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I don't think I'm going to be adding the iPhone 4 to my Want list anytime soon, but I will say that the pixel density of that display is absolutely…
amazing. They've definitely raised the bar here, and I'll be disappointed if we don't see other manufacturers racing to catch up before the end of the year.
As a hobbyist developer - it makes me sad that I can't load up small homebrew apps on my iPhone 3G without forking out $99 to Apple - or jailbreaking. Looking to switch to some Android phone this fall.
That said - the display looks sweet, and the iphone UI experience is still best of class. I would still recommend it for most people.
Now if Google could hurry up and make Google Voice international - it would be even more enticing.
That said - the display looks sweet, and the iphone UI experience is still best of class. I would still recommend it for most people.
Now if Google could hurry up and make Google Voice international - it would be even more enticing.
I once read that Google Voice international will be a tough project since the pricing for incoming/outgoing calls is quiet different outside USA. So I basically burried my hopes.
As for the UI, once you started using Android, you will appreciate the widgets and the lack of need of having to group your apps in folders to keep the overview ;)
As for the UI, once you started using Android, you will appreciate the widgets and the lack of need of having to group your apps in folders to keep the overview ;)
In Australia I believe the carrier receiving the call sets the price, but it is charged to the customer via their own carrier (who sets the price to the customer). So Google would have to make agreements with the various phone providers for calls that terminate at a mobile phone number.
At least I think that's how it works (I worked at a telco for a while).
At least I think that's how it works (I worked at a telco for a while).
I think it's fair to say the rush is already on and props to Apple for managing to raise the bar, and furthermore laying on the marketing BS in droves to make it 'revolutionary' enough so that the mainstream press will be parroting it in droves. 'retina display' - freakin' genius, you have to hand it to Apple.
I don't doubt the pixel density will be surpassed, but the question is whether the other displays will be as legible IN THE APPS of their native OS's. (See, this is what happens when you have NO ITALICS OR EMPHASIS AVAILABLE IN THE SITE TEXT)
I don't doubt the pixel density will be surpassed, but the question is whether the other displays will be as legible IN THE APPS of their native OS's. (See, this is what happens when you have NO ITALICS OR EMPHASIS AVAILABLE IN THE SITE TEXT)
It's amazing how much the press loves Apple. This new iPhone will get coverage everywhere constantly for the next week or so. I never see anything in the mainstream press about any other phones despite their being many phones better than the iPhone. Or of the press does a story about another phone (e.g. the Kin) it just becomes an article about how it differs from the iPhone.
FWIW the smartphone market is relatively small and the iPhone only has about 20% of that smallish market. Why so much press attention?
FWIW the smartphone market is relatively small and the iPhone only has about 20% of that smallish market. Why so much press attention?
Apple created a device that's simple, compelling, easy to use and it (mostly) works... unless you need to make a phone call. Plus, there is no one better in this business at marketing and creating emotionally appealing advertisements than Apple. It probably also helps that they have a charismatic and extrovert CEO who is a master at presentation.
Yeah, it's annoying and unfair to other companies, but until they learn how to play this game, they're not going to get the same amount of mindshare with the public.
Yeah, it's annoying and unfair to other companies, but until they learn how to play this game, they're not going to get the same amount of mindshare with the public.
"Apple created a device that's simple, compelling, easy to use and it (mostly) works... unless you need to make a phone call. Plus, there is no one better in this business at marketing and creating emotionally appealing advertisements than Apple. It probably also helps that they have a charismatic and extrovert CEO who is a master at presentation."
All completely true, but no need for supposedly informed parties to act the Pavlovian dog though. Just sayin'.
All completely true, but no need for supposedly informed parties to act the Pavlovian dog though. Just sayin'.
Apple products new and old are the most discussed and almost always the most popular in their respective categories here on gdgt. That hardly has anything to do with press. Maybe people -- media included -- just find Apple products more interesting than your workaday cellphone. (Can you honestly get that excited about this week's BlackBerry?)
I've heard this question a million times in as many forms over the years, and if you don't get how Apple products garner so much attention, I'm pretty sure it's because you don't actually want to understand why or how that could possibly be.
I've heard this question a million times in as many forms over the years, and if you don't get how Apple products garner so much attention, I'm pretty sure it's because you don't actually want to understand why or how that could possibly be.
I honestly think it's mostly because Apple sticks to one device at a time (which, as a hardware company first, is pretty much the only option they have). When you talk about "Apple" and "Phones", you know you're talking about the iPhone. And Apple is good at pushing "last year's device" into the background of the conversation.
Conversely, with the example Ryan used, when you talk about the "BlackBerry"...what are you talking about? The Curve? The Pearl? The Bold? And which model of each? Android has somewhat of a similar problem, though they have, for some reason, been able to get some traction with specific models (G1, Nexus One, EVO, Droid, next up the Streak, etc). But back to Apple, they shine with laser-like precision on one new model at a time, so it's very easy for the press and media to pick up on what they want them to talk about.
It's just the benefit of being both the hardware AND software manufacturer (which...wtf RiM...how are you screwing this up?!) That also comes with a lot of limitations/negatives, but Apple is doing a good job of mitigating those circumstances...so far. Though admittedly, have they even seen any real competition in the mobile space up until today (iPhone 4 vs. EVO/DROID/Streak).
Conversely, with the example Ryan used, when you talk about the "BlackBerry"...what are you talking about? The Curve? The Pearl? The Bold? And which model of each? Android has somewhat of a similar problem, though they have, for some reason, been able to get some traction with specific models (G1, Nexus One, EVO, Droid, next up the Streak, etc). But back to Apple, they shine with laser-like precision on one new model at a time, so it's very easy for the press and media to pick up on what they want them to talk about.
It's just the benefit of being both the hardware AND software manufacturer (which...wtf RiM...how are you screwing this up?!) That also comes with a lot of limitations/negatives, but Apple is doing a good job of mitigating those circumstances...so far. Though admittedly, have they even seen any real competition in the mobile space up until today (iPhone 4 vs. EVO/DROID/Streak).
For me, when you talk about Black Berry, you talk about the best Email device there is out there (in a phone form factor). Business are loving them because the Email server is cheap and it is easy to administer those phones for a company the size of a small country (at least that is what people tell me which work in the field).
iPhones are consumer products. Excellent marketing and a decent UI and working experience.
But as a nerdy page I don't get why people jump on these PR mantras like they do. And then defending their position as if their lifes depended on it...
iPhones are consumer products. Excellent marketing and a decent UI and working experience.
But as a nerdy page I don't get why people jump on these PR mantras like they do. And then defending their position as if their lifes depended on it...
From a consumer point of view I understand it, it's what one sees and experiences. Apple iPhones are everywhere so it must be outstanding, right? But from a nerdy/techy point of view I don't really understand it. I did get excited about the pixel density, I always went for the laptops with the highest pixel density and I embrace this technologiy coming to the phone I want, but buy one just because of it? The design is nice again, and that's what they get right. But except those things, there is just not that much to get excited over for me. I admit, I just don't see it . 150000 Apps are ok, but I don't really need them. I could do with a bookmark in my mobile browser for most of them!
The question of 'why' Apple products get so much attention is mostly rhetoric. It's obvious that Apple are masters of marketing. The general public, and the press, have no idea what a gigahertz is. Most people are not going to be impressed by technical specs, and the press can't write an article about such things. So Apple focuses on mostly irrelevant things like how thin their latest device is. This sort of thing is easy for the press to talk about and easy for non-tech savvy consumers to understand.
The majority of Apple's marketing focuses on how their devices look and how you interact with them. Capability doesn't come into the equation. As a technology enthusiast I find this inevitable but sad. Lowest common denominator technology.
The majority of Apple's marketing focuses on how their devices look and how you interact with them. Capability doesn't come into the equation. As a technology enthusiast I find this inevitable but sad. Lowest common denominator technology.
"Apple products new and old are the most discussed and almost always the most popular in their respective categories here on gdgt. That hardly has anything to do with press."
Wait, are you saying that press coverage does not have a measurable influence on popular opinion? I'm afraid I am going to have to disagree with you there.
Wait, are you saying that press coverage does not have a measurable influence on popular opinion? I'm afraid I am going to have to disagree with you there.
I have a 3GS now, was gonna buy the HTC Desire if this didn't blow me away.
The screen looks amazing, don't care about the front-facing camera.
Same old Apple I think, iOS4 remains as crippled as yesterday.
Hello Android, I've been waiting for you for such a long time...
The screen looks amazing, don't care about the front-facing camera.
Same old Apple I think, iOS4 remains as crippled as yesterday.
Hello Android, I've been waiting for you for such a long time...
well with the battery issues and all of the "i have to turn off all my widgets to get this thing to stay on" talk that's going around, all that integration is doing absolutely no good. If you happen to receive an iphone4 that you'll not be using, send it down here and I'll put it great use.
I've changed my widgets that needs to connect online to limit their refresh rate and that saved tons of battery life. Kind of make sense how Kin is only doing that interval connection.
I never assume. I always investigate and I don't own an android device because I choose to actually be productive :)
Props to the gdgt folks that did the live blogging. Nice job. Once again, when you get your iphones that you'll not be using, send them to Scottsdale. We'll put them to great use here.
Android lacks polish, is fragmented, and has a lot less sexy tech. Not picking a type of tech to seem like an outlaw doesnt make it a good choice. Just because everyone loves Apple products like iPhone isnt a good reason to hate on them
How can you say Android is fragmented if the same thing is going on with the original iPhone and possibly the iPhone 3G? Neither of those phones will get the full iOS4 experience. And I can guarantee you that not all intensive apps will even work with the previous two iPhones that I mentioned previously.
Fragmentation isn't a result of what's currently in the hands of users, because old hardware has to be cut loose to make way for new software. It is the result of manufacturers producing products that all run different versions of the software. Just look at the number of different Android versions that are showing up on new tech. All iOS devices purchased will be running the same version of the OS.
I think people are more referring to phones that run one version of Android and not another. For example a phone that is 6 months old (Nexus One) running a newer version than a phone that came out 3 days ago (EVO 4G). There is also the instance where a phone like the Droid Eris launches with 1.6 while the Droid launches very close to the same time with 2.x. I realize that these things happen due to things like Sense UI.
I think the "fragmented" feeling comes from different phones having different versions, features, and update roadmaps when compared to all phone models get the update on xx day.
I think the "fragmented" feeling comes from different phones having different versions, features, and update roadmaps when compared to all phone models get the update on xx day.
That is a completely specious argument. I said exactly why I prefer Android, it has nothing to do with being an "outlaw". I don't see how one's choice of mobile OS could make one an "outlaw" anyway.
And I don't "hate on" Apple products. I own plenty of them -- check my Have list -- and I have very good, well-thought out reasons why I prefer not to use an iPhone. I certainly don't see any well-reasoned arguments coming from you.
And I don't "hate on" Apple products. I own plenty of them -- check my Have list -- and I have very good, well-thought out reasons why I prefer not to use an iPhone. I certainly don't see any well-reasoned arguments coming from you.
don't raise to the bait! Why does everyone always think they had to defend their decision. The phone you use is not defining you, despite what some marketeers tell you.
We should just appreciate each other for the nerds we are to come here and discuss gadgets in the first place, never mind which gadget we endet up with. But what am I talking, flaming will never stop and now it arrived at gdgt... time to move on?
We should just appreciate each other for the nerds we are to come here and discuss gadgets in the first place, never mind which gadget we endet up with. But what am I talking, flaming will never stop and now it arrived at gdgt... time to move on?
