I think buying the first version of most hardware is risky, but buying v1 of a pda phone from a company that’s never built one is almost stupid. I admit I love the look of the iPhone and the GUI is great too, but that’s what Apple does best. If you don’t want to be seduced into paying the high price tag to AT&T ($500-600 with contract), then avoid watching their TV ads.
In the meantime, here are my top 3 reason to wait on buying the iPhone.
- Building a mobile operating system is really hard. - Just ask Microsoft, which took a long time to catch up with Palm and all the other “no-name” companies that have tried to enter the space. Warning… issues for the early adopters right around the corner!
- All Apple’s products DON’T just work. - With this complex hardware, Apple will look more like Microsoft with unexpected re-boots and errors. Every blackberry, treo and sidekick I’ve seen or supported for my IT clients has locked up or been forced to reboot. I’ve been a Mac convert for 8 months and I love my Mac and iPod, but I still run into issues. Many Mac fanatics deny this and act like it must be my machine, but in their weak moments they know Macs have issues too. The complex engineering required to build a phone with a browser, camera, maps and 20 other apps will be shown in the first two weeks of its sale.
- Apple sells the sizzle first, then cooks the steak. - They love to look great first and work well second. Steve Jobs has made a mint with great interface and design and has recently grown his company from the profits of the iPod not the computer. The average consumer is content with their crappy PC and incessant error messages. Their impression of most Apple products (sans iPod) is pointing out how “cool” it looks, but they can’t see the difference how it actually works better or worse. The average consumers WILL see the faults in the iPhone very quickly.
Let me be clear, I love Apple products. I’m a user on MacMeter.com and I am officially a Mac convert, but I also know mobile devices. I could go on and on about how much Cingular’s (I mean AT&T) data network is still lagging behind Sprint and Verizon or how every 3rd generation pda phone still isn’t perfect, but waiting for the 2nd generation iPhone is smarter. In the mean time, I’ll patiently sharpen my steak knife while Steve’s engineers clean up the early bugs and build a reliable mobile platform. Then, I’ll be ready to eat at the Steve’s Steakhouse.
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OK… so why not buy now, and download the software updates later?
Updates are fine, but the palm and MS have updates and their fifth generation o/s still has issues on every mobile device. I hate to be pessimistic, but mobile phones are hard and Apple hasn’t even played in this space.
Todd
I’m not sure I agree with number #1, just because Microsoft couldn’t do it, doesn’t mean Apple can’t.
I agree with #2, but I’m not sure how innovative the hardware really is. IMHO, like the iPod, the innovation is in the software. Apple has proven strong in this area.
I have no problem with #3, as long as they continue to deliver. Fail me once, I’ll be disappointed. Fail me again, and I may look for alternatives. So far I have been completely satisfied with my iPod and all other Macs I’ve owned.
Here’s why I won’t buy a Gen1 iPhone:
- Price, until my iPod and Moto Q dies, it is difficult to justify spending any more. When those are gone, I look forward to only needing one device.
- I want carrier independence, but this will probably remain a dream for years to come. In fact, I want Euro-style carrier independence in the US. That won’t happen.
- I want third party apps/widgets. I believe this is coming soon.
- Apple Gen1 hardware almost _ALWAYS_ has issues. I’d rather let the uber-early adopts deal with support. I’ll pick one up later.
- To truely replace my iPod, I need at least 20 gigs, over 40 would be nice.
HOWEVER, if I had a lot of disposable income … I’d be in line on the 29th.
Ya i like Apple product, i used Apple Mac , its really very nice, Apple product have good name, But now i’m very afraid of AT&T , because sometimes it may spoil the iphone due to this only Apple get bad name, Apple product reached people soon, before it reached people, try to avoid this. find it good solution. Very interesting and informative blog
[...] Summer I wrote why I wouldn’t buy the iPhone when it first came out. My core reasons then were Apple’s lack of experience in mobile [...]