Competition: Belkin AV Docks and SleeveTops

Well, being Australian I have yet to actually hold one. Probably a good thing, because pre-launch thought I wanted one and would have probably put money down, but since the release I’m happy with my Nokia E70 still. I think Apple should let people do MORE with their iPhones, like offer a proper SDK for some great user-developed apps, allow uncrippled Bluetooth for file sharing and at least let people choose whatever ringtone they like, regardless of how annoying it is!

It’s hott!
and I don’t mind that it tell’s me where to go, often.

The iPhone is an amazing device for many reasons, not least because it’s Apple’s first attempt at selling a mobile phone.

It shows off Apple’s key strengths – the ability to construct a device with true elegant simplicity. It doesn’t do everything, but what it does do it does really well. It’s intuitive, sexy, and above all, useful.

That said, I’ve read that it has some notable shortcomings – many that could be addressed with a software update. I’m not talking about the EDGE v 3G debate (it’s a phone, not a computer), I’m talking about things like being able to send an SMS to more than one person. Regular mobiles have been able to do this for ages, and it’s actually a useful feature.

And while the iPhone does have shortcomings, it’s important to note that a few key improvements would make the device unbelievably good. Add the missing software bits, add 3G (with HSDPSASDS whatsy) and add GPS, and suddenly you have one gadget to rule them all.

Can’t wait till we get the second generation iPhone next year!

After having used plenty of phones that look damn pretty but are functionally crap (Motorola RAZR, LG Chocolate to name a couple), I can see the iPhone falling into this exact category, for now anyway. Features I’ve been using for years that you wouldn’t think twice about such as MMS and bluetooth media sharing are missing from the iPhone. The hardware is there but the software isn’t. Maybe Apple will release a major firmware update to plug all the gaping holes? Maybe? Hopefully?

I am currently using a Nokia N95 and I love it to bits, because it can do so damn much. Third party software open the door to so so much and blur the line between computer and phone. If Apple would release an SDK for the iPhone, it would be so much sweeter; developers are sure to jump in given all the hype over the phone.

3G reception has never been a big deal to me, I personally haven’t been taking advanatage of the speeds offered by it, but in terms of future-proofing, the iPhone really should have 3G support in this 3.5G era…

I have owned many phones with MP3 playback support in the past, but to the day, I still carry my iPod with me. This has been due to the limited storage capacity of phones, and also my love for the iPod interface. I’m currently managing just fine with an 8GB Nano so maybe the iPhone can finally merge the 2 devices for me.

Would I buy an iPhone? Probably, for the same reason i bought the RAZR and the Chocolate. Having the improvements everyones complaining about would simply be a bonus.

Yes, the iPhone has a fancy touch screen and is made by Apple, but it IS Apple’s first phone, and even the iPod took a bit of time before it became the benchmark for portable music (and even that is hotly debated – just not by Zune users… both of them). Lack of 3G (initially, at least) was surprising and disappointing.

I’m more interested in the reports of the iPhone “nano”, especially since size is a major selling point for a lot of phones out there, and the iPhone seems to be bigger than many…

I’ll wait until I’ve got my hands on an iPhone before I commit to an opinion either way, but judging from the amount of publicity it’s received (good and bad), I don’t think Apple would care.

I don’t own an iPod, and my phone can’t play music. So I view any device to combine the two in a smart way with anticipation.

That said, its appears a little bulky, and the battery life could be better. Resolve that and you can ignore all the other features, you’ve got a killer device. Lord knows I’m sick of the shite interfaces on the current batch of music phones.

I think its a whole lotta hype and compared to other Smart phones on the market, in terms of third party apps and support it is seriously lacking.

However I must have one :(

Apple IPhone, whats that?

I wonder what the SleeveTop is made out of… sure it looks cool, handy and will stop my MacBook from burning holes in my pants but will it actually trap the heat around my MacBook and cause it to get hotter?

Did Apple think they were reinventing the wheel? I don’t think so. Many times it has been stated that Apple is a software company and that exactly what the iPhone is about, great software. A touch screen interface is not really anything new but it’s the way that the user interacts with the software that matters the most. I have not seen one in person yet but so far I’m impressed. Looks easy to use and will get better with each update and revision. Although I think it’s a little pricey for a mobile phone I’m sure there are many people who’d gladly part any amount of money to have one. And there lies the difference. Make it so nice that people will have to have it. Do I want one? Maybe, we’ll see.

My iPod would love to sit its but in one of those lovely looking docs, its a pity I don’t own a Mac Book I love the colour of the cases.

iThink that i should remind you that the iPhone is going to be released is Australia probably a few days/weeks before Apple secretly leaks information that the second gen will be released before the end of next year.

A fair shank on us down under? iAgree.

No one would slobber over a Holden Kingswood engine and chassis, even though it was updated with a beautiful Ferrari body.

So why on earth are people going ape over yesterday’s 2G technology, even though it has a very nice external shell?

Once (or more likely “IF”) a 3.5G version is released, it’ll come up for consideration. But until then, it’s yesterday’s junk!