Apple iPhone

Ive been one of those Anti-Apple guys for quite some time. I don't like the endless proprietary cables, plugs, and power supplies that Apple incorporates into everything they do, making you spend even more money on things you need and can only get through Apple. However, as I began researching the options of getting a new cel phone (with data connectivity) and possibly replacing my tried and true every day usable Palm TX, I began looking into the iPhone. Most of the people at my work have them and absolutely love them.


I made a list of all the things I use my Palm TX for and compared it with what is available for the Apple iPhone as included programs or free 'apps' to install. What I found was that I could do everything I do now plus a ton more by using the iPhone. It wasn't anything to enter into lightly as the monthly cost was pretty high as well as the initial cost of purchasing the phone and activating it and such. Since the monthly cost of what we are already paying for cel service for a family shared plan was the same as a single plan for the iPhone, I thought it wouldn't be too big of a strecth. Granted we will now be butting T*** on a pay-as-you-go type of plan that will hopefully not cost very much at all to maintain for the amount of time she actually will use it.


Needless to say, I bought one less than a week ago and really like it. One of the things I was really excited about was the GPS functionality. It's not what I'm used to and not quite as good as what I had with the EMTAC Navigator and Palm TX. The iPhone currently doesn't have real time turn by turn directions, but it does give directions as you would find on Google Maps and print out, has constantly updated maps, and current traffic conditions. To make it most useful, you'd want to have someone with you reading off the directions to you...but the ability to have current maps, Points of Interest via Google, and current traffic conditions make it worth while (until someone makes better software for it). Downside to this system is that it always needs a data connection to work. So when I went to Mt Rainier last weekend, as soon as I was out of the AT&T data service, my map went away. The Palm TX was my copilot for that trip and worked like a charm.

I also really like having my email always with me. There are times when I will be wiating for an email and constantly tethered to the computer waiting for a response...this way I can get email anytime all the time. Our mail server at work will also 'push' the email to my phone so as soon as the server gets the mail it alerts me....I don't have to wait for it. Standard POP3 email uses a 'fetch' schedule that will check for mail every 15, 30 or 60 minutes. Push and frequent fetching drains the battery faster than if you didn't have it on...but when you need your mail, it's there.


I have had to charge the phone everyday as opposed to my once a week charge on my old phone. I assume the battery wil last longer once the novelty of this device goes away and I stop playing with it so much, but even then it's not a huge deal since it will charge from any computer or as long as I keep the AC 'cube' with me.

I'll write more another time about all the cool things you can do with the iPhone and free apps. For now I'll say that I really really like my new phone and do think it's the future of mobile connectivity. I am impressed that my standard headphones work and the power charger is basically the USB cable that plugs either into your computer or the proprietary AC 'cube' that comes with it. The bummer is you can't use your standard car adaptor with the USB plug in the same scenario. I've purchased a car charger from Meritline.com that will be arriving this week ($5)...hopefully that will work.

More to come.