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Jobs: Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone

By | January 9, 2007, 11:05am PST

Summary: About 45 minutes into his keynote, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said, "I have been looking forward to this for two and a half years," followed that with "Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone," and then proceeded to introduce the iPhone, which he called a leapfrog product that is much smarter than the previous [...]

About 45 minutes into his keynote, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said, "I have been looking forward to this for two and a half years," followed that with "Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone," and then proceeded to introduce the iPhone, which he called a leapfrog product that is much smarter than the previous generation of mobile phones, combining the iPod, mobile phone, 2-megapixel camera and an Internet communicator in one device.

Based on Jobs' demo of the iPhone, Apple has once again set the bar for others to follow, and they are far behind. Jobs said Apple is five years ahead of competitors with its software, and he is not that far off. Microsoft certainly has a lot to learn from Apple once again in creating usable operating systems and user interfaces. If the iPhone works as good as Jobs' demo, it will be a hit product.

With a 3.5-inch, 160-pixel per inch patented touch screen, the iPhone solves the user interface problem according to Jobs, making the rigid keys of mobile phones antiquated. Instead of being forced into using the hard keyboard for every application, the touch screen enables the interface to fit the application. Jobs dissed styluses as not being that useful and too easy to lose, but the first add-on will be a stylus, especially for using the soft keypad. 

The touching and scrolling user interface for accessing music and other applications is super slick, with all the nice effects from Mac OS X graphics. "The software at least five years ahead of others," Jobs said. iTunes is used synch all media  and data, such as contacts and calendar, to iPhone. 

The killer app for the phone is making calls, Jobs said. The phone includes, contacts, calendar, visual voice mail, SMS messaging and quad band GSM + Edge, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The software enables multiple SMS messaging sessions at once.

The camera application also takes advantage of OS X capabilities. Using your fingers, you can resize photos on the iPhone and easily switch between portrait and landscape modes.

As an Internet communicator, the iPhone supports rich text email (IMAP or POP3), a fully usable HTML Web browser (Safari), Google Maps, widgets and Wi-Fi and EDGE networking. The landscape mode makes reading Web pages much easier and you can "pinch" the screen to resize the page. The iPhone also supports mutliple browser windows, like tabbed browsing, at once.

Update: Jobs said the phone delivers five hours of battery life and 16 hours of audio playback.  The 4GB  version is priced at $499 with a two-year contract; the 8GB version, $599. Apple has filed over 200 patents related to the device, which will be available in June. Cingular is the exclusive distributor in the U.S.

Bonus pic: The iPhone that was not to be

 

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So stunned to check back comments when the original iPhone was released
jkcat 10th Aug 2010
The world changed so rapid. iPhone goes to its fourth generation and rocked the world every time it releases a new model. LOL.
View in thread
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What about battery life?
dragosani 9th Jan 2007
Thin phone + touch screen + every single wireless protocol anyone could want = How much battery life?
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Battery life
middle of nowhere 9th Jan 2007
Well, reading the article "Jobs said the phone delivers five hours of battery life and 16
hours of audio playback."
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Hello?
Uber Dweeb 9th Jan 2007
You don't think that was a 'best case' number, do you? Turn on Bluetooth and I bet you'll get a lot less.

A phone that plays music, has a browser, and has the telephone as the "killer app"...now where have I seen this before?
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I Guess
dragosani 9th Jan 2007
My question got asked before the update section was added.

happy
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4 and 8
LBean 9th Jan 2007
Actually, the article quotes Jobs as saying 4 hours battery life for phone calls and 8 for music.
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Staff
Good Point
JFPSF 9th Jan 2007
Lack of battery life is what kills my treo. If Iphone isn't better, then it won't work.
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last nail in M$ coffin
Linux Geek 9th Jan 2007
"The software at least five years ahead of others,"
M$ will never catch up, they are dead with their bloated winoze.
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re: last nail in M$ coffin
Badgered 9th Jan 2007
Ok, what's the REAL last nail in the M$ coffin?

You've used this line for about 5 differnet unrelated stories/products that I've seen. I just want to know which one to watch as the official "Last Nail".
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He's been saying that
John Zern 9th Jan 2007
for the last 6 months. Must have been the last nail to his head...
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Shut up, fool.
Hallowed are the Ori 9th Jan 2007
NT
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last nail in M$ coffin
andy_r 9th Jan 2007
You may or may not be right, but if so it's for the wrong reason.

Windows Mobile is based on Windows CE, which is a totally different code base from the desktop Windows and which was designed from the ground up to be lean and mean. As a consequence, it runs on very low end hardware with very little memory or flash storage. There's alot of very optimized custom code and it needs to support a variety of hardware designs, so adding new features isn't as easy as just grabbing some code from the desktop team.

Apple appears to have made a conscious decision to simplify their development by cramming OSX and their other system software into a cell phone. As a consequence they save on development costs & time to market and are able to do some really cool stuff. The downside is that it requires more flash, and I suspect a faster processor, more RAM, and maybe display acceleration. All of those things are going to raise the cost, which explains the $500 price tag.

As time goes on and Flash/RAM/CPU prices fall, Apple might be in a better position. Time will tell.

In any case, to call Windows Mobile "bloated" compared with the iPhone is just about the most backward analogy one could draw.

Just my two cents.
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2 more cents
peter@... 10th Jan 2007
I don?t know all the workings of the iPhone but my WinMobile smartphone w/Bluetooth & WiFi still does more that the iPhone. Ok, it?s not a Internet Phone, but it does everything else and 10 times more for less $ and the battery lasts longer. I?ve never looked but I am willing to bet that there is software somewhere that will let me make Internet calls, if I can load software to make it a universal TV remote I am sure I can find an Internet Phone program. As for touch screens, my GPS program does a nice job of utilizing the screen for inputs as do other apps. (does iPhone do GPS?)
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Reinventing the phone?
qquidd@... 9th Jan 2007
Excuse me Mr. Jobs -- where have you been for the past year?
Reinventing/backdating your options eh? My current phone does all what your "reinvented" phone does and most likely better. Thank you for your overpriced bull-crap.
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And which phone is that, might I ask?
tlmurray 9th Jan 2007
See the subject line.
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LG chocolate or any number of phones offer ...
ShadeTree 9th Jan 2007
... the functionality described. You can browse the web, play mp3 and take pictures. Nothing earth shaking about the latest iDevice.
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Which one runs OSX?
tic swayback 9th Jan 2007
And has a touch screen using gestures, and synchs seamlessly with both Macs and Windows computers?

Seriously, drop the OSX and the gestures, which one synchs well with a Mac?
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Functionality vs Interface
LBean 9th Jan 2007
From what I can see it's the interface that makes the iPhone different not the functions. And an open user interface opens the door to innovation no one has thought of yet.
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Interface IS functionality!
tic swayback 9th Jan 2007
The interface is how you use the phone. It's probably the second most important functionality there is, beyond reception. Don't sell it short, it's much more important than anything else any phone contains!
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who makes the case ?
enf1945@... 9th Jan 2007
anybody know ??
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Wow I was prepared to say "meh" but actually this looks V cool
stevey_d 9th Jan 2007
Apple seem to do a lot of thinking before implementing, and then come out with really well engineered gear.
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A shame
pkstephens 9th Jan 2007
I'd hoped apple would make the right decisions with the phone -- but they tied service to Cingular, foreclosing on all customers who have contracts with other carriers, and at $500 (with a 2yr contract!), they've set a price point that allows the competition to undercut them significantly.
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Well, I would imagine that Cingular
John Zern 9th Jan 2007
was willing to pay a bit more towards the phone then other carriers would, just my guess. I agree that it's sad that they are tied to Cingular as when the purchased ATT they were now the largest carrier. Reports indicate Verizon will sood retake that position mid 07, so they must still be doing things customers aren't happy with.

599 on a less then reliable network isn't going to help this sell beyond the Apple enthusiest.
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Phone Schmon who cares
Zuel 9th Jan 2007
The killer app for the phone is making calls, Jobs said. Killer app? Making calls? Then what the hell is the rest of this overblown toy used for? Maybe the corporate road warrior with deep pockets can justify $500 or $600 for a phone, but not me. Don't need it, don't want it, don't care if Apple has it. Typical hype from a company that is sooner or later going to leave its computer users in the lurch, when it abandons the PC business altogether to focus on consumer electronics like the iPod.
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I dunno
Badgered 9th Jan 2007
It seems like a cool enough toy. But what corporate road warrior needs an iPod with a Phone built in?

I know, I know, it has the capability to handle e-mail and other processing tasks as well. But honestly, that's not what it's going to be used for. And for people who type dozens or hundreds of emails on their phone, they'll be missing their keyboard on the 'ole Treo or Blackberry.

It seems to me more like the gadget happy few will really want this. However, at $499.00 and $599.00 it will be priced over even some of their heads.

All in all, much like everything at MacWorld and CES... we'll just have to wait and see how they do over time.
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posting from ignorance
frgough 9th Jan 2007
Considering the iPhone displays a keyboard when you're entering email, what were
you saying about missing a keyboard again?
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or not posting from ignorance
Badgered 9th Jan 2007
Thanks for the kind words.

I know it displays a KB when entering text. But if you've ever used a HP iPAQ and it's "virtual" keyboard, then used a Blackberry or Treo and it's actual keyboard, then you know the two are completely different animals. My point is that for those who type many emails, the virtual keyboard does not suffice. It's too slow. Those people I consider the Corporate road warriors that the OP was referring to.

Next time, try to post without trying to get a dig in. I'd prefer to just exchange thoughts and ideas rather than insults.
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Kind words
frgough 9th Jan 2007
Did you watch the demo? That keypad is NOT slow. This is not an iPAQ with a bloated
OS on an underpowered processor.

But, that's alright. In a year you'll be talking about what an awesome device the
iPhone is, how it was genius on Apple's part, and you'll totally forget (or pretend to
forget) that you were ever anything but enthusiastic about it.

It's the iPod all over again. Dissed when it first came out by people who couldn't
comprehend how revolutionary it was.
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Or he will be pointing out what a dismal ...
ShadeTree 9th Jan 2007
... failure it was just like the Lisa. When are you Cult of the Mac types going to grow up and realize not everything Apple does turns to gold? How about we wait and see how it performs in the marketplace before we declare it the winner?
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Better example
tic swayback 9th Jan 2007
The Lisa is ancient history. Think more along the lines of the Cube.
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Or the Newton...
A.Sinic 10th Jan 2007
...which I loved by the way. Apples does not always strike gold, no matter how cool the toy is. And I loved my Newton too sad
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What is the benefit inherent in this
fuzzy2k 10th Jan 2007
"grow"ing "up" you mention. It seems to have left you a bitter and very negative person. If that is what happens, I will stay the arrested adolescent I guess I must be.

Why all the attacking of the "children" who enjoy the Mac so much? Why not let them be? The Mac has a much more elegant attractive interface design than the PC, which some people like. Many of these same people find it to be a "more intuitive" OS. You don't, apparently. I get that. I think everyone here gets that.

I wouldn't want you to feel like you can't speak up, but why all the hate? You and a few others seem to spend more time atacking and trying to belittle anything Mac related than anything else. You don't come off well, as a result.

In fact, it seems rather childish. Especially coming from such a grown up as you seem to want to imply you are.

Have a nice day.
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I'm sure you're right
Badgered 9th Jan 2007
I will be talking about what an awesome device it is.. I'll ignore the fact that I was anything but overjoyed at it's release... and I'll own 5... just like I did with the iPod... oh wait. I don't own one.

I'll have to get back to you on this one.

As for the iPAQ. It did well in it's time. My point is not how slow the OS or device operated... but how slow entry is on a virtual keyboard. And of course, watching the demo does not give me a feel for it, as I would use it. But I'm sure I'll try one and see how it functions.
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I have an Motorola A1000 & text input is fast
johnpall@... 9th Jan 2007
I use the pen stylus on the virtual keyboard & type
quickly with no problems, so my friend get out from
under your shady Tree & get some vitamin d.
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To each his own
Badgered 9th Jan 2007
No windows here, ergo no vitamin D, sadly. Perhaps it works well, for you. My experience is that is not the case for most of the people I have worked with.
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And this is why
frgough 9th Jan 2007
You and people like you will never be able to design anything like an iPhone. Yes,
making calls is the killer app, and every other cell phone out there sucks at doing
it. Do you think making a call is remembering a number and pressing it in with
your thumb one digit at a time on a tiny keyboard? Yep, I'll be you do.

Apple knows that because making calls is the killer app on a cell phone, then the
key to a killer cell phone is to make calling as easy, as, oh say, sliding your finger
across a screen then tapping.

But you still probably think dialing a rotary wheel is good enough.
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you designed one?
Badgered 9th Jan 2007
I'm wondering with the E-Mail app that's provided and the amount of screen space for the fields, what size will the on screen keyboard be? It does not seem like it could be much larger than the "tiny keyboard" of a Treo.

*If* that is the case, what is the difference between having it virtual or physical? IMO it would just be eye candy.

The real appeal of this phone seems to be in it's Audio and Video capabilities. But is that enough to make it worth dumping your old phone and spending $500 - $600 more dollars? That is what the market will decide.
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And this is why you will never make an i9ntelligent post.
ShadeTree 9th Jan 2007
Phones have progressed a long way from when you dialed the number one digit at a time using your thumb as you described. Most of the new phones have the features this new iTurd has. You know things like voice dialing. You can sure tell you are a mouth frothing Apple zealot.
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iPhone is no "killer"
M.R. Kennedy 9th Jan 2007
frgough said:

"Do you think making a call is remembering a number and pressing it in with your thumb one digit at a time on a tiny keyboard? Yep, I'll be you do."

Can you say, "voice activation"? How about "speed dialling"?

I *knew* you could!

Sorry "fadduh", but I have no interest in acquiring an iPhone, and not because it's an Apple product being pushed by the Main Apple Guru. I have a perfectly serviceable LG VX8100 (Verizon) that does far more than I need (I don't use more than a quarter of its features), and it cost me far less at its introduction than the iPhone does at $499.

We don't know what the actual talk time is for the iPhone. Jobs himself didn't actually say that it was 5 hours. Like as not, it's less than the 240 minutes (4 hours) that my LG has, and that's if you start talking *immediately* after unplugging it from its charger, and with an absolutely *new* battery.

No "corporate road warrior" is going to adopt the iPhone in place of his or her beloved Treo or Crackberry, and he or she is certainly not going to use it for business-related email and Web work.

The people who will want to get an iPhone are Apple zealots, kids whose parents have more money than sense, and those poor souls (such as the MacWorld attendees) who get caught up in the Jobs Reality Distortion Field Effect.

And those who do will be stuck for two years talking on a second-class cell network. It'll sure suck to be them...
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Deja Vu all over again
frgough 9th Jan 2007
Heh. The more things change, the more they stay the same. The sad thing is, I'll bet
you don't even remember saying the same thing about the first iPod.
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Ipod for the kids is one thing
John Zern 9th Jan 2007
Folks spending 600 bucks for a phone for their kids?
Don't see it happening, not in the sense that the IPod worked.
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How we forget
frgough 9th Jan 2007
The iPod was not marketed at kids, it was marketed at 20-somethings. Same
demographic as the iPhone. It became a hot product for kids later. The first iPods
were $500.

In 5 years when an iPhone drops to $249, then parents will buy them for their kids.

Of course, in 5 years everyone will also pretend that they knew the iPhone was going
to be a huge hit the moment they saw it.
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Why aim for such a small market?
tic swayback 9th Jan 2007
iPod has sold 70 million lifetime.

Cel phones sell 1 billion per year. Per year.
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2 year contract?
saran945@... 9th Jan 2007
looks promising services in one device. but 2 yr contract is a pain. Jobs, You have done a mistake!
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Overhyped and too d*mn pricey!
techboy_z 9th Jan 2007
Not gonna make the cut. I can get a RAZR with all the features I really need. Do I really need WiFi on my phone? No...I guess not, after all. See, all these things are "neato", whiz-bang stuff...but in my daily use, they aren't gonna have value. I'd enjoy the toys for about a month, then go back to using it just to make calls and a few text messages. Not gonna pay $499 for that. And certainly not with Cingular!
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Cut and paste
frgough 9th Jan 2007
Good job on making sure iPod got replaced with iPhone in your rant from 2001.
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Wifi is actually one of the main reasons to buy this
tic swayback 9th Jan 2007
Think about it this way--if you own the phone for 2 years and use it to access your e-mail, you'll pay Cingular at least $600 for internet access through their EDGE system (figure $25 a month for 24 months). With Wifi, you can just access the internet for free, any time you're near an open Wifi network. No, you don't get full time connectivity, but it's a nice savings if you don't need it, but still want e-mail on your phone.
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good point
Badgered 9th Jan 2007
but it is also a good reason to buy any PDA/Phone with Wifi. The difference with this one, is that it puts everything together in one neat little package.

I'm still not sold on the price tag, but the sales figures should be interesting to watch.
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Wi-Fi is no reason to buy this
M.R. Kennedy 9th Jan 2007
tic swayback said:

"Think about it this way--if you own the phone for 2 years and use it to access your e-mail, you'll pay Cingular at least $600 for internet access through their EDGE system (figure $25 a month for 24 months). With Wifi, you can just access the internet for free, any time you're near an open Wifi network. No, you don't get full time connectivity, but it's a nice savings if you don't need it, but still want e-mail on your phone."

Tic, do you currently use Wi-Fi on your existing cell phone? If not, how do you know that the iPhone's Wi-Fi connection is going to work at the average 'Net kiosk? Unless Apple has truly integrated Wi-Fi into the iPhone's email and Web browser functions, it's going to work no better (in those respects) than any other Web-capable cell phone that is currently on the market. For all I know, its Wi-Fi connection only works in conjunction with a Macintosh, for transferring music, picture, and MOV files. between the 'puter and the phone itself.

And now that I've said that, I'm going to see what I can find out.
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Actually, yes it is
tic swayback 10th Jan 2007
---If not, how do you know that the iPhone's Wi-Fi connection is going to work at the average 'Net kiosk?---

From Apple's site:
http://www.apple.com/iphone/internet/
"You can read a web page while downloading your email in the background over Wi-Fi or EDGE."

Sounds to me like it does.
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in canada...
Arm A. Geddon 9th Jan 2007
I wonder who will be the carrier?

gnu/linux...giving choice to the neX(11)t generation.
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So stunned to check back comments when the original iPhone was released
jkcat 10th Aug 2010
The world changed so rapid. iPhone goes to its fourth generation and rocked the world every time it releases a new model. LOL.

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