The 3G iPhone Shows Up --> Thoughts?

[Omnis]

You guys must be real hits in social situations. Hey pretty lady, I can sync my e-mail wherever I go! I must be attractive, right?

Maybe?

Kinda...?

The last thing I'd talk about in a social setting is my phone. Besides, are you going to brag on your cameraphone's megapixels or something? lol.

 

[ExigeEvan]

The last thing I'd talk about in a social setting is my phone. Besides, are you going to brag on your cameraphone's megapixels or something? lol.

Damn straight I do! And whoever has the better camera gets to take the cheezy photo

Can I just ask, who here actually makes video phone calls? 3G is great for the internet, but video calls, that sort of sunk without a trace over here.

When I saw the new price I was amazed, then it clicked that the contract would be buggery. But I neeed a new phone

 

[Omnis]

Yeah, seriously. Video calls are only good for deaf people, and why try to sign with one hand when you can just text message? I can't imagine holding out my phone while talking out loud and constantly aiming at my face while trying to do other things. It would be so inconvenient.

 

[Azuremen]

You guys must be real hits in social situations. Hey pretty lady, I can sync my e-mail wherever I go! I must be attractive, right?

Maybe?

Kinda...?

You're saying that.

After finding salvation in a Nokia.

On a forum.

About a video game.

Pot, kettle, black?

I think that summed it up.

You could also do what people that actually care about what a picture looks like as well: buy a friggin' proper camera.

Oh snap!

 

[V1P3R]

And now I am hearing rumors that Verizon will get an EV-DO iPhone in September. Anyone have any more info on this or is it just madness going around?

I don't know about that, but there's This.

 

[Solid Fro]

You're saying that.

After finding salvation in a Nokia.

On a forum.

About a video game.

Pot, kettle, black?

You would be surprised how many conversations were started after I whipped out my Nokia N93i. Not to brag, just on accident. Women seem to be interested in taking pictures, transferring music, and looking at themselves in the N93i's glossy cover. All things the iPhone cannot do, yet I wished it did.

At 3.2 mega pixels, it makes carrying a "proper" camera redundant. With Nokia offering 5 mega pixel phones and Sony up to 8, I don't understand Apple's decision to keep the iPhone 3G at 2. It's unfortunate for Apple, because it's the only thing keeping me from purchasing an iPhone.

 

[YSSMAN]

That seems like a pretty lame reason to ditch the phone completely, but hey, everyone buys them for different reasons. When you consider that the "average" camera in most camera phones is what, 1.3 megapixels these days, I'd be more than happy to have what the Apple can give me.

Still, Apple never really has, nor do I really expect them to, cater to "normal" phone buyers. These things are made for tech-savy people who have money and are willing to pay for the best phones out there. Only problem is that a lot of those people hate AT&T, so, meh.

 

[CDailey]

Why are you so hard on ATT, YSSMAN? I've had nothing but good times with them and I wouldn't think of changing service providers unless there was some ungodly price hike.

 

[Muzaffar]

Can I just ask, who here actually makes video phone calls? 3G is great for the internet, but video calls, that sort of sunk without a trace over here.

Well........ no one that I know in particular have ever used the front camera for video calls (oh, and some of my friends has already owned 3G phones ) but they do use that same camera as a mirror. But if you want to generalize it, yes, there are other people that would use it for video calls.

You could also do what people that actually care about what a picture looks like as well: buy a friggin' proper camera.

Its about convenience Azuremen. You don't want to be carrying a D40 or any other camera in your pocket all over the place, while you still have to fit your wallet and your phone in your pocket would you? Besides, most camera phones these days are already as good (or even better) than any digital cameras out there.

 

[V1P3R]

Not really in favor of Azuremen's argument, but I will say again... Batt. life is the most important thing if it's going to be an "all in one" device. This is because you could have all the features you want in it but if you can't power it then it's worthless.

Think... "Power is nothing without control"

 

[Muzaffar]

Not really in favor of Azuremen's argument, but I will say again... Batt. life is the most important thing if it's going to be an "all in one" device. This is because you could have all the features you want in it but if you can't power it then it's worthless.

Think... "Power is nothing without control"

Batt. Life isn't really all that important cause you will use them on a daily basis and when you are home, just charge it. (although Apple products have superior batt. life. I could watch a movie on my iPod for 8 hours straight! ) Any phone will have their batt. life shortened if you use them everyday. Besides, most new phones these days can last 5 days on standby and 2 days at least if you use them a lot. 👍

 

[Solid Fro]

That seems like a pretty lame reason to ditch the phone completely, but hey, everyone buys them for different reasons. When you consider that the "average" camera in most camera phones is what, 1.3 megapixels these days, I'd be more than happy to have what the Apple can give me.

Still, Apple never really has, nor do I really expect them to, cater to "normal" phone buyers. These things are made for tech-savy people who have money and are willing to pay for the best phones out there. Only problem is that a lot of those people hate AT&T, so, meh.

So tech-savy that I know the iPhone's weak point (for massive damage)? I'm willing to pay for the best phone and the iPhone isn't it. That's why I'm so disappointed in the 3G model. I will not explain away an important feature such as a decent camera with video recording in a convergence device such as the iPhone.

 

[F1GTR]

You would be surprised how many conversations were started after I whipped out my Nokia N93i. Not to brag, just on accident. Women seem to be interested in taking pictures, transferring music, and looking at themselves in the N93i's glossy cover. All things the iPhone cannot do, yet I wished it did.

At 3.2 mega pixels, it makes carrying a "proper" camera redundant. With Nokia offering 5 mega pixel phones and Sony up to 8, I don't understand Apple's decision to keep the iPhone 3G at 2. It's unfortunate for Apple, because it's the only thing keeping me from purchasing an iPhone.

True, my every time I took my N95 out people did comment on how much it looked like a camera, but the iPhone attracts a lot more attention. Since it's all shiny and touchy feely. They ooh and aah as they flick through my albums with the coverflow and smile when the browser rotates automatically. The camera on the N95 was OK but it didn't stop me from carrying a proper camera with me most of the time since it was slow to start up and the shutter lag was horrible. I hardly used it save for short video clips and snapshots, both of which are covered with my Canon G7 which I can slip into my jacket pocket.

Its about convenience Azuremen. You don't want to be carrying a D40 or any other camera in your pocket all over the place, while you still have to fit your wallet and your phone in your pocket would you? Besides, most camera phones these days are already as good (or even better) than any digital cameras out there.

I carry a freakin' D80 plus extra lenses with me on a regular basis.

 

[Omnis]

You would be surprised how many conversations were started after I whipped out my Nokia N93i. Not to brag, just on accident. Women seem to be interested in taking pictures, transferring music, and looking at themselves in the N93i's glossy cover. All things the iPhone cannot do, yet I wished it did.

At 3.2 mega pixels, it makes carrying a "proper" camera redundant. With Nokia offering 5 mega pixel phones and Sony up to 8, I don't understand Apple's decision to keep the iPhone 3G at 2. It's unfortunate for Apple, because it's the only thing keeping me from purchasing an iPhone.

It's all about lenses man. Pixels have almost nothing to do with image quality above 1mp. Unless you're printing from your Nokia...

 

[Solid Fro]

True, my every time I took my N95 out people did comment on how much it looked like a camera, but the iPhone attracts a lot more attention. Since it's all shiny and touchy feely. They ooh and aah as they flick through my albums with the coverflow and smile when the browser rotates automatically. The camera on the N95 was OK but it didn't stop me from carrying a proper camera with me most of the time since it was slow to start up and the shutter lag was horrible. I hardly used it save for short video clips and snapshots, both of which are covered with my Canon G7 which I can slip into my jacket pocket.

I think the Nseries are a bit more rare and extreme than iPhone. After a couple of uses by my friends, my iPod Touch gets meh reaction. They like to flip with ease through Coverflow, flip it around, and make the icons jiggle too however, my N93i always surprises them what it can really do. I'm not trying to neglect iPhone's strong points such as Coverflow and iPod functionality.

I carry a freakin' D80 plus extra lenses with me on a regular basis.

You must have really baggy pants. What else can you fit in there?

It's all about lenses man. Pixels have almost nothing to do with image quality above 1mp. Unless you're printing from your Nokia...

Until Apple reaches an image quality in line with Nokia and Sony, I don't think an iPhone will be in my pocket.

 

[F1GTR]

You must have really baggy pants. What else can you fit in there?

Empty pockets, yaaay.

iPhones are rarer than N series here though, mainly due to the price of the thing.

 

[Muzaffar]

iPhones are rarer than N series here though, mainly due to the price of the thing.

That reminds me, while I was in an Apple shop in my local shopping mall, I overheard that there is this one guy who said he bought an iPhone in London. Must have been really rich...... (and he was picking out an iPod in that shop with his daughter) I couldn't even afford to buy anything...... (was window shopping, what else do you expect from a school kid like me? )

 

[Solid Fro]

It's just the opposite in the US. Plenty of iPhones, not enough Nseries.

 

[YSSMAN]

Why are you so hard on ATT, YSSMAN? I've had nothing but good times with them and I wouldn't think of changing service providers unless there was some ungodly price hike.

I'm still not sold on GSM technology, and for that matter, from personal experience their service has been quite spotty out here while the CDMA carriers (Sprint, Verizon, Alltell, etc) have bars just about everywhere I go...

...That being said, AT&T is far better now than what it was, say, two years ago. I just get this whole "shady" vibe from them far too often, and its why I've stuck with Sprint for so long. But, now that I'm getting phone calls from them every other day about adding services and having them ask me about sticking with them, yeah, I happily tell them I'm probably going to AT&T...

 

[V1P3R]

I'd say head to Verizon and demand a comparable deal you got from Sprint first before you go GSM like you said you were reluctant to.

As for me I will probably NEVER go to GSM because CDMA is bad as it is (Verizon has better reception than Sprint) and I have a friend that has had all GSM that lives pretty close to me and they have all been ****ty. That and Everyone I know is pretty much on Verizon these days.

 

[YSSMAN]

I had Verizon before I switched to Sprint, we ended up ducking out because of the crappy customer service and the inability to get a phone call when near my old neighborhood. That, and I still hear that Verizon isn't too cool on stuff. People go to Verizon because its the big carrier that isn't AT&T, but other than that, I wouldn't say that they're much better at all.

Weird how we all get screwed over in the US. Too bad that T-Mobile absolutely blows here as well.

 

[Eric.]

And now I am hearing rumors that Verizon will get an EV-DO iPhone in September. Anyone have any more info on this or is it just madness going around?

Better be madness. I'd be rather pissed after paying $340 when all was said and done for my Glyde.

 

[V1P3R]

You know what my problem is with ALL these new "touch screen" phones... They are making you pay up the ass on the service and you don't have a choice. It's all or nothing. I don't know how many business people or "casual" phone users will blindly go with these phones when there is so many stipulations. As for the iPhone people will just buy it because it's Apple and it's a no brainer in their mind.

Anyway, I stopped by to ask about the Instinct and it's not going to work out... Furthermore, like the quoted text below says it's the service that sucks not the phone. My phone NOW does the exact same thing. Looks like I'm headed to Verizon after all and maybe just getting a "regular phone" with a keyboard for texting...

http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/article.php?a=197&p=338

The Instinct's signal indicator ranged wildly all over the place. Sitting on my couch, the Instinct has zero bars. Moving to another spot in my living room (we're talking six feet away), and it suddenly had 5 bars. Walking into my kitchen dropped the signal strength to 3 bars. Even when stationary, signal strength waffled between 0 bars and 2 bars most of the time. Granted, Sprint's network is not really strong where I live, but this is below-par performance. This made for lots of dropped calls. I was often in the middle of a conversation when the call was dropped, and the phone gave me the "Entering Sprint Service Area" message. Clearly the dropped call is related to poor signal strength.

 

[YSSMAN]

When I read the PC Mag review they said the same thing, which is interesting. That all being said, I've been scanning the internet for the reviews and all I've been finding are mixed bags. Its a good phone, its a decent iPhone competitor, but it won't replace the iPhone for people who want it... And that's my problem.

But then I got to thinking:

- New Instinct with 2-year contract: $129
- Sprint Phone Trade: - $75.00

I only have to pay $54.00 for the phone if I got one tomorrow.

But the lack of WiFi, the not-so-great browser, and the required $70 plan (that includes unlimited texts, data, etc) still makes me feel a bit wishy-washy. No rush to change phones, I need some hands-on time to check one out. That, and wait until the iPhone drops as well.

 

[Azuremen]

Well, I do know what I will doing mid July - picking up first gen iPhones for cheap. At least a couple for my friends on T-mobile and such, hack them out of AT&T sim card lock. Then behold, EDGE internet for an extra $5.99 a month thanks to settings for the iPhone on T-mobile. Just no youtube. Boo hoo

The AT&T store guys confirmed they will give every current iPhone owner the $199 or $299 rates on the 3G iPhone, regardless of contract status. Which means a likely flood of first gen iPhones for $200 or so on eBay and craig's list.

Woot.

 

[V1P3R]

Phone trade? Really? where?

Only reason I wanted the Instinct or any phone like it was because I want to have internet everywhere, but for $70 a mo. [censored] that... I'm not that desperate. Not to mention like it says the service/signal sucks so what's to say I'll even be able to get internet when I want it.

These cell phone companies need to get a clue about what they are catering not just put out a "buzz" phone they think people will want just because. Then on the service side provide something that actually [censored] works for what we have to pay.

 

[Azuremen]

Welcome to reality. Most unlimited internet plans with Voice run in the 70 to 100 dollars a month range.

Sucks, I know. Sprint wins for the cost war though, but still...

 

[YSSMAN]

Only reason I wanted the Instinct or any phone like it was because I want to have internet everywhere, but for $70 a mo. [censored] that... I'm not that desperate. Not to mention like it says the service/signal sucks so what's to say I'll even be able to get internet when I want it.

The lack of WiFi on the Instinct is pretty failsauce if you ask me, but then I was thinking about it, AT&T is going to charge you the same rate either way... And you get unlimited texts with the Sprint plan... So take what you want out of that as well.

Sprint service is pretty good here, I can only think of one place where my RAZR never works. But meh, I still haven't seen the phone in person. I may have to make a trip to the Sprint Store just to see one...

Still... If they're going to give it to me for $50, that isn't a bad deal.

(But it still isn't an iPhone...)

 

[V1P3R]

I went to a Sprint store to "see" it and she didn't let me take it out of the wrapper but I could see it...

I still don't think the iPhone is all that... the fact that Apple made it even harder to supposedly crack is hilarious too.

 

[G.T]

If anyone finds out soon what price the phone will be on just Pay & Go on O2, do say... I don't fancy paying £99 and then a monthly contract. I'd rather just buy the phone and be done with it, since I'm already going to get a certain amount of free texts since my friends are on O2.

I believe the current ones are around the £300-£350 mark, so I hope it drops into the £200s...

BTW - what's the camera like?

I just don't know whether to give in and just buy a LG Viewty. Just the lack of Wi-Fi is quite annoying.