phones

Photos: Tech's 10 most-hyped product launches

With the release of the iPhone, Apple completed what some are calling the most hyped product launch in technology history. Whether or not that's true, there's no doubt that the frenzy has reached epic proportions, with constant articles, photo galleries and commentary in this and countless other publications. But the iPhone is hardly the only tech product to launch with a high hype factor and heavy expectations. Here's a look back at some of the other high-profile launches that got the tech industry talking.

Here, Steve Wozniak, a man who knows something about changing the world, rides … Read more

Passing on the iPhone for the Blackberry Curve

I used to think I was an early adopter. But then then iPhone hit, and I just couldn't feel the hype. I had to go into my local Apple Store today to have an iPod fixed, and discovered that Apple had plenty of iPhones on hand (to try and to buy). So, I gave it a spin.

It's beautiful. It's easy to use. It has everything going for it, except two:

It's not very easy to type on this thing, whatever Mossberg may tell you. It's just not. It doesn't fundamentally change the value proposition of a phone/PDA combo.

On this first point, I suppose one could get used to hitting a screen and, if Steve Jobs is to be believed, eventually we all will. Why? Well, because Mr. Jobs tells us to. (I'm a diehard Mac fanatic, so I've been convinced by him before against my will. :-)

But it's the second point that has me sticking with my Blackberry (after years of using a Treo and recently switching to the Berry).… Read more

Why the iPhone wound up being invented here

Could the iPhone have been invented anywhere but Silicon Valley?

I'm obviously asking that rhetorically. But too bad you missed the scene this morning when my colleague Declan McCullagh walked in with the iPhone he bought over the weekend.

So much for hard-ass reporters. The bunch of us were reduced to cooing and oohing as if someone had brought their brand-new baby to the office for the first time. All the advance hype notwithstanding, Apple put together quite the package.

Again.

Apropos, the NY Times carried a timely piece Monday morning about early dismissal of the iPhone by South … Read more

iPhone: Ruining the mobile Internet for everyone

Curse you, iPhone users! I don't have an iPhone. I have a Blackjack. I don't love it, but it was cheap, and it worked reliably...until today. Data access on the AT&T network is sporadic right now. Reports are that the influx of iPhone users on the AT&T wireless data network is clogging up the aerials or something.

Even with my Blackjack's 3G connection, I'm having issues. The lowly iPhone (bring it on, fanboys), only runs on the pokey EDGE technology--it's not in my Blackjack's fast lane. So maybe it'… Read more

Your iPhone is disgusting

iSkin's latest antibacterial case made for Apple's iPhone reminds us that a product's coolness is no defense against deadly bacteria. In fact, studies have shown that cell phones happen to be one of the filthiest objects imaginable--dirtier than a toilet seat, computer keyboard, or the bottom of a shoe. There's just something magical about the combination of spittle and your text-crazy hands that make mobile phones a germ's best friend. The antibacterial iSkin Revo case for the iPhone is due out this month with a price of $39. Until then, think twice before passing your iPhone around … Read more

Bought an iPhone? Fortunately you can afford to sync it with myFunambol

If you were able to sell your brother into indentured servitude to get an iPhone, you now face a new dilemma: how to get all of your contact/calendar/etc. data onto that gorgeous device. Well, here's a little blessing from the open source community: free, over-the-air (i.e., no cables) synchronization of all that grubby old data onto your shiny new device, courtesy of myFunambol.

myFunambol is currently by invitation only, but you can apply here by clicking on the "Sign up!" button.… Read more

Long(er)-term test-drive: BlackBerry Curve

After a less-than-favorable review of the Helio Ocean, I was berated by enough yaysayers to try it for a second run. Nope. To quote the great philosopher Bob Dylan, "It Ain't Me, Babe."

However, after seeing two good friends loving their BlackBerry 8300 (the Curve), I wanted to give it another shot. And to my surprise, I'm slowly getting comfortable with it. As I previously wrote, this BlackBerry, with a great camera, MP3 capability, and the world's best e-mail, has everything. The problem is a very tight keyboard. Well, I'm in the middle of … Read more

Next Palm OS not until 2008

Palm won't be able to put out its Linux-based version of the Palm OS until next year, the company said last week.

This is a slip from earlier expectations that it would be out later this year, according to Brighthand. Palm announced in April that it was developing its own Linux-based version of the Palm OS despite a similar project from Access, the company formerly known as Palmsource.

Palm OS, which is actually now known as Garnet OS, has been looking older and older next to newer mobile operating systems such as Windows Mobile, as well as that iPhone … Read more

What iPhone hype taught me about life

The iPhone is here, and it's just what everyone wanted it to be: a brilliant, imperfect device that has enough going for it and enough drawbacks to make everyone happy with their decision.

And that's what matters: everyone being happy with their decision.

Working in the technology journalism industry during this time has taught me a lot about the way life works. The iPhone really won't change anything in your day-to-day life, but it will give people more to look forward to and more ways to think about what really matters.

Here's what matters to me, … Read more