edge777

Over the years, I have had many PDA's and more recently smartphones. From the original Palm, to a Sony Clie, Axim X3i, X50v, and X51v. I also had a Moto-Q, and a HTC P4000 (Telus version of the Mogul).

About a month ago, after many months of research, I bought a 1.1.4 iPhone. I figured I'd share my thoughts. Now I know there are Windows purists out who kinda despise the Mac fanboys, but I'm that's just life.

The thing I enjoy most about the iPhone is that it's purely easy to use, and extremely reliable. It doesn't lock up an it's just intuitive. I did like my Axims , but really longed for a combined device. After using a touch screen, the Q really fell short. The HTC Mogul was nice, but I honestly found it ugly and bulky (ok, that's phone dependent). However, I can't count the number of times my phone locked up, or I missed a call because I couldn't answers.

Looks. Okay, it's not everything, but you can't argue - the iPhone looks good. Not only aesthetically, but the screen is great.

Okay, so there's a lot more software for the Windows Mobile devices. At first I missed that. But then, after using my phone for a month, I really don't. And I really came to notice, that although I had all that other stuff on my phone, I didn't use it that much. The iPhone pretty much gives me what I need, and does it in a reliable, usable, and classy way. I've jailbroken my phone, so I can also install lots of cool third party apps if I need.

The sound quality is great.

The built in apps are amazing (best mobile web browser out there, Google maps is really usable, and native YouTube is sweet).

The keyboard is great. What keyboard you might say? Again, at first, I missed the slide out keyboard, but was willing to do without that to save a whole lot fo width. But after only a couple weeks, the onscreen touch keyboard is amazing. I can type quicker on that than on an external keyboard. Oh ya, no stylus? I love it, and don't miss it at all.

So, outside of missing some third-party software, I love my new iPhone. But, more than that, it works, it's reliable, and it looks good. This I can say, Apple knows how to do it right. I guess that's why other Windows Mobile devices try to copy the look. Only problem, when they do that, they just add to a flawed OS which makes it slow and unstable.

I applaud Windows for trying to be creative, but they always just seem one step behind. I guess it's tough creative software for a myriad of hardware though. I think I believe the columnists who believe that the days of the Windows OS (both desktop and mobile) are numbered (since they continue to grow off an already flawed foundation). This is especially true for Vista which was an incredible failure.

I know I'll be labeled a Mac Fanboy, and who knows, maybe I've become one. I guess I've just gotten used of a computer working well, not crashing and running really fast.

simpleton

My X5 had served me well for 5 years but a failing digitizer and the fact that it is huge by today’s standards gave me reason to plunk down the dosh and get an iphone. I've had it about 2 weeks and love it. I'm using it with t-mobile and while the edge network is slow, it is usable. Apple is oppressive in how they have limited third party development, but the un-licensed community has really stepped up to the challenge. It really is impressive the distribution network they have put together. So far my biggest complaint is that the screen shows just how oily the human body really is.

stevenator65

I thought your review was well written. Thanks for posting it. What kind of 3rd party apps are you installing? I know I can't give up my win mobile device b/c I use spreadsheets, checklist pro and tons of other stuff. but I'm curious to see what you can install.

simpleton

There are quite a number of themes and visual fluff that can be added but there are some real tools as well. There are a number of little tools I have found, a MPG calculator for keeping track of fuel milage and auto service, various little games such as mine sweeper and dopewars, a wifi stumbler program, I currently have a VNC client that works amazingly well. There are also a number of services you can run such as a ssh, ftp, and web. There is a real terminal app that will give you an honest to god command line. Most crucial for me was an ebook reader. THis was the main function my X5 served and it was imprtant that the iphone be able to do this. So far my biggest complaint in that area is that none of the ebook readers will let me change the text color. It is a bit difficult to load files onto the iphone, but if I can figure it out, anyone can.

edge777

The iPhone is a funny creature. Where Apple had decided really limit where you could use your iPhone and what software you had on it, the community and network of software developers (hackers if you will) has really stepped up to make it a great device. It's almost an open source software project. I realize the irony in this, and wonder if Steve Jobs loses sleep over it, or is actually really happy about it. I can't argue too much, because one reason Apple stuff works is because Apple chooses the hardware it works on. I can't fault Microsoft too much because creating an OS that has to run on a whole lot of hardware devices is difficult no matter what. Hackers have already promised that version 2 (coming this June) will be ready to use fake activated and jailbroken, pretty much right away.

Couple quick things:

Screen getting smudged. While I was in the Apple store, the sales rep recommended an anti-glare screen protector. This not only makes it easy to see light, but also eliminates smudges and finger prints (which is good with a device that you touch with your fingers all the time). It does affect the clarity a bit (as do all anti-glare protectors), but I think I definitely prefer it. Side note, if you've never visited an Apple store, take a trip, they're pretty fun.

Getting files onto the iPhone and using Microsoft Office or compatible. That is the thing I miss the most. Files are transferred over wifi or third party software. You can view office files emailed to you, but can't change them. This would be a definite positive for the new iPhone coming out. I haven't heard that it will, but one could hope that a legitimate third party app would soon be developed.

I miss my GPS software. Google Maps works in a pinch, but nothing like point to point voice prompted GPS. I've heard rumors that the new iPhone will have built in GPS. This again might open up to great third party apps.

As for the jailbroken third party apps that I've added through installer:

* AFP - enables the iPhone to show up as a network drive (great for file transfers)
* MobileChat - best MSN client I've ever used (also support most other chat clients)
* Summerboard - enables themes
* Categories - allows category folders to be created on the spring board (main screen) to organize software apps
* Books - eBook reader with more and more titles coming all the time (I have several books, including 5 different Bible versions, one in Spanish)
* weDict - dictionary program, but also serves as a Spanish-English dictionary (I'm moving to Mexico City this summer, so learning Spanish)
* MxTube - allows you to download Youtube files to your phone for later off network viewing
* Funiculus - microphone based guitar tuner
* NES emulator (works with all ROMs out there)
* Chess
* PuzzleManiak - lots of puzzle games like Mines, Suduko, etc.
* Garf - that Simon game with the colors, memory, etc.
* Labrynth - remember that game where you had to tilt the board to guide a marble through a maze without falling in holes? (this is a great game to impress your friends with the hardware of an iPhone)
* Pool
* iSlots
* iSolitaire (ya, those last three were just for fun)
* PDF viewer
* Twinkle - Twitter client
* Finder - like file explorer
* SwapLibrary - allows me to flawlessly sync with my home computer and work computer