Reviews of Apple's new iPhone have been mixed, and the devices are pretty pricey, but I still want one. Its integration of a phone, iPod, Web browser, e-mail, camera, photo organizer and everything else reminds me of the same kind of innovation that accompanied the invention of the graphical Web browser, and we know what that's meant to the world of agriculture.
If you're wanting to window shop, the "guided tour" of the device on the Apple Web site shows off a device that appears to be intuitive and fun to use. I can see farmers having a smart new tool here for keeping in touch with the world, and entertaining themselves, while out in the field and barn.
After the bugs are worked out of the thing, I have a sense that comparing iPhone type of technology to what came before is going to be like tractors to horses.
Cost is an issue for many consumers, according to a poll on News.com, in which nearly 20% of respondents say they will wait to buy one when the devices drop to under $200. $200?
A farmer posting on Agriculture Online agrees on the price issue: "600 bucks is a lot of benjamins to be dropping in the manure or oil bucket," he says.
Yeah, the iPhone is a bit expensive. But, for a farm tool that's a Swiss Army knife of communication? Anyway, I still want one.
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