iphone vs. smartphone
Submitted by springnet on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 9:37am.
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What's your preference? Iphone, Smart Phone, or just a plain and simple cell phone. I've been liking my iphone more and more with usage. And Apple newest software update turned it into a gps device that works off cell phone tower triangulation. If you want some cool podcasts about the iphone to to itunes store and search for icali and today in iphone. And Apple just came out with an upgraded iphone today.
Anyone get the iphone 3G?
I'm still using the same Motorola Star-Tac I've had since 2001. It still works fine and is even on the original battery.
That's amazing. For a tech device that's incredible longevity.
I think that's a rule: the older the device, the longer it lasts.
Matt
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My oldest tech device is a 12 v color tv that I had when I moved to the land back in the days when it no road, no electricity, no water. But I had a giant sized 12 volt battery and a color tv. Still works like a champ.
I had a black & white TV my parents bought when they were married. Still works perfectly. If you were to watch the TV Land channel on it, you couldn't tell the difference.
Matt
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iPhone
I never had anything other then the free one that the cell companies give to get you to sign-up before getting the iPhone, so I think it is awesome. It does what I need and has allowed me to not to have a laptop with me at all times.
I received the freebie Nokia when I signed up for service. Actually, I use T-Mobile To-Go service, which is a pay-as-you-go plan. I pay $100 for 1000 minutes to be used within a year's time. I don't use my cell phone that much, so this works out for me.
Also, I grabbed a Blackberry 7290 off Craigslist for $100, and got it unlocked (free), and I use that as my mobile phone. I don't use all the mobile capabilities / email stuff, but it has my calendar, address book, to-do's, and phone all in one. I'm happy.
Matt
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Does anyone here use evdo (Sprint) or 3G (AT&T)? The iphone uses 3G and it works pretty well for me. Any other iphone users here?
I'm happy with my iPhone. As I mentioned before I don;t have any experience with any smart-phones. The iphone has worked well for me and my needs. Used the map extensively this weekend while out of town and it worked very well. Wife was able to easily navigate for us.
We joked that even a paper map is interactive if you think about it, but the iphone with business look-up/search takes it to a new level...
I use Verizon specifically for the data speed (have a Q). We also have our car-fi hooked up with Verizon.
My husband loves, loves, loves his iPhone and wants me to switch. I just don't know if I can live without my kwerty keyboard buttons.
He claims I'll get used to the touch screen... seems like it would be very hard to adjust to for me.
Touch screen? Heck, my Star-Tac has like a 4 line monochrome LCD!
I got used to the onscreen keyboard in about 30 minutes. Haven't touched the Treo since. Haven't even looked at it since. Hell, I have no idea where the Treo is, and I don't know if I even still have the Treo.
And I don't really care. Well, not too much.
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Brad Knowles brad@shub-internet.org
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bradknowles
The iPhone does not use 3g - it uses the slower EDGE network.
Yep. I've been holding off on getting an iPhone until the 3G version is released, though I'm usually within range of a WiFi hotspot.
-- eof
Legal hotspots ;) ? Legal ones aren't so common, and even less are legal ones that don't have some rather complicated (on an iPhone) registration or signup process.
Unless of course you just happen to go to a small number of places that all happen to have legal/free WiFi with easy or no signon. But pretty rate in my experience.
Austin's got remarkably good public WiFi coverage. Quite a few restaraunts, most public libraries, the usual chains like Starbucks, etc. A bit annoying that Bergstrom's not free, but you can't have it all. And of course home and work. Not a bad deal, really.
-- eof
The iPhone does not do 3G. It does EDGE/GPRS -- most definitely 2G.
The 3G version of the iPhone will presumably come after the iPhone 2.0 software update in June that will bring access to the iPhone Wifi Software Store, and all the third-party officially blessed applications, Enterprise integration, etc....
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Brad Knowles brad@shub-internet.org
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bradknowles
Star-Tac's have a touch screen. It just may not respond though.
Mine is so old that touching the screen only smudges it...
I heard you can also use two fingers for multismudge.
Matt
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Yes, that works just as well as a single finger...
The iphone only targets a certain demographic. I received one as a gift and ended up not having a use for it.
Since the majority of my day is on emails, the key board does not handle the same as a blackberry or treo (my favorite phone).
No, the iPhone is not a Crackberry. It's better. Well, for me anyway.
The thing that a Crackberry really does for you is integrate with Microsoft Exchange and give you what they call "push e-mail".
The iPhone won't do that until the version 2.0 software ships in January, along with the rest of the officially blessed 3rd-party applications, the Wifi Software Store, etc....
As for the keyboard, you just have to learn to trust it -- and the spellcheck. And watch the keys as they pop up. Just remember slide-and-release.
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Brad Knowles brad@shub-internet.org
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bradknowles
So you're saying you wish to donate the useless iPhone to me???
Matt
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:) If I still had it!! I didn't say it was a useless phone, but what I needed it for, I had more options.
Hey, I had to ask! :)
Matt
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No worries!!
I had a Treo, but really needed a better "phone" and the Treo was like a brick after a while. I got the Moto Q (a Windows Mobile Smartphone) last year when it came out at Sprint and, other than a few bumps and a few problems, loved it. I just got the new Q9c about two weeks ago and love it even more.
IMO, the iPhone is really great for media - web and music - but actual business productivity kind of takes a back seat. And I am not just talking about the keyboard - connection to Exchange or Blackberry service is essential. I might have tried to live with the on screen keyboard of the iPhone *IF* it had 3g support and Exchange support. I do love the look/feel of the phone.
If you really need to be "connected" to your email, contacts, calendar and tasks, nothing beats a Windows Mobile device with Exchange service. It even beats Blackberry IMO, because it still "pushes" email to you and it is much cheaper than BB service. I have all my mail, contacts, tasks and calendar events synced at all times between my phone, PC and Exchange Host. The iPhone can't do that - at least yet.
Also - I am on Sprint and use the EVDO network with my Q9c - it works pretty well and when used as a modem for my laptop is almost as fast as wireless G if I am in network range.
Just wait until June. Full Enterprise integration with Microsoft Exchange will be there. And what they claim is "push e-mail".
I figure that's probably about when the 3G iPhone will also come out.
No EV-DO, no Sprint or Verizon. Probably not T-Mobile, especially since they don't have a 3G network yet.
But I do predict it will eat RIM alive. And since WindowsMobile is really just a plan by Microsoft to get other companies to waste billions upon billions of dollars trying to all get into the same market at the same time with the same features on the same software and then somehow differentiate themselves, well WindowsMobile is going to look a lot worse than they do already.
Since all WindowsMobile vendors have no incentive to ever upgrade their hardware or software and they always want to sell you new hardware instead, well ... there's one easy way to get off that upgrade-or-die treadmill (or "gravy train", as the vendors call it).
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Brad Knowles brad@shub-internet.org
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bradknowles
Brad - Apple will not eat RIM alive. They will continue to eat into market share of RIM and WM, but the iPhone is still just another locked down device on only one network. Every iPhone lover seems to think that with Exchange support and 3g, the iPhone is going to take over the world. Why haven't their PC's done so? Don't get me wrong, they make wonderful devices, but they are still just one choice of many for consumers. And there are large companies that are just NOW getting to Windows XP upgrades! When do you think they will even add the iPhone to their approved device list??
BTW - And Apple is not an upgrade "gravy train" company? Granted they are better at upgrading the software, but you are stuck with the hardware. Think they are going to give you anything for your current phone when the 3G model is introduced?
I hear Exchange is either available now for the iphone or coming soon. I use something called "plaxo" which synchs with my Mac and thus my iphone. I use evdo also on my laptop.
I don't use Exchange either, so integration with that wouldn't be a big selling point for me. Really for that matter, I don't really have big enough needs for being remotely connected all the time to justify the cost of something like EVDO service.
What I was trying to point out is that the iPhone is a great device for the purpose it was developed for. And since it was developed for web viewing, being a 3g device would make it more useful to some - I would assume.
BTW - As a long time Sprint customer that is not afraid to ask, I get EVDO for free. And EVDO has nothing to do with connecting to email, it is just a data speed thing - sort of like comparing dial-up to dsl.
I kinda doubt Verizon would give me EVDO service for free, unfortunately. EVDO is just the transport layer, the connectivity rides on top of that. I've heard from a number of people that the iPhone would be better if the connection was faster, on the other hand, as I understand it battery life would be cut significantly. Still Apple and AT&T should probably give customers the option. But choice isn't always one of Apple's strong points.
Wait, free???
How do you get it for free? I'm a Sprint user and want to know how to get this for free? What's your secret?
I have a family plan with 3 lines of service and I have free EVDO on my line, unlimited text messaging on all 3 lines and N&W starting at 6:00 instead of 7:00 for free. I also have two 10% discounts - one because I am a member of a credit union and the other is for customer loyalty. But I still spend over $100/mo with them. I just emailed eCare (when you sign in to your account online > Contact Us > email eCare) and ask - I got each one at a time, but it will typically take agreeing to a new 2yr agreement. If you are close to the end of your existing contract, just hang on until them because then you have room to negotiate even more! I was only eligible for the one year $75 upgrade refund but with a few emails - and rightfully complaining about the quality of my old phone - I was able to get $225 additional credit on a new Q9c.
Great! I just dialed *2 and got Sprint on the line and read them your post verbatim. I'm talking to the guy right now. He went to talk to his supervisor...
OK I'm still on the line and he's saying he's going to give me a better deal than you.... but he hasn't closed it yet. Is this too good to be true?
good for you - just make sure you get everything in writing after the call. AND check your bill for the next few months!
Now they say they want to talk to you before they can give me this deal Scott!
And the guy started out so positive. Still on the phone after all this time.
i switch from t-mo to sprint bc of the internet speeds with sprint. i have unlimited EVDO Rev 3 -- i tether/bluetooth it to my laptop and it's seriously fast - near DSL
i have a pretty sick plan with sprint too: http://delivery.sprint.com/m/p/sprint/epc/epclanding.asp
an email you can put in there is savings@sprintemi.com
I got the HTC Mogul for 200bucks
btw, just mention you are looking to leave sprint because of the iphone. spring is loosing customers like crazy so the folks are supposed to offer you a great deal if you mention that you are really liking the iPhone.
:)
They won't give it to me unless I can prove that Scott got this deal :-(
They won't give it to me unless I can prove that Scott got this deal :-(
Sorry man - can't help you out on that one - as per above, start talking cancel, ATT & iPhone to them!
I've said all those magic words and I'm on my 4th rep now. I keep getting cut off in the middle of a call. Not going to give up though.
All the phone companies suck at these games and billing + contracts in general. Sometimes Prepaid comes out better, but Internet options are pretty limited.
BTW, I think the iPhone is really going to take off for custom programs. I've been a Windows Mobile user now for 5 years and hard to ignore the activity.
BarCamp here in Austin yesterday had a lot of iPhone dev interest.
I have an old Blackberry 7290 which I bought off craiglist a couple years ago. Unlocked it, and use it on prepaid T-Mobile (aka T-Mobile To-Go). The pretty silver plate once glued-on has since peeled off, and now the holster has cracked. Phone still works, but I have been mulling upgrading to something else.
The T-Mobile prepaid deal works out pretty well for me. $100 for 1000 minutes used within a year. I am not on the phone all the time, so I refill a few times a year. I only use the SMS feature for texting - no email and other novelty features with To-Go.
That said, I wouldn't mind a newer PIM/phone that is thinner to fit in my pocket (i.e. no holster). The Blackberry UI is fine with me, and it syncs with Outlook. Saw the Blackberry Pearl 8130 over the weekend, and it's pretty nice. Camera, speaker phone, bluetooth, and GPS (which I probably won't use). Relatively small/thin too, comapared to the 7290 I have now.
Then I considered the iPhone...which I'd have to unlock, or use AT&T to get benefit from. And then there's the presumed Google Phone, which I know even less about.
I have too much on my mind to be mobile phone savvy, so I'm open to suggestions. A GSM phone with wifi capability would be great (maybe even Skype support?), but it's going to cost $$ I'm sure. iPhone doesn't seem usable for me since it's locked down to AT&T plans.
Background: I've used Windows Mobile phones since the very first one came out the Hitachi G1000. talking 2003 here. I mostly got it as it had a large screen and I could do c#/.net development on it. I have a more modern Audiovox now with WM6 on it (PPC-6700 with hacked firmware). I'll also say that I traveled extensive and internet was very important to me - and that Sprint or Verizon has far far better internet service than the GSM carriers.
Today: The iPhone web browser is just great! It is extremely powerful and the touch interface works extremely well. Big screen is really what web surfing is all about.
I'm doing some development work so I also have a Nokia N95 on order and will work with both that and a cracked iPhone.
Comments: 1) Cracked/unlocked iPhones can be relocked. 2) iPhones have good resale if you sell them when the new models come out. Strategy: Get a refurbished now for $299 and sell it for $210 in 5 months (or keep it if not impressed with the newer model)
I'm using my unlocked iPhone on a AT&T GoPhone contract, works fine. I mostly use for data and not much voice, so comes out cheaper for me and no contract (I will trade up with the new iPhone comes out this year).
There are a lot of useful programs/apps for the unlocked iPhone... usable right away. But the browser really is great and practical. Go look at Google images and search iPhone for some idea of the high level of activity here. Despire the requirement to hack, the iPhone development is taking off a lot quicker than the more open Windows Mobile was (where Microsoft lets you develop anything you want on those phones, no restrictions).
Your t-mobile sim and internet can be made to work on the iPhone. There are instructions on the net on how to do it.
I have both right now and I prefer the iPhone over the Tmobile MDA that runs Microsoft Mobile. Granted my Smartphone is a bit older by now. The smartphone is still my preferred texting phone for the slide out keypad, however. In conclusion, trust Apple.
*Not necessarily sent from my iPhone
Thanks. I'm leaning towards iPhone. I don't trust any company, but I do believe Apple makes more stable and generally useful products that are ahead of the curve.
* Not sent from an iPhone [yet].
During sxsw the iphone was invaluable for getting twitter updates. I used a little web app called Hahlo which got me to all the best parties, impromptu hookups and hooked me up with some great interviews for http://austincast.com/blog
The stars of the show, in the cell phone and cell phone app depts, were the Nokia N95 and "qik" . . . in my video interviews see iJustine and Cali Lewis doing cartwheels about qik. And Robert Scoble seems to be on qik 24/7.
Apple and AT&T bite; is Virgin any good?
With Apple, I've had more bad experiences than good, so I tend to describe its products as "shiny junk" and recommend buying them only with extended warranties.
I've been using my unlocked Nokia 6230b (which I find less satisfying than my last Nokia) with prepaid T-Mobile service. At about $0.10/minute, I use $50-100/month, so I would consider getting a contract starting at $40-60/month. I prefer CDMA to GSM (which interferes with my other stuff, violating FCC Part 15 rules) and want to avoid AT&T and companies that require arbitration (e.g. Leap, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon).
Virgin Mobile (using the Sprint network) looks attractive; anyone use it?
Android by Google, though it is not out yet, has piqued my interest. Google seems to hit a home run with so many of their products, and I can see Android succeeding too. That being said, and I can't recall the details, I read an article a few weeks ago that indicated there was trouble in Android-land.
I ended up going with the Blackberry Pearl. Craigslist - relatively cheap, compared with the iPhone. I really want to see a skype-enabled phone that uses wifi. Seems to be quite difficult to find (probably because cell providers probably aren't necessarily nuts about making skype-out calls from mobile phones).
I'm using the Mogul currently... Sprint EVDO RevA, WiFi, GPS, and 512mb Micro SD. all included, plus the 99 everything plan. The only thing missing from this phone is a pair of glasses and the cheerleaders screaming PC's number 2. The only gripe I have about this phone is that it runs VM6.
Sounds like a sweet phone. I haven't heard of the Mogul, but I also don't keep up with phones (they change too much too often). So your phone didn't come with the cheerleaders? They were included with my Blackberry.
:P