Don't Buy the iPhone Yet
Technology changes constantly. Recently, there's been a shift from the PDA and cell phone to the 2-in-1 smart phone. One smart phone worth mentioning is the iPhone.
The iPhone was released in late June after several months of hype. The phone features a stunning display and a sleek design, as well as an innovative multi-touch user surface, web browsing, easy to use applications and iPod functionality.
However, there are reports that call quality is mediocre, and the phone lacks features commonly found in other smart phones, including stereo Bluetooth support and 3G compatibility.
The iPod part of the phone works beautifully, but navigating through the music is tedious because of the need to scroll through long lists. Typing on the touch pad is easier than expected, according to reviewers, but all punctuation marks are on a secondary keyboard, making typing messages inefficient. The keyboard is also only displayed when the iPhone is held vertically, forcing users to type one handed.
At $499 for the 4GB iPhone and $599 for the 8GB iPhone, you might want to wait to purchase it until the technology has improved and the price has come down.
Comments
Shez have you even used an iPhone? I own one and would like to point out that:
1) Check you "reports" again about mediocre quality. If anything you will find it's an amazingly well made phone . . . WAAAAAY better than my falling apart RAZR.
2) The iPod navigation is not tedious, it's just different. You can get anywhere you want very quickly without scrolling by selecting the letter on the right.
3) With the keyboard displayed vertically it is easy to use 2 thumb to type quickly and accurately. It does not "force" you to type with one hand. In fact for internet use you can use a horizontal keyboard.
4) Waiting for the price to drop is always smart for anything . . .
You may want to ask actual users how they feel about the iPhone, especially compared to whatever phone they used previously. Since many iPhone users at this point are early adopters, odds are good that their previous phones were cutting edge when they switched to the iPhone. And I'd bet you nearly all of them say they'd never go back.
Incidentally, this kind of second-hand advice reminds me a little of the criticism that the iPhone is prone to smudges. Duh. That's what you get when you have a clean, solid piece of glass as your interface instead of a bunch of buttons. It's like saying a Ferrari is prone to extra-bad dings (because you drive it faster).
And for what it's worth, my iPhone has better call quality than my Blackberry Pearl on T-Mobile (which I loved).
You may want to ask actual users how they feel about the iPhone, especially compared to whatever phone they used previously. Since many iPhone users at this point are early adopters, odds are good that their previous phones were cutting edge when they switched to the iPhone. And I'd bet you nearly all of them say they'd never go back.
Incidentally, this kind of second-hand advice reminds me a little of the criticism that the iPhone is prone to smudges. Duh. That's what you get when you have a clean, solid piece of glass as your interface instead of a bunch of buttons. It's like saying a Ferrari is prone to extra-bad dings (because you drive it faster).
You're just spreading FUD - fear, uncertainty and doubt.
Having gone from a Treo on Verizon, I can not be happier with the iPhone on ATT. It is a great phone and the best 'smartphone' I have ever had (and I have had them all - Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Palm).
The iPhone works wonderfully as a phone and is like having a 3 x 5 inch laptop with the best email and web services on any device.
For example, my daughter was going to catch a plane to Spain yesterday. I was able to go to the Iberia site and check on flight times using the Safari web browser. Try that on any other 'Smartphone'.
SOOOOOOO, there "Ollie"
Trying to pay for your labor day vacation by writing a stupid headline?
wow there are some haters up here. i frankly feel that once the novelty wears off the iphone is going to be yesterday's blackberry pearl. and by that time i am sure apple is coming out with more. so far i have played with iphone and it works great especially for surfing the web. but frankly i don't need a complicated phone, i just need to be able to check emails. i don't really need my phone to listen to music, i already have an ipod. nor watching movies. it kills my eyes. and why surf the web with a small screen where you can use an actual computer with a much bigger screen and easier on the eye? it's not worth it for me to switch services over and pay the penalty fees AND $500 for the phone. plus i don't need a 300 page statement like ijustine received. this hype too, shall pass.
i had an htc 8525 using windows mobile and was not planning to buy an iphone 'til next year, but my patience ran thin and i was getting to the point where i wanted to frikking smash that phone on the street w/ all my strength every single day. but i had paid about $300 for it just last year and that, only that kept me from doing what i wanted to do.
as per the iphone, even with few (there are some), the iphone at its worse is better than anything else i have tried...hands down!!!!
i love the way this guy writes this based purely on he said, she said...you comes across as an idiot.
here's my advice, try the iphone if you think its better than what you have or seen and tried and you can live w/ its short comings (no phone is perfect) then go for it and stop letting everyone tell you what to do. if you have seen and used better, then don't buy the iphone but you have to try it and judge for yourself, simple as that.
for me:
the keyboard is a non issue; i don't type letters or dissertations on my phone i do that on my computer.
3g would be nice, but edge loads OKAY most of the times (some times it is too slow and annoying) but hey when i am on the street i use the web for what i need and that's it, i dont spend 5 hours on it, I work. the wifi just kicks A$$ plain and simpe.
browsing is the most intuitive you can find
ipod is the best music player ever
voice quality is average
photos look great
video is awesome
and widgets are useful (though i wish they allowed more to be added already) but that's coming
overall i give it 4 out 5 stars
i had an htc 8525 using windows mobile and was not planning to buy an iphone 'til next year, but my patience ran thin and i was getting to the point where i wanted to frikking smash that phone on the street w/ all my strength every single day. but i had paid about $300 for it just last year and that, only that kept me from doing what i wanted to do.
as per the iphone, even with few (there are some), the iphone at its worse is better than anything else i have tried...hands down!!!!
i love the way this guy writes this based purely on he said, she said...you comes across as an idiot.
here's my advice, try the iphone if you think its better than what you have or seen and tried and you can live w/ its short comings (no phone is perfect) then go for it and stop letting everyone tell you what to do. if you have seen and used better, then don't buy the iphone but you have to try it and judge for yourself, simple as that.
for me:
the keyboard is a non issue; i don't type letters or dissertations on my phone i do that on my computer.
3g would be nice, but edge loads OKAY most of the times (some times it is too slow and annoying) but hey when i am on the street i use the web for what i need and that's it, i dont spend 5 hours on it, I work. the wifi just kicks A$$ plain and simpe.
browsing is the most intuitive you can find
ipod is the best music player ever
voice quality is average
photos look great
video is awesome
and widgets are useful (though i wish they allowed more to be added already) but that's coming
overall i give it 4 out 5 stars
anyone know actually where to get a cheap iPhone priced between £250 - £300?
Cheers