Well, we’ve been expecting this for some time, and this morning at Macworld Apple CEO Steve Jobs didn’t disappoint. While unveiling some other pretty exciting new products (Apple TV, in particular), Jobs floored attendees with pictures of the iPhone, a device that may very well change more than just mobile telecommunications.
As expected – or wished for – the iPhone does a lot more than store 100 songs while acting as an otherwise regular cell phone. Instead, it blows Motorola devices like the ROKR and RAZR out of the water. Now, we can’t be sure everything will work seamlessly – that won’t be clear until it hits store shelves in June – but pictures show everything from episodes of the Office to QWERTY keyboards to news headlines. That’s all besides the music and connectivity to iTunes.
The most important detail about the iPhone is the complete lack of numbers or keys. That’s because it uses a touch screen; we’re not talking one small area, but the entire thing. By using this kind of interface, it’ll allow users to quickly and seamlessly switch from music to movies to TV to internet viewing.
Apple answered the most important question by announcing a price of $599 with a two year contract. Considering everything under the hood here, that’s probably about as low as Apple can go without putting poor Mr. Jobs out of work.
In essence, the iPhone erases the need for an iPod, Apple’s flagship device.
Notable iPhone features:
Prices:
Ships: U.S. in June, Europe in October, Asia in 2008.
So much for that Zune thing.
