Comments on: Why I Still Won’t be Getting an iPhone

By: Paul Grunt

Paul Grunt — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:04:33 +0000

I’ll be upgrading to the new G3 iPhone on July 11th because it’s the coolest technology I’ve ever owned, it’s WAY faster and it’s a business expense! Also, I plan on developing an app or two for iPhone so I need to stay on top of the latest hardware.

By: Chris Harrison

Chris Harrison — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:31:24 +0000

1. In the UK, that might hold true… in the US, as far as I can tell, if you want 3G you’ll have to upgrade your data plan and sign a new 2-year contract. (http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/iphone-faqs.j...) According to a few things I’ve heard, there may be some sort of fee associated with breaking an existing contract, but I have yet to be able to confirm this anywhere on AT&T’s website.
2. The point which I had hope to make here is that for most people 3G isn’t going to make much of a difference for them. Yes, 3G is faster. But the first-gen iPhone is probably fast enough for most people and when it’s not there’s always wi-fi. 3G is something the phone should have had from the beginning. Now it’s a new “feature”.
3. I might be wrong, but considering all *legitimate* apps have to go through Apple’s app store… I’m not sure AT&T (in the US) will let them sell a VOIP app. Perhaps this will not be the case overseas.
4. No doubt. I’m especially anxious to see what Brightkite.com will be doing with it in regards to their location-based social network.
5. “Better” is pretty subjective. Obviously, lots of folks love their Crackberries. They’ve got something like a 44% market share. My wife has a Blackberry Pearl that she uses for work and I just don’t get it. To me it’s hard to use, but people love the things.

Don’t get me wrong… I don’t hate the iPhone. I love my iPod touch and have used several iPhone since their release. It’s a great device and I can understand why it’s as popular as it is. I just don’t think the iPhone 3G is different enough from the first-gen iPod to convince me to go out an buy it.

By: Joshua Blount

Joshua Blount — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:40:24 +0000

I’d like to politely disagree on a few points :

1. The additional price of $10 / month for the data package is a downside, however current iPhone users will not have to pay a penalty to upgrade (http://www.computeractive.co.uk/computeractive/...)

2. Although I don’t have any way to test this, from Apple’s announcement yesterday the 3G speed seems to be fairly fast, although I’m unclear what point you’re making (http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/wireless.html)

3. I can’t argue with the fact that if I take my iPhone to another country, it is difficult and costly to use. I would suggest that come June 11th, there will be some sort of VOIP app that I can use to make calls in another country where wi-fi is available, and this isn’t necessarily a downside of the new phone, but rather than limitations placed by the various carriers.

4. Agreed, however I’m sure that some of the new apps are going to be using the GPS in the iPhone in very interesting ways.

5. I would love it if you would suggest a phone that is better than iPhone. It is without question the best mobile experience for browsing the internet, and while the lack of Flash is a downside, I would contend that the internet on Safari Touch without Flash is a much better experience than any other device currently out (or available in the next few months) with Flash.

Cheers!