Apple iPhone 5

[kyteflyer]

I'm underwhelmed this time round. Its nice, but I dont much like the long skinny screen. The innards sound ok, camera features are improved, but overall, meh. I can't afford to replace my 3GS yet anyway, so I'll be having to make a decision sometime... just not yet.

See Jonathan Ive talking about it on the iphone page, and the link to the keynote is there, as well.
Apple - iPhone 5 - The thinnest, lightest, fastest iPhone ever.

 

[Pelao]

The most fascinating thing to me is that we can be underwhelmed. The iPhone changed, or even created a category, and now the updates can be seen as pedestrian.

I am not underwhelmed though. First, I know that in hand it's likely to feel significantly different (in a better way). More importantly, it will operate much more quickly in terms of processor and graphics, which in turn allows greater latitude and innovation in app design. It's a real push forward. But a lot depends upon how you use your phone. For me, these things matter, along with the seamless integration with my information and apps across devices.

 

[Andrewteee]

I agree with Pelao. That people are underwhelmed by an update to a device that did not exist a few years ago says a lot. And I'm not sure what people want. It is perfectly fine for me. It is a platform and the apps are what matter (and the networks, which are not all that impressive, though 4G is nice). Compact, light, well designed form factor, appropriate screen size with fantastic resolution, good battery life... what more do people want?

What I like about the new screen size is that the width is not effected. The height should not be noticeable, but appreciated for video.

 

[Lili]

we have grown spoiled, expecting miracles.
we want the New, what worked well before is seen as old and tawdry

 

[Isoterica]

I think as a whole we are saturated by the constant influx of GAS inducing tech that after a while we burn out-- at least until our current gear becomes unexciting/unused and then we take interest again, excited to see what is out there. It probably has little to do to what is being introduced but the timing of it all.

 

[drd1135]

Underwhelmed can also mean "I don't feel the need to upgrade". It's a wonderful device but not better enough from the one I have. I find all smart phones astonishing little devices.

 

[Andrewteee]

Apparently, a lot of people are "irate" over the new dock connector and refusing to upgrade because of it. Someone referred to that as a first world problem.

 

[Pelao]

Apparently, a lot of people are "irate" over the new dock connector and refusing to upgrade because of it. Someone referred to that as a first world problem.

I love this sort of thing. A bit of online wailing by a few blogs and forums and suddenly it's a big problem. I bet it's a non-issue as the phones start flowing.

Personally, though I love the idea of a slimmer phone, and more real-estate without making it too wide for one-handed use, my 4S is fine for now. I'd rather spend the cash on a new lens.

Though if I make the error of actually handling the 5 I might feel different.

 

[kyteflyer]

CRIKEY!!! I wasnt expecting "miracle" or "super" and I am certainly not irate. geez. I would have liked it to be a bit wider... and now I have also seen the keynote, I am way less underwhelmed than I was. But geez I am kinda wishing I had not posted, now.

 

[Ray Sachs]

The differences from my 4s don't sound like they'd have a big impact for the way I use my phone. Rudimentary web surfing, listen to music, a very occasional video clip, and a few regular apps that come in handy. And the phone part...

I'm sure when my contract is up in another year I'll have a better idea if there's anything there I care about. Or if my 4s is still in good shape and the "6" is expected within the next year after that, I might wait.

I think the reason some of us aren't overwhelmed by some of these upgrades is because the existing gear is already sooooo good. Not that we take it for granted, but when your needs and wants are met..... Pretty much getting there with cameras too it seems. Definitely a first world problem!

-Ray

 

[Pelao]

CRIKEY!!! I wasnt expecting "miracle" or "super" and I am certainly not irate. geez. I would have liked it to be a bit wider... and now I have also seen the keynote, I am way less underwhelmed than I was. But geez I am kinda wishing I had not posted, now.

No Sue, it's always better to post and share...

Actually, I like that they didn't make it wider. That's the attention to detail I like; if it was wider, it would become more difficult to use with one hand. But of course that's just my take.

 

[thekeddi]

I'll be getting one, I like the taller but not wider screen too. I went wider with the Sansung Galaxy S3 and I hate it, just too unwieldily, and the camera on the iphone is a cut above the rest already.

Im also more interested in the new little iPod Nano, just what I was waiting for, so two new early xmas presents for me

And Sue, it's great to see everyones opinions on things so never feel bad you posted yours up!!!! It's different and that is what makes the world an interesting place! If we were all the same we would all be poor widows users, hehehe, jokes people!!!!

 

[kyteflyer]

The differences from my 4s don't sound like they'd have a big impact for the way I use my phone...

If I had a 4S, I would not be upgrading. Actually, the 4S was supposed to be my next upgrade... I had the first iphone, imported from the US - it was never released in AU, Gave the 3G a miss, because it wasn't enough of an upgrade to warrant a change, got the 3GS because of the GPS (and have never regretted that for a second) and decided I must be on a two year upgrade cycle. However I hated the squared away feel of the 4/4S in my hand (I caved, and bought a 4, sold it within a month) so when the 4S came out I had no problem resisting.

I like some of the innovations: now that I have seen the keynote and how existing apps wil be presented.. in the same 4:3 as they always were.. the 16:9 screen is not so much of an issue any more. However there is one app I use for reading, and thats Stanza. Even now it is far and away the best of whats available, even though Amazon refuses to update it anymore, and in fact has crippled some of its existing features, I still use it. I keep trying to switch away to ibooks, or megareader, or something else (I think I have tried them all) but I keep coming back to Stanza because it is simply "more". I have no idea if it will work in iOS6, and if it doesn't, I guess I will be trying to get a 4S still running iOS5.1.1. Or staying on my 3GS. I'd like the better GPS of the later models so that may well be what I will do. Decision will only be made based entirely now on whether Stanza works in iOS6. And although I have access to the GM of that, the download will take over 15 hours and I am simply not interested in being *that* keen.

I've rambled. Just woke from the afternoon nanna-nap.

 

[macjim]

I'm underwhelmed this time round. Its nice, but I dont much like the long skinny screen. The innards sound ok, camera features are improved, but overall, meh. I can't afford to replace my 3GS yet anyway, so I'll be having to make a decision sometime... just not yet.

See Jonathan Ive talking about it on the iphone page, and the link to the keynote is there, as well.
Apple - iPhone 5 - The thinnest, lightest, fastest iPhone ever.

Yes, me too but as I have an old iPhone 4, I've decided to order a white 16gb sim free and use my existing contract. I've also ordered the Applecare and 16 pin > new dock connector too. Just awaiting the confirmation email from apple!


Cheers, Macjim.

 

[Amin]

Sue, I'm with you. I was expecting something more interesting than this, and I don't like the long skinny screen either. I think the 4" screen was probably ideal for most people and would have liked to see them split the line into two models: 4" and 4.8" both at the same aspect ratio and featuring a different design aesthetic than the current 4" model. That plus the introduction of a new iOS version with widgets would have been pretty sweet.

 

[macjim]

Sue, I'm with you. I was expecting something more interesting than this, and I don't like the long skinny screen either. I think the 4" screen was probably ideal for most people and would have liked to see them split the line into two models: 4" and 4.8" both at the same aspect ratio and featuring a different design aesthetic than the current 4" model. That plus the introduction of a new iOS version with widgets would have been pretty sweet.

I'd have loved them to have offered two models too, but one with a slide-out keyboard. I get frustrated with the touch screen keyboard.


Cheers, Macjim.

 

[Andrewteee]

The iPhone 5 sold out in an hour and it is now backordered for weeks. Apple stock went up. Bloomberg expects them to sell 58 million of them by the end of the year.

Dang, Apple can mint money.

 

[Luke]

too many people have too much money

 

[kyteflyer]

too many people have too much money

You aint kidding. I have a friend who was dedicated anti-Apple. That was until a year ago. His change of heart occurred when he took a new job in which most of his colleagues use Apple gear.. laptops, ipads, iMacs/MacPros, iPhones etc... So he bought a 15" MBP, specced up as far as it could be. I thought that would be an end to it. Then, his Samsung Galaxy SII screen broke when he dropped it, and one of his colleagues lent him a 3GS. A week later he had a new iPhone 4S (64GB of course). Since then, he has bought TWO thunderbolt screens, a Macbook Air 11" with top specs, an iPad 3 with top specs, a REtina display Macbook Pro with top specs, a Mac Mini with top specs (not the server edition) and yesterday, he was hanging out on the Apple site refreshing and refreshing so he could get his preorder in for iPhone 5. *Thats* what I call having too much money. or more money than sense. He also intends to buy a 27" iMac on the next hardware refresh, and I forgot to mention the iPod Nano he also bought a couple of months back. Oh... yeah... an Apple extreme base station and an Apple express, as well as wireless keyboards and mice (yes plural, he leaves some of his gear at the office so he doesnt have to cart it back and forth). There are probably other things. Nice to have an income to support paying off the CC every month before incurring interest.

 

[spinyman]

You aint kidding. I have a friend who was dedicated anti-Apple. That was until a year ago. His change of heart occurred when he took a new job in which most of his colleagues use Apple gear.. laptops, ipads, iMacs/MacPros, iPhones etc... So he bought a 15" MBP, specced up as far as it could be. I thought that would be an end to it. Then, his Samsung Galaxy SII screen broke when he dropped it, and one of his colleagues lent him a 3GS. A week later he had a new iPhone 4S (64GB of course). Since then, he has bought TWO thunderbolt screens, a Macbook Air 11" with top specs, an iPad 3 with top specs, a REtina display Macbook Pro with top specs, a Mac Mini with top specs (not the server edition) and yesterday, he was hanging out on the Apple site refreshing and refreshing so he could get his preorder in for iPhone 5. *Thats* what I call having too much money. or more money than sense. He also intends to buy a 27" iMac on the next hardware refresh, and I forgot to mention the iPod Nano he also bought a couple of months back. Oh... yeah... an Apple extreme base station and an Apple express, as well as wireless keyboards and mice (yes plural, he leaves some of his gear at the office so he doesnt have to cart it back and forth). There are probably other things. Nice to have an income to support paying off the CC every month before incurring interest.

WOW! I need to buy more lotto tickets.
I got my order in yesterday and they told me it will ship in 2-3 weeks.Like the new refresh and am looking forward to the siri voiced, turn by turn directions.
For me, an upgrade was a no brainer.The 4s fetches at least $250 used so no cost for the new phone, just a renewed contract.