As a recent Mac convert, I am still pretty geeked out by my 3GS iPhone. Yesterday, all of my co-workers who were close to a contract renewal got shiny new iPhone 4s. Very cool. They are all face-to-face calling each other. This was pure science fiction a few years ago!
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June 24, 2010 1:09 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork
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June 24, 2010 1:16 p.m. Otto_Maddox Reader
I am pondering getting an iphone. I am just not sure I need the extra capabilities. I have a computer within hand's reach 90% of the time. Do I really need something to cover the other 10%?
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June 24, 2010 1:40 p.m. Xceler8x Dork
Smartphones are all pretty sweet. Android or Apple. I can't believe the amount of computing power I carry in my hand.
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June 24, 2010 1:45 p.m. Tom Heath Webmaster
I badly want an HD video camera on my phone. Web updates from anywhere!
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June 24, 2010 2:06 p.m. oldtin HalfDork
I bought the 3g, skipped the gs. I'll go for the 4. Dunno about other smart phones but this one actually improved life for me. That's pretty rare and valuable to me.
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June 24, 2010 2:22 p.m. alfadriver Dork
In reply to oldtin:
How so? (that's not supposed to come off as a smart remark, but an honest question- I'm very interested in smart phones, but just can't make the leap)
Eric
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June 24, 2010 3:45 p.m. aircooled SuperDork
I can say that the traffic and map capabilities of my g/f's iPhone have been VERY useful. I am sure that is not an iPhone exclusive btw.
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June 24, 2010 4:03 p.m. skruffy SuperDork
The iPhone is one of those devices you don't know you need until you have one. I can't imagine going back to a regular phone at this point. Having internet, email, and all sorts of other stuff with me all the time is far more useful than you'd think.
Even just simple stuff like the maps or weather becomes something I use everyday.
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June 24, 2010 4:04 p.m. turboswede SuperDork
I find that being able to access information nearly instantly is damned handy.
there have been a number of times where I've been asked to e-mail some information to someone, or recall an e-mail or bit of info and I've been able to resolve it with my smart phone.
The ability to search for places on the map and knowing where you are helps a ton as well. Especially if you travel a lot or you like to be able to be casual about your evening's itinerary, but still know which way to go before you head off.
The ability to use some of the apps to get SOME data on what a car is doing or to convert units of measurement, etc is also dang handy.
There are times where being able to snap a quick picture and send it off is very handy when troubleshooting. The newer phones will even do video as well, which just adds a bit to it all.
I think of it as the modern solution to the Swiss Army knife. Yes, if you break a Swiss Army Knife down to its component pieces you can carry better versions of those pieces. There are better knives, scissors, pens, corkscrews, etc. A DSLR is a ton better than a Camera phone. A laptop is a better way to browse the web. You can get better data acquisition from a stand alone device, etc. However, if you don't have those with you, but you come upon a situation where having something is better than nothing, you are now better prepared than you otherwise would be.
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June 24, 2010 4:20 p.m. motomoron Reader
Well put, turboswede -
I'm a messenger bag devotee since my distant way back days as a bike messenger, when it was a job for disenfranchised bicycle racers, not a "lifestyle". In this bag I always have, among other things:
- Personal cell phone
- Company Blackberry
- Garmin Nuvi 250 GPS
- Point n' shoot digital camera
- Old Gerber multi-tool
- Sunglasses - reading glasses - spare contacts
- Toothbrush, OTC pharmacueticals
- Benchmade Infidel OTF automatic knife (breaking down cardboard boxes, quelling zombie attack)
- Passport - spare credit card - a little cash (fleeing country if need be)
- Current issue GRM
I could never get past the Koolaid drinking aspect of iPhones, plus my wife and I have been pleased in the extreme with T-Mobile for 10 years - we didn't want to defect to AT&T or Verizon.
I was ready to throw down and get Google G1 phones to run on our cheap T-Mobile family plan, but my wife's employer has given the option of iPhones instead of Blackberries, so that scuttled that idea.
I'd love to ditch a bunch of the electronic crap in my bag and simplify.
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June 24, 2010 4:21 p.m. Josh Dork
Reading this thread on my iphone4. This display is almost incomprehensibly good. I can view the non-mobile version at full width and read the text just fine. The hype about this being beyond the resolution limits of the human eye actually wasn't hype. I can just barely discern the pixels if I put the phone so close to my face that I can barely focus on it. It's kind of astonishing to think that we've basically reached the useful limit of display resolution going forward.
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June 24, 2010 4:25 p.m. oldtin HalfDork
In reply to alfadriver:
It's pretty much replaced my personal laptop, cell phone, car radio, address book and ipod. I've used the GPS a few times as well. It's less crap to carry around and it works without having to think about it or spend much time programming it. On the fun side, I can play guitar on it and I used an app to set the basic geometry on my mg's suspension (at least good enough to get it to an alignment shop). I've used the camera for a lot of projects. Maybe that's not any better than what other smart phones do, and it's not perfect (not running flash is a good sized annoyance and the lack of battery access). Having it has a made a difference in having access to e-mail, interweb and camera and has probably contributed to adding to my client list. The rest of it is just good packaging and stuff I want.
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June 24, 2010 7:05 p.m. pigeon HalfDork
I got the 3GS on launch day with a preorder. This time around I didn't preorder within the first few hours and missed all the launch day availability, so I decided I'd just wait. I stopped by the local Apple Store at 6:30pm tonight and the no-reservations line was at least 100 people deep, or probably a good 2 hours. I think the odds of getting anything at the back 1/2 of that line were very slim indeed. I'll try again this weekend, or just order online and wait. I figure it's a no-cost upgrade to me - by the time I ebay my current phone I might actually make a few bucks.
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June 24, 2010 7:20 p.m. Osterkraut Dork
I just wish my Incredible wasn't on backorder so I could clown on all you fools!
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June 24, 2010 7:42 p.m. alfadriver Dork
Good stuff.
Sadly, I'm a little less torn with the iPhone, mainly as I refuse to go with AT&T- IMHO, they are hacks.
But I'm getting some ideas about replacing my old phone.
We'll see.
For those of you who get a new iPhone4- enjoy it!!!
Eric
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June 24, 2010 9:04 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork
Not trying to bash the iPhone but rather trying to confirm...
Are any of you iPhone 4 users experiencing the same antenna flaw as exposed in this video?
http://blogs.computerworld.com/16402/flaws_claimed_in_some_iphone_4_smartphones -
June 24, 2010 11:46 p.m. neon4891 SuperDork
My upgrade is available on Dec. 25. I'm buying my self an Xmas gift
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June 25, 2010 12:22 a.m. Josh Dork
jrw1621 wrote:
Are any of you iPhone 4 users experiencing the same antenna flaw as exposed in this video?
Yes, you do get signal loss if you hold it in a way that bridges the antenna and the rest of the metal strip. I don't plan to use mine without a case, so this doesn't really affect my use of the phone. I am sort of glad I sold my Apple stock last week though :).
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June 25, 2010 8:26 a.m. Xceler8x Dork
I'm with Skruffy on this one. I'm a loyal Tmo user so I went with a MyTouch3G when it came out. An android phone. I've since rooted mine and am running cyanogen mod 5.0.8.
Even stock the thing is a wonder of convenience. GPS maps via Google maps. Music app and with iSyncer I can even rate tunes and sync with iTunes. NPR app let's me listen to some news in the morning no matter where I am. Access to email at anytime or place. Access to my google calendar anytime or place. I don't even accept appt cards from Dr's anymore as I just input it into my phone right there. Weather Channel app let's me know what to wear to work that day. Google Listen feeds me podcasts at the gym. Trapster tells me where speed traps are while I drive as reported by other speeders.
All this from a pocket computer I used to make calls on. 10 years ago that was science fiction.
The iPhone is just as good. Either way I can't imagine going back to a regular phone.
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June 25, 2010 8:32 a.m. Duke SuperDork
We just finally took the iPhone leap last December (3GS) so we're a while away from getting new phones. It bugs my wife a little that the 4G is out now, but I've learned after 25 years of Apple products that you're always better off with the second version of any given new device.
