The smartest move in iPhone pre-history

The iPhone's impact on the Web
1. Immediately, Web developers have an exciting new platform to create apps for, and the iPhone's touch screen is a fun interface to think about when creating new applications.

2. This may kick-start Web 2.0's evolution into Web 3.0: Sites and services redefined, redesigned, and refined for a handheld platform and fully mobile user base.

3. As competing devices follow suit and shift to a more-immersive mobile browsing experience, Web-based software and Web 2.0 sites may have great days ahead of them.

Even for someone who despises the iPhone hype, these announcements are pretty exciting. Apple seems to have mastered the art of declaring itself innovative, and the combined power of the development community and the mass appeal of the iPhone could lead to true innovation. It's good for the iPhone, good for Web 2.0, good for mobile devices, good for developers, and good for users.

But...is it still smart to buy an iPhone?

Alas, some of the iPhone's perceived shortcomings may also become magnified by a cottage industry of third-party Web apps.

1. With such a reliance on Web-based apps, EDGE seems like a terrible decision over 3G networks.

2. Wi-Fi is still in the iPhone's bag of tricks, but let's hope the battery life can take the added pressure.

3. The touchscreen-only UI could become a burden for keyboard-intensive apps.

What do you think? Huge news, cop-out 2.0, or somewhere in between? Let us know in the TalkBack section.