Apple iPhone

[Dan M]

There's no way I'd buy an iPhone for the next 1-2 years.   After that, I bet I'll end up with one.

I love my iPod more than any other electronic device I've ever owned, but I'm sure I wouldn't have felt the same way about the iPods from a few year ago.

I'm sure part of the fervor is the Apple cult and a lot of it is just people wanting to own the latest status symbol, but I love the concept and can't wait until it is a little further along in the technology and the price is a bit lower.

[Yeoman Mara]

Yes, I agree.  It does seem to be a lot to pay for a phone, even with the other features.  Honestly, all I want my phone to do is not drop calls and not cost a lot.  I have a laptop that does great for everything else.

[Bryancd]

P.S.  Interesting for such a slick device how many are being pawned off on eBay.  ;)

Not really when you consider 2 per customer ;) Back at 'ya big boy!

Brass tax. I do love Apple's products for their innovation and uniqueness. If PC's and Microsoft are the Evil Empire, Apple is the Rebellion. More importantly, my job is based on anticipating and predicting trends which can generate return for my clients. Apple has presented me with a tradable commodity with which I can generate return, and income. Suffice it to say, I do a great deal of homework to try and gauge the quality of a compant and it's prospects for the future. My financial future depends upon it. Believe me when I say that the iPhone WILL revolutionize telecommunications as we know just as the iPod and iTunes did for music and video content. People don't like Seteve Jobs. I get that. He's arrogant and a prima dona. But I like that in a CEO who runs a compant I am invested in.

[Dan M]

I love Steve Jobs.  He's a visionary.

I love Pixar.  I love iPod.  I'm sure at some point I'll love my iPhone.

And I love my Windows PC.  It's good that Gates (who I don't mind either) has a rival.

From what I've read, neither guy is a really nice person, but both have changed our lives for the better.

[Bryancd]

Early estimates range from 450-600,000 units over the weekend. By all metrics, it's a blockbuster of a product launch. CNBC is reporting that Apple has delivered on the hype.

[moyer777]

I want one really bad, but I am on Verizon for two more years, as is my whole family, and I live in a rural area that is covered by Verizon better than anyone else.  "sigh"

I wish they would have gone with other carriers.

Oh well.  I love my ipod, I use it so much I'm surprised it still works. :)

[Bryancd]

Verizon also owns me.  Living in Arizona, there coverage is really good, especially out in the wilderness. Be patient, more carriers will be coming, they just needed to pick a single carrier for the launch to help focus sales, but we will see new providers as the next generation phones become available, inluding G3, better internet (At&T's is decidedly slow and Apple is aware of that), and the more compatibility with Microsoft Outlook for work e-mail.

[jedijeff]

Here is a Blog about a persons experiences so far with the iPhone. Some Positives and Negatives, though sounds like the Negatives are more with AT&T
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?cat=146&tag=nl.e622

[JoSpiv]

If 10 years ago you told me Apple would one day control the Music, and Phone industry(and they will control it with this) I would have had the men in white take you away quickly.

The turn around of that company is absolutly amazing.

[Bryancd]

About 25 percent of iPhone buyers are 'switchers' to AT&T - firm

By Katie Marsal

Published: 10:00 AM EST
About one quarter of consumers adopting Apple's heavily-hyped iPhone handset are 'switchers' to AT&T from other carriers, financial firm American Technology Research reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources.

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"We find these numbers impressive, showing that a fair amount of customers are willing to pay high early cancellation fees (~$125-$200) to get out of their existing service contracts for an iPhone," analyst Shaw Wu wrote in the report.

The analyst said the only other product in recent history to command a similar type of respect (at least in the beginning) was the Motorola RAZR in mid- to late-2004. Initially priced at $500 with a service contract and $800 without, the super-slim handset eventually saw subsidies and went on to enjoy phenomenal success, selling in excess of 50 million units.

"We believe both instances indicate that high price points are not an issue for early adopters who purchase the first few million units," Wu told clients.

Meanwhile, the analyst also cited sources in reiterating that Vodafone remains the front-runner and most likely carrier partner for iPhone in Europe, primarily due to its large subscriber base, broad geographic coverage, and investment in advanced technology.

"However, due to AT&T's success and ability to gain new customers with iPhone in the USA, other carriers including Orange, T-Mobile and O2 are aggressively bidding for European iPhone rights, giving Vodafone stiff competition," Wu wrote. "From our understanding, there could be a scenario where iPhone has multiple carrier partnerships (maximizing its market potential) with each tailored for specific regions and/or countries, i.e. Vodafone in the UK, T-Mobile in Germany, and Orange in France."

Regardless of which carrier gets picked for iPhone rights in Europe, the AmTech analyst believes Apple is in a strong position to end up with terms just as favorable as those granted by AT&T in the U.S, where the company collects bounties and recurring monthly service fees from the carrier.

"We believe that potential carrier partners are more willing to accept Apple's tough terms and conditions given Apple's strong brand name and mainstream appeal and iPhone's ability to lure customers away from other carriers," he wrote.

Over the next 2-3 years, Wu expects iPhone to bring smart phone technology into the mainstream, particularly as Apple rounds out the handset's product line with mid-range and entry-level offerings, just as it did with the iPod and portable media players.

"We believe the iPhone is among must-own gifts for this year's holiday shopping season," he told clients.

Wu, who maintains a 'Buy' rating on shares of the Cupertino-based Apple, said he's already seeing the potential for upside to his $165 per-share target.

[Rico]

Put me on the Christmas list that gets an iPhone in their stocking!  Still planning on waiting quite awhile on this.

Hey - has anyone heard the rumor about a new iPod with touch screen by the end of 2007?

[Bryancd]

Yep :). New Video iPod with the same type of interface the iPhone has. Probably will be announced in August and avilable for the holiday season.

[JoSpiv]

We all know the iPhone can do a lot of cool things.

But the real question is, WILL IT BLEND???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg1ckCkm8YI

[moyer777]

That is the funniest $600 I have seen go up in smoke in a long time!

Great video.  Except for me cringing...

[Rico]

Yep :). New Video iPod with the same type of interface the iPhone has. Probably will be announced in August and avilable for the holiday season.

I will buy one of those!  :)