iPhone

[Calan Adan]

I know Jormagund and Cheap Toad were looking into getting one. Anyone else have one? Like I mentioned in another thread, we were thinking of getting a used cheap laptop with wifi in order to be connected when away from home, but with all its other functionality, perhaps an iPhone is the way to go.

Any thoughts from those who have one or are thinking of getting one? Pros? Cons?

[Morning]

I don't have an iPhone. But I just got a TMobile G1. I went with Tmobile due to prior poor experiences with Cingular/AT&T,and a discount with Tmobile thru my company. I love the G1. I'd say the major con cmpared to the iPhone is that it's bulkier, due to the actual physical keyboard, the benefit of which outweighs the bulkiness. And since all my contacts and calendar stuff was already in google, it was a perfect transition. Take a look at the G1 if TMobile service is decent where you live.

[Jormagund]

My only complaint so far is the lack of inherent voice dialing. I'm somewhat annoyed that (like EVERY other phone I've ever had with Bluetooth) I cannot just push the button on my earpiece and say the name of who I want to call.

That annoyance aside, it's tons of fun in both practical ways (Google maps, email, general web browsing, solitaire, chess, and love the multi-touch control) and ridiculous ways (lightsaber application... haha). It's pretty nice having one device that can do everything... including things I haven't even thought of yet via the app store.

I travel a lot less than I used to, so I can't say much about AT&T's coverage. They've got the areas I go pretty much blanketed... but I imagine every major carrier does. For all intents and purposes I don't notice any difference in my area from Verizon.

I have enjoyed using the virtual keyboard, even when holding the device vertically and with fingers clearly too big for the keys. The phone corrects words on the fly so you've just gotta get it close and the iPhone will fix it. I can only think of one occasion when it didn't properly choose what I was attempting to type.

I've really just scratched the surface so far, but I have no regrets as of yet.

[Jormagund]

Pandora on the iPhone is my favorite app so far, hands down.

I'm looking forward to the SUPPOSED forthcoming launch of the iPhone Slingbox app.

The camera on the iPhone is poor. No zoom feature? No video? Nor flash. Phones you can get for free from most carriers manage to offer these features. Fortunately for me this isn't particularly high on the list of things I care about.

[Demeth]

I love my iPhone.

As with any other cell service, find out what works well locally, where you are most. I have fast areas and slow areas...

The applications are nice. My car's bluetooth has voice activation, so I don't have the issues Jorm does. One still-annoying feature is that text-with-pictures is epic fail, you essentially need to use the 'Net to send/receive pictures with text... seems like it should be something they'll eventually make functional.

[Joxer]

I have the iPhone 3G and I think it's probably the best device I've ever owned. The App Store alone beats any other phone as far as I am concerned. POP and GMail integration is slick, GPS is nice, AIM rules, everything is great - just make sure you get the unlimited data plan. There really is an app for everything - even watching my EVE Online training.

[Calan Adan]

Morning - unfortunately T-Mobile has absolutely sucky coverage where I need it. My old plan was through T-Mobile and there were 4 or 5 large dead spots on the interstate on my way to and from work. I could only keep a signal for about 5 minutes.

I see AT&T has a $30 a month data plan - is that what is needed as part of the coverage? Is that unlimited data? Are there any functions (aside from text messaging) you don't get with the $30 plan?

[ceafo]

I enjoy my iPhone. Interface is awesome, pretty fast switching to and from landscape, wifi works well, the blue tooth syncs with my car with no trouble, and I love watching TV shows and movies I download from itunes on the plane. I also love the GPS feature that has search capabilities to find places around me.

I have a few complaints though. Battery life sucks so I have to plug it in as often as possible which makes the car charger a must have and since this last firmware update I am dropping calls more. I also dont like the small keyboard even though it self corrects which can also be annoying. If you use it for email, you cant put it in landscape mode so the keyboard is bigger like you can when using the web browser.

Oh yeah, and you can only buy a new iPhone every 18 months, period. You bust yours, drop it, give it a bath, bye bye iPhone until your 18 months is up and you have to go back to your old cell. Not sure about the whole referb thing they have now though.

All said and done, I would buy it all over again.

[ceafo]

Morning - unfortunately T-Mobile has absolutely sucky coverage where I need it. My old plan was through T-Mobile and there were 4 or 5 large dead spots on the interstate on my way to and from work. I could only keep a signal for about 5 minutes.

I see AT&T has a $30 a month data plan - is that what is needed as part of the coverage? Is that unlimited data? Are there any functions (aside from text messaging) you don't get with the $30 plan?


That covers unlimited data if you are not syncing with sexchange...I mean Exchange for work. I use mine for work and do sync my outlook which works flawlessly BTW so I believe it's a little more.

[Morning]

As an aside, I hope I didn't come off as putting down the iPhone (or anyone who has one). I think it's an awesome device. If it was not for my personal vendetta with AT&T I would probably have gotten one.

[Calan Adan]

That covers unlimited data if you are not syncing with sexchange...I mean Exchange for work. I use mine for work and do sync my outlook which works flawlessly BTW so I believe it's a little more.

We use LotusNotes at work. I know I can log into my email it with a web client from anywhere with internet access, but I don't know if it's the same thing. It's not synched with any other specific device, just with the web client as a whole.

So to clarify, can you use the iPhone features without the $30 additional data plan? Or do you need the plan just to use any non-phone connectivity-based features?



As an aside, I hope I didn't come off as putting down the iPhone (or anyone who has one). I think it's an awesome device. If it was not for my personal vendetta with AT&T I would probably have gotten one.

I know I didn't think that at all. And if it wasn't for my personal vendetta with T-Mobile I might look more seriously at the G1. ;)

[Jaegerbrau]

Ceafo I don't know where you heard that a broken iPhone can't be replaced, but that's not true.

I broke mine ( due to my stupidty ) and got a new one at the apple store in 15 minutes. It cost me of course, but I was having iPhone junkie withdrawl symphoms and would of paid anything.

[ceafo]

Ceafo I don't know where you heard that a broken iPhone can't be replaced, but that's not true.

I broke mine ( due to my stupidty ) and got a new one at the apple store in 15 minutes. It cost me of course, but I was having iPhone junkie withdrawl symphoms and would of paid anything.

Well, thats good news because the guy at bestbuy told me I wouldnt be able to get another one for 18 months. Maybe he was telling me that to try and get me to buy a protection plan offered by them or something.

[Kasu]

I LOVE my Iphone (after being a blackberry junkie for years). Its honestly the first device that I feel I cant live without along side of my PC and laptop.

AT&T sucked ass in my area for awhile, even after I switched from Verizon to AT&T.

However, after 2 months, evidently ATT did something as I have not had a single coverage issue since then.

So many people bring up features that they claim kick Iphone's ass. However Ive tested just about all of them, and the Iphone is the best multi-purpose device Ive ever owned.

The app store alone is a reason to own this device.