iPhone - a month (or so) of use...

[DR]

I've used my iPhone every day over the past month. So, with the UK launch less than 48 hours away, I thought it was time to update you all on my experiences – my very interesting experiences.

First off, you need to know that this is not a phone for heavy users. If you NEED a business phone that gets pushed hard day and night, the iPhone is not for you.

It lacks some of the major features that you will need. I've tried to live without them - and to work around not having them. A phone is a tool for me and I need a full-featured phone and can't live without one.

As you can see - I'm not a light user....



What does need to be said is that the iPhone's user interface is incredible. In most ways, it works very well. However it has some major bugs.

For me, the most annoying one is that when the signal drops off, the phone takes a fair few seconds to re connect – and then displays 'NO SERVICE'.

That's a right royal pain in the bum and the problem is considerably worse than on any of my many previous phones.

The iPhone also has an inherent problem with overheating. It does not like jumping around calls and will often need a few minutes to cool off – otherwise, it tends to hang.

I love the iPod and I can see the Touch version – based on the UI technology pioneered in the iPhone - being a huge hit when we hit 32GB-plus of storage, which will undoubtedly be the next iteration.

I also thought I'd love the fact that you can install third-party apps on the iPhone and that this alone would have made me want to keep it. However, Apple should simply never have locked-down the iPhone - it crushes innovation.

What I absolutely do love is new tech. I just can't stop myself wanting to get hands on with the latest and greatest new gadget. So, to me, it's a great shame that the iPhone doesn't cover all of my needs, which are far in excess of those of other geeks.

Consequently, what I am having to do is look elsewhere. I'm considering the K850 - and a TyTN II. What I need is a phone that works reliably and on which all functions work well.

[Andrzej]

Motorola's version of the ubiquitous HTC PDA was OK - but the software was pants

On coming to HEXUS, I moved across to Orange's version - which had a new software build around April 2007 - and that works 'fine'

You still need multiple reboots in a day if you are a heavy user (calls - not kilos )...

...but - overall - it is a decent work tool with all of the standard Office apps - PDF reader etc

Putting a 2GB microSD card in, completes the unit and allows you to record a load of video etc

Downside is that the format is not compatible with regular PC players - but I have AVS for that


Dave's iPhone has a jaw-dropping quality that no other product in this market has had since the original launch of the RAZR

I also looked at the TyTNII a few days back and hope to see one close up in the near future

Genuine challengers will probably come from the Symbian group shortly - especially given what their VP, Lucinda Barlow, told HEXUS.tv recently... HEXUS.tv :: Turn on technology

Right now, too many people are carrying a phone WITH a Blackberry and sometime WITH something else

What we all need is a single, simple, powerful product that does everything - and does it for more than 1 day on a single charge - and does not have crashy/leaky apps...

[DR]

Yeah thing is will one device fit all your needs? am I abnormal - infact don't answer that - I know I am...

[MD]

I really don't care for this product, and I care even less that ever bloody second advert on cable last night was for the iPhone.

Restricting sales to o2, I mean let people buy the product, the cash hoarding by Apple and the agreements to the networks is just straight unfair to the consumer.

Matt

[DR]

I really don't care for this product, and I care even less that ever bloody second advert on cable last night was for the iPhone.

Restricting sales to o2, I mean let people buy the product, the cash hoarding by Apple and the agreements to the networks is just straight unfair to the consumer.

Matt

It keeps prices high too - since there is no competition, if you want one - you have to buy it from O2... yes I know you can unlock it but its a headache of a solution

[ikonia]

its intersting to here Davids view on this more so as he's recently switched to a mac OS desktop for core use, I am interested to hear

a.) how you found the interoperatbility between the phone and mac desktop
b.) how the phone works in terms of interoperability with a non mac desktop.

I personally have no interest in purchasing an iphone as it has nothing I like on it, itunes, O2 lock in etc etc, but as David said I am interested in new technology and how it progresses.

[DR]

a) Perfect - You can sync it up and it works fine
b) Same as above - Ironically I use Plaxo for contacts and Outlook on my PC's contact organisation gives the iPhone a better listing...

I sync my Music/Movies via my Mac and the rest via my Laptop - ironically this is only because I had a windows notebook when I picked it up.

[SammEl]

Got an iPhone the other week, really like it and some funky apps and features on it. Can waste a couple hours on it quite easily...