OS 3.0 install, and more observations – RIM has to hurry up..
I intentionally got this 3G before 3.0 came out, so I could see how well Apple was addressing a year’s worth of needed improvements to the phone. I installed it on Weds and have noticed some changes on the device, though it won’t live up to the many, many months of hype.
Install was a breeze – Apple has that aspect very well covered. I plugged the phone into my PC, Itunes loaded and did its thing. Blackberry OS installs are nowhere near this easy.
Improvements for me, a Blackberry user.. you can now set the “home button” to perform one of a limited number of canned actions on double click – luckily, Camera is one of these actions. Thats really nice. Still tough, though. I find the camera VERY shakey – maybe due to the weight of the phone? No real noticeable improvements to the camera with 3.0, which is a shame.
Push has some potential to resolve some of my biggest gripes – that being the “disconnect”. Ages old Blackberries have the ability to let you know if you have IM messages and other notifications. Iphone, “to save battery”, is severely crippled in this aspect. When it goes to sleep, the only way to get notified of a message is via Push or a native app. Since there is no native IM app.. things like Gtalk cannot stay connected while the phone is sleeping. To send an IM, you have to wake up the device, log back into IM, and then go. Beejive is supposed to be releasing a new client soon, with Push notifications for your IMs. That’s a good thing – but you have to PAY for it. Grr.
Typing – its a bit easier on the landscape keyboard, but that’s still only available in certain applications. And when it is – you have very little screen left to view the application itself. It is still futile to try typing without looking though.
Getting really tired of typing my Itunes password for every download or app upgrade.
Search – best part is that searches MP3s.. making songs easy to find. Not that I use it as my Ipod very much. I do like the Ipod interface though – the scrolling beats the crap out of the scroll wheel.
I’ll say this again.. the technology in the device is fantastic. Its really a shame to see just how backwards RIM’s devices are – RIM is really relying on their basic functionality to get users, but I can see why so many people are buying iPhones too. The iPhone can, and does, SO much more than the Blackberry.. however, as a toy, as an internet device.. but not so much as a mobile communication device. This is the corner that RIM seems to think is their bread and butter.. but really – if Apple were to release something that made messaging more convenient – it would litteraly destroy RIM as things stand right now.
New BB’s and new BB software CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH. Fortunately for RIM, Apple is very content with what they have going – but for the regular consumer – I don’t see a BB competing with the $99 iPhone. For the power users / crackberry / must.. have.. email.. person, I still don’t see the iPhone as a replacement. Since I am still in that category.. I really like alot about the iPhone, but still have my issues. Right now I can see it as an awesome device to take on the road, or keep on the coffee table. Like I said before.. I’ll take it over a netbook anyday.
An iPhone in the hands of a Blackberry addict [draft]
Why post?
Because many BB users are up a creek, like me – and “should I get an iPhone” is a very common topic in forums.. however, there’s no answer out there. And most forum posters are lacking brain matter.
Why did I get one?
To put it plainly, my (several year) old Blackberry Pearl is not cutting the mustard anymore. I needed a new device. While I am a big fan of the ideals behind my Blackberry, I need something modern that can handle heavier duty tasks than my 8100.
Why try the iPhone? Simply put – between RIM, AT&T and Verizon, none of these asshats can release a decent device! Until very recently, the only “new” or “next gen” Blackberries available were the Storm on VZW and Bold on ATT. Everything else was old. ATT finally got their act together and released the Curve 8900 (after a 8 month delay or so) – which is the only Blackberry that fits the bill. Good CPU/RAM, GPS and Wifi. Still has that awful BB browser though.
Bold is too damn big and ATT wants too much money for it. Storm is.. well, its already getting replaced this year, which shows what a failure it is. Sure, several more are “coming” – but I’ve been waiting since the beginning of this year (note, we’re in June), and NOTHING has happened.
So – the iPhone had to be tried. And the 8gb 3G is priced at only $99 – the same price I’d pay for a “new” 8900. With ATT’s 30 day return policy – I figure if I don’t like it in that time, I can return the iPhone for 10% restocking and go back to my Pearl and wait another ____ months.
Initial impressions..after 3 days
Technology – it is fantastic. Would take this over a ‘netbook’ anyday as a internet device. Its really powerful and the visual effects what I’d expect on a high end PC. Touch is really cool for some stuff.. typing I do not like though I am getting better at it. I don’t like how easy it is to hit the wrong “button” since its not physical. You have to be soo dainty with your fingers. I don’t blame Apple here, so its not really a fault n my book. I will say – the incredible user experience is not something I will ever expect to see on a Blackberry.
This phone is totally “disconnected”. This is really kind of annoying.. I don’t like having to check Gmail and Facebook to see nothing has changed – its a waste of time.. esp since you have to keep loading separate apps. The “Fetch” feature was set as “manual” instead of on a time interval (15 minutes is the fastest available). Email works nicely – if it notified me faster, I’d be much happier. I like that it has my Gmail labels/folders right there.
Not having Gtalk (or any messenger) running in the background is totally unacceptable. Whats the point of this cool, high tech device if its not “connected”? I really, really don’t like this aspect. The only thing that seems to be “on” is SMS messages. I have moved on from SMS – IM and email are what a real smartphone should use.
3G is not as fast as I thought. Wifi is really nice – 3G is fast for downloading apps, but the web is not earth-shattering.
Itunes remote is the best app evar. Apps are cool, esp those that use the GPS – showing how great the tech is on this thing. 99% of the App Store is garbage. Total garbage. Needs more filtering – I don’t like opening up the App Store.
Its big – and heavy - i don’t like having it in my pocket. And talking on the phone is actually pretty uncomfortable – the edges are awful on your ear. Call quality is really good though.
Day 4 – some updates
Fetch is helping the email situation, but is not instant.. and honestly – no external message indicator? Seriously, Apple? Not even a tiny little blinking anything? So if I miss the “ding”, I will have to wake the phone up anyway? Seriously?
Battery – so far it hasn’t made it through a full day. I barely used it at work all day yesterday, and by the time I got home it was close to 30% left. Eesh!
A new gripe – no ‘quick launch’ buttons! One thing I love on the Blackberry is the side buttons to get to your camera, FAST. Iphone – no such luck. You have to do the slider-unlock, scroll to find your camera app icon, then wait for it to load. This requires 2 hands and ALOT of attention vs being able to click a button, have camera load, and be able to take a picture all without EVER looking.
One handed operation – ouch. Not feasible. When walking the dog, especially, its nice to have IM or email or something going for some ‘catch up’.. but you can’t do it here. Typing on the touchscreen with one hand – not doable. Some apps you can get around – however, anything interactive, nope.
Played with some Youtube last night – the screen is fantastic – videos are crisp, clear, and perform VERY well.
Day 5 -
Camera talk – no flash.. sure, the LED flash isn’t that great on the Blackberry, but man it is handy in a dark room.. where otherwise you can’t get any photo at all. No zoom? Not that big of a deal but still annoying. Its nice to have zoom when you email something to a friend, etc, to crop out other parts of a shot. Every photo I take on the iPhone is big and uncomposed. Further, there is no way to view a photo and directly upload to Facebook or anything else – wtf? So if I want to add to Facebook, I have to exit the camera, load Facebook, and upload from there.
Battery life – it is flat out bad. I am down to under 1/2 charge with barely any use.
Google Maps – might be the best thing going on this device. Awesomely easy to use, and the traffic info is great.
just say it..
duck fat fries duck fat fries duck fat fries duck fat fries duck fat fries
mmmm