It’s been just shy of 3 weeks since I turned off the Blackberry and started testing the iPhone as a potential replacement. In that time I’ve had the opportunity to install/uninstall software, test accessories, and perform an operating system update (all without issue or lost data).
Yesterday I wiped the Blackberry and turned it in (along with some ribbing from the guys at work). I really didn’t think it would come to this but I’m going to admit it, I like the iPhone.
The iPhone is not perfect my any means (what piece of technology is?) but it’s preformed quite well during my testing phase.
While testing I made some mental notes along the way:
Pros:
- Application Availability – If you can think of it there’s probably “an app for that”.
- Build Quality – Solid with tight tolerances and attention to detail.
- Screen Resolution – I can actually read PDF files now!
- Overall Responsiveness – Very little delay between user input and system output.
- Camera – Forget the Mega Pixel count, the optics are very impressive for a phone.
- Audio Output – Loud and clear.
- Messaging – iMessage, FaceTime & just about every Social App available.
- Productivity – Full Exchange Compatibility (with the addition of a 3rd party application*)
- Location Based Reminders – Arrive/leave a location and get reminded of something you need to do at that time (Example – Set the trash out every Wed when you get home from work).
Cons:
- Battery Life – If you use the phone at all you’re going to have a hard time getting through the day on a single charge (I found a solution I’ll discuss below**).
- On-screen Keyboard – I’m slowly getting used to it and the auto correct has not burned me (yet).
- Data Network – I seem to lose 3G coverage more than I did with the Blackberry.
- Software Limitations – Some Apps I could use (like a Wi-Fi scanner) are not approved for use by Apple Corp. This is resolved by Jail Breaking, so I hear…
- Siri – This has SO MUCH potential if it would just do more than basic functions.
* TaskTask a $4.99 app fixed the issue with Outlook Tasks not syncing with the iPhone. This would have been a deal breaker for me if the app did not exist. I live and die by my task list (Insert GTD fanboy laugh here).
** As discussed in a previous post the PhoneSuite Elite solved by battery issues. I can use the iPhone all day without any worry of falling offline due to a low battery.
Some applications worth mentioning:
- Remote Controls – I can now control Roku, iTunes, Media PC and the U-Verse DVR from the iPhone.
- Games – Words with Friends is pretty addictive as are any of the EA Games titles.
- Dragon Dictation – This app is built in and does an incredible job of turning spoken words into text.
So there you have it, yet another move to a new platform. Let’s see, in the last 20+ years it’s been:
- Pen & Paper
- Casio Address Book
- HP Palmtop
- Motorola Pager
- Motorola 2-Way Pager
- Motorola Star-Tac
- Palm (several models)
- Windows Mobile (several models)
- Blackberry (several models)
- iPhone 4s
Who knows what the future will hold but it the past is any indication it’s going to keep getting better and better.