Hardware-On

I wouldn't be much of an Apple acolyte if I didn't bring up the iPhone this weekend, and since I am, I will right now. I have to say... if you're not much of an Apple enthusiast or maybe not even not an enthusiast, but just someone who doesn't care about the iPhone... this past week has been a rough one. Certainly there's been an oversaturation of iPhone news recently. I almost feel "bad" about talking about it even here, in my own "home". And it's not as though I have any incisive comments to make about the cellphone industry and the paradigm shift that the iPhone could represent, etc. I just felt like talking out of my ass about the iPhone. :)

I have to say that I've been pretty excited about the iPhone ever since Steve Jobs carried it out on stage at Macworld earlier this year. And let me just preface my comments by saying I hate cell phones. I hate 'em! Never liked 'em, never wanted one, etc. I've been a major hater pretty much since their inception (or at least their introduction into the mainstream market). And it's not so much about a hatred for the technology of phones per se, that's actually the one aspect that I can attatch myself to and enjoy. I've always hated the culture that cell phones represented; the total lack of public/social courtesy. Cellphone users have always represented "that guy"... and you know what guy I'm talking about. He's loud, obnoxious and totally rude. I hate these people who entrench themselves in public situations and thereupon drag you into their personal phone conversations and interactions. It's everything. The loud talking, the beeping and ringing, and the worst part of it all is that new thing where people use that grating, loud walkie-talkie feature. Shut! The! Fuck! Up! I hate those people... and at that point in time they make me hate the rest of humanity. If hatred were combustible, I could take out the entire planet when I find myself in the presence of an obnoxious cellphone user.

But as I've said, there's some things you can like about a cell phone. For instance, I think the whole subset of web design that the proliferation of cellphones has afforded is interesting. I'm a huge fan of the "WAP Queen", Anina and the future she represents. The Net in and of itself is fluidic, but the mobile market has brought that quality to a whole new level. The culture that phones have spawned in this respect I find endlessly fascinating.

And yet I've never wanted to delve into it. Never wanted a phone, etc. It's only when my brother got the entire family on a family cellphone plan that I was thrust into being a user. And for the most part I love it. As I've said, it's the more techy aspects of the phone that I enjoy. The way in which the phone can interact with web services like "Twitter" and "Jaiku" totally rocks my socks off. I love it. But just when you begin to truly love it, the experience of the phone always knocks you down. I'm a tech guy, so I can manage... but it doesn't mean I wouldn't like to manage easier. All cell phones are horrible and thereby great examples in shitty UI. They're so hard to use. And if not hard, just uncomfortable, frustrating and annoying.

But to bring it all around, seeing the iPhone in action back in January was a revelation. That a phone could work the way in which an iPod could, and if not, even better... I just... no words *L*. This past week I've immersed myself in all sorts of iPhone reviews, articles, videos, tutorials etc. And I'm just in awe of its beauty *L*. It's an amazing thing to behold... although at a distance. And funny to desire something you really have no need for. As I've said, I'm not a phone guy... but I want one so bad, or at least I want to use one. Really, if you haven't... you really need to check out the "iPhone. A guided tour." video on Apple.com. It'll change you. *L* I know it did me. Greatest thing of all though, I believe my brother has one right now!!! He's alluded to it. So right now I'm sooo excited about actually getting my hands on one and playing around with it. It's all the more exciting when you hear the phone getting so many glowing reviews. That they experience is what it's been sold to be is amazing. I can't wait. Anyway, it's such a technological marvel in hardware and software design and I can't wait to experience it firsthand. I'd normally head out to the Apple store after a hardware or software release, but it's so much cooler that I don't have to this time. I can't wait! :D

DS333, anticipating.