I just wanted to say this, as I see a lot of complaining as of late about the SDK and other things... (somewhat long read)
(long time lurker, first time poster)
I bought my iPhone directly from the Online Apple Store last week, and as soon as I bought that baby, I was tracking it from China, to HK, to Alaska, to Tennessee, to my home here in sunny 'ol Florida, using the lovely Delivery Status dashboard widget by my dear friend Mike Piontek, on my Macbook. It's been quite a journey waiting for it, and here's where my topic will probably differ from [most] other threads here:
I'm here to say that this has been the best experience with a "phone" or piece of tech since I bought my Macbook in September of 2007. I've been an avid watcher of Mac products, but until last year, the biggest piece of Apple hardware I had ever bought was an iPod (1G, 3G, and 5G as well -- and I loved those little guys to death -- almost literally
). And until I had purchased my Macbook I never felt secure with any of my laptops (I've had instances of HP laptops breaking down on me... when I needed a computer most). The Macbook is a top-notch piece of Apple hardware with a brilliantly designed OS [and I love Leopard as well!].
Back to this device though, as this IS the iPhone board, and I'm digressing from the subject at hand.
This device has been effortless to set up. I received it via UPS at 9:15am Wednesday, and I had a call coming from someone before 9:30 even rolled around. I'm a current AT&T customer, so the switch was such a breeze. Not only that, but EVERYTHING I sync'd -- which took 30-45 minutes tops -- was brilliantly displayed before long. All my phone numbers I had BT'd from my old KRZR into Address Book the night before, my ringtones I had created in GarageBand, my email profiles from Apple Mail, my iTunes library, my videos, everything. It was unreal. I know I may sound crazy here -- but having to press one button and then seeing THAT in less than an hour? That was nuts. I didn't have to do anything!
This device is both beautiful and completely functional in so many ways. The apps that are already available with 1.1.3 are just so completely awesome to use that I've just fallen in love with everything -- even the calculator!
Texting is an absolute breeze, and so fun! I have never had so much fun texting in my life. It's a good thing I got the data plan with 1500 texts! Seriously though, I love the iChatesque interface, the touch keyboard, the mistake fixer, everything.
Visual voicemail is so awesome. It took me about 5-6 minutes to get my first voicemail on it (I had someone test it out for me), but since then, it's been instant. I love being able to skip those voicemails from work I don't wanna listen to yet. And also skip to any portion of a voicemail I want. Very snazzy!
The iPod side -- I of course have NOTHING but nice things to say about it. Cover flow is nice, touching my music is nice, but perhaps my FAVORITE part of everything is picking up a CALL on my iPhone stereo headphones WHILE listening to music. It's absolutely brilliant the fade, the interface. I mean, I thought the commercials were cute and all, but I never expected it to be that smooth. And Apple surprised me again!
Safari is an excellent addition to this phone, even as barebones as it is. I've had a few Safari crashes, but nothing that a off/on reset hasn't fixed. Of course it still leaves a lot to be desired (Flash, 3G, etc.), but EDGE is -- and I know you're gonna bash me for saying this -- fast enough, at least for me. While it's certainly not blazing fast, it's damn good enough for me, and I use it quite a bit to be honest. I didn't want to wait on 3G, because, to be honest, it's not gonna make too much of a difference for me. If I want blazing fast speeds, I'll use a computer. Otherwise, it's quite pointless to wait on an internal addition like that so you can get to web apps -- like "Moviefone", etc -- "10 times faster" or whatever. EDGE is good for my news sites, my web apps, and really not worth waiting for in the jest of things, as it's not as horrible as some crappy WAP browsers I've used on phones in the past.
The Maps functionality has blown me away as well. The accuracy of the "find me" button is just... too awesome. Sometimes I drive and go to Maps just too see how accurate it can get, and it hasn't been wrong yet. I can't wait to get lost and use this thing. (I can't believe I said that) Anyways, I'm really glad that Apple added that in this recent update, because that's something I've always wanted in a phone. I can't wait for more of their updates!
The iTunes store is pretty cool, and I'm glad it'll sync stuff that I buy on the go, but seeing as how I have to be in wifi to use it.... it's SORT of a diminished value, as I could just use my MB in the wifi. It is nice that I don't have to do that now, but it's got a limited capacity of use for me.
Youtube, Stocks, Weather are all nice and cute apps.
Notes' functionality is yet to be determined, because they haven't added any fuctionality (if I'm mistaken) to Leopard's notes in Mail app.
The Calendar is great, I love having my iCal events synced so effortlessly (although it did that well with my KRZR too).
As I already mentioned, I love checking my mail on this thing, and being able to open and d/l files too (like excel worksheets - to see my work schedule easily)
The Clock is a neccessary feature, so nothing of brilliance to add there.
The Camera is the only thing I really 'dislike'. It's not the picture taking part -- I've seen some brilliant shots taken with the iPhone camera here in that picture thread. It's the disability of not having that video taking capability. My three year old phone has that capability, and that's just quite sad that my new 500 dollar phone doesn't.
As for the future of the iPhone? Well, it's VERY bright from what I've seen. I've seen some hacked apps -- some REALLY good ones, and I honestly can't wait for this official SDK to come out so I can legally put 3rd party apps on here (Honestly, I couldn't care less that some may cost money). I also can't wait to see what Apple has in store with the updates.
I should also mention that I'm going all out with getting some clothes for my iPhone. I just yesterday ordered the InvisibleShield from ZAGG to keep my iPhone safe and naked at all times. I also got the nice Sena Ultraslim Pouch off the Apple Store for an quick and small blanket to keep it warm and cozy when it needs it. Off of Newegg.com, I also purchased the BlueAnt Z9 bluetooth headset for when I'm in the car and other times I can't touch my beautiful baby. I would love some feedback on those products from you guys, even though I am quite aware that this isn't the "Accessories" forum either.
Anyways, I guess in short, if you didn't want to read the entire thing, I have a cliffnotes for you:
- The iPhone is a masterful piece of equipment that has a bright future ahead of it.
- Apple has done it again! I'll never buy another regular phone again!
- If you don't have one, get one!
Thank you, Apple.
And thank you ass well, MacRumors members, for reading, and for making me jump ship and buy one of the most useful and coolest things I've ever owned.
Viva la Apple!
(long time lurker, first time poster)
I bought my iPhone directly from the Online Apple Store last week, and as soon as I bought that baby, I was tracking it from China, to HK, to Alaska, to Tennessee, to my home here in sunny 'ol Florida, using the lovely Delivery Status dashboard widget by my dear friend Mike Piontek, on my Macbook. It's been quite a journey waiting for it, and here's where my topic will probably differ from [most] other threads here:
I'm here to say that this has been the best experience with a "phone" or piece of tech since I bought my Macbook in September of 2007. I've been an avid watcher of Mac products, but until last year, the biggest piece of Apple hardware I had ever bought was an iPod (1G, 3G, and 5G as well -- and I loved those little guys to death -- almost literally
). And until I had purchased my Macbook I never felt secure with any of my laptops (I've had instances of HP laptops breaking down on me... when I needed a computer most). The Macbook is a top-notch piece of Apple hardware with a brilliantly designed OS [and I love Leopard as well!].Back to this device though, as this IS the iPhone board, and I'm digressing from the subject at hand.
This device has been effortless to set up. I received it via UPS at 9:15am Wednesday, and I had a call coming from someone before 9:30 even rolled around. I'm a current AT&T customer, so the switch was such a breeze. Not only that, but EVERYTHING I sync'd -- which took 30-45 minutes tops -- was brilliantly displayed before long. All my phone numbers I had BT'd from my old KRZR into Address Book the night before, my ringtones I had created in GarageBand, my email profiles from Apple Mail, my iTunes library, my videos, everything. It was unreal. I know I may sound crazy here -- but having to press one button and then seeing THAT in less than an hour? That was nuts. I didn't have to do anything!
This device is both beautiful and completely functional in so many ways. The apps that are already available with 1.1.3 are just so completely awesome to use that I've just fallen in love with everything -- even the calculator!
Texting is an absolute breeze, and so fun! I have never had so much fun texting in my life. It's a good thing I got the data plan with 1500 texts!
Seriously though, I love the iChatesque interface, the touch keyboard, the mistake fixer, everything.Visual voicemail is so awesome. It took me about 5-6 minutes to get my first voicemail on it (I had someone test it out for me), but since then, it's been instant. I love being able to skip those voicemails from work I don't wanna listen to yet.
And also skip to any portion of a voicemail I want. Very snazzy!The iPod side -- I of course have NOTHING but nice things to say about it. Cover flow is nice, touching my music is nice, but perhaps my FAVORITE part of everything is picking up a CALL on my iPhone stereo headphones WHILE listening to music. It's absolutely brilliant the fade, the interface. I mean, I thought the commercials were cute and all, but I never expected it to be that smooth. And Apple surprised me again!
Safari is an excellent addition to this phone, even as barebones as it is. I've had a few Safari crashes, but nothing that a off/on reset hasn't fixed.
Of course it still leaves a lot to be desired (Flash, 3G, etc.), but EDGE is -- and I know you're gonna bash me for saying this -- fast enough, at least for me. While it's certainly not blazing fast, it's damn good enough for me, and I use it quite a bit to be honest. I didn't want to wait on 3G, because, to be honest, it's not gonna make too much of a difference for me. If I want blazing fast speeds, I'll use a computer. Otherwise, it's quite pointless to wait on an internal addition like that so you can get to web apps -- like "Moviefone", etc -- "10 times faster" or whatever. EDGE is good for my news sites, my web apps, and really not worth waiting for in the jest of things, as it's not as horrible as some crappy WAP browsers I've used on phones in the past.The Maps functionality has blown me away as well. The accuracy of the "find me" button is just... too awesome. Sometimes I drive and go to Maps just too see how accurate it can get, and it hasn't been wrong yet. I can't wait to get lost and use this thing. (I can't believe I said that
) Anyways, I'm really glad that Apple added that in this recent update, because that's something I've always wanted in a phone. I can't wait for more of their updates!The iTunes store is pretty cool, and I'm glad it'll sync stuff that I buy on the go, but seeing as how I have to be in wifi to use it.... it's SORT of a diminished value, as I could just use my MB in the wifi. It is nice that I don't have to do that now, but it's got a limited capacity of use for me.
Youtube, Stocks, Weather are all nice and cute apps.
Notes' functionality is yet to be determined, because they haven't added any fuctionality (if I'm mistaken) to Leopard's notes in Mail app.
The Calendar is great, I love having my iCal events synced so effortlessly (although it did that well with my KRZR too
).As I already mentioned, I love checking my mail on this thing, and being able to open and d/l files too (like excel worksheets - to see my work schedule easily
)The Clock is a neccessary feature, so nothing of brilliance to add there.
The Camera is the only thing I really 'dislike'. It's not the picture taking part -- I've seen some brilliant shots taken with the iPhone camera here in that picture thread. It's the disability of not having that video taking capability. My three year old phone has that capability, and that's just quite sad that my new 500 dollar phone doesn't.
As for the future of the iPhone? Well, it's VERY bright from what I've seen. I've seen some hacked apps -- some REALLY good ones, and I honestly can't wait for this official SDK to come out so I can legally put 3rd party apps on here (Honestly, I couldn't care less that some may cost money). I also can't wait to see what Apple has in store with the updates.
I should also mention that I'm going all out with getting some clothes for my iPhone. I just yesterday ordered the InvisibleShield from ZAGG to keep my iPhone safe and naked at all times. I also got the nice Sena Ultraslim Pouch off the Apple Store for an quick and small blanket to keep it warm and cozy when it needs it.
Off of Newegg.com, I also purchased the BlueAnt Z9 bluetooth headset for when I'm in the car and other times I can't touch my beautiful baby. I would love some feedback on those products from you guys, even though I am quite aware that this isn't the "Accessories" forum either. Anyways, I guess in short, if you didn't want to read the entire thing, I have a cliffnotes for you:
- The iPhone is a masterful piece of equipment that has a bright future ahead of it.
- Apple has done it again! I'll never buy another regular phone again!
- If you don't have one, get one!
Thank you, Apple.
And thank you ass well, MacRumors members, for reading, and for making me jump ship and buy one of the most useful and coolest things I've ever owned.
Viva la Apple!
