[DesertCat]

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P.S. Software upgrades = $$$$
..Hacking phone to play mp3's, why? Why not just buy a better phone that does it without hacking it?

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Apple's software upgrades usually = free or tiny $, not $$$$.

It's interesting that so many people on this thread think if you don't buy the phone that works best for them, you are stupid. I'll be the first to admit if you do lots of typing, any full size keyboard is much better than the Iphone's virtual keyboard. If you use your phone in the car a lot, you'll be pretty frustrated until they get voice recognition working. Frankly the IPhone isn't a great phone, and if that's all you want you should skip it. It's a great multifunction device so you don't have to carry two devices, while still remaining thin and small (unlike some of the battleship sized keyboard phones touted here).

Not having to carry a separate Ipod is great, as is not having to work with MP3s. I like that it works with my existing IPod library of music and ITunes, which also has a decent selection of movies and TV shows and you have a screen big enough to actually watch them. I love the map even without GPS, it's easy to enter your location and it instantly locates nearby gas stations/restaurants/whatever you ask. The calendar is better than my desktop calendar. I love that it syncs all my photos from my pc and has a screen big enough your friends can actually see them. But mainly it's got the best screen and hence best browser on a cell phone, and a decent mail client with a great mail viewer.

This is just like the original Macintosh, though less hyped. Apple releases a breakthrough device but it's not for everyone. Nitty nerds rip on it before they've even used one (how can you not have a command line!!!). Apple clearly pushed the phone out as soon as the hardware was ready, but before all the software was finished. My expectations are they'll release an update in three to six months that will address lots of these issues and it will either be free or $49. They'll also be releasing a cheap Nano based phone and within a year or so an IPhone with a better camera/GPS/and more storage that will continue to broaden the appeal.

Either way I don't care about the cost much. A "free" cell phone would cost me $2k over the next 2 years just for service. I'm happy spending a little extra to get the latest and greatest when available.

Oh, and I've had Windows Mobile and Treo devices. They both suck, and they both crash and lockup. Something that hasn't happened yet (knock on wood) with my IPhone.