iPhone irony

[alan]

When the Macintosh was released in 1984, it was praised because there was finally a personal computer that was as easy to use as a telephone.

Now, here we are 23 years later and iPhone is being praised because there is finally a phone that's as easy to use as the Macintosh.

[wjp09]

hmm interesting too much time on your hands?

[robhon]

When the Macintosh was released in 1984, it was praised because there was finally a personal computer that was as easy to use as a telephone.

Now, here we are 23 years later and iPhone is being praised because there is finally a phone that's as easy to use as the Macintosh.

I like it.

[alan]

hmm interesting too much time on your hands?

I just remember being one of the first people to see Macintosh the day it came out, at $2499 for the 128K model with a single 400k floppy disk and no hard drive, if I recall correctly. I ordered mine the next day.

Back then there were no lines. I went during my lunch break and there were a couple of other people in the store. I was blown away, but I'll always remember the one guy who said "it looks nice, but for that price, you could buy a loaded Apple ][".

[Aby The Liberal]

I agree. Mobile phones have become so complicated for average users that their primary task of making a call is much more difficult than say, playing music. iPhone goes back to what mobile phones were really made for - making calls.

[Somekid231]

I just remember being one of the first people to see Macintosh the day it came out, at $2499 for the 128K model with a single 400k floppy disk and no hard drive, if I recall correctly. I ordered mine the next day.

Back then there were no lines. I went during my lunch break and there were a couple of other people in the store. I was blown away, but I'll always remember the one guy who said "it looks nice, but for that price, you could buy a loaded Apple ][".

Should this be considered iRony....
ha! I crack myself up.

C

[ColsTiger]

One kind of store did you buy that first macintosh in 1984? Were there Apple stores then?

[joe]

One kind of store did you buy that first macintosh in 1984? Were there Apple stores then?

I believe they were independent authorized resellers.

[ColsTiger]

I remember people with commodore 64 and one friend had a tandy from radio shack, but those were the only two people I knew with personal computers. Everybody else only used them at work.

[kdarling]

I agree. Mobile phones have becomes so complicated for average users that their primary task of making a call is much more difficult than say, playing music. iPhone goes back what mobile phones were really made for - making calls.

Phone first? Not even close. Phone-enabled, yes.

Where's the hardware Send/End and number keys so you can use the phone (or any function) even with gloves on? Where's the one-touch dialing? Where's the voice dialing?

Let's say you've been hit by a car and can't move your fingers or talk. But you're able to hand your iPhone to a bystander who doesn't have their cell phone on them.

With a regular phone, most people nowadays will know to type 911 and hit Send. With the iPhone's hidden interface, 99% will have no clue that they first need to touch the little square box to light up the screen.

Okay, partly tongue in cheek, but you get the idea :wink:

[alan]

One kind of store did you buy that first macintosh in 1984? Were there Apple stores then?

No apples stores back then. Those didn't come until just a few years ago. In 1984, there were local independent dealers who carried Apple, IBM, and some other brands. It was actually the same store I bought my Apple ][+ at a few years earlier. When I bought that, they were still selling computers that had no keyboard or display.