Sorry iPhone but I have to leave you

[kolax]

I haven't experienced a "slow down" when in weak signal areas - my iPhone works fine on low signal. But I always turn 3G off and use GPRS - O2's 3G just isn't the best coverage here.

But for everything else I agree. And I really wish Apple would make more of an effort with Task Notifications. On the Lock Screen - telling you what appointments and tasks you have to complete, and an optional notification to remind you.

It is beyond me how Apple have missed out some really needed features.

I expect to see you reporting back when iPhone 3.0 software comes out

 

[petvas]

I haven't experienced a "slow down" when in weak signal areas - my iPhone works fine on low signal. But I always turn 3G off and use GPRS - O2's 3G just isn't the best coverage here.

But for everything else I agree. And I really wish Apple would make more of an effort with Task Notifications. On the Lock Screen - telling you what appointments and tasks you have to complete, and an optional notification to remind you.

It is beyond me how Apple have missed out some really needed features.

I expect to see you reporting back when iPhone 3.0 software comes out

I hope that 3.0 will be the answer to all these issues.

It's really hard to argue with your reasoning. Everything you said makes perfect sense. Most importantly, you state what you need out of a phone and the iPhone is just not cutting it for you. Nevertheless, you will get fanboys in here asking you why you decided to post this. Such is life...

Wait out for the Pre or go to the Android platform (it's really fantastic). Most likely, these will serve you much better.

The main reason I decided for the HTC Touch is the gorgeous screen and the fact that I can run Pocket Informant on it. I need Exchange Active Sync also.

 

[miniConvert]

I don't follow many of the points but respect your opinion if the iPhone is clearly not for you.

I use my iPhone to maintain 4 calendars, including my work one, which sync's via MobileMe to my other computers. I couldn't function these days without all the alerts/notifications of what I'm supposed to be doing. I also love the bookmark syncing, which is very important to me in the sense that I can shove pages in my bookmarks at work and then have easy access to the sites while I'm out to lunch. I never have to type out URL's, which is great.

I have MobileMe email for personal use, and my business uses Google mail now so that polls every 15 minutes and uses IMAP which works out fine. Despite all of this syncing battery life is fantastic, I get 2 days with it doing all this stuff plus my Safari, calls and SMS usage, where my Nokia would rather cry than do anything data intensive for more than a day.

I don't have any coverage issues, other than ones that all O2 customers face here in the UK. O2's coverage has notably improved over the last few months, so I'm pleased about that.

What with the SSH app I got from the app store and a few other bits and pieces like the really easy VPN connection I can honestly say that the iPhone is my perfect business and pleasure companion. The only thing that I'd appreciate that isn't there is MMS, but I've already learnt to just use email in most cases.

I did have a HTC TyTN (well still have, but don't use) but it was seriously dire. I hope Windows Mobile has come on a bit since then. I'd not buy another HTC. I am interested to see what Android is like, though, once some other manufacturers step up.

 

[petvas]

I am glad it works for you. I believe that at least for now it is better for me to have two devices: One phone for my PIM stuff and one Media Player (iPod Touch) for everything else. This way I am getting the best of both worlds.
I will post back when I get my HTC Touch and compare it with the iPhone.

 

[Hutch1]

Exactly if the iPhone doesn't work for you get something that does. This asking of Apple to fix all the things that bother individuals is silly, the last I looked Apple wasn't making custom phones. They are a consumer good with a set of features that they believe the consumers want, which from sales looks like they were pretty close. On that note I could care less if and why you are leaving the iPhone. Enjoy your HTC Touch I hope you'll be happy.

 

[jonjamesm]

If you love the GUI of the iphone but want to run all the apps a windows based platform offers check out ifonz. its a pretty stable iphone emuator for windows mobile, I'll also mention pocketcm for texting and some other apps that you can find by going hunting on xda-developers.com...

 

[Lara F]

Just FYI, Remember The Milk can text/SMS you when a task is due.

I'm skeptical about browsing being as good on other phones (at least maybe till the Pre comes out) but ITA on the lack of multitasking. ooTunes helps but it's an annoying limitation.

 

[Airforcekid]

You could jailbreak get backgrounder and clippey for copy and paste. After you jailbreak its like a new phone.

 

[petvas]

You could jailbreak get backgrounder and clippey for copy and paste. After you jailbreak its like a new phone.

too much effort and it doesn't give me what I need...PIM programs with quality features

 

[jeffdc5]

Good luck with the htc. I personally would hold out for a pre or nokia n97. I can't imagine going back to windows mobile had 4 different htc phones all ran like crap because the os is not made for touchscreens. Now I have an iPhone and nokia e-71 the e71 is my main phone because It outclasses the iPhone as a phone in everyway but my iPhone is my entertainment device on the go mow.

 

[petvas]

Good luck with the htc. I personally would hold out for a pre or nokia n97. I can't imagine going back to windows mobile had 4 different htc phones all ran like crap because the os is not made for touchscreens. Now I have an iPhone and nokia e-71 the e71 is my main phone because It outclasses the iPhone as a phone in everyway but my iPhone is my entertainment device on the go mow.

I have used the Nokia E71 and I don't like it at all..I have a thing against Nokias...something just doesn't fit

I haven't experienced a "slow down" when in weak signal areas - my iPhone works fine on low signal. But I always turn 3G off and use GPRS - O2's 3G just isn't the best coverage here.

But for everything else I agree. And I really wish Apple would make more of an effort with Task Notifications. On the Lock Screen - telling you what appointments and tasks you have to complete, and an optional notification to remind you.

It is beyond me how Apple have missed out some really needed features.

I expect to see you reporting back when iPhone 3.0 software comes out

Try using the iPhone with 3G on and in areas with low or no signal at all.

 

[kolax]

Try using the iPhone with 3G on and in areas with low or no signal at all.

It doesn't slow the phone down for me.

I end up with no 3G reception, yet the phone refuses to switch to EDGE or GPRS. That is why I only ever turn 3G on when I'm using the internet. All other times, it's off.

 

[petvas]

I have found this interesting review of the HTC Touch HD...The opinions expressed there are more or less the opinion that I have. I just decided to get the great media experience from an iPod Touch and for the rest I go with the HTC Touch. That way I get the best of both worlds and don't need to compromise...

http://mobiletechaddicts.com/2008/11/09/htc-touch-hd-review-2/

 

[Mr. Owl]

Though I agree with nearly everything in the first post I don't find them reason enough to abandon the iPhone. For me, that is - it's impossible to argue that those aren't sufficient reasons for you.

Add "no flash" to your list and you've got a pretty comprehensive list of the biggest drawbacks I find on a regular basis (with the exception of Skype - I don't use it, though it would be nice in areas where the signal fails). They certainly detract from the use of the iPhone, but I have hopes that Apple will eventually fix them.

 

[Jimmy James]

Wrong. AFAIK it is because it's just not done.

There is no apple limitation for these types of VOIP apps on wifi.

Regardless, you can't get native skype for the iphone.

 

[marksman]

The phone you are going to, freezes all the time you have to remove the battery to unfreeze it, I sold mine because of that good luck you will be back just like i did

The phone not actually working is simply a technicality, Especially when it can do all these things the iPhone can't. The fact that it dies all the time and is non functioning woulld be bogging down in minutiae.

Of course I am being sarchastic. The OP did state his reasons well, and I have no qualms, I just think as you noted there are tradeoffs for everything in life. Some of the things that the OP wants the iPhone to do are things the iPhone does not due because of stability and control issues.

I still wish that Apple would add the ability to slot one app to run in the background. I think that would not harm stability too much and really increase functionality a lot.

 

[jeffdc5]

the iPhone's biggest draw is also it's biggest flaw. The big colorfull vibrant apps use up a lot of ram if you have a bunch running at once the stability becomes a major issue. I don't know what your beef is with nokia but just on signal strenght and call quality alone nokias are worth every penny.s60 might be aging and isn't as slick as android but there are tons off apps and stability is great.

 

[deenybird]

i hear your complaint about multitasking....
If it weren't for 'backgrounder' allowing me awesome multitasking capabilities, I wouldn't have been able to stay with this device.

Doing only 1 thing at a time? Come on apple, this is 2009.

Backgrounder is a great solution and honestly, my favorite jailbroken app.

 

[petvas]

I do not want to jailbreak. I know it's easy but I want to have a device where I don't have to worry if the software I am using will be available after a firmware update. I am past the point of enjoying "hacking" devices. I have better things to do than that! I want to use the technology and not try to hack into it.

 

[kas23]

I think that the Iphone shows that it comes from a company that has its focus on consumers.

I actually think the exact opposite. I think it is the hardware and the ease of use of the hardware that makes the iPhone revolutionary. The scrolling and the zoom is implemented very smoothly - no other phone comes close to it. The browser works extremely well too.

I believe Apple is focusing on putting out a perfect piece of hardware and currently, it is the most stable, least buggy cellphone OS to use - but this comes at a price, less features. IF Apple was focusing on its consumers needs, 75% of the bitching threads on MR would go away; we would have already had c/p, we would have MMS, Flash, multitasking, video recording, and probably everything else you mentioned in your post. As a user, you feel you need more functions. And your needs are not unique, people have been clamoring for these features for months to Apple's deaf ears.

Exactly if the iPhone doesn't work for you get something that does. This asking of Apple to fix all the things that bother individuals is silly, the last I looked Apple wasn't making custom phones. They are a consumer good with a set of features that they believe the consumers want, which from sales looks like they were pretty close. On that note I could care less if and why you are leaving the iPhone. Enjoy your HTC Touch I hope you'll be happy.

His complaints are hardly individual. People have been making threads on here about these same very shortcoming for months. There are thousands of people who want these same very functions, yet Apple refuses to implement them (for whatever reasons). These reasons have cause many, many users to jailbreak. However, jailbreaking is not for everyone. How about Apple just implements these features natively?

 

[kate-willbury]

i hear your complaint about multitasking....
If it weren't for 'backgrounder' allowing me awesome multitasking capabilities, I wouldn't have been able to stay with this device.

Doing only 1 thing at a time? Come on apple, this is 2009.

Backgrounder is a great solution and honestly, my favorite jailbroken app.

hope you're kidding. backgrounder is a great idea but it rarely EVER works well due to the memory limitations of the iphone. 90% of the time the app i 'backgrounded' will just close whenever i run another decently sized app. for example i will try to leave last.fm running and then open the facebook app. facebook opens, but then last.fm (which has been backgrounded) unexpectedly quits. repeat this for pretty much any combination of apps i personally would want running together. the iphone doesn't have memory swapping/paging capabilities and its RAM is handled so terribly its kind of embarrassing.

 

[markgamber]

His complaints are hardly individual. People have been making threads on here about these same very shortcoming for months. There are thousands of people who want these same very functions, yet Apple refuses to implement them (for whatever reasons). These reasons have cause many, many users to jailbreak. However, jailbreaking is not for everyone. How about Apple just implements these features natively?

Apple will never implement many of the things people want because to do so would be to admit they were wrong. And Apple is more stubborn and pig-headed than Rush Limbaugh when it comes to things like admitting they were wrong. About anything. Ever. Personally, I gave up on Apple a week ago and broke out the old Tilt and have an HTC Fuze on the way to replace the iPhone. Blackberry isn't bad but Windows Mobile has a far more powerful API and since I'm a programmer, that counts as much as anything else.

Speaking of which, if you're going to go with Windows Mobile, I highly recommend PointUI from www.pointui.com. It's an excellent replacement for the Today screen. Responsive, fast, finger-friendly and free.

 

[Hutch1]

His complaints are hardly individual. People have been making threads on here about these same very shortcoming for months. There are thousands of people who want these same very functions, yet Apple refuses to implement them (for whatever reasons). These reasons have cause many, many users to jailbreak. However, jailbreaking is not for everyone. How about Apple just implements these features natively?

How about if you don't like the phone you just don't buy it. Just because a few whine on this forum doesn't mean the millions of other customers are unhappy.

Apple will never implement many of the things people want because to do so would be to admit they were wrong. And Apple is more stubborn and pig-headed than Rush Limbaugh when it comes to things like admitting they were wrong. About anything. Ever. Personally, I gave up on Apple a week ago and broke out the old Tilt and have an HTC Fuze on the way to replace the iPhone. Blackberry isn't bad but Windows Mobile has a far more powerful API and since I'm a programmer, that counts as much as anything else.

Speaking of which, if you're going to go with Windows Mobile, I highly recommend PointUI from www.pointui.com. It's an excellent replacement for the Today screen. Responsive, fast, finger-friendly and free.

Say you didn't give up on Apple, damn the world is just a little sadder now.

They keep selling them so maybe they are right and the few who want the iPhone to be something else are wrong.

 

[Masquerade]

Ok, and now what? I decided to get an HTC Touch HD as a mobile phone. I know, it uses Windows Mobile which more or less sucks, but it will give me the applications I really want to have.
I can't completely give up on Apple though...so I ordered an iPod Touch! That way I am getting the best touch interface available, plus all the multimedia features of the iPod that noone can beat. The iPod touch is really a great device and I can't wait to get it.

good decision. it will be better if apple would, at least, provide us with the true iphone roadmap, ie: when push notifications will come, or other vaporware features lost

 

[markgamber]

Say you didn't give up on Apple, damn the world is just a little sadder now.

They keep selling them so maybe they are right and the few who want the iPhone to be something else are wrong.

Wow, sarcasm totally devoid of value. On THIS SITE! How unbelievably original of you. Baaaaaah. Bleeeeat!