The multitalented iPhone

First off, Apple released the iPhone (yes, it's called iPhone) and running through its features took most of the two hour keynote. First, Steve announced the introduction of "three revolutionary new products". First a widescreen iPod with touch controls. The second is a new mobile phone, and the third is an internet communications device.

Then two kickers - all three devices are actually one device, the iPhone, and the iPhone runs OS X.

Yes, I was stunned too. Steve described why OS X is used, letting us know it has everything needed for such a revolutionary phone. Multitasking, networking, power management, graphics, security, video, animation - everything needed to run full desktop apps on the iPhone.

The 3.5" 320x480 screen is 160ppi (pixels per inch), covers most of the front of the iPhone, and the whole device is 6.1cm by 11.5cm, 1.16cm thick and weighs 135 grams. It comes with a two megapixel camera built in, has a headphone jack, SIM connector, an iPod dock connector, microphone, speaker and a sleep/wake switch - all other controls are via the Multi-touch interface.

Cellular/Networking connections are via quad-band (850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz) GSM+EDGE, with 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0. Syncing is all performed through iTunes. Battery life is claimed to be 5 hours talk time, 5 hours video playback, or 16 hours for audio playback

The Multi-touch screen is disabled while talking with the use of a proximity sensor on the top of the iPhone, so when you stick it to your ear (it's a phone after all) you don't go messing with functions accidentally. An accelerometer inside helps the iPhone tell whether you're trying to use it in landscape or portrait mode.

Onto the internet communications side of the iPhone - it connects with any IMAP or POP3 email service, for web browsing runs Safari, has widgets the same as on Dashboard, and includes Google Maps. Yahoo will offer free push-IMAP email for iPhone customers. This means, much like a BlackBerry, your phone doesn't have to continuously check for email, rather the email is pushed to the device like receiving phone calls.

Last but not least, the iPhone is an iPod, and for storing songs the iPhone comes in two versions, a 4GB and 8GB, which will be offered for $499US and $599US with a two-year contract via Cingular in the USA. The special headphones for the iPhone contain a small squeeze pad on the cord, which will answer calls.

While the iPhone has been unveiled it's not yet released, and US consumers will have to wait until June 2007 to get their hands on this sleek little device. Europe follows in the 4th quarter of 2007 (read as just before Christmas this year), and Asia (presumably Australia too) some time in 2008.

TV

After reading the amazing potential of the iPhone, you might understand why Steve introduced the TV (Apple TV) first, just to get it out of the way. Much as it was described late last year, the Apple TV has USB2, 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet, HDMI & component output, optical and analogue audio out, and an infrared port for the Apple Remote. It'll play movies in 720p HD video, contains a 40GB hard drive, and the wireless networking is as rumoured - 802.11b/g/n.

Apple TV will auto-sync content from a single computer, and can also stream content directly from up to 5 other computers (PCs or Macs).

So far, the CPU is only described as an "Intel processor", speculated to be an Intel XScale. Apple TV requires iTunes 7.1, and will work with Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher, and Windows XP Home or Professional SP2

Syncing works much like smart playlists in iTunes, and as an example Steve noted he could define the 10 most recent unwatched movies, and they'll automatically be sent in the background to the Apple TV to be stored there.

TV will be priced at $AUS449, and orders will be taken from today, to be shipped in February.

Extras

Sneaking in without a mention in the keynote was a Mac mini and Apple TV inspired redesigned Airport Extreme with 802.11n wireless networking and three 10/100BASE-T ethernet ports. Apple note that all Core 2 Duo and Xeon powered Macs except the 17" iMac 1.83GHz model will support 802.11n with enabler software included on the Airport Extreme install CD.

Lastly, Apple renamed from Apple Computer Inc. to Apple Inc, due to the increasing popularity of their non-computer gadgetry.

What about the rest?

Despite the long keynote, and as good as the iPhone seems to be, a big surprise is the lack of any of the usual extras. No consumer desktop Mac updates (iMac, Mac mini), no mention of an iLife '07, a distinct lack of an updated iWork, and no sign of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. My only guess is that like the run of Apple special events we've had in the last year, more may follow. The iPhone is a dramatically new product for Apple, and giving as much attention as possible to it makes sense from Apple's point of view.

Thanks danamania for the succinct summary - brilliant.


AppleTV
Me wants one

iPhone
Me wants one of them too - but not till next year?

But where is my new Core 2 Duo Mac Mini?

Initial random thoughts:

-iPhone: Great. Awesome device. Can it play iPod games? Will it be able to download a run normal (or adapted) widgets, including some game ones? No clickwheel overlay on screen, only CoverFlow? A little pricey (given the $60 US/month contract I hear it's on). Will it come out here...?

-iPod: No widescreen HD based iPod utilising the technology? A pity. 80GB holds a lot more movies than 8or 4 GB.

-iTV, errr, Apple TV: No 1080i (or p). Pity, I have a 1080i/p native TV, and so will others over time. Can I convert 720p movies to use with this thing at the highest possible res? Wasn't the initial launch price $399US? If so, good move in dropping it. Edit: He should have been clearer about the 40GB HD, people are already complaining it's 'too small' For the same (or less) price, and Xbox with media center, 100GB HD, connected via wireless (or wired) to your own server/PC/Mac and connected to the TV via component would be a better buy. Much uglier though...

-Airport: Nice design, nice specs, nice price.

-No Mac or display updates? Fair enough, I think there'll be quiet bumps when needed, no point in mentioning anything evolutionary today.

-No Leopard: Disappointing. I was hoping to see an overhauled UI and improved consistency in the interface and any other features that have been hidden today. The only real surprise for me, I guess it'll be renamed iPodworld soon

Thanks for the fine summary.

I think the iPhone is the most exciting thing since, well, perhaps the iPod. Functionality wise, it looks like a real winner, and no doubt a massive amount of time and thought has gone into this. I wonder if the product line for the iPhone will evolve somewhat like the iPod. As somebody has already noted, the price is quite high (thoguh similar to what you pay for a like product) and assuming apple want to grow market-share in the future perhaps a cheaper lite version ought to be released (like a iPod nano).

I definately want an iPhone no matter what - just a shame about the wait.

I am not suprised that there was no iPod update - I suspect in the future iPods will be just a screen and no wheel...

Apple Tv = Cool but I agree why no 1080? I do want one though thats for sure. I am confused a little - will it be purely for using with Apple apps or will eyetv and alike be accessible through it. Given we cant really buy movies or shows in Australia it seems to have limited application beyond home movies, photos and music.

Airport! Nice - does it work with my G5? The older design was pretty cool though.


I wonder if we will see speed bumps this week at all. I am happy they didn't release anything bigger than my 30" otherwise I might feel I have old technology

Errr.. read the specs on apples site. the Apple TV does 1080i

So the only way to get the widescreen video iPod that I've been after for the past year is to wait til 2008 for the iPhone...to hell with that.

2008 for the iPhone noooo! I thought I had found a replacement for the pos KRZR k1

And when will the drivers for 802.11n be released for the core 2 duo MBP's?

Does this mean Macbook and Macbook Pros are included?

Okay, cool. SJ only mentioned 720p (or at least the stuff I've read so far said that).

So the only way I will get your 60GB Ipod Video is wait...to hell with that

For those that missed the keynote:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/keynote/


And here is the MacWorld rundown of that keynote:

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/01...date/index.php

And MacWorld's news on it:

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/01...hone/index.php
http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/01...letv/index.php

Nice summary thanks!

Now I guess we all get to speculate and ask questions that no-one will be able to answer!
Shame no iWork / iLife updates.. but as originally posted - hopefully more to roll out / follow!

iPhone is the headline stealer for sure! I wonder if I get a mate to buy one in America later in the year - if it would work with an Aussie SIM? Seems to be a quad band normal GSM phone... just not sure about how long they will hav ethe 2 yr contract exclusivity.

[quote=timwallG5;241542]For those that missed the keynote:

http://www.apple.com/iphone/keynote/
[quote]

It just says to check back later? Not sure, but I really want to see it.

Apparently phones in Australia have to have some Australia specific feature in order to work with our networks. I have no clue about phones, but I think it has something to do with compliance so it may not work.. If it does, buy me one!!!!!

Let me get this right.
The keynote was only about apple TV (which thrills me not at all) and iPhone that has a minimum lead time of 12 months (brilliant though it is). Two things.
No software?
One can only think that they're going to be doing many more releases via the website over the next few months.