SOCIAL: "smart phones?"

Amandeep Jawa deep at deeptrouble.com
Thu Dec 4 11:52:33 PST 2008 

The thing about iPhone glitches is that there is so much hype around  
the iPhone that anything about them makes news whereas it doesn't for  
other phones as much. The other phones have at least the same type of  
problems as the iPhone does if not worse*.

The truth of the matter is murkier.  Yes, there are problems with the  
iPhone, but the short answer is that most of those things are  
improving & the positives really outweigh the negatives.
	
Software issues:

There certainly are numerous bugs in the iPhone software and missing  
features as well.  To be sure, smartphones, even the iPhone, are much  
more complex than regular phones and so the software at this point is  
significantly more glitchy.  If I just wanted the most reliable phone  
in the world, I would get a cheap, simple, Samsung/LG/Whatever  
dumbphone.  But I find that the occasional glitch is a minor annoyance  
compared to all the real joy (yes, I'm using the word "joy" - I keep  
thinking about blogging about this) and capability I get from my  
iPhone.  The other really big deal here is that Apple is improving the  
iPhone software every few months, and if you by an iPhone today you  
will still get the updated software as it comes out. And installing  
the updates is straightforward - just use iTunes.

Network Issues:

The network issues on AT&T also might be what you have heard of.  For  
me, I've not had any real problems.  I have noticed that I get  
somewhat less coverage than I did on Verizon, and the call quality  
isn't as good as Verizon, but neither of these has been a problem for  
me.  AT&T keeps talking about how much they are improving their  
network and maybe they are, but I have no real complaints.

That all being said, all of this in many ways misses the point for me.  
For me, the iPhone is so powerful AND so much fun to use that it has  
really changed my life.  I know that sounds gushy, but you'd be  
surprised at how many people have told me that as well.  It might just  
be how technological I am anyway**, but the combination of having a  
really powerful, really connected, and really FUN to use tiny computer  
with me at all times has been honestly a significant improvement in  
how much fun I have in my life.  That's really the bottom line for me.


'deep

.ps
I just remembered the Blackberry that I would look at if I was to not  
go with an iPhone - it is the Blackberry Bold.


* For a good laugh read David Pogue's Blackberry Storm Review:  http://tinyurl.com/69ohdm 
  (Best line: "But wait, there's less")

**I'm geeky and
- like to check the Wikipedia right as I walk out of a "based on true  
events" movie
- like to have updated transit info at my fingertips whenever I want it,
- love texting my friends constantly (since it is SOOOOOO much better  
than on a dumb phone) a
- check my email all the time wherever I am (bathroom, bike (bad  
'Deep!), meeting etc etc)
- find myself presuming I know the location of the place I'm going  
when I don't (thank you GPS + Google Maps)
- find myself wondering what the song I'm hearing is (I love Shazam!)





On Dec 4, 2008, at 10:58 AM, Karen Nemsick wrote:

> Ok I hear you on the iPhones.  and to be honest, I LOVE all the  
> gadget-ness of them.  But I keep hearing about glitches with the G3  
> network and such.  is this just the hype that comes with a new toy?   
> or are they legit issues?  is iPhone encountering the same glitches  
> that any other phone/blackberry would encounter?
>
> --- On Thu, 12/4/08, Amandeep Jawa <deep at deeptrouble.com> wrote:
> From: Amandeep Jawa <deep at deeptrouble.com>
> Subject: Re: SOCIAL: "smart phones?"
> To: "Deep's Social" <social at deeptrouble.com>
> Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 10:19 AM
>
> Really, honestly, Karen - that sounds like an iPhone.  And I would  
> say that even if I didn't work for Apple.*
>
> There are a few smartphones out there that do what you want based on  
> what you describe.  Some have more features some have less.  The  
> iPhone is head and shoulders the easiest to use and one of the most  
> capable in terms of features. (though the TMobile G1 (a.k.a the  
> Google phone) probably comes close).
>
> It also depends on your carrier.  If you are on AT&T or willing to  
> switch carriers (luckily, you can keep your same number these days!)  
> I'd suggest going to AT&T and getting an iPhone.  The only downside  
> I'd say of switching to AT&T is that if you are coming from Verizon,  
> you will notice they don't have as good coverage, but for me and  
> many I know, that hasn't been a problem.  If you are coming from  
> another carrier, you'll be fine.  Verizon sucks in other ways  
> anyways (they all suck in one way or another.)
>
> If I was on Verizon and wanted to stay, I'd look into what they had,  
> but steer clear of the Blackberry Storm (early reviews are bad) that  
> they might send you to. Some of the other Blackberries might be OK,  
> just not the Storm.
>
> On T-Mobile I'd look at the G1 mentioned above.
>
> If I was going for the cheapest possible decent phone, I'd play with  
> a Palm Centro at around $100.
>
>
> At the end of the day,  few phones may have a few more features than  
> the iPhone, but none have the usability of the iPhone.  Personally I  
> LOVE my iPhone.  Let me know if you have other questions.
>
>
> 'deep
>
> *In fact it is the other way around, the fact that we make things  
> like the iPhone is why I wanted to work at Apple.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Dec 4, 2008, at 9:15 AM, Karen Nemsick wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> It seems time for me to get a new phone.  My current, very very old  
>> phone, that doesn't even text or have call waiting, is dying a slow  
>> death.  So, I'm looking for new technology.  A phone that lets me  
>> check email, and maybe even internet, and maybe even GPS!  Is that  
>> too much for a gal to ask?  I am an admitted Luddite when it comes  
>> to cell phone technology, so I'm looking to the list for help.  Any  
>> recommendations?
>>
>> Karen
>>
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>
>
>
> ----------------------------------
> Amandeep Jawa
> ----------------------------------
> deep AT deeptrouble DOT com
> 937 Valencia St.
> San Francisco, CA 94110-2320
>
> personal: http://www.deeptrouble.com
> political: http://www.sflcv.org
>
>
>
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>



----------------------------------
Amandeep Jawa
----------------------------------
deep AT deeptrouble DOT com
937 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110-2320

personal: http://www.deeptrouble.com
political: http://www.sflcv.org

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