140 characters Because sometimes, 140 characters aren’t enough

So, a source close to Apple has announced the next-gen iPhone specs along with the launch date.  If you’re interested the release date should be 17 July 2009.

Those people who know me will know that I have quite an aversion to Apple in general that has developed over the years.  Mostly since they decided that they wanted to be Microsoft.  The iPod, iMac, iTunes, iPhone obsession with its limiting DRM, closed markets and almost facist adherence to its own self imposed rules along with the the cult of celebrity that Steve Jobs enjoys amongst the Apple fanbois just seems to be a little “Gates-esque”.

Sorry, I know I’m going to get shot down in flames by people (and maybe lose a few twitter followers),  but I think that the way computers (and in particular smartphones) are moving, that Apple may be losing the cutting edge that they once enjoyed. 

So, before you run away or gather up your pitchforks and flaming torches I’ll just ask you to hear me out.  Even Apple iPhone Apps.com had a few misgivings (I’ve linked to a verbatim copy on lakto.org as it was Chris Latko who introduced me to the story though his twitter feed and the original site seems to be less than stable!)

In 2006 a mobile phone was just a mobile phone, you made calls, sent text messages and maybe sent an MMS or two (until you got your bill through!) Then in January 2007 Saint Steve stepped forward and announced that Apple were going to enter the mobile market.  By June 2007 the iPhone was ready for release.  And I’ll admit, it was fantastic.  I even wanted one for a while.

But then I watched my friends who had iPods struggle with the DRM laden crud that iTunes gave them while I (with my Sony Walkman) didn’t really have any major problems, I could use Sonicstage – Sony’s native app for the walkman or I could use any other mp3/wmv file and Sony would convert it to Atrac and pop it on the player.  In my life I have downloaded ONE track from iTunes, Kylie’s version of “Over the Rainbow” from the Showgirl tour.  I could only play the friggin thing through iTunes!  That was why I decided against the iPhone, I chose to wait and see what else would come out on the market.

So, Apple led the way, but are they now?  The easiest way is to look at the latest incarnation of the iPhone (or what we think we know about it) and see if it truly is innovative any more…

• 32GB and 16GB storage (Even the MOTORIZER V8 had this back in 2007)
• $199 and $299 price points to be maintained
• 3.2-megapixel camera (Just like the HTC Magic and .2 Megapixels more than the G1)
• Video-recording and editing capabilities (Even the T-Mobile G1 has this now Apple, and we’ve had it for months!)
• Ability to send a picture & video via MMS (I hate to carp on about Android, but this has been in place since its inception)
• Discontinuation of the metal band surrounding the edge of the device (OK Apple, I’ll let you have your removing a metal band!)
• OLED screen (Damn, can anyone think of a phone with an OLED Screen?  Did I mention any Android Phones yet?  Maybe the 5 MegapixelSamsung I7500 this time?)
• 1.5 times the battery life of the current models (Improved battery life, really, THAT’s your USP?  Over in Android circles we just look at the ways that we can improve the battery life we’ve got!)
• Double the RAM and processing power (Now you’re starting to make some sense!  Surely after nearly 2 years we would expect at least this?)
• Built-in FM transmitter (How 21st Century! I can’t think of any other mobile phone manufacturers who could have thought of that…)
• Apple logo on back will glow (Aha!  There’s the USP!  A glowing Apple symbol to eat up your battery but give you that fanboi glowing feeling!)
• Rubber-tread backing  (Even Samsung had this idea!)
• Sleeker design  (What exactly does this mean? Really, anyone???)
• Built-in compass  (Surely “There’s an app for that?”  Or is that just on the Android Market?)
• The camera, GPS, compass and Google map combined will identify photo and inform about photo locations (OK, this one’s not appeared just yet on Android, but as we have the same technology and THOUSANDS of programmers working on the platform – Yes that’s the beauty of open source! – I’m sure it’s more a case of when not if…)
• Turn-by-turn directions (I’m not sure exactly what they mean by that, surely that’s the point of having a decent Map programme, compass and hardware/firmware to match it.)

So, if this is what Apple are planning to annnounce then I’m afraid I really can’t see it setting the industry alight.  Maybe the rumours are true, maybe Steve Jobs’ health is truly stifling Apple’s creativity.  I hope not as I really want them to be innovative and new so that I can start trying to think up more diverse arguements!

So, come on Apple, show me what’s great about the iPhone again!

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