Why I'm Satisfied With Blackjack in the Eye of the iPhone Storm

[dstrauss]

Like many, since Monday I've been contemplating the iPhone I release today, but as I used my Blackjack each day, it became clear that there are certain invaluable factors to the Blackjack that I just couldn't give up:

>With the phone off, typing a name that pops up and can be dialed

>HSDPA vs EDGE (despite today's speed doubling of EDGE)

>Exchange 2003 push email

>Voice Command

>Docs to Go MS Office document editing

>Enhanced calendar software (Papyrus and Agenda)

>Bluetooth stereo audio

>I paid too much for mine, but it's now down to $75 with 2 yr contract

Yes, I would KILL for the bigger screen, iTunes compatibility, WiFi, and huge storage capacity - but every time I pick up my Blackjack I just get this little smile...strange, huh.

[Jerry Raia]

Not strange at all. The interface on the iPhone is incredible and that's where it ends.

[dstrauss]

Jerry - you're right. I'm usually not one to remain rational in the face of a new high tech geek device 8O , but so far, not much tug at all.

I have to admit, I love the pictures and videos I've seen of the screen. But I also realize I can't have that screen with my trusty Samsung keyboard. And I'm surprised at the number of folks buying on the "Apple will add future software" to add this or that (eg - IM, Exchange Activesync,etc.). :roll:

[laakness]

I agree...I wanted to buy into the hype but each of the points listed above apply to me and why I didn't get it.

I will also add the inability to remove/swap the SIM card from what I've read. I do this all the time to test devices at my job.

Let's also not forget the screw job the first gen owners of Ipods got compared to models that came out just a year later ;)

[Mike Temporale]

Some of the other negative points about the iphone that I've seen around You have to send the phone in to have the battery replaced - expect this around the 300+ charge point
Voice quality is only so-so
the OS actually takes up 700MB of storage!
there's no way to load 3rd party applications - browser only :(
you can't set an MP3 as your ringtone - I'm surprised by this. I wonder if they mean it has to be an iTunes track and not just any old MP3?

[dstrauss]

Saw one in the wild yesterday, and I have to say it has the best screen I've seen on any portable device, laptops included (as his resolve cracks just a little - thank goodness it doesn't have OTA Exchange Activesync or my wandering eyes might get me in trouble with my trusty BJ).

[onlydarksets]

the OS actually takes up 700MB of storage!

I think it has been established (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=89784#89784) that the OS only takes up 200MB


Not strange at all. The interface on the iPhone is incredible and that's where it ends.

I would not sell short the user interface as it is such a huge piece of the experience. The scrolling contacts and zoom feature are major innovations to how a touchscreen phone is used, and I would not be surprised to see WM follow suit (you already can through hacks). Also, I count the Safari browser as a leg up on the competition, although I still haven't gotten my Deepfish invite. Finally, I would count the multimedia capabilities (8GB flash storage, iTunes integration, 3.5mm jack) as significant value-adds. Of course, I know that not every agrees with that!

[Mike Temporale]

I think it has been established (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=89784#89784) that the OS only takes up 200MB

Yeah, I saw that after I posted this. Still, 200MB is pretty large for a mobile OS. Heck, even Microsoft can fit it into 20MB.

[txcaesar]

I have to admit that the BJ is one sweet device, it does pretty much everything that i really need....well...actually...im eyeing the European version as i want that WiFi, and that front camera....ok, ok im a super geek..anyone wanna sell me one? save me having to go thru ebay?...rofl!

BTW, want to thank all for the imputs here and on other sites, I have learned alot and enjoyed the experiences...


ok, maybe ive had too much caffeine this am.....

[Mike Temporale]

The i600 is a good device - the wifi is a nice addition, but be wared, it isn't quad band. You won't get full 3G coverage and the phone will just work as a tri-band unit (so you'll really have just 1 useable band).

The WiFi is nice, but I would rather have the 3G coverage.

[txcaesar]

The i600 is a good device - the wifi is a nice addition, but be wared, it isn't quad band. You won't get full 3G coverage and the phone will just work as a tri-band unit (so you'll really have just 1 useable band).

The WiFi is nice, but I would rather have the 3G coverage.

So in the Dallas area on at&t, Id get, slower speeds? I use my 3G for mail and less than heavy web use, but I usually sit at places with coffee, or am in areas where i can piggy back wifi, so was thinking that the wifi would be more beneficial...

..and I am still learning my way around the workings of bands...so when you say just one usable band, can you define more please? I know I can do a search for understand bands, but would love to have it spelled out for me, (remember, I had too much coffee, and now am beginning to crash!) :-)

[Mike Temporale]

It's rather simple, Europe has 2 bands that they use and North America has a different 2 bands. A tri-band device has the 2 local bands and 1 of the other bands. If you get a dual band phone from Europe, it won't work over here.

The i600 is a Tri-band phone. Meaning it has both Europe bands and only 1 of the north american bands. So depending on where you are, you might not have any coverage. Or just spotty coverage.

When it comes to high speed, 3G is a similiar concept. If it doesn't have all the right frequencies, it won't work over here. To my understanding, the 3G on the i600 is not the right mix to work well over here.

[txcaesar]

Thats good to know Mike, Thanks for taking the time to explain! :D

[stumpy]

Sorry to say but I had to let my Blackjack go. I was a device that had a lot of features but everything was minimal. Battery life sucked even with extended. Yes the unit is 3G but when the processor cant handle the speed and bring up the data fast enough what good is it. In direct sunlight I could not see who was calling me. Marginal web surfing could not access all the sites and even when on a site i could only access a quarter of the page. Even emailing was a pain since I get around 100 a day. Sorry I dont mean to get on Blackjack bashing but just disapointed. So i bought a Iphone. You guys don't know what your missing. Not saying that it does everying the blackjack does but the webbrowsing and emailing are sweet.
Great battery life and a great display. It lacks some features I would like but I guess im very happy for now and waiting for a release with the new features. It's a new frontier boys and apple took a giant leap ahead. I hope that this will motivate the phone companies to release better products.

[dstrauss]

stumpy

Sorry to see you go. If you do travel back to Blackjack land, give Opera Mini a try...it really boosts the web experience (soirry, no substitutew forthat gorgeous screen, but heh, can't have everything.)

[twestley]

I'm about to pull the trigger on an upgrade from Cingular 2125 and your comments have been very helpful.

I love that great big beautiful iPhone screen and the $20/month data plan. However, I'd have a really hard time giving up all the WM apps, losing one-handed operation of a WM smartphone, and paying the higher price of the iPhone. If I can talk AT&T into keeping my $20/month Media Max 200 Bundle, I'm going with the BJII. WM6, 3G, GPS, scrollwheel, Wow!

If I can't keep the Media Max 200 Bundle with the BJII and have to pay $40+/month for a data plan, I will be looking for a WiFi device instead. Then, the iPhone and the Tilt start to look better than a WM smartphone.

--TWestley

[twestley]

If I can't keep the Media Max 200 Bundle with the BJII and have to pay $40+/month for a data plan, I will be looking for a WiFi device instead. Then, the iPhone and the Tilt start to look better than a WM smartphone.

AT&T store says I can't get Media Max 200 Bundle on BJII. Only on iPhone and certain non-WM phones. He claims that AT&T is now checking the IMEI and if the SIM card supports 3G, you get charged $40 whatever plan you sign up for. Then, he told me that I could get around this by buying an unlocked phone on eBay and doing some sort of switch on the SIM card that I didn't follow.