Mobile Mekka

The reviews are pouring in now and Apple must have required that they all be released at close to the same time or something.

Anyway, this next one is from Edward Baig over at USA Today.

Here are some excerpts:

“iPhone isn’t perfect, or even the most ideal smartphone for every user. It’s pricey. It lacks certain features found on some rival devices. AT&T’s coverage was spotty in some areas I tested over the past two weeks. Your employer may prevent you from receiving corporate e-mail on the device.”

“No question, the iPhone is striking to look at. The revelation is that it’s also comfortable to hold and touch. Mostly black and silver with a stainless-steel bezel surrounding the top surface, it’s light (under 5 ounces) and less than a half-inch thick, or roughly two iPod Nanos placed on top of each other. It’s a little taller and wider than a Nano.”

“IPhone’s saving grace for data is Wi-Fi, if you have access to a hot spot. It automatically determines the fastest network it comes across (Wi-Fi or Edge). A virtual keyboard pops up if a Wi-Fi network password is required. Once you’re on Wi-Fi, you can zip around the Web, send e-mail, etc.”

“This is the closest thing to the real-deal Internet that I’ve seen on a pocket-size device”

And here is the overview:

“5 things I like

1 - Terrific widescreen iPod and clever Cover Flow feature.

2 - Smart sensors that change the orientation of the screen from landscape to portrait mode

3  - Gorgeous 3.5-inch multi-touch screen does exceptional job displaying pictures, Internet, maps, e-mail etc.

4 - Flicking through contacts and pictures, pinching to make pix and the Web larger, and tapping on the intelligent virtual keyboard is fun (once you get the hang of it).

5 - Phone is easy to dial despite lack of physical keypad. Visual voicemail.

5 things I’d like to see

1 - Faster “3G” or “third generation” data network

2 - Removable battery

3 - Greater storage (through storage slot)

4 - Extra features including GPS, IM, voice calling, Adobe Flash , and using your own music library for ringtones.

5 - Lower price”

The full iPhone review is long and detailed.  Go on over and soak it up!!

At 6pm on June 29, 2007 the phone that millions have been waiting for will be launched.  The Apple iPhone.  Apple’s website says it will be available in Apple stores and from AT&T.   It also says that at some point, it will be available online from the Apple Store Online.  It is looking like it will only be available in the United States and under contract, which means a locked phone.  Where does this leave Europe and Asia who are used to unlocked GSM phones and are free to use any phone with any carrier.  Will someone be able to crack the phone and unlock it?  Only time will tell.