Well I purchased a new 16GB iPhone from Ebay last week after deciding that I did not need the extra features the new iPhone 3G offered. I thought I would do a quick write up on what my thoughts are after my first week of use in 'My World'.
A Little Bit of Background info...
I have been a Palm user for the last 4 years, owning 2 Palm Treo's (600 & 650) but only using them for phone, MP3, Calander & contacts. I messed around with the Email side of things on my 650 but could not be bothered in setting it up correctly. My Palm Treo 650 started experiencing problems a few weeks back so I thought I would look into the iPhone after reading so much about it on this community and well taking a real liking to Apple products since my 'Crossing Over' late last year. My work pays for my mobile phone bill including now a data allowance with Telstra. I am hoping that I will be able to upgrade the Telstra plan now that they also have the iPhone 3G.
The day it arrived, well almost anyway
I ordered my iPhone late on a Thursday night after watching it for a few days, it was sitting at $535.00 for 2 of those days and I said to my wife, I will put a maximum bid in for $600.00 and I later won the Auction with a sneaky 1 cent bid. My first thought was 'Crap' what have I done, what if the new models are $399.00 for the 16GB outright, then I thought not a chance it will never sell for that amount, look at the 16GB touch it sells for $499.00 so I am safe. After reading all the plan information / speculation of late I am still very happy with the way I have chosen to go. The seller advised that the iPhone was sent on friday by registered post, so from my calculation that would mean i would have it Monday. Monday came... and went, no iPhone. My wife said I was like a bear with a sore head all night. Got to work the next morning went into a meeting at 8am and came back to my office later to this big postpak sitting on my desk, with yesterdays date on it. Turned out it was sitting at the post office in our mail box all day Monday, I put the PO box on the PayPal order details not our street address. I checked everything except the post office but as I will someday learn, patience really is a virtue.
Why I bought the non 3G model
I decided to go for the non 3G model mainly for price, I would not really use the 3G data side of things. I have wireless at work, home and access to others for places that I frequent. I also liked the look of the 1st version, metal back. But mainly price was the real cruncher, I convinced myself that the new 3G model would be $399.00 plus almost $1200.00 for a locked contract that I would not use, I have a company phone number fully paid for, I can put that sim in what ever phone I like as long as it works. I did not want a 24 month contract and I did not want to be locked into 1 phone for 2 years. If Apple bring out another iPhone next year or a 32GB model I want to have the option to upgrade (my wife would most likely kill me but hey, I like toys).
Turning it on for the 1st time
When I got the package I had to open it but I told myself that i would not turn it on, and I didnt. I looked at it all day sitting at the end of my desk trying to work out how the Manager of a store could fake a sickie to his staff and go home, I also asked for advise from MacTalk, I had some great replys (thanks guys
) but I stuck it out, would had to have been the longest day in history. Finally locked the door at 5:00.01pm jumped in the car to pick up my wife and I hear the 'do you want to go out for Sushi' man I think I gave myself indigestion from eating that so quick at Sunnybank and off we went home. I pulled it out of the box, grabbed a trusty paper clip and then worked out before I change sims I need to transfer all of my contacts from my palm to Address book. 1 hour and 15 minutes later I was again ready to go, I pulled that sim card out and put it in the iPhone. Watching the Apple logo on the screen for a few minutes was great until the fear set in, did I buy a brick, is it really unlocked and jailbroken, have I been scammed? It finally turned on. The screen was so bright, the touch screen responded when I touched it and I thought why didn't I do this sooner, so long Palm!
What I like about the iPhone
My main reason for buying the iPhone was to replace my ailing Palm Treo but to also free up my pockets as I usually carried my iPod Classic 80Gb as well as my Phone. This way i could have the both in one unit. My iPhone is a great phone but an even better iPod, the only thing I miss is having 80Gb of space to play with but this I can work around.
I have never had something so easy to set up, I connected it to my iMac, changed the name from iPhone 16gb to my name and iTunes took care of the rest. My entire music libary, some selected photo albums, my Podcasts (Leo Laporte and MacTalk) and movies synced to my iPhone. It also set up .Mac for my email and synced my contacts in address book. The whole process took about 30 minutes and about 3 moves of a mouse and 2 clicks on the button, could not have been easier. The only thing I had to setup was my wireless networks and the ringtone I wanted.
Having never used an iPhone or iPod Touch for that matter i had no Idea what I was doing, I printed out a manual on the iPhone with the best intentions to read it, I didn't. Sort of glad I did not either, it would have been a waste of time. The thing was so easy to set up.
I love google maps, photo album and cover flow and basically anything that allows you to flick, pinch or turn the iPhone, it just amazes me and has not stopped amusing me since it arrived.
I also will mention this in 'What i don't like' but the ability to wake up in the morning and quickly check your personal email or have a quick look at MacTalk whilst your having your morning coffee is fantastic.
I can still use my iPhone to be my media player on my Plasma TV, the same as my iPod Classic. I just put it into the dock in the lounge Room and press play. I have not used a DVD or CD for months this way.
There are many more things I like / love about the iPhone but that is for another day, this post is proberly long enough and boring enough already...
What I don't like - in point form
Not much really but there is one or 2 things I miss from my Treo but I will learn to live with very quickly.
No SD Card Slot, not a biggie really but I did use this often for transferring files from work to home, I will just have to remember to bring one into work and leave it there.
The Jailbroken, unsupported issue, this a big worry point for me but I knew the risks of what I was doing and if it does break down I wont be happy but I won;t be a whinging little so and so after Apple for warranty.
Making Ringtones, I know Apple has the Ringtone maker in iTunes US but its not here yet, I like the ability to swap and change ringtones. All I can say is thanks Apple for Garage Band.
Cannot use a FM modulator from the iPod dock connector to the Radio in your car, only via the head phone jack. This cost me $19.00 for a cable from belkin to plug into the recessed jack. DSE Powerhouse and JB HiFi Mt Gravatt have heaps of iPhone accessories also.
Trying to keep it clean, need I say more...
These 2 points will wear off soon I hope. 1. constantly playing with it, the thing is so damn nice and cool I am always playing with it, at work, at home its always out and I am playing with it (yes the iPhone!
) And 2. Checking my email and surfing the net in bed, I have an iMac and a macbook but yet I still have to do it on the iPhone.
Thats about It, My overall thoughts
i have to say it again, I love it. Apple have done a great job with the iPhone. It is so easy to use yet so powerful and quick. The fact that I have my iPod and phone in my pocket is great. The Touchscreen works so well and it has all of my personal emails, holiday plans for our trip to Europe and Thailand and the fact that it has the internet and google maps in a neat little package by Apple.
I give this a big 10 out 10. Great job Apple. Also a big thanks to the MacTalk community in general, it was great reading about everyones iPhones and what they do and how they do it with them that also helped me decide, plus the fact that there is this massive Aus Apple community willing to help should I or anyone else for that matter need it. Thanks.
I am sorry that this post is so long and I most likely bored you but I just wanted to share my first thoughts of my week with my new iPhone. Thanks again
