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Apple iPhone

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Anthony Fiti
Kurtis
N/A
Jul. 8, 2007

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Conclusion

The iPhone is truly a groundbreaking device. That cannot be debated. From a functionality standpoint, it is head and shoulders above other cell phones on the market. The phone provides a simple user interface, predictive input, great companion software for the PC and Mac, and other features that have always been half-hearted in other cell phones (audio playback, picture viewing, and video playback).

From a cellular network standpoint, it is an attempt to change the way Americans think of how we buy and use mobile phones. Instead of choosing a carrier and then picking from their selection of phones, Apple wants you to select their phone and then get the AT&T network along with it.

The biggest problem many folks have with the iPhone has nothing to do with Apple or the device itself, but rather the AT&T network. The issue with receiving calls being sent to voicemail if there is a long data transfer going on and their stumbling out of the gate with the EDGE network going down the first business day did not instill confidence in the folks for which I was demonstrating the phone.

The six hundred dollar price tag also weighs heavy on prospective buyers. Oddly enough, the iPhone's $500 or $600 price tag may remind you of another device that debuted at $500 and $600 last year, the PS3. Apple has promised to continue upgrading the platform similar to the PS3 firmware upgrades that has occurred over the past seven months. If the upgrades are meaningful and provide compelling new features, folks may begin to see the iPhone in a new light. And corporations would most certainly welcome software that would allow them to access corporate push email while they're on the go.

Pros

UI works wonderfully
All functions in the device work well
One year warranty (expandable to two once Apple Care becomes available for the iPhone)
Widescreen iPod

Cons

Problem with large EDGE data connections and receiving a call
Price
AT&T's EDGE data network speed and reliability
Battery life
Missing features

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Page 14 of 14

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: The Line
Page 3: What's In the Box & First Looks
Page 4: Plans and Activation
Page 5: User Experience - Interface
Page 6: User Experience - Battery Life
Page 7: User Experience - the Keyboard
Page 8: User Experience - Widescreen iPod
Page 9: User Experience - Mobile Phone and Text Messaging
Page 10: User Experience - Internet and Email
Page 11: User Experience - Widgets and Other Features
Page 12: AT&T's Network - From Fine Edge to Broken Edge
Page 13: Missing Features
Page 14: Conclusion

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5 User Comments

1 - Posted by ebernet on July 9, 2007 - 3:05 pm

Instead of buying another apple cable, I bought a car charger that included both a USB>Mini USB that works with my camera and will charge a blackberry, and a USB>Dock connector cable. Both cables AND the cigarette lighter dohicky were the same $20 as just the cable, AND they were black. I even bought it at the Apple store. It was made by Griffin, I am sure others do it.
Eytan

2 - Posted by ebernet on July 9, 2007 - 3:53 pm

Some more comments - Yahoo provides free push email, and will sync your address book up to Yahoo - a great feature and a way to get address book syncing between machines without paying the .mac tax.

As for the battery issue, a full charge cycle is a full discharge/charge, which I have had 2 so far. After the 350-450 FULL cycles you are at 80% of your battery.

As a longtime iPod owner, the battery has never been an issue for me. My hope is that by the time I need a battery replacement (2 years down the line or more) an after market of doing the installs will exist - and while it will not be 35 like it is now for the iPod, it will be a cheaper $50 or so then Apple's 80+, and by then the battery capacities will be higher. I think we need to wait and give the battery grief when the battery deserves grief, when problems start...

3 - Posted by Kurtis on July 9, 2007 - 7:37 pm

Thanks for the comments, ebernet. And welcome to TheTechLounge forums. :)

BTW, regarding battery life, I think it's a valid concern, considering that the brand new battery under heavy use only lasts a single day. 2 days tops for moderate-heavy use. My treo650 used to go for a week before I'd have to charge it, and after a year and a half or so, now it dies in 2 days. Of course, mine is easily replaceable, but the point is that if it has such short battery life NEW, any decrease in that battery life is going to be a big issue down the road, and that is inevitable.

4 - Posted by ynYmpmTbMbfl on December 3, 2007 - 9:57 pm

IXiMcB post, Thanks. That’s Ben. a super ,

5 - Posted by Max Slowik on December 3, 2007 - 11:02 pm

snorkt.

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