Most mobile phones I’ve owned have sucked. Because I’ve tended to go for more fully-specced gadgets, rather than plain old phones, I’ve had a succession of devices that haven’t done calls very well, or haven’t really done the web, or have been underpowered or unusable.
But – and at risk of sounding like a hopeless fanboy – my new iPhone is just wonderful – far better than anything I’ve had before, and better than I even expected. You don’t get it until you use it, and no number of geeky denouncements of shoddy camera quality or lack of 3G will, at this stage, change my mind.
Here’s why.
1. The iPhone makes internet use habitual: a combination of Safari’s usability and ability to properly display the real (not mobile) web, plus the all-you-can-eat data package, means I’ll browse with confidence when I need to get some information, and for entertainment when bored. This is a step up from any device that doesn’t have a full web browser, or a pay-as-you-go data tariff, where browsing is an expensive chore.
2. It doesn’t crash: Touch wood here – but every smartphone I’ve had crashes more regularly than a Premiership footballer in a Porsche. And a mobile phone that’s crashed is a brick – especially when, as in the case of a Windows Mobile-powered Orange SPV I once had – it would crash, without anything on the phone indicating it wasn’t working. I’d just wonder why I wasn’t getting any calls that day.
3. Battery life is excellent – even when browsing heavily, the iPhone is lasting longer than my rubbish old Nokia N80 did on standby.
4. Wifi that works – the iPhone’s wifi is, as you’d expect from Apple, a doddle to set up. That means the spread of Wifi, via the bundled Cloud connections and the other network I have access to, makes the cruddy 02 Edge connection less important. The iPhone’s seamless migration to Wifi is good news for both the user, who gets faster speeds, and the mobile network, which doesn’t have to carry all the traffic.
5. The small things: Like the way the music fades down when a call comes in, and back up when the call ends. It’s like a perfectly customised call-in show, where your friends are the callers and the music is your favourite songs.
I thought the iPhone could really change the smartphone world when it was first launched, but I now think I underestimated its impact. With the device already outselling Windows Mobile in the US (and miles ahead of Symbian) my initial prediction is already coming true.
Now, let’s look further: this could broaden the market for more powerful phones, tempting contract mobile users to the mobile web and causing other manufacturers – and other networks – to come up with gadgets that mimic some of its features, thus amplifying the effect. It could have quite an impact on mobile content.
Could the iPhone – not Facebook – turn out to be the most significant technology development of the year?
All these negative comments about the iPhone miss the point. It is not the specs (or the price) but the complete package. All the element, the applications, the transitions between applications, the way they are intelligently connected and the interface design – of both the hardware and software – put together they work so well and almost effortlessly. It is not about specs. I have used the Nokia N95 which on paper is the same if not better but the user experience is shit. You can’t find the application, there are too many options, they are not well connected. The iPhone is another example of how Apple use intelligent user centred design married to great technology to deliver a device which is easy and a joy to use.
It will be interesting to see how the iPhone does in Japan. The 3 main handlers are fighting for the contract right now.
Mobile phones in Japan are vastly superior to the majority of phones in the US and UK, but I have a feeling the iPhone may be one of the first foreign made mobiles to make a significant impact here.
Im neither an Apple fan, nor an Apple hater, I just appreciate good technology. I own an iPod, and I own a very high spec PC. I hope to add a Japanese iPhone very soon.
Those who feel it is too expensive really should get one. They are excellent, everything is easy, quick and simply a stunning mobile. Yes it has its faults but it such a huge leap forward they really do not count
Iphone or facebook?
Why not have both?
I use facebook on the iphone and find it a nice interface and easier to use than the pc version. I can also check it whilst on the loo at work or home via wireless.
Latest Technology
Perhaps not but it packs a meaty processor with plenty of ram and a lean operating system. As it is designed to be docked to your pc and is a computer running a proper os it is also super easy for apple to upgrade it for most of the other functionality that people are wanting. I cant wait for the sdk to be released as there will be some amazing apps coming out for it. I think of it a little like the wii. Lots of people where slating its low power and quirky interface and now its flying off the shelves as its a really interesting platform and it has been a revolution in the gaming industry.
Not for the serious professional?I’m a professional? I do web development and e-marketing and use it frequently. It’s handy to quickly test a web site is cross browser compatible as well. I sent a mailshot via our server from the comfort of my bed on Sunday with no problems at all. I’ve owned a couple of xda’s and when I turned my xda on the other day it looks really crappy compared to the iphone. Its really hard to use as well. And it cost me over £150 plus an 18 month contract to get it. I paid over £200 for my first xda as well plus a contract. This is the first apple product I have owned and it is much better than I thought it would be and don’t regret what I spent on it and the contract is ideal for my requirements.
No phone needs a touch screen, ‘it’s a *T*E*L*E*P*H*O*N*E* for gods sake!!!!’
I hate to say it but on this one, I’m not convinced. The N95 under the new firmware upgrade – v.20 something – has made it everything a phone should be (this isn’t an 8GB but the normal one). The wifi works perfectly well, the screen is fine, call quality is fantastic as is the 5MP camera (for stills and video). The iPhone will come good but it was too under-specced for me and the keyboard never impressed me. Having used both, I must be one of the few Apple fanbois who prefers the N95.
Why do idiots continue to perpetuate the invalid truth that Apple stuff is more expensive. It isn’t period. Go over to dell and spec and identical machine to a MacBook Pro – the price is virtually the same.
As for people claiming the tariff for the iphone is expensive – unlimited data? £35 a month – expensive – get your head read.
I get sick of windoze fan boys crying over the fact their stuff isn’t as good as Apple kit. Get over it !
Reminds me of the time a Windows ‘expert’ said I would never get an interview with his company because I said that you could bind a device to more than one ip address. He /insisted/ that there was no way and just laughed at me. Oh dear Pegasus Team windoze fanboy and ‘expert’ of nothing!!