I'm also willing to bet that the operators won't just hand over the tasty revenue cash cow of ringtones without a serious chat with Apple. Ringtones are big business and you can be pretty sure that the operators will want a chunk of that.

Yeah, although I found myself wondering who was getting that revenue if the ringtones were as described in the link. Sounded more like it would be Apple selling ringtones.

Of course, since ATT is not subsidizing the phone, maybe they can afford to not sell ringtones.

See thats just screwed up, you purchase a song for personal use, yet then they go and limit your use of said song even though it is still personal use. What about people who make their own ring tones, are they SOL.

lets see and wait.

as the us is so far behind in mobile phone technology we will see how the 3G versions for the asian and european markets will be.

i would love to have an iphone, but again the stupid approch with one provider doesnt make sense.

a changable battery, normal headphone jack, support of blackberry, 3G, SIMfree that would be making the iphone a killer device.

dp

I highly doubt the thing will get a customer removable battery. The thing is made more like an iPod than any phone.

Apparently at Apple stores one person will be able to buy two phones. Either way, look for them on eBay about 6:01pm US eastern time.

You can also check availability http://www.apple.com/retail/iphone/ Updated the night before for the next day, just a yes or no, not a count.

You know how porn always drives technology? Well:

http://www.macminute.com/2007/06/28/playboy-iphone/



(Oh dear, will this kill the thread for filters? If it does please let me know and I'll edit or mod can edit.)

It already has (not really), but with all the hype I guess the 8 bidders this auction has don't realize they are bidding on an email address, not an iPhone

http://cgi.ebay.com/4sale-unlocked-i...QQcmdZViewItem

True, but they are the top 3 by a huge margin in phones sales in the US. There are a lot of major market dynamics in play now and I sure hope we don't see things swing towards closed systems. I also doubt seriously that could happen no matter what Apple, AT&T and the RIAA desire. The public has a taste of freedom and they aren't going to give it up.

Oh, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a real iPhone listing already, although maybe that is against eBay policy? Otherwise no reason someone camping out to get a phone couldn't list it on eBay subject to whatever transfer would be necessary. But really, I've heard they are to have pretty good inventory of these, something on the order of 3 million available at launch. I don't think they're going to go through them that fast.

BTW, everyone tends to forget, they WILL be available at store.apple.com on launch day. You just won't have the satisfaction of having it over the weekend. Dunno, maybe you could get overnight Saturday delivery if you're on the east coast. I wonder if they're going to try to enforce the "6pm your time" online? Heh.

About removable batteries. People always bring this up as a big plus of normal other phones. I've never needed to use my 2nd battery for my phones, and I talk a lot. I've never been in place where I couldn't recharge it when needed. Also, both of my cars have iPod dock connectors already so I assume those would at least still work to charge it up.

Motorola and Samsung yes, but not Nokia. Marketshare in mobiles is useless when it comes to negotiating with the music industry. Music has been offered on cellphones for years, and not a single phone manufacturer or operator has been able to make any decent amount of money for the record companies.

Apple on the other hand is making them millions every single day.

I think for many the issue here is not about having the ability to swap batteries for extended use, but rather being able to easily replace the battery down the road when its lifespan/usability ceases to exist. At least that is my main concern with the battery setup.

Here's a link to an article about a local woman who is charging people $250 to wait in line for them...kind of a "proxy buyer". The article is somewhat vague but it seems as if she's doing it via eBay.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-onlin...80517763.shtml

Craig

I didn't think of that, probably because I change phones every couple months lately.

iPod batteries are relatively easy to replace and I expect the iPhone to be similar. I replaced an iPod battery in less than 10 minutes while in the car, as a passenger, once. Pop off the casing, unplug the old battery, plug in the new one and put the casing back on.

Apple also stated that they will do battery replacements as well, probably at the store and mail in.

By designing it with an integrated battery, they are able to reduce the size and increase the strength of the casing. Cutting a big battery door in a small case greatly reduces the rigidity.

For a nominal fee of course.

Agreed. I am just curious to see what the lifespan of the internal battery is on a unit that is getting maximum usage/frequent charges.

Craig

This makes it so much more clear why my former colleagues are suffering over this launch.

I thought I was burnt out after the giftwrap option was put in place. This is so much more involved than giftwrap! (and you would be amazed how involved giftwrap was... testing lasted a month. 3 hour meetings. 15 hour days. a constantly dynamic scope beyond any other project I'd been on.)

Toss in the end of the fiscal quarter. wow. Crazy times at the sausage factory.