How I almost disrupted Jobs' Macworld speech

By now you've probably read all about the new Apple, Inc. iPhone, so I won't go into any great detail here, other than to say I have severe product lust.

But I will share one Macworld anecdote.

Prior to the Steve Jobs keynote speech in a massive room at the Moscone Convention Center, the broadcast media headed en masse to a platform to set up camera tripods and plug in tape recorders to the house audio system. The makeshift stage was way too small. Apple PR reps told us to make ourselves "skinny" so we'd all fit.

I staked out a tiny little corner to plug in my recorder, but soon discovered to my horror that the recorder wouldn't power up. By that time I was sandwiched uncomfortably between five camera operators, and knew I'd be stuck there for two hours unless I squeezed myself between two guard rails and hopped onto the floor to stake out a chair. Problem is, I sort of clumsily fell through the bars, tripped as I hit the floor, and become entangled in a giant curtain (that thing must have been fifty feet tall) just left of the stage where Jobs was about to appear. I almost brought that thing down in some kind of crazy Lucille Ball moment.

Whew.

I rather shamefully admit I am not an early adopter. As far as I know I am not in anyone's target demographic. To my knowledge I have not been hip or cool for at least a decade. So you or maybe somebody out there who is cool can tell me
--why does somebody need a $500 cell phone? What is it about this new Jobs creation that will make it successful?

Mike, no shame in staying on the sidelines. I'm not an early adopter either, and I host a public radio show on technology.

However, I admit to being seduced by the iPhone. It's much more than a phone.

It looks like it will do the phone thing --calls, voice mail, text messaging -- better and easier. The touch screen is just more elegant than manipulating a keypad, and more intuitive. Then, on top of that, you get email and a full-fledged Web browser you can carry around in your pocket. On top of that, you get an iPod. I would say if you have a mobile phone, and if you have or want an iPod, this product might be for you. Throw in the Internet features and you've really got something.

I think this is a product you will want to see in person before you make a judgment.

On the downside, it is too expensive and you don't have a choice of mobile phone networks. And I probably wouldn't buy a first-generation product of any kind. I would wait for a year until after it comes out, which isn't until June.

Jon, I must admit I laughed and laughed once I realized you were okay. Glad you didn't get hurt or get "undue attention".

Will watch for your updates!

why didn't apple have more megapixels on
the iphone camera? 2 is really low.