Reviewers go gaga over iPhone

Early reviews are finding that Apple's iPhone is actually living up to its billing of being the most anticipated consumer device in history.

Apple's iPhone is set to go on sale in the US on Friday at 6pm local time. In one of the first public reviews of the device, columnist Walt Mossberg declared it "a breakthrough handheld computer".

"Its software, especially, sets a new bar for the smart-phone industry, and its clever finger-touch interface, which dispenses with a stylus and most buttons, works well," Mossberg said in an article co-authored with reporter Katherine Boehret.

Newsweek columnist Steven Levy likened his use of the device to that of another famous Apple introduction, declaring that his iPhone experience "was fun, in the same way that switching from an old command-line interface to the Macintosh graphical user interface in the mid-1980s was a kick."

Initial reviews of the iPhone weren't, however, without criticism. While Mossberg declared the iPhone's touch-screen keyboard a 'non-issue,' both Levy and New york Times columnist David Pogue commented that the iPhone's keyboard was slower than that of an actual smartphone keypad.

All three reviewers also lamented on the iPhone's EDGE wireless data network. Mossberg classified performance as "pokey," and Levy likened the EDGE data transfer speed to that of a dial-up connection and Pogue declared it "slow and horrible".

The reviewers also noted that the lack of Flash and Windows Media support can affect the web browsing experience, as it will leave sites that rely heavily on either technology all but useless.

Mossberg cautioned that the iPhone may not be right for average consumers who won't make frequent use of the web and e-mail features, but ultimately concludes that it is "a whole new experience and a pleasure to use."

Levy declared that users who shell out the cash for an iPhone will get their money's worth, "if only for the delight they get from dazzling their friends."

Pogue was likewise optimistic in his review, stating "the iPhone is amazing. It's filled with incredible features, incredibly well done."

The iPhone will go on sale across the US on 29 June at 6PM local time.

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