While I was content with my BlackBerry Curve mainly for my ability to type rapidly on the keypad, recent events including the ability to easily change ringtones through iTunes and Google providing free IMAP access influenced me to pick up an iPhone along with Leopard this weekend. I was going to wait until January to see if any GPS and 3G iPhone rumors came about but I’m glad I finally caved. Here are my long-awaited thoughts on the iPhone.
The iPhone posing with a Mustang throttle body.. why not? The iPhone’s screen is much brighter in person, the flash makes it appear dim here.
The iPhone’s screen is surreal. Vivid colors and black blacks all while being as bright as you need.
Activation
Wow, just wow. Pop the iPhone into the dock and fire up iTunes. I just had to go through a few pages, tell it that I was a current AT&T subscriber, select a plan and my iPhone was 100% operational in 10 minutes and my BlackBerry was disconnected. No SIM card funny business necessary. I did, however, have to manually enter in my contacts from my BlackBerry to OS X’s Address Book, which got synced the next time the iPhone was connected.
In my eyes, Mail is the iPhone’s killer app. Some people say it’s Safari or the slick iPod features but for me it’s all about Mail. Now I can whittle away at my inbox on the go, with ease. I had used the Gmail Hosted mobile app on the BlackBerry but it can’t handle HTML and other basic email necessities. BlackBerry has a no frills email client which just does it’s job, nothing else. Flicking the screen to go through emails on the iPhone is a blast and much faster than repeatedly fiddling with a scroll ball.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to write emails in the horizontal position, which creates a larger on-screen keyboard, but it’s not a big deal. One small quirk is that when dealing with multiple email accounts you have to tap four times to switch between them (back > accounts > select other account > inbox). I could imagine a series of dots you tap to switch accounts, similar to virtual desktops in the task bar on Linux boxes or the way iTunes has dots over the new releases box.
Deleting emails in Mail on the iPhone is much better than going through a menu like on other mobile devices. There are two ways: 1) slide your finger horizontally across an email while in the email list layout and tap the delete button or 2) tap “Edit”, then the red icon and the delete button for each email.
Safari
Mobile Safari is a close second for killer app status on the iPhone. Now I can finally take advantage of the many, many iPhone-compatible websites and web apps online. There are so many that Apple even has a portion of their site dedicated to highlighting iPhone web apps. Pages in Safari is a powerful tab-like feature and let me maintain multiple sessions simultaneously for sites like iPhone-compatible Digg, iPhone-compatible Facebook, iPhone-compatible Meebo, Mobile Google Reader, Media Temple’s iPhone-compatible account center and many more.
EDGE
AT&T’s EDGE network is pathetic when accessing regular websites, but it’s not bad at all when visiting mobile-optimized sites. According to DSL Reports’ iPhone speedtest, my iPhone’s EDGE download speed in midtown Atlanta was 153kbps with an average latency of 500-600ms. Compare this to 384kbps and up to a megabit or more (with EVDO TIA-856 Rev 0/A/B and HSDPA) for 3G connections and you’ll see why people don’t think too highly of EDGE.
Typing
Naturally, I have been typing slower on the iPhone than with the tactile-feedback BlackBerry. However, I do expect this to change after I learn the exact placement and trigger points for each key. Currently, I often trigger a key next to the one I was aiming for and have slowed my typing down to improve my accuracy for now. Also, you need to somewhat lift your finger from key to key, instead of sliding it over like you might on a physical keypad; although, the iPhone has the ability to detect if your finger is hovering over a key to some extent. Of course I am just saying this to convince myself that I am happy with my purchase, so the real test will be if I still type slow in a few weeks.
Misc
I love the effort Apple put into the Alarm on the iPhone. Many people in college and more use their cellphone as an alarm clock or backup alarm, so it’s quite important to be able to easily set alarms. On an older Pantech C300 phone, I had to go through hoops to get to the alarm and had memorized the keys to press: Menu-7-5-1 if I recall correctly. On the iPhone, it’s just one tap away and you can set alarms to repeat on any day of the week you wish.
Thoughts
Overall, I am a happy camper. I didn’t even mention the hacking potential for the iPhone that can add incredible functionality to the iPhone. I plan on modifying mine to add a terminal so I can SSH into my server on the go. The only thing I am concerned with now is keeping it safe and scratch free. I purchased an Incase Protective Cover but I am now finding out that it traps dust/dirt and scratches the chrome, so I’ve stopped using it until I can find something better.
One of the only negative things I have to say about the iPhone is the way the camera works. I take a ton of mobile pictures from photo-worthy sightings on campus to spotting Lamborghini Spyder LP640’s on the road. Since the “take picture” button is on the screen, it is hard to press when you’re not looking at the screen (eg, you’re too busy driving) or trying to get yourself in the frame. Also, sending a photo you just took to Flickr is an 8 tap process, assuming Flickr is already a contact. With the BlackBerry Curve, I had gotten it down to a natural reaction and was able to unlock the phone, hit the camera button, snap a picture, and upload it to Flickr all before the subject was out of sight. Mapping the camera to a physical button might have been against Apple’s simplicity goal and the camera integration (no flash!) seemed like an afterthought on the iPhone.
I have skipped over dozens of iPhone features in this post, only mentioning the ones important to me but if you’d like to get my thoughts on a certain aspect of the iPhone feel free to ask me in the comments.
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Congrats Paul. It was only natural to grab yourself an iPhone being an Apple supporter :)
I wondered how long you’d hold out.
Nice review here mate. I wondered how you held out for so long. Definitely a phone worthy of much of the praise.
Interesting. You going to jailbreak it and install other apps? :D
Two things..
1) Your logo looks kickass on the iphone
2) For anyone else making the switch from Blackberry to the iPhone, be sure to use PocketMac to sync PIM from the BB to Address Back, iCal, etc. Makes the transition a lot easier.
nice one paul, I look forward to learning more about the iphone from you now as well.
Not going with the Invisible Shield for the iPhone?
I know there will be iPhone 2.0 at MacWorld this year. I’m holding out still. It’s hard though.
@mike: you *know*? Do you also know the updates?
I love how every iPhone-specific feature you cover here is on my iPod Touch.
WHO LOVES JAILBREAK?
I LOVE JAILBREAK!
Also, I still don’t have IMAP in Gmail. It’s been so long since the announcement, and I feel completely left out.
I’m painfully waiting for Macworld to come around. If there is no update and they want me to wait any longer, I think I’ll go crazy. Or buy an iPhone. One of those.
Vaja Design (http://vajadesign.com/) make nice, albeit expensive cases, though I don’t know how good the protection for iPhones with it is.
Ok, I at least got mail on my iPod touch. That counts for something, right?
Also, you need to change the “My Gear” section of the site at the bottom now.
2Gen iPhone is inevitable. MacWorld may be the right time to announce it but not necessarily release it. It should have 3G/HSDPA at the very least and please, please, please fix the SMS app – lacks forwarding, multiple recipients, vcard support and limited to 200 only. I just hope that this time, it is OPEN. hahaha. we can dream, right?
The idea of having Terminal on an iPhone is awesome but also ridiculous. I would like to know how that goes.
I’ve noticed my typing speed has markedly increased since I bought my iPhone a little over a week ago. I’m still nowhere near my former BB speed (I had a Curve, too) but the margin is narrowing.
And from what I’ve seen, it doesn’t really seem to matter whether you skin your iPhone or not. Some folks who use skins have scratches galore. Others without a skin still tote pristine iPhones. I don’t get it.
Congrats on the iPhone!
Nicely done, Paul. I’ve been waiting for you to break down on the iPhone.
Welcome to the even darker side.
If you aren’t too prone to dropping ipods, cells, etc., the Vaja cases offer decent protection and not everyone in the world has one, so it’s easy to ID your own gadgets, plus they are customizable, albeit expensive. Excellent craftsmanship. I own one for my video ipod and one for my iphone, and am totally pleased with both. The metal rivet clip system is ridiculously effective and strong, but I understand many people don’t like to wear their mobile devices on their belts.
As for screen protection, I totally recommend “applepeelz” iphone skin. It’s a bit difficult to lay out the back piece well, but the screen piece isn’t too difficult to get on, and it works very well.
The iPhone is a great piece of hardware, and you outlined many of the features I would look forward to as well. The only problem for me is price. I got a Chocolate and half a year of service for the cost of one iPhone (when they first released). On a college salary that is important, which is why I am locked into Verizon for two years. By the time that is over I will probably have significantly more cash, and the new iPhone will far surpass the capabilities of the current one.
Still I think it is a beautiful and extremely useful device. Congrats on yours and I hope you continue to enjoy it. (Longer than the BlackBerry at least! Haha)
Dude, case-free is the way to be. The iPhone is plenty durable for me.
Like you I got one recently. Overall though I think it is rather over hyped, great for fun but not so hot for actually doing that much that is useful.
Just as a side note, Windows Mobile has such a nice alarm clock for years ;-)
Paul, check your battery perfomance with Gmail IMAP & Wifi allways enabled! It seems that IMAP keeps wifi allways active, even when the phone “sleeps”!
:)
@BillDanos only if you let Mobile Mail.app to check your mail every few minutes. Change it to Manual update and save your precious battery power. :D
@Rom: I let maill.app to check for new mails every hour (as allways with pop) and my battery die after 6hours! With pop access and the same settings, works fine!
@joel: Sorry, I don’t know about any features. I just *know* from a reliable source that iPHone 2.0 is coming at MacWorld. From what I can determine, most of the “limitation” (if you will) of the iPhone is an AT&T issue, not Apple. Remember, no one really thought through the ramifications of the iPhone release (delay) just as Cingular was making the public transition to AT&T.
From Wikipedia:
“Connected and disconnected modes of operation
When using POP3, clients typically connect to the e-mail server briefly, only as long as it takes to download new messages. When using IMAP4, clients often stay connected as long as the user interface is active and download message content on demand.”
Trust the keyboard and it will set you free! Just pound away at the keys and let the predictive typing do its thing. For the most part, it will be correct.
I’ve got this case from Incase for my iPhone. So far it’s the best one I’ve used and played with.
I was thinking to get the exact same configuration (the iPhone comes out on Nov 29th in France) and got my copy of Leopard
Now I’m wondering if i’m not going to give it up
I’ve followed the IMAP settings and those of 5Thirty to map Trash/Draft/Junk folders but then there are several other problem like the Notes which get synced to Gmail and downloaded twice by the client
ot the mail that keeps being downloaded in the Inbox, in All Mail and in the label/folders that you apply via the webbased….
I wish Google made a standard IMAP access. Right now i’vve forwarded everything to my DotMac account… Hoping that Google fixes the issues
ive been holding out but seeing my site on one i just may have to..
i also have a concept/app for one I may need to chat with you about Paul..
Paul WELCOME to the club of happy cellphone owners.
I was surprised when you went for the blackberry but I guess Apple is so irresitable, thats why we love them.
Your logo on the phone is really awesome, gave me some Ideas.
I am thinking of jailbreaking my phone I really want to but im scared. i don’t want a bricked phone if Apple decides to go nuts on us again. but I envy your bravery. Nice review, this is definitely the best phone I have ever had.
So what are your thoughts on Leopard? Or is that review coming in a separate post?
I opted for the Contour Showcase – er, case. http://www.contourcase.com/showcase/showcaseiphone/
Don’t buy it. I came from BB land and the iPhone is so far behind the times. The address book has neither search nor the ability to type in names to get to the one you want (like the BB). Perhaps I’ve got too many contacts in the address book, but typing a name into an email address field slows down the system while it searches for appropriate matches. This is just the beginning of my list of ways the iPhone is not ready for prime time. It’s simply not a very “smart” device. On the Blackberry alarm clock, if you have the BB set on vibrate, it is smart enough to know to emit a sound when waking you up. If you set the iPhone alarm clock and leave the phone on vibrate, it simply vibrates. Duh.
I could go on. Don’t be an apple lemming, wait.
Oh, I have 8GB of storage on my iPhone, but can’t store more than 200 emails. GREAT design Apple! I guess it makes sense since they’ve built a device that supports Gmail but can’t search. How perversely ironic.
@dazza: regarding the alarm, please, you select to turn off all sounds for a reason. To claim it is not a smart device simply because of that? Come on. Regarding the regex matching of names, that will happen with a massive address book. Out of interest how many names have you got in there? and regarding searchability of email – you can always jump into the browser version for going through gigs of archived emails instead (I’m not aware of an imap or pop search tool, do you know of any?)
So after two weeks with an iPhone, how would you compare it with your former BB Curve?
OK, now I wish I got an iPhone instead!! Paul sent me his
old Blackberry Curve. :-) -Toula, Stammy’s sister…
hello there, greetings from Greece, i was wondering, a friend of mine is in America and i am thinking to get an iphone and unlock it here in Greece so it will become operational.
So my question is this, can my friend get in a store and buy an iphone just like that? Or does he have to become an AT&T subscriber first?
thanks in advance.
Charilaos
Yeah, your friend can just buy it. No need to be an AT&T subscriber first.. the activation is all online through iTunes.
I’m so going to buy this one! I was unlocking this for one friend, damn, it’s the perfect phone! :)
How do you feel about it’s camera?
@Daniel Andrade – http://flickr.com/photos/jufemaiz/2050961500/ – shot this morning on the way to the bus stop on the way to work + emailed (the native email app resizes images to 640 x 480)
how can i store all contacts i have in my sim card into my iphone
pls am eagerly waiting for ur responce in this thnx
@Taofeek: you’ll have to sync first. If you’re on a mac, this is well easy because the sync with your iphone can use your address book. On a PC I’m not so sure.
I love your wallpaper. Hehe. http://www.iphoneskinning.com/2007/11/iphone-weather-backgrounds-of-day.html
@Joel, yeah, I got one iphone now! Even that I’m in Brazil :).
It has a very good camera quality. It’s the best phone for me needs for sure. Connect to the university wireless anywhere on campus is a cool thing!
The iphone rocks becauce you have your computer in your hands and it also have movies and music. When you watch your movies its easyer to see movies with a bigger sceen
Hey, did you ever adjust to typing on the iPhone? I’m a Curve user and am curious if the iPhone’s keyboard can compete with the blackberry? Thx.
@Blake – it took about 2-3 weeks but I’m pretty good with the iphone keyboard now. However, I often find myself typing with one hand rather than two thumbs like I used to with the BB, so I don’t think I was as fast as I was with the BB.
I’ve had (no lie) 3 different cases on my iPhone including the incase one you had. I strongly reccomend you first get a screen protector that covers the whole glass not just the screen. then go to http://www.iskin.com and get the case they have for the iPhone. it is perfectly molded to the phone and dosent allow dirt or dust in. i know from experience that this case is the best one to get.
Hi, have you tried to take the iphone to Greece? How would it work? Do you have to use roaming, or do you have to jailbreak it? If you do, how would it work back in the US?
thomas – I’ve taken my iPhone (now 3G version) to Italy and turned off data roaming so I wouldn’t get raped on charges, but I did roam for voice and it worked fine. I ended up with a ~$200 phone bill for the month but that wasn’t too bad considering I did do a good bit of calling.