iPhone First Impressions / Reviews

[penguino]

First impressions, 12 hours on, 8GB iPhone

I have been using the iPhone last night and this morning.

ACTIVATION -- less than 10 minutes including getting the iPhone out of its box. I had my first call come in while still in the Apple Store!

One GREAT feature, the phone comes with a charge in it so you don't have the usual 7 hour charge up wait. The iPhone did not load all my Entourage mail accounts automatically. It picked up most of them, but the online manual gave a good explanation of how to add.

EDGE -- data transfer was pretty swift, actually. 248kb. I never experienced a practical delay (e.g. page did not complete loading before I was ready to click to another page).

KEYBOARD -- what's the issue? This is really quite easy to use. I noticed some trouble only when inputting emails the first time because the addresses are usually non-intuitive. But that's a one time deal.

MAIL -- works great, the screen resolution is so good it finally makes mail a joy to read on a mobile device. The DELETE function is really easy and snappy.

MUSIC -- Download was fast.

MOVIES -- Download from my laptop was surprisingly fast.

SOUND -- I think it is great. Way better than my old Samsung X427.

ACCELEROMETER, GESTURES, COVERFLOW -- The picture really does change to landscape quickly and seamlessly. Pinching and expanding pages is quite intuitive. Moving through contacts is super fast.

FOOTPRINT -- the phone and dock take up virtually no space.

INTERFERENCE -- Noticed some (not terrible, but noticeable) interference with my JBL speakers when the iPhone is near and using Wi-Fi.

SMUDGES -- I can see why Apple includes a cloth with purchase because it does pick up fingerprint smudges.

MAPS -- Works faster than doing a look up on a web browser (I was on Wi-Fi when testing this).

CAMERA -- Easy, a great image, and syncs up with iPhoto with one click. I noticed that you have to make sure to hold the camera very steady to avoid some blurring.

SYNC -- Automatic and seamless and profound. I have to say its quite a shock to experience songs, video, contacts, bookmarks, and email synchronizing at the same time.

THE BOTTOM LINE -- this device delivers way more than I thought it would -- it's da bomb!

 

[note235]

Got the 8GB last night.
Awesome
transfered music and videos and movies
excellent
tried out wifi but not edge yet.
more impressions later.

 

[ozthegweat]

EDGE not being available in Europe is not true. I checked with the largest mobile network in Switzerland, Swisscom, see for yourself (webpage is in english, don't worry):
http://www.swisscom-mobile.com/scm/gek_mobile-unlimited_nutzung-en.aspx

As you can see, the coverage is pretty good:

Coverage Switzerland
99.8 % EDGE/GPRS
90% UMTS
40 % HSDPA
PWLAN > 1000 hotspots

To the right you can also see the speed comparison between the technologies.

 

[rikers_mailbox]

8. Insert iPhone SIM card in a different phone (unlocked).

Anyone tried this yet? I'm interested in knowing if it's possible with either an unlocked phone or my previous ATT nokia.

I would do it, but I'm on vac with my iPhone and my nokia is back at home. So far loving the iPhone, totally worth it!

 

[nacengineer]

Keep in mind that this only holds true to the US. Major parts of Europe have VERY good 3G coverage, and EDGE doesn't even exist in most countries I know of (in fact I don't know ANY).

Cheers, M.

T-Mobile has it in parts...

 

[Capeman]

Keep in mind that this only holds true to the US. Major parts of Europe have VERY good 3G coverage, and EDGE doesn't even exist in most countries I know of (in fact I don't know ANY).

Cheers, M.

We have EDGE here in Sweden, although 3G is more common.

 

[ravenvii]

The iPhone is the most amazing technology I've ever held in my hands. I have not dived deep into it yet, but I've used Safari and it is AMAZING! I mean, seriously.

I can't convey how amazing the iPhone is.

 

[DonSqueak]

T-Mobile has it in parts...

Fits with the Germany gets-it-thru-T-Mobile-rumours...

 

[Vulkan]

<snip>Tell me if your phone was your lifeblood and responsible for your income, would you be so happy with them turning off the phone. Hey I dont care about waiting to use my new phone, but dont turn off my old one until I can use it.

It's called Plan B. I would have a secondary phone just in case. All this problems people are have are expected to happen. You have to understand this is how a version 1.0 of anything works, there are mis-haps... **** will happen... just cope with it, because in the end you will have a better experience than anyone else.

If you don't like it, just send me your phone to me, I will deal with the wait and you can go back to your ****** normal phone.

 

[rob@robburns.co]

actually 2g and 3g while being buzzwords do actually classify the technology. Edge is a 2g technology.

Edge is 2G (or some might further qualify it as 2.5G). But 2G is not necessarily Edge (especially if we're talking about Europe).

 

[X5GEE]

Waited in line for only 2 hours at a local ATT store.

Activation took a few minutes.

Switched my t-mobile # over and was talking within the hour on it.

Multi touch is amazing!

Ipod is great.

Movies are great!

Google Maps is awesome!

ATT Edge is slow.

Photos in email attachments dont show up ... maybe due to slow internet.
.....
I'm wondering how you connect to wifi? I located my airport .. etc, But my phone still reads 'E' at the top. I'm guessing that means the cellulars 'Edge' network?? .. If so, its sloooow.

 

[M!K]

Congrats! Sooo jealous! I live in Canada so no iPhone for me /

I'm in the same position as you. First I live in Canada and I really want an iPhone but I can't get one. + have you read the rumor that Apple is announcing the UK iPhone monday? That means we're gonna have to wait even longer for the Canadian Release!!!

And also, just like you, I've ordered my 2.4MBP two weeks ago and I don't even have it by now! I'm tired of having to wait!!!!

 

[nacengineer]

Edge is 2G (or some might further qualify it as 2.5G). But 2G is not necessarily Edge (especially if we're talking about Europe).

Not to troll but my statement doesn't imply that...

I was just trying to say that 2g while used as a buzzword has a little more depth than that.

Although were off topic so I digress... Cheers!

 

[droMac]

Pioneer and iPhone

Just hooked up my wife's iPhone to her pioneer car stereo that has the iPod
adapter. At first the screen says that it is not a compatible device. However, it works great. You can control the iPhone iPod from the stereo like before, but now when the phone rings you hear the ringtone through the stereo and the music automatically mutes. When the call is finished, playback resumes. Same thing when making a call, music mutes. You can use all the iPhone features while connected, except of course the iPod controls on the iPhone. I'm in Gainesville, FL. Got to AT&T at 5:00 pm. Was 40th in line and was out of the store at 6:45. Existing AT&T customer. Activation took less than 5 minutes. This phone is awesome.

 

[nacengineer]

Wireless...

Waited in line for only 2 hours at a local ATT store.
I'm wondering how you connect to wifi? I can located my airport .. etc, But my phone still reads 'E' at the top. I'm guessing theats 'Edge' .. and its sloooow ... I'm Kind of confused on that issue.

I connected mine through my Airport Extreme n Base Station. It works awesome. Although if you have a locked network you might have to set it up in the settings --> Network portion of the phone. I had to do mine because I have a closed network so I'm not sure on the open network that is of the password protected variety.

This raises a curious question. Is the iPhone n capable... hmmm. where do I check for that... anyone know?

EDIT: Apple.com shows it as b/g... too bad. Still no n capable devices running on this home network...

 

[rob@robburns.co]

(unofficial) iPhone Disk Mounting

I recall years ago accessing my iPod from the terminal on Mac OS X when it wasn't in disk mode. In other words, IIRC, the iPod mounted in a non-standard place in the file system and was visible with "ls -la" in the terminal. I was going to try to verify this with my iPod, but I can't remember where it mounted and I can't seem to find anything about it on the google. Does anyone remember anything about this? And more importantly can you find the iPhone mounted anywhere while you're synching with iTunes? That would be an amazing find (3d party Apps anyone? ).

 

[rob@robburns.co]

This raises a curious question. Is the iPhone n capable... hmmm. where do I check for that... anyone know?

I thought I read somewhere it's 802.11 B and G only, but I don't remember where.

 

[X5GEE]

I connected mine through my Airport Extreme n Base Station. It works awesome. Although if you have a locked network you might have to set it up in the settings --> Network portion of the phone. I had to do mine because I have a closed network so I'm not sure on the open network that is of the password protected variety.

This raises a curious question. Is the iPhone n capable... hmmm. where do I check for that... anyone know?

Thanks! I'm going to look into that. I currently have an old Airport base station that I've been using for over 7yrs now. I dont think its an extreme.

 

[nacengineer]

Thanks! I'm going to look into that. I currently have an old Airport base station that I've been using for over 7yrs now. I dont think its an extreme.

Oh 7 years. It might be "a"

Apple.com list iPhone as b/g...

 

[fyrmedic]

What about the Phone

The Iphone, palm treo, ect. they all do neat things e-mail web ect. but the bulk of most peoples contact is still voice. Why do all these phone makers not have voice dial, or voice dial over headset. California Law will require hands free in 2008. My wifes free phone had voice dial over headset. does this bug anyone else???

 

[RodThePlod]

I recall years ago accessing my iPod from the terminal on Mac OS X when it wasn't in disk mode. In other words, IIRC, the iPod mounted in a non-standard place in the file system and was visible with "ls -la" in the terminal. I was going to try to verify this with my iPod, but I can't remember where it mounted and I can't seem to find anything about it on the google. Does anyone remember anything about this? And more importantly can you find the iPhone mounted anywhere while you're synching with iTunes? That would be an amazing find (3d party Apps anyone? ).

That's interesting!

I have one more question for you iPhone-owning masses

Notes: You can create notes on the iPhone directly and I guess these get sync'ed/backed up to the computer as normal. However, can you create Notes from the computer and get these sync'ed via iTunes to the iPhone when it's connected?

Cheers!

Rod.

 

[Trent0341]

Initial thoughts:

Bad:
1. Screen smudges really easily.
2. EDGE is slow

Good:
1. Works as advertised
2. UI is amazing
3. Set up takes minutes (absolutely no issues syncing)

Overall:
The iphone really is amazing. Although EDGE is slow its was expected and wifi works well. There are so many features I truly haven't had time to explore them all. I feel sorry for all the iphone haters on this board whose dreams didnt come true.

 

[nacengineer]

The Iphone, palm treo, ect. they all do neat things e-mail web ect. but the bulk of most peoples contact is still voice. Why do all these phone makers not have voice dial, or voice dial over headset. California Law will require hands free in 2008. My wifes free phone had voice dial over headset. does this bug anyone else???

Having had this on my onstar vehicle for the first free year... voice dial ain't all that... Call Brian... CALL Brian... CALL BRIAN... WOULD YOU JUST FRICKIN' CALL BRIAN ALREADY!!! And that mic was 12" from my head.

The call features are really easy 3-4 clicks from home menu. (4 if you have to search). I could see voice dial being added so don't panic... remember its v 1.0

 

[nacengineer]

Voicemail Rocks

BTW this new voicemail is worth the price of admission alone. Not having to listen to all messages to hear the one I want... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

 

[pjamac]

Initial thoughts:

Bad:
1. Screen smudges really easily.
2. EDGE is slow

Good:
1. Works as advertised
2. UI is amazing
3. Set up takes minutes (absolutely no issues syncing)

Overall:
The iphone really is amazing. Although EDGE is slow its was expected and wifi works well. There are so many features I truly haven't had time to explore them all. I feel sorry for all the iphone haters on this board whose dreams didnt come true.

I'm certainly no hater...I am loving the phone...but I am having to "love" my husbands phone. apparently number porting is what is taking mine so long. they are telling me i will have to wait the full 24 hours. oh well...it will be worth it in the end. my husband is telling me that he has yet to be able to connect to the edge network here. we live in a major city so we are pretty surprised that he is not able to connect to it. a bit frustrating. i'm sure it will get better tho.