2007 / September 9^th/ Hot for iPhone

Cutting back about a week ago today, I was still in the mindset that I would not be purchasing this generation of JesusPhone. In fact, even after the 10am Apple event on Tuesday, September 5th — I was still under the impression I would wait. While a $200 price drop was a lot — I still felt $400 was a lot for a phone.

But then I saw that the remaining 4gb models were only $300. To me, 4gb is equivalent to 8gb (or 16 or 32 for that matter) — not enough for my whole library, but plenty for music on the go. The next day, I went down to our local Apple Store and picked one up. In and out in about 3 minutes — and I had my JesusPhone. Another 5-6 minutes activating at home, and I had completely replaced my phone on my lunch break. (Another 20 minutes attempting to input our 64-character wireless access code at work, and I was cruising on Wi-Fi).

I think what pushed me over the edge was the ability to feel like I was on the bleeding edge (I got it just after the price drop) without paying for an unproven device. It didn’t hurt that Apple’s announcement came within a few hours of my paycheck landing on my desk.

Cherry Popped

The iPhone is the first “smart phone” I’ve had. Hell, it’s the first mobile device I’ve had with a camera let alone access to what is currently called the mobile web. In fact, I’ve only owned two mobile devices in my lifetime: the old Nokias with the removable faceplates, and some LG flip phone that I got for free.

You can call me addicted at this point. Only a few days with it and I can’t imagine how I lived without this thing. I love everything about it. I want a tattoo of “iPhone = <3” stamped on my shoulder.

Lazy Sunday Device

One thing I’m noticing the iPhone is exceptional at is my procrastinating surfing I do — the lazy sunday surfing. Checking up on forums while I’m chillin’ watching some TV, or reading the latest Newsvine has to give me (through Leaflets, of course). It’s the perfect device for wasting time on the internet.

Watching YouTube videos on this thing is phenomenal. I’ve never been one to browse YouTube — but for some reason, it’s so much nicer to do on the iPhone. It does help that YouTube interface has been simplified and you get high quality videos out of it. Same goes for watching movie trailers (through Apple’s Trailers). If you had asked me a week ago what I thought about watching video on such a small device — I would have told you that you were stupid. Call me wrong: watching videos on the iPhone is absolutely wonderful.

It does also leave me wishing that Adobe & Apple would settle their differences for a little while and include Flash (player) on the iPhone. With that missing piece of the online-video puzzle — I think we could see some seriously amazing things on the iPhone.

About those iApps

I’ve also been playing with my fair share of iPhone applications. There’s a lot of good here, and a lot of bad too. But it’s something that’s really, really intrigued me (as of this week). I’m starting to believe in this whole mobile web — or at least, the iWeb. Incidentally, I’ve been reading Mobile Web Design (got the company to pick up a coupe of copies) — and while most of it is common sense kind of stuff, it’s exactly the common sense us web developers need. Kind of like the fasten seat belt signs on airplanes.

Anyways… I think that this whole mobile web thing is really going to start taking off now. I can’t help but think that people like R.I.M. aren’t already firing up their internal engines to come up with a rival browser to MobileSafari. The truth is — the “mobile web” that exists today (iPhone sites excluded) is still pretty boring in my eyes. It can get you the information you need — but it’s not fun. The iWeb is fun and useful. It’s got me fired up about design again, and really given me a whole new paradigm to think about when designing.

Perhaps I’ll leave the ranting about iPhone apps for another post.

1. 

   Dr J

   September 10^th | #

   I picked mine up right after the drop just like you did. Moved from a blackberry and glad I did.

2. 

   Noah Everett

   September 10^th | #

   I’ll be picking mine up in November. Glad you like yours. Makes me want mine more.

3. 

   Blue .

   September 10^th | #

   waiting for the European release, waiting…waiting…

4. 

   Kyle

   September 10^th | #

   Blue: At least when it hits Europe it should have 3G. EDGE is a bit painfully slow — but then again, 99% of the time I’m on a WiFi network, so it doesn’t matter.

5. 

   Ben

   September 14^th | #

   I got one after the price drop as well. I’m in the exact same boat, never owned a phone that had a camera, let alone didn’t come free with my service.

   I love this thing, but wish you could add save folders to mail or send a voicemail as an attachment… but those are my largest complains, which is saying something.

6. 

   Derek

   September 14^th | #

   Nice to hear you’ve picked up the JesusPhone. One of the only pains that I’ve had with the phone is how Mail has NO mark all as read. WTH is that all about?! When and if the 3G version hits Europe, it will suck because the chances of it working with 3G networks stateside is slim to none. I remember when I picked-up the N95. It was 3G ready, just not provisioned for US network(s) spectrum.

7. 

   Kyle

   September 14^th | #

   Derek: I feel your pain dude. I had to delete 600 messages I accidentally downloaded when I first sync’ed it. I’d like a “delete all” and “mark all as read” — at least in no-imap gmail land.

8. 

   Joel

   September 18^th | #

   As an aussie I’m awaiting options on the iPhone (we at the arse end of the world wait about 12-18months to catch up on technology, and then normally pay double the launch price). I’m wondering what the british launch (announced today) will bring. It’s definitely a possibility, though 3G would make it so much sweeter.

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