iPhone Hype Holds Up!

[Pete Paxton]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobilityphones.com/phone-mobiles/smartphone/2300/iphone-hype-holds-up/' target='_blank'>http://www.mobilityphones.com/phone...-hype-holds-up/</a><br /><br /></div><em>&quot;Six months after the iPhone&rsquo;s U.S. launch, has the device changed the mobile landscape? According to M:Metrics, the mobile media authority, the answer is yes. Today, the measurement firm reports that the iPhone is already the most popular device for accessing news and information on the mobile Web, with 85 percent of iPhone users accessing news and information in the month of January.&rdquo;The iPhone has certainly delivered on its hype,&rdquo; said Mark Donovan, senior analyst, M:Metrics. &ldquo;Beyond a doubt, this device is compelling consumers to interact with the mobile Web, delivering off-the-charts usage from everything to text messaging to mobile video.&rdquo;</em><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/500/spt/auto/1205882342.usr11642.jpg" /><br /><br />Ok, here I go. I'm admitting that I recently purchased an iPhone. There, I said it. How do I like it? I love it. I really do. It's very simple, intuitive, innovative, and a pleasure to use. How does it compare to my Dash? Favorably for the most part but not all parts. I really like watching movies and listening to music on the iPhone better. Synching the calendar to my mac is a breeze. And like this article points to, surfing the web is simply far superior. It really has lived up to its hype for me. I dont think the iPhone is for everyone but it certainly suits my needs. Now for what it's lacking compared to my Dash.&nbsp; It doesn't have a task program. It doesn't have Exchange push email (though it's coming). I can't add apps to it unless I jailbreak it (that's coming too but will be regulated by Apple). There is no office suite. I can view Word and Excel docs in Box.net, email, or Google docs but I cannot edit them. I can't even group delete my emails (though that's coming too).&nbsp; No stereo bluetooth. But you know what's crazy? I can live with the areas where the iPhone is lacking because what it does, it does well. Do I still use my Dash? Less and less everyday. I don't dislike my Dash or Windows Mobile at all but it doesn't compare to the flare and finesse of the iPhone. I've written articles in the past stating that Microsoft needs to &quot;wow&quot; us and sure enough they waited so long that Apple leaped right over them. Hopefully within the next year we'll be writing articles about Microsoft devices that live up to their hype. If not, things will stay looking pretty sleepy in Redmond. Your thoughts?

[David Tucker]

The iPhone is a very slick device...but is it REALLY better than the WinMo line? It does some things well but the important things...I'm not sure about. My brother was one of the first to get one of these things. He's not a gadget guy or anything...but loves his iPod so figured he'd love his iPhone. And he does.

But a couple days ago I was, quite frankly, shocked to hear of the difficulty he'd been having with contacts on his phone. Apparently the iPhone deletes his contacts, all of them, quite often when he connects to his PC. Why? He's not setting something up right, obviously. But for something so vital to be so easily deleted seems absurd.

All I'll say is my contact list on my current T-Mo Wing is the same one that I started in 2001 on my Palm IIIxe and then moved over to my HP Jornada 565. Its gone through 6 different PDAs, 5 of them WinMo devices, and 4 different PCs. My brother meanwhile has lost all of his phone numbers 3 or 4 times in the past 6 months.

[jerboa]

When does iPhoneThoughts launch? :)

[Pete Paxton]

I haven't had any problems synching anything but I'm synching to a mac.

[David Tucker]

I haven't had any problems synching anything but I'm synching to a mac.

Its Apple...shouldn't he just be able to plug it in and it works? ;)

[Pete Paxton]

It should, not sure what the problem is there. I know quite a few people who have iphones and haven't had that problem. Maybe it's a setting problem or perhaps a bad iphone. Hard to tell. I've actually had mine since Christmas and it's been flawless - so far.

[David Tucker]

Maybe it's a setting problem or perhaps a bad iphone.

It is a setting problem. And he knows what it is...the problem is if he forgets to change whatever the setting is...that's what happens. And it doesn't ask him...it just wipes it.

[Pete Paxton]

Interesting. I'm glad I haven't had that problem.

[Tim Williamson]

I have a friend who has a Wing (I think) and he was using the Outlook trial version. When the trial of Outlook expired he said it deleted all his contacts from the phone. Not sure if there was anything he did wrong, but it shouldn't have done that.

I know Outlook is good in that when it deletes an item it goes into Deleted Items on the PC, so it's fairly easy to recover. Does the iPhone handle deleted items this way?

[Pete Paxton]

I sync with a program called ical and address book. I backup ical and address book frequently and I also use Time Machine so my backups are automatic every hour. If I every lose anything, I can go back to any date in time and correct it.

[Rocco Augusto]

I'm curious to see where the iPhone goes now that Apple has licensed Exchange/ActiveSync technology. I will say this however. You will not take me to the darkside Pete! :D

[Stinger]

I can imagine what the scenario causing the deleted contacts problem...

1) iTunes deletes all of the iPhone's contacts ready for the fresh set to be uploaded (deleting and re-uploading is easier than looking for changes)
2) iTunes tries to contact Outlook for the new contacts
3) Oops! Outlook can't be contacted

Et voila, no more contacts on your iPhone. Perhaps try setting up the sync profile again?

When does iPhoneThoughts launch?

Don't you mean iPhoneThought? Either you think Apple's way or not at all. :p

[David Tucker]

I have a friend who has a Wing (I think) and he was using the Outlook trial version. When the trial of Outlook expired he said it deleted all his contacts from the phone. Not sure if there was anything he did wrong, but it shouldn't have done that.

I know Outlook is good in that when it deletes an item it goes into Deleted Items on the PC, so it's fairly easy to recover. Does the iPhone handle deleted items this way?

We're not exactly talking about trial software and no, its unrecoverable. He's tried.

[Pete Paxton]

Rocco,
Join me and together we will rule the galaxy as contributing editor and managing editor! It is your destiny:)

[WyattEarp]

The iPhone is a very slick device...but is it REALLY better than the WinMo line? It does some things well but the important things...I'm not sure about. My brother was one of the first to get one of these things. He's not a gadget guy or anything...but loves his iPod so figured he'd love his iPhone. And he does.

Okay, it's not about is the iPhone better than WinMo. It's about choice. When will people get that in their head? No device WinMo, iPhone, Blackberry, Palm etc. can or will ever satisfy everyone that's why we have so many of them on the market. You need to choose for yourself what works for you. What you find important to have in a phone, someonelse won't. The iPhone simply gives us another choice.

[David Tucker]

It is about choice and I'll just say that I advised my brother that it was a good choice for him. And it is. Its a better choice than the WinMo or BB phones for him.

But the media makes it out to do everything better than any other device. It doesn't. Actually...its not even close. Some things it does really good. Other things it does average. I'd put it on par with all the other phones out there other than interface which is its claim to fame.

[Janak Parekh]

I'd put it on par with all the other phones out there other than interface which is its claim to fame. The media player on the iPhone is far ahead of the Windows Mobile offerings to date, and I've used a bunch of them.

In any case, the mass media generally likes to anoint one king, and not just in technology. I pay no attention to that section of the media, and I find my life better off. ;)

--janak

[David Tucker]

The media player on the iPhone is far ahead of the Windows Mobile offerings to date, and I've used a bunch of them.


That's true. I'm a Zune guy...I ignore the media functions of phones in general :cool:

The media player on the iPhone is far ahead of the In any case, the mass media generally likes to anoint one king, and not just in technology. I pay no attention to that section of the media, and I find my life better off. ;)

--janak

Absolutely...good advice in general! (Its annoying to hear people who do have one tell me how much better off I would be with one though. I'm pretty sure that I would pretty miserable!)

[Janak Parekh]

That's true. I'm a Zune guy...I ignore the media functions of phones in general :cool: Well, so that's one thing Apple deserves credit for -- it built its richest media platform and its phone platform together. To this day, I'm not 100% sure why Microsoft didn't at least build WM, PMC, Zune, etc. on the same platform, even if they bundle/set it up differently for simplicity. I suspect it comes from the fact they're different teams, and I really think that duality could use a rethink -- it's slowing their time-to-market.

Absolutely...good advice in general! (Its annoying to hear people who do have one tell me how much better off I would be with one though. I'm pretty sure that I would pretty miserable!) I don't know about being literally miserable; about the only phone platforms I'm miserable with are dumb phones (no sync, ugh) and perhaps Series 60, which I find highly unintuitive. I certainly have my preferences, but I've managed just fine for the most part with Palm OS, WM, and iPhone.

My advice to people is to determine what key features they need, get the device that suits them most, and to use the trial period to their advantage.

Anyway, I suspect I'm telling you stuff you already know. (What particularly gets me is people who think one platform is superior to the other without having used both extensively. And, if you use them extensively, you'd know there isn't any true superiority. Though I do think {desktop} ActiveSync is pathetic. ;))

--janak

[Rocco Augusto]

Don't you mean iPhoneThought? Either you think Apple's way or not at all. :p

ZING! :D

Rocco,
Join me and together we will rule the galaxy as contributing editor and managing editor! It is your destiny:)

Must... hold... out. I lost the battle Facebook, I must not lose the battle to the iPhone! ;)

Well, so that's one thing Apple deserves credit for -- it built its richest media platform and its phone platform together. To this day, I'm not 100% sure why Microsoft didn't at least build WM, PMC, Zune, etc. on the same platform, even if they bundle/set it up differently for simplicity. I suspect it comes from the fact they're different teams, and I really think that duality could use a rethink -- it's slowing their time-to-market.

I think Apple took a huge gamble and they could have easily failed with the launch of the iPhone. We as consumers were teetering on the edge of convergence and the iPhone was the brief push we needed to get in the pool. Hopefully Microsoft steps up to the plate and delivers something equally as drool worthy :)

[Janak Parekh]

I think Apple took a huge gamble and they could have easily failed with the launch of the iPhone. For sure. I'd like to see the same platform gamble by Microsoft. While one could argue the Zune was that gamble, I guess I'm looking for a bigger gamble. I hope WM7 is that gamble. :)

--janak

[Fritzly]

ZING! :D



Must... hold... out. I lost the battle Facebook, I must not lose the battle to the iPhone!
Hopefully Microsoft steps up to the plate and delivers something equally as drool worthy :)

The problem is that MS had a huge advantage over Apple and everybody else but Nokia.
What happened is that MS is obsessed with the business segment and forgot that phones are... phones and everybody use them not only corporate clients.
This is the reason why they wasted so much time and now they have to play catch up.

[J4yDubs]

The problem is that MS had a huge advantage over Apple and everybody else but Nokia.
What happened is that MS is obsessed with the business segment and forgot that phones are... phones and everybody use them not only corporate clients.
This is the reason why they wasted so much time and now they have to play catch up.
Looking at the numbers, I'd say Microsoft is doing OK by targeting business customers. ;)

Right now, without the "real" Exchange syncing, I can't use a iPhone even if I wanted to. After the next update, I'll take another look though.

2 of the iPhones biggest functions will be lost on me though. Music and Video. I don't, and won't be, using my phone for playing music and video. It's just not a function I need on my phone (don't use those function in Windows Mobile either). I use my phone for e-mail (both Exchange and POP), contacts, calendar, and oh yeah voice.

I'm also not a fan of "locked down" devices. Even with the SDK, the iPhone is still to locked for my tastes. Some of the restrictions just don't make any sense.

The iPhone interface is sexy though. I do a lot currently with one hand. I'm not sure how well I'd be able to do that with the iPhone.

John

John

[Janak Parekh]

2 of the iPhones biggest functions will be lost on me though. Music and Video. I don't, and won't be, using my phone for playing music and video. Don't forget web. I really can't use PIE (or Opera) anymore after having been exposed to Safari.

The iPhone interface is sexy though. I do a lot currently with one hand. I'm not sure how well I'd be able to do that with the iPhone. The iPhone is a surprisingly excellent one-hand device. I can do most things with one hand.

I wouldn't dispute your other points though, it's a matter of personal preference and needs. :)

--janak

[Stinger]

Looking at the numbers, I'd say Microsoft is doing OK by targeting business customers. ;)

On the desktop, yes.

On the move, no. Microsoft commands about 13% of the smartphone market and 1% of the overall cell phone market. This is a company with massive resources and a loyal band of developers. The first Windows smartphone was released 5 years ago. How much progress have they made since then? How much profit is Windows Mobile generating for Microsoft?

[J4yDubs]

Don't forget web. I really can't use PIE (or Opera) anymore after having been exposed to Safari.

The iPhone is a surprisingly excellent one-hand device. I can do most things with one hand.



I don't surf the web much from my phone. Just don't have much of a need to surf on the go. For those times that I have had a need, my WM6 phone has worked fine. Can't say if I'd surf more if I had a iPhone, but I doubt it. I don't know what I'd be surfing while on the go. For the information I need while on the phone, I have dedicated applications that function better than the web.

As for one handed operation, my limited experience with the iPhone showed it to be much more difficult to one hand than my Blackjack. The iPhone was certainly not designed for one handed operation.

John

[Janak Parekh]

I don't surf the web much from my phone. Just don't have much of a need to surf on the go. For those times that I have had a need, my WM6 phone has worked fine. Can't say if I'd surf more if I had a iPhone, but I doubt it. I don't know what I'd be surfing while on the go. For the information I need while on the phone, I have dedicated applications that function better than the web. That was my take until I got one; now, I use the iPhone while surfing on the couch (for example) when I don't feel like getting up and using a full laptop. Having a full browser suddenly opens up uses that one didn't see before. Of course, YMMV.

As for one handed operation, my limited experience with the iPhone showed it to be much more difficult to one hand than my Blackjack. The iPhone was certainly not designed for one handed operation. Well, the Blackjack is a Smartphone device without a touch screen, so the iPhone isn't comparable to that. However, I strongly disagree the iPhone isn't designed for one-handed operation. It's eminently possible to do so; I do it on an everyday basis. I would argue that its one-handability is comparable to Pocket PC Phones.

--janak

[Jerry Raia]

I took the plunge too, the thing is amazing.

[J4yDubs]

That was my take until I got one; now, I use the iPhone while surfing on the couch (for example) when I don't feel like getting up and using a full laptop. Having a full browser suddenly opens up uses that one didn't see before. Of course, YMMV.

Can't say for sure since I don't have an iPhone, but it's very unlikely it would replace my laptops. The screen size and resolution and lack of flash would bring me back to the full laptop browser experience. I don't normally get up to use a laptop. I bring it with me when I sit down. :)


Well, the Blackjack is a Smartphone device without a touch screen, so the iPhone isn't comparable to that. However, I strongly disagree the iPhone isn't designed for one-handed operation. It's eminently possible to do so; I do it on an everyday basis. I would argue that its one-handability is comparable to Pocket PC Phones.


Since we're talking about one handed operation I'm going to of course compare it to the best in class (non-touch screen smart phones). It doesn't stack up. As for comparing it to PocketPC phones, it would depend on the device (does it have a scroll wheel?). In any case, I don't have, and wouldn't own a PocketPC phone because of it lacking one handed ability. It has gotten better than it was though.

As for the iPhone being design for one handed operation? No. The touch screen, gesters (some requiring 2 fingers), and long finger travel don't add up to a device designed for one handed operation. Take a look at the Apple demo videos. I haven't seen one that is done one-handed. Can it be used one handed? I'm sure it can, especially certain functions. Is it designed to be used that way? No.

John

[Janak Parekh]

Can't say for sure since I don't have an iPhone, but it's very unlikely it would replace my laptops. The screen size and resolution and lack of flash would bring me back to the full laptop browser experience. I don't normally get up to use a laptop. I bring it with me when I sit down. :) Well, for the quick IMDB or Wikipedia check, it's fantastic. I know what you mean--I can't tolerate doing more than absolutely minimal email on WM, iPhone, or a Blackberry without just giving up and going to a desktop client--and that's why I surprised myself when I found Safari to be that serviceable.

Since we're talking about one handed operation I'm going to of course compare it to the best in class (non-touch screen smart phones). It doesn't stack up. I've never debated the Smartphone is better. ;) That said, I think a far more important critique is the fact that everything is a "soft touch" on the iPhone, and it is therefore near-impossible to use blindly (e.g., while driving, where the lack of voice recognition also looms large).

As for the iPhone being design for one handed operation? No. The touch screen, gesters (some requiring 2 fingers), and long finger travel don't add up to a device designed for one handed operation. Take a look at the Apple demo videos. I have, but I also own one. Gestures/websurfing aren't one-handed, but virtually everything else is. I regularly look up contacts, check voicemail, make phone calls (both via contacts and via dialpad) with one hand. I do think that the design was to accommodate reasonable one-hand use. Is one-handedness the primary use case? No, I agree, it isn't. That doesn't mean there isn't any one-hand design in it.

Anyway, I think we're close to arguing the same points, so I'll stop. :)

--janak

[stevew]

If you asked me a year ago if I would ever move away from a PPC Phone/Smartphone or even MS Windows full version I would of said no way. I was a loyal MS customer.

After being frustrated and bored with WM phones I bought an iPhone about 4 months ago and I love the thing. Now I'm enjoying the device and look forward as Apple routinely upgrades this device.

And after upgrading to Vista and having it break ActiveSync/WMDC and causing so many other incompatibilities, I downgraded back to XP. My next laptop I'm seriously thinking about a Apple MacBook Pro.

I've just lost all enthusiasm with Microsoft after being a very loyal customer for many years. And it sounds like of late there is a lot of that going around.

[dommasters]

If you asked me a year ago if I would ever move away from a PPC Phone/Smartphone or even MS Windows full version I would of said no way. I was a loyal MS customer.

After being frustrated and bored with WM phones I bought an iPhone about 4 months ago and I love the thing. Now I'm enjoying the device and look forward as Apple routinely upgrades this device.

And after upgrading to Vista and having it break ActiveSync/WMDC and causing so many other incompatibilities, I downgraded back to XP. My next laptop I'm seriously thinking about a Apple MacBook Pro.

I've just lost all enthusiasm with Microsoft after being a very loyal customer for many years. And it sounds like of late there is a lot of that going around.
I think many developers feel exactly the same.

[onlydarksets]

It's sad that the only threads that get any traffic around here are the iPhone threads :(

[Janak Parekh]

It's sad that the only threads that get any traffic around here are the iPhone threads :( Well, it's a relatively quiet time for Windows Mobile. When new versions or new devices come out, there's plenty of attention. :)

--janak

[J4yDubs]

Anyway, I think we're close to arguing the same points, so I'll stop. :)

Oh no you don't. I won't let you use sound reasoning and logic to argue a points. You're on the interweb here, start acting like it! :)

I agree, I think we're closer to agreeing than disagreeing, but what fun is that? ;)

I think many developers feel exactly the same.
Until they look at the fees and terms for developing and distributing programs on an iPhone. Development is one area where Microsoft is ahead and seems to "get it".

The $99 upfront fee (even if you develop free programs) and 30% Apple cut for distribution is crazy (IMHO).

John

[Janak Parekh]

The $99 upfront fee (even if you develop free programs) and 30% Apple cut for distribution is crazy (IMHO). Well... there's costs associated with WM development too. You have to get Visual Studio (last I checked, the Express edition didn't let you target .NET CF), plus most Windows Mobile software stores charge more than 30% (e.g., Handango).

Without a doubt, Apple locks their device down a lot more than WM. Certain services are not accessible, the iPhone mandates (mostly) single-tasking, etc. I think for most developers, the cost will be the smallest of disincentives as opposed to API limitations.

--janak

[onlydarksets]

True on the WM development front, but I think a lot of the developers starting out have access to Visual Studio through work. The SDK is free, so they can plug it in and code away.

[stevew]

The $99 upfront fee (even if you develop free programs) and 30% Apple cut for distribution is crazy (IMHO).

John

But no hosting fee in the Apple Store, no credit card fees and no marketing fees. And you pick the price you want to charge. Some of the 30% may get passed along to the buyer but that's fine with me for the conveniences and ease of using the Apple store as a buyer.

The Apple store is going to be the cat's meow for developers to get their product out there. And awesome for the user. Go to one place to find an application and install it from the Apple Store.

Just my 2 cents

[onlydarksets]

That's fine if you are picking out what shade of white you want for your living room. And it's also consistent with Apple's model ("You can have anything you want, so long as we have pre-approved it for you."). I'm not knocking it, but it's a far cry from true freedom of choice, which, IMO, is the real cat's meow.

Plus, the Apple Store is no different than Handango, Mobihand, etc. Literally, it's an identical model, except Apple also controls the hardware, so they can limit the selection of apps to those in their store.

Apple will, of course, do just fine with this model. Just be wary of what happens when you tamper with a free market. You won't get the same broad spectrum of choices (both good and bad) you get with WM.

[Pete Paxton]

But what I do like about the new apple app store is the fact that it DOES have to be approved by apple which means it will most likely work. Where as with MS many of the apps end up locking up the OS because it wasn't approved. It may be regulated but I bet most of what I want will be offered and will just work. Wii games are made for the Wii and they work. 360 games are made for the 360 and they work. This is basically the same model. There are going to be thousands of apps in the apple iphone app store and chances are that I can feel confident that they will work well with my iphone. I don't always have that same confidence when purchasing an app for my Dash.

[stevew]

edom of choice, which, IMO, is the real cat's meow.

Plus, the Apple Store is no different than Handango, Mobihand, etc. Literally, it's an identical model, except Apple also controls the hardware, so they can limit the selection of apps to those in their store.


I don't think the Apple Store will be like Handango. I always hated Handango.:)

I like the fact that we will be able to dock the iPhone, go to the Apple Store, easily find the app you want, then install it right from the Apple Store onto the iPhone. And the best part is not having to contact the developer to get the registration code, and to always be notified if a upgrade is available thru the Apple Store.

[J4yDubs]

But no hosting fee in the Apple Store, no credit card fees and no marketing fees. And you pick the price you want to charge. Some of the 30% may get passed along to the buyer but that's fine with me for the conveniences and ease of using the Apple store as a buyer.

I'd rather have choice. If I want the hosted/protected model, it's available (with multiple competing options). If I want to host the download on my website, I can do that also. If I want to make a limited/trial version available everywhere and sell a keycode to enable it, I can. It's nice to be able to pick the method *I* want to use, not the one I have to use.

But what I do like about the new apple app store is the fact that it DOES have to be approved by apple which means it will most likely work. Where as with MS many of the apps end up locking up the OS because it wasn't approved.
Microsoft has a certified program. Since that is important to you, you should look for that certification and only buy those apps. It's nice to not be locked into only that option though.


Without a doubt, Apple locks their device down a lot more than WM. Certain services are not accessible, the iPhone mandates (mostly) single-tasking, etc. I think for most developers, the cost will be the smallest of disincentives as opposed to API limitations.

This is another good point. Yes, there are advantages to clamping down a bit, but Apple takes it to far. What's up with limiting network access if not using WiFi? I want applications like a Slingbox client. I don't want to have to be in a WiFi zone to use it.

John

[Janak Parekh]

I'd rather have choice. Well, in some sense the iPhone isn't for geeks. Apple generally builds products based on the lack of choice; witness their computer, music player, and smartphone lineup. It turns out that restricting choice has its advantages (e.g., stable platform, rapid evolution, easy branding). There are also significant disadvantages, as you point out.

This is another good point. Yes, there are advantages to clamping down a bit, but Apple takes it to far. What's up with limiting network access if not using WiFi? I want applications like a Slingbox client. I don't want to have to be in a WiFi zone to use it. Well, again, this is a double-edged sword. Apple negotiated cheap unlimited data with AT&T, but presumably AT&T wouldn't allow that allowing any kind of traffic on their network. Well, that and the fact EDGE sucks for most of these kinds of apps. ;) You can legitimately revisit this question given 3G iPhones...

In any case, it clearly sounds like the iPhone isn't for you. I'm not the kind of Mac fanboy that thinks there's only one right solution. It's a good thing there are alternatives, and I for one doesn't assume I'll be wedded to this platform (although I personally am enjoying it for the most part, so far).

--janak

[Cybrid]

http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/showthread.php?p=680414#post680414

While I would readily concede that if the only thing I needed was a browser and music from my portable device, iPhone would indeed be the device of the century.
But as I have discussed in the thread above, the lack of I/O ports on any mobile device is so grievious that I couldn't stomach the iPhone for much longer than a few days. This is a problem not fixed with a "software update" even if they fix the BT stack.

I've used WinCE since 2.11, CF card 56K modem's and 8Mb memory cards. I remember hundreds of posts about how the ability to break free from the leash of the PC was so...amazing. From how I checked my email from the Starbucks using WiFi, or whatever.

Here you have a device that has exactly 3.01 I/O possibilities.
You can

iTunes
Edge
Wifi
These don't cover all possibilities. The 0.01 is the BT stack capable of only headset profile.
Example:
If while on vacation, I break my device...I can remove the flash memory card and use cross device mode in sprite to easily recover my data.
iPhone? I'd need a miracle or a super expensive PPC Techs like service.

In case y'all forgot. The reason we got WinCe devices was because it offered more portability than a 60Lb desktop. We all didn't get Palms because Palm didn't offer the same level of connectivity.

[Janak Parekh]

In case y'all forgot. The reason we got WinCe devices was because it offered more portability than a 60Lb desktop. You're making a huge assumption here, one that I don't think you can hold to be universally true. A lot of WM users use their device as, literally, a "smartphone", as opposed to a mobile desktop. I would also argue the market has changed. I know my requirements have changed over the years. If anything, it seems Microsoft is thinking in the same direction--witness their UMPC efforts, which have evolved a lot faster than their Pocket PC or Smartphone efforts have.

We all didn't get Palms because Palm didn't offer the same level of connectivity. Sure, but any modern device runs rings around the old Palms, be it the new Palms, Symbian devices, WM devices, or the iPhone.

--janak

[maxnix]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobilityphones.com/phone-mobiles/smartphone/2300/iphone-hype-holds-up/' target='_blank'>http://www.mobilityphones.com/phone...-hype-holds-up/</a><br /><br /></div><em>&quot;Beyond a doubt, this device is compelling consumers to interact with the mobile Web, delivering off-the-charts usage from everything to text messaging to mobile video

Only if you can piggy back on a WiFi connection as phone is not 3G!

And don't do it for too long because the battery is not user changeable.

Shame so many are drinking the Jobs Kool-Aid.

[Janak Parekh]

Only if you can piggy back on a WiFi connection as phone is not 3G! I'm not defending the lack of 3G, but surprisingly, I find Safari on EDGE to be a lot more useful than either PIE or Opera on 3G. Battery life with Wi-Fi is also excellent; I leave Wi-Fi on all the time, in fact, because: a) the iPhone's Wi-Fi power management is unbelievable; and b) there's no Connection Manager--the iPhone simply uses WiFi if it's available, and EDGE if not, seamlessly. I never quite understood why Pocket PC/Smartphone 2002 and onwards made it far more complicated.

(And that's without Kool-Aid, thankyouverymuch. ;))

--janak

[Jerry Raia]

I leave WiFi on all the time too on my iPhone. I watch movies for 3 hours on a flights going to work. Use the phone all day and the battery is not even half discharged by the end of the day. No WM device I have ever had was like that. We have to be honest here, the iPhone may not have all the stuff I like but it is the first iteration! How many generations of WM devices have there been so far? The most current version is barely distinguishable from the original one.

[David Tucker]

I'm not defending the lack of 3G, but surprisingly, I find Safari on EDGE to be a lot more useful than either PIE or Opera on 3G. Battery life with Wi-Fi is also excellent; I leave Wi-Fi on all the time, in fact, because: a) the iPhone's Wi-Fi power management is unbelievable; and b) there's no Connection Manager--the iPhone simply uses WiFi if it's available, and EDGE if not, seamlessly. I never quite understood why Pocket PC/Smartphone 2002 and onwards made it far more complicated.

(And that's without Kool-Aid, thankyouverymuch. ;))

--janak

So does my Wing and so did my MDA. Not sure how this is special? I really don't have to do anything either. Just turn on WiFi and it just connects to what's available (or nothing if its not)

[aristoBrat]

I'd rather have choice. If I want the hosted/protected model, it's available (with multiple competing options). If I want to host the download on my website, I can do that also. If I want to make a limited/trial version available everywhere and sell a keycode to enable it, I can. It's nice to be able to pick the method *I* want to use, not the one I have to use.
Choice is always good, and it would be nice to not have to work within the confines of Apple's "our way or the highway" ecosystems.

Having said that, as a person that does purchase software for my mobile phone, my two choices for finding software seem to be:

1. Spend 10 minutes scouring through google search results and forum posts, praying that when I do find a link that looks interesting (after cross-referencing it with forum posts where others that own it talk about it) that the developer's website is still up, hasn't been reorganized to where the link is invalid and it takes me another 5 minutes of navigation to find the download, their hosting service has good bandwidth, and whatever "we do credit card processing for small companies" authorizer that they use for payments isn't a huge PITA to setup an account with.

2. Go to a central application repository (either directly from my phone, or via my computer) and clicking on a software category (say, "instant messenger") where I can see (and read user reviews) for all [free, demo/trial, paid] IM applications available for my device.

After 6+ years of doing choice 1 to get stuff for my WM phone, I'm kinda over that method. Unless Apple royally buggers up choice 2, after my experiences with browsing/purchasing from their iTunes WiFi store directly on my iPhone, it'll be a cold day somewhere before I start using choice 1 to find software for my phone again.

[aristoBrat]

Only if you can piggy back on a WiFi connection as phone is not 3G!

And don't do it for too long because the battery is not user changeable.

Shame so many are drinking the Jobs Kool-Aid.
If your opinion is that all a phone needs in order to be a great device to browse the web from is "3G" (or conversely, that any phone without 3G is incapable of delivering a great browsing experience), then you're drinking from your own jug of Kool-Aid, my friend. :)

[Janak Parekh]

So does my Wing and so did my MDA. Not sure how this is special? I really don't have to do anything either. Just turn on WiFi and it just connects to what's available (or nothing if its not) Hmm. I had more trouble than that; perhaps that was due to the fact that I typically kept Wi-Fi off for battery life purposes. My last Pocket PC was a 700w, though, which didn't have Wi-Fi. It is worth pointing out that with 3G, one doesn't need Wi-Fi nearly as much.

--janak

[David Tucker]

Hmm. I had more trouble than that; perhaps that was due to the fact that I typically kept Wi-Fi off for battery life purposes. My last Pocket PC was a 700w, though, which didn't have Wi-Fi. It is worth pointing out that with 3G, one doesn't need Wi-Fi nearly as much.

--janak

What OS were you on when you were having trouble? With WM5 & WM6 it really is pretty simple (though I don't remember it being difficult on WM2k3SE either). When I turn on WiFi if I'm not in range of a known network, it pops up a list and asks if I'd like to connect. If I say yes and its open...I'm on. If its not open, then it asks for the key. Then I'm on.

If I am in range of a known network it just...is on. Its seamless really :)

[onlydarksets]

2. Go to a central application repository (either directly from my phone, or via my computer) and clicking on a software category (say, "instant messenger") where I can see (and read user reviews) for all [free, demo/trial, paid] IM applications available for my device.
It's not apples to apples. So long as Apple controls the sole means of distribution, you will not have the selection of apps (good and bad) that you do on WM. So, yes, you can search in one place, but what do you do when you get "No results returned" after you search?

The great equalizer will be the jailbreak apps. However, there you have the same issue as with WM - searching the interwebs for the apps.

[Janak Parekh]

What OS were you on when you were having trouble? With WM5 & WM6 it really is pretty simple (though I don't remember it being difficult on WM2k3SE either). When I turn on WiFi if I'm not in range of a known network, it pops up a list and asks if I'd like to connect. If I say yes and its open...I'm on. If its not open, then it asks for the key. Then I'm on. I know that extremely well. ;) I think the problems began once I set up a VPN connection. Ideally, the VPN connection should work over whichever connection I have available. At that point, the number of options in Connection Manager become dizzying, and I never quite managed to get it to work the way I wanted to. At that point, I switched to the 700w and its EVDO connection, and never pursued it further.

(Doing LAN ActiveSync was also a massive hassle in terms of setting up the Connection Manager correctly, but neither the iPhone nor WM5/6 have network sync to PCs at all, so I don't consider that a fair complaint in this context.)

--janak

[whydidnt]

I just have to pipe in since no one else has mentioned it. I like the iPhone UI, but I don't really have a huge issue with WM, it's always seemed pretty simple to me. However, after 10+ years of PalmPC, Pocket PC, Windows Mobile, etc, it's simply amazing that Apple has been able to deliver hardware that far exceeds anything available in the WM world today in their first try.

There is not one WM device that can provide a 3.5" HVGA screen, fast processor and 16 GB of memory is a small, easy to carry and use size. NOT ONE! Yes, I know you can add memory cards, but all current WM phones are limited to a MicroSD slot and the current max is 8 GB. By the time we have 16 GB MicroSD cards, it's a good bet we will have a 32 GB iPhone. The larger higher resolution screen makes a tremendous difference in the usability of the device, particularly when wanting to browse the web. I realize that the iPhone doesn't provide a 3G connection, GPS or even complete bluetooth profiles, and those are all hardware wins for WM. However none of those have the same impact on your user experience as that big, beautiful, hi-res screen and all that scrumptious memory.

Bottom line if your primary use is going to be as a phone, for media, internet and email the iPhone is simply a better solution. If you want/need to work on spreadsheets, documents or to have a wide variety of 3rd party software, games, etc. then WM still provides a better experience. However, for a large percentage of the population, the list of the iPhone's strengths outweighs the list of WM's.

I think MS has let the OS slip and forgot that most business users are also comsumers who want consumer "stuff" when they are working. However, I think just as big of an issue is their OEM/ODM partners have failed to push the envelope at all on the hardware side of things.

My dream device - an iPhone sized WM Pro device with 32 GB Flash memory and 3.5" WVGA screen, 3G, GPS, full blue tooth support AND an outstanding media player built in. Sad thing is that this is possible in the WM world today, but MS and their OEM's have become so distracted by the UI discussion they are missing the big picture and wasting all of their resources in that area.

[midtoad]

I've got an Audiovox PPC-6700 with a 1 GB/mo. data plan on it, and yet it mostly sits unused on my desk ever since I bought an iPod Touch last month. The Touch isn't a phone, so I can' t use it everywhere I go, but I find myself just waiting until I have a WiFi connection available and then use it instead of the PPC-6700 (which now is relegated to receiving work emails and occasional note-taking). Why? Because the Touch far more pleasant to work with.

After umpteen iterations of WinMo, it's still an ugly, kludgey mess. There's no concept of "Location" as understood in Mac OS X, so each time I go to a different WiFi hotspot I have to delve deep into the bowels of the OS to try to find exactly where it is that I switch from static IP address (which I use at home) to DHCP (which I use elsewhere). Each time it's a struggle to remember where exactly that particular setting resides. Quick now, grab your WinMo device and time how long it takes you to make this change!

With the iPod Touch, I just tap the screen and start using it. The OS understands that I'm at a different location, and adjusts my settings automagically. This one feature alone makes it more pleasant to use the Touch instead of the PPC-6700. And we haven't even gotten to the browser that I use after I get connected. After I used Safari only once, I can't bear to ever go back to using PIE or even Opera Mini or Mobile. And apparently many people agree with me - after only one year of the iPhone, it and the Touch already account for half of Google's mobile searches.