Henk van de Goor's Bloggers@large

I apologize straight away for writing once more about the iPhone, but I can't help it. Yesterday it was "iDay" for the "iPhone". Some lucky bastards that shelled out enough dough and waited in line long enough, where able to get their greedy little hands on the most coveted piece of technology in years. Even the major of Philadelphia waited (more or less) hours in line to get one! Apple began selling it on Friday and it comes in two versions: a 4-gigabyte model, selling for $499, and an 8-gigabyte version for $599. It is essentially three gadgets in one: It makes calls, has a built-in iPod, and it's an Internet device. And if there is one thing that I am sure of; just like Apple was able to change the world of MP3 players with the iPod, they will change the world of cellular phones.
I have to admit that with the iPod I strongly felt that Apple was more a follower then a trendsetter. Before the iPod (and actually even now) there where MP3 devices that were a lot better (in terms of sound quality) and offered more features or a lower price. For instance: my own iRiver IHP120 (or H120) scored way better in many many tests than the iPods from that same year (2003). And the iPod did not offer any unique extra's at all.

How different it is with the iPhone. The iPhone truly represents a new generation of phones. Sure: most phones now have internet, camera's, MP3 capabilities and all that (heck: my own HTC P3300 does it all). But the one big difference is the user interface of the iPhone. It's 100% touchscreen except for an on-off button. And it's intelligent in the sense it knows when your holding the phone to your ears (so it turns off the touch screen) or when you tilt it left or right. And there are tons more of innovative stuff that Apple has put into the phone. Not to mention it has a brand new OS for a smartphone besides Windows Moibile, Symbian or the Palm OS. It's basically a version of Apple's OS X.

As I mentioned before I am so sure this thing will put the Apple stock once again through the roof. It will also spin-off a whole line of followers from other competitors that will come up with their own iPhone look-a-likes. In fact take a look at the HTC Touch! If that isn't an iPhone rip-off then what is? But it is ok I think: competition is good, choice is good.

But there will always be just "one phone to rule them all". And it will be the original. (But to be safe: just wait till the 1.1 version comes out; as usual with Apple it will save you money and the frustration of being a guinnea-pig).

Ps: Just look at some iPhone frenzy here. And look at the first video where some dumb ass mistakes a microphone for a iPhone and tries to run off with the wrong thing.. ROFL!

iDay for iPhone