Apple Grrl

People have begun camping out for the iPhone… read more here.

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As many of you know, I’m on the fence about getting an iPhone because of their relationship with privacy invading, user spying company AT&T (see here and here). Lots of people have been on the fence about it for a different reason though – business applications. At first, it didn’t seem like the iPhone would support Microsoft Word or Excel. Now an announcement has been made that they will, in fact, support both. Potential business clients everywhere can now relax.

The built-in e-mail application can read not only JPEGs and PDF files, but also Word and Excel documents. Business users have frequently cited ambiguity over iPhone’s support for Word or Excel documents as a potentially fatal omission, so their inclusion removes just one more potential barrier to the phone’s popularity.

Watch Apple’s Guided Tour Of The iPhone (24 minutes)

Source

Tags: Apple iPhone, iPhone, Word, Excel, Thumb Type

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In case Apple needed more hints that they chose the wrong company to partner with for the release of their iPhone after this story, AT&T adds more fuel to the fire. In addition to spying on its customers, AT&T plans to make the iPhone as expensive and unpleasant a shopping experience as possible. They are charging full price for the iPhone, with no discount for the long term contract. Not only that, they plan to slap you with a $175 dollar cancel fee if you decide that you don’t like your iPhone (or more likely don’t like AT&T).

But AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said that termination fees pay for more than phone subsidies. “There are certain fixed costs we incur in serving every customer who establishes service with us,” Siegel said. He refused to specify those costs.

I’m already still upset they bought my cell company, Cingular, and got rid of the youthful, exuberant orange man logo and name, along with the good customer service Cingular offered. I hate having to deal with my own cell phone company now, for any reason. AT&T blows chunks on customer service. I know Apple chose Cingular, not AT&T, to partner with, then AT&T bought Cingular. What I don’t understand is why Apple didn’t move the exclusive deal to a better company, like Verizon, the moment that happened! I, for one, would have happily followed them to Verizon to get away from AT&T. They have to know that craptastic AT&T will lose them major brownie points on service levels, and Apple’s customer service has always been so top notch. I just don’t get it.

Richard Burns, president of AT&T’s wireless business, acknowledged the iPhone uses a data network that isn’t as fast as those offered by rivals Verizon Wireless LLC and Sprint Nextel Corp. But he said the combination of AT&T’s network and the iPhone’s efficient design would make it a superb Internet access device.

Source

Tags: Apple, iPhone, Apple iPhone, AT&T, Cingular, Verizon

[posted with ecto]

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Apple sent out an email to customers requesting advance notice of iPhone sales today. The email contained tips for use, as well as the reveal that the iPhone would use Entourage or Outlook for your contact management and syncing and require iTunes for activation.

Full text of email:

iPhone arrives on June 29. iPhone features an amazing mobile phone, is the best iPod we’ve ever created, and puts the Internet in your pocket with desktop-class email, web browsing, searching, and maps. And iPhone makes it all easy to use with its revolutionary multi-touch user interface. iPhone syncs with your PC or Mac just like an iPod, so organizing your content now will help you start calling, texting, emailing, surfing, listening, and watching even faster when you get your iPhone. Here are a few suggestions to help you get ready:

Contacts
Making a call with iPhone is as simple as tapping a name. You won’t need to re-enter all your contacts because iPhone syncs with the address book you already use on your computer—Address Book or Entourage on a Mac, or Outlook or Outlook Express on a PC. If you keep your contacts on the web using Yahoo! Address Book, iPhone can sync with them, too. To get ready for iPhone, organize your contacts in one of these applications and make sure they’re up to date with the latest phone numbers and email addresses. If you don’t have contacts on your computer, don’t worry. You can still enter them directly into iPhone.

Calendar
Using its built-in calendar, iPhone lets you check your appointments with the flick of a finger. iPhone uses iTunes to sync with the calendar application you already use on your computer—iCal or Entourage on the Mac, or Outlook on a PC—just like it does with your contacts. If you don’t already use one of these applications to manage your appointments, now is a great time to start, so you’ll be ready to sync when your iPhone arrives. If you choose not to use a calendar program, that’s OK. You’ll be able to enter appointments directly into the iPhone calendar.

Email
iPhone is the first phone to come with a desktop-class email application. So now your phone can display rich HTML email with graphics and photos alongside the text. iPhone will even fetch your latest email every time you open the application and automatically retrieve your email on a set schedule, just like a computer does. iPhone works with the most popular email systems—including Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, AOL, and .Mac Mail. If you’re not already using one of these services, now would be a great time to get an account. iTunes will make email setup on iPhone a breeze by automatically syncing the settings from email accounts stored in Mail on a Mac or Outlook on a PC. Don’t worry if you’re not on one of these email services; iPhone also works with almost any industry-standard POP3 and IMAP email system.

Photos
iPhone has a 2-megapixel camera and a gorgeous 3.5-inch display, so it’s a great way to enjoy and show off your digital photos. iPhone uses iTunes to sync your photos from iPhoto on a Mac or Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Photoshop Album, or any picture folder on a PC. You can carry thousands of photos on iPhone, but you can start by creating an album or two with 50 to 100 of your favorite photos, so that when you first sync your iPhone, you’ll be ready to quickly show off some of your best shots.

Music and Video
iPhone is the best iPod ever. Its beautiful, 3.5-inch widescreen display allows you to easily enjoy the music, TV shows, and movies you have in your iTunes library. If you already use iTunes, you can start getting ready for iPhone by creating a playlist of a few hundred of your favorite songs. If you don’t have iTunes, now is a good time to it and start a music and video library. That way, when you sync your iPhone with iTunes, you’ll be able to take your favorite music, as well as a few of your TV shows and movies, with you wherever you go. download

iTunes account

To set up your iPhone, you’ll need an account with Apple’s iTunes Store. If you already have an iTunes account, make sure you know your account name and password. If you don’t have an account, you should set one up now to save time later. To set up an account, launch, select the iTunes Store, and click the Sign In button in the upper right corner of iTunes. Sign in and you’re ready to go.

You are receiving this email because you asked to receive email updates about iPhone. If you have questions about
Apple’s Privacy Policy, click here.

Some products or promotions are not available outside the U.S. Product specifications are subject to change.
Copyright © 2007 Apple Inc. 1 Infinite Loop, MS 303-3DM, Cupertino, CA 95014.
All Rights Reserved / Keep Informed / Privacy Policy / My Info
If you prefer not to receive commercial email from Apple, or if you’ve changed your email address, please click here.

Copyright 2007 Leslie Poston, all rights Reserved

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I in no way think Apple was behind this part of the iPhone deal, however; it bears a mention. As badly as I want an iPhone, and as badly as the rest of the Appleverse wants one, I can’t believe there isn’t more buzz in the blogosphere about the little AT&T program designed to catch music piracy, which will include the iPhones and their users.

AT&T marks the first of the big Telcos to join forces with the RIAA and MPAA to clear the internet of pirated content. AT&T makes claims that this technology they are developing will only target the most egregious offenders, however; it is a huge leap of trust that I just can’t see my way clear to make on their behalf. Why don’t I trust them? They were the company that released private user phone data to the governement not so long ago, and that agreed to allow the government to spy on users’ calls.

“The risk AT&T faces is fighting the last war by spending money and energy plugging an old hole in the wall when new ones are breaking out,” said Fred von Lohmann, a senior staff attorney at the Electronic Freedom Foundation. The San Francisco digital-rights organization has sued AT&T, alleging it illegally released customers’ phone data to the federal government.

Will I still buy an iPhone? Perhaps. I was more excited when the deal was first announced last year under the auspices of Cingular, the company I used for my wireless carrier and a company I trusted. Now that Cingular has become “The New AT&T”, I have less enthusiasm for the deal. I hope Apple knows what it has gotten itself into – this deal with AT&T, known for shady tactics and consumer abuses, could backfire and erase decades of good will Apple has developed with its customers.

My honey asked me how this would be a problem, and I had to explain to him that most of us keep our music on iTunes and in an iPod. The iPhone also contains iTunes and an iPod and will sync with your computer’s iTunes, just like your existing iPod. So even if you don’t use AT&T for internet, if you are a music pirate, your music could end up on your iPhone, accessible by AT&T in their piracy sweeps.

But what if you don’t put stolen music on the iPhone? It’s always possible to make a mistake and allow a stolen tune to slip through on a playlist, all it takes is one careless sync. But what if you don’t steal music (or maybe you used to, and you have a couple of files from years and years ago, but you haven’t in ages)? My worry here is that people like me, who either don’t steal music at all or who stopped snagging free music long ago, but who do support unsigned bands and little known artists by swapping files with other music lovers, will get culled in a sweep simply because the files aren’t on the RIAA radar. I’ need to see significant proof that the RIAA and AT&T can and will tell the difference between unknown music files like those, or between “Hey Joe, check out this song” swaps that lead to sale, and so far I don’t see the RIAA enforcers as capable of telling these swaps apart from actual piracy.

Proceed with caution Apple Fanz, proceed with caution.

Source, Source, Source

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Dear Apple Honchos,

I know I strive for non-biased reviews of your products, however; I have a proposition for you. I will write daily glowing reviews of the coveted iPhone, even if it sucks donkey balls, if you would just donate one to me. for evaluation purposes on a permanent basis, of course. Kisses!

Your slave,

AppleGrrl

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Thanks to TUAW for this tidbit today, found here.

Price thinks prepaid isn’t dead despite what you see in those commercials. The new AT&T feature packages look as if they’re ready to bring prepaid phone services to a new level. So 2-year-contract? No 2-year-contract? Prepaid? No prepaid? I’m just getting whiplash. What do you think?

Oh and by the way: that commercial Scott posted earlier today? Check out the very end and see if you notice…what’s missing.

Hope for non Cingular (down with “the new AT&T”! bring back the little orange man!) customers yet.

[tags]iphone, at&t, cingular, contract, iphone ads, verizon, iphone prepaid[/tags]

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It’s official, the much-anticipated iPhone has a release date: June 29th. The commercial aired during 60 Minutes this week confirmed what we’ve all been waiting to hear: when, exactly, we can get our hot little hands on an iPhone.

Now the speculation can begin in earnest. some of my favorite Mac rumors swirling around the interwebs today are the rumor of the 12th mystery application, the opening of the iPhone platform at WWDC in June and the New York Times’ concern that the iPhone has been so hyped people will actually be disappointed with it once they get it. (not likely)

(more…)

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in 1988, Apple released this video, simulating what they thought the computing world would be like in 2010. With 2010 fast approaching, how accurate do you think they were?

[tags]apple, future computer, future of computing, nostradamus, mac, steve jobs, commercial, apple 1988, apple 2010, knowledge navigator[/tags]

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Amazon announced today that it was finally opening its long-rumored DRM free music store. You an look for it to open later this year. With a full catalog of DRM free music and 12000 choices so far, is this a threat to iTunes? Not really. Apple continues to be at the forefront of the DRM free fight with the remaining three record labels (EMI being the only major label who has already signed on with both Amazon and Apple). Steve Jobs continues to use his heavy hitting industry clout to bend the last hold outs to his will, er, make them sign a DRM free agreement for his customers. (more…)

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Apparently, it’s all in the design, and in the design process. Technology Review takes the time to walk us through the Apple design process, revealing why Macs really do “just feel right”. Most of the meat of the design reveal is in the end of the article but it is worth a read all the way through. Some highlights:  (more…)

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BoyGenius reports that AT&T has released the following internal memo, limiting vacation time for its employees during part of June and July in anticipation of a heavy sales period fueled by the release of the iPhone. Hat tip to BoyGenius for the heads up!

To: All Company Owned Retail Employees

From: [Name removed]

Subject: iPhone Launch Period

Date: May 4, 2007

As previously announced, Apple and AT&T will soon debut the iPhone,
which combines a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and
breakthrough internet communications into one small and lightweight
handheld device. The new AT&T has a multiyear, exclusive agreement to
provide U.S. service for the iPhone.

To ensure proper staffing during the product launch period, Sales personnel
planning to take approved time off are encouraged to schedule their
vacations before June 15 or after July 15 to participate in the iPhone
launch.

Previously approved vacation will be allowed where voluntary rescheduling
is not feasible

No additional vacation requests will be approved during the launch period
(6/15 – 7/15).

I want to thank you in advance for your understanding as this is likely to
be the biggest selling period we have seen in a few years.

Happy Selling,

[Name removed]

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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From the Apple News Page, breaking news on the release of Apple’s next generation operating system, Leopard, and the release of the iPhone:

Apple Statement

iPhone has already passed several of its required certification tests and is on schedule to ship in late June as planned. We can’t wait until customers get their hands (and fingers) on it and experience what a revolutionary and magical product it is. However, iPhone contains the most sophisticated software ever shipped on a mobile device, and finishing it on time has not come without a price — we had to borrow some key software engineering and QA resources from our Mac OS X team, and as a result we will not be able to release Leopard at our Worldwide Developers Conference in early June as planned. While Leopard’s features will be complete by then, we cannot deliver the quality release that we and our customers expect from us. We now plan to show our developers a near final version of Leopard at the conference, give them a beta copy to take home so they can do their final testing, and ship Leopard in October. We think it will be well worth the wait. Life often presents tradeoffs, and in this case we’re sure we’ve made the right ones. [Apr 12, 2007]

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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Apple started a test program in recent months that made their systems available at Best Buy brick and mortar stores. It worked so well in the handful of Best Buys that carried their products that they have reached an agreement to expand. Now you can get your daily recommended dose of fruit at 200 more Best Buy stores.

The program has been tried a few other times with limited success, notably in 1998 and in 2004. Recent successes have been credited to an increase in store employees trained in Apple product usage and sales (it isn’t just their operating system and look that is different than the Microsoft world). The first stores to add Apple to their product lineup are the stores that have experienced a slow down in sales of Windows products.

In addition to adding Apple computers to the line up at hundreds of select Best Buy stores, other products will make an appearance as well. iPods and Apple TVs will be sold in every Best Buy store when the program starts. The iPhone is rumored to be making an appearance as well, if Best Buy offers Cingular/AT&T sign up along with it, as it is still under contract as a Cingular exclusive.

I think apple making their products more available to more consumers is a smart move. They have been in limited Circuit City stores and nearly all CompUSA stores for some time now, and show significant improvement in sales from it.

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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It is possible that a release date of June 11 has been confirmed for the much anticipated iPhone. On CNET today a blog was posted that Cingular has confirmed the release date to CNET. If you contact Cingular directly, they do in fact, confirm the date of release, although they don’t have any further information. The date makes sense – it’s the opening day of Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference, so it fits.

Update: Or Not. According to suppliers of the components, the iPhone will not be ready in time for a June 11 release.

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

apple, iphone

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Sprint released an attack on the as yet unreleased iPhone this week, launching both a new phone and a new music service. The phone is called the UpStage. It is trying to compete directly with the iPhone in design and function, working as both a phone and music player. They are touting this phone as being more equally call friendly and music friendly. One side has a large screen and controls for music video, music and video playback. The other side has a camera, the normal style cell phone keypad and a smaller display. The camera included is 1.3 megapixel – a pretty decent size for a cell phone.

The music store half of the attack, Sprint Music Store is cutting prices on all wireless music downloads to 99 cents in direct competition with iTunes’ famously competitive prices. Sprint’s online store will also offer a second copy of the song downloaded for your home computer. Of course, with the iPhone you will just be able to sync your Apple products anytime you’d like without the hassle of having to download two copies, but it’s a valiant try on sprint’s part anyway.

The main competitive edge Sprint’s UpStage will have is price. At $149.00 USD it is much more cost effective than the iPhone’s introductory price is slated to be. Apple’s weakness has always been the cost of entry to the Mac world. I’d hate to see what looks like a fantastic and innovative product from Apple get broadsided by the lower price of a competitor, but that is exactly what might happen if they don’t adjust the price point on the iPhone.

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

iphone, sprint, at&t

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Did you catch the iPhone commercial at the Oscars tonight? Now that Cisco and Apple have reached an agreement over the use of the name (an agreement which is greatly in Apple’s favor), Apple has been greenlighted to sell the phone in June, though no price has been disclosed.

Featuring a “Hello?” montage from movies over the past few decades where actors and cartoon characters answer their phones by saying “Hello?”, and beginning with a shot of a rotary telephone, the iPhone commercial was short, sweet, entertaining and to the point. It did the job of showcasing the product while generating interest by not answering any direct questions very well.

In a nod to the ongoing debate with Cisco that had not been resolved at the time the commercial was made, you’ll notice Apple does not name their new product by name even once during the commericals – it simply provides a contant visual of the sleek little phone. Smart advertising, Apple. Also, thanks for making it different than the iPod commercials and the Mac / PC commercials.

Tags: Apple, Hello iPhone, Hello Apple Commercial, Oscars

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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Breaking News: Apple and Cisco have reached an agreement over the copyright on the iPhone name Apple wants to use for its new cell phone and mobile computing device.

The agreement seems to allow them to “share and share alike”. Since the two devices are both so different, the agreement reached allows them both to use the name for their products. How will this work? Cisco’s device is a VoIP phone, and Apple’s is a cell phone and mobile computing device, so the two companies are not expecting there to be any confusion over the name. The agreement did put an end to the lawsuit Cisco has been threatening over Apple’s use of the name, at least for now. Future marketing and sales conflicts could very well send them into court, but that is unlikely.

Because some of the agreement’s legalese included the term “interoperability”, meaning the two devices may eventually have some joint features allowing them to work together, some suspect that Cisco was really trying for this piece of Apple’s financial pie all along. Future interoperability would be a huge leap for the much smaller Cisco. It is thought that Cisco’s wi-fi department may be where this interoperability ties in. For now, they have compromised, and it’s anyone’s guess how that will shake out.

Update, February 23, 2007: here, here, here, here

Tags: Apple, Cisco, iPhone

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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The D: All Things Digital conference is showing us just how progressive it can be. Long time geek rivals Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have agreed to be co-presenters at this prestigious event, scheduled for the end of May 2007. The aspect of this conference that makes it unique is the unscripted, unfettered, spontaneous hosting format the two heavy hitters are expected to use. They will sit down with the conference hosts and have a completely unplanned conversation during their joint appearance – huge news in the computing world.

Apple‘s Steve Jobs also has an individual presentation at the D5 conference. He is expected to talk about Apple’s cutting edge developments this year, including the iPhone and Apple TV. Steve Ballmer, Bill Gate’s successor at Microsoft, is slated to give a presentation on their new products, such as the yawner Zune and the more popular Xbox series.

The D conferences are famous for their breaking news, such as last year’s introduction of low-cost laptops for children in developing countries, introduced by Nicholas Negroponte. They are also famous for their format: all interviews, no speeches. This format makes the giants of the computer industry seem more candid and accessible than they do at other conferences and events.

The conference, which is sold out, will take place May 29-31 near San Diego, California. Are you going? Let us know.

Tags: WWDC, Jobs, Gates, speakers, D5, All Things D

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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Breaking news: Apple has signed an exclusive deal with EA Games to develop a series of platform-specific games for the iPhone and Apple TV. This is a huge added feature that will only add to the sales of these Apple products, already in high demand.

EA already makes a series of games for the iPod family that has been quite successful. This success is expected to bridge over into the new platform ready games as well.

The new games will be available through iTunes for a low price (around $4.99 for iPods) that should appeal to customers from all financial levels. Having the games downloadable through iTunes will make them doubly appealing for Apple TV users who want to play them as a multiple player game on any TV.

Stay tuned to Apple Reporter for more once an official deal between Apple, EA Games and Namco is signed.

Read more about the deal here, here, and here.

Tags: Apple, EA Games

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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