Video: Shiny object once again gives new meaning to blogger’s life

posted at 4:20 pm on June 7, 2010 by Allahpundit

Christmas comes but once twice a year, my friends, so let’s unwrap our present. Apple’s homepage is already adorned with splashy features on the new iPhone 4, but if you don’t have time to enjoy your gadget porn at leisure, scroll through Gizmodo’s bullet-point rundown of all the new features. The design is sleeker and more efficient — Steve Jobs claims it’s the thinnest smartphone on the planet, with a metallic rim that serves as an antenna to improve connectivity — and it’s got a new processor (same as the iPad’s), a better battery, an improved camera, a vastly sharper screen display, and even a damned gyroscope to make it competitive with gaming platforms like Nintendo’s. In other words, whereas recent iPhone upgrades have mainly been tweaks of the original (3G, GPS), this one’s a true upgrade in every sense. But the key advance? A second camera on the front of the device will enable video calling, a demonstration of which you’ll find below via Slashgear. HTC and Sprint rolled out a dual-camera model of their own recently, so Apple really had no choice. Viva competition!

The 16GB model will run you $199 and the 32GB another $100 beyond that; if you plan on using this as a substitute for a Flip camcorder, with lots of memory-hogging video recordings, then the choice is clear. As for me, I can’t wait to finally see the Domino’s guy’s face when I place my nightly order. Knowing who it is who’s putting your pie under the heat lamp always makes it taste better, no?

Update: CNN got a chance to test out video chat. I’m embedding that video below too.

Blowback

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How did the wi-fi demonstration go?

aquaviva on June 7, 2010 at 4:22 PM

Would you ever have your face displayed so prominently?

midlander on June 7, 2010 at 4:23 PM

As for me, I can’t wait to finally see the Domino’s guy’s face when I place my nightly order.

We need to get you laid.

amerpundit on June 7, 2010 at 4:24 PM

AP, you’re frightening me. I thought the Domino’s pizza was a one-time test. Now you’re getting a cheesburger pizza every night?

NaCly dog on June 7, 2010 at 4:24 PM

Alternative title: “Liberal hipsters rethinking boycott of Israel.”

year_of_the_dingo on June 7, 2010 at 4:27 PM

but you don’t celebrate Christmas, so no iPhone 4G for you

jediwebdude on June 7, 2010 at 4:27 PM

Flip rocks.

John the Libertarian on June 7, 2010 at 4:27 PM


A second camera on the front of the device will enable video calling …

That’s more advanced than anything Capt. Kirk ever used!

Tony737 on June 7, 2010 at 4:27 PM

too bat AT&T sucks! Come to Verizon iPhone. Embrace my pocket!

Ampersand on June 7, 2010 at 4:27 PM

I sure like my 32gb 3g ipad but it really is just a fancy gadget/toy. Boss bought it, so I use it but if it was just me? I wouldn’t spend that much on a toy for myself.

scalleywag on June 7, 2010 at 4:27 PM

Wait, you order Domino’s and you live in NY? There are thousands of good pizza joints in the city, you don’t need to suffer through Domino’s.

rbj on June 7, 2010 at 4:29 PM

Would you ever have your face displayed so prominently?

midlander on June 7, 2010 at 4:23 PM

AP has an applet that puts a paper bag over your face.

pedestrian on June 7, 2010 at 4:30 PM

Will it blend Foxconn snuff films and iSlam religion of piss mockery apps? I’ll bet not.

Western_Civ on June 7, 2010 at 4:31 PM

How did the wi-fi demonstration go?

Ha ha. You try to connect to a network in an auditorium filled with techno-nerds all connected with streaming live up dates, tweeting, etc,

tommylotto on June 7, 2010 at 4:32 PM

I don’t even know what kind of cell phone I have.

Akzed on June 7, 2010 at 4:32 PM

So the iPad desires have been quenched with this?

JetBoy on June 7, 2010 at 4:32 PM

did you feel this way when BO got a puppy too? awwwww…..

ted c on June 7, 2010 at 4:32 PM

Okay,it does have all the bells and whistles,
but,in a pinch,can you laser a target,call in
a airstrike,talk to your love ones,and play a
game,while waiting for said ordanance delivery!!
(sarc)(i kid).

canopfor on June 7, 2010 at 4:33 PM

I thought you were on auto delivery at Domino’s?

d1carter on June 7, 2010 at 4:33 PM

pedestrian on June 7, 2010 at 4:30 PM

Who but a few know? He probably doesn’t need it, just shy.

midlander on June 7, 2010 at 4:34 PM

Ugh, everythime I buy something, they always come out with something better.

There are thousands of good pizza joints in the city, you don’t need to suffer through Domino’s.

rbj on June 7, 2010 at 4:29 PM

Hell yeah man, the Mom and Pop’s are ALWAYS better than the chains!

Tony737 on June 7, 2010 at 4:34 PM

I buy a 3G, they come out with this thing.

I buy a laser disc, they come with a DVD.

I just can’t win! haha

Tony737 on June 7, 2010 at 4:35 PM

I thought it was already discovered that people don’t really want to be on camera when on the phone. It’s so much easier to answer when you don’t have to worry about being dressed or worrying about the makeup you left on from last night.

Esthier on June 7, 2010 at 4:35 PM

Jobs on a stick! Dominoes nightly!? Seriously? Yikes!

livefreerdie on June 7, 2010 at 4:35 PM

I just saw a demo of the HTC Droid Incredible. I’m thinking that’s the way I’m going to go.

hawkdriver on June 7, 2010 at 4:35 PM

meh, I bet this new gizmo doesn’t have email AND bacon like my car

JetBoy on June 7, 2010 at 4:36 PM

Wait, you order Domino’s and you live in NY? There are thousands of good pizza joints in the city, you don’t need to suffer through Domino’s.

rbj on June 7, 2010 at 4:29 PM

Suffer? Hey now.

My recent experiences with Dominos have been so good it’s been near orgasmic. Online orders with fresh hot pizza at my door 20 mins later, and deliciousness that makes my taste buds give each other fist pumps.

Try it, you will see.

jjraines on June 7, 2010 at 4:38 PM

Meh. It’s not worth 300 dollars especially for a measly 32gb.

Kronos on June 7, 2010 at 4:39 PM

too bat AT&T sucks! Come to Verizon iPhone. Embrace my pocket!

Ampersand on June 7, 2010 at 4:27 PM

man would I love it if Sprint and Verizon switched over to GSM. T-Mobile sucks (though they are my provider) and AT&T is even worse. Then maybe we can uphaul our telecommunication infrastructure so we can have the really cool phones from Japan

The 16GB model will run you $199 and the 32GB another $100 beyond that; if you plan on using this as a substitute for a Flip camcorder, with lots of memory-hogging video recordings, then the choice is clear.

It might be better than the Flip but 32 gig doesn’t hold squat in HD video and that’s not including all of the other stuff on the phone so you have even less space.

Doctor Zhivago on June 7, 2010 at 4:40 PM

HAHAHAHA…..

Patrick S on June 7, 2010 at 4:40 PM

OT/Orwell Alert!

“Democrats heeded the advice of party leaders and tried to avoid unscripted question-and-answer sessions. The recommendations were clear: hold events in controlled settings — a bank or credit union, for example — or tour local businesses or participate in community service projects.”

So, Dhim’s are pre-screening who will be present in nad that any who attend will be hostage to TARP for their jobs and reticent to object less they fall afoul of their employers.

“Mr. Kratovil said seeing voters in their workplace, or in casual settings like soccer fields, actually provided a broader sampling of public opinion than simply holding formal town-hall-style meetings, which often attract only political activists.”

So, let me get this straight, you get a broader sampling by narrowing who can attend and any who might slip through the screening process can only speak under conditions of duress as their boss who would not OK such a venue unless he was either sympathetic to the pol, or worried of a potential audit to determine if his institution is “viable”. in SEC/FDIC parlance.

The slide into politcal purgatory continues apace, all together now, repeat after me, two legs-four legs good!

Archimedes on June 7, 2010 at 4:41 PM

The Iphone will not provide atonement nor save your soul.

jp on June 7, 2010 at 4:41 PM

did you feel this way when BO got a puppy too? awwwww…..

ted c on June 7, 2010 at 4:32 PM

ted c: No,only when I see Hopey in the Whoomp there it is
rap video,at,

the 1:00 minute mark!!:)
===========================================
Possibly Barrack (Barry) and Michelle Obama in the 1993 rap video Whoomp there it is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo7oaJks3jg&feature=fvst

canopfor on June 7, 2010 at 4:42 PM

I just saw a demo of the HTC Droid Incredible. I’m thinking that’s the way I’m going to go.

hawkdriver on June 7, 2010 at 4:35 PM

friend has an EVO and it’s awesome (blows away my Touch). Personally I would wait for the Desire to come out and compare it to the EVO (that’s what I’m doing before I upgrade)

Doctor Zhivago on June 7, 2010 at 4:42 PM

The Droid ad before the CNN video: Hilarious.

July 10 on June 7, 2010 at 4:42 PM

Getting it most def! Too many improvements to pass by.

Apologetic California on June 7, 2010 at 4:43 PM

That’s more advanced than anything Capt. Kirk ever used!

Tony737 on June 7, 2010 at 4:27 PM

It’s crazy to think that we’ve surpassed Star Trek in gadgetry in the past forty years.

Of course, there’s still no warp drive and star cruisers… :( That’s the part I want. One Sovereign-class to go, please!!

KinleyArdal on June 7, 2010 at 4:43 PM

I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but putting away a minimum of 20% of your income, and living a little less high on the hog gives your life plenty of meaning, too.

Vashta.Nerada on June 7, 2010 at 4:43 PM

friend has an EVO and it’s awesome (blows away my Touch).

Doctor Zhivago on June 7, 2010 at 4:42 PM

It does… when it’s not being charged.

July 10 on June 7, 2010 at 4:43 PM

I can’t keep up with all this tech…

Oh Look! Over in the corner, something shiny!

Seven Percent Solution on June 7, 2010 at 4:43 PM

Clarification – it’s crazy to realize*, not think*, that we’ve surpassed Trek gadgets. That seems a bit misleading upon a second read.

KinleyArdal on June 7, 2010 at 4:44 PM

Where is the post for the EVO 4g. 4g is more exciting than this.

PrezHussein on June 7, 2010 at 4:45 PM

And consider the person who lets frivolities dominate him completely, until he becomes quite beside himself with his pointless amusements and stupid crazes: such an individual may believe himself to be living happily, but the more he is convinced that this is so, the more desperately miserable his existence really is.

Marcus Tullius Cicero, “On the Good Life.”

fiatboomer on June 7, 2010 at 4:47 PM

It does… when it’s not being charged.

July 10 on June 7, 2010 at 4:43 PM

HA! Friend uses it as his only phone too. Friend had to carry an extra battery around where ever he goes

Doctor Zhivago on June 7, 2010 at 4:47 PM

bah to typos and crappy grammar

Doctor Zhivago on June 7, 2010 at 4:48 PM

I buy a 3G, they come out with this thing.

I buy a laser disc, they come with a DVD.

I just can’t win! haha

Tony737 on June 7, 2010 at 4:35 PM

Anyway you can buy the President? And a few other Dems?

karl9000 on June 7, 2010 at 4:49 PM

meh, I bet this new gizmo doesn’t have email AND bacon like my car…

JetBoy on June 7, 2010 at 4:36 PM

Nice.

Esthier on June 7, 2010 at 4:50 PM

Zzzzzzzzzz.
My collie says:

Wake-up CC! The new Apple iPhone is here.

*snort* What?! *yawn* Why do we care?
My collie says:

I’m going to order one. I plan to send it to that now unemployed and forever disgraced White House correspondant, Helen Thomas.

Why would you do that, collie?
My collie says:

Because I’ve programmed a new covert/background iPhone app that can use the forward facing camera to snap a picture every morning, and then automatically forward the photo to AllahPundit via e-mail.

*smile* I love multi-tasking operating systems.

CyberCipher on June 7, 2010 at 4:50 PM

Anyway you can buy the President? And a few other Dems?

karl9000 on June 7, 2010 at 4:49 PM

No, Soros already did.

Esthier on June 7, 2010 at 4:51 PM

As for me, I can’t wait to finally see the Domino’s guy’s face when I place my nightly order. Knowing who it is who’s putting your pie under the heat lamp always makes it taste better, no?

Allah,

You are a n00b and/or BK if you are still using the telephone to order dominos pizza. Use the website!

Shock the Monkey on June 7, 2010 at 4:51 PM

Maybe I’m just a sap, but that FaceTime ad is rather moving. The Louis Armstrong is a nice touch.

July 10 on June 7, 2010 at 4:52 PM

Is The Blogger trying to imply that my Razor is no longer cutting edge?

myrenovations on June 7, 2010 at 4:57 PM

Is The Blogger trying to imply that my Razor is no longer cutting edge?

myrenovations on June 7, 2010 at 4:57 PM

it was….6 years ago

Doctor Zhivago on June 7, 2010 at 4:58 PM

Possibly Barrack (Barry) and Michelle Obama in the 1993 rap video Whoomp there it is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo7oaJks3jg&feature=fvst

canopfor on June 7, 2010 at 4:42 PM

Whoomp, there he is!

Unreal.

Actually, real.

aquaviva on June 7, 2010 at 4:59 PM

Of course, there’s still no warp drive and star cruisers… :( That’s the part I want. One Sovereign-class to go, please!!

KinleyArdal on June 7, 2010 at 4:43 PM

Tractor-beam, baby! Oh, and transporter.

Seriously, until I can get Verizon on the thing, I’m staying with my old Crackberry.

BacaDog on June 7, 2010 at 5:00 PM

I just saw a demo of the HTC Droid Incredible. I’m thinking that’s the way I’m going to go.

hawkdriver on June 7, 2010 at 4:35 PM

Heh…I have the HTC Fuze and am counting down the days for upgrade eligibility so I can get off this buggy, slow, data-conn-challenged phone and get the iPhone.

jediwebdude on June 7, 2010 at 5:01 PM

meh, I bet this new gizmo doesn’t have email AND bacon like my car…

JetBoy on June 7, 2010 at 4:36 PM

JetBoy:Just terrific,I can just see the cop asking the
driver after he smacks into sumpin,

“Sir,were you cooking imported tasty Canadian bacon
inside your vechicle”!haha:)

canopfor on June 7, 2010 at 5:02 PM

Why would I want to look at my ugly ass friends while I talk to them?

SlimyBill on June 7, 2010 at 5:04 PM

I only have one question about the iPhone 4.

Will it blend?

29Victor on June 7, 2010 at 5:05 PM

I can’t keep up with all this tech…

Oh Look! Over in the corner, something shiny!

Seven Percent Solution on June 7, 2010 at 4:43 PM

Seven Percent Solution: Ya but,I bet the ladies are happy
with the pace of,ahem,the shiny
technology gizmos!!:)

canopfor on June 7, 2010 at 5:05 PM

AP, you are robbing us. Where is the wifi meltdown video for discussion?

kerrhome on June 7, 2010 at 5:06 PM

The Iphone will not provide atonement nor save your soul.

jp on June 7, 2010 at 4:41 PM

I heard that feature will be added in Q4.

Well, that’s just what I heard.

JusDreamin on June 7, 2010 at 5:06 PM

canopfor on June 7, 2010 at 4:42 PM
======================================
Whoomp, there he is!

Unreal.

Actually, real.

aquaviva on June 7, 2010 at 4:59 PM

aquaviva: I’ll be glad when his only term is over,
sensory overload!!:)

canopfor on June 7, 2010 at 5:09 PM

I’m wondering,will the Muslims find away to
say,that IPhone4 is offensive to Islam!!

Jus sayin!

canopfor on June 7, 2010 at 5:11 PM

The Iphone will not provide atonement nor save your soul.

jp on June 7, 2010 at 4:41 PM

There’s an app for that!

/too easy

July 10 on June 7, 2010 at 5:13 PM

I’m wondering,will the Muslims find away to
say,that IPhone4 is offensive to Islam!!

Jus sayin!

canopfor on June 7, 2010 at 5:11 PM

One might expect so, but Victor Davis Hanson has a great theme about how Islamists are always crying and whining about the poisoning effects of modernization, while at the same time readily adapting to all it’s perks (cell phones,sat TV, internet, pornography, etc).

aquaviva on June 7, 2010 at 5:16 PM

just another iToy for the iGov to iTax… iGuess, therefore iAm

wonk-a-donk on June 7, 2010 at 5:17 PM

Left iPhone for Android OS.

No regrets.

RobertInLexington on June 7, 2010 at 5:23 PM

canopfor on June 7, 2010 at 5:11 PM
====================================
One might expect so, but Victor Davis Hanson has a great theme about how Islamists are always crying and whining about the poisoning effects of modernization, while at the same time readily adapting to all it’s perks (cell phones,sat TV, internet, pornography, etc).

aquaviva on June 7, 2010 at 5:16 PM

aquaviva: True dat!!:)

canopfor on June 7, 2010 at 5:27 PM

“It’s those moments that remind us why we do what we do…”

I cried.

Steve brings so much joy to the world. It makes me proud to say I share the same birthday with this man! May you live forever inspiring and creating communication beauty for the world. =)

Sultry Beauty on June 7, 2010 at 5:28 PM

The 720p 30fps is pretty great for a phone. Video cam makers must be frightened–or trying to figure out how to attach a phone to their device.

No cloud version of iTunes? That is sorely needed and overdue.

Otherwise, another masterful Steve Jobs performance.

dedalus on June 7, 2010 at 5:39 PM

Does it have a tip calculator that works in Arabic?

BL@KBIRD on June 7, 2010 at 5:39 PM

Apple is a religion to most of its consumers, and as we all know, in the absence of an organized religion, humans will find something else to treat with religious fervor. And so it is with our beloved Allahpundit, who, proudly devoid of faith in a higher power, offers all his worldly love to the shiny objects produced by “some fruit company” (as Forrest Gump called it).

Sigh. That’s true romance.

(As for the shiny object itself, meh. I still haven’t seen a handheld technological wonder that will inspire me to plunk down $200+ for it. Call me when you invent a handheld time machine, Steve.)

Animator Girl on June 7, 2010 at 5:44 PM

AP has a God-sized void in his life that he tries to fill with iPads and subsequently, mere weeks later, attempts to fill it with a new iPhone.

filling that void? Yes, there’s an app for that…and it’s not made by Apple.

ted c on June 7, 2010 at 5:54 PM

forgot /sarc

ted c on June 7, 2010 at 5:54 PM

The Iphone will not provide atonement nor save your soul.

jp on June 7, 2010 at 4:41 PM

Right on!

My wife was forced to get an iphone the other day for work.

After a few short calls I can tell you from personal experience – iphones kind of suck as far as being a phone goes. They are good with photos and stuff.

My wife’s phone has also secretly been checking stock prices from inside her purse.

Sneaky piece of crap.

Dorvillian on June 7, 2010 at 5:59 PM

Finally! Video conferencing, the perfect feature for an anonymous blogger.

Meric1837 on June 7, 2010 at 6:03 PM

To each his own: Nokia’s N900 (I have one) has the 2-camera setup for video calls on Skype. It also has 800*480 resolution, a qwerty keyboard, and can run Debian Lenny for ARM (OpenOffice, anyone?) in a chroot. I can compile for the device on the device.

DrSteve on June 7, 2010 at 6:40 PM

Just in time for AT&T’s crappy new data plan, better snag one up quick before the old plans go down the tubes.

clearbluesky on June 7, 2010 at 6:44 PM

Just in time for AT&T’s crappy new data plan, better snag one up quick before the old plans go down the tubes.

clearbluesky on June 7, 2010 at 6:44 PM

Oops, they went into effect today, so yeah, any new buyers are sol.

clearbluesky on June 7, 2010 at 6:48 PM

Basically gagets are men’s jewelry and flowers.

petunia on June 7, 2010 at 7:21 PM

What a letdown. Definitely glad the iPhone 4 was such a dud this year. Now I have no reason NOT to eBay my 3GS to the highest bidding fanboy, pay my ETF and buy an EVO 4G on Sprint. Woo hoo! Can’t wait.

metric on June 7, 2010 at 7:28 PM

Wow, this web site sure does advertise quite a bit of Apple’s products. Every new product release from Apple quickly gets spammed on the front pages of Hot Air. How much are they paying you guys anyway?

Dollayo on June 7, 2010 at 8:45 PM

HTC 3G Slide with the latest Android as soon as I get back from Brazil.

With the voice-driven translate app so I’ll be able to speak Portuguese instead of SpanglishGuese…

Spock’s Universal Translator is now real! (But no, it won’t let me speak Liberal to President Spock…thank the stars!)

Who is John Galt on June 7, 2010 at 9:25 PM

BTW, the vast majority of iPhone customers use way less than 2gb a month. I’ve seen the internal studies (yes, I work for them.) Heck, I checked my own data usage on a 4 month old iPhone 3gs, which I use the heck out of, and it had only a little over 2gb total.

William Teach on June 7, 2010 at 9:26 PM

What a waste.

What’s new?

Seriously.

Why would I buy this. As someone with a 3gs, convince me.

“VIdeo phone”? um, no. i might be wearing a white t-shirt.

Convince me. There is literally NOTHING on this iphone4 better than a 3gs worth $200…

picklesgap on June 7, 2010 at 10:06 PM

I’m so there. Been waiting to upgrade from my two-year-old 3G for a while. Glad to have skipped over the “oh-wow-I-got-a-compass” 3GS.

Beautiful phone. Can’t wait to jailbreak it.

zauriel on June 8, 2010 at 12:18 AM

Left iPhone for Android OS.

No regrets.

RobertInLexington on June 7, 2010 at 5:23 PM

Ditto. It’ll take more than a new iphone model to lure me back to letting Apple decide what software I’m allowed to run on my own phone.

There Goes The Neighborhood on June 8, 2010 at 3:37 AM

To each his own: Nokia’s N900 (I have one) has the 2-camera setup for video calls on Skype. It also has 800*480 resolution, a qwerty keyboard, and can run Debian Lenny for ARM (OpenOffice, anyone?) in a chroot. I can compile for the device on the device.

DrSteve on June 7, 2010 at 6:40 PM

Awesome device, just too pricey. I understand the Maemo platform it runs on has been merged with Intel’s Moblin into a new platform called Meego, which may find its way onto tablets. Much as I like Android, I’m keeping an eye out for such a device.

There Goes The Neighborhood on June 8, 2010 at 3:42 AM

Android vs. iPhone 4: The specs

RobertInLexington on June 8, 2010 at 6:24 AM