Time names iPhone Invention of the Year

[aryayush]

Invention Of the Year: The iPhone

Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007

By LEV GROSSMAN



Stop. I mean, don't stop reading this, but stop thinking what you're about to think. Or, O.K., I'll think it for you:

The thing is hard to type on. It's too slow. It's too big. It doesn't have instant messaging. It's too expensive. (Or, no, wait, it's too cheap!) It doesn't support my work e-mail. It's locked to AT&T. Steve Jobs secretly hates puppies. And—all together now—we're sick of hearing about it! Yes, there's been a lot of hype written about the iPhone, and a lot of guff too. So much so that it seems weird to add more, after Danny Fanboy and Bobby McBlogger have had their day. But when that day is over, Apple's iPhone is still the best thing invented this year. Why? Five reasons:

1. The iPhone is pretty
Most high-tech companies don't take design seriously. They treat it as an afterthought. Window-dressing. But one of Jobs' basic insights about technology is that good design is actually as important as good technology. All the cool features in the world won't do you any good unless you can figure out how to use said features, and feel smart and attractive while doing it.

An example: look at what happens when you put the iPhone into "airplane" mode (i.e., no cell service, WiFi, etc.). A tiny little orange airplane zooms into the menu bar! Cute, you might say. But cute little touches like that are part of what makes the iPhone usable in a world of useless gadgets. It speaks your language. In the world of technology, surface really is depth. Read more...

[Via Apple]

[alsiladka]

Ok. No doubt it has to be the invention of the year. An amazing concept, nicely put forward, shook the competitors in its field.

But a lot many stones were left unturned. Still cannot understand why the API was not released with the launch or even before the launch, why after calling the applications dangerous to the network, should you yourself allow such applications? Apple surely does bank on short term memories.

Just a few points from the times review -
It's a genuine handheld, walk-around computer, the first device that really deserves the name.
Which feature of iPhone makes it a walk-around computer which the phones before it did not have? N95, E90, P990i (i dont know when did P1 release. Feature wise, all these phones outpar iPhone, still it is the first handheld computer?

[rockthegod]

It had to be... Despite its "brutal" shortcomings, it is the best mix of power and style, the world of mobile phones has ever seen... This is what I like of Apple, their products are always an inspiration for others to bring up their excellence.... thats what innovation is responsible for....

The hardware of iphone is still the best for such a phone.... god knows when jobs will lift up his stupid crippling of such a magnificent piece of hardware...

[superczar]

Which feature of iPhone makes it a walk-around computer which the phones before it did not have? N95, E90, P990i (i dont know when did P1 release. Feature wise, all these phones outpar iPhone, still it is the first handheld computer?

the simple fact that the relatively weak processing power and the relatively sub-optimal OS code on Symbian/UIQ effectively turn performing any meaningful task into a painful wait

(want to view a slideshow?
press menu - wait 3 secs
press gallery- wait 4 secs
try select multiple pics/folders- wait 5 secs
then press slideshow and wait for the pics to render)

My iPhone is currently loaned to my GF, and I am using my older N73 (which is supposedly one of the better smartphones)
and it feels like having shifted from a hayabusa to a TVS scooty...serious...

Symbian/Win Mobile may, and do support pretty much any feature the iphone has, and more
which of these features is practically usable on a daily basis is the big qstn mark...and thats what makes the iPhone a near true handheld computer

[amitava82]

^^ +1 Absolutely correct..

[aryayush]

Originally Posted by alsiladka

Just a few points from the times review -
It's a genuine handheld, walk-around computer, the first device that really deserves the name.
Which feature of iPhone makes it a walk-around computer which the phones before it did not have? N95, E90, P990i (i dont know when did P1 release. Feature wise, all these phones outpar iPhone, still it is the first handheld computer?

OS X. I know you cannot appreciate the worth of OS X, but that is what makes it the world's first hand held computer. The TIME reviewer was referring to it too.

All the points that supeczar mentioned, they are possible because of a solid foundation and that foundation is OS X.

[MetalheadGautham]

HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN AN iMATE?

I have seen many, and with its touch pad, expandable memory, cool looks, VLC MEDIA PLAYER, and office suite, its a killer.

iPhone is just not worth its hype. OK, apple tweaked the standard design of phones a bit and made it faster - nothing so innovative that a 10 year old can't think of.

I was saving up for an iPhone thinking it will have 80 gigs disc space, lots of games and some good phonability, but now, I am going to get myself something like the EEE PC with that money...

[aryayush]

It's your money. Do with it what you will. No one cares.

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

iPhone is just not worth its hype. OK, apple tweaked the standard design of phones a bit and made it faster - nothing so innovative that a 10 year old can't think of.

Oh, I can think of an anti-gravity suit that takes me to the moon where I'll have an Internet connection running at 40GBps and a computer the size of the great wall of China - but that does not mean that I can make it happen, even though I am nearly nineteen.

Say what, I'm sure you are above ten yourself. Invented an iPhone or two lately?

Honestly, the things people post!


Update: WOW, colours. That's mature. You know, I would've believed you if you had simply told me you were not ten yet. Didn't really need to go to all that trouble.

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by aryayush

It's your money. Do with it what you will. No one cares.

Oh, I can think of an anti-gravity suit that takes me to the moon where I'll have an Internet connection running at 40GBps and a computer the size of the great wall of China - but that does not mean that I can make it happen, even though I am nearly nineteen.

Say what, I'm sure you are above ten yourself. Invented an iPhone or two lately?

Honestly, the things people post!


Update: WOW, colours. That's mature. You know, I would've believed you if you had simply told me you were not ten yet. Didn't really need to go to all that trouble.

If I am not mistaken, you must be another of those die hard apple fans. I used that ten year old part as a figure of speech, and you make something else out of it...

What I ment was that an iPhone is not as innovative as some other stuff out there. It is just another phone with better looks. The iPod was very good, there is no denying that. It was a revolution. But the iPhone not only obviously falls short of the pod's standards, but its also another proof to that anything branded as "Apple" need not be good.

The mass mentality is this: if it looks good, and you hear it everywere, it must be good.

The Apple TV is much better than an iPhone IMHO.

Something else should have won that award.

If you feel you can't live without an iPhone, go ahed and buy yourself one, I am not stopping you

and yes, I use colours because they make the text more readable at first glance.


PS: Excuse the delayed reply. Windows crashed and restarted for no reason at all(thats why I avoid it) and I booted form ubuntu as usual to fix things up.(thats why I prefer it - exept for games, everything else is good with ubuntu)

[Gigacore]

Cool atlast iPhone has got the invention of the year... Anyway nice to know

[din]

The iPhone is not innovative at all

Reason 1 : If a product has to be innovative, a very large number of internet / tech users should vote for it. Then only it becomes eligible for an 'innovative product'. Now whats this very large number ? OK, atleast 51 users should vote for it ! (no, I didn't mean the IE thread)

Reason 2 : Time magazine has no way related to Apple / iPhone. So how can it announce iPhone as something innovative ? ? (no, I didn't mean the 'most secure OS' thread)

iPhone really deserve the position. Eventhough I haven't seen the product yet - and I am not an Apple fanboy, I think Time has done the right thing by selecting iPhone.

[amitava82]

How can you compare iPhone with EeePC and Apple TV? Rest aside, all three are different products... You don't wanna compare egg with eggplant, do you?

BTW I used both iPhone and iMate (my friends own them, not me). Believe me it reminds me superczar's post above.. AND your windows crash too..

[DigitalDude]

Credit should be given where its due

even though I personally dont like the iPhone for its obvious shortcomings and I dont have have any use with it, its still a refreshing gadget from thousands of tech thats being churned out year after year.

The fact that Apple has sold this much iPhones is a clear indicator that there is a market and loads of people love the iphone. whether we consider them to be stupid or clever we have to respect their choice. So its good on the part of TIME magazine to do this rather than succumbing to preoccupied notions that most techies have (including me ) . but still 'Invention' is a controversial word. I would rather like it to be the 'Gadget of the year'

Just by reading this much about the iPhone sometimes I myself subconciously touch the screen of my K550i for bringing the menu and wish it was like that.

[naveen_reloaded]

Personally i felt laughing when i read the article somewhere,when they mentioned that iphone will show a icon when yöü put it in aeroplane mode...
What is so special with that?
Even my k800 will do the same...
Lol...
Best invention of the year?

I think it should be the laser pulse found to destroy virus particle from the blood....indirectly finding a cure for hiv
Or
It should be the upcoming new protocol in p2p,
Personally i will vote the later for invention of the year?..coz i heard it will be difficult for antipiracy group to track..lol.thats what i call invention.
LOL

[lywyre]

Maybe, iPhone won because nothing else was close enough, this year

Man, I bought a 2GB iPod Nano for 6k and guess what, two months later Apple rebrands it as iPod Nano Classic and launches 4 GB Nano with Video for the same bucks. How much I hate Apple now?

[superczar]

HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN AN iMATE?

No, the rest of the world (but you) has been living under a rock all these years....
LOL

Personally i felt laughing when i read the article somewhere,when they mentioned that iphone will show a icon when yöü put it in aeroplane mode...
What is so special with that?
Even my k800 will do the same...

I never get tired of saying this, so I'll say it again...learn to read and comprehend ..

What the author says is quoted below.
I absolutely don't get how your post abobe relates to this....

An example: look at what happens when you put the iPhone into "airplane" mode (i.e., no cell service, WiFi, etc.). A tiny little orange airplane zooms into the menu bar! Cute, you might say. But cute little touches like that are part of what makes the iPhone usable in a world of useless gadgets. It speaks your language. In the world of technology, surface really is depth.

Hint: There is a difference between someone saying, "that tiny little Orange Airplane is an awesome feature" vs. "that tiny little airplane is a trivial nicety, one amongst many that make the iphone what it is"
In the former case, you have every right to diss the author, not in the latter

oh boy....Wannabe G33ks and their preconcieved notions...sigh!

[naveen_reloaded]

What i am saying a simple graphical change doesnt mean its soo different from others out there.
Even tom someone with better graphic can come out,will that mean that they have invented something extraordinary?

I really dont get it...
There are many other things to look for ar i mentioned earlier.
That was just two..many are there.
Simply coz it comes from the company of apple doesnt mean it always winner...
What about nokia and se and moto..for all these years of service and invention?
Wasnt moto was partner with apple when they first started this project?

[DigitalDude]

if that word 'invention' is replaced with 'gadget', everyone would be less furious atleast... but the people who will be really furious are the ones who are toiling day and night in labs and educational institutions to bring some real inventions to the world

[ax3]

it is ..... bt with some little glitches ...... else it ROCKS ! ! !

[superczar]

I agree though that it ain't really the invention of the year...gadget of the year, yes, but not a ground breaking invention though

[naveen_reloaded]

Originally Posted by DigitalDude

if that word 'invention' is replaced with 'gadget', everyone would be less furious atleast... but the people who will be really furious are the ones who are toiling day and night in labs and educational institutions to bring some real inventions to the world

Well said man,

But even for gadget?is it ground breaking invention,particularly the most hyped multi touch,
Wasnt that been before from other companies?

[nvidia]

You think iPhone deserves the title?

[naveen_reloaded]

What do yöü think?

[nvidia]

I dont think it does... iPhone just looks good. It deserves the title "Most Beautiful Tech Product of the Year" and not "Invention of the year". Its just another phone and not any new thing in the tech world . So the iPhone does not deserve the title.


My 100th post!

[naveen_reloaded]

Well said...
+1
It doesnt deserve.

[aryayush]

Originally Posted by naveen_reloaded

Personally i felt laughing when i read the article somewhere,when they mentioned that iphone will show a icon when yöü put it in aeroplane mode...
What is so special with that?
Even my k800 will do the same...
Lol...
Best invention of the year?

It's a shame I don't resort to mud-slinging and name-calling because you surely deserve it for this completely idiotic post!

Originally Posted by lywyre

Man, I bought a 2GB iPod Nano for 6k and guess what, two months later Apple rebrands it as iPod Nano Classic and launches 4 GB Nano with Video for the same bucks. How much I hate Apple now?

Yeah, so stupid of Apple. Why can't they just release one product and sell it forever! Idiots.

::sarcasm alert::


(BTW, the iPod nano was not rebranded as "iPod Nano Classic". It was and, to this day, remains the iPod nano.)

Originally Posted by naveen_reloaded

What i am saying a simple graphical change doesnt mean its soo different from others out there.
Even tom someone with better graphic can come out,will that mean that they have invented something extraordinary?

First of all, the graphics of the iPhone are several times better than whatever else exists right now. The whole interface is powered by Core Animation. An astounding fact I learned recently was that every single frame of the iPhone's interface is animated in one way or the other. Get a load of this. Nowhere in the whole interface does anything happen without any sort of animation accompanied to it and yet it is so amazingly responsive. I don't think that is a "simple graphical change", even if you try to loosely define it.

Second, that was just the first point. There are four more in the article and several more in actuality. Notice the 'Read more...' link? Try clicking on that.

Originally Posted by naveen_reloaded

Wasnt moto was partner with apple when they first started this project?

No, Motorola has absolutely no relation whatsoever to the iPhone.

Originally Posted by naveen_reloaded

Well said man,

But even for gadget?is it ground breaking invention,particularly the most hyped multi touch,
Wasnt that been before from other companies?

No. The iPhone is the first, and as of yet, the only commercially available product to feature the Multi-touch user interface.

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by aryayush

It's a shame I don't resort to mud-slinging and name-calling because you surely deserve it for this completely idiotic post!

What else can we expect from u who does not respect the personal opinion of a fellow member just because it is Anti-Apple

[fun2sh]

dont start here also again

but me too think iphone is not worth the title

[infra_red_dude]

Even I'm against it. But I support iPhone for "Gadget of the year". It surely deserves the title.

iPhone is not an invention. I mean, it can never be! Mobile phones existed since long. Hardware existed since long, Mac OS existed since long, Multitouch existed before (yes, it did. However it was never featured in a mobile device before). iPhone is a perfect blend of the best of all those cited above. It surely is the gadget of the year.

[nvidia]

It can be the "Gadget of the year" but not "INVENTION of the year"