This is an interesting debate -- especially because no one has actually used an iPhone yet (and so we have no idea just how good/bad it will be), yet people are ready to say that everything it will do has been done already, and it's going to be hurt by a lack of third-party support, etc...
I think that it's way too early to say that the sky is or isn't falling. What you CAN say with conviction is whether or not this phone -- and what little we really know about it at this point -- interests you as your next phone, and for me it sure does.
I would bet that the majority of people who are luke-warm to or unimpressed by the iPhone are not "Apple/Mac people." If you use and enjoy Apple products, then you are probably excited about what this phone can offer, based on Apple's history of product development. You're excited about how easy it will be to upgrade and backup the phone, how smoothly is will operate, how it will be packed with innovative features that you can't believe they thought of, and many more sentiments that come with the latest offerings from Apple. And, seeing that they use "widgets" on this phone, you could imagine that there WILL be plenty of third-party support for this phone (since widget software -- most of which is freeware -- is being written for the Mac OS all the time by third-party developers).
Incidentally, being a Mac guy, the most important feature that I added to my 650 is Datebook 5. Why? 'Cause it makes my phone more "Mac-like" with the use of icons and whatnot in my calendars. With the iPhone, I have to wonder just how much I'd want to change about it. Also, I have a 650 (and not a Windows Mobile-based Treo) because the Palm OS interacts nicely with my Macs. And being a Mac guy, I'm excited about the prospect of this phone being very likeable and user--friendly right out of the box.
Bringing up the Newton as an "Apple-tried-this-once-and-failed" example isn't appropriate here. You have to consider the financial, market-share, and overall public support position of Apple then. When you do that, the Newton really had no chance. Everything is different now. And, Apple isn't inventing the cell phone here ask asking the public to adopt it (which you could argue it was trying to do with the Newton) -- it's attempting to make a cell phone packed with features, super-easy to use (intuitive), and in a style that Mac (and iPod) users have come to love. Based on the success for the iPod, you could argue that there's a HUGE market for this particular phone.
...And there's no denying that some people will try to disparage this phone just because it's an Apple product. But I think that's silly. (These might be the same people who trashed the company and the stock the day it reached $97 simply 'cause they don't own the stock.)
Now, are people really concerned about the the front of the phone getting "greasy/smudgey," and wouldn't buy this phone because of that? And are these people serious? Would these people be put out my swiping the phone against their pantleg or sleeve from time to time? (Wow -- some people really just don't want this phone to be successful.)
I am excited about the prospects of this phone. And if it's as good as my 650, then I'll be getting one. If it's NOT as good as my 650, then I'll pass on it (until it is better). But doesn't it make sense to wait and see just what this can and can't do before making too many bold predictions about it?
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