| by Joe Leo, Columnist | January 12, 2007 |
continued... from: previous page
The Big (Actual) Apple Hardware Announcement: the iPhone
I guess you could say my rumor prediction kind of came true in a small sense, about how Mac OS X might be made available for both Mac or PC. (What, you still haven't read my rumor prediction? Go do it, now!). With the iPhone running its own system software based on OS X--I'll stress here that it's based on OS X, and not the full OS X, now according to a very credible source--PC users who adopt the iPhone will get a taste of Mac OS X.
OS X will now become available, in a sense, to all the masses via the iPhone. If you thought there was an iPod "halo effect" before (that's another story of mine you'll have to read about, on the iPod "halo effect"), there's going to be a new halo effect coming your way soon, and this one will be a tidal wave of sorts compared to the small one that the iPod created. While I don't believe in the iPod effect, I'll be the first to ride this wave--an iPhone "halo effect"--to shore.
The "iPhone halo effect" is more plausible because of the fact--not to mention that it has an iPod at the core of the product--that you don't just have a product that works, but it has OS X at its core. With that user-friendly experience, it'll open wide to a vista of sorts, where everyone will get exposed to what we Mac users have been using since, I believe, the year 2000. Seven years of Mac OS X, while Windows Vista is still an infant in its form.
A cloned infant. And you know what's happened in the past to cloned sheep. Ahh... sheep! ZZzzzZzz- une.
Thoughts on the iPhone / Complaints Already Received
There are already complaints about the iPhone, and no we're not referring to the one by Cisco systems on the trademark infringement. Analysts are saying that with all the innovative features that the iPhone has underneath its belt, there are things hanging over that belt (a gut?), things missing from the phone that it should have that other cell phones currently on the market already do-- things like 3G/EVDO support for one.
For those that don't know, 3G/EVDO is comparable to broadband and is just a little faster than regular DSL. Cell phones that don't have this technology--like, um, Apple's iPhone--are running at slower speeds. This is an unsolicited comment, but my cell phone provider is Sprint, and one of the tools underneath their belt is that feature. 3G/EVDO and they claim to have the largest network in the nation.
For $49.99 a month, I have an unlimited data plan on top of my $35 voice plan. And while I haven't done scientific data tests, my tests were done simultaneously / side-by-side by loading a web page on my PowerMac G4 connected to broadband, and the same web page on my 12" PowerBook G4 connected to EVDO. And let me just say... wow! It's pretty fast. (Not to mention the fact that this is how I reported to everyone the details of Keynote, LIVE, on Tuesday!).
Currently, this is not a feature Cingular provides, and they have 2G. Does that mean that they have no plans to upgrade in the future? No. And that pertains to both Cingular and Apple.
Everyone's already lamenting about what the iPhone lacks, but let's remember. Did the original iPod have everything that everyone enjoys now? It's going to take awhile folks. This is only the first generation iPhone, and it will get better. The iPhone in its form today is only the beginning of a brighter future of Apple's cell phone product. (Hopefully, if it goes well).
Final Thoughts on Macworld 2007 in General
All in all, this was a great Macworld experience for me, since I've never been to one before, in person. I've always been the one to just get on the internet and find out everything there. (Now I was the one bringing it to others). Keynote was of course, the highlight, and while I was very disappointed with one aspect of Macworld, only in terms of one side of the event sponsors (IDG), it was a very well done production on all ends.
On Apple, I hope that this Macworld Expo, and especially the Keynote, were only a small preview of things to come later this year. Kind of like a teaser akin to their own teaser for the show. The black Apple logo eclipsing (now that we all know that it's not an Apple on a horizon, like shown to us on their website earlier) a bright light behind it.
Is that light Microsoft? Maybe. I think it's everyone's light, anyone and everyone who's in competition with Apple. And to everyone who ever doubted Apple's strength in the past.