Apple & Jobs have done it again

Apple and Steve Jobs have done it again.

What a wild ride it's been for Apple since Jobs returned as CEO in 1997. First, the iMac, then the iPod, and now the iPhone.

I was in college when the iMac was introduced, and I used them extensively. It was a groundbreaking computer which probably saved the company. I actually only used a Macintosh for the first 10 years that I used a computer.

Through good and bad, I've always been a fan of Apple. And there was some bad, to be sure -- we used to call Adobe PageMaker RageMaker when we'd do layout for the newspaper at Kutztown University. Apple made my four semesters as editor in chief both a joy and a curse, but in the end of I love Apple, and the Macintosh.

But, after graduation, I tilted toward the "PC" world - I used a PC at work, and it really didn't make much sense to buy an Apple. So, I bought a PC with an AMD processor, and we recently purchased a new Dell Computer.

However, when the iPod was introduced in 2001, I instantly fell in love with it, but couldn't own it, because I didn't own a Mac. But, since Mac had about three percent of the U.S. computer market at the time, I knew it would only be a matter of time before the iPod went PC, and mainstream.

It did in '02, and I bought one as a layoff present to myself. (Yea, you read that right.) Five iPods later, my love for the iPod is as strong as ever; besides my digital cameras, if I were on a deserted island, it would be the tech gadget I'd have to have.

So, naturally I took notice when the iPhone was introduced last week, for about two seconds, until I found out that Cingular is the exclusive cell phone service provider, and will be until 2009. (Above, Jobs shakes hands with Cingular CEO Stan Sigman) I will never, EVER be a customer of Cingular Wireless ever again. They are on my permanent boycott list.

Just like Apple limited itself when the first iPod was rolled out in a "Mac only" version, the company is making the same mistake with the iPhone. Oh well.

Not that I'd be rushing to get one anyway. Vandra may not believe me, but I wouldn't have been in a hurry to get one anyway - I'm a self-confessed tech whore, but not with cell phones. I flat out drop them too much.

Knock on wood, I've never have a cell phone last me very long, because I drop them much too often. My current Razr holds the record - almost two years! I still can't believe it.

Anyway, I have some doubts that this one will succeed for Apple (which renamed itself at MacWorld "Apple Inc." and dropped the "Apple Computer" name). The cell phone segment is a whole new ballgame. Are people going to pay $500 for a phone?

No way in hell would I pay that kind of scratch for a phone. Especially when I have an iPod I love, and a digital camera that's much nicer than the one on this overpriced phone.

Here's a scenario where I'd buy one - they are down to $99, Verizon carries them, and I happen to need a cell phone. Not 'til then.

The iPhone could be another winner for Apple, but I don't think Jobs thought this one through. Even the name might be problematic - Cisco Systems has already announced that it's suing Apple over the name "iPhone." But then again, people have underestimated Jobs for over 30 years, so I wouldn't be surprised if the iPhone is the next big thing for the company, and Jobs.

Apple is great, but Cingular ain't. C'mon, Steve - don't limit this product, or your company. Until the price comes down and another cell carrier offers iPhones, color me iDon'tcare.