Articles by Mike Overbo
Apple is apparently very nearly finished with re-encoding EMI’s catalog of music and may be releasing it tomorrow, May 30.
AT&T’s old Unity plan (it used to be their complicated unlimited plan), is apparently on the way back after being gone for several years. They intend to simplify it and offer it as one of the plans available for the iPhone, though AT&T declined to elaborate on the nitty-gritty details of the as-of-yet-unveiled plan.
There’s a lengthy interview with Brian Lurie, the iPhone project lead at AT&T, at the Seattle Times website. It’s a good interview, confirming several things that I’ve been reading before that were previously unsubstantiated. For example, the 5-year exclusive we’ve heard about is confirmed by Mr. Lurie.
The interview is a bit short — Brian Lurie is obviously keeping mum about his favorite features, though he absolutely gushes about widgets and the browser, and has some good things to say about the price point and convergence devices. It doesn’t read too much like a marketing interview, so I’d say it’s definitely worth it. [via]
According to what an analyst claimed to be on CNBC show “On the Money,” the iPhone has a confirmed launch date of June 20th. Apple tends to release products on Tuesdays and Fridays, which has caused doubt in some. I’m not aware if AT&T / Cingular has a specific release day for new devices.
I’m a big Lost fan. I was introduced to the series by my wife; we watched the season finale yesterday with a group of friends as we always do (no spoilers). We both enjoy the show. It’s my favorite show on major networks. I’m a Lost fan.
So, when I found out that one of my favorite mobile game companies Gameloft converted their great-looking Lost for mobile phones to the Lost iPod game (iTunes link), I had to try it. Right then and there, goodbye $5. So the question remains, how was it?
After seeing videos of the iPhone, 90% of those surveyed agree that they think the iPhone is better than their current handset (except for texting, and that one is close). 40% of those surveyed thought it would be “much better across key functional categories– including music player, web browsing, voice mail, and phone call management.” Strategy Analytic’s press release doesn’t list margin or error or sample size, but that’s not enough to put me in the ‘doubter’ camp.
I posted a quick blurb yesterday about how some folks expect the iPhone to cure some of the industry’s handset ills — finally, clueless handset makers will have a yardstick by which to measure their products. Well, the readers have responded, and there are some good sound-offs there. The believers believe, the luddites don’t want a phone anyway, and some folks gripe of 3G. In time, in time.
According to an article which cites no sources, the iPhone is “certain” to get GPS chips put in around 2008. I’m a fan, I think integrated GPS will be one of the killer apps on mobile phones. I wouldn’t necessarily put too much faith in this particular rumor, though. Even if it does get GPS in 2008.
And the only prescription, according to UK IT website The Register, is more iPhone.
“What could be more scary than an organisation capable of working in total secrecy, with a track record of creating highly desirable products, headed by a man who’s beaten cancer and an SEC investigation and comes equipped with a Reality Distortion Field that would make Darth Vader jealous. Frankly, its just what the doctor ordered for this very sick industry.”
There’s a good summary of the carrier industry over at USA Today, which helps explain why the iPhone (and other phones with cult followings) are so important to the carriers: 73% of the U.S. households already have a mobile phone, and the carriers largely have to steal customers from each other. That’s why they try to lock you into a two year contract, and hit you with conract breakage fees when you leave. The iPhone is potentially doubly potent, as evidenced by the 5 year exclusive deal with AT&T — if you want the Apple iPhone, you will have to go to AT&T to get it. iPhone aficionados will likely be stuck on AT&T for a long time.
So, the carriers need the shiniest shiny toys to drag you away. The article also covers the old news that Verizon passed on the iPhone, unwilling to cave in to Apple’s demands. I’m glad to hear that deal didn’t go through — I’ve not been fond of Verizon in the past, and they have this nasty habit of locking up abilities on their phones that other carriers leave open. [via TreoCentral forums]
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