The Buzz: iPhone Reaction Mostly Positive
While most of the media (including ourselves, admittedly) was agog over the announcement of the phone, reaction to it from the tech punditry was a little less positive. While some did see it as a "game changing" device, others lamented the high price, and others were unhappy with the lack of 3G or exclusivity through Cingular. We've included a sampling of their comments below.
What do you think? Leave your thoughts on the iPhone below this article.
"This product is revolutionary and is critical for Apple's future success in the mobile music market. It could become the de facto standard in this space and will set a very high bar that competitors will have to deal with in the future."
- Tim Bajarin, Creative Strategies
"The big news was clearly the iPhone and what a great looking device it is both in terms of form and function. It totally defines carressability. Let's face it, this is the most anticipated telephone since Alexander Graham Bell's original."
- Michael Gartenberg, Jupiter Research
"It is sweet irony that the company that sparked off the desktop computing revolution is the one announcing its passing. Dropping Computer from its name is a sure sign that Apple, from this point forward, is a consumer electronics company, a mobile handset maker - one that also makes computer hardware and software as well."
- Om Malik
"In a twisted way, this is one rumor mill we're almost sad to see grind to a halt."
- Engadget
"Ok, so how is this different then my Palm Treo 650? I can go online, play all the MP3's I want, and of course it's a phone. Not to mention it has 10,000 programs you can download . I guess it's different because there is a picture of an Apple and it the word iPod is there."
- BetaNews reader "ladylust"
"Cingular only. HAHAHA! DOA."
- BetaNews reader "drumcat"
"If the iPhone works as advertised, they're going to sell a ton and really bring 'smart phones' to the masses (despite the $500-$600 price tag) - along with music and video."
- Dave Zatz, Zatz Not Funny
"Apple had to impress at this year's MacWorld to distract from their recent options issues, and with the iPhone and Apple TV, they surely have."