To be or not to be...IPHONE!
March 17, 2009 4:14 AM Subscribe
IphoneFilter: Ok...So i really want an Iphone however im not sure right now is the best time to get one. Should i get one now or wait until the new versions comes out. Let me know and why. Thanks mefites!!
At the very least wait until what Apple announces at their special iPhone OS 3.0 event 11AM PST today. They could announce new hardware, or it may just be new software updates
posted by glenno86 at 4:32 AM on March 17, 2009
posted by glenno86 at 4:32 AM on March 17, 2009
"Ok ... So I really want an Iphone ..."
What are the reasons you really want an iPhone? What are you using now and how are you using it? Is it meeting all your needs? Or is this just a 'want' thing rather than a 'need' thing?
Want? Wait. Need? Now.
posted by birdwatcher at 6:20 AM on March 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
What are the reasons you really want an iPhone? What are you using now and how are you using it? Is it meeting all your needs? Or is this just a 'want' thing rather than a 'need' thing?
Want? Wait. Need? Now.
posted by birdwatcher at 6:20 AM on March 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
Want? Wait. Need? Now.
This will become the phrase of the noughties :)
posted by devnull at 6:23 AM on March 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
This will become the phrase of the noughties :)
posted by devnull at 6:23 AM on March 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
Rumours on the page people have linked you to include: "Apple to Preview iPhone OS 3.0 on March 17th", i.e. today.
In other words, an update could be imminent.
Furthermore, the implications of an update would be that either (a) you get a new version (more features) for the same money, or (b) you get the current version at sale prices as users upgrade and sellers dump old inventory.
Buying an iPhone a few days before an update seems like a bad idea.
posted by Mike1024 at 6:35 AM on March 17, 2009
In other words, an update could be imminent.
Furthermore, the implications of an update would be that either (a) you get a new version (more features) for the same money, or (b) you get the current version at sale prices as users upgrade and sellers dump old inventory.
Buying an iPhone a few days before an update seems like a bad idea.
posted by Mike1024 at 6:35 AM on March 17, 2009
I had no iPhone lust until visiting San Francisco, where everybody has an iPhone, and people gave us directions, bus routes, etc., from their iPhones. So, maybe not such an extravagance. It does seem to have a lot of productivity apps available, with more all the time.
posted by theora55 at 7:03 AM on March 17, 2009
posted by theora55 at 7:03 AM on March 17, 2009
In terms of hardware, the big functional differences between the first and second iPhones were the addition of GPS and 3G wireless, plus a different housing. Apple will almost certainly be releasing another iPhone before LTE/WiMAX networking is worth supporting, so don't hold out on that account. The next iPhone will probably have non-telephony hardware improvements, like a better camera, battery, tricorder, perhaps a front-side camera, that sort of thing. Apple announced some advanced battery-management tech for the new 17" Macbook Pro that presumably they'll want to trickle down to the iPhone.
And, of course, the next model will have more storage. The current models have 8 or 16 GB; I would guess those numbers will double.
If you look at the iPhone and say to yourself "if only it had a better camera/battery/whatever," then maybe you should hold out, but none of us knows when Apple will add those features, if ever.
In terms of software, Apple's revenue model is such that OS updates are distributed for free, so don't hold out on that account either.
posted by adamrice at 7:23 AM on March 17, 2009
And, of course, the next model will have more storage. The current models have 8 or 16 GB; I would guess those numbers will double.
If you look at the iPhone and say to yourself "if only it had a better camera/battery/whatever," then maybe you should hold out, but none of us knows when Apple will add those features, if ever.
In terms of software, Apple's revenue model is such that OS updates are distributed for free, so don't hold out on that account either.
posted by adamrice at 7:23 AM on March 17, 2009
I'd wait (I'm a big fan of buying the one-generation-ago version of anything for half price, myself), but a reminder that you're not necessarily out of luck either way:
Remember, those who bought/ordered original iPhones during the 30-90 days before the 3G was launched last year received free upgrades/replacements from Apple to the new version anyway, and AT&T and other carriers had various versions of "upgrade your original to 3G for free" (with new 18-24mos contract).
(The exact terms varied by country and how much you whined.)
posted by rokusan at 7:29 AM on March 17, 2009
Remember, those who bought/ordered original iPhones during the 30-90 days before the 3G was launched last year received free upgrades/replacements from Apple to the new version anyway, and AT&T and other carriers had various versions of "upgrade your original to 3G for free" (with new 18-24mos contract).
(The exact terms varied by country and how much you whined.)
posted by rokusan at 7:29 AM on March 17, 2009
No one can answer this for you. Should I buy an (insert mac product here) is at least in the top 10 of useless askmefi questions. There's so little information that you could you could get it all with just a few minutes research yourself.
The answer is the same when it comes to any product, but especially in the tech field. Does it do what you want it to do? If it does, buy it. If it doesn't, wait. There will always be something cooler coming. You could wait forever for your super perfect iPhone, or you could be enjoying your almost perfect iPhone today.
Of course, you should pay attention to events like the one today. They actually will help you make a decision.
The Buyers' Guide runs off of industry inside tips, so I think it's pretty reliable. According to this, you should wait on getting an iPhone if you're looking at the high-end model.
No it doesn't. It runs on rumors and speculation and the logical time frames of product updates.
posted by Dennis Murphy at 7:34 AM on March 17, 2009
The answer is the same when it comes to any product, but especially in the tech field. Does it do what you want it to do? If it does, buy it. If it doesn't, wait. There will always be something cooler coming. You could wait forever for your super perfect iPhone, or you could be enjoying your almost perfect iPhone today.
Of course, you should pay attention to events like the one today. They actually will help you make a decision.
The Buyers' Guide runs off of industry inside tips, so I think it's pretty reliable. According to this, you should wait on getting an iPhone if you're looking at the high-end model.
No it doesn't. It runs on rumors and speculation and the logical time frames of product updates.
posted by Dennis Murphy at 7:34 AM on March 17, 2009
Are you the type that needs to always have the latest and greatest? Frankly, I think the iPhone works pretty fantastic as is on the strength of the apps. Most of my issues with the iPhone are on the software side as opposed to the hardware side. So any software upgrades would of course be available for the current iPhone as well as the next one. In terms of hardware enhancements, I can't imagine the next version would have anything significant to add other than more storage space, a better camera, better battery life, or be slightly thinner.
If it were up to me, I would wait but I have patience for these things. If you don't, get one now and be happy with your new iPhone.
posted by junesix at 9:07 AM on March 17, 2009
If it were up to me, I would wait but I have patience for these things. If you don't, get one now and be happy with your new iPhone.
posted by junesix at 9:07 AM on March 17, 2009
Does anyone know of a site that is streaming live vid from the event in 5 minutes?
posted by 8dot3 at 9:54 AM on March 17, 2009
posted by 8dot3 at 9:54 AM on March 17, 2009
Iphone owner here. Stop thinking and get one now!
Joking aside, its a fantastic piece of hardware with lots of really good apps and games. I would recommend one for anyone looking at getting a new phone (if it's within budget of course).
posted by samsara at 10:26 AM on March 17, 2009
Joking aside, its a fantastic piece of hardware with lots of really good apps and games. I would recommend one for anyone looking at getting a new phone (if it's within budget of course).
posted by samsara at 10:26 AM on March 17, 2009
The updates coming in 3.0 (announced today, releasing in the summer) look very nice. If you can wait until around then, I'd recommend that you do, as chances are they'll release a hardware revision around June or July.
posted by phaded at 11:47 AM on March 17, 2009
posted by phaded at 11:47 AM on March 17, 2009
The new iPhone OS 3 that was announced today will be a free upgrade to existing iPhones. SO, .. if you were to run out and buy an iPhone 3G (the current model) today, you'll get the OS upgrade (for free) when they release it (approx sometime this summer).
In light of that,... if you ran out and got a current model iPhone 3G, you're likely to get atleast a couple years of satisfied usage out of it. Seems like a no-brainer to me. The only caveat I could advise would be to try the touch-screen before you buy it. I had a friend compare iPhone side-by-side to a Blackberry and she liked the Blackberry keyboard better. (although I think the Blackberry OS looks like utter complete FAIL compared to iPhone interface, but thats just me ;P
posted by jmnugent at 12:00 PM on March 17, 2009
In light of that,... if you ran out and got a current model iPhone 3G, you're likely to get atleast a couple years of satisfied usage out of it. Seems like a no-brainer to me. The only caveat I could advise would be to try the touch-screen before you buy it. I had a friend compare iPhone side-by-side to a Blackberry and she liked the Blackberry keyboard better. (although I think the Blackberry OS looks like utter complete FAIL compared to iPhone interface, but thats just me ;P
posted by jmnugent at 12:00 PM on March 17, 2009
get a Touch HD and laugh at people who cant copy and paste or run more than one program at a time on their iphone...
posted by 3mendo at 12:15 PM on March 17, 2009
posted by 3mendo at 12:15 PM on March 17, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
And check this out: MacRumors' buyer guide
The best apple/mac rumors compiled by this one guy who actually quit his job (was he a doctor?) to run the blog full-time. The Buyers' Guide runs off of industry inside tips, so I think it's pretty reliable. According to this, you should wait on getting an iPhone if you're looking at the high-end model.
posted by the NATURAL at 4:21 AM on March 17, 2009