I'll go out on a limb on the revolutionary iPhone....

[Aviation Pro]

...it will be the most colossal waste of time foisted on the American public. Based on the TV ads, It's just another asinine entertainment device for a bored and vapid populace.

[MisterHowdy]

1. lol. Agreed.

why are we so obsessed with small, hand-held devices??

[ananda]

2. hmm

because they make us feel connected and safe in an increasingly
isolated and dangerous world?

[Aviation Pro]

3. How about going out and talking to, ummmm,

...live people?

[mondo joe]

18. What makes you think people with cell phones or ipods or laptops don't

talk to real people?

Who do you think is on the other end of the messaging anyway?

(Hopefully not another Puritan!)

[Aviation Pro]

25. My point....

...is that these devices are a firewall against human contact. The voice on the other end of the line is a poor substitute for real communication.

[mondo joe]

27. Again, what makes you think people with those devices don't have real human contact?

I have a laptop, an iPod, a cell phone and a PDA.

I spend all day interacting with other real people -- and not through those devices.

Try to shed your bizarre Puritanism. It will do you good.

[onenote]

69. said the person communicating over an electronic device!

Either you have a grand sense of irony or none at all.

[MisterHowdy]

5. or maybe we're just huge suckers for good marketing

i think thats what its all about

[burrowowl]

7. Good Question!

I mean I know people who answer and talk on their phone in the WC and you can hear the tinkle or the ploop! Remember not to drop phone in toilet (know of 2 cases), is iPhone waterproof?
Really, or don't answer and read the web instead of your newspaper!

[nam78_two]

19. Yuck...I once dated a guy who called me from the WC

and let me know he was in there and then I heard him flush :eyes:.
Thats 2 weeks of my life I will never get back.

[A HERETIC I AM]

4. It will be a spectacular success.

Buy Apple stock now.

(Of course, if you take stock picking advice from a public message board, you get what you deserve)

[Toots]

11. I wished I had bought it just a few months ago when it was at $64.

Yes this will be huge. My wife is already in love with the way it will handle her photo albums and videos. I just hope the phone part has a good antenna. We had to by a booster antenna for our home just so our cells would work.

[mondo joe]

14. It's actually about at the same value as the last time it split.

If it does, I'll buy again as much as I've got.

[alfredo]

46. I bought in a $10 a share, but sold all my stock

when bush took office.

Even though I am no longer an investor, I enjoy watching them. They play the game well.

[sutz12]

6. Call me a caveman....I use my phone to make.....you know....phone calls.

:shrug:

[Bridget Burke]

62. You're obviously not a Geico caveman.

You just know those guys have all the latest toys!

[NYC Liberal]

8. It looks pretty cool, but much too expensive.

I have a Blackberry.

[hobbit709]

9. If you think regular cell phones and driving don't mix

What about this? It will make a plain phone seem safe in comparison.

[Odin2005]

10. I don't the problem, here.

Then again, I'm a Gen-Yer, so such gadgets are a facet of my life (and no, they are not just another "asanine entertainment device," at least to folks my age).

[Aviation Pro]

12. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion...

....

[onehandle]

13. TV is "just another asinine entertainment device for a bored and vapid populace"

The iPhone will have practical purpose.

A phone and a portable true web browser.

And, as usual for Apple, a revolutionary interface.

[Aviation Pro]

21. I saw the ads on this computer....

...I have no cable or satellite and therefore no TV. I consider television the ultimate evil and refuse to have anything broadcast into my home. The web, in spite of everything good about it, is misused technology. And as to the iPhone's practical use. Feh. The only thing practical about it will be the number of accidents caused as pedestrians, absorbed by the porn they are surfing through while crossing a busy street, are mowed down by an appropriate number of busses.

[onenote]

70. television: the "ultimate evil"

okay.

[mondo joe]

73. I'll bet war, poverty, racism, sexism, greed and all the other evils are stunned to

know they lost out to TV.

[supernova]

15. No, the iPhone is condensation of devices

This has been happening for a while in the hand-held industry.

I frankly will be glad to cut down on the number of devices to carry on my person. Right now I carry a laptop, a phone, and an iPod. And no, I do not tune the world out. I keep it at the level of a low-playing radio. I can still hear other people.

Though, right now the iPhone is a little too pricey.

[mondo joe]

16. Says a guy on an online message board.

:rofl:

[Swamp Rat]

17. WHERE'S MY JET PACK??

:D iRocket? :shrug:

[Atman]

20. That's hardly going out on a limb

There is a strong anti-Apple contingent here on DU, and you're simple riling them up. No limb-going involved. Me, I'm not usually and "early adopter," (although I did almost lose my job convincing my company to purchase the first color Mac II) but I think I'll be in line for this one. Even at $500.

My cell plan (which happens to be at Cingular/AT&T anyway) has expired, my iPod is ancient, (an old 30gb click-wheel) and starting to give me problems, I don't own a laptop...this baby has it all in one convenient package. I'm there, baby. Phooey on you anti-Applers.

.

[sellitman]

23. Agreed. I loved my iPod....then bought a iMac and now...

This iPhone is an amazing tool. As a road salesman I will truly be able to leave my laptop, ipod home and have everything in my phone. I don't know why so many have sour grapes towards Apple. Apple just makes great products that work.

[mondo joe]

29. Some hate Apple, but some are just bitter Puritans.

The latter can't stand the thought of anyone having any fun.

[AlCzervik]

34. my husband works for apple and i love apple threads here.

sometimes there are some really good ideas for product improvement and sometimes they're just really funny.

[IChing]

32. For the business traveler it is a computer in your hand

Everything, even access to you files on your computer.
It operates on OSX. It is revolutionary just as the apple II and iPod was.

[wicket]

56. I'll admit, I used to be anti-mac

What sold me was OSX. I went out and bought a G4 and have been a mac head ever since :)

[Aviation Pro]

22. Here's a scenario of a typical iPhone user....

"Hi, Valerie, oh this iPhone is so kewl! I'm watching "Pirates of the Carribean" and gawd is Orlando Bloom so dreamy!"

"Wait a minute, Bobby is calling."

"Bobby, yes, isn't it kewl...lol. What you got the new Green Day album, and you just downloaded it from iTunes? Kooooooooool!"

"Hey, cn u meet me at Starbucks? I'm dyin' for a latte!!!!!"

Yeah, this is good use of cutting edge technology.

[mondo joe]

24. Would the technology be this cutting edge without a market demand?

Hm?

[Aviation Pro]

26. Ask the guys and gals at NASA who put a man on the moon....

...that question. Again, we are a bored and vapid society who constantly crave entertainment.

Just like babies.

[mondo joe]

28. You failed to answer the question, but I'll give you another:

If there were a market demand for moon landings, how advanced do you think that technology would be over where it is today?

[Aviation Pro]

30. Read "The Right Stuff" (hopefully again)...

...you'll find your answer there. Incidentally, there was no market demand to get into the Space Race after the launch of Sputnik, but we did it anyway.

[mondo joe]

31. Didn't think you'd answer. Thanks for proving my point. NT

[Aviation Pro]

33. Proving my point....

...you have zero people skills in spite of what you claim. Have a great day. Now get your last word in.

[mondo joe]

35. LOL! Clear case of projection.

I get paid for people skills, and I get paid well.

I further have a family and a neighborhood I'm involved in.

Based on your bleak and joyless outlook on other people, I think it's pretty clear who's lacking real human contact.

[TahitiNut]

36. ... all while hurtling down the highway in SUV's gesturing with one hand.

:puke: Look, Ma! No hands!

[onehandle]

38. The average age of the iPhone buyer is 31 and has an income of 75k+

The scenario you describe will be the exception, not the rule.

"The research data shows that 31 percent of 15-24 year olds; 32 percent of 25-34 year olds; and 31 percent of 35-49 year olds are interested in purchasing the iPhone. The over 50 crowd checked in with 6 percent interest in purchasing the device.

Of the people that will purchase an iPhone 58 percent are college graduates. The annual income of potential buyers is just over $75,000, 26 percent higher than the national average, according to the data."

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/06/07/iphonedata/index.php

[TheFarseer]

37. I just want my phone to make a damn phone call

I have total ass for reception in the middle of Omaha. Let's work on making the talking and listening part of the phone work before we work on the internet and DVD player.

[Ezlivin]

66. Yet people supposedly used their cellphones at altitude on 9/11

Hey, I couldn't resist!

:)

[soothsayer]

39. I can get all my cable tv channels on my treo and I love it! So I reckon

other folks will, too.

[MedleyMisty]

40. Is someone forcing you to buy one?

Just wondering, because you seem really concerned about what phones other people are using and I can't think of a reason for that other than being forced to purchase and use one yourself.

How is it any different from, I don't know, a 1930s rotary phone, when it comes to communicating with other people? Phones have been around for a really long time. People still seem to occasionally talk to other people face to face, as well as over a phone.

Personally I am a terminal introvert and hermit and only talk to other people when I have to. I don't see how it affects you if I choose to do that on a phone with a cord and a dial or an iPhone.

Perhaps you think we should use drums to communicate over long distances?

[Old and In the Way]

41. I think it's pretty cool technology convergence.

I think Apple nailed the design form factors. Watch for a 100 "me too's" to validate Apple's design in the coming months.

If I was still a road warrior, I'd probably have to get one; but I'm pretty comfortable with the phone and laptop I have now.

[IChing]

42. I would rather have Steve Jobs on Gore's cabinet that

Steve Balmer on John McCain's.


The thing is that McCain wants Balmer on his cabinet
and Gore is already on the board of apple.

The device is revolutionary but costs as much
as buying the apple II when it came out.

Apple II was the first PC.

[FreeState]

45. Wrong the Apple ][ cost more than double the cost of an iPhone

The device is revolutionary but costs as much as buying the apple II when it came out.

Wrong. The original retail price of the computer was US$1298 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_II)

Thats more than double the price of the $499 base model iPhone.

[IChing]

48. Well I couldn't afford either

so my economics have reached an equilibrium
from my youth to my age.

Still expensive to me.

You know you can chat on the iPhone on
DU if you need to?

[onehandle]

49. Yes. Full web browser. nt

[mondo joe]

63. And though WiFi isn't revolutionary, it's what will make this very appealing

for me. In my neck of the woods free WiFi is about as common as air, so this will be very cool.

[onehandle]

75. Yep. nt

[leftofthedial]

43. who are you calling bored

??

[REP]

44. Oh, Jeez, You're Gonna Make Me Cry

...all the way to the bank.

So you don't like technology. Fine. Don't buy one.

[1932]

47. I see more and more people on my commute watching TV on handheld devices

and I think the iPhone has a real potential to transform the way people watch and have access to information on a magnitude that will make the iPod look like rubbing two sticks together.

[Atman]

51. It's the "Monkeysphere," I'm tellin' ya!

This thread I started last night got 4 recs but only 3 responses. But I think it seriously sums up part of this "isolation" so many seem concerned with. It's the Monkeysphere...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1065871&mesg_id=1065871

Here is the original, full article...

http://www.pointlesswasteoftime.com/monkeysphere.html

.

[entanglement]

50. Calling the iphone 'revolutionary' is a stretch - it has no fundamentally new technology

And yes, it's a YASGIWB (Yet Another Shiny Gadget I won't Buy :)

[Atman]

53. Which other phones have full web browsers (w3 compliant, even?)

Good rationalization, though.

.

[entanglement]

67. That's why I said "fundamentally new"

The adjective "revolutionary" is undeserved, IMHO. The first working laser, circa 1960 was 'revolutionary', for instance. Lasers have had a profound impact on science, technology and medicine. So I'm not criticizing the iPhone (or saying anything against those who wish to buy it), just pointing out that the 'revolutionary' is more marketingspeak in this case than anything else.

[Tesha]

58. That's okay -- millions will. (NT)

[entanglement]

68. Of course - and I have nothing against that

:)

[sellitman]

59. Actually it does

The touch screen technology on this new product is different than anything else on the market. It employs sensors and knows when you tap it by mistake. Go to the Apple web site and watch the trailer.

[Bridget Burke]

52. Old fogey here....

Disgusted with the way AT&T handled my land line, I finally cut the cord & went cellular. (Cheapo deal with Virgin. Hey, they've got a 13th Floor Elevators ring tone!)

And I have do have high speed internet at home--for my fairly new but desktop PC. The provider also sells me cable--for my TV with a not-very-big screen. My music still lives on CD's & even LP's. And I actually Read Books on my commute.

I'm not a First Adapter. But I'll be watching the iPhone & waiting for the technology to filter down to my price level!

[a kennedy]

54. Ditto to old fogey here Bridget.....

love your avatar too.... I too have DSL, Digital TV, and our land line through one provider called ACE Communication, and get this, we get money back at the end of the year as in a co-op!!! Love that. I don't use a cell phone, and do have XM radio in my car and at home. Love the idea of the iphone, but wouldn't even consider buying until it drops in price.

[JNelson6563]

55. How about a political activist perspective?

Out here in real world politics being connected is so important! The more coordinated and in touch a campaign is the better! I will no doubt be working for at least one campaign this upcoming season and this is the sort of thing that can help to stay in touch with what's going on in a big way!

Julie

[nashville_brook]

72. not only *receiving* information, but producing it too via photo/video >> police beatings

as we've seen with many police brutality cases, people with video cameras in their pocket are quite useful. these devices bring power to the people in a very real sense.

[JNelson6563]

77. Amen!

Very useful gadgets IMO! :toast:

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

57. You mean like internet discussion forums? n/t

[gatorboy]

60. That's going out on a limb?

You might as well have said "Bunnies are fuzzy."

[Tatiana]

61. This would have been a good tool to have during the Election Theft of 2000 in Florida.

I also think these might be good devices to monitor polling places -voters can not only contact others via phone to describe their experiences, but they can broadcast to the internet world in real time if any shenanigans are going on.

[Lorien]

74. Sure wish I would have had one then

I was right in the middle of that fiasco. I worked at a polling place in an African American district in Orlando. They tried to close it an hour early, they tried to tell people that they were at the wrong polling place, then when we brought in church buses to take them to the "right" polling place the cops pulled over the buses and demanded a "taxi license". Does the iPhone have a camcorder? I could have used one to record the white cop outside walking up to black voters and saying with relish "whaddya gonna do when your boy losses, huh? You gonna CRY when your boy losses"?

Greg Palast wrote about my experiences, but no one in the American MSM would, even though I DID speak with reporters!

[Dora]

64. We're not gadget freaks, neither are we bored or vapid.

We have one computer and one cell phone. That's it. No televisions. No video games. One half-assed bookshelf stereo that's hooked up to the iMac. No other entertainment devices in our home.

We're considering an iPhone for my husband because it combines three tools into one - an organizer, an MP3 player, and a mobile phone. My husband must listen to/learn music (he's a musician), has a very busy schedule (day job, rehearsals, gigs, lessons), and must be able to respond to calls quickly. The iPhone is capable of aiding him in all of that, without requiring him to carry and maintain three separate pieces of gear.

[leeroysphitz]

65. I'm sure the Iphone is nice and has some fun/ useful features but

at the current price point I will definitely pass. I'll stick with my $15 a mo. pay as you got Net10 phone thank you very much.

I don't know about the marketing people behind these new entertainment systems.

The Playstation 3, for example, looks very cool. Lot's of fun, lot's of functionality but 600 BUCKS??? They must be out of their damn MINDS.

[Solon]

76. I make it a policy to not spend more than 200 dollars for any single electronic device...

The only exception are desktop computers. I just don't see the point, besides, I'd have to save up for months to pay for a 200 dollar device, why save up for longer. OK, I lied, one other exception, the Nintendo Wii, but its only 50 bucks more than the 200 dollar limit.

[Omphaloskepsis]

78. The 10gig iPod was $499 when it came out.

4gig iPhone will be $499 when it comes out. People will pay what they are asking.

[onenote]

71. Maybe you should ask Skinner to set up a separate Luddites forum

[Auggie]

79. $499 is the Early Adopters price. It'll come down in a year.