Three thoughts on the new iPhone

Yesterday, Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the updated iPhone to the world. And while it was quite exciting, it wasn’t exactly a revolution. More like an evolution.

In the blogosphere there’s a lot of talk and buzz about this new phone - and yes, there are also critics. For me two thoughts come to mind.

First of all I’m disappointed that the camera hasn’t had an upgrade. It’s still 2.0 megapixel. But that’s not the important part. The important part is that if Apple had listened in on the conversation on the web, they would have understood that a better camera could be a driver for even more sales of the iPhone, especially outside the US. In other words they just reduced sales on that front, and one really has to question how much in touch Apple is with their fanbase.

The second point is actually quite contra-dictionary to the first point. Basically the critics are saying that this isn’t a revolution and that feature wise there are much better phones on the market. They are right, but they are forgetting the point. Because the point is that nothing works as well and seamless together as Apple devices and their corresponding services. Usability is front and center on this thing. And that’s going to attract the crowds - just like the iPod did.

The final point is that of MobileMe - the new sync service between Macs, iPhone and even PC’s with Microsoft Outlook. If Apple can get that to work in a seamless matter and really - I mean really - sync on the fly, they have the potential for a service which to Apple can be on web what iTunes is on the desktop. Really neat and - again - useful to ordinary people.

Add to all this an impressive retail price starting at 199 USD, and you have something where people just might be able to live without an improved camera.

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