iPhone to improve in time

Apple's first iteration of the iPhone may have its weak points, but the company is likely to refine the device into a highly successful gadget of necessity as it did with the first iPod released in 2001, according BusinessWeek columnist Arik Hesseldahl. The Cupertino-based company's first-generation iPod experienced a rough start as it launched in the midst of a recession in the technology sector, but soon blossomed into what would become the 600-pound gorilla of the digital music player market. "History may soon repeat itself," Hesseldahl said as he addressed several popular iPhone complaints, pointing to spotty wireless service from all providers as well as the incentive for Cingular to clean up its act in as many ways as possible prior to the device launching in June to make a good impression for early adopters. Several reports recently surfaced suggesting that Apple is already working on a second iPhone, and that the new device will improve upon the first-generation iPhone even as Apple prepares to ship its first-generation cellular handset in June.

As for iPhone pricing, Hesseldahl notes that the 8GB iPhone -- priced at $599 -- is less than the cost of an 8GB iPod nano ($249) added to the price of a Palm Treo 750 ($399), which together serve to provide all the functionality that the iPhone offers as a single unit. "The iPod took more than five years to reach the point it has today, and the iPhone is a direct result of that evolutionary process. And evolution, as we all know, takes time."

by MacNN Staff