The Updated Apple iPhone

So far, I am sure that you have seen loads of information on the newly updated Apple iPhone. It will support new features such as 3G network speeds and GPS positioning. Plus, Apple is putting the final touches on a new application delivery system just for the iPhone so that individual developers can make tools for all the iPhone users. It seems pretty nice. Plus, Apple has reduced the pricing of the phone to make it more affordable (more later).

I wanted to include a couple of my thoughts on the iPhone.

Regarding the 3G network and the GPS positioning, these are things that should have been included in the first version of the phone. I am not sure why Apple left them out to start with. After all, neither of these are new technologies. So, yes, they are improvements in the iPhone, but they are really only getting the phone up to where it needs to be.

The new App Store, as Apple calls it, is a great idea. It looks like it will be similar to the stores that many cellular carriers have already, but looks as though Apple will be much more open regarding who can post and what can be posted. That should be nice. In the end, though, the real test will be how many useful applications actually are developed and how expensive they are. I know that I can download a lot of games and tools for my cell phone now, but I don't want to pay the $3 to $5 per month for something I rarely use. If Apple prices really are $5 to $10 one-time charges, that could be very nice.

The price drop is another interesting issue. In the US, the iPhone now starts at $199, but you are required to activate it at the point of purchase and sign a two year contract with AT&T (still the exclusive carrier). But the rate plan on AT&T also went up in price, so the savings is at best a wash, probably costing you a little more over the life of the contract.

In other parts of the world, I am not sure how the reduced pricing will work. It sounds like Apple has required all carriers to match the $199 price, but in Europe and Asia, most phones are sold without a long term contract. I do not know how these two opposing facts will co-exist. Guess we will wait and see.

Overall, I am still only moderately impressed with the iPhone. Yes, it has a slick interface. Yes, the Apple software is likely to be far more user-friendly than what most competitors can make available (at least currently). But realistically, the only distinguishing features are the touchscreen and the large amount (in phone terms) of memory. Of course, most people I know either have considerably less than 32 GB of music they regularly carry, or they want a hard-drive based player with 80+ GB.

In my opinion, I do not see myself buying the iPhone. Not because I think there is a better phone out there. I am not sure there is (now). But mainly because I do not use a cell phone enough to justify the cost. This device just does not make me want to jump up and run to the store. But I am sure that Apple will sell a ton of them, and that they will make a nice profit doing so.

Now if they just weren't losing a month of sales for some reason...