To I-Phone or Not To I-Phone- That is the Question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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For almost 3 years now, I have been carrying the ugliest accessory known to man. It's gray, boxy, and awkward- so un-GQ; it's probably been banned in Japan and scoffed at in Sweden. It's hideous, heavy, and doesn't 'slide' into anything without making its presence known.
Not even that, but if we just for a minute pretend looks don't matter, it doesn't even have substance beneath its steely glare. Though I say it's reliable, I am lying like a chick settling for a crack addict: The truth is it forgets shit; it shuts off mid-conversation; and often, mostly when I want to take most, it refuses to talk, blink or budge.
Our history of abuse is so raw- I don't even have insurance any more on the thing because I've surpassed the amount of 'free replacements' the company will send me. (Ok - it may have to do with my sado-mascochistic malevolence for anything technological- computers, i-pods, remote controls watch out).
But the alltime low- the real turning point is when I got this email from my good friend Paul:
"My blackberry should be arriving in the mail tomorrow. i feel so badly that i left you alone with your treo. i hope, one day, you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. if it makes you feel better i'll let you pound mine to death a pretty good hammer.
-Paul "
See in our group of friends, Paul and I were on the same team- partners in a self-effacing crime; we would scoff together at our stupidity for buying these peice of shit devices and then giggle with glee when we'd pick up one of the twins by mistake.
Now I am alone, my contract is up, and there's actually a warm, glowing beacon of hope in sight- in the sign of a cross-roads..............
So I ask you my trusty moggers, my friends, my sages of sound,
BLACKBERRY
Or
I POD.
A couple more facts to toy with:
1) The price is not really am issue any more- know that Apple came out with the cheaper model.
2) I need internet. fast and efficient. to talk to you :)
3)I like pretty things. I am left-brain. A creative type. A photographer. A woman of many words. I won't be doing calculus on the thing.
4)I am with verizon wireless so I'll have to change plans which could be a bitch.
What are you on?
Is the I-Phone as cool as Steve Jobs purports it to be?
Is it better to be a rebel of the times and be sleeker by going with the non-sleek (i.e. the functional, conservative, professional blackberry?)
What's a better toy?
Any guidance would be much much much appreciated :)
x
IP
Comments (39)
I just made the switch. The iPhone is not without problems, but overall I'm quite happy. Having a web browser that's usable with non-mobile webpages is pretty huge.
I haven't had even a CD player/mp3player for the last 18 years. Recently I've only used the computer/internet to catch up on what's happened in music lately, so.....my phone was like yours (cut off mid conversation etc.) and it turns out that the new iPhone came out a few weeks back. So I did take the dive and just got it last night. Now I actually have an Mp3 player (iPod) phone, etc.
It's only my second day so I'm still trying to find my way around it. But it is fast, and it seems I could do just about anything with it (except typr on MOG).
my friend has been trying to get her hands on one since July 11th and its been virtually impossible(unless you have all day to wait on line at the Apple store to buy THEN get it activated)
I'm holding out for the Blackberry touch in October!
I think the iphone has to be one of the coolest looking phones out there
fetish wise, gadget love wise, iPhone. The new blackberry's keys are tiny, and hard to type. I think the contract for iPhone sucks. You can only have the full Mac Daddy of a plan, which I think is $80-$100 a month. AT&T's wireless network blows compared to T-Mobiles. You can access Wi-Fi as well though. If you buy it to Jailbreak it, you'll get an extra $200 tacked onto your charge for not activating with AT&T in 30 days. Basically, their subsidizing the extra $200 the phone actually costs.
Personally, I get the free phones they offer (cause I'm really never gonna use the shitty camera in the phone for pics), and I would by an iPod touch, which has WiFi access and a lot more space for tunes and movies, and reuns all the great apps the iPhone does.
I have no opinion on the I-Berry debate actually. I just love The Stranger album and had to say it out loud.
I heard that the new iPhone is "cheaper" but you have to pay for all the extra apps, so in the end it ain't all that cheap.
Call me old-fashioned, but I want a phone to be a phone only. I don't want to take pictures with it. I want it to be small, have a long-lasting battery, etc, and I want a decent, cheap plan.
I've got a pocket pc and a flash drive on my keychain for everything else...internet and mobile music, etc.
I don't even own an iPod, so my opinion probably counts for nothing around here. :-)
Do you really need a blackberry or trio to get your work done? How many hours out of the day are you away from a computer or laptop connected to the internet? How hard is it for you to duck into a public library or coffee house that has free wifi if you absolutely have to gain access to the 'net while out?
What I'm getting at is you can save yourself some money and aggravation by getting a decent phone with your corrent provider and getting a wifi-enabled personal-assistant-type device that doesn't have a data plan along with it. It won't take up that much more space and you won't be dependent on one device to do everything for you.
I'm pretty anti-iAnything. I'm a gadget-head, and the iPod is a joke to me. I can't lie though, that damned phone looks pretty cool. Normally, I'd say go for the iWhatever killer that isn't selling itself because of name recognition alone (in this case, the Samsung Instinct), but I here it's a firmware upgrade away from being ready for prime time.
I just don't know. That iPhone is damned sexy. But I like to follow the "don't be a sheep" crowd.
Wait a minute...
Never mind.
I love my Verizon Juke. However, I am feeling the pull of both!!! What to do!!!
make the change immediately. go iPhone. don't think twice about it. you can get complaints from anyone about anything, but putting that aside you'll be the happiest on this 'turf. the advantages FAR outweigh the disadvantages.
Go iPhone.
I was a Treo user, and have tried the Blackberry. I find the iPhone 3G is far superior. It is way cool, has the best browser for mobile devices, and the app store is amazing.
Aside from the phone, iPod, visual voicemail, email, calendar, contacts, camera, maps, youtube player, and more that come built in. I've already downloaded the following apps from the app store FOR FREE: Pandora, iPint, Sports Tap, Tap Tap (game), Facebook, urban spoon, and of course "More Cowbell" ;-) There are many new handy apps appearing in the app store daily!
Only two downers for the iPhone:
1) it took awhile for me to get used to the on-screen keyboard.
2) It doesn't play flash, so you can only read mog posts, no red or yellow buttons (you can play youtube videos, though.)
Aside from those limitations, the iPhone is a great device that gets more useful every day.
iPod for sure - although I hear the really sexy model comes out _Next summer...
-V
I was look'n at the iphone yesterday, but couldn't justify it since it won't hold half my tunes and I just dropped 350 bones on the 160 ipod. I'd trust mac. I'll probably end up grabbing it if T-Mobile picks it up.
indiepixie:
Hi. If you want an iPhone, wait until Christmas. The prices will surely drop even more then and the remaining bugs should be worked out.
Are you over the jet leg from your trip yet?
Gritty--you can make pretty big playlists and carry a ton of tunes in either 8 or 16 gig versions. i carry movies as well, and you can change what you carry every time you sync.
other apps? google and box office are fast, aol radio, yelp and mobile news are good. NY Times is a slow "update", but when you do it in a WIFI zone, it stores all of the articles so you can read them on airplanes, in movie theaters and on subways, which i LOVE. there's myspace for those who need it, but the fact is i've got a bunch of good apps that i use and i only paid for SCRABBLE.
Cool choice of Artist Indie--I've been heavy into a Billy Joel piano phase as of late. As for your query:
If I could work my will,", "Every idiot who goes about tapping on their Blackberry or holding an I-Phone to their lips, should be boiled in their own inbox and buried with an MP3 playlist through their heart. :-)
With apologies to Mr. Dickens
thanks King Jeremy and Ted- digging me some Stranger these days as well :) always a charm.....................
geez guys- case in point- i was on a flight and could see all your responses via my phone- but couldn't reply because my damn phone won't let me log into mog. so sorry for the delayed response :)
reading your comments- i'd say I am leaning towards I-phone despite the expense. (on an i-phone you can check responses tho?)
John- I am almost over my jet lag. Just flew to Chicago for Lolla tho (which means I'll be posting some shots I hope (rooting for candids of kanye hehe.)
I can't believe there aren't more blackberry supporters?
Blackberrys are for hams???
what i meant was- can i respond to you on mog via the i-phone? or is that just a sweet dream? I'd love for mog to be that viral.....
iphone...that is, if you really want to stop covering for the crackhead boyfriend. i haven't even upgraded to the new G3 iphone yet and i still wouldn't buy any other phone out there. if you use a mac then this is even more of an absolute no brainer. you may have an initial issue with touch screen typing. it can take a little get used since you've typed on keys (albeit tiny ones) all your life. however, well worth the getting used to since it's either touch screen or flat surface typing from here on out for just about all phone designs. regarding bulletproofness: i have mine in a snap-in belkin clear case that covers the back and sides of the phone. no one i know drops their phone more than i do and my iphone has never flinched. if you need a bluetooth earpiece check out the jawbone2. it works seamlessly with the iphone and people can actually hear what you are saying in noisy places.
<borderline obsessive continued off topic commentary>
Indie - if you haven't already, check the 30th anniversary edition Stranger that came out July 8th. Comes with a live disc, and a DVD of the BBC promotional show "The Old Grey Whistle Test" from '78. Looks like good stuff. Soon as I get the cash I'ma pick it up. Maybe I could sell some iPhones on eBay...
</borderline obsessive continued off topic commentary>
um. yeah soundgirl. what chick this side of mog would venture anywhere without her mac? I am a Mac fiiiiend....
bluetooths scare me a bit tho. brain cancer and all :)
kidding
kinda. :)
I've had a Blackberry for a couple of years now, and I like it. But if you plan on doing any internet connectivity, it's slow as narcoleptic snails. If you just want to get email, make calls and text... you're good. And it'll be much cheaper (both the phone and the plan).
But I won't lie. I want an iPhone. And I would have one if not for the $200 I'd have to pay to get out of my contract plus the extra $30 a month for a comparable AT&T plan. Shhesh!
no way king jeremy. you mean to tell me i was thinking about billy joel, listening to billy joel and he HAPPENS to come out with the 30th anniversary edition of the album I've been relishing right now....? (ok a month ago)
don't you love fate?
:)
Stick with Verizon and get the Voyager (mine) or the new Dare (my GF). IPhone is cooler and a bit faster and nicer screen, but AT&T sucks for coverage...try phoning in a supermarket, for example. IPhone browser is a bit better, but both LGs are more than capable. If I had to pick just one now and not wait a few months, I'd grab the Dare. Cool phone...period.
no way really?
Yeah...I love her phone...coolest one out there right now IMO :-)
Bottom line for me: Until they up the GBs on the iPhone and end their deal w/ AT&T, I'm happy with 60 GBs of space for music.
I can't comment on Blackberry v. iPhone because A. I haven't tried both updated devices and B. the Blackberry was just pure evil (addictive) and I'm sure the iPhone is just the same. Look up not down while driving/biking/walking/talking...
I have an iPhone. It is a nice piece of equipment ,even more so the MKII.
I've had mine 8 months and been happy with it. the only shortfall being no way of sending or receiving MMS and no bluetooth connectivity to other phones. On the plus side , fantastic browsing capabilities and good e mail and it's an iPod albeit a small capacity one. If mine was lost or stolen I would replace it with no compunction whatsoever.(I have the MK I)
If you take photos with your phone, the iPhone is very poor. There are 5+ megapixel phones out there and Jobs really missed it by not having a proper camera in the phone. I use mine all the time (a Nokia) and a poor camera is the only thing keeping me back from the iPhone. If you always have a camera with you (which seems likely!), then go for it. way easier to use than the Blackberry, and that comes from friends in the industry who have used both. There's also the HTC clone, which is very cool and funky as well.
You don't have to stand in line at an Apple store to get an iPhone. Find the nearest AT&T store (you can do so from the Apple.com website). Then go to it, they will take your credit card and charge you the day yours ships, then call you when it arrives. Much easier. The current wait is about three weeks.
Can't speak to the Blackberry, but I love my iPhone. Note, however, that AT&T has a shitty cell network. Seems to be getting a bit better, but spotty coverage in some areas. Like my house.
I read a highly informative article over the weekend by Stephen Fry in the Guardian on the iPhone. On his advice I'm holding off till nxt summer's iPhone Three, 'cos (like Jonh) I'm put off by the poor camera... not an issue for you I'd say, since you prolly have lenses coming our your earholes. ;)
That article if you're interested:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jul/26/iphone.apple
but i can't wait any longer........................
ha!
If you're going to go iPhone, do so because it's the better solution for you, not because Apple figured out that most consumers would see a drop in the initial purchase price as "cheaper." You need to compare the ongoing monthly fees (multiplied by length of contract) if cost is of concern to you.
It's amazing how well "give away the razor, sell the blades" continues to work as a marketing scheme.
Technology is like politicians. They always sound good and advanced with worry free problem free promises, but in the end, they are all the same. Worthless, not quite what they proposed to be, and a pain in the ass that makes all of our lives more difficult.
-iPhone owner
i have a non-iPhone gadget that i adore, but it's really not for everyone. it IS however a conversation piece every time i pull it out. like those car commercials where strangers stare and then actually ask you about it. in my many conversations, i have heard one very strong theme:
do you really want a phone combined in the same gadget as all your other fun stuff? if so, get the best phone for your needs, whether that's an iPhone or something else.
if you prefer your phone to be a separate gadget, or just don't care either way, then you can do better than an iPhone for the gadget part and prolly for the phone part too.
i have a cheap ass cell phone with a sim card for all my talking, texting, whatevs. if i sit on it, lose it, or wear it out, it's fine. i get a new phone, pop my sim card in and go. (especially usefull when traveling abroad and picking up "handies") then i have the most badass gadget on the planet for video chat, internet, mogging, skype-ing, uploading pix from my digi-cam etc.
curious? well, i shouldn't really say what it is, as it's kind of a trade secret. if you are genuinely interested in a non-iPhone toy, email me. i'd love to chat with you about mobile journalism some time....
eh, why bother? give it another year or so and they'll have perfected the iphone and there'll be half a dozen knock offs flooding the marketplace. is it really so inconvenient to own both a cell and an mp3 player?
I have the original iPhone through T-Mobile. I'm saving hundreds of dollars a month avoiding AT&T's ridiculous bills.
Get the iPhone, it is SO incredibly worth it