Ringing endorsement for Apples 'breakthrough' iPhone
Last updated at 11:37 27 June 2007
Apple's iPhone, the most hyped gadget of the decade, has earnt high praise from reviewers ahead of its much-hyped launch in the United States on Friday.
The New York Times labelled the device, which combines the functions of a mobile phone, a handheld computer and an MP3 music player, as "the most sophisticated, outlook-changing piece of electronics to come along in years."
But the paper's David Pogue highlights some flaws, stating that it is "amazing… but not perfect".
"Much of the hype and some of the criticisms are justified. The iPhone is revolutionary; it's flawed. It's substance; it's style. It does things no phone has ever done before; it lacks features found even on the most basic phones."
More follows...
The Wall Street Journal says the iPhone is a "beautiful and breakthrough" device. "Our verdict is that, despite some flaws and feature omissions, the iPhone is, on balance, a beautiful and breakthrough handheld computer."
In the massive hype that has surrounded its imminent launch, gadget enthusiasts have called it 'The God Machine' — a gizmo so perfect that it will have the power to transform lives.
Thousands of true devotees are said (by the marketing people) to be planning to sleep out on the streets just to be first in line to get one.
But early reviews are suggesting that the device may not be all that impressive after all.
In the review in the New York Times, Glenn Fleishman writes: 'The iPhone crams so many different features into its slightly bulky form that it can only excel at one, and compromise on the rest.
'After spending some time, albeit briefly, with the iPhone, it's clear to me that internet and e-mail are the parts that suffered.'
One of Fleishman's main gripes is that the iPhone has a very small screen which makes reading a web article without panning back and forth across.
Another issue according to Fleishman is the cost. It will cost on sale costing between £250 and £300, but with monthly charges for a minimum two-year network contract on top it could cost you more than £1,000.
But it isn't all negative; Fleishman says that it is still the best iPod that Apple has produced.
'The screen quality is fantastic, and the movies pivot automatically as you rotate the phone.'
The device finally gets its UK launch in time for Christmas, but with Apple engineers already working on iPhone 2.0 it might be worth holding of from buying it just yet.
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