Predicting the iPhone

by Errol Basdeo

Now that the PS3 has come out, what is the next must have, wait-in-line-for-days, gadget for this year? It seems that the Apple iPhone will wear that crown. For years mobile phone manufactures have been trying to piggyback on the iPod’s success by offering us cell phones with an integrated mp3 player. This has had moderate success, but most cell phones with an mp3 player have not caught on. For example, the Motorola Rokr was supposed to give us the best of both worlds, a cell phone with Apple’s iTunes Software. Its clumsy design and non-intuitive controls, however, made this a failure. So can the  iPhone PDA change all that with it’s sleek, thin design, and touch screen navigation?

I predict that the iPhone should have at least the same success as the Sidekick. Paris, Nicole, Lindsay, and Britney will all be sporting designer iPhones before the year is over. Recently, Dwanye Wade teamed up with T-mobile to design a limited edition Sidekick. I’m sure a Lebron James or Jay-Z iPhone is not too far behind. And you will know that the iPhone has arrived after you hear it on a hip-hop verse or see it in a Diddy music video. NYC Subway riders would be careful not to get your iPhone ripped out of their hands while checking their email.

Personally, I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to get one. Apple usually has problems with their first generation products. The screens on the first generation iPod Nanos were fragile and would easily scratch and break, prompting a class action lawsuit. I’ve heard from a few friends that the battery life on the early iPods were not that great, and recently I had to return the battery from my PowerBook G4 because it could overheat and cause a fire hazard. I’ll wait for the second-generation iPhone, which should have a brighter screen, bigger hard drive, longer batter life, and should be at least half the price. And if you do decide to get the iPhone when it comes out, definitely get the insurance.

iPhones will launch mid-year on the Cingular network for $499 (4GB) or $599 (8G).
Now only if they can get the camera on these phones perfected.