Mossberg hedges on 3G iPhone comments
updated 03:15 pm EDT, Tue April 8, 2008
Mossberg 3G iPhone
Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg is claiming that his previous comments indicating that a 3G iPhone would debut in the "next 60 days" were based on the same, widely reported speculation to which other pundits have access, and that he has "no idea" when Apple will release the new device. Silicon Alley Insider reports that Mossberg said "If I knew when this date was, why would I announce it in the middle of a sentence at the Finnish embassy, rather than report it in the Wall Street Journal?" The veteran writer made the comment while discussing the limits of cellular broadband in the US, noting that third-generation access in the country is still slow compared to other areas of the world.
The comments fueled growing speculation over the launch of an iPhone that supports HSPA Internet access, which is considered by many to be essential for adding more Internet-dependent features to the handset as well as offering access to Japan and other countries where 3G is the only option for phone service. A special T-Mobile Germany promotion and analyst reports have all pointed to a likely iPhone upgrade to the faster wireless technology in June.
The Journal writer also noted that he appreciated the Apple TV but that current bandwidth limits on American broadband affect potential enjoyment of the experience. HD and very long videos often require long download times before they can reliably play on most users' devices.
talk about backpedalling
04/08, 03:31pm reply
Yeah right! It was not said in a speculative manner at all. He said it very matter of fact. The guy absolutely knows what's going on.
videoboy22
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Joined: Sep 2006
non-story
04/08, 04:21pm reply
I never understood why his comments were taken practically as a product announcement. He was talking about the iPhone in context of bandwidth in the US, and said something like "we all know that the iPhone is 3G or will be within 60 days. . . " That is nothing other than his informed statement of belief. There is nothing there that indicates that it was more than an approximate guess based on widely publicized speculation and signs.
I think we'll have one in 60 days too. That doesn't make me Steve Jobs.
gudin
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Joined: May 2000
re: non-story
04/08, 05:31pm reply
Heh agree totally. I've been smiling at all the wags and fanboys who became so pedantic when it came to jumping to conclusions about the 3G iPhone.
Plus it looks like at least one person still believes he had inside knowledge. *sigh* Please read this sentence again: "If I knew when this date was, why would I announce it in the middle of a sentence at the Finnish embassy, rather than report it in the Wall Street Journal?"
Spacemoose
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Joined: Feb 2004
why would he...
04/09, 09:34am reply
mention it at all or ommit something like "supposedly" or "allegedly" when he was speaking and dropped that bit in the middle of his sentence?
Since he's a well seasoned and renowned reporter for the WSJ and all_
UberFu
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Joined: Oct 2002
just watch the video
04/26, 04:06am reply
@gudin and @spacemoose you clearly haven't watched the video.
http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/04/05/mossberg.3g.iphone.in.60d/
6m55s in. You can be that he got a call from Steve Jobs after this story broke.
videoboy22
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Joined: Sep 2006