I did it.
I bit the bullet and picked up an iPhone.
I've been a faithful Treo 650 user for two years, but the buzz regarding Apple's new device won me over.
So I ponied up $599 + shipping and tax to get one of these puppies in my hands, though I was unsure of what I would find once I actually got to try it out for myself.
I may now render the verdict in this iPhone review.
I LOVE my iPhone!
Simply put, this device is truly groundbreaking. I've never used anything quite like it.
Intuitive.
That is the word I would use to describe the iPhone.
It knows how I want to use it and makes it easy for me to do so.
The glass front with the easy-to-operate touch screen really works as I hoped it would. Trying it for the first time reminded me of how I felt when I cynically tested a Nintendo Wii, thinking there's no way the system would work like I saw in the demonstrations.
It DOES work exactly as promised.
You touch the screen and the iPhone responds. It's that simple.
It's not perfect by any stretch, but it is my understanding that updates will be available via iTunes. So I am quite content with its current functionality.
First of all, the device is thinner than my Treo 650. That just makes it easier to hold and carry in my pocket.
Originally, I purchased a carrying case to hang the phone on my belt, but I find it simpler to just keep it in my pants pocket. I've been carrying my Treo that way for two years, so why mess with a good thing. Besides, I'm less likely to bust it by running into something if it is in my pocket rather than on my belt.
After being on backorder for two weeks, my iPhone arrived in its sleak Apple box. I plugged it into my computer and iTunes fired up automatically.
iTunes asked me if I wanted to activate my phone. Since I already acquired a new phone number from AT&T, I was ready to walk through the activation process.
It took less than sixty seconds to activate my phone! Holy cr@p! I couldn't believe how quickly and smoothly activation went.
I was now ready to make phone calls and use the Internet on my iPhone.
The first thing I did was call my wife. I knew she'd be jealous and would want one for herself. And she did. There are now two iPhones in our household.
As a phone, I like the iPhone better than my Treo. One of my biggest complaints with the Treo was the receiver. It was just difficult to hear the person on the other end.
The iPhone improves on the quality and volume of the receiver. I also purchased a Jawbone bluetooth headset so I could talk hands-free. It paired with the iPhone easily and its noise reduction features make it the best bluetooth headset I have ever owned. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
The phone options on the iPhone provide just about everything I need.
A contact list, recents, favorites, a dial pad and voicemail are all standard options. Simply touch the option you want and a you can quickly and easily call whoever you wish. If you want to customize your contacts or favorites, that is easy enough to do as well. Even attaching a photo to a contact is intuitive. Point and click. Voila.
Speaking of contacts, I was pleasantly surprised to see how easily my Outlook contacts and calendar synced with the iPhone via iTunes.
Honestly, Microsoft's Active Sync caused me headache after headache time and again. This thing synced so easily that Microsoft should be embarrassed. Maybe it's time I dump Outlook completely and go with a mac-based mail program? Hmmm, that would mean I would need to buy a mac. Hey, anything is possible!
A further look at the features of the iPhone reveal a broad number of applications and gadgets that made me smile.
SMS text messaging is easy to use, with little chat bubbles highlighting both sides of the conversation.
The 2.0 megapixel camera is a step up from the 1.2 megapixel lense on my Treo. HOWEVER, I am disappointed that the iPhone camera does shoot video like the Treo does. Ok, one strike against the iPhone. But I think I can learn to live without video... for now.
The photo quality on the iPhone is quite good and the ability to take and resize photos is a big plus.
The iPhone has a YouTube button on its interface, providing a sampling of hot videos that you can stream even on AT&T's Edge network. Granted, the image isn't that great on the regular phone network, but since the iPhone has built in Wifi, you can attach it to any wide area network and be online instantly. If you have access to a WAN, YouTube, the web and all other online-based applications are very speedy.
At this time, you can not search the entire database of YouTube. A search for my own videos only turned up a few results, even though I have over 50 videos online. I'm sure this will be addressed in a future update as well.
Ok, on with the features...
The iPhone has buttons dedicated to stocks (fully customizable via Yahoo! Finance), Google Maps (street level, satellite AND directions), Weather (with as many cities as you want via Yahoo! Weather), clock (complete with alarm and stopwatch), a calculator, a notepad and settings. I love to customize my iPhone and the settings options provide plenty of opportunity to do just that.
Along with the phone features, the other major features of the iPhone are email, web browsing and playing music. That's right. The iPhone doubles as an iPod that can play music and videos! The 4 GB iPhone is $499. But I opted to buy the 8 GB version for just $100 more. I figure the extra storage space is worth it since there is no slot for a memory card on the iPhone.
Regarding email, the iPhone provides options for Yahoo! mail, Hotmail and Gmail, though you can configure it for just about any mail service. I have mine set to pull my Gmail account and am pleased with the reader so far. I would like to be able to delete mail in bulk, but for now I will be satisfied to delete them one at a time.
Want to read an email? Click it.
Want to reply? Click and type.
This would be a good time to discuss the iPhone keypad.
When a situation arises that requires alphanumeric input, the iPhone automaticaly launches the keyboard on the touch screen. It is a full QWERTY keyboard with buttons large enough to tap, yet spaced enough that, with a little practice, you can use without hitting the wrong keys. There is a small learning curve as I use my left forefinger to do all my typing, whereas I used to use both thumbs on the Treo.
Now we come to the built-in Safari web browser.
I love it!
I can browse pretty much any web site using the Safari browser. Again, the tool is intuitive and easy to use. Want to hold the unit vertically? Load the site and use your finger to scroll up and down the page. Need to make the words larger? Simply use your fingers to make the page larger or smaller. Again, it's simple.
Rotate the iPhone ninety degrees and you have a horizontal view of the browser window, making it easier to see more of the page. It's absolutely brilliant and fun to play with.
I was able to import ALL my Internet Explorer bookmarks from my PC by syncing the device with my computer. The transfer was flawless.
The one complaint I have with the browser at this time is that it does not run Flash. I believe the application will work on the device in the future, so for now I can live without it.
Finally, there is the video ipod.
I own a 30 GB video ipod, but the picture on the iPhone is bigger and more beautiful. Wow, is this picture sharp or what? Yes, it's that good.
Small complaint... the earphone jack is set into the unit a bit and it is difficult to use my Bose headphones. I think Apple wants me to buy THEIR headphones. Ain't gonna happen, Mr. Jobs.
With 8GB of storage, I can put quite a few movies and CDs on my iPhone. I'm already starting to load it up. I've even subscribed to The Next Internet Millionaire podcast and enjoy watching it on the iPhone.
Bottom line.
I love my iPhone. I'm hooked. It's a picutre of what is to come as technology marches forward. Only you don't have to wait for this device. It's here today.
Do you have an iPhone or have questions? Submit your comments or questions below!
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
September 1, 2007 09:45 AM
You are one of the few reviewers that gets that the iPhone is an ongoing project with more features to come. Except for 3G service and GPS, everything on everyone's wish list is just a software update away.
I use Macs and PCs daily. You know how PCs work. Macs work just like your iPhone. Intuitive is the word there as well.
September 1, 2007 10:00 AM
You're in big trouble now. Such a gushing report will have you labeled as a certified Apple FANBOY. Prepare to be chastised and flamed by Palm Treo users everywhere. You've also put your wife's life in danger.
You'll find more niggling problems with your iPhone as time goes on, but hold onto your socks when Leopard OSX hits the iPhone. iPhone Love won't be enough to describe your feeling of passion.
September 2, 2007 08:58 AM
HAY THANKS FOR THE INFO ON THE IPOD IT SOUNDS VERY GOOD I THINK I WILL PICK ONE UP!!!
September 4, 2007 08:58 AM
Joel, Cool review! Thanks!
I've heard this from everyone & would love to get one.
However, the Iphone is only available on AT&T right now as I understand it. I'm a loyal Tmobile customer so I won't be getting one anytime soon...oh well!
September 4, 2007 05:15 PM
Fanboy, no.
Joel doesn't get to be a fanboy until he buys a Power Mac with dual 30" cinema displays.
Oh, and you have to download iBrickr and install all the awesome 3rd party native iphone apps now available.