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Apple's Smart Phone Depends on OS X Tie-Ins
Journal written by anaesthetica (596507) and posted by
ScuttleMonkey
on Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:42 PM
from the steve-jobs-hard-to-shop-for dept.
from the steve-jobs-hard-to-shop-for dept.
anaesthetica writes "According to AppleInsider, Apple is not only working on a cellphone + mp3 player iPhone, but is working on a second model designed to be a smart phone, highly integrated with Mac OS and .Mac. The smart phone has gone through several iterations, as the notoriously demanding Mr. Jobs ordered the elite team working on the phone to redesign and re-engineer their prototypes. Capabilities are reported to include Front Row interface, syncing contacts and iCal with .Mac, "call ahead", iChat video conferencing integration, WiFi, and a slide-out keyboard. Too good to be true?"
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Technology: The Google Phone? 85 comments
VE3OGG writes "There has been ample hype over the last several years that Apple's iPhone was just around the corner. (Though a product named iPhone was just recently released by Cisco / Linksys.) Well, while Apple fans continue to salivate at the thought of a phone powered by the company-of-cool, the index-everything-while-doing-no-evil company may be setting itself up to produce their own Google phone in partnership with Orange."
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What!? (Score:2, Funny)
No sir, I DON'T LIKE IT!
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I see that Mr. Jobs..... (Score:5, Interesting)
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So what? If sales end up being so dismally low with Mac-only integration, they'll open it up to Windows users as well, much like they did with iTunes. Apple is every bit as proprietary as Microsoft. Let 'em do what they want, but ultimately the shareholders will decide.
Re:I see that Mr. Jobs..... (Score:5, Insightful)
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Re:I see that Mr. Jobs..... (Score:5, Insightful)
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Mac users a good test audience. (Score:5, Insightful)
I suspect if they had released a Windows iTunes+iPod at the very beginning, it might not have done as well as it did, released a year or so later, with a lot of traction. I expect they probably would have gotten a lot of flak for not having it work with WMP or whatever the dominant Windows music player software was in 2001. By holding off until later, they could not only sell the device, but sell a solution that was part of an entire application/product/service "stack": iTunes, the iPod, and the iTMS.
Apple's fan base within the Mac market provides them with a perfect test audience for their products, before they go on to release them to the rest of the world. I wouldn't be surprised if they released their phone as Mac-only initially, and then if it's a hit, made a PC version of the Mac's software so that PC users could get in on it. But that way they allow PC demand to build first, and then respond to it, rather than trying to create demand first.
Parent
Microsoft will never allow...? (Score:5, Interesting)
Oh, and just to note...
http://www.pocketmac.net/ [pocketmac.net]
You're welcome.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
http://www.google.com/search?q=pocketpc+mac [google.com]
The Missing Sync I have heard mentioned on forums like xda-developers numerous times.
it's nicer when it's official (or least reliable) (Score:3, Interesting)
those sync methods are sometimes unreliable. it seems to be oddly inconsistent even with the same devices. i have heard this from users i know to be above average with nrrdyness. some have a great time, some have lots of problems.
i have the Motorola E815 un-smartphone. i have had some luck with bluetooth sync of address book and ical. the problem is that when it doesn't work, the end result is often phone numbers going away or things being erased from
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Uh whatever. Ever seen finchsync [finchsync.com]? It lets your pocketpc sync to mozilla. It uses TCP/IP. It's not a solution for .Mac synchronization - yet. It could be. Probably you wouldn't even have to do anything to the PocketPC side.
I mean, I have a PocketPC too, and I'm also annoyed that ActiveSync doesn't have plugins to sync to non-MS stuff, like Palm Sync does. But it'
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Re:I see that Mr. Jobs..... (Score:4, Insightful)
Parent
Here is what I think would sell like hot cakes.. (Score:5, Interesting)
A nice easy interface to do this with.
Stop dollaring us to death when we want a picture or a ring tone that we create.
If it can have music as well, bonus.
IT would be neat if it used the same connection as the iPod
What you need is a new provider (Score:2)
When the US Cellular shackles are removed from me, I'm going to jump to cingular [cingular.com]. I'd have considered Verizon, as their overall coverage in my area is the best of any provider, but I just can't handle the crippling they put on their hardware.
(No, I'm not a shill for cingular - I'm not even a customer yet. Yes, it's the second time I've linked to an 8525...what can I say, I think it's a cool pda/phone)
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I'm not for or against palm, as long as I can sync to something with a calendar and contact list.
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Re:Here is what I think would sell like hot cakes. (Score:5, Informative)
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And if so, what files does it play for ringtones?
I ahve asked several stores about this, and they all said no. This include cingular.
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It's all straightforward - I think I had to deal with endian issues in the mp3; that was the only hangup.
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Re:Nokia 9300 (Score:3, Informative)
I'm pretty sure my nokia 9300 does that. It has a very handy mmc slot too so I back up the system state and transfer it for safe keeping. I don't know if the nokia software is an "easy" interface, but it's okay. Runs the symbian OS and some j2me apps work well.
You can make your own ringtones too. Just transfer them as an mp3 onto the phone and you are good to go.
My understanding is this phone isn't very popul
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OTOH I had to spend 10 minutes with her just to get her to understand what I wanted and why I wanted it.
Re:Here is what I think would sell like hot cakes. (Score:5, Insightful)
I want an adequate QWERTY keyboard. The Treo is not acceptable. The first few iterations of the T-mobile Sidekick SK -> SK2 were good. The new individual keys of the SK3 are not as good but remain superior to the Treo.
I want it to have wifi, GPRS and EDGE (or whatever advanced radio networking they have on other providers), as well as the ability to tether for free. I don't see why I should be paying higher rates because I have it hooked to a computer.
I want it to work with all OSs. I don't want to be tied to one or the other.
It should be available as a USB mass storage device and not require anything other than a USB cable.
The applications should be easy to use, understand, and modify to work regardless of provider.
It will remain a dream.
Parent
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These days I have very little desire to look at a webpage on my computer!
Re:Here is what I think would sell like hot cakes. (Score:2)
Let there be LIGHT! (Score:2)
Seriously - nothing fancy - just a single, white, LED bulb with a button on the side of the phone where I could dig for the keys I just dropped without having to grope like Mr. McGoo in the dark.
I'm asking for $0.10 for this feature, and would happily throw $20 at it just to not have to look for a !@#@! flashlight in a pinch.
and next the tablet (Score:5, Insightful)
I remember when buying my Macbook Pro there were all sorts of rumors not to buy one. That there would something to be shortly released that would supersede it (of course, at the time, the only thing that could be cooler was a iTablet). People claim that Apple enjoys these rumors, though I have to imagine to some extent it hurts their sales. Some speculate it is a good way for them to figure out what the public wants. Others that it is simply subterfuge to hide their real activity from their competitors.
I give this rumor *some* credence simply because it seems like the hardware is already there. It's not that large of a stretch of an imagination to think of a Nano being put together with a cell phone -- much like how many cell phone companies are putting ipod like devices with their cell phones. Which means the big question is whether Apple actually *wants* this. My suspicion is that easier access to the iTunes store is probably a large incentive to them.
Personally the iPhone isn't that appealing to me. If the only extra functionality I get from it is that it takes less space, I think I'll pass. However, as far as the iPDA -- that is something I'd want. The iPod already has a large HD (80GBs anyone?), a processor capable of playing music, games, doing calendaring, etc. Is it that big a of a stretch that it should be able to maybe do email? Maybe surf the web? Heck, if Opera can make a web browser for cell phones and DS, it's hard to see why not.
The big catch seems to be the input device. It's not clear how Apple feels about a stylus. However, things like the Blackberry seem to do well with just a keyboard and a scroll wheel. Sound familiar?
Also, please, really, PLEASE, if this does come true, don't make us subscribe to
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as for
apple interface on a smartphone+ipod? (Score:2)
Integration with Leopard Features a Plus (Score:5, Interesting)
This is interesting, considering the Leopard release of iCalendar Server for OS X Server v. 10.5. Granted it talks about .mac integration now, but as long as it can sync with other iCalendar software (iCal Server, Google Calendar, Yahoo Calendar, etc.), the product becomes that much more impressive. That alone will be good news for current Mac users that want to have direct calendar updates without the hassle of syncing their calendar.
The other thing I liked was the mention of iChat Video Conferencing from the handset to a PC. That's something I have wanted with the Pocket PC for ages, and even various video phones. They have a camera, why couldn't they do video conferencing? With 3G wireless networks and phones that can take advantage of it, the technology is finally in place. That would make the iPhone worth it for me alone.
I had been trying to get cell-phone free for the past two years, and it looks like Apple is going to make that harder for me with this release.
VoIP integration (Score:2)
There will be THREE (3) phones (Score:4, Interesting)
Apple will follow their usual model:
One axis with consumer (think MacBook, iMac, iPod nano)
One axis with prosumer (think MacBook Pro, MacPro, iPod video)
In all squares good, better, best
(Think MacBook White 2x1.83, White 2x2, Black 2x2)
(Think iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Video)
Same for the phones,
iPhone small and inexpensive
iPhone nano/macbook
iPhone pro
My guess is that the mid version iPhone (nano/MacBook) will be first to be released and at a premium price (like $400 with no contract). After 4 months the iPhone (pro) will be released at a slightly higher premium price (like $500 with no contract) and the mid version iPhone (nano/MacBook) will be reduced to $250 and "one more thing" the youth low end model iPhone (small and inexpensive) will be released like the Nokia 3-series for $149 with no contract.
- - -
http://edu.org [edu.org]
AppleInsider is full of crap (Score:3, Interesting)
I work as a software engineer at Wacom Technologies. If Apple were going to make such a device, they would be using our hardware, and likely some of our software. They have not, so there is likely no such project. AppleInsider is posting items from their wishlist.
-- Hamster
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It really whips the llama's ass!
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Don't tell him, but I use one of the many other tools available for putting items into your iPod.
SSHhhhhh...
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Oh well, sorry.
Re:Forced integration is a real turn-off (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
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Lightning strikes twice? (Score:4, Insightful)
When they released the iPod there were already lots of MP3 players on the market, but that didn't seem to prevent them from making a success of it. There are lots of style-conscious people out there who will pay a premium for a cell phone with an Apple logo on it regardless of whether it has cutting edge technology or not.
Parent
Re:Lightning strikes twice? (Score:4, Insightful)
Bullshit. What you wrote above is nothing except a Slashdot perpetuated stereotype that is nothing but self-fed bullshit. Everyone I know, including myself, currently own Apple computers and both use and develop (Java) in OS X because it is better. Better operating system, better hardware, better overall integration. It is a truly enjoyable and productive Unix experience. Fashion is not a priority.
If Apple can make a phone which is even a fraction as useful and well made as their operating system and computing hardware, then Apple is going to sell them faster than they can make them.
Parent
Re:No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame. (Score:5, Insightful)
They have proven, with the iPod, that if they can fix the abyssmal ui seen on typical device, they don't need to be massively innovative in hardware - simply "good" is enough. I've got to say that when it comes to cell phones, someone who can make them "just work" has a really good shot at the market. If they can make it "just work" with outlooks calendar, contacts, and email, as well as be a good phone and media player, they're in for a wild ride.
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Re:No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame. (Score:5, Informative)
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Re:Abuse of monopoly? (Score:4, Insightful)
Probably because OSX doesn't require any registration to install and use.
You're also free to make all of the mp3 players, or players that use your own DRM.
You can also listen to all the iTMS music you want on 5 machines and dozens of iPod variants.
Some won't be satisfied until Apple gives everything away for free.
Parent
An ineffective monopoly on a pointless product. (Score:5, Informative)
What monopoly? This isn't like Windows, where you need to run Windows to run Windows applications. Every song I've bought from the iTunes music store is stored in DRM-free audio CDs (as Apple recommends!) and can be played on any music player in the world.
I'm not locked into iTunes, or the iPod. I don't even *like* the iPod. I gave my iPod to my daughter and I'm using iTunes because it just works better than the other music players I've used, and because Fairplay is "honor system" DRM... Apple doesn't try and stop me from feeding the output of iTunes into a recording program, or Garage Band, or anything else. I buy from the iTunes Music store because it just works. I also buy from eMusic.
I've had an MP3 playing phone, and after using it a while I decided that I've never had a sillier device. Take the two devices that I own that are hungriest for power, and run them off the same battery? I have enough trouble as it is with my phone being dead when I need it!
You really want an MP3 playing phone? Make me an offer on mine. But you don't get to return it when you discover what a bad idea it is.
Parent
Re:Abuse of monopoly? (Score:5, Informative)
it's useless to say that apple has a monopoly on iTunes Music Store sales, the same way it's stupid to say that Ford has a monopoly on Taurus sales. Ford doesn't have a monopoly on cars, which is the industry in which they compete; similarly, apple doesn't have a monopoly on digital music sales, which is the field in which iTMS competes. true, Apple has market dominance in a way that Ford does not, but market dominance does not equal a monopoly, by a long shot.
apple has no ability to lock anyone into anything related to phones. for starters, they've already licensed the ability to play iTMS tracks on someone else's phone. and, of course, there's still the fact that iTMS does not represent any form of monopoly. there's nothing wrong with them offering Mac-only (or
i'd agree that it's bad that it's illegal to try to work around the Fairplay DRM breakage, but that's entirely irrelevant to the rest of your post.
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Re:3rd party apps? (Score:5, Funny)
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