iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Great pics Michael!!

I'm so very jealous...

hopefully we'll see pics from Ron soon after he gets the email situation under control.

Please post more throughout the process..

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Everything's done via iTunes (including number transfer if you're swithcing carriers) - you don't have to call anybody.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Michael is doing is a great job with the pictures.

I'll await more from him or anyone else.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

The activation through iTunes was a breeze--it even switched my number in less than 30 minutes, although voice mail did not work initially. I think you may have to set it up by selecting a greeting or recording one first.

I've had a full day now with the iPhone in hand. I got out of the house a couple of times to run some errands, so I brought along the phone and the earbuds (which now have a microphone built in the right white cable--very cool).

Reception has been great--Verizon Wireless could never pick up consistently at my house, it now picks up loud and clear. It really detects hot spots very well--as I was driving past a newer neighborhood, I happened to switch the phone on and it immediately popped up a selection box for wifi from the houses that, frankly, were not --that-- nearby. Edge network access has been fine, not as zippy as the wifi in the home, but the fact that it even works opens up a whole new set of possibilities.

Speech sound quality through the phone and the earbuds is good. The speakerphone is indeed a little weak, especially in the car, but the earbuds make up for that, and I'll bet the bluetooth headset works just fine.

The user interface is simple, and amazing. I've gotten the touch thing down, even one-handed while driving. Taps and slides--it's brilliant. I am still working on the typing skills--a tutorial might be nice--and it seems that the auto-completion does not always work, like in text boxes here at HTF.

Email has not been a problem, but I have not gotten to work yet. I think they block the traffic, so I may have to go entirely Edge, which should not be a problem out in my area.

As an iPod, it rocks. Sound is just as good as its predecessors; video is obviously better. Right now I am cleaning up iTunes, and contacts a bit. I am going to bring the mini charger to work--might have to see if anything syncs on the work laptop--I would have to install iTunes and IT won't like that, but what they don't know...

So a big thumbs up--er--sweeping move across the screen!

- Steve

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Steve,

Great to hear. It's interesting that this device didn't come with
instructions other than a "finger tips" pamphlet that gives quick
tips.

The phone is so intuitive you need no instructions.

The phone is absolutely brilliant! My only issues are with the
email, and I am confident that Apple will offer a fix in the next
few weeks.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

I have found that the theory on "trusting" the keyboard is in fact accurate. At first i was ding a lot of backspacing but now i just keep on typing at the thing really does seem to figure out what i meant. The only times i have an issue seems to be with proper names and such. It fixes my many mistakes way better than i could have imagined.. so my advice is to just keep typing away and "trust" it... I Love thing thing!! There are a few issues that im sure a simple software fix will handle though...

1. Lack of bulk deleting email
2. Lack of being able to save attached images
3. no direct MMS but you can simply email to the carriers pix server
4. couple other things.. cant recall

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Oh man, this is the easiest telephone I've ever used.

Sunday morning means maintenance windows at work, and we are shutting down databases and servers to apply patches.

We had not heard from the DBA, so I called him on the iPhone. I left a voice mail. I called the system administrator, and was talking with him when another call beeped in. The screen was black, but the movement of the phone caused it to light up. It was the DBA, it said so on the screen. I could either ignore the call or place the current call on hold and answer the new call. I did that. Then after chatting with the DBA for a bit, I had an option to merge calls--I did that and had an instant conference call.

Guys--I do this for a living. I am constantly having conference calls. This is the most intuitive interface I have ever used. Telephony terminals and softphone software pale in comparison.

- Steve

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

It's great hearing this positive comments about the iPhone. While I doubt I'll get an iPhone in the next two years (if ever), it looks like such a well thought out product and I'm fascinated by the evoluation of this sort of technology and UI.

I look forward to more pics and comments.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

I've worn my wife down. She's finally agreed to let me get one just so I'll shut up. Of course, she wants me to add her to my AT&T account, which means canceling her Verizon account. I'm sure they'll hit me with a hefty early termination fee.

I'm ordering from the Apple Store so it may be a few weeks before I get it. Can't wait!

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Todd,

WAY TO GO!!!! You will not be disappointed.

While I was standing on line with other Mac users, there seemed
to be a sense of agreement as to why so many of us were buying
this product blindly...

Apple has yet to disappoint its consumers. Everything Steve Jobs
has put out in the market these past few years has been quality
hardware. Never have I seen so much integrity and quality from
a single company. If we have become Mac disciples it is because
of faith that is constantly rewarded time and time again.

In January I went from being a PC owner of 20 years to that of
a Mac Pro desktop. A month later I bought an iPod. A month later
I bought a Macbook Pro. Soon after, an iPhone. The design and
quality that goes into Apple products is so consistent that I had no
doubt that the iPhone would not disappoint.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Ron, welcome to Jobs' Reality Distortion Field. Isn't it great?

I bought my first iMac over a year ago. Steve just keeps pulling me in with these wonderful products. I think if he released an iToilet I'd probably buy one.

Just pulled the trigger on the 8 GB version and it should be shipped in a few weeks. It's going to be a long wait.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

you guys are making this Canadian a little moist, actually...

Ron... I'm sure it's an evil corporate plan to take all of your (and the rest of our) money! look at the dent in your wallet since January!

wow - I can't wait until Apple and Rogers get their act together here in the north. I want this thing.

bad.

Hopefully by then, this thing will have 3G.

also... I can't believe some of the discussions I'm reading about people loving their CDMA carriers in the states... that just seems so absolutely backwards from Canada and rest of the world thinking that.... I just don't know what to say. CDMA is a dead format. They've taken it as far as it can possibly go. come see the light of what GSM can offer you with 3G networks!

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

It has a proximity sensor, so when you put it to your ear it shuts off the screen, and when you pull it away it lights back up.

I got my iphone Friday evening, and went through the itunes signup process, but I was among some other folks whose process would take longer. I was switching from Tmobile.

The phone got activated Saturday afternoon, and at that point I could make but not receive calls.

The Tmobile number got ported as of Sunday morning. So, I'm fully operational now.

I'm very impressed with it. The keyboard takes some adjustment. Mainly, like Mac OSX generally, you have to accept that it works with you, not against you. Remember, Jobs lived in a monastary for a year. It's a Zen thing. It is NOT the touchscreen you've seen on other phones (Treos, etc.), photocopiers, kiosks, etc. This is much, much better.

The screen is awesome - sharp and bright. Size and weight are perfect.

The GUI is silky smooth.

Works great with WiFi. Use Edge only in a pinch. Definitely seek out hotspots. Once you connect to a hotspot, it remembers it and automatically connects.

If you can afford it, I highly recommend it.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

I got my 8GB iPhone on Friday night. Got off work at 8pm, drove to the newest Apple Store in San Diego County (the Chula Vista one, that many people don't even know is there yet), walked in the door past dozens of folks playing with the demo iPhones, got in the "line" to buy one (there was nobody else in line), got immediately directed to the check-out counter, paid, and walked out of the store with my new iPhone and a Griffin Elan Leather Holster Case (great case!). Total time waiting in line: 0 minutes Total time in store: 5 minutes

At home, it took about 2 hours for my iPhone to get activated. I was porting a number from Verizon so THAT took even longer. About 25 hours or so. When I woke up this morning, it had finally been ported to my AT&T account.

This new toy is amazing! I feel like I've been teleported to the 23rd century and this is some new secret agent device. I was showing it off at work on Saturday and everbody wanted to hold it and touch it. Tough! They can get their own!

To add to the fun, I used a computer-generated voice on my Mac to record my voicemail greeting. This is the text I used:

"Hello! This is Mark's iPhone! I'm sorry, Mark is not available to take your call. Please leave a message. I'll have Mark call you back as soon as possible. Thanks for calling!"

A bit pretentious but I can't help "bragging" that I've got an iPhone!

Mark

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

From iLounge:

http://flickr.com/photos/ipodlounger/show/

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

TidBits for current owners -
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...se_source.html

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Sorry I didn't get any more photos posted fellas. I got too excited I guess and wanted to play w/ the iPhone as much as I can. I don't think I even took anymore photos other than those that were posted earlier.

Using the phone today has been a breeze. Having a small issue with pairing/connecting it to my vehicles BT stereo (for hands free use) and I am investigating that now.

Great device!

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

I had to remember how to make my old Motorola BT headset discoverable, once I did, it was easy to pair.

I have my eye on the new Apple bluetooth headset, mostly because it charges on its own custom iPhone/headset dock. That makes it very handy--and one less power adapter to wrangle.

I know, I know, paying a premium for simplicity, but that's the way it is! Heck, with iPhone, it is a way of life!

- Steve

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

So, how do y'all deal without voice dialing on your iPhone? And more specifically, how do you dial while driving?

This is the one missing feature I find most surprising in the iPhone: for a $600 phone to lack what even a basic $100 phone has; for such a sophisticated phone to lack a key mobility feature; and even irresponsible (as my wife noted) given the increasing regulations for hands-free calling while driving.

Does the iPhone have features that compensate for this weakness?

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

One review said you had to go through around 6 steps just to dial a number, I guess there's no speed dialing available?

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

All good things to those who wait...

Since the unit is built on Mac OS X, it stands to reason that core technologies like Speech Recognition are only a matter of time... only better.

- Steve

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

I still have mine

CJ

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Fellow iPhone users: What are you doing w/ your old cell phone?

I have a Samsung Blackjack...but I really can't figure out it's value (just by checking ebay)...as it seems scammers are all over the board bidding on these type of items.

Anyone have any suggestions for me?

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

There is. You can place your favorite contacts in a folder
for quick access. Not as simplistic as hitting a number on
the front of the phone, mind you, but certainly just as easy.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

This is the first cell phone I've ever owned. I did have one back in the late 90's that was given to me by my employer when I was on call, but after quitting that job I swore I'd never have another one.

My wife has had one for years. The only problem is I end up having to set it up for her, as well as show her how to use some of its features.

It took Apple and the iPhone to convince me to buy one.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

The boards at apple are screaming with demands to fix all of the problems discussed here and more.
Look for an update soon to fix at least a few.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Just some links of interest

Half of Apple's iPhone Price Expected to be Pure Profit

Good reviews by PC Magazine
iPhone Stress Tests

49 Things About the iPhone

The iPhone: Lots to Love, but Flaws Too

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Just got the e-mail from the Apple store telling me my 8GB iPhone will ship by July 13. The wait is going to kill me.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

Todd,

Perhaps there is something I missed....

Why not go to the store and get one. I hear there are still
plenty in stock.

You can still cancel your order from Apple. Hard to believe they
are taking 2 weeks to ship it out.

Re: iPhone - so...what's the deal?

The nearest store is about an hour away. With my wife about to give birth anytime in the next few weeks, we're sticking close to home and not doing a lot of traveling. Plus, this gives me time to get my contacts, media, etc. ready for syncing when it arrives.