iPhone shown off at CTIA -- by AT&T COO

Hey, hey, iPhone fans, guess what. The iPhone is like, totally here at CTIA. The bad news? It's not exactly tethered to a display case or even enclosed in glass as it was at MWSF -- it was dutifully and briefly whipped out by AT&T COO Randall Stephenson, who showed an iPhone demo video and let everybody know AT&T had received over a million customer inquiries regarding the device. How many of those will transform into sales we don't know, but damned if they don't have peoples' attention.

[Allen @ Mar 27th 2007 5:35PM]

it looks so pretty....mhmmmm

Looks like a bunch of fingerprints on the bottom though....

I like the size of it nice fit

[McGinley @ Mar 27th 2007 5:37PM]

Its funny,so much hype before it happened.And now,nobody seems to really care anymore.

I think we need a new rumour.Apple games console anyone?

[Todd @ Mar 27th 2007 6:03PM]

iPhone rumor? OK...

Apple TV will be able ( with a firmware upgrade ) to "sling" live video to iPhones. How's that?

Reminder to future iPhone users ( I would like one too ) that the AT&T Wireless "unlimited" data plan is limited to 2GB a month.

[Simon North @ Mar 27th 2007 5:58PM]

Apple's goods are always popular, even if it seems quiet, once this launches to the public, it will be snapped up, I wouldn't be suprised if people will be queuing in their thousands (maybe millions???), it sure does look good, but then again what do you expect its from Apple

[Bob @ Mar 27th 2007 6:43PM]

You forgot that they will "have" to charge $1 for that feature because they didn't initially say it could do that.

[saschaisking @ Mar 29th 2007 12:41AM]

and where in the terms of service did you find this?

http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-service/legal/plan-terms.jsp

there are the terms of service. please show me where you see that it is limited to 2GB in the unlimited plan.

[nizzy1115 @ Mar 27th 2007 6:16PM]

I used to think how cool this phone would be. But now i realize how crippled it will actually be. I will stick with Motorola for now, no thank you apple.

[humpty @ Mar 27th 2007 6:29PM]

That guy has MONSTER hands.. the wii is the size of a full PDA.. it aint small.

[humpty @ Mar 27th 2007 6:29PM]

That guy has MONSTER hands.. the iphone is the size of a full PDA.. it aint small.

[Chris @ Mar 27th 2007 6:41PM]

Looking at it when under the impression that his hands are huge really makes them look like baseball mitts. The man has a pimp hand.

[andrew harrison @ Mar 27th 2007 10:10PM]

uhmmmm want to check that?

it's 0.4" (1cm) taller than an iPod. It's 0.9" (2.3cm) thinner than an 80GB iPod, and 0.3" (0.7cm) thicker than the 30GB. It's exactly the same width as the iPod.

that's pretty small in my book

[rhett lee @ Mar 27th 2007 6:30PM]

Does it look smaller now than it used to, or is it just me/camera angle?

[Ignacio @ Mar 27th 2007 6:41PM]

There is something odd with that picture, look at the large size version:
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=436408761&context=set-72157600028391740&size=o

The background seems to show through, whereas on Apple's site it doesn't:
Not to mention the size difference (that's a *large* hand I guess, or a small hand in Apple's picture)

[rhett lee @ Mar 27th 2007 6:46PM]

You can see the background. Even if his hands are big, that looks like a really big difference in size. That, along with the fact that you can see the background (which, to me, is cooler than before...only being able to see your background when the phone is locked???) makes me think that the final release version will have several differences than the one portrayed in the keynote.

[Matt @ Mar 27th 2007 6:51PM]

Looks like a bad PS job. Those hads must have been holding 1st gen ipod shuffle or a nano or something.

[Sy @ Mar 27th 2007 7:15PM]

Your comments: Is it me or did the iPhone shrank? Maybe the guy holding it is a freaking
giant.

[Ben Kessler @ Mar 27th 2007 7:16PM]

You guys are mentally challenged or something? The iPhone is small! His hands might be slightly large but literally, thats how big its going to look in yours.

[Dan Kuehling @ Mar 27th 2007 7:17PM]

Funny- the display on that one still says "Cingular".

[Matt @ Mar 27th 2007 7:20PM]

My cingular phone still says cingular as the provider even though its att now. It should change eventually.

[WiLDcAt @ Mar 27th 2007 7:36PM]

So what happened with Cingular and AT&T? Did AT&T buy them out or did they merge? So its AT&T in stead of Cingular. How did this happen. i mean AT&T was like the first cell phone network, and then they kinda left and now they're back.

[Steffen @ Mar 28th 2007 1:04AM]

Cingular bought out AT&T Wireless (co affiliation with AT&T) then changed it all to cingular, now the NEW at&t is transitioning from Cingular to at&t which is solely a name change nothing more nothing less.

[AirStrike X2 @ Mar 27th 2007 8:29PM]

See where it says "Randall Stephenson, who showed a video demo (not on the phone itself)" I think it means that the phone he was showing the demo on was NOT THE REAL iPhone. Real iPhone is bigger than it is shown in the picture above.

http://www.apple.com/iphone/technology/specs.html

[rhett lee @ Mar 27th 2007 9:39PM]

Pretty sure that means that he showed a demo video on a TV, not on the phone itself. Why would they give him a smaller, fake iPhone and have him show a demo of the REAL iPhone on the fake one? That wouldnt make sense

[greg Sciulli @ Mar 27th 2007 9:45PM]

IPHONE IS GONNA DESTROY THE COMPETITION. TOO BAD M$ FANBOYZZZZZ.

[Bryan Flocks @ Mar 28th 2007 12:35AM]

How sad that a totally juvenile comment like that is actually highly ranked. Either Apple fans are extremely immature or desperate.

The truth is the Iphone is not going to "DESTROY THE COMPETITION". For most cell phone users the price alone is deal breaker. For people in the smart phone market, they need a device that works with their workplace and with other smart phones. This isn't it. As far as "M$" (as if Apple isn't doing it for the money) is concerned, their OS for phones is well entrenched to even pretend that a 1st gen phone from a company that has made ZERO in the past will have an impact. Yes Apple fanatics will buy one to look "Apple cool", but trendiness in this market dies fast when you have to do real work with one.

And before you go into the "That's what they said about the iPod" remember that this is a 600.00 phone + fees, not a 60 - $120.00 mp3 player. eople arent going to all of a sudden discover they need an expensive cell phone just because it has an Apple logo on it.

[craig @ Mar 27th 2007 10:32PM]

iPhone: 115 x 61 x 12 mm, 135g
Samsung BlackJack: 113 x 59 x 12 mm, 99g

Virtually the same maximum dimensions but the iPhone is 1/3 heavier (and the BlackJack is thinner over most if its length). It's easy to find pics of the BlackJack in the hand, like here: http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/samsung_blackjack/index.php?p=b1&g=body&h=dsc05740

Yes, there's something disturbing about this picture. I have big hands and a Samsung and that picture is a gross misrepresentation of the iPhone size.

"that's pretty small in my book"

Sorry, andrew, but the iPhone is not especially small for a cellphone. It would be small for a full QWERTY cellphone except it doesn't have a keyboard. The Prada phone is much smaller.

[andrew harrison @ Mar 27th 2007 11:23PM]

" It would be small for a full QWERTY cellphone except it doesn't have a keyboard."

except that it /does/ have a full qwerty keyboard.

[rhett lee @ Mar 27th 2007 10:43PM]

Lets just all agree that whether the iPhone is big or small is completely determined by personal preference. It it quite a bit bigger than my curren SE w810i but also about half as thick. As far as the Prada? Yes, it is much smaller but I would much rather have something a little bigger with an Apple badge (not to mention the added benefits of all of the OSX functionality and looks!) over a small, petite phone with the Prada name (a name reserved for women's shoes and clothing. But, even though it may seem big, everything I have read said it feels good in your hands; plus I think most of would lover to have our iPods make phone calls. I know I do.

[sethmo @ Mar 27th 2007 10:43PM]

Why you would want a fully touchscreen cell phone is beyond me.

[craig @ Mar 28th 2007 2:09PM]

"except that it /does/ have a full qwerty keyboard."

Keep telling yourself that, andrew. Apple zealots will believe anything. By your logic, EVERY cell phone has a full QWERTY keyboard.

Incidently, the iPhone is a nice size--just not particularly small for a cell phone. Why someone would want to make it seem Nano-sized is beyond me.

Even David Pogue is now realizing the folly that is Apple's multitouch hype:

http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/the-multi-touch-screen/

"Now, the truth is, the maximum number of fingers that the iPhone recognizes is exactly 2. And even then, you use this feature in only one instance: to enlarge or reduce a photo, Web page or e-mail message on the screen; it’s not like there are all kinds of multi-touch gestures to learn. So “multi-touch interface” might be stretching it a bit."

The claim that multitouch will revolutionize cellphones is classic Apple BS. It's damn-near worthless.

[Seth Bogart @ Mar 27th 2007 11:34PM]

Frak the iPhone and all the Apple fanboys!

[Kllr Wolf @ Mar 28th 2007 1:22AM]

That is the iphone? I thought it was a different brand. I saw a phone that looked just like it at the store the other day. I did figure out using it that without a regular keypad, I have no interest in it.

[pronomad76 @ Mar 28th 2007 1:44AM]

I just want one please...

[TechGuy @ Mar 28th 2007 10:12AM]

Did anyone notice that iTV quietly became Apple TV after it was launched.

[rhett lee @ Mar 28th 2007 11:07AM]

actually they changed it to appleTV at the keynote.

[Cliff @ Mar 28th 2007 1:34PM]

I tossed my Cingular 8125 and bypassed the 8525 because of a touchscreen interface for dialing (the sliding keyboard is a joke for one handed operation)... touchscreens are fun at first... but the novelty fades really fast when you want to dial a number without looking at the device, for example, while driving... I got the Palm Treo 750 instead and I couldn't be happier...

[andrew harrison @ Mar 29th 2007 2:32AM]

my dear craig,

the iPhone is yet to be released. The only knowledge of it any of use have to go by is that of journalists and analysts that have used the prototype, at least 3 months before it will be released - that's a lot of development time.

You saying that it won't work is just as hyperbolic as me saying it will. I haven't seen a report from someone who has actually used the device that has said it doesn't work as advertised.

And for the record, I'm not an Apple zealot. I love my Macbook Pro, but, for example, I wouldn't bother with the TV, it's a waste of money if you ask me.

I live in Australia, so I won't even have a chance to get the iPhone before the full slew of reports about it come out, but you can bet safely that I won't be changing my contract to accommodate it any time soon if it sucks.

[craig @ Mar 29th 2007 10:03AM]

"You saying that it won't work is just as hyperbolic as me saying it will."

Except that I've seen the demo of the keyboard so I know how it works and I've owned a phone that provided a similar function. I know that the keyboard doesn't make use of multitouch and I also know the claim that the keys are farther apart than current competition has to be a lie. There are just as many keys across the iPhone and the iPhone is as narrow as the narrowest full keyboard competition. Finally, unlike other soft keyboards the iPhone doesn't respond to a stylus so you're stuck with your fat fingers. No hyperbole coming from me, just facts. You, on the other hand, claim that there is a full keyboard on the iPhone when there is no keyboard at all.

"I haven't seen a report from someone who has actually used the device that has said it doesn't work as advertised."

Of course you haven't...and you won't. Why would Apple allow that?

There will be no objective reviews of the iPhone until they can be purchased on the open market. Even then, there's no promise of objectivity. I rarely read an honest review of a cell phone.

"And for the record, I'm not an Apple zealot."

Perhaps not, but you play one on Engadget. Why else would you argue that the iPhone is a full QWERTY keyboard device when it has no keyboard at all? Every phone that does text has a means of entering text. That doesn't mean they all have full keyboads.

[rhett lee @ Mar 28th 2007 4:20PM]

Do you know what "QWERTY" means? Every cell phone does not have a full qwerty keyboard by ANYONE'S logic...not even his. Technically speaking the iPhone does have it because of the QWERTY layout. Most cellphones have an alphibetical layout...so technically, he is correct. It just happens to be a virtual keyboard. And how do you know that "multitouch" is worthless? Have you tried it? You are most certainly entitled to your opinion but you cannot make a blanket statement such as that until you have actually tested it out.

[rhett lee @ Mar 28th 2007 4:23PM]

Plus pogue praises multitouch at the end of that article you posted there. No, not the iPhone speciffically, but you may want to be carefull what sources you site that "back up" your claim of "multitouch" being "worthless.

[J @ Mar 28th 2007 7:31PM]

I agree that multi-touch is worthless. I've never had to use more than one thumb to use a cellphone and I'm not about to relearn that just so I can zoom in on some low-res pics of drunken exploits sent to me from friends phones.

[andrew harrison @ Mar 29th 2007 10:34AM]

see, I disagree.

I'd say a full size qwerty keyboard is any keyboard that is big enough to use individual keys with your fingers, and has a full QWERTY layout.

I know the concept of an input device on a screen might be a little hard to grasp, but it's a keyboard. I never said that any input device is a full qwerty keyboard. My phone's T9 keypad certainly isn't.

i'm not playing an apple zealot anywhere, craig. i'm disagreeing with your point.

your anti-apple [or at least anti-iphone] zealousness has been reasonably clear from the start, but you win the prize with your "Apple are liars and also they are controlling the media" statements. I hope your foil hat fits well.

But, you've seen the videos of the iPhone so you know how it works. I'll trust the people that have actually used it over you, thank you very much.

Like I said, if, come June, Apple has hyped this up to be more than it is, I'm not even going to bother looking at it, let alone consider buying one when they are released here.

Anyway, I'm done with you. My spam filter caught the last notification email, but I managed to see it in the junk mailbox before I emptied it. I can't guarantee I'll see a reply to this post, so I wish you good luck with your anti-Apple Zealotry, and I hope you enjoy whatever mobile phone products you choose to purchase in the future, whether they have keyboards or not.

[craig @ Mar 29th 2007 12:26PM]

"I'd say a full size qwerty keyboard is any keyboard that is big enough to use individual keys with your fingers, and has a full QWERTY layout.

I know the concept of an input device on a screen might be a little hard to grasp, but it's a keyboard. I never said that any input device is a full qwerty keyboard. My phone's T9 keypad certainly isn't."

In order to be a keyboard it has to have keys. I know the concept might be a little hard to grasp...

BTW, I've owned a phone with only a soft keyboard. I "grasp" it in all its suckiness.

Anyway, define a keyboard in any way you choose. Nothing like a refusal to speak in common terms to put an end to an argument.

"your anti-apple [or at least anti-iphone] zealousness has been reasonably clear from the start, but you win the prize with your "Apple are liars and also they are controlling the media" statements. I hope your foil hat fits well."

Actually, I originally only objected to the iPhone being characterized as being small. For a cell phone, the iPhone is not small. I do think it's a good size. It's virtually the same size as mine and I like mine.

Apple does lie and they do control the media. I'm not being zealous in that respect, I'm being realistic. Apple is lying about multitouch, about the keyboard, about Google maps being somehow special to them, about "reinventing" the phone, etc. It's just another keypad-less phone with a nice screen, pretty graphics, and iTunes integration. It'll be a great fashion statement for Apple fans but it won't be great for anyone who needs to do serious text input. Phones have evolved to have real keyboards for a reason (you know, the kind with keys).

"But, you've seen the videos of the iPhone so you know how it works."

Yes, that's true. Unlike Apple rah-rahs, I actually paid attention. I noticed the near total absence of multitouch in the UI. I noticed the keyboard was no different from competitive devices, I noticed the lack of iChat. I noticed nothing that I can't already do except for syncing with iTunes. It offers an iPod connector. That's all that's truly new. Otherwise, it's just pretty.

"I'll trust the people that have actually used it over you, thank you very much."

Yes, because I don't agree with your preconceived notions of what an Apple product must be. Sure you're not an Apple zealot. Who's used it but Steve Jobs? Even Pogue, a notorious Apple zealot, offers criticism for Apple's iPhone hyperbole:

http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/the-multi-touch-screen/

You see, even an Apple zealot can see the truth if they're willing to look at the iPhone half-way objectively. You might try it.

"Like I said, if, come June, Apple has hyped this up to be more than it is, I'm not even going to bother looking at it, let alone consider buying one when they are released here."

Don't recall you ever saying that, but go ahead and pretend to be reasonable now. I don't forget that you claimed that the iPhone had a full QWERTY keyboard.

"I can't guarantee I'll see a reply to this post..."

What a shame, and you offer such reasonable discourse, too.

[rhett lee @ Mar 29th 2007 1:15PM]

you guys are rediculous......I don't think anyone has ever argued this much over a phone. Who the h*** cares? If you think it's going to be cool and you like what they have done in the past and what it looks likt they have done in this iPhone (like I do) then buy it and use it and be happy. If you think that it is the stupidest thing you've ever seen and you think Apple is a crap company (despite growing popularity, market share, stock prices, company revenue, profits per year and I could go on and on) then don't buy it. Obviously neither one of you is going to convince the other to agree with your opinion (which, by the way, is all either of you has expressed--you mention Pogue, but even he has only expressed an opinion) so give up, get on with the rest of your Apple Loving/Apple Hating lives. Andrew can wait until June to decide if he wants an iPhone and Craig can wait until who-knows-when to buy himself a shiney new Zune Phone (you say Apple lied about iPhone because the keyboard doesn utilize multitouch? What about MS when they make it seem like you can just give people your songs for FREE but they NEVER say anything about the fact that you can only listen to them on YOUR ZUNE and only 3 TIMES?? Yes it's different, no the ipod cant do it but still, that is boarderline false advertising and everyone knows it.

[dataraper @ Mar 29th 2007 2:02PM]

My guess is the reason they don't have an openly accessible iPhone to play with is that there are still tons of firmware bugs. Also, once the hardware is designed and created there isn't going to be a change in size. I don't have the actual specs on the device, however, what you see is what you'll get. Apple isn't going to create a monsterous device. It should be about the same size as a Blackberry 8100 but with a full screen.

[Jason Chen @ Mar 30th 2007 12:14AM]

check out these pics

http://worldofapple.com/photos/macworld07_weds10_danikaclearyiphone/

also note the bulge on the right hand side of the iphone. I hope it's only on the prototypes due to the connected cable for presentations.

[Athiskemon @ May 6th 2007 8:20AM]

I think iPhone will sooner not just be a phone but a UMPC, I think iPhone from apple is the first Apple UMPC. Because in the near future UMPC's will not just for entertainment but also be become your ultimate communication device. Just like the HTC shift umpc, which will feature a 3G phone. iPhone is just like a UMPC because it has Mac OSX and its a phone...only in the near future as iPhone becomes improvised and will support some various softwares, iPhone will become a PC. Just take a look at what Intel is planning to do with computers in the near future.

[jdawg45 @ Jun 5th 2007 7:39PM]

The iPhone is LAME whats so cool about it? scratches? cuz most americans own iPods anyways so why buy such an expensive phone that will play music?
come on people RAZR is where its at...

[Peter @ Jun 6th 2007 3:36PM]

Anyone heard of this thing coming to Canada?

[Athiskemon @ Jun 8th 2007 6:10PM]

Does iPhone have games???
Can we install games on it?? I hope there is.