Is the I-phone a case of too many fingers in too many pies?

[AB Asks]

Apple's unveiling of its I �Phone has divided the hi-tech world; between people who welcome it with open arms and those who feel that Apple have gone a step too far.
The �257 ($499) phone is to be launched in the US in June and in the UK later this year.

Its touch-screen interface will be all singing and all dancing, providing stiff competition for traditional phone giants like Samsung, Nokia and Sony-Ericsson. However, many people have dismissed the phone as a gimmick and say that apple should stay out of the mobile phone market.

Do you think that Apple's phone will provide welcome competition for complacent phone companies, or should Apple stay out of an industry they have no experience in?

[rojash]

Good grief!
Some people will buy it, some won't. Apart from the manufacturers, who cares?

[dot.hawkes]

This would have been a far more interesting debate if it had centered on the news that the Beatles back catalogue is going to be available on I tunes.

Why talk about something that isn't even on the market yet! Which papers do you read , US or UK?

[Octavius]

Current estimates are that these phones (standard 4GB ones) will cost around �335 when launched in the UK. As said above, some people will buy them, some won�t. It will all depend on the network provider and the deals available, so many phones now are free on certain tariffs and a lot of people have now become more frugal with technology, although there will always be those that just can�t live without the latest gismo. It is really up to Apple whether they produce it or not, and for its competitors to out do them in the technology stakes if there is market need. Real evidence of success and failure and Apple�s position will be determined when there is a demand and supply and vise versa.

Another issue that is worth raising is the concern over Apple's use of toxic chemicals in its products, but whilst share prices keep going up and people demand new technologies, it is one that is largely overlooked.

[OBonio]

"Apple's growth away from computers"

Away? I don't think so. Mobile phones and computers have been converging for the last few years. Why do you think MS have also moved into this arena... oo.. back in .. ummm... 2001 was the first Mobile Developer's Conference. Apple have to make a play to "keep up with the Jones's" so to speak. I look forward to a nice price war.

I suspect you'll be asking why MS are stepping on Apple's toes with the Zune next....

[namie]

well so far so good for apple, ipod was a great inwention, why stop there? If they want to keep ahead and dabble here and there, why not? Gives their boring rivals with their usual simple/boring phones somethin to worry abt and in the end we the costumers benifit

[rojash]

Dot.Hawkes, I'm not sure where you got your info, but according to the New York Times, it's merely speculation based on the fact that Apple Corp and Apple Inc have resolved their differences over the Apple logo.

[sn�gged]

The iphone will sell... by the shed load... consumer's hunger for new technology/gadgetry will see to that. Many people seem to hate Apple: the company rather than Apple products... look at the ipod... the ibook... the imac etc. Even one of the high up boss' of Microsoft has admitted that if he wasn't with MS he'd buy Apple products!

[Mattk]

The thing is on the one hand people do want the most up to date phone which the iphone certainly is but at the same time it does look rather chunky.
its a case of style vs content and i think in this case style could well win and many people will stay away.

how long until nokia release something equally as versatile ?

[matt_london]

Some important factors in this debate are:

Mobile phones tend to have a lifespan of 1 year - 18 months before they are out of date with newer technology available and also before they start to break! 4 of my last 5 phones have all started to malfunction within weeks of the 12 month contract expiring (coincidence? I don't think so!). Unless you keep your phone in one of those sad cases that your boss/dad/grandad uses then it will get scratched and dirty before too long. Don't forget, these are products that you take EVERYWHERE and the people who have these want other people to see that they have them too - they don't want them covered up.

Unless Apple do deals with the networks like SE/Nokia etc do and they are practically given away then I'm not sure how well they will sell.

I would love one but not for that price and not if it needs replacing regularly.

[DottyH]

soz rojash i only read the fromt page of the mirror yesterday and that was what it read like i think. maybe I got it wrong

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/front/