The iPhone is just INCREDIBLE!!

[johnrr6]

I loved my Windows Mobile Phone.....

Linked to my work....checked my mail....sent texts....RDP'd to computers...took pics and video....kept my contacts....got me to the internet (barely) and basically did everything as well as being a decent phone.

But I had watched two sons convert to Apple 3Gs iPhones....and then my wife who is a school Principal.....and the last straw was when our school systems Chief Information Officer (a man who is soooo Microsoft that he bleeds Redmond blood) show off his brand new iPhone at a major technology conference.....

Well.....I knew I just had to try one....

So I did....

INCREDIBLE! is all I can say....

This phone is far, far superior to my Windows Mobile phone and yet it has all the corporate connections that I need and links wonderfully with our Exchange Server at work.

First off-----it's a better TELEPHONE! Calls are clearer, made easier and the speakerphone far superior. The voice dial system built into the OS is superior to the one I had on my Windows Mobile phone and has yet to misrecognize a contact I wanted to call.

The hands free Bluetooth links beautifully with my Jeeps Uconnect system and for the first time----I have a rolling, hands free "headquarters" that I can communicate from with ease.

But I think the most important area that makes this phone so superior is the way the Internet can become really useable from a mobile phone. The speed of Safari on a 3Gs network is FAST and the ability to expand pages to read easly with simple finger movements is just a treat. For the very first time-----I feel like the Internet is actually useable from a mobile phone-----not only useable----but EASILY useable!! Same for RDP to control a computer!

And the Apps....my gosh there is literally an App for EVERYTHING! Last night I found a little App from HP that allows my iPhone to tap into my HP MediaSmart Windows Home Server and stream pictures, music and video directly off my server at home----from ANYWHERE!

The Camera and Video from the Iphone are excellent to the point that it also becomes an almost every day tool.

The screen is VERY sharp and clear---and BIGGER than any Windows Mobile Phone I've seen.

The OS is easily learned in a day....VERY intuitive and I had no problems adjusting to all the finger gestures which are quite natural....

I could go on and on----the phone has sooo many features!

Battery life with both WiFi and Bluetooth turned on and heavy use is one day----EXACTLY the same as my Win Mobile phone. I charge mine every night just like my Win Mobile phone.

The only downsides I have noticed is that the AT&T signal strength in my area can be spotty at times but a new cell tower going up fairly close should help that. Also----group SMS texting has not been conquered on the iPhone like it has on Windows Mobile phones. It can be done----but the methods are not as elegant as say "Group SMS" on Windows Mobile. MMS is also lacking but that is a function of AT&T, not the phone and promised for the future. Finally----when all is said and done----it does cost a bit more for service. I have four iPhones now in my family and when all is said and done----after Corporate and Family Plan discounts----the whole shebang is around $40 a month more (about $10 a phone).

But for what you get----the extra cost is TOTALLY worth it in today's world!!

I'm in LOVE!!! Try it-----you will LIKE it!!

[sammy2066]

I've used an iPhone for two years now, and my dad has used the iPhone 3G for a year. Can't ever go back to using any other phone, period.

[johnrr6]

Oh my gosh....

I was a Win Mobile Man---thru and thru....

but this iPhone 3Gs makes the Win Mobile phone feel.....

just ancient.....

[PeterT]

Nice review. Thanks John.

[Slyder]

It is amazing...if you have a need for connectivity...how fast you realize just how good iphone is. Im at the point where i rarely use my laptop. The only thing that holds me back from shutting down my internet is the wifi. 3g is fast...wifi on the 3gs is....smooooth.

I'm a reader. For me, the ability to download books books to the phone, and always have it available is huge.

John, if you have any text messaging plans on your account, you may want to look into the major instant messaging apps. Push works incredibly well, and it's a way to save a few more dollars.

Enjoy your iphone! As Sammy said...once you go, you'll never go back.
Slyder

[zapionics<alt>]

I have no doubt the iPhone is a great phone... but I am absolutely still "loving" my Nokia E71... which has Nokia's Symbian OS which seems to be very efficient.

I think the Windows based phones are a PITA due to Windows Mobile itself... its just a resource hog and pushes any hardware to the limits.

I remember I had a look a the iPhone when I was in the market and thought the interface was too laggy. The E71 is very responsive.

[johnrr6]

I looked at a symbian phone and was impressed....quick and responsive.....

But I get ZERO lag on this iPhone and the Internet has now become TOTALLY useable on this device.....

And the expandability of this device is just incredible!!

Over 70,000 Apps in the App Store. (yes---that's right----over 70,000!!!) I downloaded a couple Free Apps from HP just the other day----one streams pictures, music and videos right off my HP MediaSmart Windows Home Server----the other sends photos to my HP 6180 printer wirelessly----one touch----poof---photo prints out......and the quality is excellent!

Sweet!!!

[polonyc2]

the upcoming Blackberry Pearl 8100 looks pretty sweet as well...

[johnrr6]

And I have friends that love the Palm Pre.....

A whole new generation of handheld devices....

convergance coming to fruition and reality....

Commo device, computer, Camera, Video Camera, entertaiment, GPS, TV, and storage as well as a host of other usefull tools----all in one device....that fits in your hand.....

[sanjay]

We have developed a new forum plug-in that allows mobile uploads of images directly into threads via email. If any of you think you would like to lay around with this feature for making mobile content on abxzone then let me know and I will get you user access. I make threads with images from my iphone on some of our other forums and it works great. Allows for live reporting at conferences, etc as well as member meets.

[johnrr6]

Sure-----I'd love to try it....

John

[Anarchi]

Meh the battery cant be changed, the app store is locked down to what apple approve, no fm radio or transmitter, battery explosion instances, weak camera, everyones got one now..

Give me the Nokia N97 any day..

[johnrr6]

Originally Posted by Anarchi

Meh the battery cant be changed, the app store is locked down to what apple approve, no fm radio or transmitter, battery explosion instances, weak camera, everyones got one now..

Give me the Nokia N97 any day..

To each his own I guess.....

I do not have a Nokia---but hear it is good!

The App store seems to be pretty "open" to me----over 70,000 applications!!
What phone is supported with over 70,000 Apps....????

Certainly not Win Mobile----I had a good HTC Win Mobile phone and it was good-----but the iPhone just plain blows it away. You can easily download applications that get FM channels----over your 3G Network----Pandora and ESPN Radio are my favorites.

Battery Explosion??----new one on me.....

Weak Camera?----you have GOT to be kidding.....my 3GS camera is so good that I don't carry an additiona camera anymore on trips----and the photo apps that support the camera are just SUPERB----Snapture, Photegenie, Phanfare, Flash Ready and Perfectly Clear are my favorites----you can do SOOOOO Much with photos and video on the iPhone----it's incredible and the quality is VERY good!! And it is sooooo easy and convenient!

Everybody has one?......Well---that's pretty self explanatory----cream rises to the top.....

The Nokia is probably a great phone----I don't have one so I can't compare.

I can compare it to a very expensive high end HTC Win Mobile phone with "all" the features.....

No comparison.....

[Belgareon]

I got an Iphone 3gs this summer, I had a nokia N95 previously. The camera was better on my nokia (5 megapixel), but that's it. Iphone is SOOO much easier and faster to use. The internet actually works really well and I love the idea with the apps. I've got some apps that are really awesome that can do stuff my nokia couldn't. I'll probably never go back to using another phone than Iphone now. I love it.

[bajo]

Waiting for 4G...