Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
This New iPhone
So I realize this all happened two days ago, but I wanted to let it all sink in for a minute first. The new iPhone is coming out, and its a bit lackluster, especially considering all the new devices hitting the streets these days (ie: G1, ion, Magic and Palm Pre). Now, there are some great new additions to the device, most of which these other devices already have, but nothing that really makes any of us say ‘wow, Apple gone and done it again!’ Honestly, it feels a bit like Apple is playing ‘catch up’ this round, and maybe, hopefully, pretty please, releasing a more jaw dropping device late in the year around christmastime or something.
One factor that’s really sad, though, is that some of the many needed additions that actually WERE added this time around, cannot be used by the largest base of iPhone users. That’s right, all of those users locked into AT&T here in the ol’ US of A. The new iPhone supports MMS messaging, AT&T’s network does not support it for the iPhone. The new iPhone supports tethering (allowing a computer/laptop to connect to the iPhone and use the cellular data network as an internet connection), AT&T does not allow tethering on its network. So Apple releases a new device, one that even despite its non-groundbreaking status this time around, will sell millions of devices, HOWEVER, the majority of those users will not be able to use two very prominent features. Its really kinda sad to see one of the worlds most innovative gadget brands being stifled by a network desperately trying to stay relevant in today’s über competitive cell phone industry.
Oh, well. Apple, you didn’t wow anyone this time around, but I feel a little bad you’re getting dumped on by your network too. At least the new operating system is nice.
