Apple iPhone two months later: Personal impressions
What is the most hyped-up consumer device to ever launch? If you said the i-mate JAQ, you’re wrong. It’s the Apple iPhone, and it has taken the general public by storm. People who would normally never ever consider buying an Apple product have went out and bought one (believe me, I conned 6 non-Apple users to buy one alone!), and everyone we talk to is still extaticly happy about their purchase. Sure there are some features we’d like to see added, and some things we’d like to see updated or changed, but for the most part, we’re still lovin’ it! The list below is something we threw together based on our personal experiences and obviously they may vary from person to person. Check them out below!
- Pictures emailed from the phone directly are automatically re-sized to 640×480. There is no way of changing this. The only way to get the full picture off the device is connect it to a computer. Even sending to "Web Gallery" still only sends the 640×480 version. Then again, all that does is email the picture…
- You can not delete individual call records in the call log.
- You can not "search" for a contact in your contact list. You must manually scroll through them, or use the A-Z characters on the right side to skip through. This is a pain if you’re oh-so-popular like us and have thousands of contacts.
- Speakerphone volume is practically unusable, yet when using the iPod, sound is much louder and completely audible.
- Email application has no "mark all read", you can’t delete multiple emails at once and Yahoo push is very unreliable.
- Email seems to be never stored locally if you will, besides the inbox. When sending a large email on EDGE, and you check the outbox, the iPhone has to connect to even see the contents in the outbox. Same thing for sent mail folder — definitely annoying. On top of that, there isn’t a search feature, and we also don’t get that preview pane that was shown when the iPhone was announced at MacWorld. Would have been killer!
- You can not send a text message to more than one recipient at a time, you can’t forward text messages, you don’t get a character count, and there are absolutely no configurable options for SMS.
- The default system sounds, and even ringer volumes are almost inaudible. We had to copy the system sounds, amplify the audio to the point it was almost clipping, then reload them back on the phone, just so we wouldn’t miss an Email, SMS, or phone call.
- The camera shutter button is a little awkward. We would have loved it if it was almost transparent in the middle of the screen, or made use of a physical button on the side some how. We’ve come this close to dropping the phone while trying to take a flick! In addition, there are no options in the camera. Just take a picture, or view your camera roll.
- We really miss Microsoft Exchange compatibility. No, IMAP doesn’t count, guys!
- We’ve been through many, many units, and find it’s a crap shoot to get the "perfect" device. Some have glaring dead pixels, some of them have sub-par speakers (yes, even lower than God himself should allow), some have horrible battery life, and some devices have faulty screens. In addition, there is a huge debate rolling across the Internets on what screen is better. For anyone who doesn’t know, there are currently two types of screens on the iPhone: 5-series, and 7-series. The 7-series seem to be less bright, but has more contrast, yet has these very annoying dots in a checkerboard pattern if you look close enough. We prefer the 5-series screens. Also, we’ve found that 5-series screens will vary between each other, and the same for the 7-series.
Again, we’re not bashing the iPhone. With all the differences in production units, we still have to say that this is the greatest designed and constructed phone to ever hit the market. It is rock solid in terms of build quality. For the most part, most of these "shortcomings" if you will, aren’t even big deals for us. Also, almost 99% of what we listed can be fixed with a software update. Apple has bypassed the carrier, rolling out software updates at their leisure, and hopefully they’ll continue. I mean, come on…there have been two updates already! That’s unheard of, and we applaud Apple for having a direct distribution method to the consumer. We love the iPhone, and our initial impressions still hold true: if you are not completely focused on having a perfect email device (a BlackBerry, primarily), we say go with the iPhone. It makes using a phone pleasurable, and to tell you the truth, even after two months we still can’t put our iPhones down! If we missed something or you think we’re blatantly wrong somewhere, let us know. We want to hear how you all are liking or hating the device, and what you’d like changed or added!
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 12:33 pm, Mark R. Said:
I tried it, as much as I live the UI, I will never be able to go back to a phone that runs only on GPRS and EDGE, even with WiFi as an option.
Thats like buying a brand new state of the art computer and hooking it up to dial up.
I’ll keep my Ubiquio with my 520mhz processor and HSDPA speeds thank you…oh and my tons of amazing 3rd party applications.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 12:34 pm, Jameson Said:
Fully agreed bg! Great points let us just hope that apple can update the email
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 12:34 pm, Rey Said:
Is it really what everyone thought it was gunna be? I still don’t see my self with an I phone
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 12:54 pm, Forum Junkies Said:
I for one love mine, especially since I have hacked it up a ton. Love everything it can do and look forward to all it will be able to do in the future.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 1:03 pm, test5477 Said:
Two guys in my office love theirs. Im looking into trading in my BB for one if I find they buyer.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 1:09 pm, ZombieInvasion Said:
I am a sidekick3 user. I honestly love my sidekick3 over any “smart/media-phone” device I’ve tried for one main reason…the keyboard.
I’m not going to lie here. The iPhone is without a doubt, the sexiest and most awe inducing gadget I’ve ever used. From the incrediblely beautiful and easy to use UI…To the wealth of different things it can do, iPod-music/video, internet, email, camera, wifi, real web browsing, etc. It’s almost perfect…key word…ALMOST.
I’ve spent hours toying with this phone and I just can’t bring myself to switch from my sidekick3. I use my sidekick for my “everything device.” I don’t have internet at home…So my sidekick handles, everything, from email, to AIM/Yahoo, to MySpace, to txting…Everything. The reason why I can do this with so much ease is due to the Sidekick3’s spectacular keyboard. Typing on it is almost as easy as a real cpu keyboard. Not to mention, the sidekick3 has a DEDICATED AIM/YAHOO/MSN chat client which makes instant messaging a breeze.
After tinkering and typing religously with the iPhone…I just can’t get used to it. The lack of being able to type with 2 hands is extremely frustrating and is very awkward. Relying on “auto-correcting” was very un-reliable as well, as not all words were recoginzed and replaced correctly. Even when using the internet, and typing in landscape mode, the touch keyboard was still impossible to use with 2 hands, really, its just UN-RELIABLE and aggrevating…and I say this after 3 hours of use, trying and trying different techniques. It just can’t compare to a tactile, fully functional, qwerty keyboard like that of my Sidekick3.
Really…the only real reason to switch to the iPhone would be for the iPod functions and wifi internet which makes YouTube possible. Everything else, my Sidekick3 does and for the most part, even BETTER. Once you get over the “ga-ga” effect of the UI…You realize the iPhone is just not “there” yet. It’s so close, but just “Not Yet.”
I’m waiting for the iPhone 2…Hopefully, it truly will be the beat all, end all device we were all hoping for…A device that does EVERYTHING even free cell phones can do…MMS anyone…Plus a whole lot more.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 1:09 pm, dani Said:
As a huge Apple fan I was greatly disappointed. One issue that imho is a huge deal is the fact you can’t replace the battery. That in turn also means you can’t keep a spare like I usually do for days/nights when I know I will be out longer than just going to work and home again.
Despite its downfalls I was willing to give it a try. So willing that I in fact have gone through 3 defective handsets. Now I’m waiting for the BB 8820. The iPhone was a huge let down.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 1:20 pm, Anthony Said:
I took my iphone back! The UI is great but its not ready for business users yet. I will stick to my BB 8300 until then. The Blackberry may not be as pretty but it does a way better job at messaging.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 1:25 pm, DKelly Said:
have went out - grammar
extaticly - spelling
Just watching your back
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 1:29 pm, eJay Said:
Well I personally love my iPhone. I almost gave it up for another REGULAR cell phone but I came to my senses. I think the iPhone is great, however I do think they really need to fix the push email. I mean I get emails from yahoo sometimes up to 12 hours after they were sent. Even if I check it manually. However it is on yahoo.com. But overall would not see it possible to change to ANY kind of a phone that was not an Apple iPhone…
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 1:55 pm, Fred Said:
“Taken the general public by storm”? Hardly. It took the media by storm, and lots of people lined up to buy one, but if you get away from the coasts, iPhones are still pretty rare. I’m in Richmond, VA, and I’ve never seen one in the wild. Not one. Neither the Apple store nor the AT&T store across the street came close to selling out. Razrs are FAR more popular and common around here. It’s easy to lose sight of the real market when you hand out on tech blogs, but it’s a gross exaggeration to say the device has taken the general public by storm (which is not to say that it’s a bad phone or that AAPL won’t do well with it).
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:03 pm, OGHowie Said:
Love it. It can only get better with future updates.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:15 pm, Jay Said:
@ Fred
The RAZR has been available for almost 4 years!!!!
I’d go so far as to say the RAZR’s market penetration at the same point of it’s life cycle was no where near as high as the iphone’s has been. And top gauge the devices success based on your personal experience is naive.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:25 pm, Mike Sinorace Said:
yeah I was one of those people use to a pocket pc and sidekick. I used to go online to find all the bad news on the iPhone just to resist temptation. But one day I couldn’t resist the urge. What made it worse is that I got a bonus check from work extra $300.00. So I sold my other phone and bought an iPhone. I have to admit that one of the happiest days of my life was opening the iPhone in the store before envious eyes (regular cell phone users). The iPhone is the Sypker (rare car) of cell phones. Since I bought this piece of art I cant put it down. Personally nothing is wrong with the iPhone its simply “Perfect”. And im not bias to apple because this is my first apple purchase.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:25 pm, backbeat Said:
Poor, sad little SURUR must be rollin’ in his grave. I suppose that’s what happens when one has an economic stake in dinosaur breeding.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:30 pm, Pat torney Said:
I love mine but have some complaints.
I wish there were a task list with the calendar. Just something like the task list in Outlook. All the apps for task lists suck.
I hate the speaker phone volume. It makes the speaker phone pretty much useless.
I wish they would provide the ability to choose your own ringtones or at least provide more ringtone to choose from. I like to have groups with different ringstones, and well a duck just isn’t one of my first choices. There are only a couple that I am actually willing to use.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:34 pm, Adam Said:
Well - as a former heavy BlackBerry user (and sometime WM5 user) for years, I actually just made the switch about 3 weeks ago. I’m a phone / gadget geek and was proud of myself for waiting almost 6 weeks post-launch before getting this (silly, I know). I’m honestly not sure I could go back to a non-touch screen (not a WM device either) device anymore…I’m so used to the iPhone, the zooming, the flipping, the flicking, and the overall control, it just “suits” me compared to the BBerry or WM devices. Yes - it did take me 3 total units before I had one that wasn’t defective (one was DOA and the 2nd had screen dots) - but the Apple store was amazing - gave me new ones no questions asked…
Anyway - along with the comments that BGR made, here are my gripes (I grow more confident every day that these will be addressed via SW updates sometime this calendar year):
1) Push email with Exchange (or BB Connect) - either one works for me.
2) Ability to create “profiles” for Normal, Silent, Meeting, etc. like on a BBerry or WM device (including the ability to set different sounds for SMS, Email and other notifications beyond the default on the phone).
3) Landscape typing in Email or SMS. I’m pretty used to the typing now and typing at about 80% of my old BBerry speed (I was prepared for the slight slow-down in typing speed so I’m basically fine with it), but the ability to type in landscape mode will help.
4) Status information on the “lock screen”. So - when my device is locked, I’d like a bit more info on that “stand by screen” - i.e. the ability to see the actual email and SMS count (and other indicators) - without having to unlock the device.
5) The ability to have different Email Signatures for my various accounts…unless I am missing something, this isn’t there now.
6) A separate ‘Contacts’ Icon on the mail home page….rather then having to go into Phone first and then hit contacts - just to look up someone’s
I’m sure there are a few more small items - but again, nothing that a SW update or 2 won’t fix. The fact that Apple deploys them on their own makes me more comfortable that they will be coming sooner rather than later.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:36 pm, MI_canuck Said:
Can’t save pictures from email or safari (web). Hope that gets added.
peace
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:38 pm, MI_canuck Said:
yes - task list would be a nice addition indeed… can somewhat do a “passive” task list using Notes… but would like a dedicated Task list application - with deadline/complete by feature, alerts, progress, etc…
cheers
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:45 pm, gadgetdiva Said:
I am also in Richmond,VA. I have an iPhone along with 6 of my co-workers. I have also seen people out in public with them too.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:55 pm, MI_canuck Said:
I must say that I share BG’s impression of the iPhone and that it’s the greatest phone I’ve ever had.
- My earpiece volume could be a bit better but it’s not that bad (8525 I used to have was much much worse).
- My signal reception and quality is absolutely great (as good, most cases better than my V3xx (had manually set to EDGE) which is known for good signal reception).
- My battery life is great. Lasts at least a whole day even with high usage of ipod, video, web, sms, etc…
- Very happy with my 7 series lcd screen (friend has a 5 series, but i like the 7 better) contrast, sharpness (especially text) and colour saturation are imo better on the 7 than the 5… and although not quite as bright, is plenty bright overall (i find the 5 too bright on full brightness - makes it looked washed out)
- in a month, only crashed once… otherwise extremely stable UI - most stable phone i’ve used (my 8525 crashed every couple of days)
- easily the best phone i’ve ever owned!
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:58 pm, Skim Said:
To Fred…. on Iphones only on the coast.
I live in Chicago and I saw 4 people with iphones in the last 2 days.
Sunday was supposed to be a quick jump on the red line that turned out to be 20 min delayed (no prob for the woman next to me who grabbed some headphones, and I spied she was tactfully starting her iphone with it mostly in her purse.(Guessing early to mid 30s)
Later that day on State Street, some young guy (25 or so) walking pushing a cart with boxes for some store with iphone in one hand.
Then on Wabash yesterday the unthinkable within about 2 blocks I saw two people with iphones. One young guy was taking a picture of Trump tower, and the other young guy was changing some tracks.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 2:58 pm, MI_canuck Said:
… one more… would be nice to have an option of having a ‘combined’ inbox for new messages - where all your new messages could be seen at a glance… (but you could still go to each individual inbox if you wanted… just have an additional ‘inbox’ that would be all new messages
- also, when a new email appears, should go to that inbox when you click the email app…
cheers
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 3:06 pm, test5477 Said:
Anyone else think that with the new ipods tomorrow that we might see ringtones added to iTunes? Seems like they have been getting that ready to roll for awhile now.
All these happy customers, I’m leaning more and more towards replacing my 8800.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 4:06 pm, Rob Said:
I agree with Fred. I have only seen 1 in the wild in Richmond, VA, none in DC, none in MD. The Blackberry Curve does everything the Iphone aspires to do. I have a Curve with a 4gb card and I received it free with rebates. I guess i’m $500 in the BLACK. LOL
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 4:11 pm, Adam Said:
Skim.. stop spying on me on wabash! hahhaa
Been using my wife’s iPhone while she’s in asia for the past week, have to say it’s “almost” the perfect device. In another year it will be damn close. I’m with BG in saying that it really needs full exchange support! The OS will improve with time, I’m pretty sure there will be updates to coincide with the 10.5 release. Nice Review BG!
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 4:15 pm, Galvatron Said:
rather buy an adavantageX7501
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 7:23 pm, Ant Said:
“You can not send a text message to more than one recipient at a time, you can’t forward text messages, you don’t get a character count, and there are absolutely no configurable options for SMS.”
Thats just unacceptable. I personally would not spend all that money on a phone that cant do the lil fundamental things that you have listed. I’ll stick with my Blackberry.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 7:26 pm, enemes Said:
great device. crappy phone. returned mine. I need a good phone more than a slow web appliance and good mp3 player.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 8:05 pm, Jeff B. Said:
OK these problems will come up, it’s a first-gen device from a company that hasn’t ever made a cell phone before so of course you’ll have problems like this surface. Although that two models of screens thing is really weird.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 4, 2007 @ 11:22 pm, Nathan Said:
Personally I’m tired of Apple and other people claiming this is such a great smartphone..I own one myself btw. I’ve told plenty of people if you want a great multimedia phone that’s easy to use and the best music player then go with the iPhone. Personally I think anyone who wants an actual PDA or business phone should stick with a Blackberry. Until Apple gives some key updates to the iPhone I don’t think it even compares to a Blackberry in the whole “business phone” sense of things. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my iPhone and have been through a few Blackberrys and other phones myself, but even without some pretty standard features for most phones today I’m overall more happy with this purchase more than any other phone I’ve had.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 5, 2007 @ 10:06 am, E90 All the way Said:
Seriously BG you are MUCH better then this.
I am calling BS.
I am not even going to start comparing the Kaiser or the Nokia E90 to the iPhone, you already know what I am talking about. Anyone that regularly reads this webpage or Engadget should know it as well.
The Nokia E90, Kaiser and Toshiba G900 blow an iPhone out of the water on EVERYTHING; we can argue the “coolness” and we all know that is a matter of taste.
BG here is an idea for you, make an article where you comapre the iPhone, Nokia E90, Kaiser and BB Curve; make a nice spreadsheet comparing FACTS and Specs, not “oh I love it” “it’s soooo smoooth”
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 5, 2007 @ 12:46 pm, xultar Said:
…have went out and bought one…
Man I should have signed up to write for you.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 5, 2007 @ 8:44 pm, Alex Said:
The thought of being without my cell phone for a week when the IPhone’s battery dies in a year scares me.
Paying Apple $86 to replace the battery, a very slow EDGE Internet connection, a poor email and SMS clients, very slow typing with the IPhone software keyboard, ongoing reports about faulty units and dying IPhone screens and the inability to add new programs also bother me.
I like the IPhone screen for browsing, the IPod capabilities and some of the included little programs, but at $600 or even the new $400 reduced price, ths IPhone is not worth it.
By the time I am done buying power adapters, cigarrete lighter charger, paying taxes, etc. it will still cost me over $800 plus $100 a month. That’s a lot of money for a so-so phone with a nice browser screen that is crippled otherwise.
Buying an IPhone will also force me to use the Apple ITunes Store and its content that pretty much works only on Apple products and technology. I don’t want to be stuck to IPods and IPhones for the rest of my life.
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 6, 2007 @ 12:08 am, iphonekillr Said:
I don’t know, I think this phone is still overhyped. Don’t get be wrong its a great device, but so was the pearl, size and functionality! Was reigned no!! So is the kaiser, is it getting the same praise as a great device no!!! It does everthing with a touch screen!!! The iphone gets it becuz, its an apple product plus the media frenzy it attracted!! It reminds me of when the sidekick 1st came out!! I still think the iphone is a great product, I love the marketing. Damn near thought about getting 1. But I’m not an zombie, (no offense bg) the iphone still lacks the functionality of a REAL device that I use. Plus I’m not even going to touch basis on how ridiculous the rate plan is, you tube has done that enough already! I hope the 2nd Gen iphone makes me convert, becuz right now I still don’t see it!!
Permalink | Reply
On Sep 17, 2007 @ 3:11 pm, Michael G Said:
I didn’t get an iPhone until after they dropped the price. (I bought a 8gb) Until then, anyone who stepped into my cubicle with one had to surrender it so that I could play with it…
I made the switch from a WM6 Treo 750 to this phone, and yes, there are a few things I miss…
1) Exchange support (but I do use IMAP on my webhosting account and it’s as close to push as anything I’ve seen .. sometimes email is there 2 minutes after I send it– no, it’s not because it coincides with the 15 minutes I have auto-check configured to… a co-worker and I have tested it)
2) MMS… But email photo will tide me over until they resolve this..
3) Native app for all-in-one chat .. ApolloIM and MobileChat are close.. but only support AIM right now.. once they support the Big 4, I’ll take this off my list.
4) A2DP support (I’d really love to get a pair of those Moto S9 BT headsets..)
5) Ebooks… Mobipocket, ereader and ebooks don’t support the iPhone yet…
Other than that, its really been a nice phone.
Oh yeah.. 3G support.. once that comes out, wife is getting this one…
mG
Permalink | Reply