XUMelanie finally was able to order iPhones for us!  We would have purchased them sooner, but the discount AT&T web page link provided by XUMelanie's company unfortunately had broken functionality compared to the standard ordering page.  It's a real shame Apple is locked into AT&T, but I guess that was the bed they made.

It's an agreement between the carrier and the manufacturer, yes.  And some OS's require an agreement between the manufacturer and OS (Verizon's proprietary OS, iOS, BlackberryOS), but Android is not one of them.  The carrier simply has to say "yes, we'll carry your phone/OS combination".

 

Then explain to me how the decision and agreement is formed to put said OS on X device?  You need a contract?  It's just doesn't happen.

 

Yes, a contract between the carrier and manufacturer.

 

Google open-sources their OS (they just did so with Android 2.2).  Each manufacturer picks it up and applies it to their device as long as the manufacturers contract with the carrier allows them to do so, and they add in their own modifications or remove pieces of the OS if the carrier (not Google) forces them to do so.  Yes, this IS different than how the other OS agreements work.  This is also why you see the same device on different carriers running different versions of the OS (Droid/Milestone).  If it was up to Google, they would have no reason not to want the same device running the same version of their OS everywhere.

 

Hummm...........................

 

Ya learn something new everyday.

Open Source = Hot Mess to most users. I'm glad Android exist to keep Apple in line but I'll stick with Apple's impressive around experience. Speaking of Android, how's that data-stealing app you just downloaded treating you. ;-)

 

Android is anything but a hot mess and their security model is great (apps notify you of exactly what they wish to access before you install them).  Good for you if you enjoy the Apple experience better (many people do), but the popularity of Android is exploding for a reason.

^ Hahahaha, love it!

 

That's hilarious!

 

A friend of mine sent me that yesterday and this quote reminded me of it!

 

"... but I'll stick with Apple's impressive around experience."

The timeframe of smartphones coming out is crazy these days ... Advancing very quick!

 

Ah, I thought that statement sounded less than ecstatic, but if you're happy, I am happy too. However, being called a "hipster"? Gad, what the heck did I ever do to you? :) Oh, and that cartoon above forgot to mention, Android phone is for pr0n.

(har har har).

 

But srsly, I love a good phone, and I use just about every function on a phone. My problem is I want the darned thing to work. This is my current gripe with my Blackberry, it works but so badly that I don't use what I have on there because it's such a pain in the neck. Androids are great, they can do a lot of stuff beside pr0n (just joking). I have seen them in action and heard owners praise them. I have also heard a lot of folks getting very upset about lack of apps (even though there are thousands of them in the app store for Android), and the spotty quality of the apps (if it's going to be open then open isn't always good), fusses with data plan limits, discontent with what people bought in terms of the quality of the phone over time (I know someone who ended up detesting the way the screen on the Blaze felt...go figure).

 

I want a good looking and good feeling phone which works, apps that work and are not an arm and a leg (like they are on BB), a bunch of extras like camera/video and such which actually work (unlike half of the time with BB--ahem) a customer service which actually helps you out if you have a problem, yea and I want it in white (I'm allowed, I'm a girl).

 

I admire anyone with the know how and patience to use a phone you have to program. I am sure that is the only way to get exactly what you want. Is it efficient? Well, it very well might be in the long run, but you have to spend a lot of time getting it to the way you want it. At this point, I think my time is better spent on other things and I would just like to pay the .99 for a good app and let it work for me instead of feeling that I am working for it.

Fab, when discussing Android praises/issues ... you should note the device their using as it could be a number of phones (hardware), Android is only the OS.

 

The folks that are complaining about the "openness" then I'm assuming you don't own a Mac or PC either - correct?

 

That's the whole point, let the user decide. This is one of the reasons we've seen Nokia lose its grip of dominance, it didn't feel that it should conform to the carriers request/demands.

 

Android having a lack of apps is just non-sense (no offense), besides that, if there isn't one just go to the web - it supports Flash now.

 

Cin, I noted the Blaze above, see. The rest is an aggregation of things I have heard from a number of places good, bad, and ugly. I bet you have heard the same things as well.

 

The point of 'open' complaints was that it's wide open for all kinds of apps done in any sort of competence you want to find. That was the big complaint about openess, the balance of overarching rules and anything goes sometimes leads to apps which just are not as good quality. There isn't any fix for that but caveat emptor, no one took them on a test drive necessarily before you got them.

 

And I did say that there were thousands of apps in their app stores (I think I heard that the number was around 50,000 about a month ago). But there were complaints about that. Are they valid? Probably not, but I have seen people saying things which probably have more to do with a limited app than a non existent one.

 

I haven't come down hard on what I am going to get yet either (have not turned loose of my money and there is the purest proof of my vacillating state). I was leaning toward an android now I am in iPhone mode. I could change my mind as I have plenty of time (actually all the time in the world) to change my mind back a forth among all of the things I can choose from out there. Who knows, I might decide to do what you did and get a phone that I have to program in assembly language just for the sport of it.  :laugh:

But srsly, I love a good phone, and I use just about every function on a phone. My problem is I want the darned thing to work. This is my current gripe with my Blackberry, it works but so badly that I don't use what I have on there because it's such a pain in the neck. Androids are great, they can do a lot of stuff beside pr0n (just joking). I have seen them in action and heard owners praise them. I have also heard a lot of folks getting very upset about lack of apps (even though there are thousands of them in the app store for Android), and the spotty quality of the apps (if it's going to be open then open isn't always good), fusses with data plan limits, discontent with what people bought in terms of the quality of the phone over time (I know someone who ended up detesting the way the screen on the Blaze felt...go figure).

 

I want a good looking and good feeling phone which works, apps that work and are not an arm and a leg (like they are on BB), a bunch of extras like camera/video and such which actually work (unlike half of the time with BB--ahem) a customer service which actually helps you out if you have a problem, yea and I want it in white (I'm allowed, I'm a girl).

 

I admire anyone with the know how and patience to use a phone you have to program. I am sure that is the only way to get exactly what you want. Is it efficient? Well, it very well might be in the long run, but you have to spend a lot of time getting it to the way you want it. At this point, I think my time is better spent on other things and I would just like to pay the .99 for a good app and let it work for me instead of feeling that I am working for it.

 

First off, if you are comparing the Android OS to BlackberryOS, I'm willing to bet you haven't used Android much if at all.  And I have no idea what you mean by having to program the phone.  Android is as easy to use as iOS.  I understand some people will like iOS better, and some will like Android better, but don't keep perpetuating the "iOS is easier to use" myth.  Android is more powerful and will let you do more, but it's up to you.  For basic functionality (phone, internet, email, install and use some apps from Android Market) it is just as easy to use as iOS.  If you want all the things you said, you have two options right now: Android and iOS (sorry, Cincinnatus, but I don't consider Nokia phones to be mainstream players yet).  Android and iOS are similar in a lot of ways.  If you want Verizon or T-Mobile or Sprint, then Android is the way to go.  If you want AT&T, then you have a choice.  If you want your phone in white and a big apple on the back, then I guess your decision is easy.  But you don't have to justify it by making Android seem like a hard-to-use, dorks only, needs to be programmed manually device.

 

Also, as to your discussion on app quality, I do find that most of the apps in the Market are of good quality.  Google seems to have at least some regulation around what goes in there, and the rating system helps in choosing a good app.  The selection isn't quite iPhone selection (yet), but it's still a great selection and improving VERY rapidly.  The "openness" has been implemented very well and anyone who complains about it just doesn't understand how it works IMO.  You actually have to go to Settings and enable an option to be able to install non-Market apps, so anyone who is uncomfortable with it should just leave that setting alone.  If they go change it and install a crappy non-Market app, that's their fault.  They were not deceived.  But it's the fact that you DO have the option which makes it open and makes it a great thing.  So it keeps both sides happy, leave the Allow Untrusted Apps setting unchecked if you don't need them, check it at your own risk if you want to install whatever you want (or write your own apps).

Hey Jam-I don't necessarily think that IOS is easier to use. I actually don't care that much on that score anyway. As long as the operating system gets the job done, I can live with it. IOS might be easier to use, might not be because I haven't tried it to the max yet.

 

I don't have anything against nerds. Actually I have been known to glaze a few eyes over at family functions as I lapse into how I constructed my website and business so it runs entirely on the internet with few human interventions. I love practical coding. Love it. But it has to be practical, that is the catch.

 

Too bad that you can't just rent an android and use it for a couple of weeks to get used to it and find out what it can do. You have to try to take it out on a test drive the best you can and then hope that it holds up to your needs for two years on your plan.

 

You see, Apple has been brilliant about that point. If you have an iPod or and iPod Touch you know what good quality they are. I have an iPod Touch and have to say that the apps run very well indeed and many are great. That is like an ad for iPhone in my pocket every day, you know. So, when it comes time to get a new smartphone, Apple has already pitched to me, shown me how good they are, and I have the array of apps bought and paid for. Therein lies a great part of their genius:

 

I want to go around and take a good hard look at a variety of phones on the market now. That is why I am asking about them here. At the moment I am really considering the iPhone as the best of the ones I have looked at so far. BUT, I might change my mind. I might very well fall in love with an android which has room to grow with the OS or whatever else they will bring out, so that the phone isn't outmoded in 10 months. That would be a big attractor to me.

 

One obvious point which I think that people overlook is: what the heck is it that makes Apple so charming to the masses? Why are people sneering at the idea of the lady who wants above all things to have a white iPhone with an apple on the back? Look, this is exactly what you would want your customers to feel: massive brand loyalty. Far from having contempt for that woman, I think I would like to sit her down and ask her what exactly it is that turns her on regarding that phone versus an android. Same with the businessmen who are switching to iPhone. Why do they like it better now? I might learn a good lesson for my business and its approach to the world.

 

Hey Jam-I don't necessarily think that IOS is easier to use. I actually don't care that much on that score anyway. As long as the operating system gets the job done, I can live with it. IOS might be easier to use, might not be because I haven't tried it to the max yet.

 

... at this point they're both just as easy to use ... the experience with the device itself was - I'm sure - a major influence in creating the cartoon video on the previous page. This is 2010, not 2007. Products have changed and/or adapted/adapting.

 

I don't have anything against nerds. Actually I have been known to glaze a few eyes over at family functions as I lapse into how I constructed my website and business so it runs entirely on the internet with few human interventions. I love practical coding. Love it. But it has to be practical, that is the catch.

 

 

Google = Practicably ... I beg anyone to challenge this.

 

Yeah, in the beginning - it was folks that knew their stuff on and how Google would pose as an iPhone threat, but just as I predicted a loooooong time ago ... the table would flip and it would based on the very reasons people claimed the general public could give a rat's ass about.

 

The general public knows what they want, but it may not be directly, but they know they want it. Example; a lot of folks don't enjoy paying an arm and a leg for, used to browsing the internet like they're used to, and then attempting this on their phone only to reach a page with a big blue lego block on it. We can see this with the attempted download request from Adobe (great move Adobe, btw).

 

Too bad that you can't just rent an android and use it for a couple of weeks to get used to it and find out what it can do. You have to try to take it out on a test drive the best you can and then hope that it holds up to your needs for two years on your plan.

 

Most reviews/customers/specs can relieve some pressure ... but I'm wondering to myself, maybe she's interested in the hardware aspect of it more than anything?

 

You see, Apple has been brilliant about that point.

 

Apple is brilliant, AT&T is not. AT&T has been like a virus that can't be stopped.

 

BTW, when it comes to "brilliance" I'm almost for certain - Google owns almost anyone in this category - without question.

 

If you have an iPod or and iPod Touch you know what good quality they are. I have an iPod Touch and have to say that the apps run very well indeed and many are great. That is like an ad for iPhone in my pocket every day, you know. So, when it comes time to get a new smartphone, Apple has already pitched to me, shown me how good they are, and I have the array of apps bought and paid for. Therein lies a great part of their genius:

 

I'm not sure you've named off a unique quality of the iPhone in the above paragraph yet? ... to be honest, my phone owns most MP3 players in both functionality and features, including the iPod Touch.

 

"Genius?" ... If you call a slew of class-action lawsuits (which many went in favor of the consumers) genius, then you must be a lawyer?

 

At the moment I am really considering the iPhone as the best of the ones I have looked at so far. BUT, I might change my mind. I might very well fall in love with an android which has room to grow with the OS or whatever else they will bring out, so that the phone isn't outmoded in 10 months. That would be a big attractor to me.

 

"Room to grow?"

 

At the moment it has already surpassed the iPhone in almost every spec possible. You totally lost me there?

 

"10 Months?"

 

Most Smartphones/Cellphones are antiques after 90 days on the shelf - this is one of the most competitive/advancing industries that I'm aware of?

 

Too bad, batt. life can't keep up.  :wink:

 

One obvious point which I think that people overlook is: what the heck is it that makes Apple so charming to the masses? Why are people sneering at the idea of the lady who wants above all things to have a white iPhone with an apple on the back? Look, this is exactly what you would want your customers to feel: massive brand loyalty.

 

Did you watch the animation on the previous page? ... Therein lies your answer.

 

Far from having contempt for that woman, I think I would like to sit her down and ask her what exactly it is that turns her on regarding that phone versus an android. Same with the businessmen who are switching to iPhone. Why do they like it better now? I might learn a good lesson for my business and its approach to the world.

 

What features/specs would a business man/woman have the advantage of by owning an iPhone over any other smartphone (particularly Android)? If your answer is "just cause" ... that doesn't count! ;)

 

... this should be interesting ...

 

The point is that I am not sure that the iPhone does have an overwhelming advantage to an android. I think there are some very good points to owning an iPhone but then again there are some equally compelling points on quite a few of the androids, too. I am having a great time making up my mind here.

 

I just got into the finer points of the EVO. I hear that battery life is a real problem with it, and everyone agrees on that point but it has a wonderful array of features and Sprint sounds like a great carrier. They say that 4G is coming sometime soon to Cincinnati and I see it is installed in quite a few cities around the US.

 

So, the jury is definitely still out on the subject of which phone is best for a tech heavy business.

 

The point is that I am not sure that the iPhone does have an overwhelming advantage to an android.

 

 

It doesn't.

 

I think there are some very good points to owning an iPhone but then again there are some equally compelling points on quite a few of the androids, too.

 

There are.

 

I just got into the finer points of the EVO. I hear that battery life is a real problem with it, and everyone agrees on that point but it has a wonderful array of features...

 

The iPhone 4 works when you're not holding it, so the scale tips incredibly in anything else's favor.

 

http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en#hl=en&source=hp&q=iphone+4+reception+issues&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=CCBDzfXQyTLqLEpG6hATIvbz-CgAAAKoEBU_QQnOj&fp=c401d881a5ff002f

 

... as mentioned already ... battery technology cannot keep up with smartphone tech - so expect to own a car charger with any smartphone.

 

Sprint sounds like a great carrier.

 

... Not a huge fan, but to each there own. Depends on your area really.

 

They say that 4G is coming sometime soon to Cincinnati

 

T-Mobile flips the switch on their HSPA+ network next month in the Cincinnati area ... just make sure your phone supports it.

 

Here is a speedtest using one of their network cards:

 

 

If you're concerned about data speed, it'll blow Sprint's 4G speeds out of the water. When Verizon rolls out LTE, you'll see a better competitor.

Well that's interesting. What phone do you like at T-Mobile?

Well that's interesting. What phone do you like at T-Mobile?

 

IMHO,

 

- Verizon has bolstered their phone selection by huge amounts. LTE will light a fire under everyone's asses. They're expensive. Very.

 

- Sprint was a bottom of the barrel carrier, but has made DRASTIC changes for improvement. Giving people what they need/want. Very affordable and beefing up their lineup as well. They're already challenging everyone with their 4G status.

 

- T-Mobile & Sprint both remain competitive price-wise and make Verizon and AT&T's prices look like a joke. They network is not as great as VZW's, but they're not as new either and are still growing (hence the acquisition of SunCom). Data speeds will be the fastest with them, but won't last as everyone is beefing up their data speeds.

 

 

... here's the bottom line, go with someone that doesn't play dictator over your phone, plan, and look for signs of investment. Ask them about whether or not they allow tethering. Look for restrictions and avoid them. Make customer service a priority. You're not leasing your phone, you own it ... supposedly.

 

I like TMO and VZW's European connections. That's always a plus.

I forgot to mention, I like how aggressive Cincinnati Bell is ... they're cocky and sticking with the best of them, the only thing I'd hate to see is them struggle with the lack of financial support ... in terms of them not having the customer-base as the "big 4."

 

 

For sh*ts & giggles ... total size comparisons worldwide:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators#By_region

 

 

Yes, I was just about ready to say that you forgot our hometown heroes, but I scrolled down and saw that you did remember them. Do you like any of the phones they offer (the Nexus One for instance) or do you think they are going to come out with some 'droid wonder later on and really make everyone else get excited?

^ They know better ... they'll go with more Android phones ... Whatever you do, I'd lean towards HTC over Motorola. Reasons are firmware update release dates.

Apparently a Best Buy employee was fired for making this video after it got so popular. 

 

NSFW: Language

 

This one was funny, too from the other side though. The comments are pretty amusing, one guy says,"Brilliant, like the other stuffed animal cussing video about the same topic." I guess it's the popular cause at the moment. Thank God the fate of nations doesn't hinge on this.

 

I did read about the guy from Best Buy. Last time I looked, he was headed for The Talk with the guys in HR today. They didn't see the humor in his animation.

 

Fascinating topic but one that gets too personal too quickly unless you keep it in perspective. I really recommend your trying your hand at www.xtranormal.com. Real simple and can be very funny. Put your own spin on it. Here's mine.

^ Yeah ... I saw that one too.

 

There was a lot of erroneous info in it ... Someone wasn't too tech savvy.

- The battery last for more than an hour. Want to see how crappy the battery is, walk into any Radio Shack nation-wide and ask the sales rep what phone they're using.

- "Over-clocking" the processor not only puts your phone in a state of its full potential by making it run faster, but it also lowers the idle speed. So, actually your battery life will see an improvement most of the time.

 

... I could go on and on ... it's just silly at this point.

 

 

 

Well, that's the point, right? It's a cartoon. Bet you didn't see mine (the cartoon), did you? You might like it better.

^ They know better ... they'll go with more Android phones ... Whatever you do, I'd lean towards HTC over Motorola. Reasons are firmware update release dates.

 

?

 

Some HTC phones are still stuck on 1.6, and due to their Sense UI, HTC phones that got 2.1 got it well after my Motorola Droid.  Now my phone is in line to be the second phone out of all phones to get 2.2 (behind the Nexus One).  I have been impressed (and surprised) by Motorola's efforts to keep Droid owners satisfied.

 

I do like the HTC phones, and their UI is nice.  But what it really comes down to is whether you want a physical keyboard or not.  I love having the keyboard, so Motorola is currently the only option for me.

^ They know better ... they'll go with more Android phones ... Whatever you do, I'd lean towards HTC over Motorola. Reasons are firmware update release dates.

 

?

 

Some HTC phones are still stuck on 1.6, and due to their Sense UI, HTC phones that got 2.1 got it well after my Motorola Droid. Now my phone is in line to be the second phone out of all phones to get 2.2 (behind the Nexus One). I have been impressed (and surprised) by Motorola's efforts to keep Droid owners satisfied.

 

I do like the HTC phones, and their UI is nice. But what it really comes down to is whether you want a physical keyboard or not. I love having the keyboard, so Motorola is currently the only option for me.

 

I'm not saying all HTC's are running 2.0+, nor am I saying all Moto's are running 1.6-...

 

I like both phone makers, but it is a fact that Moto will restrict updates more-so than HTC. Moto uses proprietary software that wants to be in just as much in control as the platform itself ... hence Motoblur which will soon be partnering with Bing (if this doesn't show you how OPEN Android is, I don't know what else to say) :-/

 

The Behold II users saw this with Samsung ... and Moto is taking months to do something a 17 year old kid can do in one day?! Come on ... (RE: Cliq ... again, not all Moto phones, but there has been a pattern)

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Android_devices

 

You see, you've got:

Android

...

 

Then you have Manufacturer Overlays: Motoblur, TouchWiz, etc. These are what will hold updates back.

Most of Motorola's new phones are running 2.1, especially on Verizon Wireless.  The only Android phone in the US running MotoBlur is the Devour.  As long as you stick with the Droid line (Droid, Droid X, Droid 2) you'll have 2.1 and then 2.2 very soon.  I think Motorola is wisely moving away from the MotoBlur garbage and running stock Android on many of its new devices.  It's actually HTC and their Sense UI overlay that is seeing releases held up (the Droid Eris just got 2.1 in mid-May and no HTC device is scheduled to get 2.2 until near the end of the year, except for the Nexus One).

Most of Motorola's new phones are running 2.1, especially on Verizon Wireless.

 

... Of course they are/will ... their new phones. I'm talking about upgrade dates and whose comes first. It's common knowledge that HTC will receive updates typically quicker than Motorola Android devices.

 

The only Android phone in the US running MotoBlur is the Devour.

 

No, 5 out of 8 run Motoblur:

 

Cliq - tmo

Cliq XT - tmo

Devour - VZW

Backflip - At&t

Charm - tmo (soon to be released)

 

 

 

 

 

I'm talking about upgrade dates and whose comes first. It's common knowledge that HTC will receive updates typically quicker than Motorola Android devices.

 

How do you figure that?  My Droid will be the second phone to receive Froyo.  HTC phones aren't slated to receive it for 5 more months.  Also, I received 2.1 well before most HTC phones (at least on Verizon).

 

I suppose it depends on which phone you have, but you can't just make a blanket statement like that.  What do I care if most Motorola phones get later updates as long as the one I have gets early updates (which it always is in line to be one of the first phones updated).

 

http://www.ozcarguide.com/technology/cellphone-pda/3507-htc-evo-4g-incredible-froyo

I know what I'm about to say does not add much to the conversation, but XUMelanie and I will have our new iPhones today!!!  Since we're moving from two year old Blackberry(s) I'm sure these iPhones will be nothing short of amazing.  Even though there is some debate on which manufacturer has the best phone feature combination it is hard to deny that all these new smart phones are incredible.

I know what I'm about to say does not add much to the conversation, but XUMelanie and I will have our new iPhones today!!! Since we're moving from two year old Blackberry(s) I'm sure these iPhones will be nothing short of amazing. Even though there is some debate on which manufacturer has the best phone feature combination it is hard to deny that all these new smart phones are incredible.

 

Definitely, and I think RIM is in trouble.  A coworker of mine recently went from a Blackberry Storm to the HTC Droid Incredible and can't believe how much his new phone blows the Blackberry away.

I know what I'm about to say does not add much to the conversation, but XUMelanie and I will have our new iPhones today!!!  Since we're moving from two year old Blackberry(s) I'm sure these iPhones will be nothing short of amazing.  Even though there is some debate on which manufacturer has the best phone feature combination it is hard to deny that all these new smart phones are incredible.

That's funny. The name of this thread is "iPhone" and you are apologizing for bringing up the subject of iPhone.

 

I am not complaining, mind you, by listening to the android lovers on the forum I find out a lot about that sort of phone, too. Hooray for topic drift.

 

I too am moving from a two year old Blackberry and most probably will get an iPhone when the white ones come out (OK, I'm a hipster...so what---LOL*). Tell me how you and XUMelanie like them. Let me live vicariously. I want to hear it all.

 

BTW, that doesn't mean I am implying that the android guys should stop talking, I hope they don't because I find what they have to say real interesting. I find the subject just keeps on astounding me.

 

And Jam, there is a lot of talk around investors about how much catching up RIM has to do and how much trouble they are in right now. Alas, CinBell isn't a good bet either.

 

*I wish.

I'm not a mobile phone/PDA lover but I do like the HTC phones and the new Iphone for it's built in features. 

 

The HTC thinks for you and the iphone picture, video chat and movies are outstanding.

 

 

Yea, I tried out the EVO last weekend and it was pretty compelling. Taking a picture with that big screen was tremendous. The jury is still out, no money has changed hands yet.

I know what I'm about to say does not add much to the conversation, but XUMelanie and I will have our new iPhones today!!! Since we're moving from two year old Blackberry(s) I'm sure these iPhones will be nothing short of amazing. Even though there is some debate on which manufacturer has the best phone feature combination it is hard to deny that all these new smart phones are incredible.

 

What are your guys' opinion on the antenna flaw with it being built into the actual frame?

I held the phone at the AT&T store, the bars remained where they were. I tried to make them go down and disappear, nope they were there and there to stay. They guy who works at the store showed me that when he picked up the phone, the bars went from 5 to 1. I could not make that happen.

 

I have very dry palms on my hands. I am not sure of the salesman's. I think that the issue might be due to salty moisture bridging the gap in the antenna (which will conduct electricity like mad). Just my opinion, and believe it or not I am not an electrical engineer from MIT.

 

Seriously, I have heard that if you just put a case on the phone, you don't have to worry about the disappearing bars. I put cases on all my phones and so that's a non issue.

Apple marketing and tag line works and at this point nobody can compete with that.

 

Give HTC and those phones running andriod a few years to catch up.  Blackberry and Palm have fallen way behind.

 

That treo phone is great, but apple crushed it with marketing and the app store.

I heard putting a strip of clear tape fixes the antenna issue too although I guess that is a little ghetto.  The guy in the cube next to me has had his iPhone for a while and has not been able to reproduce the error even without a cheap tape fix.  All in all while the antenna thing is an issue, it seems like it is a bit blown out of proportion.  I think a lot of it comes from people wanting to take Apple down a peg for past "butt whoopins".

Give HTC and those phones running andriod a few years to catch up.

 

It won't take that long.  In about 8 months Android has gone from a minor player to a true competitor to Apple.  If it keeps trending this way, the iPhone will join the Mac as a nice but overpriced device that only die-hard Apple fans use.

Give HTC and those phones running andriod a few years to catch up.

 

It won't take that long.  In about 8 months Android has gone from a minor player to a true competitor to Apple.  If it keeps trending this way, the iPhone will join the Mac as a nice but overpriced device that only die-hard Apple fans use.

 

You think that soon?

Give HTC and those phones running andriod a few years to catch up.

 

It won't take that long.  In about 8 months Android has gone from a minor player to a true competitor to Apple.  If it keeps trending this way, the iPhone will join the Mac as a nice but overpriced device that only die-hard Apple fans use.

 

You think that soon?

 

I think Android phones will "catch up" to iPhone very soon (you could even debate they already have in the US at least, I'm pretty sure they collectively have a larger share of the US handheld market than iPhones now and many are considered to have as good or better features).  iPhone turning into a specialty item like Mac computers will likely take much longer.

Give HTC and those phones running andriod a few years to catch up.

 

It won't take that long.  In about 8 months Android has gone from a minor player to a true competitor to Apple.  If it keeps trending this way, the iPhone will join the Mac as a nice but overpriced device that only die-hard Apple fans use.

 

You think that soon?

 

I think Android phones will "catch up" to iPhone very soon.  iPhone turning into a specialty item like Mac computers will likely take much longer.

 

Thats why they had to introduce teh ipad which is too bulky to me.  Rumor is they will now upgrade the iTouch and possibly give it a camera/video capability.

Yea, I could not get behind the thought of the iPad. Why? I just bought a great netbook (an Asus) for $359 and what would a more expensive iPad do better than the ASUS? Make phone calls? I don't think so. Just didn't do much for me and I think it's just a fashion accessory. (for hipsters---ewww). LOL

I heard putting a strip of clear tape fixes the antenna issue too although I guess that is a little ghetto.

 

No one should have to do this. Maybe on an old cheap phone I can see this, but ignoring warnings from folks ahead of release date - not a good way IMO to treat loyal customers.

 

All in all while the antenna thing is an issue, it seems like it is a bit blown out of proportion.

 

... I think everyone here agrees that when a company releases a product and tells them they're holding their phone wrong (with left hand) and then advises to purchase a $30 rubber strip and people still keep 'em flying off the shelves - is a good explanation of their clientele.

 

In other words, the product can be flawed or can even fall behind its competitors, but if you have a great marketing campaign from a reputable company mixed with hype and these "overblown" issues can be ignored.

 

Hell, it even made Nightly News:

 

There are thousands of videos uploaded like this with people illustrating the signal drop:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fabienne, the issue is not with moist hands, it's making the antenna part of the frame. An antenna should be placed internally. The reception issues are described below:

 

The issue was predicted ahead of release:

 

"iPhone 4 antenna problems were predicted on June 10 by Danish professor

By Vlad Savov posted Jun 26th 2010 6:51PM

Well, this must be one of the most epic "I told you so" moments in the history of consumer electronics. Professor Gert Frølund Pedersen, an antenna expert over at Denmark's Aalborg University, managed to get his concerns about the iPhone 4's external antennae on the record a cool two weeks before the phone was even released. In an interview on June 10, the Danish brainbox explained that he wasn't impressed by Steve Jobs' promises of better reception, describing external antennas as "old news," and suggested that contact with fleshlings could result in undesirable consequences to the handset's reception:

 

    "The human tissue will in any event have an inhibitory effect on the antenna. Touch means that a larger portion of antenna energy becomes heat and lost."

 

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/26/iphone-4-antenna-problems-were-predicted-on-june-10-by-danish-pr/

I can only say what I saw with my own eyes.The AT&T guy picked up the phone in his left hand and held it for a few seconds and the bars dropped from 5 to one in a matter of seconds. He put the phone down and I picked it up after it had gone back to 5 bars. I wanted to make it do the same thing. See for myself. I picked it up and it would not repeat the performance. I held that phone for several minutes and those 5 bars stayed on the whole time. No I don't' understand what happened, I only know that is what happened to me. And I was holding it the way that should have made the bars drop. Left hand, lower left corner. That worked for theT AT&T guy but not for me.

^ well, that's a relief! ;)

The "Pocket God" application for the iPhone is AWESOME!  I still haven't figured out how to throw the islanders into the volcano, but I've electrocuted them, fried them, had sharks/dinosaurs/spiders eat them, spear gunned them, etc....

... Surprise, surprise ...

 

"ComScore: Android grows US smartphone market share as all others decline

By Thomas Ricker posted Jul 9th 2010 at 2:17AM

Slip on your fine silk smoking jacket and light up a victory cigar US Android fans, the latest comScore numbers are out for the three-month period ending in May 2010. The most notable trend spotted was a 4 point (up from 9.0% to 13.0%) quarterly increase in Google's Android market share as all other smartphone OS subscribers declined."

 

 

Read More ...

 

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/09/comscore-android-grows-us-smartphone-market-share-as-all-others/

 

 

I know what I'm about to say does not add much to the conversation, but XUMelanie and I will have our new iPhones today!!!  Since we're moving from two year old Blackberry(s) I'm sure these iPhones will be nothing short of amazing.  Even though there is some debate on which manufacturer has the best phone feature combination it is hard to deny that all these new smart phones are incredible.

Well, what's the verdict? Great invention or not? Since there is a wide wide range of opinions on smartphones here, I would love to know what you two think about your new acquisitions (beside the obvious delight you have had with tormenting your islanders via Pocket God).

I know what I'm about to say does not add much to the conversation, but XUMelanie and I will have our new iPhones today!!! Since we're moving from two year old Blackberry(s) I'm sure these iPhones will be nothing short of amazing. Even though there is some debate on which manufacturer has the best phone feature combination it is hard to deny that all these new smart phones are incredible.

Well, what's the verdict? Great invention or not? Since there is a wide wide range of opinions on smartphones here, I would love to know what you two think about your new acquisitions (beside the obvious delight you have had with tormenting your islanders via Pocket God).

 

We really like our iPhones.  I haven't had any issues with dropped calls, and they are very easy to use in general.  Everything is so much faster than with the BlackBerry, and I like reading email with the full graphics.  We even tested out the video call feature a few times.  Several of my coworkers have either purchased or upgraded to the iPhone 4, and they are happy with theirs as well. 

 

Between the iPhone and Android, I think Research in Motion is in trouble. 

Agreed about RIM. I suspect that the bar is being raised in a lot of places. For instance, at a job the boss might want to talk to you face to face when you are in Dubai and he is in Cincinnati. The ability to watch training films and talk to customers and peers face to face might be a very important thing in getting the problems solved quickly. I used to work at GE and there were a lot of things which could have been resolved if the engineers involved could have shown each other the subjects about which they were talking.

 

For me, I need: video, podcasting, fast internet on the fly, lots of space, camera. I have not totally decided yet. I did go out to look at the EVO but gad, they have a waiting list like the iPhone now.