"Apple is re-inventing the phone" declares CEO.
"Apple is re-inventing the phone" declares CEO.
Steve Jobs kicked off the MacWorld expo with a bang, introducing the "iPhone " device.
The specs of the device, rumored to be on the horizon throughout 2006, lived up to expectations. The iPhone features widescreen video, a unique touchscreen-only interface, and full WiFi internet capabilities.
"This is a day I have been looking forward to for two and a half years," the Apple co-founder and CEO said.
"We have re-invented the phone."
The iPhone will feature a 3.5 inch 320x480 pixel display that automatically switches to widescreen mode when the device is turned on its side, and quad band GSM and EDGE capabilities.
It also has a 2 megapixel camera, proximity and ambient light sensors, and a 30-pin iPod connector. The touch-screen reacts to multiple finger gestures, allowing for slash and scroll gestures.
However, Jobs said that the "killer app" in the iPhone was its software. The mobile device will feature a full version of MacOS X.
"It's not the crippled stuff you find on most phones, this is real desktop-class software," he said.
That software includes the same music and video-playing features of the iPod, a photo viewer, Google maps, Safari web browser, IMAP and POP3 email access, as well as address book and Apple widget mini-apps such as calendar and weather reports.
Jobs showcased the abilities of the iPhone in a number of live demos that included pulling up a full-html version of the New York Times website, watching iTunes video files, and even using Google maps to look-up and prank call the nearest Starbucks (Jobs asked for 4,000 lattes.)
The device will retail in two models: a 4GB model for US$499 (AUD$640), and an 8GB model for US$599 (AUD$767).
The iPhone will ship to the US in June through service provider Cingular. The phone will be available at Apple and Cingular stores.