They think the iPhone is obsolete....do you?

[Filliam H. Muffman]

With the exception of the touch-screen and the really cool "browser" interface, most phones in Japan had more features than the iPhone over a year ago.

[ztirffritz]

The phone isn't the problem. It is the network. The Cellular network in the US is using 1960's technology still. Japan can swap out a few dozen cell towers and have the latest technology reaching about 80% of the population. It is more difficult in the US.

[BigGuynRusty]

[quote ztirffritz]The phone isn't the problem. It is the network. The Cellular network in the US is using 1960's technology still. Japan can swap out a few dozen cell towers and have the latest technology reaching about 80% of the population. It is more difficult in the US. Our country is too big!!
More like 1980's tech.
Also the NIMBY attitude doesn't help either,
Everyone wants a signal everywhere, but no one wants a tower near them.

BGnR

[Racer X]

"I want to make calls, read email, listen to voicemail, and control my robotic sharks with laser shooting out of their eyes....Is that so much to ask for?!?"

No, not at all. I want mine to control a canon that shoots bees.

why don't they make phones that are simply just a super bitching phone? Good sound, great reception, decent sized keys and long battery life.

[kj]

>>why don't they make phones that are simply just a super bitching phone? Good sound, great reception, decent sized keys and long battery life.

It's harder and it wouldn't sell worth a schist. kj.

[incognegro]

you can have the iPhone skin on your Moto phone now, if you want to hack it:
http://www.motox.info/showthread.php?t=35637

(i just grabbed the iPhone ringtone)

[RAMd®d]

I DON'T WANT TO BUY GAMES, RINGTONES, SCREENSAVERS, PICTURES.

NEWS FLASH: YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

All of that stuff is optional. Is this a great country or what?


It is all about marketing...

Well, that's really an exaggeration, isn't it. Marketing is a big part, but with out a product that performs, the ardor fades quickly.


why don't they make phones that are simply just a super bitching phone? Good sound, great reception, decent sized keys and long battery life.

I think the reasons are twofold- the NIMBY attitude that BG mentions, and the fact that most people seem to want a small phone. That means it's tougher to make it sensitive enough to receive a poor signal (due to lack of towers) and the hand helds are low power compared to the former 3W transportables, etc., with bigger antennas.

The fixes cost big money.

[Bill in NC]

3G (UTMS, H-somthing or other) data coverage is still a joke compared to EVDO coverage.

Sprint has been running commercials mocking Cingular's low-speed network (see the Superbowl ad on "Connectile Dysfunction"?)

I've had EVDO coverage (Verizon) in my town of barely 150,000 people for several months now.

Not likely we'll see broadband data on Cingular here anytime soon.

>I think the lack of 3G broadband speed is a mistake

[samintx]

[quote ztirffritz]I actually want fewer features on my cell phone. I just want it to be easier to use and not trapped in Cingular's greedy hands. I keep modifying my phone's menus to remove game demos and the Cingular Store and they keep putting it all back. I DON'T WANT TO BUY GAMES, RINGTONES, SCREENSAVERS, PICTURES. I want to make calls, read email, listen to voicemail, and control my robotic sharks with laser shooting out of their eyes....Is that so much to ask for?!?
I'm with you. I have a cell phone for one reason..to make and receive calls. I don't want all the clutter of the other stuff.

[walscobry]

Yes I do, the iphone is about 3 years to late for its specs and feature set.