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Aliki now has and iPhone which means that I have upgraded to a shiny new 3GS (16gig). As with any new gadget I was excited by the prospect of a new toy to play with and swift backed up the old 3G and restored everything to the new 3GS (try doing that to your non iphone smart phone!). Now everything is on the new phone and working perfectly.
Visually the only difference is the silver "iPhone" on the back and the little 16GB below that otherwise identical to look at althougth 3GS is just slightly thicker. On board since the OS is the same there are only a few minor tweaks, a compass (which currently seems to think that shows that North is NW even outside - still trying to encourage it to recalibrate), video camera with very basic crop editing, and perhaps the most useful for me a percentage battery reading (once you turn on this ability).
I guess I was expecting something a bit more standout, even the faster processor is hard to notice most of the time! Yes it is definetly quicker and smoother but then I didn't have any major complaints with the previous one. When looking at the way that Apple updates things it does make sense, most things are refined each release rather than being completely and obviously latest model. This is perhaps why there is an increase perception of value as the new model does not instantly make the previous one last year's fashion. Maybe I have become so used to the notion that "new" always means "radically changed" on could it be that I am getting old?
I could hardly be accused of being an Apple fan boy, yet there are definetly some things that they have done that have been so well executed that other businesses could learn a little - the number one would be the "App Store"! For me this is the "killer application" whether I need to find a tool to solve a problem, organise remote access or find a suitable game to help my kids last a 1000 km drive they are all there and able to no only be purchased but downloaded and installed usually within a few minutes - absolutely awesome. I spent weeks searching for apps for my Imate Jas Jam (Windows Mobile) and they cost way more and typically had to be downloaded to the PC then uploaded to the phone not to mention that each at to be individually purchased from largely unknown vendors.
Just so that we are clear there are definitely some things that need improvement IMHO. Chief among them, the contact/calendar need to allow other apps to hook in eg Pocket Informant - this fantastic WM app is crippled on the iPhone! I would also love to see bluetooth sync.
The keyboard is although worth mentioning as the Imate JasJam had a slide out physical keyboard I wondered whether I would survive with just a touch screen. Well after months of use email and SMS I am completely converted and prefer the iPhone keyboard as I find it quicker to use now that we have spent time getting acquainted! I lost track of the number of instances when I woudl inadvertently press the email send key mid reply... it has never happened on either iPhone. Which brings us to another point of difference the capacative touch screen. Mostly it is vastly superior to the resistive variety of touch screen, mostly... there are times when I long for the ability to use something more precise than my blunt finger tip, especially when drawing/writing. I have also noticed that if my fingers are particularly dry, as often happens during outback winter, there may be no response at all - no until you moisten your finger tip! Overall though you really can use an iPhone with just your finger - no longer to I have to jab at an unresponsive WM screen hoping that I have pressed in the right spot,or carefully select a minute on screen option with my fingernail!
Would I recommend and iPhone to others? Absolutely it is by far the best phone I have ever owned! |
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