Re: Introducing the iPhone...
 

On my phone, I can just squeeze the sides and turn the ringer off (the side volume buttons function as mute during ringing). Not even 2 seconds if its in my pocket, heh.

Re: Introducing the iPhone...
 

Fortunately I can throw a sharpened pencil in only 0.6secs in a typical exam/lecture or meeting atmosphere.

Re: Introducing the iPhone...
 

Maybe it's just my crazy Irish mindset, but to me someone's intentions play a significant part in the whole politness thing. It's like if you're having a conversation with someone, and another person marches up and interrupts the two of you. You can chose to ignore him and carry on, that doesn't make his interruption any less rude. Same idea with texts messanges vs. calling someone.

But in the end, different parts of the world have different rules of etiquette, and the rules I'm used to say that calling someone is a bit rude, and rather presumptuous but it seems you zany colonials have different ideas on the matter. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Introducing the iPhone...
 

I wouldn't say that calling someone is rude per say, because it's the phone holders resposibility to manage the volume of their ring tone. Texting is definitely preferable when you're in a venue where having a phone conversation would be difficult due to background noise, etc.

Re: Introducing the iPhone...
 

I'm not sure about this but it certainly has games and programs. Other games, programs, music, audiobooks, videos, TV shows, and movies you can add at places like iTunes.

The operating system for the iPhone is OS X and at Cingular.com there is a line that states, "Works with Windows PCs and Macs"

Can Space Empires IV and V be played on Macintosh computers? I'm not familiar with Macintosh. It would be cool if we could play many PC and console type games on the iPhone! Microsoft will probably compete with their own version of an iPhone soon. Microsofts version of the iPod is the Zune.

iPhone has the real internet and e-mail that we are used to on our PC's:(from Cingular.com)
"Breakthrough Internet Device:
iPhone features a rich HTML email client and Safari - the most advanced web browser ever on a portable device - which automatically syncs bookmarks from your PC or Mac. Safari also includes built-in Google and Yahoo! search. iPhone is fully multi-tasking, so you can read a web page while downloading your email in the background over Wi-Fi or EDGE."

An Apple store associate told me that it's like a Macintosh for your pocket.

Here is a list of some features at Cingular.com:
-Fully functional touch screen iPod which syncs with iTunes
-Wireless service from AT&T and all the benefits of network reliability, Rollover® minutes, and more
-Visual Voicemail: a first on any mobile phone available in the United States
-2MP camera
-Unique internet browsing capabilities
-Choose from 4GB ($499) or 8GB ($599) memory models
-EDGE, GPRS, GSM Quad-band, and WiFi capable
-Works with Windows PCs and Macs

And at Apple.com:
-Technical Specifications
-Screen size 3.5 inches
-Screen resolution 320 by 480 at 160 ppi
-Input method Multi-touch
-Operating system OS X
-Storage 4GB or 8GB
-GSM Quad-band (MHz: 850, 900, 1800, 1900)
-Wireless data Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) + EDGE + Bluetooth 2.0
-Camera 2.0 megapixels
-Battery Up to 5 hours Talk / Video / Browsing Up to 16 hours Audio playback
-Dimensions 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches / 115 x 61 x 11.6mm
-Weight 4.8 ounces / 135 grams

Re: Introducing the iPhone...
 

The iPhone might be crippled by Apple's lockout of 3rd party software. Contrast this with any smart phone made by any other company... Nearly everyone else supports (or at least tolerates) 3rd party devs, but it appears that Apple will lock them out.

"The operating system for the iPhone is OS X..."

Not quite. It is a stripped down, heavily modified version designed to be runnable on and suitable for embedded systems (aka the iPhone). It is similar to OS X, but it is not OS X. Its just like the relationship between Windows Mobile and XP (2k?).

"An Apple store associate told me that it's like a Macintosh for your pocket."

That Apple store associate is an idiot. It is most certainly not like having a Mac in your pocket, any more than having a Windows Mobile smart phone is like having a PC in your pocket. Smart phones are handy devices, to be sure, but they are not portable general purpose computers (ie: a Mac/PC laptop/desktop).

Re: Introducing the iPhone...
 

Well, yes I'm aware of all the factors that you state. I'm just wondering to what degree of the operating system the iPhone will be utilizing. Certainly the Apple store associate is aware of these factors also. I believe that he was generalizing. I did not ask him to elaborate with details.

He basically said that currently the known information about the iPhone is that found on the internet. He said that even thoough it is still scheduled to be released in June 2007 Apple has given little to no new information or set date in June to the Apple and AT&T/Cingular stores.

Re: Introducing the iPhone...
 

I'd be surprised if the OSX OS on the iPhone has a Virtual Machine or Emulator on it capable of running SEIV or SEV.

Re: Introducing the iPhone...
 

PC games, or some sort of version of them, are heading towards phones. The iPhone would be nice with a huge screen and touch control.

"Sid Meier's Civilization IV Mobile, Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon Mobile and Sid Meier's Pirates! Mobile are scheduled for release in 2008."

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2007/05/22/2642466.htm

Civilization IV, Beyond the Sword second expansion will be released in July 2007.

http://www.civilization.com/

Re: Introducing the iPhone...
 

Thats neat, so they are making mobile versions. Civ on a phone, sweet.