TechNut315
Mar 23, 04:43 AM
This is hardly a rumour, more just pointing out the obvious. What I want is
Likely:
� SB i5 quad processor in the 21�
� Thunderbolt
� GPU upgrade (although I would like something at least as powerful as 5770)
Unlikely
� 2 HDs standard, 1 x 64GB SSD, 1 x 1TB HD availabe for 21"
� 2560 x 1440 resolution available for 21�
� Blu-ray
Think the design will be the same, this time around. Re-design next time with Lion pre-installed and maybe, just maybe a touch screen
Likely:
� SB i5 quad processor in the 21�
� Thunderbolt
� GPU upgrade (although I would like something at least as powerful as 5770)
Unlikely
� 2 HDs standard, 1 x 64GB SSD, 1 x 1TB HD availabe for 21"
� 2560 x 1440 resolution available for 21�
� Blu-ray
Think the design will be the same, this time around. Re-design next time with Lion pre-installed and maybe, just maybe a touch screen
BC2009
Mar 30, 11:33 AM
Office and Windows are/were generic words OUTSIDE of the computer industry (like Apple). But app(lication) store is a generic word INSIDE of the computer industry and that the big legal difference here.
Like I just said.... Mac's had windows (and they called them that) before PC's had "Windows". Mac OS has used windows and trash and all that drag-and-drop and double-click-a-file goodness long before any DOS PC had it. Xerox invented it, sold it to Apple, and Apple used it in the Mac.
"Windows" was a generic term in the computer industry before Microsoft had any trademark.
EDIT: I still think neither should be allowed, but given the precedents out there I would give Apple the "App Store" trademark. Certainly MS is the pot calling the kettle black here. Considering their windows-based operating system is called "Windows" and their Office productivity suite is called "Office". These guys should all have to come up with better names for their stuff if they want a trademark. Like.... why not just stick an "i" in front of it? iApp Store (see how easy that was).
Like I just said.... Mac's had windows (and they called them that) before PC's had "Windows". Mac OS has used windows and trash and all that drag-and-drop and double-click-a-file goodness long before any DOS PC had it. Xerox invented it, sold it to Apple, and Apple used it in the Mac.
"Windows" was a generic term in the computer industry before Microsoft had any trademark.
EDIT: I still think neither should be allowed, but given the precedents out there I would give Apple the "App Store" trademark. Certainly MS is the pot calling the kettle black here. Considering their windows-based operating system is called "Windows" and their Office productivity suite is called "Office". These guys should all have to come up with better names for their stuff if they want a trademark. Like.... why not just stick an "i" in front of it? iApp Store (see how easy that was).
cult hero
May 3, 03:07 PM
"Apple OSX" and "3rd party device drivers" defines a place that is not a "happy place"
No. No it's not.
No. No it's not.
Lollypop
Sep 10, 06:36 AM
Powerbook G5 tomorrow!!! LOL ok, ok.. before someone shoots me .....
I would really like a mid range mac, and kentsfield would be ideal! Everyone is worried about such a machine taking away sales from either the Mac Pro or the imac, but I still say apple should just be smart enough and feature it so that people either have to to imac, mac extreme or mac pro. 2 pci express slots, single optical drive, smaller amount of total memory, instead of having people have to go for the mac pro why cant apple make the mac pro the real high end workstation and have something smaller be a the mainstream workstation?
I would really like a mid range mac, and kentsfield would be ideal! Everyone is worried about such a machine taking away sales from either the Mac Pro or the imac, but I still say apple should just be smart enough and feature it so that people either have to to imac, mac extreme or mac pro. 2 pci express slots, single optical drive, smaller amount of total memory, instead of having people have to go for the mac pro why cant apple make the mac pro the real high end workstation and have something smaller be a the mainstream workstation?
fetchmebeers
Sep 12, 02:36 PM
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, someone reply to my post....
as a person who just purchased the last version of 5gen video ipod, this comes to me as quite a shock really.... i knew this was coming but actaully hoping that it was everything 'rumor' but turns out it's not.....
anyway, my point is:
WHY DIDN'T STEVE MENTION 30 GIG IPOD, WHILE MOST OF THE ATTENTION SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON 8O GIG SOLELY??
although 30 and 80 seem to share most of the new features which are obviously crap(game? who plays that? and search bar? i don't need that crap, too shabby, biatch)
but the thing is BATTERY, gosh
they've plugged about how their new 80 gen has total 20 hrs of battery life and 6.5 hrs of video play, but what about freaking 30???? I SERIOUSLY WANNA KNOW.
i've been to apple store and engadget for live broadcast, but there was no info whatsoever on 30's battery, other than its MAXIMUM battery was 14.... the thing i wanna know is its VIDEO MAXIMUM BATTERY.... is it, again 2 hours? i hope so!! cause i just bought this ol' **** at such higher price and now i feel totally duped. well it was my fault in the first place but i thought it was all RUMOR......................GAWD
as a person who just purchased the last version of 5gen video ipod, this comes to me as quite a shock really.... i knew this was coming but actaully hoping that it was everything 'rumor' but turns out it's not.....
anyway, my point is:
WHY DIDN'T STEVE MENTION 30 GIG IPOD, WHILE MOST OF THE ATTENTION SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON 8O GIG SOLELY??
although 30 and 80 seem to share most of the new features which are obviously crap(game? who plays that? and search bar? i don't need that crap, too shabby, biatch)
but the thing is BATTERY, gosh
they've plugged about how their new 80 gen has total 20 hrs of battery life and 6.5 hrs of video play, but what about freaking 30???? I SERIOUSLY WANNA KNOW.
i've been to apple store and engadget for live broadcast, but there was no info whatsoever on 30's battery, other than its MAXIMUM battery was 14.... the thing i wanna know is its VIDEO MAXIMUM BATTERY.... is it, again 2 hours? i hope so!! cause i just bought this ol' **** at such higher price and now i feel totally duped. well it was my fault in the first place but i thought it was all RUMOR......................GAWD
roocka
Apr 30, 08:09 PM
Here come the "My iMac's overheating" threads.
Apple has been working on a method of spraying Liquidmetal to be used as a thermal component on the insides of the iMacs. Check out the link if you don't believe me.
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2010/11/apple-wins-patents-relating-to-multi-touch-liquid-metal.html#more
Apple has been working on a method of spraying Liquidmetal to be used as a thermal component on the insides of the iMacs. Check out the link if you don't believe me.
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2010/11/apple-wins-patents-relating-to-multi-touch-liquid-metal.html#more
Beaverman3001
Apr 22, 11:29 AM
Intel IGP ruins it for me personally :( would love a i series cpu but my C2D isn't bad enough to drop the 320M.
milo
Aug 28, 05:34 PM
As an Apple investor I am dissapointed because I know how this looks to the inudstry: Apple has been pansted.
Give me a break. The industry completely understands that none of these laptops is shipping for at least a week or two. As long as apple SHIPS machines about the same time as everyone else, what "pantsing" has taken place outside of the minds of apple fanboys?
Depends on if the PC manufacturers are SHIPPING the Core 2 Duo laptops.
They're not. You're seriously whining about "taking so long" when the first announcements came *earlier today*? Really? A "delay" of HOURS is something shareholders are going to freak out over???
Give me a break. The industry completely understands that none of these laptops is shipping for at least a week or two. As long as apple SHIPS machines about the same time as everyone else, what "pantsing" has taken place outside of the minds of apple fanboys?
Depends on if the PC manufacturers are SHIPPING the Core 2 Duo laptops.
They're not. You're seriously whining about "taking so long" when the first announcements came *earlier today*? Really? A "delay" of HOURS is something shareholders are going to freak out over???
Pravius
Apr 22, 08:12 AM
Really not getting this. Storage is a lot more cheap and plentiful than bandwidth. And the amount of music you can carry on an iphone - to say nothing of an ipod classic - is enough to listen to for days on end, 24 hrs a day, without repeat. Well, I'm glad if some find it useful, but I'll stick to local storage, thanks.
Personal preference really. I would personally pay for peace of mind knowing that my mechanical hard drives are not going to crash. Even backup and being redundant is not enough sometimes. If someone is willing to guarantee that I will never lose my content that I store on their shares then I am all in.
Personally my thought process will change on this when SSD's start getting more popular and larger.
Personal preference really. I would personally pay for peace of mind knowing that my mechanical hard drives are not going to crash. Even backup and being redundant is not enough sometimes. If someone is willing to guarantee that I will never lose my content that I store on their shares then I am all in.
Personally my thought process will change on this when SSD's start getting more popular and larger.
shecky
Sep 14, 10:08 AM
So is this a stevenote or not? i think that might hint at what caliber of goodies are coming
curious about that myself. historically, have there been "special events" like this without a stevenote? (or a philnote, for that matter)
i think that just aperture would not justify a stevenote, but more than just aperture might (tho aperture would be the primary subject)
curious about that myself. historically, have there been "special events" like this without a stevenote? (or a philnote, for that matter)
i think that just aperture would not justify a stevenote, but more than just aperture might (tho aperture would be the primary subject)
lmalave
Sep 27, 09:31 AM
The RAZR was a smash because it was very stylish (which the Apple iPhone will certainly be, too). But it also has been huge because every carrier has had it available on subsidy, and it's been available in more than one color. Something I don't expect from the iPhone.
It's also been such a huge seller because they are junk inside. I imagine every time a carrier has to replace a RAZR because it was insured Motorola counts it as another "sale".
You have a short-term memory. Cingular had an exclusive on it for quite some time (at least 6 months), and was only available in one color (silver). I mean, I remember there was a big deal when the RAZR introduced the Black color!
According to ThinkSecret, the iPhone deal is similar (Cingular exclusive for 6 months, then Apple can sign on with other providers). And, as you indicate, the iPhone will probably only be available in one color. This is desirable for a product launch, though, since it makes production, inventory control, etc. easier at at time when Apple can't predict consumer demand as accurately.
What I'm hoping for is that Apple uses the metallic finish of its nanos. My Sony Ericsson has a metallic blue finish but is actually made of plastic. It would be sweet to have a real metal phone. I predict Apple will launch in a single metallic color (the nano black or silver), and then within a year or less provide all the nano colors.
If you think about it from a marketing point of view, this makes total sense so use all the exact same nano colors, strengthening the association between the two. This would position the iPhone as an upsell from the nano. All Apple has to do is ensure that the profit per unit is the same or higher as the nano, and they don't have to worry about cannibalizing nano sales.
In conclusion, the Think Secret article claims Apple expects to sell 25 million of the iPhones in the year 2007 alone. If Apple can pull that off, they will indeed be eclipsing the sales rates even of the highly successful RAZR. Unfortunately for Motorola, SonyEricsson, LG, Danger, Helio, etc., these eye-popping sales figures will come at the expense of all the othe "cool" phones that consumers were paying a premium for (RAZR, Walkman Phones, Chocolate, Sidekick, Helio). And not because these products necessarily compete head-to-head in terms of features, but rather because each person normally owns only one phone. So once consumers prioritize what they want in a phone, I predict many of them will opt to combine their iPod and phone into the same device. 25 million people making that choice in 2007 is not that far-fetched...
It's also been such a huge seller because they are junk inside. I imagine every time a carrier has to replace a RAZR because it was insured Motorola counts it as another "sale".
You have a short-term memory. Cingular had an exclusive on it for quite some time (at least 6 months), and was only available in one color (silver). I mean, I remember there was a big deal when the RAZR introduced the Black color!
According to ThinkSecret, the iPhone deal is similar (Cingular exclusive for 6 months, then Apple can sign on with other providers). And, as you indicate, the iPhone will probably only be available in one color. This is desirable for a product launch, though, since it makes production, inventory control, etc. easier at at time when Apple can't predict consumer demand as accurately.
What I'm hoping for is that Apple uses the metallic finish of its nanos. My Sony Ericsson has a metallic blue finish but is actually made of plastic. It would be sweet to have a real metal phone. I predict Apple will launch in a single metallic color (the nano black or silver), and then within a year or less provide all the nano colors.
If you think about it from a marketing point of view, this makes total sense so use all the exact same nano colors, strengthening the association between the two. This would position the iPhone as an upsell from the nano. All Apple has to do is ensure that the profit per unit is the same or higher as the nano, and they don't have to worry about cannibalizing nano sales.
In conclusion, the Think Secret article claims Apple expects to sell 25 million of the iPhones in the year 2007 alone. If Apple can pull that off, they will indeed be eclipsing the sales rates even of the highly successful RAZR. Unfortunately for Motorola, SonyEricsson, LG, Danger, Helio, etc., these eye-popping sales figures will come at the expense of all the othe "cool" phones that consumers were paying a premium for (RAZR, Walkman Phones, Chocolate, Sidekick, Helio). And not because these products necessarily compete head-to-head in terms of features, but rather because each person normally owns only one phone. So once consumers prioritize what they want in a phone, I predict many of them will opt to combine their iPod and phone into the same device. 25 million people making that choice in 2007 is not that far-fetched...
Ommid
Apr 25, 01:12 PM
Let me clarify, i made my decision before this news was posted here. I really dont see nothing wrong with waiting on this refresh especially if it will be a huge step forward(which i believe it will be).
Its fine, but if you need it get it, if you dont then wait, at the end of the day this is a rumor.
Its fine, but if you need it get it, if you dont then wait, at the end of the day this is a rumor.
Stevamundo
Apr 28, 06:02 PM
Microsoft is still doing very well. They're making the best products they ever have done and as a customer I am very pleased with all of my Microsoft purchases.
- Zune desktop software
- Zune hardware and mobile software
- Windows Phone 7
- Windows 7
- Office 2010
- Office 2011 for Mac
- Xbox 360
- Xbox Live
All great products and deserve to be class leaders if they are not already. I can't think of another company (including Apple) that has put out such a fantastic range of very good products.
Really? I mean really? Zune? You forgot to write down Vista too kid. LOL!
- Zune desktop software
- Zune hardware and mobile software
- Windows Phone 7
- Windows 7
- Office 2010
- Office 2011 for Mac
- Xbox 360
- Xbox Live
All great products and deserve to be class leaders if they are not already. I can't think of another company (including Apple) that has put out such a fantastic range of very good products.
Really? I mean really? Zune? You forgot to write down Vista too kid. LOL!
mromero
Sep 14, 05:02 PM
1.Aperture 2.0
2.MacBook Pro w/ Intel Merom
2.MacBook Pro w/ Intel Merom
WildGuess
Apr 20, 10:03 AM
This is great for my alcoholic blackouts. Fire up the program and find out where I've been. Although on my last trip to San Diego it put me across the border and into a Tijuana cat house.
woodman
Sep 1, 11:43 AM
So are the MacBooks going to get Merom or not? I'm going to buy a black one, but am waiting to see.
Stridder44
Mar 23, 07:14 PM
That is ridiculous. Even if Apple pulls the app, They are not going to disappear. There is always Cydia.
Yes, because everyone jailbreaks their phone. :rolleyes: Even if the checkpoints are made publicly available by the police themselves, people usually wouldn't bother checking. An app makes that a great deal more convenient to check.
Typical, guilty until proven innocent, isn't that always the way.
How the hell is this anything like that? No one here is being accused of being drunk driver. Stop acting like a damn victim.
You should tell that to my son. Oh wait, you can't, he was murdered someone like you.
My deepest condolences, but I think (God I hope) he was joking.
Yes, because everyone jailbreaks their phone. :rolleyes: Even if the checkpoints are made publicly available by the police themselves, people usually wouldn't bother checking. An app makes that a great deal more convenient to check.
Typical, guilty until proven innocent, isn't that always the way.
How the hell is this anything like that? No one here is being accused of being drunk driver. Stop acting like a damn victim.
You should tell that to my son. Oh wait, you can't, he was murdered someone like you.
My deepest condolences, but I think (God I hope) he was joking.
PlaceofDis
Oct 12, 06:57 PM
im so tired about apple having partnerships with groups i dont like. to each his own but why does U2 have to keep pushing their own ipod, i thought the last one sucked. give me a band i actually like
except this isn't about a band. its about a charity.
except this isn't about a band. its about a charity.
jettredmont
Sep 13, 09:27 PM
Hmm. A few thoughts.
First, the "candybar" reference you make is quite apt: this looks a lot like the LG Chocolate. Which, of course, was designed to look like an iPod, so duh. But, I foresee market confusion. At least the buttons here will have some response to them (I hope!).
Second, I'm not sure about the slide-out idea. I like the idea on many cell phones as a way to keep buttons from being pressed accidentally, but greatly prefer Apple's iPod "Hold" switch over a physical drawer or "key lock" mechanism. With the music buttons so exposed, seems we'd still need a "hold", and it'd be silly for that to only apply to half the device. More, though, I worry about how flimsy the device will feel with the scroll wheel "slid out". Granted, that seems infinitely better ergonomics than the keyboard itself sliding out (can slide open and dial with one hand in one smooth movement without re-adjusting phone in hand). But, still, I worry about the likelihood of the wheel "drawer" snapping off. I hate to see iPods in such pain!
Third, what about cases? My cell phones without cases always end up looking like crap. I wouldn't want a nice shiny black iPhone to be all beaten up a week after I got it. How would a case work with a slide-out drawer? Are we stuck using socks?
I'm assuming that the non-numeric controls (answer the phone, hang up, you know, the little not-so-important functions) are also in the drawer. Does that make sense for answering the phone while on the go?
Finally: size? I know, most of the world doesn't have American-size Big Mac fingers. Still, I can't imagine using a keypad small enough (both width/height and depth) to fit under the scroll wheel of a nano. If you make it that small, the buttons have to be really bulby and stiff (see Treo); otherwise you just hit the wrong one too often.
First, the "candybar" reference you make is quite apt: this looks a lot like the LG Chocolate. Which, of course, was designed to look like an iPod, so duh. But, I foresee market confusion. At least the buttons here will have some response to them (I hope!).
Second, I'm not sure about the slide-out idea. I like the idea on many cell phones as a way to keep buttons from being pressed accidentally, but greatly prefer Apple's iPod "Hold" switch over a physical drawer or "key lock" mechanism. With the music buttons so exposed, seems we'd still need a "hold", and it'd be silly for that to only apply to half the device. More, though, I worry about how flimsy the device will feel with the scroll wheel "slid out". Granted, that seems infinitely better ergonomics than the keyboard itself sliding out (can slide open and dial with one hand in one smooth movement without re-adjusting phone in hand). But, still, I worry about the likelihood of the wheel "drawer" snapping off. I hate to see iPods in such pain!
Third, what about cases? My cell phones without cases always end up looking like crap. I wouldn't want a nice shiny black iPhone to be all beaten up a week after I got it. How would a case work with a slide-out drawer? Are we stuck using socks?
I'm assuming that the non-numeric controls (answer the phone, hang up, you know, the little not-so-important functions) are also in the drawer. Does that make sense for answering the phone while on the go?
Finally: size? I know, most of the world doesn't have American-size Big Mac fingers. Still, I can't imagine using a keypad small enough (both width/height and depth) to fit under the scroll wheel of a nano. If you make it that small, the buttons have to be really bulby and stiff (see Treo); otherwise you just hit the wrong one too often.
Vegasman
Mar 30, 01:24 PM
In the Windows world, it would be a Program Store. Look at any Windows computer and there's nothing called an application or an app. MS claims to have, like 95% of the desktop market. How would the gazillion Windows users out there even know what an "app" was? They've had zero exposure to it, it's a totally foreign term. Wait a minute, it's an Apple term that is coming into common usage and now MS might have to change their language to get rid of the goofy term "program", conceding defeat, so its usage must be stopped or curtailed. That's what this is really about.
Please see screenshots above.
Please see screenshots above.
ju5tin81
Sep 14, 09:54 AM
Definitely need bigger HD's in the laptops now... 60 in the MB 80 in the MBP! Not really cutting it when there is a 80GB iPod!
Not just bigger discs but reasonable prices. The mini's apple upgrade 60-120GB costs �100 and on the MB it costs �180! :eek: How come? Don't they use the same disks?
Sorry, just ranting now... I'd just love to be able to buy a decent 'off the peg' machine that doesn't need upgrades....
I'm in the market for a new MB, doubtful at this next event, but hopefully soon! (and with a much bigger disk as standard):p
Not just bigger discs but reasonable prices. The mini's apple upgrade 60-120GB costs �100 and on the MB it costs �180! :eek: How come? Don't they use the same disks?
Sorry, just ranting now... I'd just love to be able to buy a decent 'off the peg' machine that doesn't need upgrades....
I'm in the market for a new MB, doubtful at this next event, but hopefully soon! (and with a much bigger disk as standard):p
k2director
Apr 4, 01:01 PM
Humans are pre-programmed to take such an action hard. Some don't, usually as a result of contemplation and training before such an incident. It is, however, natural to react that way. Best for all to recognize different people may take such a grave matter very differently, and that's ok.
Personally, if humans were pre-programmed to take killing another human so hard, I think we'd see a lot less senseless murder in the world.
Personally, if humans were pre-programmed to take killing another human so hard, I think we'd see a lot less senseless murder in the world.
bloodycape
Jul 16, 03:33 AM
1st of all I said Apple not IBM or AMD. AMD is going to get a through ass kicking for the next 12-18 months till K8L comes out. The Turion X2 is a flop(that's also 6 months late) It's so bad for AMD that they are practically having a fire sale on X2/A64's come the 24th. Let's not even go there with IBM they are too busy making toy CPU's for M$ , and talk about the nightmare IBM/Sony are having with the Cell yields(what are they like 20-30%).lol:D
I got do a firmware upgrade and get on that X2 sales action. I just hope it will be fairly priced like the non X2's.
Opps forgot to post the cnet review. http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_XPS_700_Intel_Core_2_Extreme_X6800/4505-3118_7-31972975.html?tag=cnetfd.sd
I got do a firmware upgrade and get on that X2 sales action. I just hope it will be fairly priced like the non X2's.
Opps forgot to post the cnet review. http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_XPS_700_Intel_Core_2_Extreme_X6800/4505-3118_7-31972975.html?tag=cnetfd.sd
Misplaced Mage
Sep 18, 05:58 PM
There's no way to compare the two. Both IS-95 and GSM implement a variety of different codecs that are provided differently by different operators. In the area I live, Cingular (GSM) tries to force many phones to use something called AMR-HR, which has "acceptable" voice quality when you have good reception, and drops to barely incomprehensable with any deterioration in signal strength. T-Mobile (GSM) clearly doesn't, and I can talk and listen to someone with both of us sounding like we're on a landline with one bar of signal. On the same phone.
Likewise, Verizon (IS-95) uses some awful bitrate codec for its network where I live (I believe they're heavily oversubscribed here) where pretty much everyone sounds like they're dying from some serious lung problem, and Sprint PCS (IS-95 too) doesn't and generally the call quality, at medium to good reception, seems pretty much ok. Sub-landline, but not seriously so.
Verizon and Sprint have used EVRC (Enhanced Variable Rate Codec) for several years now. EVRC, in turn, replaced QCELP (a.k.a. Qualcomm PureVoice). Down the road we should see EVRC replaced by SMV (Selectable Mode Vocoder), 4GV (Qualcomm's Fourth Generation Vocoder), or VMR-WB.
With the variety of voice codecs the operators use, you can't really make a fair judgement merely on the basis of network technology. Either the operator's cheap, or it isn't. IS-95 was chosen by many networks on the basis that it's spectrum efficient (ie it's cheap), but on the other hand Sprint PCS was always content with call drops when I used it to handle network overloading rather than seriously compromising on call quality. Cingular's move to GSM has caused problems in that it's using a significantly less spectrum efficient technology than the technology it replaced, so Cingular's had to, in many places, hopefully temporarily, use the crappy half-rate codecs to boost capacity until it can get more towers online.
I wouldn't use voice quality as a way to judge the technologies.
Well said! People must understand that the codecs for digital phones in use today were originally designed to squeeze voice through a very narrow upstream pipe—typically 9.6kbps and under—resulting in different approaches to the problem of quality vs. bandwidth given the processing power available in phone chipsets at the time. Now that upstream data bandwidth and portable processing power are becoming less of a problem, we should start hearing improvements as newer codecs are adopted by the carriers in the phones they sell their customers. And I'm sure they'll trumpet the fact when they do. :D
Likewise, Verizon (IS-95) uses some awful bitrate codec for its network where I live (I believe they're heavily oversubscribed here) where pretty much everyone sounds like they're dying from some serious lung problem, and Sprint PCS (IS-95 too) doesn't and generally the call quality, at medium to good reception, seems pretty much ok. Sub-landline, but not seriously so.
Verizon and Sprint have used EVRC (Enhanced Variable Rate Codec) for several years now. EVRC, in turn, replaced QCELP (a.k.a. Qualcomm PureVoice). Down the road we should see EVRC replaced by SMV (Selectable Mode Vocoder), 4GV (Qualcomm's Fourth Generation Vocoder), or VMR-WB.
With the variety of voice codecs the operators use, you can't really make a fair judgement merely on the basis of network technology. Either the operator's cheap, or it isn't. IS-95 was chosen by many networks on the basis that it's spectrum efficient (ie it's cheap), but on the other hand Sprint PCS was always content with call drops when I used it to handle network overloading rather than seriously compromising on call quality. Cingular's move to GSM has caused problems in that it's using a significantly less spectrum efficient technology than the technology it replaced, so Cingular's had to, in many places, hopefully temporarily, use the crappy half-rate codecs to boost capacity until it can get more towers online.
I wouldn't use voice quality as a way to judge the technologies.
Well said! People must understand that the codecs for digital phones in use today were originally designed to squeeze voice through a very narrow upstream pipe—typically 9.6kbps and under—resulting in different approaches to the problem of quality vs. bandwidth given the processing power available in phone chipsets at the time. Now that upstream data bandwidth and portable processing power are becoming less of a problem, we should start hearing improvements as newer codecs are adopted by the carriers in the phones they sell their customers. And I'm sure they'll trumpet the fact when they do. :D