Wanderer, if every Windows Mobile phone out there required connecting to Windows Media Player before you could use it, what would you be saying. Just think about that carefully for a few minutes and then reread your last comment. It's not a show stopper, but it is bloody annoying. I mean why should you even have to have a computer to use a mobile phone eh?! It's a silly oversight by Apple that they will hopefully correct. Simple updates through iTunes is a GREAT idea, but you shouldn't HAVE to do it.
Regarding the price - it is expensive. I got my Windows based PDA phone for nothing with a 12 month contract of £35/m that I can reduce to £15/m after 6 months and that has SatNav built in as well!
Again, we all *REALLY* like the idea of the iPhone, it's just overpriced, over-hyped (hardware only, as the software looks to be top notch) and under-specced (hardware only, again).
"@Mini: I don't get this phone activation malarkey. Apple fans slag off Microsoft because you have to activate windows yet they don't mind activating a phone?!?"
I'd rather activate a phone at home than deal with a customer service rep.
The iPhone is not just a phone, it's not something you buy then get stuck with as things progress, it's a piece of hardware yes but the heart of it is the underlying software and its creator hath deemed that iTunes will be the doorway to this evolution and progress. So it stands to reason that before you get too involved in its ways that you activate it by linking it to iTunes. This gadget will evolve and quickly and it will continue to surprise and delight and compensate far more than any inconvenience experienced by plugging it into iTunes!
Of course Apple fans don't mind activating a phone in this way, the same way we link iPods to iTunes because it's a harmonious relationship between the pair. Apple have not yet let us down when it comes to such things and the activation is not to prove we are not pirates and to prove we actually own the thing and are not attempting to use it illegally, we understand and "trust" such things.
The Apple brand is not simply a logo of piece of fruit, it stands for much more. Until you experience the Apple "way" you will never understand the "malarkey" whatever that is.
As for "it's just overpriced, over-hyped" well that's an opinion only, there is nothing to compare it to price-wise, it's unique, if you want it you have to pay for it just like anything else. Over-hyped? I don't think so, not based on the reports I'm hearing.
The only criticism I'd agree with is its recessed headphone jack which apparently only allows the genuine headphone to be connected, none of the third-party products fit. That's not nice Apple and at first impression, it's a very Microsoft thing to do! However, if that's the worst aspect of the iPhone, the rest of it can't be that bad.
"The Apple brand is not simply a logo of piece of fruit, it stands for much more. Until you experience the Apple "way" you will never understand the "malarkey" whatever that is."
That's right, it's a logo and name they stole from a fairly well known band of the 60's.
"Of course Apple fans don't mind activating a phone in this way, the same way we link iPods to iTunes because it's a harmonious relationship between the pair. Apple have not yet let us down when it comes to such things and the activation is not to prove we are not pirates and to prove we actually own the thing and are not attempting to use it illegally, we understand and "trust" such things."
So you like Windows Activation? It's the same thing. I have never had to activate a phone before.
Quote: giginger So you like Windows Activation? It's the same thing. I have never had to activate a phone before.
I don't like Windows activation and it is NOT the same thing if you read what I said, assuming you can read? Of course you have never had to activate a phone before, this is an entirely new implementation of technology. Lots of features you've never had before.
Quote: Gotta love that reality distortion field =D Gotta love that reality distortion field =D
No distortion here mate, just clear thinking and even clearer reality. Reality, that's the trick to this issue.
Blackberries and the N95 I just got have pretty much exactly the same featureset as the iPhone and they dont need activating...
And, based exactly on what you said, I'd say that windows activation was almost exactly the same thing. Both products need activating in order to recieve updates...
I can read perfectly well thank you. In fact, I dare say I can read a lot better than you seeing as I actually read what's written and not what I want to see there.
I just realised why you're happy with the activation. Because Steve Jobs wanted it that way!
It's interesting to note you didn't reply to Mini's comment. Nothing to say to that? Maybe it's because it's true....
I like the security of Apples new phone too:
http://crunchgear.com/2007/07/03/iphone-vulnerabilities-the-password-is-dottie/
You know, because Apple products are so damn secure and everything.
I wonder if Steve Jobs realises there's people like you using Apple products. They say there's no such thing as bad publicity but I think you're the exception to the rule. I'm almost tempted to try and get your posts to his attention to see what he'd say. I'm sure he'd be quite alarmed to see such bad publicity.
"Blackberries and the N95 I just got have pretty much exactly the same featureset as the iPhone and they dont need activating..."
I'm go as far as to say that many of the features are a "super"set of those in the iPhone, seeing as they're better.
I'd also believe that Windows activation is the nicer version of the two. Seeing as you can use Windows for 30 days without activating it but an iPhone you can't use at all without activating. OK, you can make emergency calls. I'll give you that, plus you can lock the phone so that multi-touch screen isn't wasted.
If all you can do is criticise the activation "inconvenience" then I rest my case, really, and no you can't read because if you could you wouldn't be ranting on about this non-issue and by the way I am typing this really s-l-o-w-l-y because you probably can't read very fast :-)
iTunes and the iPhone are inextricably linked, if that's an inconvenience and you don't like it, don't get an iPhone, hey don't get an iPhone anyway, it would be wasted on you.
It's not just a phone, it's an iPod and media player, how else are you going to move songs and movies onto it? You simply don't get it, I had to activate my iPod the same way, it was child's play, a non-issue, no problem, it didn't hurt a bit, I even enjoyed the process.
Windows is a major inconvenience yet you guys put up with it, surely plugging a phone into your computer and firing up iTunes once only to link the two is not such an issue that you have to take major exception to it?
Accept it, you are clutching at straws to fault it, as a version one-point-oh consumer product it is amazing. By the time it hits down-under, after you northerners have finished testing it for us, it will be truly a gem. I can't wait.
Type as slow as you want, wont' make what you say any less bullshit.
We're only complaining about the activation? You accused me of not being able to read and yet you're amazingly glossing over everything written before.
We're not even complaining about linking an iPhone with iTunes. We're questioning if it's really necessary to connect it to even use the phone though. There's a subtle difference there which I wouldn't expect you to get.
It's an iPod and a media player? HOLY CRAP! You mean it plays music and movies just like a load of other phones?!
You had to activate your iPod? Just plugged it in, formatted it to Windows and then I was off. Maybe it was a special Australia thing. You know, because of history... ;)
Windows is not a major inconvenience. When have I said that? You're jumping to so wildly different point there. Never mind. As I said before, we're talking about the activation because that's the only point you responded too. I really can't be bothered to type out where the iPhone has also failed to provide again.
I won't accept that I'm clutching at straws to fault the iPhone. In fact I'd say you're trying to bend every little thing said into a positive for the iPhone when really it's just an average phone at a high price and a flashy interface.
Maybe this confusion is a local thing but every phone I have ever purchased, used, been given here in Australia requires activation. You sit with a boring sales guy with pimples and bad breath or a blonde bimbo with big boobs, fake smile and no brain then go through the whole document signing, contract agreeing, deposit paying, sim inserting, test calling... ceremony and bullshit for half an hour or so before you are able to take it out of the shop, then go home and wait for a few hours, making test calls every now and then until the activation actually takes.
Now say so if you don't agree but I'd rather pay my money, take the goods then go home and do the activation myself in the comfort of my little home office. OK, so I might miss the big boobs but that's a small price to pay to avoid the bad breath.
Now which part of this activation process is inconvenient?
Actually, I believe after I signed my new contract - takes about 5 minutes in the UK if you go to a shop or a simple form to be filled out online - I simply popped the SIM card in and waited for the phone to boot up for the first time (battery was even charged), then I made a phone call.
That password flaw is very poor. They could have at least made the password secure ffs! You know, something even remotely secure like >$,tCx"<I^f5. Combined with the Safari flaw, that's at least as bad a flaw as any on any system.
Yeah I'm pretty sure I had exactly the same experience too, Stash. And even if that activation did have to take place that would be activating the SIM CARD not the PHONE. They're two completely different things.
"surely plugging a phone into your computer and firing up iTunes once only" - I'd say the emphasis on this sentence needed to be placed on the ONCE. If I was only ever gonna plug my phone into my PC once (which, by the way, it seems I wouldnt have the luxury of doing since from what i've read the iPhone wont sync wirelessly (please correct me if i'm wrong)) then I probably wouldnt want to plug it in at all. If i was going to plug it in numerous times - for the purpose of syncing iTunes with it - then I probably wouldnt mind so much activating it on first connection. If I wasn't going to bother syncing iTunes then I dont think I should have to plug it in at all (let alone actually install iTunes on my PC)
I really dont see how windows activation (click, I guess, 3 buttons) is LESS of a hassle than iPhone activation (get the CD and Data Cable out the box, install iTunes and whatever other software, connect phone to the PC, click, I guess, 3 buttons), and, as giginger said, with Windows you atleast get a 30 day grace period before it forces you to activate.
We're not picking at one fault in order to trash the entire iPhone - I cant WAIT to get my hands on one atleast to have a play with it even if I dont talk myself into the price tag (whatever that may be when it gets here) - we're just pointing out that there are undoubtedly flaws and irritations with the product (the tech flaws I kinda saw coming, given it's brand new, though I dont really see why they didnt put better spec stuff in - whatever) but the irritations (i.e. activation) I kinda didn't - especially given just how much time you spend on here enlightening us all that Apple is the way forward and theyre perfect and never put a foot wrong and make life so much easier. It's just silly.
Seeing as my last 4/5 phones have arrived through the post and all I've had to do is pop my SIM in there's no activation.
To enforce what Mini said; we're not picking fault to trash the phone. In fact, I want to love the phone. It's gorgeous. It looks great and that interface has me wanting to get one but I can't sensibly get one when it's available because it's just not good enough for that. I really hope they do a revised model for the UK. Then again, there's no way I'm signing a 2 year contract AND paying for a phone. They can quite literally get fucked.
I'm amused you mentioned large breasted ladies being removed by the need to activate the iPhone at home. Especially as you previously claimed that because you were using a Mac you were entertaining 3 ladies at work. Apple gives and Apple takes it seems.
Comments
Regarding the price - it is expensive. I got my Windows based PDA phone for nothing with a 12 month contract of £35/m that I can reduce to £15/m after 6 months and that has SatNav built in as well!
Again, we all *REALLY* like the idea of the iPhone, it's just overpriced, over-hyped (hardware only, as the software looks to be top notch) and under-specced (hardware only, again).
http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3026
I'd rather activate a phone at home than deal with a customer service rep.
Of course Apple fans don't mind activating a phone in this way, the same way we link iPods to iTunes because it's a harmonious relationship between the pair. Apple have not yet let us down when it comes to such things and the activation is not to prove we are not pirates and to prove we actually own the thing and are not attempting to use it illegally, we understand and "trust" such things.
The Apple brand is not simply a logo of piece of fruit, it stands for much more. Until you experience the Apple "way" you will never understand the "malarkey" whatever that is.
As for "it's just overpriced, over-hyped" well that's an opinion only, there is nothing to compare it to price-wise, it's unique, if you want it you have to pay for it just like anything else. Over-hyped? I don't think so, not based on the reports I'm hearing.
The only criticism I'd agree with is its recessed headphone jack which apparently only allows the genuine headphone to be connected, none of the third-party products fit. That's not nice Apple and at first impression, it's a very Microsoft thing to do! However, if that's the worst aspect of the iPhone, the rest of it can't be that bad.
Posted: Tuesday, 3 July 2007 at 11:26AM
http://digg.com/apple/Despite_the_many_iPhone_Stories_Digg_com_lacks_full_iPhone_support_PIC
Of course you have never had to activate a phone before, this is an entirely new implementation of technology. Lots of features you've never had before. No distortion here mate, just clear thinking and even clearer reality. Reality, that's the trick to this issue.
Posted: Wednesday, 4 July 2007 at 7:48AM
And, based exactly on what you said, I'd say that windows activation was almost exactly the same thing. Both products need activating in order to recieve updates...
iTunes and the iPhone are inextricably linked, if that's an inconvenience and you don't like it, don't get an iPhone, hey don't get an iPhone anyway, it would be wasted on you.
It's not just a phone, it's an iPod and media player, how else are you going to move songs and movies onto it? You simply don't get it, I had to activate my iPod the same way, it was child's play, a non-issue, no problem, it didn't hurt a bit, I even enjoyed the process.
Windows is a major inconvenience yet you guys put up with it, surely plugging a phone into your computer and firing up iTunes once only to link the two is not such an issue that you have to take major exception to it?
Accept it, you are clutching at straws to fault it, as a version one-point-oh consumer product it is amazing. By the time it hits down-under, after you northerners have finished testing it for us, it will be truly a gem. I can't wait.
Posted: Wednesday, 4 July 2007 at 12:28PM
Now say so if you don't agree but I'd rather pay my money, take the goods then go home and do the activation myself in the comfort of my little home office. OK, so I might miss the big boobs but that's a small price to pay to avoid the bad breath.
Now which part of this activation process is inconvenient?
Posted: Wednesday, 4 July 2007 at 3:04PM
That password flaw is very poor. They could have at least made the password secure ffs! You know, something even remotely secure like >$,tCx"<I^f5. Combined with the Safari flaw, that's at least as bad a flaw as any on any system.
Still love the interface though
"surely plugging a phone into your computer and firing up iTunes once only" - I'd say the emphasis on this sentence needed to be placed on the ONCE. If I was only ever gonna plug my phone into my PC once (which, by the way, it seems I wouldnt have the luxury of doing since from what i've read the iPhone wont sync wirelessly (please correct me if i'm wrong)) then I probably wouldnt want to plug it in at all. If i was going to plug it in numerous times - for the purpose of syncing iTunes with it - then I probably wouldnt mind so much activating it on first connection. If I wasn't going to bother syncing iTunes then I dont think I should have to plug it in at all (let alone actually install iTunes on my PC)
I really dont see how windows activation (click, I guess, 3 buttons) is LESS of a hassle than iPhone activation (get the CD and Data Cable out the box, install iTunes and whatever other software, connect phone to the PC, click, I guess, 3 buttons), and, as giginger said, with Windows you atleast get a 30 day grace period before it forces you to activate.
We're not picking at one fault in order to trash the entire iPhone - I cant WAIT to get my hands on one atleast to have a play with it even if I dont talk myself into the price tag (whatever that may be when it gets here) - we're just pointing out that there are undoubtedly flaws and irritations with the product (the tech flaws I kinda saw coming, given it's brand new, though I dont really see why they didnt put better spec stuff in - whatever) but the irritations (i.e. activation) I kinda didn't - especially given just how much time you spend on here enlightening us all that Apple is the way forward and theyre perfect and never put a foot wrong and make life so much easier. It's just silly.