A few more thought about the iPhone

I know that the first-gen iPhone came out in June 2007. This means that some iPhone users may be coming up to the end of their contract. Apple has to do something to keep customers lured in. I believe that the iPhone is another step forward to being the ultimate communication device, especially with the new announcments made today in Cupertino.

First-gen iPhone owners will not be able to take full advantage of iPhone OS 3.0 coming out this summer (MMS, Bluetooth, maybe more), so it may give them an excuse as to why to upgrade their iPhone to a new model, presumably introduced this summer as well. Apple does have a habit to keep an annual cycle on products. I own an iPhone 3G and don't feel that I really need to upgrade quite yet. I have no idea what Apple has up their sleeve for a new device but I can't think of many hardware features that would encourage me to upgrade.

I presume that I would upgrade my phone in two years time. By then my iPhone would be getting past its prime and there will be an even better replacement than an anticipated model this year.

Apple has shown no interest in developing for the increasingly popular netbook market, however there have been rumors about an 8.9" - 10" touch-screen device by Apple. I have had interests in purchasing a netbook but have resisted. I feel that with the ability to connect a keyboard to my iPhone (via 30-pin dock connector or BlueTooth), my urge for a netbook would decrease. I would be able to easily communicate via email and other avenues, but simple tasks just as word processing and simple programming would still be a hassle.

I shall have to see what comes later on in the summer from WWDC and decide if I should invest in a new netbook. They will have gotten better by then anyway.

Thoughts about iPhone 3.0 Event

Unfortunately I was did not receive an invitation to Apple's iPhone 3.0 Event today in Cupertino, so I had to suffice with watching live blogs and Twitter while sitting in class trying to learn about dynamics.

The iPhone OS 3.0 apparently will be available for all iPhone (for free) and iPod Touch (for $9.95) owners in the "summer".

Some stats shown:

• iPhone in 80 countries
• iPhone first introduced almost 2 years ago
• App store open for 8 months
  
• 25,000 apps in the iTunes App Store
• 800 million apps downloaded
  

The new features for consumers include (but not limited to):

• Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
• Cut, Copy & Paste (finally)
  
• Landscape keyboard in all applications
• Push notifications
• Calendar enhancements
  
• Spotlight

Features introduced for developers:

• In-app purchase
• Auto discovery (Bluetooth communication with other device)
• Accessory device usability
• Embedded maps in applications
  

A few features that were rumored, but not announced:

• Video Recording
• Wireless sync
• Flash in Safari
• Tethering

I am a little disappointed about the wireless sync and tethering. I travel quite a bit and wouldn't mind have my iPhone share it's 3G data plan. I know that I can probably achieve the same tasks on a MacBook Pro as I can on an iPhone, but it's just a bit of a pain on the iPhone. One might argue the point of, "Why not get a netbook?" Well I have considered that, but it would be really easy if you could hook-up or wirelessly pair a keyboard to the iPhone and interact with it that way.

Some rumors went around about a new hardware introduction, but I believe that this will be saved for WWDC. Rumors point to a tablet-like design after reports from China say that Apple has ordered 8.9" - 10" touch screens.

Apple asked a few developers to create a few applications to showcase at the event. Some were smule, EA and ESPN. One thing that was quite impressive was the developers ngmoco:) playing a first-person shooters together. Smule also performed a duet with their new Leaf Trombone app - "Phantom of the Opera". It was impressive, but quite comical as well.

One drawback is that iPhone 1.0 owners will not be able to use MMS and A2DP.

I am excited for the new OS, however I will probably be in the Bahamas at the time and will not be able to utilize the new features. But we shall see.

Before iPhone 3.0 Event

I haven't got into the whole thing of blogging, but I don't see any harm in starting before Apple's iPhone 3.0 Event.

The features that I would like to see in the new iPhone OS would be:

• Tethering
  
• Bluetooth sync
• Copy & Paste

iPhone App
I was admiring the DukeMobile iPhone app and wished that it was developed and available for more universities/colleges. Even just a iPhone version of the Blackboard Learning System would be useful.

This is a short post, just trying it out.

On the Scene

I just want to see if I can get into this whole blogging scene going on here.. ya see!