Comments on: Apple keynote and hype http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/ Web development and Internet trends Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:19:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Stefan Van Reeth http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-28519 Stefan Van Reeth Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:09:26 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-28519 I agree mostly with Robert's views, but somewhere I get the feeling that despite all drawbacks, this thing could be the next big hit. After all, the iPod wasn't that revolutionary, but it conquered the world by it's looks alone. Seems that sleek design still is the major selling point for most customer's. And I have to admit, Apple get's it right with the iPhone too... Considering the specs is something we geeks do, but my mum for instance doesn't care: it just has to work. Remind that most people don't care about technical stuff, they just want "cool things". Most people I know don't even know how to use all the extra's on their phones. They know how to call, use sms and take pictures. Browsing? Isn't that something you do on a pc? 3G? Never heard off. And so on. By the way, I don't know about other countries, but 3G isn't something I look at in specs. Not that I calculated it, but a few hours of 3G would cost me twice my broadband rate. Unless that's solved, 3G will remain a distant dream to me :(. I agree mostly with Robert’s views, but somewhere I get the feeling that despite all drawbacks, this thing could be the next big hit. After all, the iPod wasn’t that revolutionary, but it conquered the world by it’s looks alone. Seems that sleek design still is the major selling point for most customer’s. And I have to admit, Apple get’s it right with the iPhone too…

Considering the specs is something we geeks do, but my mum for instance doesn’t care: it just has to work. Remind that most people don’t care about technical stuff, they just want “cool things”. Most people I know don’t even know how to use all the extra’s on their phones. They know how to call, use sms and take pictures. Browsing? Isn’t that something you do on a pc? 3G? Never heard off. And so on.

By the way, I don’t know about other countries, but 3G isn’t something I look at in specs. Not that I calculated it, but a few hours of 3G would cost me twice my broadband rate. Unless that’s solved, 3G will remain a distant dream to me :( .

]]> By: Robert Nyman http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27474 Robert Nyman Fri, 12 Jan 2007 19:58:29 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27474 Anton, Yes, hopefully the final release will have some altered specifications, but nowadays, that's more and more common. Anton,

Yes, hopefully the final release will have some altered specifications, but nowadays, that’s more and more common.

]]> By: Anton Andreasson http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27230 Anton Andreasson Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:04:14 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27230 "Apple-follower" or not, I think it's clear for everyone that specs change, even on praised products like the iPhone. More data storage, 3G support, longer battery life are all factors I consider be subject to change, either before delivery or soon thereafter. None of those three makes the products less revolutionary, IMHO - what makes a product desirable is not only what it has that other products don't, but also what it <em>lacks</em> that other products have. So: * Storage is less than what I'd dream of, but OK when considering what it's intended for - syncing with a PC. * 3G support will most surely be there before entering the European market, I don't even worry. * Battery life is not revolutionary but that's mostly because no battery revolution for handhelds has yet seen the light of the day. It's relatively very good for powering a 3,5" 160ppi screen though. “Apple-follower” or not, I think it’s clear for everyone that specs change, even on praised products like the iPhone. More data storage, 3G support, longer battery life are all factors I consider be subject to change, either before delivery or soon thereafter. None of those three makes the products less revolutionary, IMHO – what makes a product desirable is not only what it has that other products don’t, but also what it lacks that other products have.

So:
* Storage is less than what I’d dream of, but OK when considering what it’s intended for – syncing with a PC.
* 3G support will most surely be there before entering the European market, I don’t even worry.
* Battery life is not revolutionary but that’s mostly because no battery revolution for handhelds has yet seen the light of the day. It’s relatively very good for powering a 3,5″ 160ppi screen though.

]]> By: Robert Nyman http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27195 Robert Nyman Thu, 11 Jan 2007 10:07:05 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27195 ramin, In that case, I understand. We have a Nikon D 50 and it is also something that you don't carry with you all the time. Robert Wellock, Yes, I just saw that this morning. ramin,

In that case, I understand. We have a Nikon D 50 and it is also something that you don’t carry with you all the time.

Robert Wellock,

Yes, I just saw that this morning.

]]> By: Robert Wellock http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27187 Robert Wellock Thu, 11 Jan 2007 09:17:31 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27187 Seems like Cisco Systems are filing a law suite against Apple due to issues about Cisco's iPhone registered trademark. Seems like Cisco Systems are filing a law suite against Apple due to issues about Cisco’s iPhone registered trademark.

]]> By: conta até 10 e respira fundo at Caveat Emptor http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27181 conta até 10 e respira fundo at Caveat Emptor Thu, 11 Jan 2007 09:01:37 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27181 [...] aul Stamatiou e Robert Nyman, analisando os produtos com certa imparcialidade e até mesmo reclamando do hype e dos fanboys, ao invés de ficar exaltando Steve H. Jobs como a [...] [...] aul Stamatiou e Robert Nyman, analisando os produtos com certa imparcialidade e até mesmo reclamando do hype e dos fanboys, ao invés de ficar exaltando Steve H. Jobs como a [...]

]]> By: ramin http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27174 ramin Thu, 11 Jan 2007 08:31:17 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27174 Funny. When camera phones first started to come out my initial reaction was never. Now I'm on to my third phone with a camera in it. In fact, now my wife is using the camera's capability as a deciding factor in which phone she'll get next. Of course our reasoning is simple: The digital cameras we have are not something you want to carry around all the time (Canon EOS 30D and 300D), and a phone with a good camera will reduce the need to buy a point-and-shoot. But of course, the deciding factor is if you want convergence or divergence in your devices. But the iPhone camera probably isn't good enough to replace a point-and-shoot. Funny. When camera phones first started to come out my initial reaction was never. Now I’m on to my third phone with a camera in it.

In fact, now my wife is using the camera’s capability as a deciding factor in which phone she’ll get next. Of course our reasoning is simple: The digital cameras we have are not something you want to carry around all the time (Canon EOS 30D and 300D), and a phone with a good camera will reduce the need to buy a point-and-shoot.

But of course, the deciding factor is if you want convergence or divergence in your devices. But the iPhone camera probably isn’t good enough to replace a point-and-shoot.

]]> By: Robert Nyman http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27169 Robert Nyman Thu, 11 Jan 2007 07:43:47 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27169 Well, reinventing the phone is also quite a bold statement then. :-) And I agree about dirt and fingerprints; only the future can tell. Well, reinventing the phone is also quite a bold statement then. :-)
And I agree about dirt and fingerprints; only the future can tell.

]]> By: jeremy http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27120 jeremy Thu, 11 Jan 2007 04:25:39 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27120 Apparently apple tried many different textures for the screen before they settled on the one used with the iphone. I don't think we can pass judgement on the rate of dirt and fingerprints until we try the device hands-on. Apparently apple tried many different textures for the screen before they settled on the one used with the iphone. I don’t think we can pass judgement on the rate of dirt and fingerprints until we try the device hands-on.

]]> By: Jeremyr http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27119 Jeremyr Thu, 11 Jan 2007 04:19:20 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27119 Nice post, but I think you misread a few of your points. It's not really worthy of argument, but the most I've heard Steve claim on the iphone is that they have "reinvented the phone", not "revolutionised everything". Still an ambitious thing to say, I will admit. Secondly, the battery life depends on what you are using it for. The 5 hour estimate is for video playback or phone <em>talk time</em>, as they say on the site. For listening to music it says 16 hours of battery. I don't think this is particularly bad, it is on par with other phones (if not better) And to the above comments, the phone has built in 802.11b/g wifi support. I would assume that is the primary use of the browser. The storage space is annoying, I agree. It makes sense from apple's standpoint however - the ipod nano (4gb and 8gb) is the largest selling ipod by a long margin. Clearly regular users don't need more than 8gb, or aren't willing to pay for it. They've targetted their largest group of users with the phone. With that said, I'm going to hold off for larger sizes, if I ever decide to buy one. Nice post, but I think you misread a few of your points. It’s not really worthy of argument, but the most I’ve heard Steve claim on the iphone is that they have “reinvented the phone”, not “revolutionised everything”. Still an ambitious thing to say, I will admit.

Secondly, the battery life depends on what you are using it for. The 5 hour estimate is for video playback or phone talk time, as they say on the site. For listening to music it says 16 hours of battery.

I don’t think this is particularly bad, it is on par with other phones (if not better)

And to the above comments, the phone has built in 802.11b/g wifi support. I would assume that is the primary use of the browser.

The storage space is annoying, I agree. It makes sense from apple’s standpoint however – the ipod nano (4gb and 8gb) is the largest selling ipod by a long margin. Clearly regular users don’t need more than 8gb, or aren’t willing to pay for it.

They’ve targetted their largest group of users with the phone.

With that said, I’m going to hold off for larger sizes, if I ever decide to buy one.

]]> By: Robert Nyman http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27066 Robert Nyman Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:51:44 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27066 Thanks for your comments! Chris, No 3G, huh? Well, then web surfing is definitely out of the question. And the replaceable battery thing is just crap. Andy, Battery time is probably at the same level as other similar products, but to me that's insufficient. Regarding the camera, I don't think it should even have one at all (no pictures of pores, I promise :-)). <blockquote> ...our guinea pigs </blockquote> Ha ha! Yeah, at least we have that! Andy, markus Of course one tends to fill whatever storage space available, and naturally there has to be some reason to it. But for video clips, movies and music, I personally think 8 GB is way too little. Thanks for your comments!

Chris,

No 3G, huh? Well, then web surfing is definitely out of the question. And the replaceable battery thing is just crap.

Andy,

Battery time is probably at the same level as other similar products, but to me that’s insufficient. Regarding the camera, I don’t think it should even have one at all (no pictures of pores, I promise :-) ).

…our guinea pigs

Ha ha! Yeah, at least we have that!

Andy, markus

Of course one tends to fill whatever storage space available, and naturally there has to be some reason to it. But for video clips, movies and music, I personally think 8 GB is way too little.

]]> By: Steve Williams http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27054 Steve Williams Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:18:50 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27054 I'm totally sick of my phone's inability to do what I need it to, and can't stand the miniature keyboards that have become the defacto standard for all smart phones (I got on fine with my Palm and its gestured text input), so the iPhone sold me pretty quick - though 8Gb is no way near enough memory and I'd prefer an iSight for VGA video chat in place of any camera they could fit. Having spent hours in vain trying to hack our 360 to stream video from the PC, the thought of a plug'n'go box for £199inc VAT to do just that at 720p via HDMI is also very tempting, and would appear to be a lot cheaper than Sky HD (£299 for the box and around £20 premium above regular Sky per month), or a media centre PC. Guess those apple-tinted glasses must be welded on my eyes huh? :D I’m totally sick of my phone’s inability to do what I need it to, and can’t stand the miniature keyboards that have become the defacto standard for all smart phones (I got on fine with my Palm and its gestured text input), so the iPhone sold me pretty quick – though 8Gb is no way near enough memory and I’d prefer an iSight for VGA video chat in place of any camera they could fit.

Having spent hours in vain trying to hack our 360 to stream video from the PC, the thought of a plug’n'go box for £199inc VAT to do just that at 720p via HDMI is also very tempting, and would appear to be a lot cheaper than Sky HD (£299 for the box and around £20 premium above regular Sky per month), or a media centre PC.

Guess those apple-tinted glasses must be welded on my eyes huh? :D

]]> By: Maaike http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27020 Maaike Wed, 10 Jan 2007 13:19:53 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27020 <blockquote>Just see to that you use your media right.</blockquote> I don't think there is a 'right' way... it's different for everybody.

Just see to that you use your media right.

I don’t think there is a ‘right’ way… it’s different for everybody.

]]> By: RobertDM http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27011 RobertDM Wed, 10 Jan 2007 13:14:20 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27011 You're quite right about the fanatics: I heard extracts from Steve Jobs yesterday while delivering his keynote: the reactions by the audience on the products being presented where way over the top for them to be even remotely objective... I doubt it would have mattered very much what was presented... Not everything Apple does is fantastic: just a little example: I like my powermac G4 and prefer OSX over windows XP, but the original mouse that came along with the powermac: what a useless piece of hardware! I must say both Microsoft and Logitec do a much better job at making a good mouse... You’re quite right about the fanatics: I heard extracts from Steve Jobs yesterday while delivering his keynote: the reactions by the audience on the products being presented where way over the top for them to be even remotely objective… I doubt it would have mattered very much what was presented… Not everything Apple does is fantastic: just a little example: I like my powermac G4 and prefer OSX over windows XP, but the original mouse that came along with the powermac: what a useless piece of hardware! I must say both Microsoft and Logitec do a much better job at making a good mouse…

]]> By: markus http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27005 markus Wed, 10 Jan 2007 12:39:33 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-27005 I own a 40 Gb iPod that always is (was, since I no longer use it) full. My main music collection on my harddrive exceeds 250 Gb (and yes, almost half of the music is obtained through other ways than ripping my own cd:s). This summer, I got myself a small 4 Gb iPod Nano, and this machine has become my main weapon of choice. I regularly refill the iPod with new tunes from my main library, and it just works great. In other words, you will always complain about insufficient memory. Just see to that you use your media right. I own a 40 Gb iPod that always is (was, since I no longer use it) full. My main music collection on my harddrive exceeds 250 Gb (and yes, almost half of the music is obtained through other ways than ripping my own cd:s). This summer, I got myself a small 4 Gb iPod Nano, and this machine has become my main weapon of choice. I regularly refill the iPod with new tunes from my main library, and it just works great.

In other words, you will always complain about insufficient memory. Just see to that you use your media right.

]]> By: Chris http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-26998 Chris Wed, 10 Jan 2007 11:59:34 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-26998 One thing I find very strange about Apple-Followers is the fact that I you say "I don't like this or that on my Apple-product" they'll answer "Sure! It's great as it is!". One thing I find very strange about Apple-Followers is the fact that I you say “I don’t like this or that on my Apple-product” they’ll answer “Sure! It’s great as it is!”.

]]> By: Maaike http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-26989 Maaike Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:59:42 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-26989 Good story and I like that you're not so religious about Apple. <blockquote>8 GB is sufficient. 20 is overkill. </blockquote> I disagree. My iRiver (which I love and would never trade for an iPod) has 20gb and it's about full :-) For many people 20gb isn't even enough. Good story and I like that you’re not so religious about Apple.

8 GB is sufficient. 20 is overkill.

I disagree. My iRiver (which I love and would never trade for an iPod) has 20gb and it’s about full :-)
For many people 20gb isn’t even enough.

]]> By: Andy http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-26982 Andy Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:35:22 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-26982 Hard drive size - It's not meant to be a substitute for your computer. 8 GB is sufficient. 20 is overkill. It allows you to listen to plenty of music and a handful of movies for that matter. Battery time - This is the standard battery time for ANY mobile phone. You're not going to get away the fact that you will have to load your phone every 5th hour (or so) by constant usage. However, the idle time is far greater, I assure you. A 2 megapixel camera - Come now, Robert. Noone would like to see your pores. 2 Mpix is sufficient if you ask me. Equals a resolution of (sqrt(2 000 000) x sqrt(2 000 000)) 1414.2135623730950488016887242097x1414.2135623730950488016887242097 (expressed as a square). Availability - Comfort yourself with the fact that the Americans are our guinea pigs ;) Hard drive size – It’s not meant to be a substitute for your computer. 8 GB is sufficient. 20 is overkill. It allows you to listen to plenty of music and a handful of movies for that matter.

Battery time – This is the standard battery time for ANY mobile phone. You’re not going to get away the fact that you will have to load your phone every 5th hour (or so) by constant usage. However, the idle time is far greater, I assure you.

A 2 megapixel camera – Come now, Robert. Noone would like to see your pores. 2 Mpix is sufficient if you ask me. Equals a resolution of
(sqrt(2 000 000) x sqrt(2 000 000)) 1414.2135623730950488016887242097×1414.2135623730950488016887242097 (expressed as a square).

Availability – Comfort yourself with the fact that the Americans are our guinea pigs ;)

]]> By: Chris http://robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-26980 Chris Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:28:56 +0000 http://www.robertnyman.com/2007/01/10/apple-keynote-and-hype/#comment-26980 One fine thing is the web browser — I read that they use Safari, no down-sized mobile browser. But since the phone has no UMTS (or G3), what use is a web browser? Silly. And the battery is not replaceable which is symptomatic for Apple-products. This means that you can dump your phone after 1,5 years because the battery is through... And everyone will buy this peace of crap because it's from apple. One fine thing is the web browser — I read that they use Safari, no down-sized mobile browser. But since the phone has no UMTS (or G3), what use is a web browser? Silly.
And the battery is not replaceable which is symptomatic for Apple-products. This means that you can dump your phone after 1,5 years because the battery is through…
And everyone will buy this peace of crap because it’s from apple.

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