So I did it, I took the plunge. I bought the new iPhone. I've had it for about 2 weeks now, and I've got to admit, despite the fact that many of you know I have no real great love for Apple products, *I Really Like The iPhone 4.
Here's what I like and don't like. Remember I upgraded from an iPhone 3g (not 3gs)....
Likes:
The phone is *fast. The old one dragged through applications, and through downloading simple pages from the 'net. This one is super fast, and my lag time on everything is way less.
Battery life is incredible! I can't believe there isn't more press about this feature! With the 3g, I'd be lucky to get a day out of a charge with better than average use on the phone. By the day's end, it was sitting in a cradle, or attached to the wall. If I tethered for even a little bit, it subtracted an hour off my day with the 3g. With the iPhone 4, I can go all day and be at 60% by day's end. I actually went two days without a charge this past week. That has NEVER happened before with my previous iPhone. I've not heard anyone put this in print to date, but I've got to say-- battery life is a huge improvement. Kudos to you, Steve Jobs for letting me be able to tether, surf, and talk all day long.
Tethering works well. Now I was a jailbreaker on my iPhone 3g, so I've been tethering for a year. This works just as well.
Voice Dialing/Commands works well. I can launch my ipod and pick a song by voice, call a friend and do lots of other stuff. Pretty cool.
The Form Factor Feels Better In Your Hand. Was I the only one that thought the 3g and 3gs was awkward to hold? The 4 is a bit narrower, doesn't feel any heavier than the old one, and fits much better in your hand.
FaceTalk is the first practical video chat program around. Now I've been Skype-ing for years, so I'm no stranger to video chat. I talk to my cousin Jurgen Lehmberg in Germany over Skype every now and then. But Skype and the others are a pain. I have to set up the cam, be sitting in front of my pc, stationary, and it's just not as simple as dialing a number. FaceTalk is. It's portable. I called my dad on it-- he was at my sisters house and the video clarity was really good. I found him panning around to show me my nephews/nieces, and them trying to get around it to see us. Really, I think FaceTalk is the first really practical video chat program out there. It's dynamite. Yes you need to be in a place where there's wifi, but that's available free in most places now. Just be sure you're dressed now before you answer the phone.
Multitasking Is Cool and works. Easy to use, it opens up the programs you just used in a flash. It's not real clear however what's really running in the background or not, but I've not found that to be an issue.
It Still Fits In my Car iPhone Dock and the other docks I have. This was important. At more than $50 a pop, I use them all the time. This one fits right where my 3g used to, and better yet, I bought a case from Celaris at the mall, and it even works in both places with the case on.
I could not make the phone drop calls by holding it wrong like the press says. I tried, even before I got the case. I couldn't make it happen. So from my perspective, all the negative press on this is just crap.
Dislikes:
It seems to spontaneously dial calls from time to time. It's done this to me twice today. Not sure how it's happening, but it is. I don't know whether the screen is more sensitive and I'm brushing up against it, but I found I've made calls to people I didn't intend to make. I walked up to my friend Josh's car this evening-- I had been on my phone with someone else, the minute before, put my phone in my pocket, and he picked up his Blackberry and said, "you're calling me." Random.
The feature that causes the screen to shut off and make it so that your face can't push buttons on the phone is far less sensitive than the other phone. Yes, you can even dial numbers with your face accidentally, and I've also hit mute with my face more than once. I could never accomplish this on the 3g. This, I have to admit, is one of the phone's most annoying features. It's not unworkable, but it will surprise you from time to time. NOw, people can't hear you not just because At&t sucks, but also because your tongue accidentally hit mute and you're carrying on a conversation with yourself without your own knowledge.
Reception is not quite as good. Marginally worse, but noticeable.
Yes, this iPhone still drops calls like the other. Man I wish they'd fix this one. Of course they blame At&t-- (whom I can't stand), and At&t blames them. They should blame At&t. They have such terrible customer service, I'm sure they're responsible for all kinds of catastrophes in this world, and global warming. All those infuriated customers has to raise the temperature on this planet for sure. I have friends with At&t phones that are not iPhones and they don't drop calls like me. Steve Jobs and the guy who left his phone at the bar-- FIX THIS PLEASE (if you still work for Apple, you awesome technician). Yes, it's a great PDA, but we need to talk on it too without dropping calls.
Call Quality seems to have dropped just a hair. Barely noticeable, but I think definitely present, especially when the person you are talking to is either on speaker or a bluetooth headset.
That's really it. I don't dislike anything else about it. It seems to be a great phone, and despite the fact that it's an Apple product, I have to say-- I recommend it! Just don't tell Bill Gates, Okay??
John
Posted by: John Lehmberg AT 09:20 pm
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