I want an iPhone

[Broken Arrow]

I had major iPhone lust but couldn't get past the monthly phone bill, so I got an iTouch instead. You can download and use all the iPhone applications on it. The two main differences are that it doesn't have a microphone -- so no phone calls or voice recognition -- and instead of connecting to the internet through the cell phone network, you connect through WiFi. So I can check my mail at Starbucks but can't look up directions in my car.

I did the exact same thing too.

Although, while I've always lusted Apple products to some degree, the iPhone didn't really appeal to me THAT much. That's because I was already blissfully happy with perfectly functional thumb keyboards that exist on many conventional smartphones found today.

The iPhone's virtual thumb keyboard was a bit of a learning curve for me, and I also have to accept a certain decrease in thumb typing speed and accuracy on my part.

Still, I did end up with the iPod Touch exactly because there are so many applications on it that I ultimately found it useful and necessary to me. I'm just... so picky about software and how I think it can be integrated into my life. It also helps that the software from the App Store is also quite affordable compared to other iPhone competitors.

But anyway Steve, what I would recommend is to give the thumb keyboard a good test-run in a store somewhere, see if that's something you can get used to, and that there are applications you really like. Otherwise, I don't think it's worth it....

Anyway, just my $0.02.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

My DH really wants one. Has been begging, and I finally said yes. But he sort of flipped out when he found out it's another $35/month required for as long as you have the plan. You can't turn off the plan ever for data, etc. You can't just use it as a wireless device.

$30 was the old price, it's $35 and going up apparently. Yucky. But my DH really wants it. I think it's not necessary, but hey different strokes.

[disneysteve]

There is finally enough memory to take along an appropriately large selection of music and media.

There is definitely an app that lets you access you home iTunes library so you don't need to store any music files on the phone itself. As long as your home computer is on, you can get all of your music. There might be a similar app for photos but I don't know about that.

[red92s]

It is this line of thinking that appeals to me. I don't currently have a GPS but would like one since we do travel a lot. It seems to be a really great all-in-one convergence device.

I would say that many of the "convergence" devices I've seen leave much to be desired in one or more categories. They did lots of things, but none well enough to truly replace devices.

The iPhone is approaching the capability to replace several devices. The camera quality is acceptable for most casual occasions, but lack of a flash is still a drawback. The Google Maps application is great for GPS maps, walking, and driving directions, but dose not have turn-by-turn prompts on screen (though maybe there is an app for that?). There is finally enough memory to take along an appropriately large selection of music and media.

The biggest selling feature, in my opinion, is the Apps. As more people learn the open-source language, and more colleges start teaching it in classrooms, they will become even more innovative. Many software development places are starting to focus on App development, as they can be brought to market MUCH faster and with MUCH lower investment than a traditional video game or application, while reaching a broader market.

[disneysteve]

I have a blackberry provided by work, but if I didn't I'd probably own an iPhone. Having ONE device to take with me incredibly appealing. No more fumbling with a GPS unit in the car, or worried about it being stolen off the dash. No more making sure my ipod is tucked out of sight when connected to the car radio. No more toting around a point and shoot digital camera when out with friends. I travel a ton for work and usually have a camera, phone, GPS, and iPod with me . . . going from 4 devices to one would be a god-send. Only ONE thing to keep charged, carry a cable for, and shuttle through security lines.

It is this line of thinking that appeals to me. I don't currently have a GPS but would like one since we do travel a lot. I have a digital camera but don't always feel like carrying it with me, plus the iPhone would allow us to carry a digital photo album around. I have a phone. I don't have an iPod but, as I mentioned, we do travel a lot and being able to have our entire music collection with us wherever we go would be neat. I know there is an app that lets you access your home iTunes library from anywhere. There are various free apps to listen to the radio on your phone. There are also a ton of games. I've been a few places recently where I've seen both adults and children playing with an iPhone where I used to see them using a GameBoy or DS. It seems to be a really great all-in-one convergence device.

I'm still turned off by the monthly fee. We have a family plan with 5 phones and our monthly bill is about $155 for all of us (with unlimited texting), so adding iPhone service would hike that bill considerably. So this isn't something I'm going to run out and do, but it is something I want to explore more. I have to browse the iPhone website and app store to see what is out there that I'd actually use and what might make the fee worth paying. If there is some killer app that would really make my life easier and/or save me money somehow, that could push me more toward getting one.

One other problem - if I get one, my daughter is going to want one, too.

[Pitman]

I always thought the all touch screen option would get annoying after a while. I bought the new Blackberry Curve, and absolutely love it. The plan is a little heavy at $80/month, but its worth it.

[wincrasher]

I bought an iPhone when they first came out and LOVE it.

I pay $59 for the basic plan which includes unlimited data. The new phone is $10 a month more because it's 3G. I find I roll-over alot of minutes.

To me it was a convergence device. Not only does it sync contacts, calendar and pictures to my computer, but all my computers sync with each other too. So if I add a contact, it's almost immediately available on all my computers.

I carry ALL my digital pictures on it and they are quite viewable.

It replaced the need to carry my ipod around.

It connects via bluetooth in both my cars for handsfree use.

It collects email from 4 different accounts and lets me send from any of them.

I have several news readers, the weather and stock lists on it that I monitor.

It has a pretty good web browser that is convenient for checking the news or comparing prices when out and about.

Did I say I love it?

[red92s]

It is quite a nifty little device. The $70/month is a lot, yes, but when you consider that the cheapest AT&T voice only plan is already $40, it's not an enormous jump.

I have a blackberry provided by work, but if I didn't I'd probably own an iPhone. Having ONE device to take with me incredibly appealing. No more fumbling with a GPS unit in the car, or worried about it being stolen off the dash. No more making sure my ipod is tucked out of sight when connected to the car radio. No more toting around a point and shoot digital camera when out with friends. I travel a ton for work and usually have a camera, phone, GPS, and iPod with me . . . going from 4 devices to one would be a god-send. Only ONE thing to keep charged, carry a cable for, and shuttle through security lines.

[MonkeyMama]

Oh now this is funny Steve. I am the gadget lover and couldn't care less for one of those (I hate spending money on phone service, definitely won't spend on a phone).

I think its nice that you want one though. Just make sure to use someone else for a spin so that you know you really like how it works. Sometimes the devil is in the details.

Agreed. I just thought it was funny, that those were my thoughts exactly. You wonder if the iPhone appeals more to non-gadgety people. I never *got* the iPod either. My first thought is, "plenty of cheaper/better alternatives," if it is like any other i-product. Though truly I don't know anything about the iPhone.

[PrincessPerky]

Sounds more like your friends want you to jump on the bandwagon than you really need it.

Not that you can't afford it, but like the text messaging thing, while others pressure us to get unlimited service, we are quite happy just using the regular call plan.

for one thing I can change a diaper while cradling a phone, can't say the same for text. And I am fairly certain my skills of using the keyboard one handed would not transfer well to an iphone, limiting my use greatly.

[m3racer]

It's not worth it IMO. I can accomplish my daily tasks without it. It's a $$ pit IMO.

[sweeps]

Had an iphone, but had to give it to my wife because work required a blackberry (I have a blackberry storm -- fortunately work pays for it). The iphone is much better than the storm. The iphone plan is about $80/month after taxes, assuming you don't need a huge amount of minutes. The only advantage of having the storm over the iphone is the network. AT&T's network is awful.

[project15]

I had major iPhone lust but couldn't get past the monthly phone bill, so I got an iTouch instead. You can download and use all the iPhone applications on it. The two main differences are that it doesn't have a microphone -- so no phone calls or voice recognition -- and instead of connecting to the internet through the cell phone network, you connect through WiFi. So I can check my mail at Starbucks but can't look up directions in my car.

I did this as well. I did miss the functionality to ALWAYS be connected to the internet, but the games and entertainment factor were well worth the price.

Note everyone - iPods don't like to be put in the washer. My battery life sucks and my internet doesn't work anymore. So it's basically just an iPod again.

[SnoopyCool]

My friend just bought an iPhone today and loves it. She spoke of all sorts of things you can do with it.

I think I'm so far out of the technology loop that all of this stuff sounds way over my head. I fell-off the bandwagon around the Palm Pilot days!

[TBH]

I am also so not into gadgets, but I have iPhone lust too. The monthly fee is only part of what's stopping me, though. I do NOT need 24/7 internet access. I spend too much time online as it is. If I had a smart phone I would be a full-blown addict immediately.