macnn/electronista
06/29/2007, 9:25am, EDT
Friday, June 29thEDGE speed boosts for iPhone 'confirmed'
AT&T's Operation Fine EDGE campaign appears to have been real, according to first-hand reports from users with existing service. Although multiple early reviews of the phone have frequently singled out slow EDGE mobile Internet speeds as the main drawback, anecdotes within the past day show a sudden increase in real-world speeds, with some reporting connections as quick as 270Kbps. The increase isn't yet known to be universal but has been tested in multiple New York City boroughs and other major cities.
If connected to the AT&T campaign, the speedup is timed to coincide with the release of the iPhone to ensure a smooth experience for buyers of the first-generation model, which requires an unlimited data plan but can only connect to the provider's basic EDGE network for Internet access outside of Wi-Fi versus the faster, but region-limited, HSDPA (3G) service.
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1. The battery life is too short. -> Had to see on this, but the specs now look pretty good.
2. The screen will scratch. -> Glass screen will probably be quite nice
3. Can't connect to corporate email -> Have to see how it works, but Visto seems to be one company with a solution: http://www.visto.com/news/releases/07.06.28_iphone.asp
4. The phone plans will be too expensive -> Seem to be right in line with everyone else.
5. The EDGE network is too slow. -> Have to see on this, but it's obviously being addressed until an improved network can be put in place.
Am I missing some of the other expert analysis that's been performed yet?
Only reason I can see for trying is that people are interested in just about anything to do with the phone so even speculative "reviews" will bring the eyeballs (and the ads) to review sites.
At least the guessing ends after today.
- Can't load apps or docs locally, so really not a 'portable replacement'.
- Can't use bluetooth for anything but headphones (no syncing or communications)
- Can't use phone to connect mac to internet (which doesn't matter, I think, since the TOS for AT&T probably disallows this)
- Plans still too expensive, since you're required to get Data plan.
- Screen size is too small. There should be a 17" option to go along with the 17" powerbook.
- Glass screen likely to break/scratch easily (need to see real tests on this, not just taking the word of anyone in particular).
- Can't purchase music directly from the iTMS. Which wouldn't be bad, except...
- No CD slot, so its unable to rip music CDs
- Still no FM receiver! Come on Apple!
- No TV receiver either, so no ability to watch the big game on the thing (although Apple will happily sell you a clip job of it for $1.99).
- No ability to record movies, making it useless for filming the Simpsons movie in the theater and selling it on the street for 10 bucks.
- No video ichat
- Does its camera have a flash?
- No decent color options. Where's brown, for goodness sakes?????
The one thing that I'm not real happy about is the lack of insurance policy. You can get an insurancy policy from AT&T for your Treo -- so why not the iPhone? Is there a legal case here?
Thank you Apple for not forgetting that many cities are starting to provide free public wi-fi in greater quantity.
Verizon and Sprint are just mad that the wi-fi pie is shifting in favor of the masses instead of the corporations.