Jun 23rd, 2007 Hi Phone
Well, here we are, less than one week away from the iPhone. It’s been a little over 5 months since it’s introduction, and the world — or, at least North America — is ready, cash-in-hand. One week from now we’ll know whether or not the affects of the Steve Jobs RDF have reached all-time highs or if what Apple has produced is truly their third “revolutionary” consumer product.
I’ve written very little about the iPhone since January’s Macworld. I’ve found myself strangely content with my Blackberry Pearl, and haven’t suffered from the usual mobile phone lust that motivates a new purchase every 3-4 months. That, along with some lingering questions about how the iPhone works, have left me unsure what I think about it. And then there are my three main problems concerns with the iPhone:
Is there an easy way to type a period without having to switch to the punctuation keyboard?
I haven’t seen one demo, video or photo that would suggest you can. Every on-screen example of typing has ended with returns; no sentences or periods. (Another similar concern is whether or not the iPhone’s on-screen keyboard works in landscape mode — or, for that matter — whether or not every app will.)
Besides the Yahoo! Mail push support, is there any other way to get email pushed to the device?
Based on the guide tour video, it looks like the only options for auto-check are: “Manual,” “Every 15 minutes,” “Every 30 minutes,” and “Every hour.”
The standby screen (the one with the slide-unlock) appears useless beyond showing a picture and clock.
There is no status information about how many unread messages, email or voicemails shows. In order to see if you have any unread email you must press the sleep/wake button (on the top) and drag the unlock-slider … ? Not good. (There is, it appears, a setting to have the iPhone audibly notify you when new email has arrived.)
The tension between want and need
Regardless of these concerns, and my peculiar contentment with my current mobile phone, I still want an iPhone — of course. Part of me wants it just to fulfill my personal brand, that I’m a fanboy who always has the latest Apple gear. I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t care that others I know are planning on getting one and I’m not. I care, baby. And I’m livid about it. Especially since I’m the one who introduced said others to Apple products. (Matt, you need a blog so I can link to it when I speak of you.)
There’s another part of me that wants one simply because I’m curious. I’m curious if it could (genuinely) replace an iPod and mobile phone combination. I’m curious if the mobile web really does work they way its advertised. I’m curious if I’d get better signal reception at my work. And I’m curious if having one would actually enhance my life.
I’m curious, but I doubt every one of those points.
And … I don’t need it.
I believe
I doubt it’s as good as advertised, yes, but I still believe the iPhone will revolutionize the mobile market. It will happen just like the iPod; only Apple will never gain the same marketshare it enjoys in the MP3 player space. This is obvious, of course, since they’re not even aiming to do so. The influence the iPhone will have won’t be in numbers, but in mental-space.
Mobile phone manufacturers (I’m looking at you Motorola) need to step up their game if they want to survive through the new interface-driven age that the iPhone will create. John Gruber said it best when he pointed out how the iPhone commercials are the first of their kind, touting (and showing) the phone’s user interface, not some bullet-list of features. You’d better believe the public is gonna start demanding a better experience from their devices after the iPhone hits the shelves.
Don’t even get me started on syncing.
Will work for iPhone
So, getting back to my want for an iPhone, I’d like to use this opportunity to offer my services to those in need of a quick design, website or logo. My time is very limited, but if you have the budget, I have the skill. Do let me know via email if there’s anything I can do for you … in the next 6 days.
And for those who’d like to put out the same or similar offer, here’s a little something you can use to assist your endeavors:
It’s gonna be a long week. I can already tell.
Sean Sperte is Geek & Mild. His passion for technology and media, along with his interest in 
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Comments
Mark
June 23, 2007
Sean,
I’m seriously counting on your skepticism being widespread when I take Friday off to stand line for my iPhone(s). I managed to get a very small carpentry gig that is willing to pay me with 2! :D
I think you’re wise to distinguish between want and need. I’m one of those people who uses devices until they have completely outlived their functionality. My phone is in desperate need of an upgrade.
Great post!
Sean
June 23, 2007
Dude, Mark: Let me know if that same client needs any help with design — you know, while you’re working on carpentry stuff and are too busy to help. ;)
Scott
June 23, 2007
Sean, I’m right there with you. My problem is only that there’s no launch date for the iPhone in Canada… We’ve only got one carrier with the right network specs but I’m debating going so far as to try to get one and perhaps not use the phone features until the proper service support is available.
What I really hope is that, unlike so many other phone manufacturers, that Apple has spent the time to really make sure the “phone” part of the iPhone actually works well. My current Samsung phone is pretty good, except for actually making and receiving calls :-( And I can say the same about the old Sony Ericcson phone I had prior to that too.
Jamie
June 23, 2007
I’m still wondering how Youtube is gonna work on a phone that lacks 3G. I dunno, maybe i missed something. . .
Sean
June 23, 2007
Jamie, both the YouTube commercial and guided tour show the iPhone using the WiFi connection when accessing the YouTube app. I doubt even the “updated” EDGE network can support streaming video, but perhaps the app preloads and buffers some of the content so it can still be viewed when a WiFi signal cannot be found.
I think if there was one iPhone feature that’s most often overlooked it’s the WiFi. How many phones (smart or not) have you used with 802.11x support? I’ve used one, and half the time I forgot I even had the option.
Matt Daughtry
June 23, 2007
First of all, I definitely do need a blog, and I believe you owe me a design for said blog, but you probably want design input from me, and I have none.
What I love most about iPhone is the ability for software upgrades. Apple has already openly said that they plan on taking full advantage with “surprises” for iPhone owners in the form of software/firmware upgrades.
All 3 of your
problemsconcerns could easily be addressed in the future. If Apple really listens to the feedback from their users, they can upgrade and improve the iPhone to no end. Now whether or not they choose to do so — we can only hope the best.I’ve also felt your skepticism lately, and articles like this one do make me nervous. My most obvious concern is the keyboard. What good is the device if text input is worthless or slow?
Strangely enough, I also have recently found myself content with my Treo. Text input is awesome, I’ve got it to sync well enough, and it’s a great, smart, phone.
But, I also believe. Maybe I’ve been drinking the Kool-Aid too much, or maybe I’ve just got way too much time on my hands and spend it all watching and reading anything I can on this friggin’ phone — but you gave me my first drink. And so I
blamethank you.Let the week begin.
Gram
June 24, 2007
If I know YOU (and I do!), you WILL be calling me from your EYE FONE before too long.
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