The Apple iPhone Experience

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The Apple iPhone Experience

Frazier Barretto, Oct 22, 2007 2041 hrs IST

The phone with the "i" magic

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The Other Reality

Now, the iPhone isn't the first phone and music player combination. And for that matter, the Sony Ericsson Walkman -- if not a pioneer -- is by far the best. But the iPhone is Apple's first shot at making a phone. Nevertheless, given the way Apple develops its products, I expected more. What I mean is I wanted it better than UIQ Symbian -- and the iPhone certainly is better. In terms of music quality, it's just like any other iPod. But come to the basics: the phone supports basic SMS. And I liked the way the iPhone arranges SMSes -- just like a chat messenger. (This is there in the Palm Treo 750 as well.) But on the iPhone, I just couldn't forward an SMS!

Next up is its Bluetooth. It's a Bluetooth v2.0 alright, but you can't use it to transfer files! Ok, I accept that Apple doesn't want to encourage piracy, but what if I want to send or receive a video file that either my friend or I captured on this or some other phone? Not possible! You can use the Bluetooth only for voice communication to a headset.

Another shortcoming: the iPhone can capture still images but not videos. I could have even done with ancient QCIF (which Sony Ericsson doesn't seem to grow out from) -- but nothing here.

Ok, let's go back to the phone and music player combination. Most phones that place themselves in such a category try to keep things standard. You either have an enhancement, or a part of the accessory realizes the standard. I'm talking about the iPhone's headphone jack: it requires an adaptor to plug in the headphones.

That brings me to the next thing: transferring music to the iPhone. To do so, you require the latest iTunes to sync the iPhone with your PC. Doesn't seem much of a problem, does it? Well, no, if you re doing the sync on just 1 PC. But suppose you want to do that on 2 PCs, say your home and office PC. It just won't let you do so with more than 1 PC. Now, for an iPod, it may be fine, but for a phone? Not happening.

Final Words

If Sony Ericsson keeps it smart and Nokia keeps it simple, then Apple has made it native. It isn't difficult to figure out your way with an iPhone. The rub is that the iPhone doesn't let you do some basic things that everyone is accustomed to do on mobile phones.

The iPhone is a unique product. Others like the Meizu M8 and the LG Prada have made replicas (well, almost) of the iPhone, but they aren't the pick in the market as of now. So, I'm inclined to believe that the iPhone will rule the phone arena just like the iPod does the MP3 arena.

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Discussion Board

(61) Comments

Pradeep

,Pumr, on May 29, 2011 01:12 AM

No FLASH, even office (xls) is paid, no radio- fm..and Internet in india not so go, so mostly u cannot even listen to random songs on the go..file transfer difficult with our jail break, blue tooth can be used only for headsets, no photo/file can be transferred, most of the apps require Internet , 3G is good only I'm selected cities...also no HDMI output. I could not see IPL STREAMING as FLASH is not supported, Thought of Jail breaking however too much investment and new phone(I have iPhone 4).. my suggestion, check nokia N8..styling not good, but features are excellent.. Also has office app + ovi stores has good music. Plus heard that it has USB PORT , 4flash drive, not sure..planning 2 check out. VERDICT:buy IPHONE4 if u want stylish looking Junk. Better het nokia with and use BOSE head sets at the same price if u want good sound quality

The Apple iPhone Experience

The phone with the "i" magic

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