Apple's first iPhone 4 fail

[mbell75]

It just went on pre order an hour ago (1am/4am) and people are already going crazy on the Apple forums, why? Only the black iPhone is available for pre order. The white version they have been showing off lately wont be available till the summer! I guess tons of people waited up for nothing because they cant even order it. Aint that a kick in the nuts!

 

[Pryomancer]

I guess that is pretty shitty. Weren't the original iPhones (2g, 3g and 3gs) generally black though, like that was their colour? I know Apple always had white for iPods, Macbooks etc, but iPhones to me are more familar as black.

Then again, it's just a colour, it shouldn't matter.

 

[tmccarty]

Both of um

 

[mpw]

LOL, you're not really gonna count only being available in one colour for pre-order as a failure!?

 

[Caddyman]

LOL, you're not really gonna count only being available in one colour for pre-order as a failure!?

but of course he is, i mean think about how many colors the EVO or INC came out in, and all on the same day as release too.

 

[Cajun83]

Then again, it's just a colour, it shouldn't matter.

For 200-300 bucks the color does matter if they offer more than one color though. Not that I prefer white but its the idea of it. Ohh, lookey here... we have this fancy new white iPhone... hurry up and order one... but you can't order the white one... not yet anyway... so order the black one for now...

but of course he is, i mean think about how many colors the EVO or INC came out in, and all on the same day as release too.

The EVO wasn't demo'd in white... and released only in black though.

Pretty standard Apple antics...

Show one thing and then release another... with the hopes that the die hards will dump their original equipment for the minor differences in the second release.

 

[mpw]

...Pretty standard Apple antics...

OMG you're hilarious!

They demoed a phone in white, yet it isn't be available in white for pre-order and this is a failure!?

Lots of products have staggered availability.

What would you be saying if they hadn't demoed it in white, then took the pre-orders for black, and a week after delivery announced that white was now available? You'd be calling for a class action for people who bought black because they didn't know white was going to be available probably!

Nice to see that Apple have seemingly unlocked the phone now though; at least in the UK/Europe.

 

[Cajun83]

Lots of products have staggered availability.

What would you be saying if they hadn't demoed it in white, then took the pre-orders for black, and a week after delivery announced that white was now available? You'd be calling for a class action for people who bought black because they didn't know white was going to be available probably!

Sure, tons of products have staggered availability... but name one other company that demo's a product in one color only.... then doesn't release it in that color first. Name one. C'mon. I know you can do it.

 

[mpw]

...name one other company that demo's a product in one color only.... then doesn't release it in that color first. Name one...

You know I can't think of an example of what you ask... maybe I have better things to do, but then you're not really asking a fair question, as Apple can't be accused of doing this either.

They didn't demo only the white iPhone 4, in fact I can't be sure without running through the keynote again, but I think the major part of the demo was using a black iPhone 4.

Both the iPhone4s shown on Apple's website hoepage are in black, of the 12 iPhone4s shown on the iPhone's tab page 11(~92%) are black; they're hardly making out like the white is everywhere!

So if you want me to answer the more relevant and reasonable question of what company has demoed a product in a colour that wasn't available at launch? then I'm more than happy to oblige: Peugeot.

So now I've proven you right,

...C'mon. I know you can do it.

and your faith in my abilities is intact, please take my word that Apple not having a white iPhone 4 available to pre-order is no failing in them at all.

 

[toasty]

It just went on pre order an hour ago (1am/4am) and people are already going crazy on the Apple forums, why? Only the black iPhone is available for pre order. The white version they have been showing off lately wont be available till the summer! I guess tons of people waited up for nothing because they cant even order it. Aint that a kick in the nuts!

Wow, that's a reach.

 

[mpw]

Wow, that's a reach.

I think it's quite a compliment to Apple that this is all people can find to whine about, never mind the price!

 

[Cajun83]

and your faith in my abilities is intact, please take my word that Apple not having a white iPhone 4 available to pre-order is no failing in them at all.

I never said they "failed". I just called it apple antics. Like releasing the 2nd Gen iPod Touch with bluetooth hardware, sans software, and then later charging folks ten bucks for a software update if they want it to actually work.

iPod Shuffle with proprietary headphones, charging $100 a year to sync your multiple apple devices with MobileMe...when you already have purchase MULTIPLE APPLE PRODUCTS... yup, certainly no antics there...

 

[Pryomancer]

I think it's quite a compliment to Apple that this is all people can find to whine about, never mind the price!

• Claiming they've invented the video chat, when it's been around for years
• The video chat is only available on wifi and only to other iPhone 4's
• the 'retina display' is a false claim
• the OS is closed
• you only program in what Apple wants you to
• the app store is strictly controlled
• no Flash
• non-removable battery
• no improvement on internal memory
• no expandable memory
• glass case is too fragile (still not convinced by this, but it has been tested on a hollow case)
• iOS4 doesn't have multitasking (no matter what Apple say)
• screen is too small, still at 3.5"
• force you to use iTunes (is this still true? not sure on this)
• less customisation than other phone OS's
• Apple bricks your iPhone if you jailbreak it

Enough for you?

 

[mrspeedmaster]

The biggest fail right now is the fact both ATT and Apple web stores are intermittently down. There is so much freaking traffic.

 

[mpw]

I never said they "failed". I just called it apple antics...

Title of this thread is that it is a failure, you've tried to imply that by announcing that something will be available in more than one colour is the same as omitting the software to run the hardware in their products?? I think you'd have something a tiny bit like a point if Apple hadn't announced a white handset, and then released after launching the black only, but as they haven't done that, you don't. I think you showed tacit support for the theme of the thread, maybe because you're annoyed at Apple's practices over other things and issues, but you've specifically decided to rail against them not making the white handset available for pre-order. That's just funny to me, and back-pedal all you want saying you weren't talking about the colour, but I really think it's clear you were.

 

[mpw]

...Enough for you?

Oh absolutely, in fact I'd place many of the points you highlight above even the pre-order colour choice deficit outrage!

 

[vbetts]

• Claiming they've invented the video chat, when it's been around for years
• I'll give you this.
• The video chat is only available on wifi and only to other iPhone 4's
• Too much bandwidth for a 3g network.
• the 'retina display' is a false claim
• How?
• the OS is closed
• I don't like how the OS is closed, but the Iphone OS is pretty stable.
• you only program in what Apple wants you to
• Well, you pay to get approved.
• the app store is strictly controlled
• I'd rather have it controlled than having nothing but porn apps. Google has some control in the Android Market, Palm app store has no control and as filled with nothing but porn apps. Plus, if Apple approves the app submission, you know it'll actually work.
• no Flash
• Not all Android phones have it either, and Palm has done nothing but shown off flash on their phones.
• non-removable battery
• Unless it's a phone with terrible battery like my Samsung Moment, you don't need to improve it.
• no improvement on internal memory
• 16 gb of memory isn't enough? I've got a 16gb card in my Moment and I haven't even begun to fill it up. I know phones with microSD slots can change out the memory cards, but hardly anybody changes out their memory cards as it is unless it's a 2gb card.
• no expandable memory
• See above.
• glass case is too fragile (still not convinced by this, but it has been tested on a hollow case)
• Then you can't really use this as a complaint then.
• iOS4 doesn't have multitasking (no matter what Apple say)
• Truth be told, you don't need a lot of multitasking on a phone. What are you gonna do really, get online, listen to music, make a call?
• screen is too small, still at 3.5"
• The average screen size is around 3", not too many phones have bigger screens.
• force you to use iTunes (is this still true? not sure on this)
• I don't like Itunes, but it does actually work.
• less customisation than other phone OS's
• You can change your wallpaper, change dock items, and change where the apps are. That's really all you need.
• Apple bricks your iPhone if you jailbreak it
• They haven't for years now. I've got my Iphone 2g jailbroken and I can use Itunes and all no problems.

Enough for you?

So I put my input in on the Iphone. And, it kind of gets me when people complain about the Iphone about the little things. Not that the battery life sucks, or updates by the service provider are slow and not really complete, but the pre-order isn't coming in white? Iphone maybe closed, but it's not broken. And I love my Moment, but if Sprint had the Iphone, I would use the Iphone over anything. That's my issue with the Iphone, is service provider selection here is realistically, 1? Android is on all major service providers. That's all an issue, because the service provider along side the manufacturer of the phone control the release of the updates for the phone. Google may put out Android updates, but they don't make them for the phones. Apple puts out updates on time as promised, now it sucks that the 2g and the 3g aren't getting the new Iphone update, but they're still pretty stable.

 

[3devious]

It's funny, when I first saw the demo, I thought "That looks pretty cool, too bad it comes in that tacky color..." I am pleased that it won't come out of the gate looking like that.

I still don't plan to get one, but at least I like it better. I liked the size/aspect ratio of it much better. 802.11 N is great and maybe by the time I get a phone that supports it, Verizon will sell me a router that supports N for my FiOS like all of my other devices (except that janky PS3.)

I look forward to the iPhone 4 even if a version of it never comes to VZW, it will be incentive for the competition to keep improving (like more HDMI out, wireless N, more more MORE resolution and I can keep getting bigger and bigger SD cards.)

Apple: Keep working it.

Everyone else: Work it even harder!

 

[toasty]

vbetts already offered a response on this, but just to supplement it a bit...

• the OS is closed
• you only program in what Apple wants you to
• the app store is strictly controlled
  
  These three are all related -- yes, the OS is closed and Apple is strict about what apps are available, but the trade off is that you know that when you run an app on an iPhone, it's going to play well with the OS and the other apps on the phone. Moreover, I've never heard anyone complain that this control results in a lack of options -- FFS there are tens of thousands of iPhone apps available -- except for people that for some reason like to watch porn on a 3.5 inch screen.
  
  
• non-removable battery
  
  I'd be a lot more fired up about this if the battery life was a big issue -- which is very much the case with my Hero -- such that I might want to change the battery.
  
  
• force you to use iTunes (is this still true? not sure on this)
  
  No, you can use WinAmp, Songbird, and probably some other programs as well.
  

Enough for you?

 

[Pryomancer]

You're right, and I'm not completely anti-Apple. It has its strong points, clearly, otherwise it wouldn't be talked about so much, and top end phones are compared to an iPhone almost to quantify how successful they are.

 

[Snow_Fox]

For what it is worth...

I actually have to thank mbell at this point..

even if I think the white iphone looks horrible and don't want one.. The fact is that when it comes to how much that little thing cost.. You better be able to choose black or white just like every other phone to my knowledge..

And I really think we need to lay out some ground rules for these apple discussions.. but, thats another thread..

 

[3devious]

You guys realize he wasn't really complaining, he was just throwing that out for you all to jump on, right?

Oh, and Toasty, you talk about watching pornos on a small screen like it's a bad thing... A guy would watch it on a screen the size of a microSD card if they made them. Don't be such a hater. lol.

I love how people try to make you feel dirty for having freedom. If the fact that it is somehow easier to get porn on an open device is Steve Jobs' main talking point for defending Apple's stingy content policies, he really should get into politics. The strawman argument works very well there.

There will be plenty of iPhone 4 fail. Most devices have issues, starting a jihad over something that almost doesn't even exist yet is pretty pointless, but what am I saying? This is the internet. Everything is serious business.

 

[byteware]

The video chat is only available on wifi and only to other iPhone 4's
Too much bandwidth for a 3g network.

Then it's too much bandwidth for a phone.

the 'retina display' is a false claim
How?

The claim that it is the maximum number of pixels that the retina can recognize is a false claim. That was determined by people much smarter than I

you only program in what Apple wants you to
Well, you pay to get approved.

What? You pay to get approved, so Apple can force you to use their platform to code in? That's your argument in favor of it?

the app store is strictly controlled
I'd rather have it controlled than having nothing but porn apps. Google has some control in the Android Market, Palm app store has no control and as filled with nothing but porn apps. Plus, if Apple approves the app submission, you know it'll actually work.

You don't have to strictly control the app store in order to prevent porn apps. There are no porn apps in the Market, without Apple's Nazi style control.


no Flash
Not all Android phones have it either, and Palm has done nothing but shown off flash on their phones.

So, your argument is... the competition doesn't all have it either? Really?

non-removable battery
Unless it's a phone with terrible battery like my Samsung Moment, you don't need to improve it.

That's the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard. If your phone usage means the battery doesn't last the day, then yes... you need a removable battery. Heck, I replaced mine on the Eris, and it lasts longer than my brother's iPhone

no improvement on internal memory
16 gb of memory isn't enough? I've got a 16gb card in my Moment and I haven't even begun to fill it up. I know phones with microSD slots can change out the memory cards, but hardly anybody changes out their memory cards as it is unless it's a 2gb card.

You only have 16GB of data? I have more songs than that. I also have plenty more family photos and videos than that. Just because you don't use that much, doesn't mean the rest of us should be limited to it

glass case is too fragile (still not convinced by this, but it has been tested on a hollow case)
Then you can't really use this as a complaint then.

Since it is likely worse with the internals added, yeah... he can use it as a complaint

iOS4 doesn't have multitasking (no matter what Apple say)
Truth be told, you don't need a lot of multitasking on a phone. What are you gonna do really, get online, listen to music, make a call?

I personally go online, and while the page loads, I play a video game, while listening to Pandora, but that's just me personally. Just because you never would use the function, doesn't mean that it isn't VERY useful

force you to use iTunes (is this still true? not sure on this)
I don't like Itunes, but it does actually work.

Sometimes. It's an absolutely god awful program. If you don't know that, then I don't know what to say.

less customisation than other phone OS's
You can change your wallpaper, change dock items, and change where the apps are. That's really all you need.

I want to thank both you and Steve Jobs for deciding for the rest of us, what we really need.

Apple bricks your iPhone if you jailbreak it
They haven't for years now. I've got my Iphone 2g jailbroken and I can use Itunes and all no problems.

So, your argument here is. "They haven't done that in awhile, and while they took the position that they were clearly justified in bricking all of those jailbroken iPhones, I believe that they won't do it again (even though they haven't said that they wouldn't)"?

I'm sorry, I just don't find that a credible argument

Enough for you?

 

[3devious]

Please if you are posting a rebuttal, make your comments appear significantly different from what you are replying to. Those of us using ghetto browsers think that you're having some sort of schizophrenic argument with yourself.

 

[kutsushita]

Sure, tons of products have staggered availability... but name one other company that demo's a product in one color only.... then doesn't release it in that color first. Name one. C'mon. I know you can do it.

Nintendo with the multiple wii colours.

Care to be a d*ck further?