Tom

If it's not running the Mojo framework...and interacting with the device's hardware through javascript and built the same way with cards...It's no Pre. It just looks like one. Swiping probably brings up a menu...but I'm not sure the "cards" will look the same at all. Further, the Mojo framework (while it probably could be ported to Android) won't control the phone's hardware...but probably could get the card actions. Probably a good deal of work to do all that though.

I'm going to assume this is just a themed look and the functionality is that of Android.
Interesting that Pre is pursuing this because what people do their phones its their own prerogative. You can make your Windows Mobile phone look like an iPhone...You can make your Android look like a Pre. At the end of the day...No store sells the phones with these themes (so a customer walking into a store won't be confused) and the phones interfaces all operate differently.

Sounds weird, but I do get the consumer confusion part to a degree.

How does that not end up in every shot from the camera? Notice how carved out that is by the lens...but still...really? It's like having a hood on the lens! Maybe it cuts down on glare.

people who want to walk around pretending they have a tumor on their thigh. duh.

How does this not avoid the 5gb cap?
They don't know WHAT is using it other than the phone. The phone is the source and that's on an unlimited plan (unless you like to be sadistic and pay for a less than $99/unlimited plan) ....

So yes this is definitely a big issue for carriers with their current structure. I literally just got back from the Sprint store, I bought a Pre...The guy there told me their USB cards used to be unlimited but since MiFi (and maybe just the public getting smarter about devices) they started capping to 5GB. I know before MiFi there was also a cap. I doubt many people ever went beyond it even given the chance, but it's probably there for some small 1% that would use it to do something illegal.

Our habits change. We will eventually use more than 5GB. Streaming Pandora and other things...legal things. So the carriers will need to raise the cap. One reason for the cap is because with MiFi a bunch of computers can start humping their network. So that could start to cause reliability issues. However, I would imagine that as time goes on their networks can get better and handle that many people.

Of course a cellular internet is only an "in a pinch" and if I had the choice between a wireless hotspot (free) and my tethered phone...Guess which I'd choose?

I think that as long as a phone can connect to a computer, you'll always be able to tether it. I'm not sure how a carrier could avoid it. All they know is the phone uses the internet. It doesn't know where the data is going ultimately or what device is steering and making the requests.

Obviously everyone wants to use cellular internet more. I used it for years before the iPhone, but I thank the iPhone for paving the way and bringing in the average user. Apple is really good at swaying a particular type of audience. I like Apple products, I've used their products and almost got an iPhone, but honestly I don't like the company. They charge over market value for hardware and they have this scheme of making people rebuy the same devices every 6 months to a year. From ipods to iphones. You can't replace batteries...the batteries wear out we all know that they do. You can't use removeable media for storage. So they start off with 1gb and then 2 and 3 and rope you in. Ultimately for as "green" as they want to be with their new laptop, I have to laugh because they are promoting pollution by making people upgrade and ditch their old devices into landfills...

But I digress and as far as the argument about stealing ideas is concerned EVERY company barrows ideas from others. Otherwise there'd only be one car manufacturer, etc. It's a pretty good thing we have inspiration in the world. So that means yea funny enough iPhone, Pre, etc. are working together to figure out good UI, good design, etc. that is not only attractive to the mass population but also usable... Further, don't think that Apple is some messiah or great inventor company. It bought the multi-touch technology on the down low from a company that build pads that plugged in to USB for people with motor function problems. Cool gesture pads that I always wanted to track down, but are hard to come by. Further...Apple gobbles up other patents and buys their technology. They are not a hardware R&D company. They are a retailer and software development company. Where do you think the bits in their devices come from? Some magical farting apple? Nope, same companies that put the parts in....wait for it....PC's running Windows! Oh my God! Woah! Wow! Further, my PC can run OS X.... so how do you like those Apples...but I run Fedora Linux. So enjoy arguing amongst yourself. I'm off to enjoy the Pre.

lol you can't take down cell towers with one radio... what BS is this? all because you modified the software on the phone? Besides, if someone wanted to attack a cell phone tower, they wouldn't use an iphone. They'd pay more than they'd need to.

then don't buy apple products. apple's business model is on planned expiration. they keep their customers moving through products. they also overcharge (less now, and really good price on iphone). but that's what they do. their batteries die and don't last over recharges, they aren't replaceable like every other phone. why? to only support the need to buy a new iphone every year. that does basically 80% the same thing the last one did.

ipods, iphones, computers, all their products. look at how many versions they have... how many re-hashes and how quickly they update. under the guise of "keeping it fresh" .... and these conferences to hype people. just funny because the economy is in such bad shape because of spending and lending....here, we the consumers are also spending irresponsibly.

sure, all companies have their tactics to make money. everything is a gimmic. especially technology. but this case with the new iphone and how AT&T is treating their customiers is pretty darn stupid.

Another really good point here in the comments. Aside from the price point, the apps are great. iPhone was revolutionary in this respect. I won't say that they had anything spectacular to their phone other than a capacitive screen.

However...the whole app store thing was brilliant. Android doing it as well and others. GREAT.

BUT at this point in the game, Apple should make good on some basic features.
A compass is a cruel joke and waste of time when they could've put more energy into other more important things.

you're absolutely right. and if i didn't have a smart phone, i'd get it. if i wasn't in a contract, i'd seriously consider it. if it was on verizon's network (which it should be soon) then i'd upgrade to it.

but if you get another phone out there, you're not in the wrong and they work just fine too. the iphone isn't the end all be all. it's the most hyped, best marketed phone. palm gets close. blackberry had some great marketing too before.

i think for many people, it's the price point that wins here. that's probably the most important thing to note. now i guess i start to question if it was such a good phone, why lower the price? are they ripping people off like normal? (well yea but all companies do) But $199 is a fair price. Most other smart phones cost that, it's the going rate. It's a very interesting strategy by Apple because of the economy and I think, partly, because it falls short as a smart phone and some people by now surely must be getting annoyed with buying a new iphone over and over...

so is it really that cheap? if you keep up with it? i'm beside myself with how many version of this stupid phone they have. it makes me loose faith and interest in it...though several times i've been on the fence, even to the point of cancelling my contract!

you obviously never used another smart phone before in your life....or not recently.

Still no Flash (Skyfire browser and others for Windows Mobile have it so WTF)... Tethering on their site notes in fine print not available in the US currently. WOW. I can tether with my HTC Touch on Verizon... AND Flash... Hmmm.

BUT, finally the iPhone is catching up with that (whenever the tether works) and with voice command (nearly every phone has this for 10 years now, wtf apple, seriously?). Copy and paste, video recording... a LANDSCAPE KEYBOARD, holy crap way to go, how revolutionary! (morons)

and what else? Some other things. I can live without Flash. Honestly. Tethering, landscape keyboard, that's good for me. I still want to open PDF's can you do that yet?

One app at a time? Eh I can deal with that too I suppose.

ALMOST got me to switch and buy it...IF I didn't flash or know how to flash my phone's ROM then I would because Verizon gimps their phones...all carriers do. BUT as it stands now my phone is paid for, I have a contract, Verizon has better signal, and my HTC Touch outperforms the iPhone and does more. Minus the screen (multi-touch is nice). Not big enough to make me switch yet sorry....

Guess I gotta wait for the next generation of iPhone.
Usually by the second generation you're good to go...right? No, here it's like the 4th generation is good. Anything else and you're just getting bent over.

OH RIGHT! The battery that dies over the course of a year...Fortunately the lower price will help us litter the landfills a bit more...mmmmmm iPollution.