iPhone finally here, the Western Civilization is saved

still can't take live video shots, like the n95....n 95, is so sophisticated, that you can shoot a whole short film for it....check out these shots from last years cannes lions young lions competition held by nokia, where teams from all over the world shot intriguing short films...they're doing another competition this year as well....

http://www.canneslions.com/lions/festival_clips.cfm

3 g is cool, but live video is a utility these days....in this area, i phone obviously doesn't cut it...

Originally Posted by Kodiak

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Uh, why wouldn't you be able to jailbreak it still?

OK, you can jailbreak it, but the new activation process circumvents the whole reason most of us want to jailbreak: to be free of AT&T's expensive plan and shackles.

If it weren't for ATT's bullshit, I'd get one, but there's no way I'm putting up with that plan-***-prison-****. My current phone is a near four year old Nokia that's barely hanging on; any suggests for a reasonable replacement on ATT or tmobile? I've been out of plan with tmo for over two years now, so there is some leverage.

I think this might be a good time to pick up a 1st generation iphone on the cheap. Its easy to unlock, and its going to be a WHILE before anyone cracks the Iphone 3G. Even when they do, you wont be able to get one without an expensive contract for some time.

The worlds supply of doorstops, table-levelers, and street hockey pucks just increased tenfold.

the iPod, in any incarnation, is a novelty item.

I'm surprised that you don't have to go buy them at The Sharper Image.

Im a sucker... I want one

even though:

a) they are too expensive
b) not enough space for music (want a one stop shop gadget)
c) oh yeh, they are crap

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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the iPod, in any incarnation, is a novelty item

If Apple/AT&T had continued in their original agreement, then you'd be right. But, you now HAVE to sign up for AT&T service to get the device for the advertised price. When/if you can buy an unlocked device, it will be thru the roof- more than 1st gen. The person who cares about music more than the phone will not buy that, so the Ipod is still on safe ground for now.

A quick Ebay check shows used 1st gens (in allegedly great shape, but still used) going for $4-500. Um, thanks anyway.

Originally Posted by bkk

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OK, you can jailbreak it, but the new activation process circumvents the whole reason most of us want to jailbreak: to be free of AT&T's expensive plan and shackles.
From the people that I know, they jailbreak it so they can have awesome apps.

OK, I just got my iPhone and have some questions. I've been iPod-less since I gave my first-gen to my brother, like, three or so years ago, so I'm having a tough time. Some questions:

- Is there any way I can download podcasts from the iPhone's iTunes store, or do I have to download them on my Mac and them transfer them via firewire (not even sure how to do it wirelessly).

- Any amazing apps I need? I downloaded the NYTimes app and despite the negative reviews (what the ****) it's pretty awesome. Love it. Nothing tacky, don't want a glut of cheesy games (I'm waiting for Newtonica); just useful apps.

- Why is it so hard to type on this thing? My fingers aren't (that) fat.

- Earbuds. Looking for audiophile quality buds. Anything better than the Etymotics stuff? How about Ultimate Ears?

- A case. I'm rough on my phones. The cases in the AT&T store were gross (the salesperson laughed when I told her this). Can anyone point me to a nice case?

Originally Posted by Arethusa

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If it weren't for ATT's bullshit, I'd get one, but there's no way I'm putting up with that plan-***-prison-****. My current phone is a near four year old Nokia that's barely hanging on; any suggests for a reasonable replacement on ATT or tmobile? I've been out of plan with tmo for over two years now, so there is some leverage.

I was in the same situation.

I was out of contract and with T-mobile (and have been for years).

Rather than signing up for a 2 year contract, I bought a NIB T-mobile Dash from someone on craigslist for $99. It's my first PDA and I like it. I'm waiting for T-mobiles announced switch to a 3G network later thuis year ands I might upgrade the Dash but I'm happy with it as a first PDA. And my downside is was $99 with no contract extension. Not bad.

Originally Posted by jonglover

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- Is there any way I can download podcasts from the iPhone's iTunes store, or do I have to download them on my Mac and them transfer them via firewire (not even sure how to do it wirelessly).

No. And you can't wirelessly sync your device.

- Any amazing apps I need? I downloaded the NYTimes app and despite the negative reviews (what the ****) it's pretty awesome. Love it. Nothing tacky, don't want a glut of cheesy games (I'm waiting for Newtonica); just useful apps.

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I think Bloomberg is much better than the inbuilt stocks app (although it doesn't do commodities). Remember to turn the phone to landscape to look at charts though, to get more options.

There's a Pandora music player if you like that kind of thing. And a LastFM one too.

Lots of talking phrasebooks. They don't have many phrases but some of them are free. LonelyPlanet does the best I think and its Mandarin one is free (its others are quite pricey, in my opinion). Doubt they're actually useful without thousands of phrases, but who knows.

- Why is it so hard to type on this thing? My fingers aren't (that) fat.

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I find it gets easier, try just using a single finger rather than thumbs as you might on a regular phone.

- Earbuds. Looking for audiophile quality buds. Anything better than the Etymotics stuff? How about Ultimate Ears?

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I don't know much about buds (I use cans), but how much do you want to spend? Lots of brands, obviously. I'd at least look at obvious ones such as Sennheiser, AKG, Audio Technika, Shure, Klipsch.

I got the 3G as well.

Originally Posted by jonglover

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- Is there any way I can download podcasts from the iPhone's iTunes store, or do I have to download them on my Mac and them transfer them via firewire (not even sure how to do it wirelessly).

I don't think there's a way.

- Any amazing apps I need? I downloaded the NYTimes app and despite the negative reviews (what the ****) it's pretty awesome. Love it. Nothing tacky, don't want a glut of cheesy games (I'm waiting for Newtonica); just useful apps.

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I have:

- Accufuel, because I'm OCD about tracking my gas mileage. ($0.99)
- BoxOffice (free)
- PhoneSaber, just because (free)
- Remote, because it's a very useful cool way to control your iTunes and AppleTV libraries at home (free)
- Facebook, just so I can upload pictures conveniently, otherwise the web interface is much better (free)
- Shazam and Midomi, which identify snippets of songs, and work amazingly well on most things but classical music (free)

- Why is it so hard to type on this thing? My fingers aren't (that) fat.

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One trick that worked for me is to make sure your finger covers the whole key. I had a need to see the key I was typing because there is no tactile feel, but once I got over that my typing speed improved considerably, and is comparable to my Treo typing speed.

- Earbuds. Looking for audiophile quality buds. Anything better than the Etymotics stuff? How about Ultimate Ears?

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Both are great. I have the Ety 4s. Keep in mind that the higher-end UEs require custom molds.

A case. I'm rough on my phones. The cases in the AT&T store were gross (the salesperson laughed when I told her this). Can anyone point me to a nice case?

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I use a microfiber bag I got from a sunglasses store for $7. It also works great as a cleaner because I just put the phone in the bag, and basically fondle the thing. I don't want a case for the thing in general, because that makes it fatter, and I like how thin it is in the first place.

I have the DLO Videoshell for my iPod Touch, and it's OK. I had to Dremel out the lower part of the case so the fatter iPod connectors would fit. It also doesn't really keep dirt out of the case. The best part is its little kickstand in the back that lets you stand the iPod up in landscape or portrait mode. That makes it a little easier to control than if it were on its back, and that iPod is usually in my office. In retrospect, I would have gone for a dock instead and also used a microfiber bag for the Touch.

--Andre

Originally Posted by jonglover

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- A case. I'm rough on my phones. The cases in the AT&T store were gross (the salesperson laughed when I told her this). Can anyone point me to a nice case?

This isn't bad.

http://www.aprilinparis.us/shop/iphone_case

But it may make your iphone a little too thick and your wallet a little too light.

Thank you guys very, very much for the help.