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1.  

   Point of order...

   

   Lawrence D'Oliveiro, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 5:10pm

   
   

   When you say "infers", do you mean "implies"?

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2.  

   Area of specialty

   

   Andy, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 5:55pm

   
   

   The service provider whether it be Verizon, Cingular, Sprint or however should concentrate on providing the best network for it customers, that will keep customers loyal to that network. The harware manufacturers should concentrate on providing the best device and UI, that will keep customers loyal to that product. Service providers getting into telling hardware manufactures what they should do is a problem.

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3.  

   Re: Area of specialty

   

   richard, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 6:21pm

   
   

   It doesn't help verizon that they replace a phone's UI with their own, often causing bugs and cutting features.

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4.  

   iPhone is already a failure!

   

   Cliff, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 6:41pm

   
   

   Yes, people will buy this thing. Yes, Apple will make money selling it exclusivley to Cingiular (soon to AT&T). But it is far from an innovative product in the cell phone/portable communications device industry. It breaks no "real" new ground. It lacks some fundamental features that we have all come to want/have in our current phones. At best, we are 3-4 generations of the iPhone away from this being anything worth buying. My Samsung A900 is a better phone. see this article: http://nonsequiturs.com/posts/The_Dirty_Dozen_Why_the_iPhone_is_a_Major_Disappointment

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5.  

   Re: Point of order...

   

   Carlo, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 7:09pm

   
   

   Yeow, indeed I do. Thanks for pointing that out.

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6.  

   okay

   

   benji, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 8:07pm

   
   

   sounds like somebodies company maybe a tiddle bit jelous??

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7.  

   This is why...

   

   Norman619, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 8:26pm

   
   

   This is why Apple will never become the dominant force it wishes it could be. They still don't get it. Over charging their customers for substandard products is a tradition with them.

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8.  

   @ Lawrence D'Oliveiro

   

   i had to do it, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 8:41pm

   
   

   is it imply or implode

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9.  

   iphone? Can't wait!

   

   Jennifer L. Eisenberger, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 9:07pm

   
   

   All this talk about all the downfalls of IPhone and how much they are charging - not gonna stop me - I saw Steve's presetnation and having been a PC user and now a MAC person (full on) will buy anything these people put on the market. The technology is mind blowing - the interface/icons beautiful and the features - worth every penny! And, I just ended my contract and switched to Cingular in anticipation!
   :).

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10.  

    iphone

    

    just me, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 9:24pm

    
    

    I believe they are putting too many restrictions on whom can sell the phone. I was happy to hear it was coming out, but my happy thought got crushed quickly when I found out who was selling it. I use Alltel. I would never switch just to get my hands on a cell phone. My service comes first, and then the phone type. I hope they change their minds, and give more people a chance at them.
    
    A cell phone is a cell phone, the service you purchase in order to use that cell phone is not, and should not, be downgraded in any way. If a company goes for a product and puts up too much stakes in that product plus they downgrade their own business standards in order to carry the product, they ARE asking for the worst business financial disaster to happen. They get what they pay for.
    
    Hopefully Alltel will not fall for this BS. I would rather not purchase that cellphone, and have Alltel keep their standards intact.

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11.  

    Alltell

    

    Josh, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 9:33pm

    
    

    Well, I don't know which network Alltell uses...but if it's not GSM 850/1900 it propbably won't get the iPhone anyway. you can pretty much guarantee Apple isn't going to invest more money in alternate models for a broader provider option (certainly when Verizon declined the offer to take it, it was during the contractual phase of production--when apple would determine the service inside the phone). Anyway, until it $199 or less, I have other stuff to invest my $$$ into from apple...like towards a new macbook

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12.  

    Re: iphone

    

    Blasphemy101, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 10:16pm

    
    

    "I believe they are putting too many restrictions on whom can sell the phone. I was happy to hear it was coming out, but my happy thought got crushed quickly when I found out who was selling it. I use Alltel. I would never switch just to get my hands on a cell phone. My service comes first, and then the phone type. I hope they change their minds, and give more people a chance at them."
    
    Motorola did the same thing with the Razr. Now look, everyone and their mother has a Razr. Even Sprint now carries it. Apple will slowly open it to other carriers as soon as they agree to the same terms as Cingular. If the iphone is as popular as the Razr, carriers will be busting down the doors at Apple to carry the phone.

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13.  

    Re: iphone? Can't wait!

    

    Paul`, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 10:54pm

    
    

    That, my friend, is because you're an idiot.

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14.  

    Re: iphone? Can't wait!

    

    Maximus Pryme, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 11:11pm

    
    

    Wow, I really don't know where to start on this...
    
    I'll start with the comment about how you will buy anything in these people put on the market, despite bad reviews, or cost. You know what I want out of a phone? A good quality phone that has features that I need.
    
    "Ooooh, the icons are so pretty" - You could just download icons and skins that would make your phone more customizable and "pretty". Of course though, you already knew that becuase you spent so much time researching your purchases.
    
    You mentioned that the features are amazing, despite the amazing lack of features compared to other phones on the market.
    
    On a final note, why would you switch contracts now? So you can pay full price on the iPhone? Companies will always charge you less on the phone when you sign a contract with them.

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15.  

    Re: Re: iphone? Can't wait!

    

    Anonymous Coward, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 11:14pm

    
    

    just watch my stock go.... :) to each his own...I like the iphone!

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16.  

    

    Anonomous Coward, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 11:40pm

    
    

    It's easy to be critical of the prom king and queen when your the one left dancing by yourself.

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17.  

    Re:

    

    Anonymous Coward, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 11:47pm

    
    

    i'm the one with a cellular device that does what it needs to do (make calls, get calls, get decent signal and battey life.) for an acceptable cost (nothing).

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18.  

    Random Thouught

    

    Anon Coward, Jan 29th, 2007 @ 11:59pm

    
    

    The first song I'll load on my iPhone will be Sarah McLachlan - Stupid (Hyper Remix)
    
    how stupid could I be
    a simpleton could see
    that you're no good for me (Verizon)
    but you're the only (phone) I (can) see (Movies and TV Shows on)

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19.  

    Re: Re: iphone? Can't wait!

    

    Attila, Jan 30th, 2007 @ 1:05am

    
    

    I stumbled upon this a few days ago. This is a link to an actual MacRumors forum thread from back in 2001 when the first-generation iPod was announced:

    http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=500

    My favorite: "This isn't revoltionary! I still can't believe this! All this hype for something so ridiculous! Who cares about an MP3 player? I want something new! I want them to think differently! Why oh why would they do this?! It's so wrong! It's so stupid!"

    Yeah, I'm so glad I didn't buy AAPL in 2001 when it was trading at around $9... They sure dropped the ball on this whole MP3 player thing!

    :)

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20.  

    Missing the point and the features

    

    Joe, Jan 30th, 2007 @ 2:23am

    
    

    Attila, I totally agree with you. I also wanted to buy AAPL in 96 when Jobs was hired. And all of the whining is reminiscent of Cmdr Taco's review of the iPod in '01. Apple is a vertical integrator. Since they don't have a network of their own, better to collaborate with a partner who is also willing. I'm sure Verizon didn't want to invest the capital required to upgrade their voicemail system the way apple is intending it to be. The biggest and least talked about feature is how it handles voicemail. Being able to sort, prioritize, respond, and forward the same way any email program can. This can't be done with current networks. It requires new equipment. So far, only Cisco IP phones offer anything remotely close. compared to everything else it seems archaic. And the price will come down. It's the way the market and technology work. my first iPod was $499 and look at them now. the first RAZR was 300-400 and look at them now.

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21.  

    agreed

    

    rahrens (profile), Jan 30th, 2007 @ 5:00am

    
    

    Joe and Attila,
    
    I agree with you guys. the whineys above do sound like the same whineys that dissed the iPod in the beginning.
    
    Yeah, it does seem to be missing that oh-so-important 3G - which most providers in the US don't provide anyway. Go back and look at the keynote - Steve said very clearly that it will in the future.
    
    As for Exchange integration - what part of CONSUMER don't you understand? Exchange is for business, and this is NOT a business phone. It is intended for the high end consumer, not the business consumer.
    
    As for the rest (voice dialing, etc.) wait a bit - this was just a first look, and Apple often reserves the details for later, just before the product is released. We've got until June, for Pete's sake!
    
    If they release it in June without, for instance, voice dialing, then you've got every reason to gripe, and I'll be right next to you, too.
    
    Go back and look at the CNBC interview Steve did that Tuesday afternoon. He clearly noted that he expects the price to come down after noting something about economies of scale. It'll clearly depend on how many of these things they sell. The more they sell, the lower they can drop the price over time. Again, look at the Razr, same deal.
    
    I would note as well a quote on another site (sorry, don't remember which one) of a Cingular sales rep that told a journalist that from inquiries he's gotten about the iPhone, he could sell 100 a day easily.
    
    And, yes, Apple often adds features to later models. First versions often aren't the best - they're just the teaser to open the market, something that can be easily dumped if it doesn't sell well. Look at the Cube. It was a beautifully crafted machine, but was too high in price for the lack of expandability, but contained new cooling techniques that were later incorporated into the iMac line after the Cube bombed.
    
    I'll also say this: for every one of the whineys here and elsewhere I hear complaining about a lack of features, I hear just as many like Jennifer L. Eisenberger above saying that they'll be standing in line for theirs the morning it comes out. The same Cingular sales rep quoted above also noted that one man he talked to was going to buy one for everyone in his family, including his two teenage daughters. That is four at least!
    
    Scoff if you like at those early adopters and the ones that will buy Apple products sight unseen, but they kept Apple afloat during the lean years, and others like them now are helping them expand their market share, and create new markets.

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22.  

    Support?

    

    ShadowSoldier, Jan 30th, 2007 @ 5:12am

    
    

    I would PAY not to have verizon deal with support, because A) THey Suck at it and B) It makes me want to die. Verizon has to have some of the worst customer service in the industry, whereas Apple, whether or not you like them, provides amazing customer service. I can understand not wanting to let them handle distribution, that makes sense, but since the iPhone is going to more of an Apple product than a Cell Phone it would only seem logical that they hand support and service. Personally I think Apple should have created its own cell phone company, and Jobs himself should have built the network by hand, including new towers, no matter how unessecary

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23.  

    Knowing Verizon...

    

    ogman, Jan 30th, 2007 @ 5:22am

    
    

    Knowing Verizon, they passed on the iPhone because Apple wouldn't let them hobble every useful feature and cover the interface with crappy red Verizon branding. In other words, Verizon passed because Apple was making a phone that customers might actually like!

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24.  

    like verizon can talk about restrictions

    

    ted, Jan 30th, 2007 @ 8:51am

    
    

    It's funny to hear this coming from verizon wireless, they cripple most of their phones, especially the bluetooth. BUT... i hate apple and their iBetterthenyou attitude. not to mention how much i *love* helping our dial-up customers figure out how to work there new and easy to use Mac. I don't use them, i wont use them, and yet somehow i can help these people over the phone. hmm... maybe its not the computers that are the issues here, maybe all the platforms are equal to equal users? or is that to much for you windows haters to handle :-)

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25.  

    Verizon'z a Joke

    

    John Simmons, Feb 13th, 2007 @ 5:55pm

    
    

    Apple stated earlier that they chose to go with Cingular/AT@T because AT@T is by far the best cell phone provider.. Verizon's reception is a complete joke in Michigan compared to Cingular/AT@T...And the customer service for Verizon is rediculous compared to most cell phone providers..

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