A Stranger in a Strange Land: A Windows Mobile Guy Meets iPhone

[cuteseal]

Great article, and it does highlight the differences and shortcomings between the two platforms. In my experience, Apple tends to focus on the UI aspect (think iPods) and does it well, and also tends to oversimplify all the functionality so that even little kids and grandmas can use them. The drawback to this of course, is that they usually force you to do things in a certain way.


Its competitors on the other hand, try to compete on features and they do that magnificently (again, mp3 players, creative, are great examples) but sometimes the end result is an inconsistent, overcomplicated, sometimes confusing interface.

To each his own though - I've got a feeling that road warrior types will want to gravitate towards the Windows Mobile/Palm platforms...

[cuteseal]

Great article, and it does highlight the differences and shortcomings between the two platforms. In my experience, Apple tends to focus on the UI aspect (think iPods) and does it well, and also tends to oversimplify all the functionality so that even little kids and grandmas can use them. The drawback to this of course, is that they usually force you to do things in a certain way.


Its competitors on the other hand, try to compete on features and they do that magnificently (again, mp3 players, creative, are great examples) but sometimes the end result is an inconsistent, overcomplicated, sometimes confusing interface.

To each his own though - I've got a feeling that road warrior types will want to gravitate towards the Windows Mobile/Palm platforms...

[stevew]

Originally Posted by peterf

Why do these iPhone switchers who now hate windows mobile even still visit this site? It's always the same thing, they come on here and say in the comments on how great the iPhone is.

Maybe it's because we're asked for our opinion. This is a forum isn't it? I don't hate WM and MS at all. Disappointed yes. Disappointed enough that I'm ready to move on. I just got bored with it as many others have. We all like innovation with our devices and WM has not been giving us that.

And why do I keep coming back to this site? Because I love it simple as that.

[J4yDubs]

Originally Posted by paris18m

a. you can’t compare a device that has GPS with a device that does not have GPS and say its crap coz it does not have GPS. The HTC touch does not have GPS nor does it have 3G but the HTC Cruize does, well does that make the touch crap? No! stop bugging the Iphone for not having GPS and for a start sit back and realize what apple managed to do with the iPhone, and how many years Microsoft has been sleeping in the windows mobile front.

The difference is that you can add GPS to the HTC Touch. Try adding it to the iPhone...

Originally Posted by paris18m

b. card slot? Who needs one when you have 16gb onboard? Honestly 2gb is as much as I ever had on my HTC Cruize but MS is not helping me utilize that. On the iPhone it was a breeze to sync, my pictures and music I needed on the iPhone, and no I am not an iTunes user but it did not take me more than 5 minutes to get going. I know, I know you can do the same thing with media player, yet again I haven’t! don’t know if that says something!

You used iTunes because you had to. You didn't have to use Media Player, so you didn't. So yeah, you did kinda say something...That you were forced to use iTunes...

As for expandabilty, I can't believe someone would argue against it. Do you not think it would be better to have a SD slot on the iPhone? 16GB won't hold my music collection, much less my video collection.

Originally Posted by paris18m

c. I am still waiting for a decent windows mobile with a VGA screen since I had my first pocket pc with VGA screen over 3 years ago. The iPhone? Does that and its freaking thin, it’s not a brick! Why why why WM and VGA is not popular? Who’s fault is it? MS or the OEMS

Windows Mobile has supported VGA for a while now. Can't fault them.

Originally Posted by paris18m

d.The interface of the device is simply how it should be. On WM on the other hand, it’s simply pathetic to scroll the list of applications which is merely 2 pages and having to wait for the icons to refresh, or seeing the screen refresh itself block by block in certain cases. Iphone, not only is fast but it’s smooth and stylish as well.

While I don't have the problems you describe with WM (I think there's something wrong with the device you used), the iPhone is the clear winner regarding the interface.

Originally Posted by paris18m

e. applications on the Iphone is the thing that made me discus WM even more. There is a little program called Cydia and installer that allows you to browse through a list of application, read a description about them and install them. Yes in just the first day I had more than 30 games and apps on the iPhone.

Don't you have to void your warranty to do that? Isn't it kinda sad to have to rely on the hacker community to do something that should have been included from day 1 (like WM)?

Originally Posted by paris18m

The SDK was barely released and the Iphone has not been in the market for even a year! If you realize how the Iphone is going to deliver applications to the Iphone you will be blown away, something good for the developers and consumers!

I'm not impressed with some of the artificial limits the iPhone SDK enforces. I predict that jailbreaking will continue to be popular. I just wonder if Sling Media will find a legal way around the network throttling and bring a Sling client to the iPhone. It really is a killer app that just begs to be on the iPhone (once it has 3G that is).

Originally Posted by paris18m

Oh and wait, all those tools that you can install on your iPhone so far, you are not supposed to yet! Imagine what will happen once your applications will be officially supported and delivered trough apple application store! In less than 2 months now.

If you're going to bring up available apps, then WM beats the iPhone easily. As for the future, we'll just have to see how that pans out.

Originally Posted by paris18m

h. Do not harass the Iphone, study it and realize what could have been achieved on the Windows Mobile front if Microsoft was not sleeping the past few years!!!

The iPhone is a good device. The UI is killer. It's just a shame its been so neutered. It could be so much more.

John

[paris18m]

Originally Posted by J4yDubs

The iPhone is a good device. The UI is killer. It's just a shame its been so neutered. It could be so much more.

***long quote trimmed by mod JD***

John i dont wanna start a flame war

The point here is :
do you know what the iphone really is?
It is proof that WE Windows Mobile users are fanatical about it and won’t open our eyes to realize how asleep MS has been on this front. The iPhone is proof of possibilities with these smart phones today, not tomorrow!

no gps and not 3g that people keep saying won’t be there for long! Do you think apple will have difficulties adding those features? Stay tuned for the iPhone 2.0 release in less than 60 days and see what happens! 3g is sure, donno about gps.

i have had storage cards on all my pocket pcs fso far. fro CF to SD to Mini SD to micro SD etc. Evry single time i needed to grab something off that card i either did not have a card reader with me or the person i wanted to give some data has a completely different card slot. so what gives the card slot? Nothing to me really! I am better off carrying a usb cable with me instead or a card reader! Oh and did you try to transfer 2gb to a WM device via activesync? When it’s done let me know! with iphone? fast! But yet again maybe that’s why you do need a memory card on you device.

I can easily bring back my iphone to a factory rom and not warranty void! Hell ALL my HTC devices 4 of them till now are jail broken as well, have you ever heard about cooked roms? It’s a hacked device ROM fully customized and allow you to run unsigned code just like the jail broken iPhone does.

Applications on the iphone need time, I can see more possibilities there thought! I hope MS and WM developers see that and try to keep ahead. hell MS is going to br developing applications for the iphone as well, do you know how many billions ms is making from mac office?

To cat the story short and the flame wars down.
The iPhone is VERY important for MS and WM users to wake up.
Please sit back and think what you said, "The iPhone is a good device. The UI is killer. It's just a shame its been so neutered. It could be so much more.:
Do you know how much iPhone has become the past year? with no gps! with no 3g! with no official native applications! with no official mms support! with no memory card! with no replaceble battery!

yes i do know all these iPhone limitations and every single iPhone user knows them! Whats important here to realize is how big iPhone has become the last year even thought having those limitations! do you think apple is not capable of adding any of the above features? nope. the real question is thought will MS wake up and keep WM moving?

[virain]

Originally Posted by paris18m

yes i do know all these iPhone limitations and every single iPhone user knows them!

***long quote trimmed by mod JD***

Funny it is iPhone users who sounds fanaticle, just try to read your own posts! Do you have a sanctuary where you keep your iPhone and pray to it?
I did have iPhone, it was fun on a first day, kinda boring on a second (there's nothing to do with that thing, play with interface, I still don't understand a point behind multitouch on such small device. I mean I use my phone with one hand while driving, or writing, or holding a brief case. To peach this tiny screen with to fingers is kind of uncomfortable, let's say.) Yeh, you serf web, but than again sng WiFi, on EDGE is not so good. But that's about it. Listening to music? I do it while work out, and my hands are busy to with the device. MS voice command works very well here. So to make long story short I gave it as a present to teenage doughter of my girlfriend. I mean that's who this device suite the best. And all that ranting about memory cards and USB cables, BTW did you noticed iPhone has a proprietary connection. I mean Blackberry, most WM, even Motorola Razr use mini USB. And did you try to transfer files without cables, Bluetooth works well and most modern laptops and even desktops have it, much yesier then carrying cables.
As far as software, It seems all the latest news about iPhone is the new Jailbreak program. It became some kind of sport. Who makes the meanest. No word on productivity, such as spread sheets, word doc, etc.
iPhone 2? Don't get you hopes too high, so disappointment won't be too deep. Soft Beta 2 is available from apple website, all it does adds MS Exchange, Cisco VPN client and Apple upcoming soft store (not there yet)
There more needs to be done to it, just read this link - http://www.computerworld.com/action/...icleId=9037958
And here things that iPhone users would like to have - http://iphonewishlist.net/
Quiet a list ah? BTW WM offers most of it, and did it for years.
And at last but not list like someone before me noticed here, What do such die hard iPhone fans do on WM blogs? My guess and experience suggest there's nothing much to do with iPhone so it leaves plenty of time to roam the web looking for someone who is not really happy with his or her handheld device, after all misery loves company. I switch from SE Symbian P900 to WM CE at that time few years ago, And as far as stability and interface, SE was way ahead of my iPaq 6315 I think (dont remember the number, it was T-Mo branded) but I was taken by productivity, and how much I can achieve with this device (it was a terrible hardware btw) so I've never wander to Symbian blogs again. I can't say it about iPhone, and that's may be another reason iPhonnies are here.
And another thing, not only iPhone 2 coming up, WM 6.! is on the way as well. So let's see then.
Cheers

[Russ Smith]

People usually look at feature by feature comparisons and argue "well I don't really need that." I think that misses the point. Feature by feature comparisons are usually pretty useful for determining how flexible a device really is. WM's strength has always been in flexibility. Apple's strength comes from it's control of the hardware and software. It's stable, but I have to wait for Apple to add the functionality I already have (and use all the time) in WM. What if Apple decides "people don't really need that." (It wouldn't be the first time.)

I take issue most with the response that "with 8GB on-board, who needs a card slot?" My issue goes back to flexibility. With card slots, I can easily vary the data that I'm carrying around with me to suit the situation. In family events, I can carry around all the latest photos. In business events I can carry around all the latest tables and data-sets. With the swap of a card, I've got what I need, customized to where and what I'm doing or, with a big enough card, I can have it all.

I think the most telling bit of the article was when he was going though all those iPhone apps and finding mostly web-based apps, requiring net-access in order to use. I had a phone that had "built-in" GPS a while back. I had to use a subscription application to actually use it. That's great for the service provider; not so great for me.

It is true that a lot of a person's choice in devices is personal and based on their own set of criteria which may not be very similar at all to someone else's. That said, I think we still need to occasionally do a "reality check" and look at what a device is actually capable of.

[paris18m]

For one last time if you ever read my post virain. I AM a WM user, for very long time, and now experimenting with my fiancées iPhone making un-biased judgements since i kind of both owning and not owning one! My point was to highlight the possibilities apple iPhone has brought to the market and the fact that MS has been asleep. If none of you other WM users realize that, then for sure MS will keep sleeping and giving you practically the same device slightly refreshed without moving their asses to innovate.

[J4yDubs]

Originally Posted by paris18m

John i dont wanna start a flame war

It's possible to have a discussion without a flame war. No need to cut it short, just be nice...

Originally Posted by paris18m

The point here is :
do you know what the iphone really is?
It is proof that WE Windows Mobile users are fanatical about it and won’t open our eyes to realize how asleep MS has been on this front. The iPhone is proof of possibilities with these smart phones today, not tomorrow!

Yes. I know what the iPhone current is. I also know what it could be. The same thing you're saying about WM users can be said of iPhone users. Open your eyes and look at how limited you are, for no good reason...

Originally Posted by paris18m

card reader! Oh and did you try to transfer 2gb to a WM device via activesync? When it’s done let me know! with iphone? fast! But yet again maybe that’s why you do need a memory card on you device.

I only use Activesync to sync with my work Exchange account. Everything else is done by removing the card or direct transfer.

Originally Posted by paris18m

devices 4 of them till now are jail broken as well, have you ever heard about cooked roms? It’s a hacked device ROM fully customized and allow you to run unsigned code just like the jail broken iPhone does.

I've heard of and played with hacked ROM's, but I don't use them. Don't have a need to. I can do everything, even run unsigned apps, without hacking the ROM.

Originally Posted by paris18m

Applications on the iphone need time, I can see more possibilities there thought! I hope MS and WM developers see that and try to keep ahead. hell MS is going to br developing applications for the iphone as well, do you know how many billions ms is making from mac office?

Apple needs to stop forcing a single legit options. Don't cripple the SDK and allow other deployment options. As a developer, why should I have to pay $99 to distribute my free applications?

Originally Posted by paris18m

Do you know how much iPhone has become the past year? with no gps! with no 3g! with no official native applications! with no official mms support! with no memory card! with no replaceble battery!

It's almost like you're arguing that not having those things (and others) is a good thing. Thing of how much better the device would be if it did have those things! What happens when WM has a slick UI (v7?)? It'll still have all the advantages it has today, plus be on par with the UI. Then what will be the iPhone advantage?

John

[jngold_me]

Originally Posted by J4yDubs

It's almost like you're arguing that not having those things (and others) is a good thing. Thing of how much better the device would be if it did have those things! What happens when WM has a slick UI (v7?)? It'll still have all the advantages it has today, plus be on par with the UI. Then what will be the iPhone advantage?

First, that's assuming Apple will stand still. It's been said over and over from tech bloggers and journalists alike that others are chasing what the iPhone offers now. Remember, WM devices are several iterations old while the iPhone is still relatively a young pup.

Plus, to that thought, by the time WM shows and gets Photon (WM7) out to the public, 3rd party applications will be available for the iPhone. Some very big mobile development houses are jumping at the bit to get software out for the iPhone.

Second, given the history of M$, they have shown any ability to create to truly innovate and provide a mobile OS that is fun to use. What good is a killer UI if the device lags? What good is a killer UI if a spinning color globe pops up while you're waiting for your application to load? What good is a killer UI if transferring data to/from your PC is a heart ache?

[Jason Dunn]

Hey guys, great conversation here (thanks for keeping the debate more or less civil ) but please do me a favour and don't quote the entire message - please trim your quotes. Especially on a mobile browser, having to scroll through a bunch of messages that you've already read is a hassle. Thanks!