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Twitter Offers Mixed Verdict On Apple iPhone 3GS

The infinite, self-referential loop which is the modern Web came into relief Monday, on the occasion of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference. Fanboys gathered in San Francisco at WWDC's keynote for the introduction of the iPhone 3GS. So many people were tweeting, though, that I felt more plugged in online than I would've if I'd been there live. The tweets gyrated wildly between tweeters bored with the phone and those who were fanboyishly enthusiastic.

I should note that most of the twitters weren't actually at WWDC. Most were following along on live blogs from arstechnica and tuaw. (If you're more into expletive laden snark, check out John Welch on Angry Mac Bastards, where he posted -- this is one of the few I can reproduce -- observations like: "Wow...you can accept meeting invitations in Mail AND iCal! Welcome to 1997!")

Many other WWDC commenters were watching an unauthorized, cellphone-quality live video, streaming on ustream.tv.

The upshot is, it's probably fair to say that there was a big difference in the reception at the keynote, and the reaction online. The live physical event had the air of a Cupertino party rally, with more applause per speech paragraph than at a Presidential State of the Union address. (Only diff being, the Apple claps weren't forced.)

Online, via Twitter (or at least via my unscientific Twitter sampling), the reaction was decidedly mixed. Here's a smattering of pro and con tweets. (The "con" are first, cause they're more fun.)

NEGATIVE

Roelbondoc: sorry for everyone who wasted their time at today's #wwdc keynote.

antoniosal: I'm actually glad it sucked. I don't have to get a new #iPhone.

Shuurei: How terribly unexciting

nickolaswriter: Look over here! Shiny! Shiny!

Buschmaster: Who is getting the iPhone 3GS? Looks pretty cool but I think I'm set with the iPhone 3G (For time being)

cglynne: Well~ THAT was Underwhelming

POSITIVE

jethrobandit: Excited about the new laptop updates. As soon as I get a little more funding in order, I will be purchasing a 17" as my main machine

Novaoblivion: I thought they showed off some pretty cool stuff at #WWDC downloading Safari 4 now...

laz059: All geeked out about iPhone news. Need some money to pick up a 3GS. #WWDC

jaf78: I'm so excited for the new iPhone!!! June 17th cannot come fast enough!!!

frandelacruz: im shouting like a little girl at a jonas brothers concert right now!!!!!

sparkymarky2: apple dominates all trending!!!

And here's Mr. Realistic weighing in: hanx: Okay the new iPhone 3GS is not super-exciting but still more than nothing. Battery life and speed bump is sweet

You can see all the #WWDC tagged tweets, by going to search.twitter.com.

Follow me on Twitter: (@awolfe58)

What's your verdict on the iPhone 3GS? Let me know, by leaving a comment below or e-mailing me directly at alex@alexwolfe.net.

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Alex Wolfe is editor-in-chief of InformationWeek.com.

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