Nokia’s vice president of the N-series musicphones computers, Pekka Pohjakallio, got real-time word of the launch of the iPhone earlier today. What does he have to say about it at CES?
“…It is a 2G device, not 3G, which was a surprise to me.” Thanks, Mr. Pahjakallio for putting voice to the complete “Wait, WHAT!?” that we’re collectively thinking.
Now for the heart of the matter: Cingular is rolling out this nationwide HSDPA, blazingly fast 3G network. Apple finally rolls out the rumored iPhone, exclusive to Cingular, without support for this network. The iPhone also hasn’t made its merry way through the FCC gauntlet. This means that, when iPhone hits the streets in June, one of two things:
1) We’ll see a boosted iPhone with HSDPA or at least UMTS by the time the retail launch happens, or
2) Steve Jobs has finally lost it (note the color of the turtleneck? Things have changed).
Nokia responds to Apple iPhone - ‘it is a surprise that the iPhone is not 3G’ [Tech Digest dot TV]
It HAS to have HSDPA by the time it rolls out - I just can’t fathom how it would not. I’m still twiddling my thumbs for the N95 over here, the iPhone is super slick but its just lacking some key features.
How would HSDPA affect size and/or battery life. Anyone? Can they just upgrade the GSM chipset in the thing, or are we talking about a whole daughterboard?
Because Cingular is fearful of 3G & iChat.
Wasn’t anyone else surprised that iChat was not featured?
BTW - look at the Nokia E62.
They yanked wifi & 3G for Cingular - at least apple held out for the wifi connectivity.
I think the bigger WTF is the fact that the iPhone is a closed platform. No third party applications. (See Macintouch.)
OK if you guys know just a little about cell phone architecture, you can’t just stick a new radio into an existing architecture and you are done. This is EDGE and is gonna be EDGE. It is not as easy as “boosting” it Michael. Either you accept Apple f**ed up or not, is your call. And that keyboard is UNSABLE. Not to mention if you drop iphone from 2 ft, the screen is gone. Have fun paying $500 for a piece of garbage. Sorry Steve, just a reminder, you are not God!
The battery life is the biggest problem for me at 5 hours, which will be 3-4 with talktime. Not enough for something that you will be using heavily throughout the day. I can live without 3G as you can’t expect a phone to do everything.
iphone fun: http://digg.com/apple/10_Tricks_To_Play_On_Your_New_iPhone
yea duke! no HSPDA!!!!!! thats a KILLER!
im gonna wait for Iphone2.
As a Sprint user, I’m disappointed that Apple selected Cingular/AT&T as their partner. I would have been willing to make the move back to AT&T if Apple had included HSDPA in the iPhone. But EDGE is just too much of a step backwards.
I hope Apple has used a multi-mode receiver in the iPhone that can be upgraded to HSDPA, but I doubt that is the case or they would have announced it.
Also, it is unknown at this time if the iPhone can be used as a laptop modem (or even if it can be hacked like Sprint’s EV-DO phones).
I guess folks like me will have to wait for iPhone 2.0.
iPhone is available with Cingular ONLY!?
And what if I am stuck under contract with a carrier OTHER
than Cingular but still want a iPhone?
Well, the only solution
I could fine was http://www.Cellswapper.com -
they get you out of any cell phone contract!