Comments on: Thirteen reasons to doubt the iPhone hype

iPhone, you got some explainin' to do.

[kwaterski]

What do you need memory expansion for?

One of the complaints in the article was that the iPhone has no expandable
memory card slot, but what the hell do you need expandable memory for when
it has a 40 gb hard drive. That sure makes up for a lot of SD cards. This article
is extremely bias and if you ask me someone from Microsoft either wrote it or
paid someone to write. Granted the iPhone isn't perfect but they are making
remarks that have no backing what-so-ever.

[postalblowfish7]

RE: What do you need memory expansion for?

it actually only has 4GB or 8GB. i do agree that it's a week argument though.

[postalblowfish7]

Haha was this writen by a Microsurf?

There were a few misstatements and a whole lot of speculatory slander in this
article. You say there will be more unannounced software to sync your
iPhone with all your contacts calendars etc:

"Apple is sure to unveil iPhone-management programs that make managing
contact info and other data as painless as possible. And that might actually
be the problem."

you're wrong. Jobs said, and even gave a demo during the keynote showing
how you'll use iTunes to sync everything, the same way you do with the iPod.
Second, you state that Macs are non-upgradable. This is another bone-head
PC user stereotype that is complete and utter horse crap. My mac pro has 4
HD slots - i can upgrade to almost 3 Tb for hard drive space, up to 16 Gb for
RAM, and have 4 or 5 PCI slots. You think that's non upgradable? Half of my
computer case is empty! Aside from external memory cards you can't
upgrade, say, the RAM of a blackberry. So why even bring upgradablility up
other than to support your flimsy speculatory argument?

As for having no removable battery - you are exactly why people like
microsoft (and sadly sony now too) make ugly, clunky, nasty plastic devices
with absolutely zero sense of style or class. Apple makes sexy products,
slim, sleek, and miles ahead on the technology curve. The software on the
iPhone alone propels it lightyears beyond any other 'smartphone' on the
market. RTF and HTML emails, visual voicemail, ACTUAL web browsing, and
a portable google earth are all things you've never been able to do on a
handheld device - who'd dream we'd ever be able to do those things on such
a small, sleek, innovative device as the iPhone. Before you start crying
"FANBOY!" just know that there are some people in the world that actually
care about things like aethetics. Apple is sort of the Porsche of the
computing world. It may fetch a high price, but the style is timeless, and the
power undeniable.

you're probably just bitter because you're not important enough to get a
hands on demo from apple. shame on you for writing such a mean spirited,
dumb headed article that didn't even get the facts right. one this is for sure -
the iPhone makes the bigger, heavier, 2-year old technology Zune look the
butt of a bad joke. welcome to the social - for three days or three plays
lololol

[_Seffer_]

Yahoo email isn't the only choice

Steve said in the keynote presentation that the iPhone would handle most
IMAP and POP3 email. He even had a slide that listed a few examples of each
kind, saying that POP3 includes most ISPs.

The "push" IMAP that Yahoo will provide seems to be just a slight
enhancement. I _think_ it means that the server will let you know when new
mail comes in, rather than the mail client needing to check in with the server
periodically (or the user checking manually). It may be that the iPhone won't
allow the email client to check for new mail periodicaly (to cut down on data
transmission).

Details about the implementation of the email client remain, of course. But
it's pointless to speculate. And speculation of this sort is always either overly
optimistic or overly pessimistic.

Wait and see.

--

[pedmart]

the iphone is a cool device

i think the iphone is a good PDA but for the price i get the best ipod out there or the gigabeat and the best handheld phone. :S it's cool, what did they patent? their palm features? nothing new, just better looking and way too expensive.. and the finger all over, sorry i have to be a delicate wash-your-hand-before-using-it type of guy, and i'm not.. sorry apple, i'll rather get the blackjack and keep my gigabeat and take a trip to hawaii

[kishoor]

Can you PLEASE wait until you can verify anything!

I am SO sick of reading articles that "raise concern" about how good the iPhone really is. Bashing it before it was even announced was bad enough already, but why now that it *has* been announced and has a release date, can you please kindly wait till you get your hands on one, and then write a first impression?
And a few more notes:
a.about number 8: come on, do you think changing fixing anything of that sort on mp3's such as the iriver Clix (for instance) is any easier?
b.number 10: i'd like to raise the point that you are, in fact, complaining that it might be a good product... if the phone had crappy synching software (and stuff like that), would it have been any better?
c. as for 13... does RAZR ring a bell?

[chuckb00]

Cnet are a bunch of Haters!!

Cnet is a bunch of haters!! They are probably waiting for Microsoft to come out
with a device like that. I think most people who have iPods and cell phones are
going to want this device and the price for the technology isn't that bad.

[maharshiv]

cnet does nothing but kiss microsoft's ass!

any word on how often this guy sleeps with bill gates?

Apple innovates, while Microsoft recreates!

[williamQ]

c|net's iPhone FUD -- idiotic and intentional

Too many errors and deliberate distortions to list...

Shame on c|net.

[zmatt91]

Sticking Up For C-net

C-net gave a pretty fair review from what I can tell...you're most likely some Apple Yahoo who throws a fit if anything bad is said about on of Apple's products. (And don't get me wrong, I like Apple, I have an iPod and I love it) but the idea of C-net working with Microsoft...thats ridiculous. Besides, overall from what I've seen the iPhone seems like a ripoff, its got a flashy design but when it comes to function I'd like to see how it ends up...

[staiano]

Re: Sticking Up For C-net

I think you answered it when you said, "I'd like to see how it ends up." So would most of us but we don't know yet.

I think c-net was overly critical for the level of knowledge they have. They definitely seem to be "against" the iPhone.

Have you seem the CBS report about it? If not you should check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgW7or1TuFk The speed of the device for scrolling through contacts or flipping through albums seem excellent [which means the iPhone hasa good processor]. I for one can't wait for this phone but I currently am not an apple person [http://no iPod, own a ibm thinkpad, etc.|http://no iPod, own a ibm thinkpad, etc.]

[gianpo]

Re: sticking up for cnet 2

not only did they focus on just the negative they also gave false info to make the iPhone look worse. I.E. they said that business users would not want to use yahoo neglecting to say that the phone will except ms exchange which is what most corporate offices use.

[santihossni]

Always the same with cnet!!!!

Cnet always criticizes Apple, like when the iPod Video came out, they accussed it of being incorrectly named the first video player, and then they did exactly that and gave it like a 10 rating... please, cnet, you're going to love this iPhone, and Cisco can sue me if they want, but everything with an "i" should be patented to APPLE INC. because even the Linksys iPhone is white..please..
Do you guys hate cingular too? No one has true 3G anywhere in the world, who needs it? The 3G phones come out and where is the 3G service???

[gianpo]

I agree with you

cnet is an apple hater they always look only for the bad not the good often giving false info in the process. like them saying that you have to use yahoo for push email what they don't mention is that it will use ms exchange which is what most corporate offices use.

[jack.d.ripper]

would love to see such a review of vista

I don't have a Mac or iPod or any device from Apple. Never had.
CNET is overly critical of the iPod, it seems more like negative propaganda than an analytical review.

I'd love to see them do such a critical review of vista. I don't think they ever will.
Talk about hidden cost ! Got to shell for the OS, and for a hardware upgrade just so that you can see some pretty graphics !

[reng2005]

Truly a lame article

The author does not seem to understand or appreciate the true significance of the iPhone development. Let's consider each of his points in turn...

Re: Question #1
Jobs stated explicitly during the keynote address that 3G will be coming in a future iteration of the product. Why not now? Perhaps it's because Cingular haven't quite gotten their 3G act together yet. But Apple have chosen to team up with Cingular, the reasons for which we should discuss in a separate question.

Re: Question #2
Silly question. Of course, 3G matters. Once Cingular has good 3G coverage and battery tech improves to support it, Apple will offer it.

Re: Question #3
Why is this important???

Re: Question #4
If consumers are not crying for direct iTunes downloads to iPod, why should they for iPhone? Just because it runs OS X? If consumers demand this capability, then Apple can add it to a future iteration of the product.

Re: Question #5
I wasn't confused by Jobs during the keynote. "Multitasking" means that the device is capable of letting the user access more than one function simultaneously, as Jobs eloquently demonstrated when he was on the phone and surfing the Internet.

And who the hell would use the iPhone as a jukebox at a party??? The rest of the rambling here is irrelevant.

Re: Question #6
What a stupid question! Who cares what it's called? I don't particularly like the name "iPhone" but whatever Apple comes up with is fine with me.

Re: Question #7
The iPhone is certainly a high-end product. It's not even the most expensive phone on the market, so why is the author obsessing over price? Apple have targeted a particular class of consumers. These are the people who might buy high-end Treos or BlackBerries. If you can't afford it, then you can't afford it. What's the big deal?

Re: Question #8
Since iPods also have non-replaceable batteries and they are the bestselling music players in the world, this question seems pointless.

Re: Question #9
Are cellphone plans much cheaper for other phones on the market? This is another pointless question.

Re: Question #10
Now the author is engaged in wild speculation. Is he high on something???

Re: Question #11
The "multi-touch" touchscreen interface is one of the most revolutionary interfaces to arrive in years. Yes, it's different from physical buttons. If you want to stick with buttons, fine. But the author's attitude precludes any true innovations in user interfaces.

The market will decide whether this interface sinks or swims.

Re: Question #12
Since Apple have patented the hell out of the iPhone, it's unclear how many features other manufacturers can "borrow."

Re: Question #13
Since this is the first iteration of the iPhone product, and Apple are clearly testing the marketplace, there is plenty of future opportunities to improve and evolve this essentially new product category. The iPhone is not just a cellphone with a tacked-on MP3 player and feeble Internet access. It's a whole new class of device and along with it comes a different set of user expectations.

Cingular may be the only carrier now, but nothing precludes more carriers in future iterations of the product. Let the new ecosystem grow for the iPhone.

(BTW, it's Apple's close cooperation with Cingular that gives you random-access voicemail, as well as other features. Other carriers may need to consider similar partnerships if they are to be part of the ecosystem. This kind of cooperation is part of Jobs' attempt to revolutionize the cellphone industry.)

In summary, the author has not made ONE single point worthy of note. The article seems to be a case of complaining for complaining's sake.

[AirStrike X2]

Very true!!

Your Reply to each one of CNET's lame questions was pretty good!
I think you make the most sense.

[tluptowski]

weak review

On the issues of multitasking and the touch screen interface, I question weather or not the reviewer watched the keynote demo of the device. Job's emailed photos to someone while talking to them on the phone, and surfed the web. And the way he easily demoed all the features seemed to highlight the functionality of the touchscreen interface. I do share the battery life and replacabilty concerns, and I also wonder why they would'nt have Itunes on the phone.

[HRemixed]

Good Job CNET

I am not at all interested in the iPhone especially at that price. Even if it is a good product its not worth it. Just wait a little while longer and another phone company will surpass it or come close to it for a FAR more reasonable price. Good Job to CNET for having doubts and speaking about them.

[mexikids]

Thanks for a good analysis

I love the look and idea of the iPhone, however I appreciate you pulling back the curtain a bit and letting us think a bit about this device rather than simply feel our gut react lustfully toward a beautiful and stylish object that was presented artfully.

[cub56fan]

iPhone Issues and Rebuttal

I was at the keynote and along with everyone else was blown away by the iPhone
announcement. However, I appreciate the article outlining potential pitfalls of
the device. I may not agree with some his concerns, but why do respondants
have to be so angry when disagreeing. First the phone is not even here yet, so
everyone needs to take a big breath and pause. Next the market will decide if
this device will succeed, not someone who points out potential pitfalls and
surely not someone from the less than 10% market segment share who will buy
all things Apple anyway. Relax and enjoy the ride, it should be fun.

[aznboarder]

well said!

[f2000372]

I see whats going on here.

I don't know why CNET has to be so critical with Apple products.. and this is not the first instance.

Common, we come to Cnet to get some fair reviews, if you are only about bashing, I don't see a point.

[Wild Eep]

Multitasking

This just looks like a total lying flame article.

No, I won't be composing a spreadsheet and garageband at the same time,
but that's a stupid combination. There are plenty of times on my Palm Tx that
I want to check my email, but keep my internet page or game running.

The touch screen interface is not only good, It simplifies it, I'd rather have a
keyboard that turns into a screen than a difficult chunky plastic one

The iTunes wifi downloading directly on the device may not be schedualed to
come with the iPhone, but that doesn't mean that Apple has no ability to
make a quick widget (app) for the phone that gives it that ability, and the
release is 6 months away, giving them 6 months to do that.

Stop it Cnet, if you have no good articles, please don't put your own site to
waste with flamey garbage.
Thank you.

[Brian Cummings]

Most of the authors facts are simply wrong ! Sad.

This wild (and wrong) speculation passes as journalism? How embarrassing
for CNET. Review the facts, fix your article, and then repost a corrected
version instead of spreading such FUD. Yes, you have a few valid concerns
and we won't know the devices capability until it is released, but come on, no
multi-tasking. (I call it the device because I hate the iPhone name, it narrows
one's mind as to what this device is capable of). Did you not see a demo of
this device before you started speculating? As another post indicated, Steve
Jobs demo'ed all 3 aspects of the device LIVE in true multitasking fashion (and
unlike a Bill Gates demo, the beta version device actually worked). Locked in
to the device? That depends on your definition of locked in, but I don't agree.
I have an iPod and use iTunes and I don't buy ANY songs from Apple. I am
not locked in and can upload songs in several formats (can one say the same
of the Zune). Will this device lock your contacts in - and require you to buy
another Apple device to get those contacts out (as the author wildly
speculates) ... hardly! And to think otherwise would suggest to readers that
one was a fool. Contacts will be kept in Apple's "Address Book" which can
import and export vcards (an open standard). I suspect (aka speculate) that
the device will also sync with Outlook on a Windoze machine before it's
released. Contacts on your PC will sync with the device and remain on your
PC too. Loose the device, and all your songs, and all your contacts are still
safe back on your PC. Sync them however you like to another "device" or a
third party's phone that can handle vcards. No big deal. Too bad Steve wants
to increase market share and will actually make the thing work with Windoze
as well (speculation). Gates fanboys don't deserve to interact with such a
beautiful, integrated, polished device. Let them use a Zune. Unfortunately, in
10 years, we Mac fanboys will all be hearing how Microshaft invented the
whole hand-held "device" market, and innovated this and innovated that
and.... oh please just stop, I don't want to hear any more.

[Tallcoolone]

What's wrong with this article?

With all the hype that websites (including CNet) have been giving the iPhone, I don't see what's wrong with writing an article about the other side of the device too.

And some people really need to shut up and stop calling CNet "Apple haters" every time they criticize an Apple product.

[Tallcoolone]

I do have to admit it is kinda lame...

...but I still don't see the problem with writing one bad article for all the good ones that have been written about it.