Let's talk about the iPhone.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Ok, so the iPhone is out, and the reviews are in.

Apparently the interface is awesome, and it's every bit as sexy as advertised. It works well as an iPod too.

However....and this is a big however.....the call quality isn't that great. I've read this across the board. It's always in the middle of the review. Then they say "the iPhone delivers" or "the iPhone sets a new standard" or "it gets an 8 out of 10".

Um, no.

A phone is supposed to be a phone. Even if it is 10 other gadgets at once. It's called the iPhone, not the iPDA, or the iDigitalCamera. The phone part is not a feature of some other item - the phone part IS the item.

If a phone costs 500 bucks and rides a wave of hype this large, it better be The. Best. Damn. Phone. Ever.

It isn't.

God, how I hate the cellphone market. I thought that by now, all this BS of less than stellar call quality would be segregated to the lower echelons of phone purchases. Not THE phone, THE product, THE amazing apex of gadget consumerism, of which I love being a voyeuristic part.

F U, Apple. I'm disappointed. Not like I'd have bought the damn thing anyway, but I can't even be vicariously excited anymore.

I guess I should be glad. Now, when my current cell contract expires in a few months, I'll be happy with whatever gadget I can afford - because I'll know the call quality will probably be the same as the iPhone's.