Apple iPhone 3G - Good or Bad?
- Thread starter Sagart
- Start date
So, I was a latecomer to the iPhone after considering its limitations too severe compared to other phones, but I got the 3G around November last year and I've really warmed to it.
It's true that it doesn't have video recording and picture messaging, and although I did use these from time to time on my old phone, I can count the number on one hand. You do without.
However, for me, its shortcomings are easily mitigated by its really excellent Calendar, the excellent iPod-style music management, the throughly excellent Web Browser, and the generally really well written other parts of its software. There's very little else that compares out there.
The only thing I miss terribly is the ability to tether my phone to my laptop. Not being able to access the mobile internet from my lappy on trains is a bit of a pain in the ass, but there's less of a need when Safari and Mail on the device itself are so competent. Nothing beats catching up on TBBS whilst steaming through the English countryside (!).
The G1 is a pretty good contender (and may get better as Google are really pulling out the stops on the new software right now) but the new iPhone software is due in June, and from what they've confirmed, we're going to get picture messaging like everyone else and possibly tethering, and some other really cool new whizzy features to boot. Apple are pretty regular with their updates, see here for the confirmed list of features in 3.0 (scroll down to the bottom).
FWIW, It's very likely that new hardware will come in July too, so it might be worth hanging on for that if you can.
I think it's a personal thing though. For me the tipping point has come and the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, but if you're someone who would really miss the features that the iPhone lacks but many other phones have, then you should give it a miss, or wait for the iPhone 3.0 software. I took the plunge and have seldom looked back, but it's not a perfect phone, and there are times when I'm glad I have my old Nokia candybar in the drawer (music festivals for example, wouldn't want to take the iPhone to one of them!). I don't think I'd've touched the original iPhone (non-3G) with a 3 foot pole though, it really was too limited, and some might still think the same about the current one.
The App Store is really useful too. It is true that Apps are too limited in comparison to other more 'open' devices where the API lets them do more, but nevertheless, developers are very clever about working around restrictions, and there are a lot of really cool games and useful productive tools available. Currently my favourites are Shazam (which listens to music playing around you and tells you what it is), Last.fm on the iPhone, WunderRadio (which picks up streaming Internet radio), RSS Probe (news feeds), TouchTerm (SSH access), TubeStatus (London Underground), and Facebook, all of which I use regularly and most of which were free.
That said, other phones have Apps too. It's not like we're unique.
Oh, and the keyboard -- perfectly livable. The autocorrection really does work well and learns how you type, so even though there's no real feedback, you mostly type what you want. It's not as quick as a physical keyboard, but honestly I have reasonably stubby fingers and never got on that well with miniature phone buttons anyway, plus adding a full size keyboard would bloat the device and make it thicker, so I actually really like the compromise they've made.
It's true that it doesn't have video recording and picture messaging, and although I did use these from time to time on my old phone, I can count the number on one hand. You do without.
However, for me, its shortcomings are easily mitigated by its really excellent Calendar, the excellent iPod-style music management, the throughly excellent Web Browser, and the generally really well written other parts of its software. There's very little else that compares out there.
The only thing I miss terribly is the ability to tether my phone to my laptop. Not being able to access the mobile internet from my lappy on trains is a bit of a pain in the ass, but there's less of a need when Safari and Mail on the device itself are so competent. Nothing beats catching up on TBBS whilst steaming through the English countryside (!).
The G1 is a pretty good contender (and may get better as Google are really pulling out the stops on the new software right now) but the new iPhone software is due in June, and from what they've confirmed, we're going to get picture messaging like everyone else and possibly tethering, and some other really cool new whizzy features to boot. Apple are pretty regular with their updates, see here for the confirmed list of features in 3.0 (scroll down to the bottom).
FWIW, It's very likely that new hardware will come in July too, so it might be worth hanging on for that if you can.
I think it's a personal thing though. For me the tipping point has come and the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, but if you're someone who would really miss the features that the iPhone lacks but many other phones have, then you should give it a miss, or wait for the iPhone 3.0 software. I took the plunge and have seldom looked back, but it's not a perfect phone, and there are times when I'm glad I have my old Nokia candybar in the drawer (music festivals for example, wouldn't want to take the iPhone to one of them!). I don't think I'd've touched the original iPhone (non-3G) with a 3 foot pole though, it really was too limited, and some might still think the same about the current one.
The App Store is really useful too. It is true that Apps are too limited in comparison to other more 'open' devices where the API lets them do more, but nevertheless, developers are very clever about working around restrictions, and there are a lot of really cool games and useful productive tools available. Currently my favourites are Shazam (which listens to music playing around you and tells you what it is), Last.fm on the iPhone, WunderRadio (which picks up streaming Internet radio), RSS Probe (news feeds), TouchTerm (SSH access), TubeStatus (London Underground), and Facebook, all of which I use regularly and most of which were free.
That said, other phones have Apps too. It's not like we're unique.
Oh, and the keyboard -- perfectly livable. The autocorrection really does work well and learns how you type, so even though there's no real feedback, you mostly type what you want. It's not as quick as a physical keyboard, but honestly I have reasonably stubby fingers and never got on that well with miniature phone buttons anyway, plus adding a full size keyboard would bloat the device and make it thicker, so I actually really like the compromise they've made.
G
Garrovick
Guest
Verteron pretty much summed it up. Think of the iPhone 3G as your super deluxe phone, e-mail, iPod Touch and the Internet all rolled into one. I love mine, it's my "best" friend.
I tell people that the iPhone is the best choice unless you need a Blackberry.
And, well, if you're a person who needs a Blackberry...you'd probably know that already and wouldn't be asking us.
If you're doing fine with your current phone, I'd wait for the next iPhone in June or July. We already know the 3.0 software update is going to kill a lot of the shortcomings, I'm sure the updated hardware will kill a few more. I mean, if your phone is broken, get the current one and be happy, but if you can wait 3-4 months, it's probably worth it.
EDIT: Forgot to state the simple fact that web browsing and media management are the iPhone's 2 strongest features. It sounds like that's pretty much what you've described yourself as wanting. I wouldn't suggest the iPhone to everyone, but you certainly count as someone I would.
And, well, if you're a person who needs a Blackberry...you'd probably know that already and wouldn't be asking us.
If you're doing fine with your current phone, I'd wait for the next iPhone in June or July. We already know the 3.0 software update is going to kill a lot of the shortcomings, I'm sure the updated hardware will kill a few more. I mean, if your phone is broken, get the current one and be happy, but if you can wait 3-4 months, it's probably worth it.
EDIT: Forgot to state the simple fact that web browsing and media management are the iPhone's 2 strongest features. It sounds like that's pretty much what you've described yourself as wanting. I wouldn't suggest the iPhone to everyone, but you certainly count as someone I would.
I love mine. I was ready to get a new phone and a new iPod, so it was a no brainer for me to go with an iPhone. I was already familiar with the interface, having used my boyfriend's phone.
I love it. I use it to check all three of the e-mail addresses I've accumulated over the years without having to sign into three websites. I love checking the weather on it. I haven't regretted buying it for a single second.
I love it. I use it to check all three of the e-mail addresses I've accumulated over the years without having to sign into three websites. I love checking the weather on it. I haven't regretted buying it for a single second.
I have an iPod Touch, and it is absolutely exquisite as a music player (I have no music on it yet!), PDA, Internet, eMail, and video device. As long as I have a wireless hotspot, I'm good to go. Our tech guy at school geeked out when I got it and was more than happy to set up my school email account on it, help me set-up my home email, and get me all the passwords to use the school's wireless. The amount of knucklehead stuff I can get through during the day to enhance my teaching time is amazing. The amount of stuff I can handle for my various Lions Clubs jobs is also amazing.
If the iPhone is a more enhanced version of the iPod Touch w/phone (and I know it's actually the other way around), it has my HIGHEST recommendation.
If the iPhone is a more enhanced version of the iPod Touch w/phone (and I know it's actually the other way around), it has my HIGHEST recommendation.
Agreed completely. I don't know how I existed before I got my iPhone.
A.) Why do you need three email accounts?
B.) Why don't you download into a single client that you can access both on your mac and your iPhone?
^I have several e-mail accounts too (personal, business, family etc)
I have them all updated on my blackberry too without having to sign in each time. Same with twitter and facebook. I'm still not convinced that the iPhone is better than the blackberry, but I'll see what the latest version is this summer before I decide to go the iPhone route.
I have them all updated on my blackberry too without having to sign in each time. Same with twitter and facebook. I'm still not convinced that the iPhone is better than the blackberry, but I'll see what the latest version is this summer before I decide to go the iPhone route.
Can't have my 3 boyfriends meeting up.
B.) Why don't you download into a single client that you can access both on your mac and your iPhone?
A lack of tech savy.
Three?! And here I thought me Netflix que was long...
And if there so paranoid they have to read your email, you probably shouldn't be dating them.
Pitiful.A lack of tech savy.
^
You should know I was referring to your spelling of savvy and not your ability to manipulate email servers.
You should know I was referring to your spelling of savvy and not your ability to manipulate email servers.
^
You should know I was referring to your spelling of savvy and not your ability to manipulate email servers.
Yeah. Sew?
Buying my iPhone was the single smartest thing I've ever done.
CaptainHawk1
Commodore
Got mine in the mail today because my BB Curve took a dump (I'll never buy a BB again). I love this thing.
Just curious: Why would someone need a BB instead of an iPhone?
Nobody needs a Blackberry. Half the time the push e-mail it supports is just your service provider receiving your e-mail the same way you would and sending it on to you.
The iPhone and Nokia's E-Series both support Microsoft Exchange for e-mail, calendars and contacts. For personal push e-mail there's also MobileMe. Even Yahoo Mail supports push.
That's a free app called Remote. You just have to have the iPhone connected to the same wireless network as the computer running iTunes. Remote also works with Apple TVs.
They added iTunes DJ (a replacement for the old Party Shuffle feature) to the latest version of iTunes and support in the Remote app. It allows multiple users with an iPhone (or an iPod Touch) to pick the next song to be played, and vote on other people's selections - sort of like a jukebox.
Though he can do something to stop you by setting a password on his iTunes Library.
Well, nobody knew about it, and at the time, it was hilarious.
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