I use a similar model with an early Dell logo on it. Picked it up at a tag sale for $5, and I find that I type more quickly/accurately on it than any other keyboard that's come through here.

-avi

You can actually discover it quite well by accident - whenever you look at any music that is available in the MP3 format "Download as MP3" appears as a purchase option. I personally found out that the service was live when I went to buy an album today (before reading about it here or getting the press release from Amazon PR). Worked perfectly in my case.

-avi

Peter,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your memories; perhaps you should make a tribute to gadget-loving fathers an annual Father's Day tradition here.

-avi

This was NOT a report on Apple's struggles in Europe, but a single bullet point at the end of a report on the competitive impact of the iPhone. The main point of the report was that some mainstream consumers - not just Apple fans and cool-hunters - will buy iPhones. You can read the analytical section here, which was published as my RCR News Analyst Angle column: http://www.rcrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070611/FREE/70608013/1026/FREE

Even focusing on that bullet, nobody seems to quote the final two words I wrote, which are: "We'll see." For all I know, Apple already has an operator lined up and is just holding off the announcement to keep the focus on the U.S./AT&T launch and create a bigger splash with a European announcement later. Or the EU operators may be waiting to see how the U.S. launch goes before committing. Or perhaps Apple will choose to sell it direct, unlocked.

But I did not say that Apple won't be able to get distribution in Europe. In the context of a much larger report, my point here was that in the absence of an Apple announcement clarifying things, Orange would make the most sense for an EDGE/WiFi device (because Orange actually has EDGE coverage in Europe), that my contacts at the operators are calling Apple some pretty strong names ("arrogant" was just one of the printable ones), and if Apple chooses a retail-only strategy, that could certainly be a viable option in Europe, while it would be a non-starter here.

-avi

@ arthur dent,

Since you asked for an analyst's opinion... The PS3 and iPhone are in completely different markets with different pricing and sales expectations. Apple has actually taken a fair amount of heat for the high pricing, but purely in terms of competitive pricing, smartphones with 4 and 8 GB of storage from Nokia and Samsung are also priced above $500. Sales numbers on Nokia's Nseries, Sony Ericsson's Walkman line, and fashion phones such as the original RAZR and Nokia's 8800 all suggest that Apple should be able to sell millions of units at the $500 - $600 price point.

Yes, the price is still an issue, along with the lack of 3G, hard buttons, corporate email support, 3rd party extensibility, and a removable battery. For these reasons I was pretty skeptical on the iPhone while sitting through the keynote, but after using one afterwards I was convinced that the product does actually live up to the hype. The UI is ...delightful.

-avi

Avi Greengart
Principal Analyst, Mobile Devices
Current Analysis

A bunch of years back I picked up a large blow-up (pool float -type) Siemens phone at a trade show. This looks like the successor to that, and would make a great prop for my office. I'll take one. :)

-avi

I got in one of the new Hershey cases, and they're too adorable for words. The silver front is a bit metallic (obviously intended to look like foil), while the interior is soft suede, which effectively wipes your phone clean from fingerprints.

The LG Chocolate fits in it (obviously), but so does the Moto KRZR, the BlackBerry Pearl, and Sony Ericsson's W810i. If you don't mind a snug fit on the sides, the LG VX8600, Moto RAZR, and Samsung SYNC all fit, too.

-avi

YankInOz - "On the other hand - it is the highest sales volume item of all of the iPod line."

Do you have sales data to back up your assertion? Last I checked, our sell-through data differs.

-avi

Avi Greengart
Principal Analyst, Mobile Devices
Current Analysis

I got mine in today, too. In case anyone is wondering (it's a bit hard to tell from the photos), the end caps are still chromed, like the black version. Looks nice.

The keyboard feel has improved from earlier versions as well.

-avi

Lester, Nevin,

Actually, this design fits fairly comfortably in the hand, and perhaps just as important, doesn't look goofy when you're holding it - your hand naturally folds around it.

-avi