iPhone5

Robert EbsenOP-ED

The iPhone5 should be released tomorrow. That means I can go to my Verizon store and pre-order the phone. That means that, since I can update one of my phone lines, I can buy a new iPhone5 for about $200. My old iPhone4? Well, that will go to my wife. It will be her first smart phone. I am excited for her.

The Apple people keep their secrets well. No one is certain what new features the iPhone5 will have. The speculation, however, is that there will be a better camera – perhaps 8 megapixels, a better video – perhaps up to 1080p for high definition, and a better “Siri” – she is the one who listens to you talk, and responds back with information, or with cute phrases.

This will be the first time I have ever pursued a new phone with such interest and determination. Here are some of the reasons I believe I am so hyped:

(1) Photos and in particular videos are one of my major interests. Clarity of the picture is of great importance to me. When my wife selects channel 4, the lack of clarity irritates me. Once I switch to channel 404, the high definition equivalent of channel 4, I am back in heaven. My wife and, likely, many other people, cannot tell the difference. If I can shoot 1080p video with the iPhone5, I will be able to project it on our big screen TV and it should be as clear as the clearest high definition TV show. WOW!

(2) I imagine we have all seen the TV ads for the iPhone4s with “Siri” conversing with her owner. I am now thinking about what kinds of new things Siri will be able to do. I wonder if she will:

• Fill in the lines of jokes, such as Knock-Knock jokes

• Be able to tell me where to find the best deals for my favorite foods and non-food items

• Provide me with quotations for every event I mention

• Translate language dialogue as I speak it:

“This is fun!” “Questo è divertente!”

(3) Most of all, I believe, I am looking forward to doing FaceTime with my wife. FaceTime is the ability of iPhones to act as picture-phones. My wife and I will be able to see each other while we converse. I also look forward to helping my wife orient to her new iPhone, and to help her obtain the apps that she likes.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com.