tom's Profile

I do use iChat AV to videochat with family members. I'm in NYC, my sister and family are in Denver and my parents in Los Angeles. I also have friends in Beijing and Germany. We videochat regularly and we love it. However, I am the only one with a Dual 2.5 G5. Everyone else is on the minimal requirements that allow iChat video conferencing (G3, low MHz G4). What this means is that we cannot have multi-way video conference, it all has to be 1-on-1. The requirements are actually steeper than listed in the column. A premium investment is called for by all parties in order to take full advantage of iChat's features. As time goes by, I'm sure our friends and family will upgrade their systems. But we're content for now, it beats talking over the phone and paying the telecoms their ridiculous rates.

Cell phones have become camera phones. Camera phones have become smart phones. Smart phones will become jukebox phones with record stores? Watch mediocrity settle in. I agree with hmurchison. The user interfaces are going to be worse than anything currently out there. I can't find a cameraphone, let alone a phone with form & function that is satisfying to use. If the design is great, the software sucks. If the software is good, the keyboard is too small. It's always something. And they're going to add an MP3 player? AND the music store interface? While racing to build the everything-in-one phone, they've forgotten that their current phone interfaces.... suck. Additionally, with daily normal use, how long will the battery life be in one of these beasts? It'll be interesting to see which phones are offered by which carriers due to the fragmented market share here in the U.S. That will surely prevent any one carrier to emerge as a winner. If you want a better music phone go buy from Cingular. If you want a better camera phone buy from Sprint. If you want a better smart phone buy from T-Mobile. If you want a better cell phone, buy from Verizon. There will surely be at least one aspect of each phone/carrier that you'll loathe. Things would be a bit better if all phones worked with all carriers, just as they do overseas. But that's another arguement from days past. Bill Gates says in his arguement against the iPod that he believes the consumer wants choice. Do you think the Nokia phone sold by Verizon is going to let you buy music from the Motorola store on the Cingular network? In the near to short term I see the mobile music store a reflection of the current mobile market at best...And it's not that good... The only winner will be Bill Gates and Microsoft if all these phones run Windows Mobile. Bill Gates. Propganda machine.