on 09 Jan 2007 - 22:10
Am I the only one that finds the phone itself ugly?


The OS and everything looks great but the phone just looks so odd.
#30.1 Elliott on 10 Jan 2007 - 02:47
I imagine it's another one of those "photos don't do it justice" Apple products. They usually turn out beautiful.
(2 replies) #31 xxdesmus on 09 Jan 2007 - 22:17
All in my opinion,

Quite ugly actually, overpriced (especially when you factor in the data plan you would need to have to go with this phone), touchscreen really isn't that practical longevity-wise, and 5 hour talk time isn't acceptable for a phone this expensive, and Cingular doesn't have a high speed network that is even close to the speed of Verizon's (just for example).

How long until Cisco sues the crap out of Apple for using Cisco's patented name?

How long until Apple whines about the new law requiring them to unlock their shining new phone?

Overall, I am really not impressed.

Last edited by xxdesmus on 09 Jan 2007 - 22:23
#31.1 dp123 on 09 Jan 2007 - 23:02
Quote -
How long until Cisco sues the crap out of Apple for using Cisco's patented name?
How long before you read the several posts prior to yours that already addressed this?

Quote -
How long until Apple whines about the new law requiring them to unlock their shining new phone?


I'm sure Apple is PSYCHED about it. No whining from them. Why would they care if Cingular gets contracts? If anything, this is there little trojan horse like how they worked over HP with the iPod, delayed their supply until a week after the mini was released.
#31.2 Danrarbc641 on 10 Jan 2007 - 03:49
Quote - (xxdesmus said @ #31)
Cingular doesn't have a high speed network that is even close to the speed of Verizon's (just for example). .

HSDPA?
#32 +tunafish on 09 Jan 2007 - 22:21
why no voip, other phones have this feature and no 3g, and the call time battery life is like low.....
(2 replies) #33 PharosBR on 09 Jan 2007 - 22:25
Is it just me or the interface resembles Vista's Aero?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please don't tell me I'm crazy!
=p
#33.1 Chadwick on 09 Jan 2007 - 23:06
so what your saying that apple coppied its interface from windows which copied its interface from osx?

i dont think so, it follows the same GUI trends they have been using in OSX for the past year, no copying here.


its amazing how many people dont read all the comments before posting, hence all the "omg cisco is going to sue them!!!" comments.


I'm impressed, with all the speculation i really thought this would be some lame phone like the last one, you know, sounds cool but ultimately wasn't anything special. the reality is that its pretty groundbreaking in its interface and ease of use, makes this current generation of phones look 10 years old.

you can be almost positive that they could add VOIP at anypoint, the flexibility of running their own OS and the fact that all the requirements are already in place makes it all but a done deal.

can't wait to see what can be done with this once its out in public, you can be positive that linux will be running on it before the first offical update lol
#33.2 R002092 on 10 Jan 2007 - 09:57
Quote - (Chadwick said @ #1.1)
you can be almost positive that they could add VOIP at anypoint, the flexibility of running their own OS and the fact that all the requirements are already in place makes it all but a done deal.


absolutly... I think the most appealing thing about this... is that it is clear that software upgrades will appear... and the touchscreen means custom interface for each app... so I can see the phone getting better and better apps wise.
(1 reply) #34 rev23dev on 09 Jan 2007 - 22:31
looks cool, but no exchange