Yes, Virginia, there is an iPhone from Apple

It's so pretty!

(Credit: Engadget)

Pinch yourself, Apple freaks. It's not a dream. The wide-screen, touch-enabled, media-playing iPod smart phone from Apple is here, and yes, it's called the iPhone. Read our play-by-play here.

Specs time:

• Cingular, quad-band GSM/EDGE phone
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but no 3G
• 11.6mm thick: that's thinner than all those other anorexic smart phones
• 2-megapixel camera
• iPod connector, mic input, and speaker jack
• Proximity sensor: when it's close to your ear, the touch screen and display shut down
• "Smart" screen knows which way to orient images depending on how you hold it; widescreen playback for videos
• Highest-resolution Apple screen of all time

Listening to music on the iPhone
(Credit: Declan McCullagh/CNET Networks)
• Mac OS X operating system
• Touch screen interface, no stylus
• Full-on applications--more PC-like than mobile device-like
• "Visual voice mail"
• Safari Web browser
• Google Maps: includes satellite and traffic data
• POP3 and IMAP e-mail capabilities: real e-mail, not mobile version
• Widgets!
• Seamless integration between EDGE and Wi-Fi
• Flash memory
• 5 hours of talk, video, and browsing time; 16 hours of audio playback
• 8GB model, $599 with a two-year contract
• 4GB model, $499
• Shipping in June

By the way, Linksys might be ticked.

[ruimartinsalmeida]

iPhone, is it something?

Really sorry, but I don't understand...

What is really the iPhone innovation? It brings nothing, the concepts are all the same, not even a SIP connection on board, maybe a nice screen to scratch, but more than that?

[mdfischer]

What's new?: Synergy and a step into the Future

Depends on what you consider to be new... yes the concepts all exist, and it
wouldn't sell at all if it didn't conform to most people's conception of a
phone.

Basically the innovation falls into two categories. First, and most mudane, is
designing in synergy that consolidates the concepts underlying a phone and
how it is used into a simple transparent package. Should have been done
already, a few have come close in some areas, but [apparently] nothing like
this.

The second area is the use of multi-input touch screen, which responds to
multiple simultaneous contacts to enable a simple platform for gestures and
manual control which may lead to a more direct interaction with information
and processes than the traditional glovebox design we are used to.

My interest was largely in the second area - I think what we may have seen
demonstrated on Tuesday is the future of the GUI interface for computers in
general - this is what Microsoft should have produced to power the tablet,
instead of just creating a virtual glove-box interface.

But we'll see.

[poser]

Does the WIFI work without paying Cingular?

Since this thing has WIFI and POP, can I surf the web and get Email on the web using free WIFI connections or do I have to pay Cingular to make it work?

If it will access regular WIFI networks, it may be just what the doctor ordered.

[msherer]

Analysts! Duh.

I'm always amused at criticism Apple takes for pricing, and iPhone continues the tradition. Take a look at http://www.htcphonestore.com/default.asp, maker of trimode Windows Mobile devices. They're MORE expensive than the iPhone.

Can anyone blame them for extracting a premium from the early adopters? Don't want to pay $499? Wait 6 months.

[Contestking]

Looks cool but needs work...

This looks amazing but the iphone only having a 2mp camera and no FM sucks. Not really a fan of the sealed phone technology. Just hope the battery lasts for a few years since the consumer can't really replace it easily.

[paoconnell]

Needs to be opened up

Sales point in the original presentation is that it runs OS X. However--that isn't useful because the user can't add functionality to the iPhone with new code/modules/executables.

In additon, a quick review by a journalist pointed out another problem--the tocuscreen provides no iPod style tactile feedback. You must look at the phone to do anything.

Finally, WiFi is provided onboard, but I think it'll get blocked by Cingular so users don't bypass Cingular's profitable Internet "feature," which I don't use on my current Cingular phone because of the cost.

[rlcato]

Kinda like the Zune!!

The 80% of the rest of the world that is not looking thru the Windows drapes
are non-plussed by THIS late comer.

[retiredair10]

Not that unique

The I-phone is not that unique I have a motorola A1200 that does everything the i-phone does,it is cheaper can be used anywhere in the world and has a cover for the touch screen.

[jazzy5]

The IPhone is beautifull but I have them already

I have a Sprint PDA Pocket PC with all these features that IPhone have. Maybe the music sections does not sound as well as the IPod (That is why I have an IPod),but battery life is longer on my phone if I do not use it as a MP3 player. The touch screen is great but gets lots of finger print all over. It use a stylus but I also can use my finger. Only problem if you put it in your pocket or a purse the phone will activate itself with the bumps it gets from your thigh or items in a purse and before you know it you might have pictures of your pocket or purse, start playing music from your pants all call someone without your knowing it. I know because it has happen to me. Touch screen does that. Only way is to turn it off.

[jazzy5]

The IPhone is beautifull but I have them already

I have a Sprint PDA Pocket PC with all these features that IPhone have. Maybe the music sections does not sound as well as the IPod (That is why I have an IPod),but battery life is longer on my phone if I do not use it as a MP3 player. The touch screen is great but gets lots of finger print all over. It use a stylus but I also can use my finger. Only problem if you put it in your pocket or a purse the phone will activate itself with the bumps it gets from your thigh or items in a purse and before you know it you might have pictures of your pocket or purse, start playing music from your pants all call someone without your knowing it. I know because it has happen to me. Touch screen does that. Only way is to turn it off. Web browser is great but who wants to surf the web in the tiny screen? That is why a PC with 19" of screen. On the end, you will stop using these features because the size, battery life and expense in having all these features on. At work my company do not use Cingular, we use Blackberry for e-mail, web, phone, etc. They are not going to change from a business device to a toy. Yes, a toy. That is what the IPhone is. Only the Apple fans with money to burn will buy it, and geeks who wants bragging rights.

[WIFIJAY]

uh hello...no such thing as an "Apple iPhone"

As far as we should be concerned, Apple has released a product with a serious handicap. It has NO NAME. iPhone belongs to Cisco and Apple's refusal to admit to this is tantamount to Bill Gatesism. iPhone is not Apple's to market or brand. Screw you Jobs! Live with the laws that the rest of the world has to live with. I knew there would come a day that "owning" 3% of the market would not be good enough for you. We have finally arrived you arrogant POS.

Cisco obtained the iPhone trademark in 2000 after completing the acquisition of Infogear, which previously owned the mark and sold iPhone products for several years. Infogear's original filing for the trademark dates to March 20, 1996, Cisco said. Linksys, a division of Cisco, has been shipping a new family of iPhone products since early last year. Last month, Linksys expanded the iPhone family with additional products.