Last week I activated my iPhone – flush with excitement about the 2.0 software. I’ve been using the iPhone as a test device for the last year, without any phone service.1 The iPhone with phone service is definitely more useful.
Overall, increased usage of the iPhone has done more to reinforce my previous opinions on it than anything else – except maybe making me more dissatisfied with the browser in the BlackBerry.
Some notes:
- The iPhone is a two-handed device, where the BlackBerry is designed to work very well as a one-handed device.
- The keyboard on the iPhone is just awful. Whenever I need to type anything (e-mail, Twitter, etc.) I use the BlackBerry.
- The browser is just phenomenal, and I’ve found myself on the mobile web more with the activated iPhone than I was with my BlackBerry.
- Even with the browser being so good, it’s not nearly as fast as using a laptop.
- Having a native Twitter app on the BlackBerry makes me realize just how much better the iPhone will be in a month.
- Real IMAP support on the iPhone is excellent, for an “e-mail” device, the BlackBerry’s non-BES IMAP e-mail support is just pathetic.
- The web iPhone apps and info pages are really quite handy.
- I badly want a podcast app for the iPhone that supports downloading podcasts over wifi. I’m sure someone is building one – let me know if you want another beta tester.
- The BlackBerry Curve is significantly lighter than the iPhone, and the rubberized side panels make it a lot easier to grip.
- The upcoming OTA syncing for the iPhone eclipses what BlackBerry users have unless they have a BES.
- Having web page bookmarks on the home page for the iPhone reminds me of the old PQAs on the Palm VII and i705 from back in the day.
- The iPod integration in the iPhone is actually better than I expected. I’m noticing that more as I use the device more.
- I appreciate my BlackBerry keyboard more now.
Having 2 phones seems a little silly at times, but the iPhone is actually an “add a phone” to my BlackBerry line, so it’s not too bad2. It’s pretty obvious to me that I’m going to need to be building great tools for the iPhone in the future, so… it’s a business expense. 
So, we get our iPhone-optimized version of Tasks now, right?
Probably in two phases, but yes – it’s in the works.
As much as the keyboard to the iphone is not useful at first, the auto corrector is fantastic. So if I am typing an email, and don’t look down and just type on memory, it is 95% accurate with words, even if I am 60% accurate on letters.
There is a level of trust you just have to have.
I’ve heard that from several people and tried it (just type, don’t hit backspace every 3rd letter to fix things), but the results are completely unacceptable for me. :shrug:
Glad it works for you though.
ah, I am glad you can now totally see why I insist on using the iPhone all the time. I had a debate with myself this weekend and almost bought a BB Curve. I am glad I waited becuase the IMAP support on the iPhone is amazing. I did not realize it was that bad on the BB. I don’t like having to use the BB service for my mail. Welcome to using the iPhone as El Jobso intended.
I have an iPod Touch, and I’ll probably never get an iPhone solely because of the Virtual Keyboard. Browsing on the Touch is great but typing for me is a pain.
Plus, I cannot wait for the Blackberry Bold.
I agree the iPhone keyboard isn’t as good as a physical keyboard. I mean, a physical keyboard is always going to be better than a virtual one. That said, I’m able to work pretty dang well with the iPhone keyboard and I’d say apple has done pretty well overcoming the challenges of using one.
For me it’s all about the trade-off: would I rather have a gorgeous huge screen, and a virtual keyboard that’s only there when I need it? Or a physical keyboard that’s there all the time, and a sub-standard screen, all the time. For me, and my needs, the answer is obvious.
P.S. I typed this comment entirely on my iPhone.
I don’t think it’s necessarily either or. The slide-out keyboard works nicely on other mobile devices, why couldn’t it work here? It would be great not to have the virtual keyboard taking up screen space too.
I would have to agree with the fact that the iPod experience is much better. The one thing I would go for though, is being able to start a movie or TV show, then switch applications or lock the iPhone and have the audio keep playing. Nothing more frustrating then getting an SMS message and having to stop the movie to reply. At the very lease there could be an option for stopping the movie when switching applications.
I have been searching for a good comparison between the new iPhone and the upcoming Blackberry, all I found were technical specs that were pros for some and cons for some other people. Thanks!
They are really reaching out to a different market in my mind here. I like the concept. I wonder what will happen with it and how it will function.
Also, there has been so many complaints about a blackberry as a phone, the quality isnt always the best. I wonder how this will work.
Alex, interesting post. Right now, I am torn between getting the BB Curve on Verizon, or dumping Verizon altogether and getting an iPhone 3G. Really torn on this. Been a BB user for a long time, but my gut tells me that the iPhone, as a platform, will really turn into something spectacular.
I used to use BES, but now that I’ve changed jobs, I don’t need it any longer. I use BIS exclusively now.
Still, tough call: BB Curve or iPhone 3G?
I picked up a Curve in February, on TMobile’s crappy data system. I really do like the phone, but the rollerball can get annoying, and the hourglass is really bad, had to remove the battery multiple times to reset to get rid of the hourglass.
Got the Curve for next-to-nothing due to some negotiations with the Biz rep for TM. If I don’t take a huge hit on downgrading my plan (wife still uses MyFavs), then I will be selling the Curve and moving to the iPhone and AT&T.
I wish I didn’t have to switch to AT&T, but if that’s what I have to do, I will, because this new version of the iPhone is almost everything I need, and I’ll get use to the onscreen keyboard, I’m sure.
While the keyboard isn’t the best, I still love my iPhone and will probably shell out for the 3g too.
Thanks for this post. Between iphone, nokia and blackberry, I will choose blackberry anyday. Whats ur view on Nokia n96?
Nice phone/camera – lacks a keyboard.
The keyboard is a real killer for me too. The other thing I’d like to do with a new phone is have the capability to record interviews Scoble-style, so I suspect I’ll be waiting another generation. It seems like the iPhone is where developers are going, though, so it’s where all the cool apps will be.
Alex, a slide-out keyboard would indeed be handy! It would add a bit in size and weight to the device, more even than a normal keyboard, so there’s still a trade-off. One I could see lots of people willing to make though (not myself, I think).
so are we thinking that the turn off the at&t service refund application fee will work with the new 3g phone as well next month?
re: podcasts, check out stitcher.com I know they’re working on an iapp version of their iwebapp.
Another interesting thought for a possible keyboard fix could be a third party, or even Apple so it looks as nice as their usual hardware, would be a keyboard attachment. I haven’t ever used the XBOX 360 keyboard attachment for the controllers, but something of that sort would be nice. Also a keyboard that sits on a desk and works like palm keyboards of a few years ago. It would have to let you rotate the iPhone to the landscape orientation, but why not? The iPhone is supposed to be the next generation of computing isn’t it?
I love iPhone even there no physical keyboard on it
virtual keyboard is Ok…
Nokia, iPhone,Blackbery…well.. nothing perfect guys…
Good article. I have been beta testing the 2.0 software for a while now through my job. The OTA syncing works really, really well with Exchange. It took them a while to get it right though, and I bet they are still working out the kinks.
I agree that the keyboard is pretty bad. BUT with a little practice and paying attention it can actually be pretty good. I will say they they were NOT thinking about ladies with fingernails when they creating the lovely “heat sensitive” screen. I actually have to put a finger pad on it for it to work. Oh well.. I have gotten used to it and now it works pretty darn good.
I also have been doing pretty good using it with one hand. But, like you… this is my secondary device. My first and favorite is an ATT Tilt, which I am in love with. When I need to do a lot of texting or emailing, this is what i use. If i text from the iPhone it’s because I feel like “practicing” … or torturing myself.
Now, if only they would make more options for SMS like forwarding a msg, and add MMS, I would be happy.
I LOVE the mobile browser and use it quite a bit. I am hoping to be able to get my hands on the 3G version. (Yes, I am spoiled at work).
Enjoy your iPhone!
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