I admit it… I just can’t stop touching the iPhone. It’s an engineering marvel on so many levels. However, like Kevin of jkOnThe Run, the iPhone isn’t for me (yet). But before I tell you what I need to make the “switch” I have more iPhone shenanigans to share…
I ran to Kinkos to send a fax ($2/page?!) and since the AT&T store was only a block away, I dropped in for my third 1/2 hour on the device. First off, my thumb typing skills have improved – even without applying Brian Lam’s (slowish) sliding technique. Second, the phone stores text message conversations. An earlier phone number was still on the device, so I took the liberty of texting them “iPhone!” About 30 seconds later, the phone vibrated and the mysterious person with a 202 area code responded, “Take me home!” I assume they wanted me to take the iPhone home. To them. OK, so if you didn’t find that as amusing as I did, go check out this video for a chuckle. Nice job, Mark! That woman’s lucky to only be out $800 and that pompous attitude… I wouldn’t recommend flashing $16k cash in any neighborhood.
So on to those missing features… In order to migrate to the iPhone I need true real-time over-the-air Exchange (or BES) sync. I’m not interested in carrying two phones, thus my personal and work phones are one in the same. And using IMAP to pull email from Exchange doesn’t cut it — What about my contacts, appointments, and tasks? I also need Apple to offer iTunes movie rentals for times when I travel without connectivity. Alternately, if TiVo enabled TiVoToGo on the Series3 I’d be able to meet the same need. (This is why I no longer own a video-capable iPod.) And where the heck is iChat? On the hardware side of things, a $600 über-iPod most definitely needs stereo Bluetooth (especially given the deeply recessed headphone jack). While not necessary to make the switch – a higher resolution camera, integrated GPS, and an iPhone dock or cable with video out are desirable.
So why didn’t you buy an iPhone?
1st Generation hardware and it being on ATT’s network. I’ll let everyone else try out the beta hardware ;)
It’s really the type of phone where you need to find reasons to convince yourself that you don’t need it. Mine is that there is no bluetooth DUN service. While the interface is nice, I’m never going to use an iPhone for software development. My Treo however can provide my laptop with a network connection so I can sync code on the train. As a concession, my wife is getting one so at least I’ll be able to play with it at home.
Tom, it’s funny you mention that. Melissa, who has a Dash, thinks we should have at least one iPhone in our household – and that maybe it should be her. I asked her what she planned to do with it that she doesn’t do with her current phone. ;) She’s probably not going to switch and her reason is the simplest of all: 450 minutes of talk time versus the 1500 she gets on T-Mobile.
Ahh yes, I forgot the lack of DUN. Primary reason why I have the cheapo phone and Verizon right now is for DUN when I need it.
Does it really not support the iPod docks with video out, even though it has an iPod dock connector? Poo.
Also, no Bluetooth DUN? Gah! How about via USB? I use that feature of my Verizon Wireless cell phone via Bluetooth constantly, especially when traveling.
I finally got to spend about 20 minutes with the iPhone today. I will give Apple a lot of credit. The UI is by far the best I have ever seen for a “smartphone”. I put that in quotes, because I don’t know that the iPhone qualifies as a true smartphone, but that is another topic. Here is why I won’t be getting one:
1) AT&T only. While Sprint’s Customer Service is the foulest thing known to man, their cheap EVDO and plans keep me hooked. In addition, I have no desire to sign another 2 year contract, ESPECIALLY without the phone being subsidized
2) No installable applications. This is really also an umbrella for issues such as no DUN and no A2DP. My Treo 700p natively doesn’t support either of those two things. However, because I can INSTALL APPLICATIONS developed by third parties, I can now do both of those things on my Treo.
3) Finally, no 3G. The wifi is GREAT for times when there IS WiFi, which is almost never when you are in the car. Once you go 3G, it is REALLY tough to go back.
These three things make the iPhone impossible for me to devote that kind of money to. I was even more impressed with the UI than I thought I would be, and it was very tempting. However, ultimately, these things are requirements for me to purchase a phone, and as buggy and outdated as GarnetOS is, my Treo is still a better device for me right now.
I did not intend to buy an iPhone for many of the reasons stated above (1G, non-Verizon, etc.) But then I tried one out in the store. It was awesome, but I literally couldn’t type on the thing to save my life. I don’t know that practice will even help. I have no doubt that this problem will be addressed with some type of subtle tactile feedback in later generations and by then Verizon will carry it and it will be mine. Until then I’ll be very happy with my fully subsidized Q.
I didn’t buy one because of cost. That’s it. I held one, monkeyed with it, sent a text message. It’s very cool, just not $600.00 plus $79.99 a month for life cool. If a 3G version comes out at $199, THEN I will get one…
…besides, there’s no Sling client for it ( *cough*, *cough* *hint* ) so why bother? ;)
Todd-
Good points. And since there is no sdk and no one but Apple allowed on the iPhone, there won’t BE a Slingplayer unless Steve Jobs says so.
The 4 “must have” features before I’ll buy:
1. Cut/Copy/Paste not supported! (I assume this could be added by a software update, but it’s a huge omission)
2. No support for AT&T’s 3g (HSDPA) netowkr
3. No stereo bluetooth
4. Can’t add your own ringtones
But overall I’m very impressed and can’t wait for the next rev.