I think its kind of hard to argue that, if it would work as a replacement for a computer for a causal user that it’s not comparatively cheap.

You can’t even get a desktop computer with the specs of the iPhone for $199 – much less one that will run Windows or OS X decently. And if the monthly fees are the expensive part, you have to factor in that broadband Internet here in the US runs about $30 a month for decent speeds.

And if you want to go the cheap DSL route and get an iPod Touch, you’re only looking at a little more for the price of the device (for now, anyway) and no monthly fees from a provider like AT&T.

I don’t think the gestures are very complicated either. I think when you look at it, pushing your fingers together and spreading them back apart are the major gestures. Everything else is flicking your finger from left to right or just touching stuff. You don’t have to learn another writing language like with the old palms or anything. I think they would be especially easy for someone that wasn’t familiar with the way a desktop computer works.

Screen is too small, text is too small, and critical functionality is missing. Surfing Safari is usable, but not a pleasant experience.

No Mathematica (name *your* killer app here), no Flash, no database, etc. I have an iPod Touch, and I use it, but it is not a complete solution.

MacBook or MacBook Pro is much better, with a much lower TCO — when you factor in the costs for AT&T.

A multi-touch MacBook would be really great, though.

The iPhone 2.0 software does have Microsoft Exchange support built in. So if they offer Exchange support you should be good to go.

The battery life isn’t that bad for me – and the phone does remind you when you have 20% battery life left and 10% battery life left, so it does a good job of letting you know when you’re running out of juice!

I say get 2 of them!!!

Both my wife and I are 65. In general, she is a very intelligent but non-tech person who has learned some technologies that she considers useful, like our iMac or her cell phone. She can email and surf the web on our desktop. She uses her cell phone for calls and recently has started texting to our kids and younger folks. She hates typing on her eensy cell alphanumeric keys.

She may really like the iPhone, because she could easily carry it and do what she likes now, like email and texting, and I think she may discover and appreciate other functions, too, like maps.

Having been burned a few times as an early adopter of Apple products, I have been reading about peoples’ experiences with the iPhone to make sure they work as expected. Based on user comments, if there’s a drawback for her, it’s probably going to be the short battery life and constant recharging–she often forgets to recharge her cell phone. Maybe there’s an app that reminds you to charge?

I am still trying to figure out if an iPhone would allow me to synch it with my networked desktop Outlook email and calendar. I work for a big organization and our IT folks are cautious about supporting new tools, so I am on my own for now.

Anyway, long way of saying I agree that the iPhone might suit us older folks!

Mike

I’ll finally be able to email him!

I don’t know. I think my father is going to do well with the basic features. The more advanced stuff – sure…but that’s going to be a painful experience for him to get used to on a regular PC or Mac too, right?