Re: iPhone Day

1

I meant to wait for the second version, but my willpower gave out in March. Oh well.


Posted by: Dance | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 6:04 AM
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I figure by the time the I won't be required to wait in line for hours to buy one, I'll actually have made enough money to afford it. Here's to the $200 rumor coming true.


Posted by: destroyer | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 6:09 AM
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I got one as a birthday present, wrecking my cunning plan of waiting for iPhone 2 which I hear (SPOILERS!) will be ineffably more desirable and sleek than the original.


Posted by: snarkout | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 6:12 AM
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This is an unholy alliance.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 6:39 AM
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If mine was a birthday present to myself, does that make March not such bad timing?


Posted by: Dance | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 6:56 AM
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Please have Exchange support, so I can dump my work Blackberry. Please have Exchange support, so I can dump my work Blackberry.


Posted by: mike d | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:00 AM
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I actually bought one about six weeks ago and then returned it unopened after my pal in Philly berated me for not waiting a bit longer. So I've waited a bit longer.

Not much longer now!


Posted by: NCProsecutor | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:02 AM
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I speculate that the release of the new phone will be accompanied by a wave of derision at those who only seem to care about ease of use and functional design, to the exclusion of the number of buttons something has. I speculate that people who derided buyers of the original iPhone will buy the new one and insist that they were objectively right to wait. I speculate that some other people will say that they'd be happy to buy it if only it had 50 percent more battery life, twice the memory, was made of platinum and cost twenty five dollars.


Posted by: Gonerill | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:04 AM
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Please have Exchange support, so I can dump my work Blackberry. Please have Exchange support, so I can dump my work Blackberry.

It'll have Exchange support. We already know they licensed it. That'll be a software update, too, so Gen 1 phones will have it, too.


Posted by: Gonerill | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:05 AM
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The new phone will be slightly sleeker, come in fashion colors, and have a slightly better camera. People will be disappointed that 3G is not yet supported. GPS is unlikely. Everything else -- 3rd party apps including rad games, Exchange support, and video support -- will be available as a paid update for users of gen. 1 phones.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:11 AM
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Man, I totally want it to be awesome, but not too awesome. And I want it to look almost exactly the same so I'm not quote so obviously walking around with last year's model.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:12 AM
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"quite so obviously," obviously.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:13 AM
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I take it back, they will announce 3G. I stand by everything else.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:59 AM
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What's 3G? Oh wait, I have fingers. And google. Also, will I be able to use it with cell providers other than, um, whichever one Apple made one use with the first generation model?


Posted by: ari | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:40 AM
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14: outside the US you will. Inside the US, it's too dark to read.

Er, rather, I'm not sure.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:42 AM
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15: If I can use it with Verizon, I promise to buy one some time in the next two weeks. But if not, forget it. I'll just buy another eee.


Posted by: ari | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:54 AM
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16: you already can use it with verizon if you're willing to HACK THE PLANET iPhone.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:55 AM
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If I can use it with Verizon, I promise to buy one some time in the next two weeks

What if I write a lengthy review of it?


Posted by: Gonerill | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:56 AM
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If I send it to you, will you do it? Because I've heard it's not easy to do, and you can die if you accidentally sever the trip wire leading to the C-4 bad things can happen to the phone if you try.


Posted by: ari | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:58 AM
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Goneril, that joke would be funnier if you were posting it from your iPhone.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:58 AM
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Given the givens, should probably just ask shivbunny if he'll help.


Posted by: ari | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:59 AM
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Ooh, that was fortuitous, even though I'm missing an "I".


Posted by: ari | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:00 AM
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Speaking of 3G, I was bummed to discover when I got to Germany that, despite the fact that my phone supports 3G on European networks, Cingular/AT&T's data browsing didn't. Bleah.


Posted by: Josh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:02 AM
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I think iPhones are neat, but I have no need for so much phone.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:03 AM
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24: thinking of it as a phone is, I think, the wrong paradigm.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:06 AM
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Also, will I be able to use it with cell providers other than the only union wireless service in the U.S. , um, whichever one Apple made one use with the first generation model?

No.


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:06 AM
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24: That's what I used to think, too. (I don't have an iPhone, but something with equivalent capabilities.) But now I'm posting this comment from casual carpool.


Posted by: Josh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:06 AM
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16: I'll just buy another eee.

OK, as long as you buy something.


Posted by: The Economy | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:08 AM
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If I can use it with those union-busting ratfuckers at Verizon, I promise to buy one some time in the next two weeks.

/one-note Kraabie


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:08 AM
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29: can you hear me now? Good: you're fired!


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:10 AM
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See, the thing is, I wouldn't buy a data plan, so basically, it would a phone without a keyboard for text messaging.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:10 AM
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17: I don't think that's right. CDMA:GSM::apples:oranges, don't ya know.

It'll definitely be 3G. I've heard rumors of a front-mounted camera (video chat?) which is kind of interesting.

Honestly, all I would really, really like is 3G support, bluetooth keyboard support, and copy & paste. I seriously doubt I'll be upgrading from my first-gen iPhone anytime soon.

Speaking of which, jailbroken users: Lexitron. Go download it now if you feel at all warmly toward anagrams.


Posted by: Tom | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:12 AM
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32: I may be thinking of T-Mobile. Okay, I am thinking of T-Mobile.

Copy and Paste would rule.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:14 AM
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Oh! The most exciting rumor: I believe there's some belief that Orange will be offering rebates to current iPhone users who want to upgrade. Unfortunately a) this is probably not true at all and b) Orange charged such a premium for the iPhone that even if they do something this silly, it's very unlikely that anyone in the US market would do the same.

Still, this is now the official bar I'm setting for the keynote, which Jobs will fail to meet and thereby validate my decision not to upgrade.


Posted by: Tom | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:16 AM
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There's no copy & paste on the iPhone? As lame as my Windows-running stupidphone is in many respects, at least one can copy & paste.


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:16 AM
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35: there will be in two hours, smartass.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:19 AM
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26: Thanks for helping me rationalize my imminent iPhone purchase, Sir K. I've already figured in a discount for the times I resisted buying an iPod and for not replacing my current phone, which has performed sub-optimally since the second time I put it through the wash, so at this point I'd be a fool not to buy one.


Posted by: Jesus McQueen | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:19 AM
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37: Wait, what phone survived at all after two trips through the wash?! This sounds like the sort of phone I need!!


Posted by: Di Kotimy | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:26 AM
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36: Your use of the conditional in 33 suggested that it might not, smartass.


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:27 AM
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Credo is anti-union? Oh, the irony.

(And yes, the lack of copy/paste on the iPhone iPod touch makes writing long blog posts on one kind of a pain. But it is doable.)


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:30 AM
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39: your reading comprehension is no match for my willingness to deny things I wrote ten minutes ago, wiseacre.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:31 AM
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Hey now, there IS copy and paste on the current iPhone -- it's just hilariously complicated. And of course you have to be online to use it.

I do wonder about how they're going to add this. It's pretty clearly not a feature that was left out by accident, or because of its technical difficulty, but rather because they couldn't figure out how to integrate it cleanly into the touch interface without crowding out other more necessary features. Still, it doesn't seem like it's THAT tough of a problem.


Posted by: Tom | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:31 AM
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37: At your service.

(P.S. Anyone who's an AFL-affiliated union member gets a discount on AT&T plans.)


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:32 AM
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Wait, spell it out for me - which is the unionized phone company?


Posted by: heebie-geebie | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:35 AM
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Credo is anti-union? Oh, the irony.

Tell me about it. Though Working Assets/Credo isn't actually itself actively anti-union. It resells Sprint, which is.


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:35 AM
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43 is arguably the only upside to moving to AT&T I've ever heard anyone articulate [ignoring the issue of phones that (in theory) won't work elsewhere].


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:35 AM
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44: AT&T for everything. VZ & Qwest only for landline & data (and now video for VZ).


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:37 AM
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37: Samsung a650. I replaced it with a RAZR, but that went though the wash too and was utterly destroyed, so I had to get the first one reactivated. I have to kind of yell into it to be heard, so I'm looking forward to having a new phone, even if it means giving up doing laundry.


Posted by: Jesus McQueen | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:39 AM
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45: Well, right. Anyhoo, this AT&T union thing is news to me, and makes me feel slightly better about the ridiculous rates they charge.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:39 AM
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46: I know people have problems with AT&T's coverage in some places, but I've never had a problem with it. It's also gotten much better in the last year or so in terms of inside buildings and elevators.

I'm actually grateful it doesn't work in the D.C. metro. I need to be forced to be disconnected sometimes.


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:40 AM
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I'm looking forward to having a new phone, even especially if it means giving up doing laundry.

I've dropped my Razr in the toilet twice and on the driveway numerous times. The screen's all cracked and held together with tape. And yet, it lives. New iPhone, however? Maybe I'll have to try running it (the Razr) over....


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:41 AM
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50: Coverage problems + rates + edge sucks etc.

Coverage mostly seems to be a localized issue though, you can't say much about it at a network level, it's more like a city-by-city issue.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:44 AM
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I have to say that my catchily named 8525 is a warhorse. I've dropped it countless times on the street and it works fine and is completely intact, except for the scratches.


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:44 AM
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52: Does Edge suck? I've never used anything else, so it seems fine to me. Being well behind the techno curve, I still find it fairly magical to get online from anywhere. But, hey, hold out for 3 years and we'll have LTE.


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:47 AM
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See, the thing is, I wouldn't buy a data plan, so basically, it would a phone without a keyboard for text messaging.

You can't not buy a data plan.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:50 AM
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Does Edge suck?

Yesssssss.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:50 AM
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57

Does Edge suck?

It doesn't suck more than no data at all.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 10:00 AM
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58

I don't mind it too much. Occasional wi-fi helps lift the spirits.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 10:02 AM
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run that one by marketing, mrh. "Edge: Better than nothing at all."


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 10:02 AM
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My two year old phone already does about the half the stuff people want from the new iPhone.

That said, my iPhone skepticism waned slightly after having an extended fiddle with one. The UI is definitely nice.

Maybe someone'll make me a phone with a built in multitrack sequencer and some basic VST effects.


Posted by: nattarGcM ttaM | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 10:04 AM
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run that one by marketing, mrh. "Edge: Better than nothing at all."

Other rejected slogans include, "Beggars can't be choosers," and, "Internet access everywhere isn't enough for you, now you want it faster?"


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 10:06 AM
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"We didn't even have the Internet in my day, you ungrateful brats."


Posted by: Sir Kraab | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 10:10 AM
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60: Yeah, I don't have one either but they do seem to have something going for them. If you look at a feature bullet list, it's mostly "meh, that's been done before". But if you play around with one for a bit you'll be reminded of the basic fact that pretty much all phone UI's suck.... and this one sucks less. Of fpr nothing more, they deserve a lot of credit for putting the phone companies on notice.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 10:18 AM
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62: This fact is a neverending source of shock and wonder to my munchkin.


Posted by: Di Kotimy | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 11:02 AM
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I want 3G but not so badly I'd get a new phone. I'm very glad I got the iPhone when I did and frankly don't use the data side enough to care about EDGE vs. 3G. That said, 3G is a lot faster and a better camera would be a very nice thing to have.


Posted by: Robust McManlyPants | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 11:15 AM
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Apparently Steve is demoing EDGE vs 3G right now. Speed fans, this is your phone.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:41 PM
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It has true GPS too.


Posted by: Gonerill | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:42 PM
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Maybe someone'll make me a phone with a built in multitrack sequencer and some basic VST effects

ttaM, an English guy demoed this hilarious and fun game called Band that got a tremendous reaction from the crowd. (Not a sequencer, but still).


Posted by: Gonerill | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:43 PM
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Price is coming soon ...


Posted by: Gonerill | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:43 PM
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Apparently Steve is demoing EDGE vs 3G right now.

It's cruel! "Look, guys, the phone I got you to buy last time is FUCKING SLOW, huh! Sucks to be you."


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:46 PM
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Exactly. DAMN YOU JOBS!


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:47 PM
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70: You can't really blame that one on apple.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:47 PM
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You can blame them for rubbing it in.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:47 PM
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Holy fuck. $199.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:49 PM
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75

$199 for 8GB. Sheeet.


Posted by: Gonerill | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:49 PM
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Oh, can't I? It's not like 3G wasn't invented yet when the last ones came out. They made their choice about what service provider to partner with. Also, yes, rubbing in. (I don't own a current generation iPhone myself.)


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:49 PM
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$200 though, that's going to piss off the v1 buyers.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:49 PM
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It's cruel!

This has been the story of every first-generation Apple product ever. Always wait for 2.0.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:49 PM
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76: I don't think they really had any real choice about what service provider and what data service, Now they do, but not to break in.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:50 PM
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Dude at $199....self, you have no need for a phone that can go on the internet....


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:50 PM
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$200 is only if you're signing up for a new contract, I take it?


Posted by: Tom | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:51 PM
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This has been the story of every first-generation Apple product ever. Always wait for 2.0.

I know it well.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:51 PM
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Good question, Tom. Engadget quotes him saying, "The price is a maximum of $199 all around the world," but who knows what that means.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:53 PM
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78: 3.0, usually. I dunno, I'm feeling pretty mellow about this. Same processor, I get the apps: everything's groovy, baby. Although I'd like real GPS.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:53 PM
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84: I don't know if it's compelling as an upgrade, but suspect a lot of people who balked at $399 (or $599, ouch) will buy now.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:55 PM
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Indeed, not much that makes me want to trade in my current model, but the price is kind of a gut punch.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:55 PM
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85: which'll drive the apps market, making mine niftier! Profit!


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:56 PM
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88

I guess I do need a new phone.


Posted by: FL | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:57 PM
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You know, I had forgotten about it, but it turns out that the flush headphone jack is an extremely big deal to me. I don't think I can afford a new phone right now, but it's definitely gotten onto my list.


Posted by: Tom | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:58 PM
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The flush headphone jack does annoy me, because it removes the incentive for people to make 1/8" jacks that work with the v1 phone. Oh well.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 12:59 PM
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I guess you're going to have to sell your steam engine soon as well, Sifu.


Posted by: Gonerill | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:01 PM
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about the price. You had to sort of expect this, even out of a company as relatively big as apple. Typically you fund devel with huge margin on early adopter stuff. Hopefully this buys you enough time to really polish it and also figure out how to scale production and bring per-unit price right down. They you go to mass market, and by 3.0 you're golden if all works well.

Early adoption is all about paying a big premium for being there first.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:01 PM
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Who would win in a fight: iPhone Day or Vox Day?


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:01 PM
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did they put the camera on the front? same camera?


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:02 PM
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Do I need to replace my iPod touch with a phone? Hmmmmmm.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:02 PM
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93: Does the new iphone come with a vagina?


Posted by: FL | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:02 PM
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96: By god, it ought to.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:03 PM
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It's fun to be silly, but let's not allow all the wackiness to obscure the important point behind it: if you buy the new iphone you will be happy forever.


Posted by: Tom | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:03 PM
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So what is the actual battery life on iPhones like after a year or so of use, for those of you who own them? What sort of charger do they come with, and how bulky is the power adapter?


Posted by: Po-Mo Polymath | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:04 PM
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Do I need to replace my iPod touch with a phone?


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:04 PM
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if you buy the new iphone you will be happy forever. the ride back from the apple store. maybe even longer.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:05 PM
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Do I need to replace my iPod touch with a phone?

I don't think anybody's home
When I think about you
I touch my phone


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:05 PM
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What sort of charger do they come with, and how bulky is the power adapter?

Charges over USB 2 from your computer, or a darling little AC plug that attaches to the end of the USB cable.

I haven't had any problems with battery life.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:08 PM
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maybe even longer.

iPhone happiness seems to last at least as long as it takes to learn to type on that glass screen.


Posted by: Bave Dee | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:08 PM
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99: I've only had mine about 4 months. The battery lasts around two days, although I typically charge every night. It's a pleasant improvement from my Sidekick in that respect, but users of mortal phones might bitch about it. They're going to need to get over it sooner or later, though.

The phone takes its charge through an ipod connector (with USB plug on the other end, and no squeeze-to-release hook system). It also comes with a pleasantly tiny apple-style power adapter. Aftermarket adapters can be gotten for around $5 off of Amazon.


Posted by: | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:08 PM
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105 was me, although now that I've been pwned I'm not sure why I'm owning (pre-pwning?) up to it.


Posted by: Tom | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:09 PM
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104: Oh yeah? I'm doing it right now.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:10 PM
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Ok, iPhone users, here's the deal.

Unless you people band together and buy me one of the new ones, I'm taking away the ability to comment from mobile devices.


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:15 PM
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Hmm... You people almost have me convinced...

But damn, $70-80 per month still seems unconscionably steep. And unlike my experiences with other companies, there don't seem to be huge savings from the family plans.


Posted by: Po-Mo Polymath | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:18 PM
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$200 though, that's going to piss off the v1 buyers.

Nah, it's been so long. Not that the last 9 months with my phone were literally worth $200, but it's not worth nothing.

The $599 people are probably still a bit sore, even with their $100 gift certificates.

Mostly, I'm happy that I'll be able to justify a new phone in a year or so - I think my lifetime limit for $400 phones is 1.

Oh, and I've been thrilled at battery life - light usage plus standby lasts practically forever, and recharge is lightning-fast.

||
Bucs win!
|>


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:23 PM
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109: taht's not far off what I pay for two phones w/o data, I guess.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:23 PM
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And unlike my experiences with other companies, there don't seem to be huge savings from the family plans.

Yeah, I was all psyched to get AB a real phone and a real plan (she's on one of those PAYGO crap-phones), but it's crazy expensive.

Oh, and the new Typepad interface makes me think that it could lead me to blog more (at all).


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:25 PM
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111: Yeah, and I guess the $25 per month per line premium for unlimited data and a big text message package (400 per month) gets the T-mobile plans pretty close to the AT&T plans in cost.

Sigh.

You people are eventually going to get me to buy my first Apple product ever. May it rest on your souls.


Posted by: Po-Mo Polymath | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:31 PM
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114

I'd rather it rested in my palm.


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:32 PM
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115

I'd rather it rested in my palm.

You'll have to put down my member first.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:35 PM
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Why don't I just hold it between my teeth?


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:37 PM
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Typing on the iPhone works fine. And 6 months in, it still makes me happy. Give in, soup! Give in!


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:39 PM
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Typing is going to be pretty difficult if you hold it like that.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:40 PM
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119

115, 116: You want me to hold the chicken your member?
I want you to hold it between your knees.


Posted by: JP Stormcrow | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:42 PM
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When I said I needed your member to use the keyboard, apo, all I meant was that I wanted to whiten the keys.


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:43 PM
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I'm sorry I smashed your phone, ben.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:44 PM
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117: I'm running down an annoying contract. Maybe after that.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:48 PM
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You people are eventually going to get me to buy my first Apple product ever. May it rest on your souls.

Come to the light side, PMP.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:49 PM
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Actually, since this is a bit of a mobile phone thread:

What I really need is the system that allows in-home calling over wi-fi and mobile service outside the house, since reception in my apartment is terrible for every mobile service. T-Mobile offers it as a $10 per line add-on, but they seem to want to sell a wi-fi router with the package. Does anyone know if that package can be made to work with a password-secured wi-fi router that's already installed?


Posted by: Po-Mo Polymath | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:55 PM
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They are going to have an all plastic back and the new 16GB phone is supposed to be white. I growl.

I wonder if the repair fees for the v1 iPhone will be coming down...


Posted by: water moccasin | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:56 PM
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124: doubtful that it'll work with any other router. But you should be able to plug one router into another without problems if you set the downstream router to be the upstream router's DMZ.


Posted by: Tom | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:57 PM
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126 is correct.

somebody should hack one of these phones to optionally use skype.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 1:58 PM
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You can supposedly hack an iPod touch to use skype, but I've been too chicken to do it.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:05 PM
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129

128 implies you can do it on an iPhone, too.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:10 PM
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T-Mobile offers it as a $10 per line add-on

I don't know details about that service, but I know someone who works for T-Mobile who says that they're excited about being able to offer it, and that there's real corporate support for the service.

That doesn't answer your question, but it makes me think the service is probably good.


Posted by: NickS | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:11 PM
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124: The Nokia E-series phones have VOIP support built-in, and they're not tied to a specific VOIP carrier. They won't work with Skype out of the box, but if you have actual VOIP at home you should be golden.


Posted by: Josh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:12 PM
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129: right.

The really slick thing would be to redirect the phone number, but that requires a bit too much co-operation. I wonder if you can trigger scripts with the new GPS? In that case you could forward your calls to a skype/in number as soon as you came home....


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:16 PM
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Is it possible to sell Apple products back to Apple? (Those refurb details one hears about would indicate yes, but they could always just be returns.)

I'm way too lazy to sell my iPod Touch on eBay. It's too bad that those retail shops that sell your stuff on eBay always go out of business too quickly for me to take advantage of them.


Posted by: destroyer | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:20 PM
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132: well, GPS coordinates are exposed in the API, so as long as you could get your hands on the development kit (or, really, write it for an unlocked phone) I don't see why you couldn't.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:20 PM
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132 basically gets its wish.


Posted by: destroyer | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:22 PM
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Yo, JRoth, if you're not too ecstatic over the Pirates' win, I have a question for you (or anyone else): is there a good bike shop you'd recommend near Pitt or thereabouts?

Qualifications: good for newbie cyclists without much money. Somewhere that could put her in something like this or similar price point.

One of the calasisters is starting grad school in the fall at Pitt and announced to me on the phone her intention to buy a bicycle because she can't see why on earth she'd want to take out a loan for a car when gas prices are this high. I think this is an excellent idea and would like to encourage it.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:23 PM
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Well that was quick.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:23 PM
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134: Right, seems quite workable to me. If I had one I'd probably hack this up and see how solid it was, because I pretty much manage with that system separately as it is --- cell reception in my apartment is iffy at best. Automating it would be useful.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:24 PM
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135: Oh, nice!


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:25 PM
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a good bike shop you'd recommend near Pitt or thereabouts?

Iron City Bikes is right there on Bouquet, but I suspect it's not quite what she needs (it's more of a gearhead-type place). I've been very, very happy with the Trek Store here in East Liberty (across the parking lot from Whole Foods, natch). It's Trek-branded, but locally owned (3-5 locations), and effectively run by nice kids who aren't snobbish about casual cyclists.

My wife got this bike there last year for about $275 (the current model is more, but they might still have an old one around), and loves it (it may be what B ended up getting as well). A bit more fashionable than what you linked.

I'd recommend that she visit the shop in Oakland; if she feels comfortable/welcomed, then shop there (a lot to be said for having the shop right there). But if she feels like an outsider, then go to Trek.

The two shops on Forbes Ave in Squirrel Hill are both a bit snobbish - P/ttsburgh Pro is venerable, but the clerks are a mixed bag, and B/ketek is geared towards serious cyclists. That said, the latter carries some lines not available elsewhere, and the bike you linked may be only at PP.


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:39 PM
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Me: Buy $1500.00 MacBook on post doc salary
Me: Notice "P" and "A" keys don't seem to work like all the others do, even though I have no trouble on other keyboards, even other 1/2 high Mac keyboards.
Me: Gather my organizational skills together, log into Apple's website, make appointment with "genius." Make appointment for 8AM, so I don't lose any precious lab time.
Me: wait in Apple store for 15 minutes past 8AM.
Me: Say to "Genius" "My keyboard only types "P" and "A" if I pound on the keyboard.
"Genius": Types Lazy dog jumping sentence twice and says "It seems to be working fine for me."

Me: Get pissed, again, at Apple. Why are they always so evasive? They must be brainwashed.
"Genius": Well, there doesn't seem to be any problem.
Me: Well, what should I do? I didn't come in here for no reason. I need a working keyboard.
"Genius": We can replace the "top case." It will take 5-7 working days.
Me: Will that fix the problem?
"Genius": Of course, I wouldn't suggest it if it wouldn't.
Me: Well, what is the problem then?
"Genius": I don't see any problem.
Me: Then how do you know replacing the top case will fix the problem?

No, he never answered my question. And as most "Geniuses" do he just got pissed at me for not stroking his tiny ego. He was angry from the minute that rolled my eyes at his first sentence, "I seems to be working fine." What an asshole comment to make. Why would I lie about my keyboard? Haven't I jumped through enough hoops to be considered a real customer? And when I pointed out his logic flaw, he went about ballistic. He treated me totally rudely. As if I were harassing him. And I am now waiting 5-7 business days to get back my $1500 computer that is only 3 months old. I let him repair it, based on my logical conclusion that his brainwashing won't let him admit any problem with an Apple product.


And Finally, my iPhone (the second version of the first iPhone==moral of this story is wait for __3.0__ of any Apple product!) always activates the screen while I'm talking on the phone. It hangs up on my calls. If I push the home button before talking, it will activate random programs. I took it back the same day as the above, and the "genius" gave me a new phone. Giving me remarkably little argument. And the new phone does the exact same thing.



Posted by: drgerm | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 2:59 PM
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140: She'll need a small frame wherever she goes, I think, being only 4'11''. (She says five feet. She lies. And nothing particular about the bike I linked; that just happens to be the one I have, so I had the google close at hand.)

Thanks a ton. I want to recommend somewhere so she doesn't get frustrated and give up on the whole thing.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 3:08 PM
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It's so cute that po-mo thinks that 400 is a big text message plan.


Posted by: Becks | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 3:15 PM
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143: It's not polite to call your wizened elders "cute," Becks.

I haven't used even 100 text messages in 9 months.


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 3:24 PM
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"sei mein Frosch"?


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 3:29 PM
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It's not polite to call your wizened elders "cute," Becks.

Well, she is my wizened elder.

But I'm someone who tends to use probably about 300-350 texts a month. Very few during the weekdays, only about 1-3 per day, but then a load on weekends. Some festival weekends I can hit like 50-60 texts sent or recieved per day, but that still squeaks in under the plan so long as I don't have two or more of those weekends in a month. Who are you talking to or what are you saying that requires so many text messages?


Posted by: Po-Mo Polymath | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 3:56 PM
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Re. bikes, Cala, if your sister's likely to be living in places where (1) she doesn't want to just leave it locked outside, uncovered, in bad weather, and (2) she'll have to carry it up stairs, make sure she looks for a bike that doesn't weigh much. Toting my heavy bike up a couple flights of stairs back when I was in grad school was enough to make me stop riding it.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 3:58 PM
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I think the low end of Dahon folding bikes is around $200. I have a mid-range one from that company, and it's a great ride. Stores under a table in my living room; fairly light, although not super-light. They're a bit weird to lock up outside, though, and I guess they're a bit slower and less stable to ride.


Posted by: Bave Dee | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 4:10 PM
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147: Ooh, good point. Mine is quite heavy. I'm not sure where she'll be living (she's not either), but that's something to keep in mind.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 4:41 PM
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Well, 90% of my text messages are from Twitter. Here's hoping for an iPhone Twitter app. Then I could easily go under 400/month.


Posted by: Becks | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 4:44 PM
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90% of my text messages are from Twitter

Sad.


Posted by: ogged | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 4:46 PM
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145

it means be my sweetheart in German


Posted by: drgerm | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 4:49 PM
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My sister is on my cell phone plan (because I am a NICE big sister) and we only recently added a text messaging plan for her because she didn't text all that much. Thing is, once you start texting, it's hard to stop without banning the function, so she went from 25 messages a month (still cheaper than the plan) to 40 messages a month to 'don't be mad, I'll pay the bill....'


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 4:51 PM
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By the way, Sifu's 10 in this thread was pretty massively wrong.


Posted by: ogged | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 4:54 PM
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154: And that is bad since the units of measure for predictions shoudl be wrongness*/time, where time is how far in advance of the event the prediction is made. So being massively wrong just a few hours before an event is way up there.

*The correct units for wrongness itself are less obvious. Ideally it would be some measure of how "far" the nearest world where the prediction was true is from the actual world. Difficult to measure, though.


Posted by: JP Stormcrow | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 5:16 PM
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154, 155: INFINITE WRONG!


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 5:18 PM
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155: I predict that comment 157 will read "INFINITE WRONG!"


Posted by: Auto-banned | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 5:19 PM
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157: NEGATIVE RIGHT! (The time merely changes sign so you can use the same principle for statements about the past.)


Posted by: JP Stormcrow | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 5:21 PM
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INFINEGATIVE WRIGHT!


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 5:22 PM
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159: GODDAMN AMERICA ... FOREVER!


Posted by: OPINIONATED WRIGHT | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 5:24 PM
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Ideally it would be some measure of how "far" the nearest world where the prediction was true is from the actual world. Difficult to measure, though.

What are you talking about? You just do it in terms of overall objective similarity.

Easy-peasy!!!


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 5:25 PM
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Your mom does it terms of overall objective similarity.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 5:27 PM
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Your mom is so fat, she is a possible world.


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 5:27 PM
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161: Awaiting your algorithm I remain,


Posted by: A Possible JP Stormcrow | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 5:29 PM
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So what happens to the iPod Touch? The Apple Store still lists it as $299. But if you buy an iPhone 3G and activate it with a non-existent SSN, you'll get the functional equivalent of an iPod Touch for $199. So what am I missing? Or did Apple miss a trick here?


Posted by: jim | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 6:01 PM
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So what am I missing?

A sense of right and wrong.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 6:04 PM
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When v1 came out a fair number of people did this. They got a superior iPod and a portable net appliance, just without the phone bit (and the hefty monthly bill). (You still had to sign up for at least a month of PAYGO.) Then Apple came out with the iPod Touch at a price point $100 below an iPhone, so it made sense, if you didn't want the phone capability (and the bill), to buy that instead of hacking the iPhone activation. Not a question of morals. Question of product line structure.


Posted by: jim | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 6:10 PM
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iPhone day, bar night—heady life around here.


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 6:12 PM
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So what am I missing?

The phones won't be available for another six weeks, right? So maybe it's that, and there will be a change when they become available.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 6:12 PM
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168:
We are the very model of a modern 'net community


Posted by: JP Stormcrow | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:02 PM
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165: I'd guess once the iPhone Orgasm launches, the price on the Touch will drop.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:13 PM
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Shouldn't that be "iPhone Or3Gasm"?


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:13 PM
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169, 171:

Yeah. That's what I thought at first (memo to self: don't buy an iPod for the next five weeks). But then I saw the AT&T press release which said that the AT&T/Apple relationship had changed. AT&T was now subsidizing the price of the iPhone and Apple would no longer share in contract revenue: they were switching to the normal manufacturer/carrier relationship. But no-one's subsidizing the iPod line. So it's hard to envision Apple drastically reducing the price of iPods. Maybe they will, though.


Posted by: jim | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:42 PM
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You mean iPhone, right, 173?


Posted by: Ardent reader | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:44 PM
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By the way, Sifu's 10 in this thread was pretty massively wrong.

I may have been wrong on the facts but my larger point still stands.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:57 PM
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I think what jim is saying is this: If the iPhone is cheap because AT&T is subsidizing it, what then becomes of the iTouch (which is a species of iPod, not of iPhone, and thus not subsidized)?


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:58 PM
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Oh, that's what you always say in bed.


Posted by: Ardent reader | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:59 PM
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That is, the iPod Touch, or the When i Think About You, iTouch Myself, or whatever the fuck it's called.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:59 PM
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Um, 177 to 175. You people move fast. My hilarity has failed.

Also, I've never heard of the iTouch, hence the confusion.


Posted by: Ardent reader | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 7:59 PM
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It's the thingy that has wireless Internet and iPod features, but no phone service, for those who want that -- an iPhone without the phone (and without the phone bill).


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:02 PM
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And in fact called the iPod touch.

I am sure getting afflicted with semantic satiation with regard to the word "touch" now.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:03 PM
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Sorry to wreck your fine prick joke!


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:04 PM
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Oh, that's what you always say in bed.


Posted by: Ardent reader | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:04 PM
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177 to 176 is kind of compelling.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:08 PM
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Sorry a little late on the followup, but the Trek I linked before is fairly light - although less so for a 4-11 person, I guess.

The Dahon idea is nice, except A. I wonder how a non-dedicated cyclist would feel about riding one, and B. I don't know how good they are on the mighty hills of Pgh.

Calasis could always go to Free Ride, where they recycle bikes, but that might be a bit hard core for a grad student who just wants reliable transpo. But getting a bike there - you can pay to have a volunteer fix one up - is pretty cheap.


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:41 PM
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Sifu has broadened my horizons on the sheer possibilities in wrongness. Making confidently wrong predictions mere hours before they can be refuted? That possesses brio. Elan. Whatever emotion the French soldiers felt when they were being gunned down charging into the withering fire of the Western Front.


Posted by: Walt Someguy | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 8:51 PM
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Apparently Walt missed the primaries this year.


Posted by: Not Prince Hamlet | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:13 PM
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I had a folding bike made in the sixties which I rode for a few years. It was heavy although I had replaced as many steel components with alloy as I could.

There's a right way to lift and carry bicycles, which can make it easier at least for a healthy young person. The balance point is usually about a third the way up the down tube, right underneath the bottle cage if you have one. The bike can be lifted with one hand there while holding other things in your other hand, and then rested on your shoulder. It's often possible to cleanly and safely climb stairs and maneuver like that, but size and strength of both person and bike matter a lot.


Posted by: I don't pay | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:14 PM
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I once caught my bike pedal on a stair railing support on my way up the stairs and wrenched my shoulder but good. That bit of my back has never been quite the same since.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:16 PM
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189: aye it's got the stinkeye. Have it purged.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:18 PM
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188 is good advice, although some bikes triangulate closer to a tube than others.

189 just sux.


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:19 PM
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188: the down tube? The correct way to lift a bike is via the top tube! I will fight to the death on this count.

186: it's actually better than that, since contradictory predictions which not only cited authoritative sources but actually provided photographic and other evidence were easily available, but I chose to ignore them.

Actually it's even better than that, since I clearly had enough peripheral awareness of other's predictions to pooh-pooh them without investigating whether or not they seemed remotely well sourced (they were).


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:20 PM
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185: Ooh, thanks. She's already in the area, so she'd have plenty of time to take her time and pick one out to be fixed up/learn to fix up.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:21 PM
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I felt like a real fool, too. Oh well!


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:21 PM
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Bike Friday makes excellent folding bikes that ride like full-size bikes and are also easy to tote around unfolded, but they're a bit out of Calasis' reach, pricewise.


Posted by: Jesus McQueen | Link to this comment | 06- 9-08 9:21 PM
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