"it can't play any of the music I've already purchased in WMA format, and it can't play the music I download from Napster to Go"
WMA iand Napster are not a music formats; mp3 IS
iTunes will automatically import all STANDARD (= mp3) music on your computer when you install iTunes.
wma is a format. and it can be played by most every pda/smartphone as well as most any non apple portable music player.
The second person who replied is correct. WMA is a digital audio format that competes with MP3; the major difference is that WMA files can be protected and MP3 cannot. I have bought protected WMA files from music stores like Urge and MSN Music, and now I am subscribing to the Napster To Go service, which also uses protected WMA files.
I like how I can listen to the WMA files on any of my computers, stream them to my Xbox 360 and play them through my stereo, or download them to my Sandisk Sansa. Music downloaded from iTunes uses a protected AAC format which will not play on anything I own except for my laptop. The reverse is also true - none of the WMA files I have already bought will play on the iPhone or on any iPod.
Yes, iTunes can convert WMA files into AAC, but not if they're protected, so that wouldn't work for any of the the music I have bought from music stores or downloaded from Napster To Go. (And yes, I've heard that EMI is now selling AAC files with no protection, but they still wouldn't play on my Sansa or Xbox 360.)
Maybe someday every player and every music store will use the same formats and protection; until then, I'll have to stick with Plays For Sure devices. (Which, BTW, already includes several PDA phones sold by my cell phone carrier, Verizon.)
not until it is on the 3G network!
When will they invent a phone that sends and receive calls consistently without dropping the call and dead spots?
I think it is more of a gimick than something superfunctional. I don't chase new tech gadgets for the sake of it.
I get by extremely well with a Palm Tungsten T3 and simple Vigin Mobile cell phone.
The Palm has all of the productivity funcions I need, as well as great third party software that I use daily. My cell phone does what I need it to do - - make phone calls.
So, -- I have no reason to get on the bandwagon just to say I have an I-Phone.
Sincerely, Eldomador1
WRONG STATEMENT! And C|NET should know better!!!!!!!!
It has been offered to ALL CARRIERS. Cinguar was the only one to come to an agreement with Apple.
"Cinguar (and ATT) was the only one to come to"...the table and bend over to reach..."an agreement with Apple"
All reviews I have heard tout the new wiz bang stuff but readily admit it is a lousy phone. Run that by me again!? The iPhone is a lousy phone on a bad carrier (AT&T)!? Yep, that's what I want for Christmas.
Regardless of the innovative nature of the device, it's still a v1.0 product with respect to market release. The network access speeds also leave much to be desired. This device isn't even a 3G device! It's a 2.5G device (EDGE). If you want to impress me, make it a HSDPA device! What's so hard Apple? I'm better off sticking with my Treo 700p, at least it's an EVDO device with a proven heritage and history.
This is irregardless of the fact that my Sprint plan hasn't run its full course yet. Even if my contract were up for renewal, I'd have to seriously weigh this one. Aside from that, I have a 30GB Video iPod that I also use, which is full. The high-end version of this device is ONLY 8GB! With my eclectic taste in music, I don't want to look for something that I couldn't load because of space limitations! Apple is gonna have to come up with an uber-version to replace the 30GB Video iPod, to tempt the masses of present iPod users to their new, digital version of the holy grail. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to reach over and get the same 30GB or 60GB HD that's in their new offerings for Apple's latest Swiss Army knife.
Apple's lackluster approach to patches for OSX doesn't help the situation either. I'm really concerned about the security flaws with OSX and this device as a platform. Since this is a new convergence device that is being pushed as a platform with vincible Safari, there are going to be new security holes to go along with it. Apple needs to wake up with regards to this can of worms that they've built.
Barring the fact that I'm a PC-guy, I admit that the cool factor is through the roof on this one. However, As a tech we all know what you risk when you go with 1.0. Let's see what the iPhone v2.0 looks like.
Bravo Apple!
Here in Miami,FL just like other places, we have MetroPCS. No contract,no counting my minutes, none of that. For someone to take on the DEBT of the phone over two years ($600+($60+TAX(which is 21%)) comes out to be over $2340.00 dollars for what? I have a phone, make calls and that's it. Besides, can not change the battery, slow internet connections on the iPhone and for what...so I can look "GQ"? For $40 a month I get all I need. I make and get calls.
And the hype on this is like that of Paris Hilton...am I only one in the USA that has a life???????
The 2 most important changes that must happen:
1. user-accessible SIM card and network unlocked
2. user-accessible battery
Apple, make this happen!
The positives:
1. I am already a Cingular/ATT subscriber. My current plan in no longer under contract so I can upgrade with no penalty.
2. If you look on Apple's site there is a page that tells you how to have all your stuff ready to sync with the phone. I already do all that stuff since I already have an iTunes account and a .Mac account which I use to Sync and backup all my settings and everything else they suggest.
3. I am of the Apple cult so there is no need to convert me and I know it will be a breeze to use.
4. I won't need to carry both my cell phone and my iPod to have access to my calendars, address book, appointments, etc.
5. I have 3 Macs at home and there is no way to get the same answer from any company or tech about which phones will sync with a Mac since it is bluetooth and not software driven. You can call ATT 3 times and talk to a technician and get 3 different answers. At least with an iPhone I KNOW it will Sync with my computers.
The negatives:
1. I am not a gadget junkie so there is no way I am going to wait in line.
2. NOTHING ever works best on its first release. Not Apple! Not Microsoft. Let someone else be the Beta tester.
3. Apple is using WiFi rather than MMS technology and that means there may be some issues with the texting to people who do not have an iPhone. I need to see how that all works out.
4. I know that within 3 months there will be opportunities to get an iPhone that is under warranty and brand new without paying the full retail price.
I am more excited about the release of Leopard in October so I will wait and see how it all washes out. If by than the good news outweighs the bad, than I will be buying an iPhone. Just hope my current cell phone holds out that long.
I am buying an iPhone, hopefully this weekend. I pretty much have to replace my phone every year simply for the fact that I beat the complete tar out of them. My Blackberry 8700c has been an awesome companion for the last year (a little shy of a year actually), but it is severely cracked, missing plastic portions, dented and generally falling apart. Still functional yes, but not going to last much longer. So, being a Cingular customer and needing a new phone, as well as wanting a video iPod, and a handheld with Wifi, I figure, why not.
I'm also a Mac user, and am really looking forward to the interface. This iPhone, as well as the Leopard release coming in October are my two anticipated tech expenditures of the year. Next year will be the ultra-portable MacBook Pro to replace my current Core2Duo(best computer I've ever owned/used, and I've been working in IT for 12 years now).
The Iphone is NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT going to EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BIT DURABLE!!!! THE SCREEN IS GOING TO BE WAY, WAY, WAY, WAY TOO BREAKABLE!!!! I saw a review of an iPhone iTester that had THIS to say:
http://reviews.cnet.com/smart-phones/apple-iphone-4gb/4864-6452_7-32180293.html?ctype=msgid&messageSiteID=7&messageID=2447889&cval=2447889&tag=uolst
The NEXTEL PHONES can take any abuse you could EVER throw at them! I've heard rumors from teenagers who have thrown their NEXTEL PHONES around for the sheer fun of it!!! If you want a phone that can withstand brick walls, submersion and car tires, these are a great set of phones for you to look at. BTW, check out the $500 price differences!
-Tom
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