iThink that it's quite nice, but living without a good number of buttons may frustrate me – I know that from using a PDA, lacking 3G is a bit behind the times (although the wireless may make up for this depending on whether apple include a VOIP application at some point), and of course you can't write or install any new software for it which could be a big limiting factor in enjoyment. Maybe some people will find a way to install a different OS on it like Windows?! hehehehehe i'm so funny.
The other thing is do I want my headphones plugged into a device that is constantly emitting microwave radiation (GSM and WIFI)? That's why I've got a separate phone and MP3 player.
Personally iLike the idea of having no buttons – it makes sense when you think about rich applications which will all need different interfaces. Also having more buttons usually means less screen space – here you get the best of both worlds in a beautiful package!
I agree on the VOIP point and the limitations apple may impose – that's a great shame but I'm pretty sure they'll have some neat upgrades/add-ons in the pipeline on that front.
No comment about Windows running on it…
I wouldn't worry about the radiation; people have had mobiles long enough that you would imagine we'd see some sort of problems by now if there were any!
Re: no buttons – it makes the phone completely inaccessible for partially sighted people, means you actually have to look at it to use it as opposed to more intuitive methods such as pressing a deliberately thumb-recognisable answer button for instance, jog dials and joysticks. Also the argument for screen space is a little weak as the extra screen space you get is absorbed my on-screen buttons . At the least they should have stuck with the iPod touch sensitive dial.
Re: VOIP, best get one of the nice new Sony Ericcsons on Three flat rate broadband if you're in the UK. Only about £30 a month, free handset, and free international Skype phonecalls! They even throw in some free buttons with the handset!
Re: radiation, I'm sure they said that about smoking a while ago. If something is emitting the same radiation as a microwave oven – albeit at a lower power (but still enough to warm your ear) then surely plugging a headphone set (read antenna) straight into your earlobes from said device is nothing if not foolhardy. Microwaves must vibrate the water molecules in your brain and heat them up like they do with your instant noodles. Also with a phone under normal use it is kept away from your head most of the time, not plugged in for hours of listening. Lastly – remember! Dogs die in hot microwaves.
P.s. Tom – the link section of the comments form is for your blog, not your bit-on-the-side business! I'll let it go this once but never again (unless a free holiday is forthcoming)
I must be a follower of fashion because I’m on my second iPhone now. In our house we have 3 iPhones, 1 iPad and 1 iPod Touch.
Re: Buttons – I now think the number of buttons is about right, unless you want to play any kind of action game or are partially sighted. Texting is not as fast as it could be as you have to look down. In this respect it’s inferior to T9, for instance at traffic lights. The on – screen “buttons” pretty much ruin any action game. Having a large touch screen is a real winner for giving app designers free rein when designing user friendly, intuitive and innovative interfaces.
Re: Comms – 2G must have been a drag. Glad I bought after 3G was added.
Re: Apps – the making of iOS. When apps weren’t available it must have been dull. Now it’s fantastic, although app discovery needs work and I don’t like the CHORE of having to manual update apps. Haven’t they heard of automatic updates? Plus the worst aspect of the app store – no demos. Demos would allow you to evaluate prior to purchase so you didn’t end up with rubbish apps you don’t want. It would really drive the overall quality up.
Re: Radiation – well I still feel uneasy about this but confess to using headphones some of the time!
Awesome follow up 5 years later! It’s amazing to see how things have moved on since then, especially in the area of apps which even Apple didn’t see coming.
I think history pretty much speaks for itself – good design sells.
Physical Buttons – I think these will make a comeback in 5-10 years time once display technology is advanced enough to physically alter its surface (I think Apple may already have patients for this).
Communications – everything is going to go over IP and phone companies will become just ISP’s. Very good for consumers since we wont have to worry about number of minutes or texts etc. This has already happened for SMS with iMessage and apps which provide similar functionality.
Apps – the need for apps came out of the lack of rich interactions available in web apps currently. With things like HTML5 the gap is going to slowly narrow but for the next few years installable apps will rule.
Radiation – no doubt it has some impact on health but probably negligible in the long run. Mobile phones have been around long now without any strong evidence that they cause any significant harm.
iThink that it's quite nice, but living without a good number of buttons may frustrate me – I know that from using a PDA, lacking 3G is a bit behind the times (although the wireless may make up for this depending on whether apple include a VOIP application at some point), and of course you can't write or install any new software for it which could be a big limiting factor in enjoyment. Maybe some people will find a way to install a different OS on it like Windows?! hehehehehe i'm so funny.
The other thing is do I want my headphones plugged into a device that is constantly emitting microwave radiation (GSM and WIFI)? That's why I've got a separate phone and MP3 player.
Personally iLike the idea of having no buttons – it makes sense when you think about rich applications which will all need different interfaces. Also having more buttons usually means less screen space – here you get the best of both worlds in a beautiful package!
I agree on the VOIP point and the limitations apple may impose – that's a great shame but I'm pretty sure they'll have some neat upgrades/add-ons in the pipeline on that front.
No comment about Windows running on it…
I wouldn't worry about the radiation; people have had mobiles long enough that you would imagine we'd see some sort of problems by now if there were any!
Re: no buttons – it makes the phone completely inaccessible for partially sighted people, means you actually have to look at it to use it as opposed to more intuitive methods such as pressing a deliberately thumb-recognisable answer button for instance, jog dials and joysticks. Also the argument for screen space is a little weak as the extra screen space you get is absorbed my on-screen buttons
. At the least they should have stuck with the iPod touch sensitive dial.
Re: VOIP, best get one of the nice new Sony Ericcsons on Three flat rate broadband if you're in the UK. Only about £30 a month, free handset, and free international Skype phonecalls! They even throw in some free buttons with the handset!
Re: radiation, I'm sure they said that about smoking a while ago. If something is emitting the same radiation as a microwave oven – albeit at a lower power (but still enough to warm your ear) then surely plugging a headphone set (read antenna) straight into your earlobes from said device is nothing if not foolhardy. Microwaves must vibrate the water molecules in your brain and heat them up like they do with your instant noodles. Also with a phone under normal use it is kept away from your head most of the time, not plugged in for hours of listening. Lastly – remember! Dogs die in hot microwaves.
Fair points but it still beats anything else currently available and only time will tell what the general consensus is! You know where my money is
Yes i have no doubt where the followers of fashion will put there money
Bah humbug. I refuse to spend a fortune on a phone. Even if it is a snazzy…gorgoeus…sexy….wonderful..*drools* er..
yes. What was I saying?
It's not a phone, it's a work of art!!
P.s. Tom – the link section of the comments form is for your blog, not your bit-on-the-side business! I'll let it go this once but never again (unless a free holiday is forthcoming)
Ah well weblog is on its way.
I must be a follower of fashion because I’m on my second iPhone now. In our house we have 3 iPhones, 1 iPad and 1 iPod Touch.
Re: Buttons – I now think the number of buttons is about right, unless you want to play any kind of action game or are partially sighted. Texting is not as fast as it could be as you have to look down. In this respect it’s inferior to T9, for instance at traffic lights. The on – screen “buttons” pretty much ruin any action game. Having a large touch screen is a real winner for giving app designers free rein when designing user friendly, intuitive and innovative interfaces.
Re: Comms – 2G must have been a drag. Glad I bought after 3G was added.
Re: Apps – the making of iOS. When apps weren’t available it must have been dull. Now it’s fantastic, although app discovery needs work and I don’t like the CHORE of having to manual update apps. Haven’t they heard of automatic updates? Plus the worst aspect of the app store – no demos. Demos would allow you to evaluate prior to purchase so you didn’t end up with rubbish apps you don’t want. It would really drive the overall quality up.
Re: Radiation – well I still feel uneasy about this but confess to using headphones some of the time!
Awesome follow up 5 years later! It’s amazing to see how things have moved on since then, especially in the area of apps which even Apple didn’t see coming.
Thanks
So what are your latest thoughts?
I think history pretty much speaks for itself – good design sells.
Physical Buttons – I think these will make a comeback in 5-10 years time once display technology is advanced enough to physically alter its surface (I think Apple may already have patients for this).
Communications – everything is going to go over IP and phone companies will become just ISP’s. Very good for consumers since we wont have to worry about number of minutes or texts etc. This has already happened for SMS with iMessage and apps which provide similar functionality.
Apps – the need for apps came out of the lack of rich interactions available in web apps currently. With things like HTML5 the gap is going to slowly narrow but for the next few years installable apps will rule.
Radiation – no doubt it has some impact on health but probably negligible in the long run. Mobile phones have been around long now without any strong evidence that they cause any significant harm.