Need help in deciding if I should buy iPhone 4

[Tarzanman]

Itunes should have the ability to back up your iPhone to your PC or your Mac. Don't forget that most iPhone users own PC's not Macintosh computers.

As for which phone you should get? That totally depends on what you're using it for.

Right now, it is a wash. You can trade minor advantages and disadvantages between either platform.

My guess is that Apple won't be able to keep pace with Android. Apple is closed, Apple releases one phone a year and Apple has had to withhold features because of internal and external issues.

Android is open, releases about 10 handsets a year and has a ~ 4-6 month turnaround on revisions to its operating system.

My prediction is that Apple won't be able to keep up. They already lock down certain features or disallow apps (Google voice, Google navigation) because they 'compete' with their own current or planned offerings.

I know that I will draw flames for this message, but its the truth.

Talk to people who have used both platforms and ask them:
A. What can an iPhone do that an Android phone can't do?
B. What can an Android phone do that an iPhone can't do?

Odds are that there will be more items in category B than category A.... but you should decide for yourself which of the items matter the most to you.

 

[whsbuss]

Itunes should have the ability to back up your iPhone to your PC or your Mac. Don't forget that most iPhone users own PC's not Macintosh computers.

As for which phone you should get? That totally depends on what you're using it for.

Right now, it is a wash. You can trade minor advantages and disadvantages between either platform.

My guess is that Apple won't be able to keep pace with Android. Apple is closed, Apple releases one phone a year and Apple has had to withhold features because of internal and external issues.

Android is open, releases about 10 handsets a year and has a ~ 4-6 month turnaround on revisions to its operating system.

My prediction is that Apple won't be able to keep up. They already lock down certain features or disallow apps (Google voice, Google navigation) because they 'compete' with their own current or planned offerings.

I know that I will draw flames for this message, but its the truth.

Talk to people who have used both platforms and ask them:
A. What can an iPhone do that an Android phone can't do?
B. What can an Android phone do that an iPhone can't do?

Odds are that there will be more items in category B than category A.... but you should decide for yourself which of the items matter the most to you.

No flames from me.... I have also used both as well as blackberry. Each user is as individual as the phone that meets their needs.

I believe Apple does see more competition from android than anything else out there today. RIM is, and will probably be for a long time, a corporate-based device chosen because of its tightly managed BES platform. Their BIS was implemented to grab a share of non-corporate users who want to experience their great email platform.

Android has made tremendous strides in the past 2 years with their OS. However the device manufacturers (Samsung, HTC, Motorola) have never deployed good smartphones.... remember Motorola was the top cell phone company for many years....

Right now nothing "really" matches the retina display or Apple's iTunes delivery platform. Sure the android market, appbrain have comparable apps/games, but only Apple has the iTunes/App Store.

Competition is the best thing for innovation.

 

[Tarzanman]

......Right now nothing "really" matches the retina display or Apple's iTunes delivery platform. Sure the android market, appbrain have comparable apps/games, but only Apple has the iTunes/App Store.

Competition is the best thing for innovation.

I would have agreed with you about the iPhone display until I went and saw a Vibrant in person. The display is absolutely ridiculous with its breadth of color. Avatar looked absolutely SICK on it.

Even with the iPhone 4's superior dot pitch, I find the 4" Super AMOLED @ 800x480 on the Vibrant to be the superior display. If you can make it to a T-Mobile store to check one out, then I suggest you do so.

As for Itunes... I hate it with a passion. I have always found the PC version to be bloated and buggy. Apple has a history of disappointing me with PC ports of their software (quicktime). People tell me that itunes has improved from the version I used a few years ago.... but I still refuse to put Apple software on my windows PC.

I use VLC or Real Alternative to watch .mov files

 

[winninganthem]

Personally, case or no case I've never experienced the antenna issue. Yes without a case before 4.0.1 the bars went down, but this was never the cause for a dropped call. When I do get dropped calls, it just cuts off even when there are bars, which I don't think is something to blame the phone for, but rather AT&T's reception.

If you love your current iPhone, you'll love this one. Hope this helps.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

I would have agreed with you about the iPhone display until I went and saw a Vibrant in person. The display is absolutely ridiculous with its breadth of color. Avatar looked absolutely SICK on it.

Even with the iPhone 4's superior dot pitch, I find the 4" Super AMOLED @ 800x480 on the Vibrant to be the superior display. If you can make it to a T-Mobile store to check one out, then I suggest you do so.

I believed that the retina display was the very best ever. Then I saw a Samsung Captivate. Frankly I was so impressed it's the major reason I decidedto buy a Captivate.

 

[Hilmi Hamidi]

Another people scared to buy iPhone because of exaggerating negative rumors....

 

[wirelessmacuser]

I believe there's plenty of business for everyone. Variety & choices are also a factor. It would be awfully dull & boring if only one manufacturer existed. Why Apple fanboys feel they must be rude, be critical of other users who mention other brands of devices is largely unique to the Apple Ecosystem. While it's normal for enthusiasts to discuss the pro's & con's of the competition, Apple fanboy culture teaches them to attack.*

It's also revealing that they only get along with other fanboys, or those that agree with everything they say. Freedom of speech is off limits lest one is labeled a troll. It seems that the real truth is the fear Apple fanboys feel as other platforms gain momentum. The thought of any other phone being on top, strikes great fear. No other industry is populated by a huge group of fearful followers the way that Apple is. Food for thought.*

 

[Jolst]

I believe there's plenty of business for everyone. Variety & choices are also a factor. It would be awfully dull & boring if only one manufacturer existed. Why Apple fanboys feel they must be rude, be critical of other users who mention other brands of devices is largely unique to the Apple Ecosystem. While it's normal for enthusiasts to discuss the pro's & con's of the competition, Apple fanboy culture teaches them to attack.*

It's also revealing that they only get along with other fanboys, or those that agree with everything they say. Freedom of speech is off limits lest one is labeled a troll. It seems that the real truth is the fear Apple fanboys feel as other platforms gain momentum. The thought of any other phone being on top, strikes great fear. No other industry is populated by a huge group of fearful followers the way that Apple is. Food for thought.*

Without being sarcastic or in any other way rude, I ask the following:

How do YOU think Apple got such a fanbase in the first place?

 

[Tarzanman]

Without being sarcastic or in any other way rude, I ask the following:

How do YOU think Apple got such a fanbase in the first place?

Very astute.

As an Amiga fan-boy. I find Apple fan-boyism trite and unsophisticated

 

[Fieldmarshall45]

I've decided to try the iPhone 4. I'm going to attempt to pick one up in the next week. If the antenna issue exists and gets in the way of my usage, I will gladly switch to the Captivate. It's a fantastic phone, the screen is really nice. I would suggest you don't judge this phone until you've experienced it in person.