ROKR Not So Rockin'?

Thanks to Al Bredenberg for pointing my attention to Merrill Lynch's disappointment in the ever-anticipated Motorola ROKR phone, a new mobile handset launched in conjunction with Apple. Since the inception of the iPod, it was a matter of time before the iPod would take to the airwaves, but really, it's just a phone/iPod combo. Because guess what? You can't download wirelessly. Just like the iPod, the ROKR requires a connection to a PC. Oh boo.

TMC president Rich Tehrani said  I should include in my bio that I am anticipating the day when I can download songs (particularly, my fiance's band) via WiMAX to my iPod/wireless device. It's true. I am waiting for that blessed moment. 

Al B. speculates that "Apple is just getting its feet wet in the puddle of mobile wireless" and honestly, I couldn't have said it any better. This is just the first move on the chess board. I don't think the buck is going to stop here. Apple has been pretty busy this year in the digital music industry, what with revenue increase thanks to the iPod, the release of the new iPod nano, and now an iPod phone (and those are just recent!). There is no doubt in my mind that Apple will come up with a better, stronger, sexier device that is not only a wireless phone, but will have the ability to download music sans PC. Who knows? Maybe Apple is already planning to introduce themselves not only as a computer/digital music monster, but a wireless carrier as well.

ML shouldn't be so harsh on the ROKR. But I do have to agree that it's disappointing that the service is only offered by Cingular. I'm a Verizon Wireless gal - I'd like to combine my iPod and phone into one device, thank you very much.