§
Our notes:
(1) Article dated 24th June 2007: "This week" was pure speculation at the time; in hindsight is was just plain wrong.
(2) " low-tech cellular backwater where people still pull aerials out of their ‘cellphones’". The US may have been slower on the uptake, but the models of phone are not as Weckler describes. Check out any US online retailer.
(3) "...texting on the iPhone will be very difficult ". Texting will be no more or less difficult that with any mobile phone. Check out Walt Mossberg or David Pogue's articles to see someone who knows about using an iPhone.
(4) "...so thumbs cannot be used". Using thumbs is entirely possible, it just depends on the individual as to how they hold it and like to use it.
(5) "...scratches are inevitable". In reviews, the glass has been applauded as tough and scratch resistant.
(6) "...internet...will take ages". 3 issues here- a) it comes with high speed wi-fi built-in and defaults to wi-fi is it finds a signal b) reviews of AT&T's EDGE network have varied from acceptable to poor depending on the area coverage c) the iPhone for Europe hasn't been announced, so we do not know if Europe will be using this technology or 3G.
(7) "...certainly not appeal to the likes of Vodafone,O2 or 3,". All reports lead to Vodafone and O2 bidding for the iPhone. No announcement has been made either way yet.
(8) "a €600 phone"? The iPhone in the US comes in 2 models (and this has been known since January). There is a 4GB model for $499 (€370) and an 8Gb model for $599 (€440). Even with differences in tax and currency, the top model of iPhone is likely to cost under €500.
(9) "It seems likely that a core of Apple fans will rush to buy the iPhone when it launches in Europe, whenever that is". In 2007, what exactly does this mean? Does it mean that if he is wrong, and the iPhone is a success, he can blame "fanatics" for buying it. This way they don't count and he still proves his point. In all the years of working with Mac hardware and software I am yet to meet one of Weckler's Apple fans. Consumers do not buy on blissful ignorance. There may well be hype for this or any product, but does this make Sony Playstation buyers fanatics, or Motorola Razr users, or anyone who finds a new product appealing??
(10) "...the iPhone’s chances in Europe look very weak, to say the least". As of 30/7/07, the iPhone hasn't been launched in Europe, no date has been set for a launch, no provider has been named, and no details of the model of iPhone for Europe have been released.
Simon Spence/2007