Iphone - Is it really worth all the hassle?

cheerspal

Hi,

I have been thinking about getting an iphone for about a year now, a friend is heading over to NYC next week. I have been wondering is it really worth all the hassle, going through unlocking issues and software upgrade issues, nevermind the fact that you cant return it if it breaks!

The phone should be out in a few months here in Ireland (I work in o2 but havent heard anything concrete yet), I think I will just get the New 5mp Ericsson and then the iphone in the early winter!

Any thoughts?

Sam Vimes

i'd go with no. I don't understand the appeal of the iphone. But then again. I buy phones because they're good phones and not as a fashion accessory

Ste05

I'm also debating buying one. Some of the features are really appealing to me. But I'm in 2 minds about all the hassle involved and worrying if it'll always work or will there be massive headaches with each update and on and on until I end up having to buy a new one when they are released here anyway.

The main thread is a mess to try and get info out of, about the actual merits of buying one in the first place, as opposed to upgrading and installing stuff. But it looks very complicated and risky. Can anyone maybe even link some reviews from people over here who have bought and are currently using an iPhone (or even just write up something here?)

talkingclock

for me a totally NO. i'm not a Lemming...

cheerspal

That main thread is a joke alright.

McCalvin

Yes it's worth it. Best UI ever conceived for a phone, PDA, Tablet.... whatever you want to call it.

If you've played with one and don't want one, I'd genuinely assume you're a technophobe. That or one of the more and more prominant Apple-products-are-evil clan.

There is no other phone/multimedia player/internet tablet close to it.

hshortt

The device has tons of appeal, something for everyone, fantastic GUI, simple to use, excellent hardware and it's a great media player.

that said, I bought one in May of this year and sold it within two days. For me, it wasn't suitable. Then my wife bought one so I again got all the tools to get it unlocked for her and the more I play with it, the more I want one again.

If you have the option to buy one, just do it. At the worst you can resell it again on adverts.ie. This will give you a chance to play with it.

For me it's Windows Mobile that does it.

Cheerio
Howard

Morlar

They just released a 32gig version of the ipod touch (same hardware without the phone element) so if I were you I would hold off on getting an 8gb iphone. In the next few months they will have an increased capacity iphone.

hshortt

The 16GB iPhone is already available and in stores. Same as the 32GB Touch is also avalable to buy now.

Both cost the same 499 USD.

Cheerio
Howard

cheerspal

Such a scam, I can get a 16gb mem card for my canon camera, but apple cant release a 32 gig iphone. The itouch and the iphone are esentially the same bit of kit!

jester77

cheerspal wrote: »

Such a scam, I can get a 16gb mem card for my canon camera, but apple cant release a 32 gig iphone. The itouch and the iphone are esentially the same bit of kit!

The iTouch has 2 x 16GB chips on its board, the iPhone has only one as there is no space for the second chip due to the communication chips.

As for the phone, I got one back in November as a gift. Don't think I would have bought one but I am seriously impressed with it. Out of the box it's a bit weak but once you jailbreak it (ie hack it to enable 3rd party apps) then it is a very nice bit of kit. Jailbreaking is easy enough to do and as of today all phones can not be activated to use on any network.

You also don't need to keep updating your phone to the latest software, once you are happy with how it works then that's it! I have version 1.1.2 and it does everything I need, latest version is 1.1.3 but I don't see any benefit for me! No need to worry about activating or cracking any more.

richieg

McCalvin wrote: »

Yes it's worth it. Best UI ever conceived for a phone, PDA, Tablet.... whatever you want to call it.

If you've played with one and don't want one, I'd genuinely assume you're a technophobe. That or one of the more and more prominant Apple-products-are-evil clan.

There is no other phone/multimedia player/internet tablet close to it.

I have tried one on numerous occasions and I although I like I don't think i will but one. I am certainly not a technophobe and I am usually an early adopter of consumer electronics. I have a 16GB touch which I will keep. The things that bother me is the touch keyboard and what the price for the whole thing( device and rental) will be when it gets here. The keyboard is very difficult to accurately type on.

I am thinking about going back to blackberry or possible n95

Silverfish

I used to wonder what all the fuss was about, then I saw one in use and thought '... oh. Want'

Got one as an Xmas present and I have to say its one of the best things I've ever owned. The ui is fantastic, the apps available for it are great, I like being able to read books on it, the text message display is fantastic, the zoom ability ..its all just amazing.

Plus being able to IRC all day from it and browse the web does it for me.


(posted from the phone)

ciaran76

Is it true it doesn't have bluetooth or picture messaging?

Also some people I have heard say that it doesn't support Flash application ? Are these statements all true ?

mkennedy

hshortt wrote: »

The device has tons of appeal, something for everyone, fantastic GUI, simple to use, excellent hardware and it's a great media player. that said, I bought one in May of this year and sold it within two days. For me, it wasn't suitable. Then my wife bought one so I again got all the tools to get it unlocked for her and the more I play with it, the more I want one again. If you have the option to buy one, just do it. At the worst you can resell it again on adverts.ie. This will give you a chance to play with it. For me it's Windows Mobile that does it. Cheerio Howard

Howard do you mind me asking what WM phone you're using at the moment?
I'm thinking of getting the Touch-Cruise- any thoughts on that device?

OT imo the iphone has the best UI out there and a beautiful slim design.
Apart from that i'd be hard-pressed to find any thing else about it that matches the latest and greatest from WM/HTC and Nokia/Symbian.
No 3g yet, no GPS, comparably few apps for the OS etc.

axer

the iphone is an absolute joke. If you want a good phone then get the n95.

The n95 has a 5mp camera with autofocus and flash.
GPS built in
SymbianOS for running lots of apps
You can use ANY headphones on it
Has Wifi
accelerometer
.....


The only things that the iPhone is better at is the QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen but the features of the N95 well out way them.

Kurn

I have an iPhone 3-4 months now, great phone, however,No MMS, no 3G, the Ipod on it is great, love the video quality, web browsing is very good, a good few down points now, very easy to use the touch features

I would suspect that a new version will be out by the end of this year with 3G.

If anyone wants to ask me anything about it PM me

For those who say they dont want one because it is a fashion item, stop holding youself back - buy one - you know you think about it

John

tallus

Personally I'd love one, even though I don't think it would work on the 3 network as it's not a 3g/umts device, but the video quality is unrivalled and it plays youtube videos which is quite cool.
The design is beautiful, but functionality is lacking in the bluetooth and lack of 3g.

axer

Things wrong with the iPhone from here

1. Can’t copy & paste text.
2. Except for the first and last SMS messages in a session, iPhone text messages lack timestamps.
3. iPhone’s Safari browser does not support Java or Flash, so you can’t watch videos (except for YouTube ones) or see parts of certain websites.
4. The on-screen keyboard can’t be used in landscape mode in applications other than Safari.
5. Vibrate mode for incoming text messages is weak.
6. Incoming text messages appear word-for-word on the screen upon receiving them, which may be a privacy issue for some. (Update: Here’s a sort of solution.)
7. No Undo function for when you’ve accidentally erased or mistyped text.
8. Scroll bars don’t appear in some text fields in the browser, and there are no arrow keys to maneuver through text.
9. Can’t save usernames and passwords in Safari.
10. The YouTube app does not allow you to view or post comments on videos.
11. Can’t download or save Word documents, PDF files, or any other file for that matter. Why not add a My Documents folder?
12. No spell check feature for web forms.
13. Can’t send more than one image in an email.
14. Except for in the Camera Roll, photos can’t be edited or removed directly from the iPhone. You have to edit them on your computer and then re-sync them.
15. The iPhone lacks a Find function for sorting through contacts, e-mails, calendar appointments, notes, etc.
16. Can’t update your Facebook status via iPhone’s Safari browser. Facebook is a fast-growing social network, so iPhone should support it. (Update: Facebook now has an iPhone version of the site, located at iphone.facebook.com)
17. No mass edit feature for handling calendar items, notes and e-mails.
18. Can’t search within web pages in the browser.
19. Its 3-day, expensive battery replacement plan.
20. Can’t highlight text.
21. Limited ringtones. Can’t set songs as ringtones. (Update: Apple now lets you convert some songs into ringtones via iTunes for $0.99 each.)
22. Difficult to rewind and fast-forward through long audio and video files (like audiobooks and TV shows or movies).
23. No AIM or iChat application.
24. One too many steps to dial a contact. (Update: In a software update, Apple added a feature that lets you double tap the home button to access your Favorites list of contacts.)
25. Because it is recessed, the headphone jack is incompatible with non-Apple headphones.
26. iPhone’s camera is archaic (no zoom, poor image stabilization, poor quality in low-lit areas).
27. No speed dial or voice dial functionality.
28. Cannot add attachments to emails.
29. Can’t use iPhone as a hard drive storage device, unlike the iPod.
30. Can’t change the sound notifications for email, voicemail, etc.
31. Can’t delete individual entries from the recent calls list without deleting them all, a potential privacy issue.
32. No 3G data speeds. EDGE is slow at times.
33. Cannot send photos via text messages.
34. Cannot send mass text messages.
35. iPhone lacks a video camera. (See my article on why mobile video is important)
36. No tasks or To-Do widgets.
37. No support for games.
38. Can’t disable auto-correct on the keyboard. Every time it makes a suggestion you don’t want, you have to tap X to cancel it, which can slow down typing a lot.
39. iPhone’s calculator lacks a backspace, so you have to clear the entire process if you accidentally touch an unintended digit.

Kurn

I think the fact that people get iphones despite all this says alot about it, but if its for work or work e-mail on the go its not ideal.

McCalvin

axer wrote: »

the iphone is an absolute joke.

ummm..... I disagree. I think it's product, a phone I believe.

I guess you're in the i-hate-apple camp. How's your Zune?

domania

Why not buy a cheap knock off until it really is the dogs B*****x. You can get them on Ebay for around €120. One of the guys in work got one of the dual sim ones and it's pretty impressive. Not much difference from the really deal from what I can see.

Personally I'd rather get an ipaq phone running Windows Mobile so you get all the gadgets of mp3 player etc along with wifi and bluetooth + a proper web browser. You can also install skype on Windows Mobile so you can make cheap calls from a wifi hotspot.

Silverfish

All my messages are timestamped.


I have the option of logging into AIM via Apollo, and also ICQ and MSN.

Have a task / to do application on mine.


Not sure about the rest, haven't checked them all but so far those are incorrect, so doesn't bode well for a lot more of them.

tibor

axer wrote: »

Things wrong with the iPhone from here

Some of these are just plain wrong.
There are workarounds or alternatives for more than half of the ones that aren't. Most of the rest are very nit-picky and specific - can't update status on Facebook? Seriously, who gives a ****?

Some valid criticisms of it are; crap camera, no video camera, no 3g, can't use regular headphones, no copy/paste.

mkennedy

domania wrote: »

Why not buy a cheap knock off until it really is the dogs B*****x. You can get them on Ebay for around €120. One of the guys in work got one of the dual sim ones and it's pretty impressive. Not much difference from the really deal from what I can see.

Personally I'd rather get an ipaq phone running Windows Mobile so you get all the gadgets of mp3 player etc along with wifi and bluetooth + a proper web browser. You can also install skype on Windows Mobile so you can make cheap calls from a wifi hotspot.

HP nowadays are either making standalone iPAQs or making basic low-budget smartphones (ie without all the bells and whistles but adequate for the price).
I wouldn't call their smartphone output cutting-edge though TBH.

They've stopped producing WM Professional (Touchscreen) devices since the hp 6915 and the the hp6815.
They're sticking with lower powered non-touchscreen smartphones now.

HTC though (who made much of HPs stuff in the past AFAIK) have largely taken over from them in the Windows Mobile "uber device" category.

alantc

I got mine 3.5 months ago and I'm still impressed by it.

Youtube and Google Video for train journeys.
UI of the calendar is better than my SE w810.
Camera isn't great but I use it a fair bit.
UI for looking at photos is great.
Google maps for directions.
UI for phonebook is great.
UI for SMS is great.
Internet. Everywhere. Way better than opera mini, which I used to love.
IMAP email. Regular gmail when I need to search.

iRadio lets me listen to loads of radio stations when I'm out.
Instant messaging. This could be amazing, maybe it's the application I'm using.
VNC client when I'm too lazy to get off the couch.
Facebook.
NES emulator.
Last.fm/Audioscrobbler. You play a song in the iPod and it gives you the artist biography, lyrics and tour dates. Also has similar artists and tags as links that you can click for internet radio. Last.fm doesn't work well enough on edge.


EDGE is too slow to stream music. When I'm out and want to listen to a song I haven't got on my iPod I have to let it download for a minute before pressing play.
No A2DP. Just got an A2DP receiver for my stereo at home and love it with my laptop.
No bluetooth pairing. I can't use it as a modem for my laptop. I've been paying for unlimited (10GB) data for a few months now and could get better value for money from it.

Battery life is too short. Power is probably why they didn't do 3G, A2DP or bluetooth pairing. I try to keep a cable in my bag for charging. It charges off a regular USB iPod cable, dead handy. I'd be happier with a bigger iPhone with no worry about battery life. I use the phone so much that I usually run out of battery if I go out at night, though I expect I use the phone more than most people.

I don't think you can unlock the latest versions. Check modmyifone.com for the easy to read news, or hackintosh if you want technical details.

Best phone ever. And to all the people who are "going to wait for the next version": I'm going to buy that too. You're missing out by waiting.

FYI to people who have already bought it. Meteor have 250MB of data for €10 now.

mkennedy

tibor wrote: »

Some of these are just plain wrong.
There are workarounds or alternatives for more than half of the ones that aren't. Most of the rest are very nit-picky and specific - can't update status on Facebook? Seriously, who gives a ****?

Some valid criticisms of it are; crap camera, no video camera, no 3g, can't use regular headphones, no copy/paste.

Don't forget no GPS and no removable storage.

And the limited range of apps compared to WM, Symbian etc goes against the whole concept of "smartphones" - ie flexibility/adaptability:
A smartphone should be a device that can, given the right app, be adapted to perform pretty much any task imaginable.

tibor

mkennedy wrote: »

Don't forget no GPS and no removable storage.

Both of these can be done with 3rd party apps, afaik.
Reminded me though, no removable battery is pretty big mark against it.

And the limited range of apps compared to WM, Symbian etc goes against the whole concept of "smartphones" - ie flexibility/adaptability:
A smartphone should be a device that can, given the right app, be adapted to perform pretty much any task imaginable.

Craploads of apps out there once you jailbreak them, and if you don't find what you're looking for you can always write your own!
A software unlock was just publicised today for the latest firmware.

hshortt

McCalvin wrote: »

ummm..... I disagree. I think it's product, a phone I believe.

I guess you're in the i-hate-apple camp. How's your Zune?

I've a Zune 80, it's a great device, but the UI on the iPhone is just so easy it makes it a better device, granted, with less storage! Both devices support MP4 so you can actually use the same softwares such as WinAvi or Videora to transcode and the resulting file will play on both the iPhone and Zune.

Some other comments in the thread state that GPS is lacking in the iPhone. A dedicated chip is missing, but it does have the cell based locate me feature which is probably enough for some people. Personally I think GPS is only useful when you are in foreign countries, how many times do you need to use it otherwise?

The list of things wrong with the iPhone is also very very picky. Compared with Windows Mobile or Symbian, the iPhone is excellent in it's operation.

The most important thing to remember is that this is Apple's first attempt, who remembers the first Nokia, or the original O2 XDA? (HP had a Windows CE Phone device long before the XDA )

I'm sticking with Windows Mobile as it allows me more flexibility and access to push email. *When* the iPhone get's Exchange support I'll probably have another go.

Cheerio
Howard

NickyOD

It would be worth the hassle if JUST ONE of the hundreds of assholes who've figured out how to unlock the phone and get it working properly would post simple comprehensive instructions. All that's available are threads 100s of pages long full of methods that contradict each other, jargon that I can't understand, rubbish tutorials that are just a series of links to pages with another series of links to pages with yet more links.

There's so so SO much misinformation out there. My girlfriend got me one for my birthday so it's obviously very important for me to get it working. I've done nothing else for the last 24 hours and I want to take a ****ing hammer to it at this stage.

MiloFoxburr

NickyOD wrote: »

It would be worth the hassle if JUST ONE of the hundreds of assholes who've figured out how to unlock the phone and get it working properly would post simple comprehensive instructions. All that's available are threads 100s of pages long full of methods that contradict each other, jargon that I can't understand, rubbish tutorials that are just a series of links to pages with another series of links to pages with yet more links.

There's so so SO much misinformation out there. My girlfriend got me one for my birthday so it's obviously very important for me to get it working. I've done nothing else for the last 24 hours and I want to take a ****ing hammer to it at this stage.

There are lots of comprehensive tutorials. They just have to be pieced together. I haven't gotten my iPhone yet (Which is jailbroken and comes with a turbosim) But I have a *fair* idea on how to software unlock it now which I'd rather do than use the turbosim.

Looking forward to using it. Most of the issues people have with it are non issues to me. I never use 3G or MMS (Although you can already get an application that lets you send MMS and soon to let you receive it) The 8gig memory (Used to my 4gig N91) huge screen and wide range of app's are what drew me to it in the first place. Wouldn't of touched the thing if people couldn't design their own
app's for it.

-edit- http://www.iclarified.com/ Seems to have a very simple guide on unlocking the iPhone

hshortt

i.unlock.no is suberb too, it's also one of the unlocking sources in the Installer app.

Cheers

NickyOD

MiloFoxburr wrote: »

There are lots of comprehensive tutorials. They just have to be pieced together.

This is exactly what I'm talking about.

MiloFoxburr

NickyOD wrote: »

This is exactly what I'm talking about.

I did link you to a guide that has everything in one place though

-edit- Ah seen you posted in the other thread too

mkennedy

Both of these can be done with 3rd party apps, afaik.

GPS hardware is absent from the device.
Satnav software of some sort or just GoogleMaps can of course be loaded but they still need GPS hardware to work properly.
As hshortt says though GoogleMaps can of course use the basic mobile phone signal (like on many phones) to give you a very rough idea of where you are but it's not actually GPS.

Not sure how a 3rd party app can solve lack of removable storage (ie lack of removable media cards)

Reminded me though, no removable battery is pretty big mark against it.

True, another mark against it.

ciaran76

It looks like a great phone but seems to let down on the simple things like the camera/bluetooth/and MMS. If the next version has improved on this I think the phone will take the world by storm.

Also if this does happen that means the rest of the manufacturers like SE ,Nokia and the likes will have to step up to the mark.

tibor

mkennedy wrote: »

GPS hardware is absent from the device.
Satnav software of some sort or just GoogleMaps can of course be loaded but they still need GPS hardware to work properly.
As hshortt says though GoogleMaps can of course use the basic mobile phone signal (like on many phones) to give you a very rough idea of where you are but it's not actually GPS.

Reports I've read have been very positive for the locateme app, with accuracy down to a couple of metres, so the functionality is pretty much there regardless of how it's achieved.

Not sure how a 3rd party app can solve lack of removable storage (ie lack of removable media cards)

Thought you meant using the device itself as removable storage for your mac/pc.

With 16GB of intermal memory I don't think having the capability to add an SD card or whatever is going to bother too many people.

KoolKid

I have an iPhone for the last 6 months..
Originally got it with firmware 1.1.1
sucessfully unlocked & jail broke 1.1.2
& now running unlocked on 1.1.3
There are some problems I admit bet its getting better all the time.
The best phone ever IMO. The possibilities are endless.
As regards removable storage. What do you want to move that SSH access wond do for you?

mkennedy

Reports I've read have been very positive for the locateme app, with accuracy down to a couple of metres, so the functionality is pretty much there regardless of how it's achieved.

When you say functionality you're talking about just getting your position roughly? I'm fairly sure that wouldn't mean voice-guided navigation to get you from A to B (like proper GPS).

With 16GB of internal memory I don't think having the capability to add an SD card or whatever is going to bother too many people.

I dunno, i'd always think that removable storage gives you more options over non-removable storage.

I would've thought it's a lot handier to have the additional option of taking the card out and connecting it with a variety of devices.
With non-removable storage aren't you pretty much just stuck with using the device with 1 PC and its sync software etc.


And i've always found putting removable storage in a card-reader faster than sync software when syncing large (1gb) files.
This may not be the case with the iphone admittedly- i might be wrong on this. How does it handle very large files?


Also if you have a 8-16gb iphone today and want to upgrade to a larger memory iphone in the future you have to buy a whole new 500 euro (?)device rather than just say getting an (arguably-then-priced?) 50 euro micro-sdhc 32gb card.
A bit like the non-replaceable battery problem only for storage media.


And the other thing you need to consider is the ease with which you can retrieve data if the device dies.
Removable storage- no problem.
Non-removable- a bit trickier.


I dunno removable storage just seems more flexible/versatile tbh.

cdebru

TBH anyone who would rather use WM either has never used WM or has never used an Iphone or both

rc28

McCalvin wrote: »

ummm..... I disagree. I think it's product, a phone I believe.

I guess you're in the i-hate-apple camp. How's your Zune?

Umm, if you have a Zune do you automatically hate apple? That has to be the most ridiculous statement, all because he doesn't think the iphone is that great he's then labelled an apple hater? I have a zune but I also have an iphone.

Back on topic; for me, the iphone is really good but there are certainly some major drawbacks (they've already been mentioned though). I also think the process of unlocking it may not be worth the hassle tbh. I got my iphone when it was pretty easy to unlock (1.1.1 firmware) so it was ok. I have also found the iphone to be very unreliable- it frequently needs to be reset when it gets frozen and won't respond to anything (this gave me quite a scare the day after I got it). The safari browser would be excellent if it didn't crash so often (it just out of the blue brings you back to the home screen), if it could cache pages and if it had flash support.

On the plus side the ipod is wonderful- it's extremely efficient as the touch screen means you can navigate to the music you want quicker than with any other UI. Before I got the iphone I didn't like ipods but this one is truly fantastic.

hshortt

cdebru wrote: »

TBH anyone who would rather use WM either has never used WM or has never used an Iphone or both

I've used both and I'll stay with WM for the moment. If iPhone had Exchange push mail, I'd be all over it .... again!

A physical keyboard is sometimes more useful than a soft input panel.

Cheerio

axer

McCalvin wrote: »

ummm..... I disagree. I think it's product, a phone I believe.

I guess you're in the i-hate-apple camp. How's your Zune?

Lol I am in the i-hate-way-overrated-phones-with-very-little-functionality-and-do-not-even-come-close-in-functionailty-to-the-n95 camp.

BTW I own an N95 with 8gb of removable storage.
I have GPS, Removable Storage, 5MP Camera with autofocus and flash, a video recorder, Skype, 3G, A2DP, HSPDA, MMS, a real webbrowser, flash support in browser, a removable battery, an FM radio, speed dial, TV out and tons of third party apps that can make my phone do alot more. I can use any normal headphones I like and can use the phone as a webcam, as a mouse, as a spirit level, as a TV remote.... I can use any mp3 as a ringtone. I can legally unlock the phone.
Thats why I am not in the i-love-the-iphone-with-its-lots-of-style-but-no-substance-and-I-dont-listen-to-reason-because-the-iphone-is-just-so-cool camp. What has the iphone got besides a touchscreen and a touchscreen qwerty keyboard? btw I can also use a bluetooth wireless keyboard.

OP: The iphone is not worth the hassle. Go get yourself a Nokia N95 (a real smart multimedia phone/computer).

hshortt

Something else you've got is a serious amount of patience. The N95 is slower than YORE MA!

cdebru

hshortt wrote: »

I've used both and I'll stay with WM for the moment. If iPhone had Exchange push mail, I'd be all over it .... again!

A physical keyboard is sometimes more useful than a soft input panel.

Cheerio

Staying with WM because the iphone lacks a feature you need is not the same as rather staying with WM

As you said if it had the feature you need then you would be all over it

hshortt

This thread and my input to it is in support of the iPhone. I will still remain with WM. There's more choice of handsets. I do expect that iPhones will get some sort of corporate email syncronisation, it would not make sense to ignore this large market.

I would *rather* stay with WM until iPhone has these supported features.

3G - faster data access, option on video calling.
Physical keyboard option. - this is a personal choice, others may agree/disagree.
Exchange ActiveSync. - Required for corporate adoption (iPhone is still very much a consumer product. WM/Blackerry devices are aimed at corporations)

Cheerio
Howard

P.S. I've upgraded my wifes iPhone to an unlocked 1.1.3 tonight. Anyone want some *sims?

cheerspal

I have come to the conclusion that its NOT worth all the hassle. I will wait til the end of the year when a 120 gig model comes out with a 12 mp camera!

I don’t want to worry about it every time I plug it into I tunes to sync my music over. Also spending 60 quid on a turbo sim and not be able to return it if it breaks is not really appealing to me.

hshortt

You'll have to wait considerably longer than the end of the year for a 120GB Phone with 12 MP camera

But you can forget about needing the turbo sims. They are no longer required thanks to recent developments.

Cheerio

McCalvin

rc28 wrote: »

Umm, if you have a Zune do you automatically hate apple? That has to be the most ridiculous statement, all because he doesn't think the iphone is that great he's then labelled an apple hater?

I wasn't making a general statement in any way.

My post was directed at another poster who seems convinced the iPhone is cac. From reading said posters comments I theorised that he is most probably a member of the anti-apple-brigade. For those reasons he probably bought a Zune, i.e. because iPods are for lemmings, and not for UI, ease of use, preference etc.

McCalvin

axer wrote: »

BTW I own an N95 with 8gb of removable storage.

I thought I could leave this as is....but I can't.... it's as if you're not even reading this thread. I'm happy that you like your N95- personally I believe it is no comparasion to an iPhone. The faults you mention with the iPhone are just not faults, nor are they accurate or in any way important.

I don't know what a 'smart' phone is. But being able to install SCUMM, then SSH to my home PC and transfer monkey island 2 across to my iPhone and play it from the toilet seat in a pub seems pretty smart to me.

I have GPS
Discussed here already, I don't want/need it on my phone. Googlemaps provides directions, LocateMe provides location. My battery lasts longer.

Removable Storage
No thanks, ugly ports for no reason? I don't use removable storage on my PC, not likely to want it for my phone. Email, FTP, SSH...

5MP Camera with autofocus and flash, a video recorder
Personally, (and obviously more than just me) I don't use my phone as a camera. 2MP is ample for night out pictures / spur of the moment.

Skype, 3G, A2DP, HSPDA
VoIP app available.
No 3G yet which is a problem. I only use wifi points and don't bother with edge, but would use 3G if available. Battery life would suffer big time though.
A2DP... I think 99% of the world's population could do without that, would be nice.
HSPDA? why?

MMS
Have that.

a real webbrowser
Assuming you're being serious here, there is no mobile browser that compares with safari on the iPhone.

flash support for browser
Would be nice, but not a show stopper. Assume the plug-in is coming via updates though.

removable battery
Removable battery does not concern me. One vendor supplier is a different story. If you like looking at your battery now and again to say hello... then it's a problem.

an FM radio
I think the iPod has shown there's no need.

speed dial
Favourites, same thing.

TV out
Have that.

tons of third party apps
Have that.

headphones
More ugly ports? not for me. if you're worried you can get a 3.5mm jack extender.

Other things...
Have that.

axer

McCalvin wrote: »

My post was directed at another poster who seems convinced the iPhone is cac. From reading said posters comments I theorised that he is most probably a member of the anti-apple-brigade. For those reasons he probably bought a Zune, i.e. because iPods are for lemmings, and not for UI, ease of use, preference etc.

Because everyone who thinks the iPhone is way overrated automatically is a member of the anti-apple-brigade and must have bought a Zune. Thats one hell of a theory! :rolleyes:

McCalvin wrote: »

I don't know what a 'smart' phone is. But being able to install SCUMM, then SSH to my home PC and transfer monkey island 2 across to my iPhone and play it from the toilet seat in a pub seems pretty smart to me.

I guess some are just smarter than others!

McCalvin wrote: »

I have GPS
Discussed here already, I don't want/need it on my phone. Googlemaps provides directions, LocateMe provides location. My battery lasts longer.

Why have a house when you can have a brick

McCalvin wrote: »

Removable Storage
No thanks, ugly ports for no reason? I don't use removable storage on my PC, not likely to want it for my phone. Email, FTP, SSH...

lol

McCalvin wrote: »

5MP Camera with autofocus and flash, a video recorder
Personally, (and obviously more than just me) I don't use my phone as a camera. 2MP is ample for night out pictures / spur of the moment.

Lol, again - Why have a house when you can have a brick

McCalvin wrote: »

Skype, 3G, A2DP, HSPDA
VoIP app available.
No 3G yet which is a problem. I only use wifi points and don't bother with edge, but would use 3G if available. Battery life would suffer big time though.
A2DP... I think 99% of the world's population could do without that, would be nice.
HSPDA? why?

It is a nice looking brick though.

McCalvin wrote: »

MMS
Have that.

You can send and receive MMS messages?

McCalvin wrote: »

a real webbrowser
Assuming you're being serious here, there is no mobile browser that compares with safari on the iPhone.

better than opera? I think not.

McCalvin wrote: »

flash support for browser
Would be nice, but not a show stopper. Assume the plug-in is coming via updates though.

Lets assume and wait.

McCalvin wrote: »

removable battery
Removable battery does not concern me. One vendor supplier is a different story. If you like looking at your battery now and again to say hello... then it's a problem.

sure why have the option of having more than one battery.

McCalvin wrote: »

an FM radio
I think the iPod has shown there's no need.

No, the iPod has shown that spending a lot of money on marketing convinced people to buy an inferior product - just like the iPhone. Why have a radio and an MP3 player when you can have ehhh...just an mp3 player.

McCalvin wrote: »

speed dial
Favourites, same thing.

Not really. Speed dial would be pressing one button to make a call.

McCalvin wrote: »

tons of third party apps
Have that.

Really - I thought Steve Jobs said "We define everything that is on the phone" and thus they don't allow third party apps. I like freedom instead. I suppose you can always risk bricking your phone to make it one step closer to a real smart phone.

McCalvin wrote: »

headphones
More ugly ports? not for me. if you're worried you can get a 3.5mm jack extender.

I mean why be content with a house when you can have a pretty brick.

OP: You are right - it is not worth the hassle.