Screen Size: 3.5" 160ppi 320x480 multi-touch

Now that everyone has settled and are probably out of Steve’s Reality Distortion Field, we can now evaluate this new device with more objectivity.

Is it revolutionary? Well, if it were the first one to introduce an all-touch screen mobile phone, then it’d be revolutionary. However, the LG KE850 beat it to the punch with its multi-touch, no keypad technology. That being said, however, Apple might just beat the KE850 to the market but June is still a long way.

But it still is revolutionary! Why? It is a 3-in-1 device as Steve mentioned; the full functionality of the iPod with a wider screen for better user experience. Selecting music is even better with CoverFlow, the same feature available on your desktop’s iTunes. With 4GB or 8GB, I am sure that you can leave that Nano at home but not if you are running with the Nike+iPod, of course. :)

The internet communicator feature is packed to the brim—a full Safari browser (but without Java) with superb zoom controls that is activated by double-tapping. E-mail is handled by its own Mail.app version. Google Maps, Yahoo Search and more are running on a modified version of Apple’s popular Mac OS X. This is a direct competitor to Microsoft’s Windows Mobile, Symbian, Palm OS and the upcoming Linux OS for mobile devices.

The mobile phone provides a different experience with the no-keypad user interface. Full keyboard is available for messaging but with the usual tactile feedback. While the tap on a name or photo is not new, the simplicity of how it is done is way above the rest in the market today.

I am sure that you are asking when this will be available here and how much will it cost. While I was monitoring the live coverage of MacRumors.com I heard that it would be USD499 and USD599 for the 4GB and 8GB respectively. Affordable? Think again; these prices are based on a 2-year Cingular subscription, which means that the device is actually subsidized already. So if ever Apple will release an open-line version, it will definitely be more expensive or will have less features. The lock-in indicates that it is not available outside of the US at least until Q4 of 2007 for Europe and 2008 for us in Asia. Bummer, huh?

Will I buy one? At first I was eager to pester my cousin in the US to get me one until I found out it was locked! Then I started to sour-grape and find faults, and I found many. I blogged about it at http://rom.feria.name/blog but I will write it here as well. I have reasons why it sucks. I am still hoping that Apple will change the specs come 2008, since it is a long way to go.

Reason 1. Not 3G. The iPhone supports GSM+EDGE. Many will argue that ince you have WiFi, it should be enough to cover your needs. Well, not if you are living outside of the US! Until we get the entire archipelago covered with WiFi, mobile phone technology still is the best alternative. EDGE is simply too slow and with WCDMA and HSDPA already being deployed, I do not see a reason not to use it.

Reason 2. 2 Megapixel, fixed focus, single camera. While I can live with 2 Megapixels, I wish that it were auto-focus and comes with another camera in front for video calling/conferencing/chatting. I mean, how can you interface with iChat, right? To some, this is important, to others it isn’t. For me, it is one reason but it is not a deal breaker.

Reason 3. Third-party application availability. Unfortunately, the iPhone comes locked, i.e., you cannot add any software OTA or via its sync cable. While it runs a variant of OS X, it would have been better if you can add more applications to it. I am sure that Apple will create a brand new market for third party mobile application developers. Oh well.

Reason 4. No Java ME. What is a phone without Java ME? Even the entry-level US $ 100 phones in the market today come with Java ME. Come on; US $ 500 and no Java ME?

Reason 5. Replaceable Battery. With 5-hours talk time, 16 hours audio playback and no mention its stand-by time, you are either bound to buy more chargers or more batteries. Wait; it does not come with a replaceable battery like the iPods. While the iPod is an entirely different beast, this one definitely needs a replaceable battery.

Reason 6. No OTA iTunes purchase or Wireless Sync. Wireless connectivity is being highlighted but the most basic operations, such as synchronization between device and computer, are not even available. Nor can you buy from the iTunes store over-the-air, when you are in the vicinity of a faster WiFi hotspot. I am guessing that this has something to do with DRM.

Reason 7. Locked. As I have mentioned earlier, the phone is locked to Cingular. I know that it can be unlocked but do you really want to void your warranty? I’d rather wait for 2008 and hope and pray that Apple will recognize the importance of the features that it left out - at least for the Asian market.

So there; before you rush and reserve one, think about these shortcomings. With more than 5 months to release, I am sure that Apple will improve the device before it gets to Cingular. For the meantime, I am preparing myself for the iPhone by getting a phone with a full QWERTY keyboard.