Journal #9

“iPhony: Why Apple’s New Cell Phone Isn’t Really Revolutionary.” by Tim Wu

Author Tim Wu assesses the short comings of the iPhone in the article “iPhony.” Wu has no problem listing the numerous problems with this new phone. Although many people have long looked forward to the arrival of this phone, willing to shell out $500 a pop, the shortcomings are already very obvious. As a phone, the iPhone is awesome, as a computer, it is highly limited. Wu states that the phone is not pointless, but it is not revolutionary either, as it so often claims.

The iPhone is limited first and foremost because it can only be used with one carrier-AT&T. Next, the phone is a whopping $500. Another limitation of this phone is that in order to use this phone after the initial $500 spent to buy it, the customer must sign up for a contract that lasts 2 years, and costs anywhere from $1400-$2400 combined for that duration of time. Lastly, the phone can only use the EDGE internet system from AT&T, which is even slower than the old fashioned dial-up service on the personal computer. If this phone truly wanted to be “revolutionary”, it would be available to use with any carrier, would incorporate the X Phone function (allowing it to access whatever carrier has the best service in the area that is being roamed, a permanent roam function, if you will), and would have Wi-Fi access. Even further backward thinking of the Apple mission statement is the fact that only applications approved by Apple and AT&T will function on this phone. The fact that the phone is not open platform, coupled with all of the above listed flaws, the writer believes is proof that this phone is the beginning of the abandonment of Apple’s mission statement, to be a lone ranger offering awesome services to people. They are now too concerned with making money, Wu believes.

I would be interested in seeing for myself how this phone works, since I am still new to the world of Macs. However, I do agree with Wu that the limitations are so massive that I would not spend $500 to obtain this phone. $500 is an unreasonable price for any phone, especially one that only works with one carrier, requires such an expensive contract, and has terrible internet service. If Apple really wants this phone to be successful, they will quickly solve these problems.

1. Will the closed platform function of this device limit its popularity and functionality?
I believe that this limits this device very much. Part of the marketability of the less used Apple systems is the fact that they are open platforms. Almost any document made on a Mac can transfer over to a PC. In reality, we all know that this is a PC driven world. And if Apple wants to survive in such a world, they need to have open platform on all of their devices.
2. How could this work in the classroom?
This could help students to access a virtual classroom, grade books, class email, and class blogs on the go. It would be extremely helpful for students to stay up to date on classes. For college students, they would be able to find out the moment it happened that a class had been cancelled or that a pop quiz was going to take place in 20 minutes. It would definitely benefit the educational community. Teachers could stay up to date on important educational issues as well.