iPhone buzz roundup

By John McDaid | Friday, 22 June 2007

iPhoneWith the launch of the iPhone just a week away, New York Magazine has a lengthy profile of Apple CEO Steve Jobs that is well worth reading, even if you're not a raving fanboy like me. The spine of the story is whether Jobs's vision can really launch Apple into yet another area of consumer electronics, as the faithful hope.

Apple's competitors, by contrast, find the prospect of the iPhone terrifying. "The entire fucking Western world hopes that it's a case of imperial overstretch," says the CEO of one of the planet's largest communications companies. "But everybody is quietly saying, er, what if people want to buy a $500 phone? What if, er, people have been waiting for a device that does all these things? What if this thing works as advertised? I mean, my God, what then?" — New York Magazine, Steve Jobs in a Box

Coming on the heels of a recent cover story by The Economist, this is certainly a high-visibility, high-stakes time for Apple.

And here's the marquee line from an op-ed in Forbes about why the iPhone is so desirable, analyzing a survey that showed features far outpaced the Apple name as a significant buying criterion:

"A brand is neither a goal nor a means, but a result of consistent delivery against a differentiating, relevant benefit. [...]What sets the iPhone apart is its unique design and the promise of new features and a new standard in usability. Those features better work — and wow — because a brand, even one with Apple's vaunted reputation, won't carry the day by itself." — Forbes, iPhone: It's the Features, Stupid!

And despite the best efforts of the IT consultants at the Gartner Group (the folks Fortune 500 CIOs go to for advice on how not to screw up) which this week advised keeping iPhones out of the enterprise, MacWorld is pretty clear that the iPhone will sneak in nonetheless:

"The reality is that no matter how hard IT administrators try, the iPhone will be snapped up by their employees — and not just the average Joes either. The device is a status symbol that will likely be snapped up by business leaders as the digital technorati. Try telling your CEO the iPhone doesn’t play well with your IT systems." — MacWorld, Analysts miss the point on the iPhone

Widely reported on the 'Net: ATT Wireless stores will close for two hours prior to the 6pm sale time next Friday, and they have added as many as 2,000 staff to deal with the anticipated crunch. No product here on the Island — the Cingular store in Middletown said they wouldn't be getting them "until September," so I guess the Providence Place Mall is the best bet...

Disclaimer: I've been pure Apple since the first 128k Mac, and bought my wife a Mac Plus instead of an engagement ring. Hey, she was going to B-school. Like a diamond was going to help with Corporate Finance?

Tags: 
Localblogging, 02871

Comments

Viking

Fri, 06/22/2007 - 11:05am

I don't have a lot of money, and even less to "invest" - but because I got a surprisingly good Christmas bonus last year, I decided to by a few thousands dollars worth of Apple stock - not to "play the market" but with the thought of holding on to the stock for many, many years - as an investment in a company I really believe in, a company that I believe has yet to see its finest days. I bought it at $79 per share - recent price $126/share!

I hope the I-Phone will Rock! Incidently, the 128 K Mac is what my sister-in-law calls the "Mac Minus." My dad had an Apple IIe - with, I think, 24K of RAM!

John McDaid

Fri, 06/22/2007 - 12:18pm

Hi, Viking...
Congratulations on your foresight. I share your hopes for a great launch, but I would expect some volatility over the next couple of weeks. Just the other day, when they announced better-than-expected iPhone battery life, the share price jumped $3. What a crazy ride.

Ah, yes, the 128k Mac. I remember when the whole operating system AND MacPaint would fit on a single floppy disk.

You know, those first-gen Macs are something of a collector's item — if you crack the case open, the names of the Mac team are moulded into the plastic on the inside of the back cover.

Cheers.
-j

Disclosure: I own Apple stock.

buckaroo banzai

Fri, 06/22/2007 - 5:05pm

John-
We started out with a TRS-80 (!) first one on the block, which if I remember right had no memory at all, everything, programs and data, had to be loaded each time. Maybe there was 40k, I don't remember, but it sure wasn't much. My wife did some accounting work with it and I played Asteroids or something, but we finally had to get rid of it. Our home office was in our bedroom and it gave us the creeps having this big hulking malevolent mass lurking over in the corner at night!
Our next was a Mac IIc which was such a cool little computer, I loved that thing. The kids finally took it over and both Judy and I got busy and bought PCs for the number crunching, and have been that way ever since.............
Until now!!! I bought myself a big beautiful iMAC a couple of months ago and feel like I've died and gone to heaven. It's really true, if you think some task should work a certain way on a computer, Apple has made it so! And it doesn't crash doing it!.
Despite my rekindled love for all things Apple, I just don't know about the iphone yet. The price is not intimidating, its just that I don't see myself as needing to be instantly connected to everything everyone everywhere all the time and in color. Still a bit of a Luddite that way, I guess. Can't wait to see how they roll out. I heard the touchpad / keyboard thing is a bit hard getting used to and doesn't work very well, but you can bet Apple will work out the kinks. Think I'll wait a year or so.
I'll test drive yours when you get it.
bb

John McDaid

Sat, 06/23/2007 - 8:25am

Hi, buckaroo...
TRS-80, wow, that brings back memories. Never owned one, but remember looking at them in Creative Computing and thinking about how cool it would be to store your programs on tape. I was very lucky; my high school had a hookup to a time-shared PDP-8, and I learned BASIC and FORTRAN using punched paper tape. There's an indefinable value to having grown up with computers, seeing them evolve. I think our generation has some insight into the guts; now everything has vanished below the scale of visibility, it's all just magic on a chip.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. The iMac is indeed an awesome box. Fast and rock-solid, as you say. Karen only reboots her iMac when she needs to for a system update; try THAT with XP. I use Windows all the time at work, and for many things it works just fine, but I still experience app crashes and forced reboots as a fact of life. Yes, the kernel panic on early versions of OS X was every bit as feared as the Blue Screen of Death, but if I was keeping score, even with a brand-new OS, the Mac was still more stable by an order of magnitude. Not to mention the lack of viruses, and the processor-cycle tax you have to pay to Norton to keep your machine clear.

The iPhone is, I think, the same kind of transformational product as the original iPod. In the same way that "having all your music with you all the time" changes the game, my feeling is that really having all the capabilities of this device (phone, camera, playback, messaging, Internet, organizer) in a *usable* package represents a new equilibrium point. I don't have a CrackBerry, but I develop Web pages designed to fit on them, and just from that perspective, a true browser on a handheld is revolutionary. I'm betting, in particular, on the ability for the iPhone to switch transparently from EDGE to WiFi; I think that is a killer feature, as more and more places recognize the value of offering wireless access. Maybe we can even get it in the Council chamber, then I could liveblog... :)

If I can score one of these puppies, you're more than welcome to give it a try. I'm guessing Providence will be a mob scene on Friday.

Cheers.
-j

Delilah

Sat, 06/23/2007 - 2:56pm

but I'am searching for anyone who has kittens,kitten,or young cat. My cat passed away some years ago, and I'am just now ready for another furbaby. Sorry this is so off the subject, but I never realized it would be this difficult to find a cat! If anyone out there in blogland has one,or knows of someone who does, Please email me.

Thank you!

John McDaid

Sat, 06/23/2007 - 4:13pm

Hi, Delilah...
I'm sorry to hear about your cat's passing — even if it was years ago, as cat lovers know, those are very close relationships. If you're thinking about a kitten, or a cat, I highly recommend the Potter League in Middletown.

They usually have many cats, and some young ones, available for adoption. When our beloved 18-year-old kittie died last year and our son wanted a new kitten, we did have to wait for about two months until there was a litter, but you can call them and ask to be on a waiting list. We were absolutely delighted with all the folks there, and the communication both before and after adoption. Highly recommend them.

Best of luck finding a new bundle of fur. While it's no substitute, here are some cute LOL cats, with endearing captions.

Best,
-john

Delilah

Sun, 06/24/2007 - 8:12am

Thank you John...all the adorable cat pics really made my day,nothing makes me smile,and cheers me up, faster than kitty cats!
I do have a beef tho' when it comes to the Potter League(ut oh, this is probably going to be very un-popular here) ...but here goes anyway...I have been there many times,and although I really like the staff(great bunch of people!) I disagree with the fee's they charge. Years ago my brother was on the board of directors there,and I did get a lot of inside info. on how they operate. Potter League is a VERY rich organization, the facts on the yearly income is public knowledge,and it was advertised in the papers, you can look it up on record as well.
They charge $95.00 (for all animals), unless it is a "senior discount",(very
old cat ,or dog, for $45.00. ) They state that this is well worth it because the animal gets,spayed/neutered,and Vet checked...however...Most of these animals are turn ins(and even with strays,in some cases) they are already fixed,when they arrive. And I do know that they get too many(unfortunately,around this time,every year,litters of kittens,coming in) and they do need to be fixed,before adoption, however...these kittens all get adopted,and fly out the door,faster than the speed of light!at $95.00 a pop,the kittens are ALWAYS in great demand, while the older cats(this time of year) get passed by,it is very sad!
At one of my visits, I asked if the cat was UTD on all shots,and wormed...the kind lady there told me they do not worm them, and the only shot(required by state law) that they have to up- date, is the rabies shot. As you know...Potter league has many kind hearted volunteers,who take the dogs for walks,play with the animals...etc...etc...without any cost to them, They have Vets, who also do things for them free of charge,or for a very small (reduced fee-if any). They are always asking for donations of food,blankets,towels,for which loads of good people donate to them. Then there is the Millionaire(animal lovers),who have passed away and left them HUGE sums of money in their will. YES!...Potter League is VERY wealthy. Plus the grant they get,plus the annual fund raiser events,such as the recent one that brought in what? 80k.
If you go just across the bridge,Bristol...the adoption fee is $35.00,or Westerly,RI...where my friend adopted a kitten for $25.00, not to mention that Westerly for years have been in a small,over-crowded facility,behind a landfill! and for years have been trying to scrape,and save money,for a new building. The same law (spay/neuter, rabies shot) apply's to all of them,as well as the expenses of feeding. Why the inflated adoption fee at Potter League?
So...my point here is,even though my heart breaks for ALL the animals that need a good,forever home, they all deserve that!, And even though I CAN afford the $95.00 fee at Potters, I will give my money(adoption fee,and extra donation) to one who badly needs the money. It is the principle of the thing. I wonder how the poorer(skinny) Shelters can afford reasonable adoption fee's,yet the rich(fat) cannot. And Please...before anyone jumps on me over this...look up what Potter League makes on a yearly basis, then add to that all I have mentioned above. I'm happy for them, but my money is going to go where it is most,and badly, needed. Hopefully more people will see this, check out the other RI animal shelters,and spread some money around.

I wish I could save them ALL!

John McDaid

Sun, 06/24/2007 - 9:24am

Hi, Delilah...
I wish we could save them all too. I'm no expert on managing an animal shelter, and I agree with you that, all things being equal, making adoption more affordable is better. A quick spot-check on Google turned up adoption fees around the country ranging up to $110, so yeah, it seems that Potter is toward the high end of that scale.

OTOH, yes, the Bristol shelter's description at Save a Pet (link below) lists $65; Westerly is, as you say, $25. But neither of these indicate that they include the free vet office visit you get with a Potter League adoption. I don't think you can get out of a vet's office these days for less than fifty bucks, and the cost of spay/neuter has got to be around $40. So yeah, I agree that $95 is a lot of money, but it seems in line with the value of the services.

Would I like to see more money going to groups that Trap-Neuter-Release feral cats, like PawsWatch? Absolutely. Curi, our new kitten from the Potter League, is the first cat we've ever had who was not a feral rescue, and the decision was very pragmatic: we have an older cat in the house and didn't want to risk FIV/FeLV/FIP.

And, honestly, I have no beef with a well-run charity. If they have to charge $95 for the kittens to pay for the longer boarding times on older cats, to my mind, that's money being well spent to keep an animal healthy and off the street and give it a chance of adoption. I'm not disagreeing that I wish it could be cheaper, I'm just saying that the fee doesn't seem all that out of whack.

Best,
-j

Here are some resources, for anyone interested:
Potter League
PawsWatch Bristol
Stand Up For Animals Westerly
Or search all of RI on Save A Pet

Delilah

Sun, 06/24/2007 - 12:30pm

While they are on the higher end, to their credit,they are a very good Shelter,(and they should be,with the funds they receive)with good people involved,all the way around. I think of anyone who does this work as Angels. Doesn't matter which shelter.
Bristol has me confused, because they say that its 65. but after proof of spay,or neuter,you get like 30. back? I know it is state law , but I think they have to be fixed before adopted out? confusing...as far as the potter league 1 free Vet visit goes, they say the price is 95. Because they have been Vet checked already? but if you adopt, the free Vet check is included that is fine, except for one thing...This 1 free Vet check is after the fact,(already adopted the animal), what happens then if the Vet finds something seriously wrong? Do you take it back, I don't think it makes much sense then really,because these animals are NOT refundable,even if they accept them back again. Too many have been taken back because it didn't work out, for some reason,or another. As far as the older cats, they don't keep them forever, they do keep them as long as they can, but it is limited. I know that some people are totally against putting them down(no matter what), but If and ONLY if an older(keyword:old) cat is "unadoptable",has issues,just isn't friendly,not good with kids...whatever the problem may be, my own opinion is that they are better off humanely put down, than to spend the rest of their years confined to a small cage,to me this is inhumane,and No quality of life anymore for any animal.
I have dealt with Newport Pawswatch as well...First ...I don't have a clue why they are named "Newport Pawswatch" because when I inquired about a few cats,at different times, they told me that I would have to go to Petco in Seekonk to see any of them, they are not based out of Newport at all,and do Not show them at our local Petco. Then I have filled out applications for them, and it seems very detailed...they even want to know your yearly income! Very fussy about who...I can understand that to a degree...but I'm very willing to let them do home visits,and I did assure them that I'am NO mad scientist, doing experiments! however they continue to be fussy?Even though they can give me NO history,or information on the cat that i would like to adopt. I was expecting them to ask me for a urine specimen next!
Ok...Sorry this went long, and I could really talk about this in more detail, for hours, because the welfare of animals is a great passion of mine, I take it all seriously. Trap-Neuter-Release is an excellent program, as far as "FIV/FeLV/FIP", did you know that any kitten can test negative, then test positive, at another time? Especially if they are tested young, it is never 100%, but pretty accurate without a test if the known mother,and father,are negative. Otherwise the history of any kitten(health wise),from any Shelter is unknown.

Thank you for listening.

p.s.Looking forward to seeing "SICKO" but from what I have seen,and heard about it... Brilliant!

Karen

Sat, 06/23/2007 - 5:24pm

Just had to throw in my TRS-80 memories. I worked for a small publisher in the early 80s. Most of the staff (including me) used Vydecs (an Exxon-manufactured dinosaur that used 9" floppies, each of which had 30 1-page text tracks, and had some VERY primitive merge functions. There was an 8-hour tutorial to learn word processing.), but the accounting department had a TRS-80 -- STATE OF THE ART! We used to sneak in on Saturdays to use the TRS-80 to play Adventure -- you know, the "kill troll with sword" kind. Ahh, the thrill of watching that square, green all-caps type scroll up the screen.

BTW, I eventually got the diamond. Because if there is one thing computers are NOT, it's forever.
Karen

Viking

Sun, 06/24/2007 - 12:01am

I remember a columm by Dvorak in which he addressed the following question: "What do I to prevent my system from hanging up everytime I launch Word, Excell and MacPaint, then try change preferences on the Talking Moose?" Answer: "Get a life!"