After an overwhelming amount of suprisingly accurate internet speculation, steve jobs announced the iPhone today at Macworld. If you want to get your hand on one, however, you are going to have to wait until the Federal Communications Commission approves the device. Apparently that will take some time. Don’t expect to make a call on your new iPhone until the ice caps melt (sources say June 2007).

Naturally the internets are all ablaze with chatter. Even established technology journals like Wired are saying “The iPhone doesn’t just match its competitors, it leaps right over them.” Powerful stuff considering the original iPhone, the Motorola ROKR, was given a considerably less warm reception.

For me, some questions still remain. For instance, will the iPhone be sold unlocked, enabling people to use there current cellphone contracts, or will we be forced to make the switch to Cingular (er um, The New AT&T). An early report on Forbes.com says “Cingular… will be the exclusive US carrier partner for Apple’s iPhone.”

Hmm. I think I’d rather get a Zune than make THAT switch….

Also, will we be able to download music from the itunes store, or share music, wirelessly? Verizon, among others, has offered wireless music downloads for over a year. The two people out there that DO own the Zune are able to swap songs via Wifi. Nothing on Apple’s site mentions either of these features. Personally, I have never wanted to download a song in the bathroom (if I did, I could just use my laptop) or swap Limp Bizkit tracks in the park. Still, mentioning these things makes me sound important and journalistic.

In the end, I’m sure I will eventually relent and buy a iPhone. Otherwise, I would feel silly. And we couldn’t have that now could we?

About The Author - My name is Stirling McLaughlin. I am married. I am an Art Director, Designer and Illustrator. I work at Atmosphere BBDO. I have lots of ideas. I have a baby girl named Nika Bean. I live in New York City. When I was in college, they put me on TV because I wore a mask and yelled at people. I have a reality show that I wil be starting… any day now. - See My Portfolio