Apple Computer has released details of its long-awaited iPhone at the Macworld Conference & Expo today.
 January 10, 2007: Apple Computer has released details of its long-awaited iPhone at the Macworld Conference & Expo today. Combining features of the iPod with a digital camera and portable computing system, the Apple iPhone boasts a widescreen display and features a new input technology called “Multi-Touch”. Controls are adjusted by sliding a finger across a touch-sensitive 3.5-inch display, which has a resolution of 320-by-480 pixels at 160 ppi. Three smart sensors monitor the iPhone’s behavior. A proximity sensor shuts down the display and touchscreen when the phone is held to the ear; an ambient light sensor automatically adjusts screen brightness to save power and an accelerometer lets the phone know whether to display in portrait or landscape mode. Central to the iPhone is the Mac OS X operating system, which lets the device synchronise data with a Mac, PC, or Internet service and enable users to download music and videos from iTunes and access contacts, calendars, photos, notes, bookmarks and e-mail accounts. Full iTunes integration is provided. A Visual Voice-mail feature lets users skip directly to voice mails they want to hear and a conference call function can connect two calls with one touch on the screen. Text messaging on the iPhone is similar to iChat and a touch keyboard is provided for entering text. The iPhone uses its Wi-Fi and EDGE capabilities for automatic internet connectivity and includes HTML-capable e-mail that works with any IMAP or POP3 e-mail service. Yahoo will offer free push e-mail to all iPhone customers. Other inclusions are Apple’s Safari web browser and integrated Google Maps functionality. The iPhone will come in two versions: a 4GB and an 8GB model, which will be released in the USA in June. The iPhone is scheduled for release in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2007 and in Asia in 2008. |
