So, what's the deal with the iPhone? Is this the must-have device of the year, or is it just another road bump on the path toward mobile nerdvana?

Given that I don't have an iPhone in my hands—and, until recently, didn't expect to get one—I'm still a bit mixed on it overall. The product looks decent, even excellent. It has the expected Apple design touches and UI innovations. But there are some problems. Here are the concerns that I think are relevant, as I now understand them. Things might change as the iPhone's June 29 release date approaches, and of course Apple updates its products regularly, so expect even more changes down the road.

Design. The iPhone is better looking than any smart phone—period. It's also bigger and heavier than most smart phone users might prefer, so it's a mixed bag overall. And what about that touch screen? Will it scratch easily in your pocket, like an iPod? Stay tuned.

Keyboard. The iPhone doesn't include a hardware keyboard, which makes it a non-starter for the two most important smart phone markets: business users and users who regularly send text messages. I don't care how good Apple's virtual keyboard is: Without a real keyboard, there's no tactile feedback, and thus you can't type easily on it without watching the virtual keys. Apple would have been better served by providing the device with a slide-out keyboard. This is a key area in which Apple has completely misread the market, and the company is only making it worse by pretending that it has invented a new market.

Network. The iPhone will work only with AT&T's cell phone network, which has been disparagingly referred to as a "2.5G" system, compared with superior 3G systems such as the Verizon EV-VO network that I use. (On the flip side, the iPhone does natively support Wi-Fi, which will come in handy, more so in the coming months and years.) Switching mobile phone providers is expensive, and limiting the iPhone to just AT&T will make the device artificially less relevant than it could be. And if you're in Europe, you're just plain out of luck for now: Apple hasn't announced its European mobile phone service partner yet.

Compatibility. Although the iPhone will work just fine with all POP3 email accounts and will work in superior fashion with the natively designed Gmail and Yahoo Mail systems, it won't work with most corporate email systems, which—in tandem with the lack of a real keyboard—makes the iPhone a non-event in the business world.

Internet. My Motorola Q can browse the Web, and do so via its superior EV-DO network, but most Web sites aren't designed for the device's small screen, and finding sites that do work natively is difficult and frustrating. The iPhone, by contrast, offers a "true" Web experience because it has taken a desktop PC-based browser—Safari—and jammed it into a mobile device with a nice, large widescreen display. However, Safari is also an iPhone weakness because so few sites are designed for this niche browser. Why, oh why, couldn't Apple have just gone with the superior Firefox browser? That would have made this category a slam-dunk.

Battery life. Apple now claims that the iPhone gets 8 hours of battery life for phone calls, which any cell phone user will immediately peg as a ludicrous claim. However, Apple had previously claimed just 5 hours, so something positive has happened here. A user-removable battery would make all the difference in the world.

Storage. The iPhone comes with just 4GB or 8GB of storage, depending on the model, which will limit the device's ability to store your entire media collection. Movies, which should look wonderful on the iPhone's widescreen display, are particularly problematic. A typical 2-hour movie purchased from the iTunes Store weighs in at around 1.5GB. Worse still, this kind of content will rapidly sap battery life.

Availability. If you want an iPhone, be prepared for short-term disappointment. You can order the device only through certain non-franchised AT&T retail stores, Apple retail stores, and—presumably—Apple's online store. I say "presumably" because, as of this writing, you can't actually preorder an iPhone anywhere, get on a waiting list, or even learn how the sales will be handled. Obviously, you'll need to sign a two-year commitment with AT&T, standard practice in the US cell phone market. The details, alas, are lacking.

Pricing. The iPhone is expensive. Really expensive. Whereas I was able to snag my Q for just $100 (or free, after a $100 mail-in rebate), the iPhone will cost $500 or $600 depending on which model you get—in addition to whatever monthly fees you pay through AT&T. This pricing structure places the iPhone at the absolutely upper echelons of the smart phone market. When you combine this fact with the availability and functionality concerns I've noted above, you can see some reality setting in: Yes, the iPhone will be successful. It's most definitely, however, not a good buy for most phone users.

Overall, I'm intrigued by the iPhone, mostly because I'm just now transitioning from desktop-based email and personal information management (PIM) software such as Microsoft Outlook to Web-based Google services, and the iPhone's interaction with these services is top-notch. Traditional email and business users, however, will find problems with the iPhone, as will anyone who pecks away regularly on today's smart phone keyboards. This situation, I believe, is the real risk with the iPhone, although Apple could easily push into traditional smart phone territory by releasing a keyboard-equipped iPhone in the next year. For now, hype will win out over common sense, and I have no doubt that people will be lining up to get an iPhone and create lines reminiscent of those that greeted Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace several years back. Personally, I'm not going to wait in line for an iPhone. But I most certainly will be getting one. How can I resist?

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Your negative points are even points. You say Apple hasn't lined up a European partner yet? You make it sound as if they're not going to or as if Europe doesn't have the technology to handle a phone. Weak point. Two days ago Apple released the fact that the screen will be glass so no scratches. You should have known this. As for no tactile keyboards...Apple is not going down the same geeky and doomed road as every other complicated phone. They're in the business of making things easy to use and not in the copycat business. It will take around 1 hour for the average moron to master this device. Blackberry use requires months of effort for bright people. Common folks have no shot at ever using it to accomplish anything which would be considered "productivity". What you'll find is that the iPhone is going to make all the complicated and impossible to understand email/phones obsolete and all of the system limitations you predict are merely going to be new paths leading away from old technologies. If you have money in Nokia, Motorola, Samsung or any other cell manufacturer you should consider cashing out or you'll go down into the tar pit along with Wang Computers. By the time they realize that simplicity and ease of use are the key to the game Apple will be working on something else. osisbs -June 20, 2007 More than a comment I have a question. Iphone would be on the market at 6:00 pm. How can I know which AT&T store is selling the Iphone, taking under consideration that most of AT&T stores close at 7:00 pm here in Miami. Guillermo -June 20, 2007 There are a few issues with our article I have... Design, A few days ago Apple released a press release saying it will be using optical quality glass instead of plastic. That should help with the sratching issue you mentioned. Keyboard, Yes lacking a physical keyboard will be a concern for business users, but guess what? Apple is not aiming for the business user (atleast not yet), they are aiming at the average joe. Apple is known for taking something complicated and making it simple stupid for the average user. Look at how small the smartphone market is now, Apple doesn't want to just take that market. They want to increase it by letting averge folks enter the smartphone age. Availability, Have you not done any research before posting this article? Apple has stated it will have over 3 million phones ready for launch date. I highly doubt there will be storage problems similar to when a new videogame console launches. Pricing, Yes the phone is expensive, but recent reports indicate the $499 and $599 price are for the phone WITHOUT a 2 year contract. Remember lots of phones are very expensive when you purchase them without a contract. How much did the orginal RAZR cost when it came out? $600! and that phone does not have anywhere near the features of Iphone. John Tran -June 20, 2007 You (and many other writers) just don't "get it". The iPhone is not designed to be a business device out to replace Crackberry's. It is a MP3 player, video player, email reader, quick camera, phot walle., internet browser and ...oh yes, a cell phone in one easy to carry and use device. It's targeted to a whole new base of consumers. Don't worry. You (and others) will "get it" in the next year. Tampa Tom -June 20, 2007 Guess what. I am a business user and end up carrying a Blackberry AND a small compact mobile phone because whilst the Blackberry is great for corporate email, I hate using it as a phone. I for one will be getting the iPhone! Andrew Sheridan -June 20, 2007 Even though Apple approached Verizon, they will have made a far better choice by going with GSM technology. It is the world standard, and with HSDPA, it will outperform CDMA, which will eventually die out in North America. They could have gone a step further, and released it unlocked through Apple Stores and caused a massive shift in the the way wireless is approached in North America. Verizon is fortunate this did not occur, because they could not compete with a limitless choice of unlocked phones. Rob Lillington -June 20, 2007 Just another toy for the rich. Yea, I'm sure it will do well, but it reeks of Apple's penchant to "do the whole banana". That's why, for instance, it uses Safari instead of Firefox. Jobs even said publicly two weeks back he doesn't know how to partner. Well, proof positive. I, will NOT be getting an iPhone. Frankly, it's just too damn expensive. Rotten Apples -June 20, 2007 You've somewhat missed the boat here. Why are you going on and on about the iPhone not being a good fit for corporate users? While your points are well taken, the name of this newsletter is Connected HOME not Connected CORPORATE. Likewise, the cost is irrelevant since corporate users are not the target. The thing looks too cool to be used by some stuffy suit. Anyway, Apple could charge $2500 if they wanted and purchases by the fanboy army would likely more than make up for the loss of revenue from the general consumer or corporate users. J. Moore -June 20, 2007 It seems expensive. Let's see what the price is with a service contract. I imagine that we will soon see one of our executives walking in and telling us that they have just bought one of these nifty devices and want to use it with Exchange email. That should be an interesting challenge. The Blackberry will work in a corporate environment without the Blackberry server if you use the Desktop Redirector. Would it not be prudent for Apple to include some such operability? As far as text messaging goes, I don't use it much at all, but my daughter does. How is that handled? If Apple is so good at simplifying, I am very keen on seeing the method for text messaging that will be easier than using the phonepad. Bob T Guy -June 20, 2007 Let me get this straight: You do not have an iPhone yet, but you can definitively say that the touchscreen keyboard is a "non-starter" and "you can't type easily on it"? Why don't you reserve these kind of statements until you actually try out the device! tomtech -June 20, 2007 In my opinion, I still haven't seen enough from what the iPhone is offering for me to want to spend the kind of money that the iPhone is going to cost. I get my music wirelessly streamed to my Treo through the "M" app from Mercora, and with the other features I have, that's plenty for me. Just my two cents. Peekay -June 20, 2007 Looks like anything pauls says or does attracts iFags who seem to permeate the net like foul flattus. Once this overhyped disasters reaches the market, I wonder what the next iTurd they will obsess about. T Trey -June 20, 2007 Bring on the clones!!!!!! Doug -June 20, 2007 I won't be purchasing an iPhone (at least not for now). To me, it's just a prettier and more glorified version of the nearly four year old Samsung i700 I used to own. It's big, weighs more than one thinks, and the battery life isn't the greatest. However, my biggest issue, which will also haunt non-headphone, non-Bluetooth users, is that once you're off the phone, the moisture and oils from your face will leave a residue on your phone. Other than that similarity, the i700 also played music and video (and could have additional storage with an SD card); radio (through the internet), had regular access to the internet; touch-screen capabilities; and that same "virtual" on-screen keyboard. So, I don't see what the big deal is. Just my opinion. Derek -June 21, 2007 Bigger and heavier than smart phone users will want? Not so fast. iPhone vs. 2 smallest smart phones available: Moto Q: 116 x 64 x 11.5 mm, 115 grams Blackjack: 112 x 58 x 13 mm, 99 grams iPhone: 115 x 61 x 11.6 mm, 135 grams So it's heavier than the LIGHTEST smartphone available by 36 grams, and bigger than the SMALLEST smartphone available by 3 mm. What's your agenda, Paul? Mart -June 21, 2007 -0009: 12:18:50:29.4 (moons and days offcourse) you _Paul Thurrott_wrote on something that you didnt even see. I bet you own one now_!%#$@!#@!_eeer ciao Cris -March 5, 2008 READER COMMENTS: We want to hear what you have to say about this article!     Acceptable Use Policy Your Comments (required): Your email is only used if our editors need to contact you. It is not used or stored for any other purpose, nor posted with your comments. Enter the text from the image below Please refresh the page if you have trouble reading this text.