Why I Love my iPhone and Do Not Miss My Blackberry
It is no secret that I’m a huge fan of Apple Inc. formally known as Apple Computer. I bought my first Apple computer, the Apple IIc back in…wow…let’s see now…it was 1985 or 1986. I bought my first Macintosh in 1987 or so. I’ve used PCs all these years too, not by choice, though. I fondly recall the passionate debates I got into with fellow seminary students who told me that a graphical user interface, a GUI, as we called it back in the day, was “stupid” and “would never catch on.” I fondly recall how those debates halted abruptly and with only embarrassing silence when Microsoft rolled out their Windows operating system. I’ve owned nearly every gizmo that Apple came out with, both the hits and the clunkers. I dodged the Newton bullet, fortunately. But there has been one thing I’ve avoided and swore I’d never use: an iPhone. Why? Simple really. I thought I would not like the fact that it has only a virtual keyboard, no real buttons to push. And so, I’ve had a Blackberry for several years and even when others around me started using the iPhone, I declared, when asked if I wanted an iPhone, “No thanks.” But that ended recently when I started using an iPhone 3GS, 32 gigabyte model.
I can’t believe how stupid I was in refusing one earlier. For anyone who has been following Apple for as long as I have (and you know who you are), you will agree with me when I say this, the iPhone is the epitome of what makes Apple one of the most innovative and consistently successful companies in the world. The iPhone is nothing short of a masterpiece of design and functionality, engineering and innovation, creativity and practicality. It is simply amazing. The fact that I have everything on one small device: a large music library, all my contacts, my phone, my e-mail system, text messaging, and a large e-book library to boot in a system engineered to be nearly idiot proof is powerful evidence of why Apple remains the innovator, and everyone else the follower. And, oh yea, I almost forgot: the apps. The iPhone is all about the apps. They are amazingly helpful and useful. I now have a talking GPS system better than my Garmin NUVI. I have apps that help me read more news than I have in years: the New York Times app, the CNN Mobile app, the Weather Channel, the stock market app. I’ve got an app that is helping me track my eating habits (we manage what we measure!).
I thought I would miss my Blackberry, but I do not. The keyboard on the iPhone is remarkable. As everyone told me, you just have to learn to trust it. The touch screen’s sensitivity is simply amazing, and I find that I can thumb-type almost as quickly on my iPhone as I did on the Blackberry. Everything about my iPhone is better than my Blackberry: better/sharper image, better sound, easier to use and navigate, etc.
What would I suggest as improvements to the iPhone? First, a multitasking operating system so I did not have to effectively quit one app, to launch another. Second, I would like a better way to activate the phone and place a call with a speed-dial, though, I must admit, I have not tried the voice recognition as much as I should, and used it successfully yesterday. Battery life? Yup, definitely needs to be improved, but I’m managing just fine with proper power management techniques and not using it obsessively. Other than that, I haven’t noticed anything I’d improve.
And that is why I love my iPhone and do not miss my Blackberry. Let’s hear it from iPhone and BB users out there. What is your take on the iPhone?
I also love apple and would have an iphone right now but…
What would I suggest as improvements to the iPhone?
I have no access to AT&T or its allies, only Verizon. A Verizon iphone would be suggestion for an ‘improvement’
I don’t have an iPhone right now, but I’ve been impressed with the design. It’ll be interesting to watch what happens now, though, as Google’s Android phones start to compete directly with the iPhone. I know a number of the things I’d use the most on an iPhone are Google services–Gmail, Reader, Maps, etc… Hopefully the competition will make both parties better.
The single reason I have a Blackberry and not an iPhone… AT&T has terrible coverage around the Quad Cities (IL & IA). I have learned the hard way that I select a carrier first and then a phone afterward.
The lack of coverage and multitasking are for me big hangups. In these parts, Verizon/Alltel are king whereas AT&T coverage is virtually non-existent. The iPhone is “cool” but it also has engendered an elitist ethos (both with exclusive AT&T coverage and it’s death grip on which apps are allowed to be used on its platform) that have given me a sour taste. I’m happy with my BB, and for the foreseeable future, it will stay that way.
The iPhone is fantastic! Best invention ever made, far better than any other similar phone. I love it for it’s stability, reliability, and functionality, especially the Apps. I wish it was flash-compatible, though. Speaking of apps, CPH should look into an app to search its catalogue.
Does the iPhone have a battery that cannot be user-replaced, but have to be sent back to Apple to have this done? One thing I do not like about for some of the Apple products such as the iPods is the inability to replace the batteries ourselves. Do we get our own devices back or do we get refurbished devices (not our own) as their version of “battery replacements”? What about the data on the devices?
I don’t own an iPhone or a Blackberry, but am tending towards a Blackberry for special applications catered to the deaf/hoh and the user-replaceable battery.
Earlier this year, I wanted to replace my Palm Tungsten T3 and regular cell phone with one unit. iPhone most impressed me with the size of it’s screen – twice that of BlackBerry. The Tungsten T3 screen was the same size as iPhone’s – so I stayed at my visual comfort level. Most handy apps for my pastoral work are “Trip Cubby”, “Gas Cubby” and Olive Tree Bibles. Apple has a wonderful selection of apps for just about any interest. I’m very happy with iPhone.
as soon as it becomes available on verizon, i will be the first in line. untill then, i will stick with my BB. i have to admit it is the closest thing to the iphone on the Verizon network. and i really do like my BB.
I’ve had an Apple computer in my household since I was 8 years old with my dad’s Apple][, then ][e, and ][gs. I got my first Mac my freshman year of undergrad. They really are all about innovation. The corporate culture (and its changes through the Skully/Amelio years) is a study in itself.
The Apps Store really is the backbone of the iPhone platform. I've been wanting for a year now to start creating a series of apps for Lutherans, starting with the Small Catechism. Eventually, the entire LSB Pastoral Care Companion or Treasury of Daily Prayer could be in app form. Alas, I'm just a theologian, and not a programmer, so I haven't even ventured into the developers toolkit yet.
@kakeil
iPhone batteries are not user replaceable. However, I believe they can be replaced in store if necessary (along with the screens. The question is, why? If your battery fails I can understand the necessity, but if you are concerned about battery life, just get an external battery dongle.
You can replace the batteries on many Apple iPods with a kit you can get from certain companies. However, this has never been an issue for me. I’ve owned two iPods and my wife has her own as well. We’ve never had a battery issue.
Also note that if they made the battery user replaceable it would increase the size of the device and also create another point of failure with the latch and other components.
I have a Blackberry Storm. Isn’t it more or less just like an iPhone?
I haven’t had the chance to use an iphone, but am on my second blackberry (a curve this time)and an iphone would have to be unbelievably good to get me to change.
The blackberry strong suit for me is the enterprise server and the way it ties into Outlook. I live on Outlook and having it available anywhere is the ultimate.
I am also very impressed with tethering via bluetooth. I have Verizon service and the speed is surprising. My first blackberry was ATT and I will never again go ATT in Minnesota. Coverage and speed were very inferior to Verizon.
Hi Jim, the iPhone works great with Outlook.
@Jim R.
how does blackberry work with outlook? is there an app?
By Outlook, most are referring to Microsoft Exchange Server. This is something that is utilized in corporate environments. iPhones can connect to this using Active Sync but it is not nearly as secure as the way Blackberries connect using Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES). It is for this reason that many companies will not allow corporate email access to an iPhone (and if I was in my former position, I would not either).
McCain: It all works just fine here, no problems, and totally seamless.