Living with an iPhone

Don Schwartz, Londonderry, NH — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 17:35:15 GMT

I use a Palm Treo 700P which has a touchscreen keypad like the iPhone but also has a physical keyboard. My keyboard like most phones, has a bump on the 5 key so that I can fairly easily dial with my eyes closed or on the road ahead. Hands free dialing is available on my Treo and most phones but I've never seen a kid use hand sfree.

How does one dial an iPhone while driving, with your New York legal headset in place of course?

Living with an iPhone

Matt Judge, Roselle, IL — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 18:01:42 GMT

The iPhone actually surpassed my expectations. Although activation took 6 hours and I dropped the thing seven feet off a staircase onto concrete, it's working like a charm. After using the device for a day, someone asked me if it came with a booklet. I didn't even know. The whole experience was so intuitive that I never needed help. Imagine accomplishing that with another phone. My only real complaints: the sluggish EDGE connection and an annoying software crash that returns me to the home screen from time to time. I'm already anticipating how cool version 2 will be.

Living with an iPhone

Lisa — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 18:03:10 GMT

Saturday I found a site where there links to ATT and was able to place an order for an iPhone. They will deliver in 2 weeks. Do not want to give hyperlink but their site name is iphonefetch.com

Living with an iPhone

Gregg Richards — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:06:03 GMT

I agree with Krakow, the only downside is AT&T's EDGE Network. Keep in mind though that it is intended as backup. It is after all a Wi-Fi device. Other than that, the iPhone is truly everything that Apple says it is.....I am very happy with mine. Oh, one more thing. On Friday night while standing in line the Apple people were just the best. They were walking down the line letting everyone know that they had plenty of iPhones and everyone was going to get one!
Then they would stop and show everyone the demo phone and all the great things they were going to be able to do with their own iPhone. Unlike Best Buy or some other retailer, Apple had it all under control and even gave out coupons for free stuff at the Paradise Bakery(next door)while you were waiting. The whole experience was enjoyable...........

Living with an iPhone

181 — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:12:35 GMT

"One thing which sets the iPhone apart from any other cell phone is the way you activate the device. It’s all done online."

This is not true. I purchased a treo online at Newegg about a month ago and I was able to transfer my existing phone number to Cingular and activate my service through Newegg without ever having to call in to Cingular.

Living with an iPhone

pebz buan — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:15:25 GMT

iphone will definitely have the voice command features. all of their laptops have that capability. you can open programs simply by talking to your mac. that is not impossible to integrate such feature in the future.

Living with an iPhone

larry — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:17:37 GMT

It lived up to the expectations and more
extremely happy apple customer again !!!!

Living with an iPhone

blackangel — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:25:23 GMT

iphone, a revolutionary phone that allows you to shave your beard, take a shower and brush your teeth, is truthly a handy device.

Living with an iPhone

Phil, Alhambra, Ca — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:37:44 GMT

I love this thing, set-up, activation and use is easy. I do not need an instruction manual to figure this out, it is all right there at your finger tips.

Living with an iPhone

Gabe C, NY, NY — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:37:57 GMT

Totally happy with my Iphone...my only issues are 1)can't use itunes as ringtones, 2) you can't record video with it and 3) no cell games, not even mind sweep!...but I must say I am blow away with the thing...I can't put it down...the internet is fine and serves it's purpose..calls and music are awesome...I love it!!..every time I'm using it on the street someone stops me and asks to see it...the Iphone rocks!

Living with an iPhone

Gene — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:41:20 GMT

I am not an apple fan but i have to hand it to jobs and company: the iphone is years ahead of any other phone from a UI perspective. This thing is actually fun to use, even surfing the web was fun. I never had to break out a manual once to figure out how to do something: IT'S THAT INTUITIVE! Technically, apple has a way to go still. The device needs HSDPA, a better camera with zoom, and support for push style email like RIM or Good, copy and paste and a few other things. No doubt apple will deliver on these and squeeze another $600 out of me in the process.

Living with an iPhone

Dan F, Princeton, NJ — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:09:32 GMT

I have only played with the demo unit so far, but that was enough to get me to place an order. The interface is amazing.

However, much of my family is in northern New England, and they have warned me how poor AT&T's service is in this area. I will either be roaming or have no service anywhere in Vermont for example. My Verizon phone has worked perfectly there for the last several years (albeit on analog in some regions). It's unfortunate iPhone requires AT&T.

Living with an iPhone

KH — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:18:03 GMT

wow... i wish I had waited in line for an iPhone! I am glad windows users are starting to see the amazing things that apple produces. Maybe this will create a halo effect for the other great products they have besides iPods. Good job apple. PS apple will buy my iphone for me. I purchased stock in At&t & Apple Inc. instead of the actual phone. I experienced almost a 40 percent gain since January. Thank you iPhone perchasers. Believe the Hype Apple is awesome. I love you all!!!

Living with an iPhone

dave, cleveland , oh — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:38:43 GMT

I'm disappointed you can not stream audio over the internet connection (like Sirius, for example).

Living with an iPhone

F Bar, Seattle WA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:13:08 GMT

I disagree that the iPhone is "miles ahead of its current SmartPhone competition". While I don't like the concept of Microsoft inside my phone, the phones from HTC are miles ahead of the iPhone in terms of network compatibility and speed - particularly 3G. To have launched a phone in 2007 with AT&T (formerly Cingular) that doesn't leverage the 3G network is brain dead.

Finally, to have launched a phone that does not have a user changeable battery is just moronic - shades of the first iPods.

Perhaps the real caché of the iPhone is just Apple/Jobs branding. Just beware of false idols: they get you in the end!

Living with an iPhone

Brandon Wilson, Houston, Texas — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:37:05 GMT

A note about the SIM card in the iPhone. You mention that you can not change the sim card, however you can.

If you look to the right of the headphone jack on the top, you will see a little oval area with a tiny hole in it. Stick a pin into this hole and push, and out pops a tray holding you SIM card. Just replace the SIM card in the tray, and pop it back in. This can even be done while powered on! Enjoy!

Living with an iPhone

Thomas, Sacramento, CA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:39:59 GMT

I love my iPhone. The activation was seamless and the phone makes clear calls. The maps run super fast on the EDGE network and on WIFI. I'm super happy and I commend apple for creating such an easy to use device. It does everything I expected and more! The keyboard is really really fast. I can type just as fast as my desktop if I trust the iphone correction. I heard a lot of people say that the multi-touch keyboard was a bad idea but in my opinion its way better, no problems here. I also like that fact that the keyboard changes buttons depending on what you are doing, which is something that the physical buttons cant do. I cant wait until Apple makes more updates and 3rd party developers make more software like games and business apps. Also the ATT Edge network is THAT bad, but I'm sure they will make it faster anytime soon.

Living with an iPhone

matt peterson — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:42:30 GMT

Can't compare to the Cingular 8525. Please...

Living with an iPhone

Blackberry Guy, Miami FL — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:53:45 GMT

This weekend for the first time in years, my ATT aka BellSouth DSL service went down for hours - and my ATT EDGE cell service continues to fail. At times, I cannot make calls, nor can I get incoming calls. I didn't even buy an iPhone yet, and may not if the service continues to go south. ATT Customer Service said they had "region-wide tecnical difficulties" Sat night. Related to the iPhone? You judge.

Living with an iPhone

Lauren, Alexandria VA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:46:12 GMT

I absolutely love my iPhone. It has, by far, exceeded my expectations. It is so easy and fun to use it I don't even want to use my MacBook Pro. Thank you Apple!

Living with an iPhone

Joe Stocker — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:52:05 GMT

8GB?

8GB?

Are they kidding? This must be some kind of joke.

Living with an iPhone

John ritchie, San Diego, Ca — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:07:52 GMT

I was expecting something great, but have been blown away. this is the best Ipod ever!! and know i have lest gizmos on me. The phone works great. i used to have problems figuring out conference calls, this does it so easy. Bravo Apple.

Living with an iPhone

Adam, South Jersey — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:11:53 GMT

Although I use a Macintosh I was skeptical about the iPhone at first. Luckily the wife and I went to the mall late enough that the crowd in the Cingul..er,, AT&T store was fairly sparse so we were able to spend some time with it. After 15 minutes on it we each walked out of the store with one. Both of our phones were three years old and our iPods were 2nd Gens so we've been waiting to replace both. I know many people will balk about the price but in light of our respective situation the purchase made sense. Much like someone else had commented, the wife (who's a tad on the clumsy side) dropped her $500 toy down the stairs and it still works fine without even a single scratch or ding, so I'm sold on it durability. In fact MacFixIt had taken one apart and commented on how sturdy it's internal construction was. As far the comments regarding the Edge network, I don't really know where it's coming from. I've benched between 150-210kbps depending on which test site I go to. For web, email, even YouTube that is more than adequate bandwidth. Anyone old enough to remember surfing on 14 or 33k dialup should find the connection both acceptable and respectable.

Living with an iPhone

Louis, VA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:25:03 GMT

I have been very pleased with the iPhone. I did put a Palm plastic guard on the display to help with the fingerprints. Took me about 10 minutes to active the phone via iTunes on Saturday afternoon.

Things I would like to see in future updates to the software:

(1) support for Java and/or Flash in browser
(2) SMS multimedia send and receive
(3) Ringtones from any sound file
(4) Copy and paste
(5) Select ringtone for SMS msg
(6) Bluetooth is a problem for me. iMac cannot push things to it. My phone is not seeing any bluetooth devices....
(7) Wish the iPod speakers I have would work with it, and charge it.

Living with an iPhone

Jeff Lee Meridian, Ms — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:34:45 GMT

My iphone is still not activated, I have had it since Friday night at 6 30pm. I am really quite excited by the stories, but have been somewhat disheartened with the activation process. It was Saturday night before I finally got through the final submit screen for activation to arrive at a screen announcing it would take more time, and that AT&T would send me an e mail once it was complete. Three days later, no e mail and the kind folks at AT&T have said it will go through, to just wait. And so I wait!

Living with an iPhone

joe belkin — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 02:12:21 GMT

Wifi is 10 times faster than 3G (3G has less than 1 million users in the US) and technically speaking, EDGE is a flavor of 3G - which I'm guessing you're just spouting the claims of other carriers ... as noted in all the comments here, the people who talk about 3G sound like they are talking in theory on a cellphone because it's great on a laptop but don't go selling 3G on another cellphone until you actiually use it as such AND after you have used an iphone. Don't be so arrogant to dismiss other peole's actual expierences just because your mind is closed. (of course, if you work for Nokia, Moto, Samsung, Verizon, or Sprint), hey it's understandable you just got relegated to third class status.

Living with an iPhone

John — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 02:16:36 GMT

Perfect, no. But Apple can be commended for being the King again for creating a device with such an easy, intuitive interface. I still would want an actual keys, but I've seen the GUI and totally understand why you wouldn't need to read the directions.

Living with an iPhone

Pam, East Central Florida — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 02:41:34 GMT

I too am still waiting for my iPhone to be activated. I am a "legacy" AT&T customer, and my account was on what AT&T refers to as the "blue" network. After a lengthy adventure connecting to the AT&T customer service group that could finally help me, I learned that to use the iPhone, I was required to switch my account to the more recent Cingular "orange" network. To do this, AT&T must first send me a new phone (the cheap freebie) with a new SIM card which I must activate. Only after this process will I be able to activate my iPhone. I am an Apple fan and I've waited over six months for my iPhone, so a few more days doesn't much matter.

Living with an iPhone

Intl user — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:18:29 GMT

is the iphone a locked unit, i.e. you cannot use an overseas SIM card on it?

Living with an iPhone

Jack Sanders, Atlanta, GA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:30:11 GMT

My concern is that if one decides that they do not want AT&T service after 2 years, will the iPod functionality stop working on this device. What I understand is that the device must be activated and you must start paying the AT&T fee to use the music and camera functions on this iPhone. Do we have an iPod that is only rented (i.e the music stops if you stop paying AT&T)?

Living with an iPhone

sox utah — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:35:23 GMT

actually, you can take the sim card out. Just push the little hole on the top with a paper clip and it pops out .

Living with an iPhone

Dante, Salt Lake City, Utah — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:37:45 GMT

Yes, the iPhone won me over.

I put my Treo and a Blackberry on ebay today.

iPhone UI is the real deal. So is the screen -- nothing compares to it.

Few minor things like copy/paste, etc, but I even like the on screen keyboard - - I am now almost as fast as I was on my Blackberry pearl.

Nice production

Living with an iPhone

Grant Sinclair, Woodstock, GA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 05:00:56 GMT

There is only one thing I need say about the iPhone: It just works. Period. I have never had a device that integrates so much technology and just work as intended. No little hiccups. Not "almost" capable. MS Outlook? Yup. Multiple e-mail accounts, including push e-mail (Yahoo)? Yup! This phone has replaced my cell phone, Palm Pilot and given me a media player. Are there things I wish it would do? Sure, but I am more than willing to sacrifice GPS, 3G and flash support for a phone that works out of the box and needs no manual.

Living with an iPhone

Millie Max — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 07:26:27 GMT

the phone is so pretty really don't want to use it in fear that I might smudge the screen.

Living with an iPhone

Jenny, Wash, DC — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:11:49 GMT

My new iPhone was DOA after 2 hours.... I am not happy.

Living with an iPhone

Edward Carroll,Blufton, SC — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:29:35 GMT

As a business phone, my iphone does not measure up. Poor audio qualty compared to a real phone. Typing emails on the touch screen keyboard is horrible.
I want my Blackberry back.

Living with an iPhone

Steve, Gurnee, IL — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:49:54 GMT

Nice interface, easy to use. Slow internet, lack of programs. I have to agree with a fellow poster on here. My Cingular 8525 blows the doors off this thing in terms of power, speed, internet, and flexibility. Not ease of use though. The 8525 had 3G and WiFi and Bluetooth and a fallback EDGE connection last year.

Living with an iPhone

Tony, Detroit, Michigan — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:53:58 GMT

"Wifi is 10 times faster than 3G (3G has less than 1 million users in the US) and technically speaking, EDGE is a flavor of 3G"

...

Not exactly the case.. you're grasping at straws and not giving the full explanation, along with all the variables involved.

That being said.. the speed of 3G varies due to the channel structure, synch, chip rate, and power control. 4 key variables. That doesn't include the cells they use grid-wise, how close a user is to one, or how close they are to a tower, whether they're moving or not, and how well-built/stable/solid the phone network itself is.

When you mention 3G, are you referring to the 2 standards, being W-CDMA and CDMA2000 or a variant? If variant, there's other factors to take into consideration on top those I just mentioned.

Also, as of Dec 16th 06'.. there are 402 million 3G users worldwide.. do you honestly think that only 1 million of them are out of the United States?

Living with an iPhone

Jeff — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:29:13 GMT

Played with the iPhones at the Apple Store. Very impressive but needs the following 2 software fixes:
1) Need louder speakerphone - unusable in the store or in any non-silent environment
2) Need Mail in landscape orientation - mail does not support rotating the display, thus keyboard is more cramped that it should be and resulted in alot of errors. Landscape mail would be perfect.

Hopefully, Apple will address these shortcomings quickly.

Living with an iPhone

Jim, Memphis, TN — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:24:09 GMT

I stream Sirius music on my T-Mobile DASH and have for about 6 months. Surf on over to: www.surrealnetworks.com and see the files you can install and run on a DASH it's a pretty great little phone/mp3player/web browser/Calendar/e.t.c.

Living with an iPhone

Adam, Ithaca, NY — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:44:03 GMT

Another happy iPhone customer here. For the first time in my life, I don't hate my phone. THAT'S the killer app.

Living with an iPhone

mark — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:54:58 GMT

I can do most major functions on my blackberry with one hand....looks like the iphone you need two?

Living with an iPhone

Jason, Beaverton, OR — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:03:33 GMT

I purchased an iPhone this past Saturday. LOVE the interface. It's wonderful. LOVE it! However, there are a few areas that need improvement. Like any new gadget, purchasing the first release is a little bit of a gamble. The big gotcha is that, for PC users, it is not fully compatible with Office 97 (namely, Outlook 97.) It will import the contacts, but will not "properly" sync with the calendar. I spent more than an hour on the phone with Apple support and they had no solution (other than to say Outlook 97 is too new.) I'll have to wait for a future update to get it fully working for me. Only other complaint is that there is only one default signature even when you have multiple email accounts (kind of annoying.) All around, the iPhone is currently the pinacle of cool. As it is new, I expect to see big improvements in future releases...

Living with an iPhone

Lucy's Mom — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:19:44 GMT

Hi..I am 55 years old and felt I should voice my feelings about my new IPhone. It is so fabulous...I put aside my TREO and Sprint service after 5 years with 3 other Treo's..constantly upgrading..in one minute for the IPhone. It is so well designed that strangers in the restaurant last night were able to view it for 1 minute and work it instantly..to everyones joy. I've only waited in a line that long for one other revolutionary event in my life and that was Woodstock! Fortuneately for me I have been aparty to the most memorable and important days of our lives...We will change the world with APPLE.

Living with an iPhone

Lucy's Mom — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:20:48 GMT

Living with an iPhone

Erica Angell, Dallas, TX — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:32:47 GMT

I had no intention of buying the iPhone until I played with a friend's for about 5 minutes last night. I'll be picking mine up on my lunch break!

Living with an iPhone

Al Turnquist, St Petersburg,Fl — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:42:16 GMT

I am an iphone lover but I got a pleasant suprise yesterday. I previously had the t-mobile dash, it would not pair with my 2007 Jag XK. The iphone paired instantly.
Al

Living with an iPhone

blah blah blah — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:03:57 GMT

thought apple would learn from its mistakes w the ipod and give the iphone a user replaceable battery. I guess they figure its disposable.

Living with an iPhone

BIlly, Vermont — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:10:14 GMT

My Iphone works great - no complaints. AT&T's network (aka Cingular) is the best available today remember, and continues to get even better. Folks who have a bad taste from years ago must get over it, things change.
I travel the nation and never have issues. If you have complaints, then it's usually the poor reception of your phone, not Cingular's network. Plus rollover minutes are great.

Living with an iPhone

EJJ — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:08:45 GMT

No iPhone, won't buy one. $600 for a phone that outside of streaming YouTube videos doesn't do anything that my current phone doesn't already do? Not to mention the iPhone is 2-3 times larger? Oh, and for the amount of money to get unlimited data transfers through a phone I'll stick with my Sprint air-card that delivers better coverage, allows me to view web pages on my 15.1" laptop screen, log into my company's VPN and send data on a network that in almost every case is by far faster that Cingular's.

Sure it's a cool toy, but that's all that it is - a toy. There isn't much pratical application for those of us who use technology for business productivity rather than as something to show off to our friends

Living with an iPhone

Darrell, Dallas, Tx. — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:21:12 GMT

I don't care about what good features it does have ...
1) no memory card slot ... strike 1
2) can't change the battery ... strike 2
3) pay full retail and still have a 2 year contract requirement ... strike 3 ... I'm out.
oh ...
and I know they all do it but a $36 activation fee ... come on! Just make the thing $36 dollars more and don't jerk us around!
I'm a major Apple fan. I love my ipod and my macbook, but the cellphone industry is the pits for its customers and Apple just got into their game without making it any better.

Living with an iPhone

Juice Newton, Detroit, MI — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:29:31 GMT

Has anyone noticed the battery situation? It is similar to the iPod's battery where it has to be sent back to the Apple for replacement...Who can be away from their cell phone for that long? I am waiting on the iPhone because of this issue.

Living with an iPhone

Brian, Boise, ID — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:43:56 GMT

I don't understand why everyone are like sheep. It is considered cool to like the iphone, therefore you like it. It is old technology.

1)It runs on a super slow network (but apparently this is acceptable because it has wifi)
2)It has an outdated camera
3)It does not come with any games, but more importantly, there are hardly any 3rd party applications for it.
4)It cannot connect to Microsoft Exchange for your schedule or email

Tell me what makes this so much better than current offerings from Palm or even Microsoft for that matter.

So it plays music-big deal. So does almost any other smartphone.

Happy spending you mindless herd of sheep.

Living with an iPhone

Alan — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:55:58 GMT

A comparison test with my counterpart using his NEW BlueBerry W/ Verizion Network was smoked using Safari and the slower ATT/Edge connection. We loaded a exact google maplocation on both devices and before his finsihed loading he was out the door headed to the Apple store in Chandler AZ. APPLE iPhone is the new NOW....no doubt about it... great job Jobs

Living with an iPhone

Alan — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:15:12 GMT

Palm and Blueberry so Five minutes ago....This iPhone Rocks....

Living with an iPhone

Bob Blackman — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:16:40 GMT

It's a complete waste of money. Classic conspicuous consumption. No one actually "needs" an iPhone. But you've been fooled into thinking you do.

Living with an iPhone

Mike - Fontana, CA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:20:58 GMT

The iPhone is everything I expected. I agree with some of the features already posted here for future releases and have no doubt Apple will include some we didn't even think of.
Did I mention that I'm posting this with my iPhone? Very cool!

Living with an iPhone

A Hesitant Gadget Fanatic, NJ — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:26:14 GMT

Best wishes to everyone who has to be on the bleeding edge of technology.... bet you all had Windows Vista the day it came out too.... what do you propose to do when you have a problem with your new iPhone? That's right, you need to send it away to get it repaired, meaning you could be phone-less while it is being fixed. While I love gadgets as much as the next guy, I will wait awhile for them to work out all the bugs before I drop such a big chunk of change for just another smartphone.

Living with an iPhone

john doe, seattle, wash — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:47:31 GMT

Thank god for the sheep. Went from $90 to $120 in 3 months. I'm quite sure that as soon as Reverend Jobs releases a 9GB version, we're going to have to hear about how no one can live without the new and improved iPhone.

Living with an iPhone

MS Juneau, AK — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:28:24 GMT

Don't have the iPhone yet. Would love to see a version that is only phone and iPod. Don't need to surf the iternet or check email from my phone.

Living with an iPhone

jw — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:41:17 GMT

Lucky you to get good sound quality. The sound quality of this thing is *terrible* where I live. I'm debating putting it up on Ebay.

Living with an iPhone

Bogota, Colombia — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:43:49 GMT

hopefully this will be in Colombia in 2010

Living with an iPhone

jes — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:24:21 GMT

Jack Sanders -- the camera and music functions of the iPhone are not dependent upon having cell phone service with ATT. The internet and phone capabilities are the only thing that would not work if you did not have service with ATT. And even then...you would still have access to the internet through WiFi.

Living with an iPhone

Joe, Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:37:16 GMT

I waited in line for SIX hours to buy an iPhone and it took me TWO DAYS to get it activated. I was so pissed. It was hot on Friday and to go through all that and not be able to use it until Sunday was a nightmare.

But, I have to admit, once it turned on and I started using it I fell in love. It really is an amazing device. I've been using it for a couple days now and my usage must have risen by 200%. I just keep calling people because it's so fun to use. I'm also sending text messages like crazy and browsing the web. It was worth the whole ordeal.

Saturday I was furious...but, it's hard to deny how great this thing is.

Living with an iPhone

Jackson Capper, Sydney NSW, Australia — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:16:18 GMT

Hooray, an online article with positive feedback. Almost always when something cool and new comes out everyone just rants on negatively so that's fantastic.

Living with an iPhone

Larry, Maryland — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 01:06:13 GMT

It seems you have two large groups of people:

Those who only care about what the iPhone lacks, and those who don't care what it lacks, it's an iPhone so they love it.

There are people, however, whose existing contracts just ended and need a new phone (like me).

For those of us shopping RIGHT NOW (I actually waited and went month-to-month for 3 months to get the iphone), this phone is simply the best out there.

And the price is actually right on target when you factor in the total cost over the 2-year contract..right around $2k.

What people fail to realize is how much of this phone is software and how little is hardware.

What this means is that with the exception of the EDGE shortcomings and few other minor quibbles like the lack of video capture, etc they have a platform that can be continuously upgraded via iTunes to incorporate new features that can be implemented via software.

I challenge anyone who has problems with it to actually sit down and use one for a half an hour and then give a negative comment.

Living with an iPhone

Dana Coakley,Lake Butler,Florida — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:09:23 GMT

I dont even have a cell phone.Dont need one,dont want one.The less people call or email me the better.If I pay $600.00 for a phone it better be able to wash my car,cut my grass and want to have sex with me.

Living with an iPhone

James Cameron, Liverpool, UK — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:19:23 GMT

So what? My iPAQ does all this and more, plus there's a huge base of available software for it. Anyone who buys an iPhone is doing it only for the cool factor. If that matters to you, great. But if you choose your own priorities rather than have them chosen for you, you can get something better for half the price.

Living with an iPhone

martin-Seattle-WA — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:17:07 GMT

I like the iPhone and recommend it,but it has some issues. I'm on day 5 and still struggling with the keypad. I can't use my stereo Bluetooth headset with music. Burned thru the battery the other day when the Edge was down all day and I was using my Bluetooth headset (Jawbone). Also miss having the keypad for speed dialing - I liked just hitting one number to call my wife. Seems like a lot of negative stuff, but every smart phone I have had previously was worse. Bottom line is I like this iPhone.

Living with an iPhone

J. Davila — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:24:33 GMT

If you don't have a cell phone, we're happy for you. We'll send smoke signals when your mother has a coronary. If you have negative things to say about the iPhone, you either do not own one, or, you do not own one. Period.

Living with an iPhone

Brian, Dallas, TX — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:56:19 GMT

I bought the iphone with the same criteria that I have when buying an automobile.. I don't care about going really fast or if I have all the features that it can come with.. But I want comfortable leather seats instead of cloth and the quietness of a smooth ride.. and that everyone with me will enjoy the drive and never be stressed ..The iphone experience is like that.. Comfortable,smooth and non stressful.. Thanks Apple!!

Living with an iPhone

Kirk — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:33:00 GMT

Your IPAQ doesn't even come close. Not in the same class. Comparing a Beetle with a Veyron.

What a dope!

Living with an iPhone

Robert Dunlap, Winston Salem, NC — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:55:52 GMT

My smartphone is my lifeline to my business, my clients and my family. It is the primary link to my prospects and is my ultimate sales tool. Obviously, it is more than just a phone to me therfore requires careful thought and consideration before I switch from my tried and true smartphone. The IPhone seems to have many great qualities (and some dreawbacks) but I think it would be prudent for me to not get overwhelmed by the hype and wait a few months or more till third party applications start to show up, other carriers offer it and Apple has had time to correct the problems that always ultimately show up.

Living with an iPhone

liza,cibolo,tx — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:41:15 GMT

well,I'm reading the pro's and con's from everyone,my husband and I would like to purchase an iphone,still,my husband says there will always be glitches in the 1st version of any model in any kind of gadget,so by the time apple corrects all it's boo boos(battery,especially) we will purchase then(maybe the price will be lower as well.) It still seems like a very neat phone to have!I have an Ipod,still enjoying it and still an Apple Fan!

Living with an iPhone

Tom P., Arlington, TX — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:03:30 GMT

Kirk, you can't honestly be comparing anything that runs on 10 year old, slow EDGE technology to a 1,001 HP 280MPH spped demon like a Veyron... can you?

And you call James a dope? I think you need to review your "sheep" status. That is a terrible analogy.

Living with an iPhone

Jake Miller, Minneapolis, Minnesota — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:23:18 GMT

Intuitive = Apple

Living with an iPhone

andiron — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:48:14 GMT

Iphone:
Looks sleek. Works mediocre.
Jack of all trades. Master of None.
But for the consumerist culture, it is bound to be a cool thing to have.
Technology:mediocre.

Living with an iPhone

Tom, Philadelphia, PA — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 03:50:17 GMT

Why would anyone pay $600 for a bad mobile phone when most carriers give away a good one for free? And then pay an outrageous monthly service charge for poor AT&T service? Do you people realize that you've been HAD over a shiny new toy (yes, TOY)? It's ironic that the company who back in 1984 launched the famous "death to Big Brother" commercial has now become Big Brother to the army of techno-posers, mindless sheep that they are, that will buy anything Steve Jobs tells them to buy because its cool.

Living with an iPhone

Jim, Providence, RI — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:18:28 GMT

I went to the Providence Place mall to check out the IPhone and it was compelling. I was surprised to find IPhones available and left the Apple Store with one. It was hooked up to AT&T in minutes and it is better than advertised!

Living with an iPhone

Jae Lee, Tampa, FL — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:41:37 GMT

I ended up purchasing two iPhones, one for my wife, and one for me. My wife loves her iPhone, and was able to use all the features intuitively. I, on the other hand, still haven't cracked the seal on my iPhone box. As a business user, I'm very concerned with the Microsoft Exchange integration, and the slow EDGE network with AT&T. I'm currently using a Blackberry (having moved from a Treo on Verizon), which suits me very well.

I admit, though that the web browsing IS very cool, and could convince me to finally crack that seal on the iPhone box.

Living with an iPhone

Frank, Spokane, WA — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:32:54 GMT

Have had it almost a week now and love the iPhone. Apple did an outstanding job with this device. Especially considering first foray into the cell phone business. Only fault I can see is that in order to get a full charge on the battery and reset the usage stats, you have to disable wifi or go Airplane mode. Also, if you're not impressed with the battery life, turn off the wifi when you are not using the internet and you will see a drastic difference in battery longevity. Other than that nuiance, it just works with the slickest UI I've ever seen.

Living with an iPhone

Mark, Oak Lawn IL — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:45:55 GMT

It is the newest interface out there and is fun to use. But in a few months, who cares? It will be used primarily for phone calls and music. Surfing the internet or typing e-mails on a 3.5" screen is not my idea of fun. I love the USA and its people, but we're so gadget crazy something has got to give....if we are all so serious about the environment, let us please stop the relentless marketing and manufacturing of products we do not need!

Living with an iPhone

Bob, Denver, CO — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:49:47 GMT

Talk about Big Brother - Apple and AT&T must think we're stupid. Why should I pay AT&T $60 per month for the right to use a piece of hardware that I paid full price for? All other carrieres give the phone free with a contract, or you pay for the phone with no contract. But they want both. It's my music and my WiFi network - why do I have to pay AT&T to use those features? Bring on the hack software - their scheme will never stand up in court (ever hear of "fair use" Jobs?)!

Living with an iPhone

Tony Tampa, FL — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:30:23 GMT

You can't even replace the battery by yourself? LOL
I guess Apple thought that anybody who would spend $600 on a cell phone/iPod isn't smart enough to replace the battery.
Phones dying in the first week, overheating, won't even run AT&T's fastest internet.... yeah, really great phone. LOL LOL LOL

Living with an iPhone

Greg, Walnut Creek, California — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:19:19 GMT

So lets' see, it is only a gadget, seems to work OK, and only costs $600.00. Sure, I'll take one.

Whatever...

Living with an iPhone

Adam, South Jersey — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:45:51 GMT

I thought I would post a follow up after a week of service and address the few negative comments that have trickled in. As far as the device itself I can say it's nothing less than awesome. Period.

To those asserting that it is mediocre technology and flames those who bought one as mindless sheep - I assume you are still using Windows? Enough said.

To those complaining about the sound quality of the calls - I can hear the people I'm calling and they can hear me. Isn't that what most of us expect from a phone?

To those complaining about the speed of the EDGE network - my house has wifi, my office has wifi, the coffee shop in town has wifi, the fact is that 90% of my day is spent with wifi access. For the other 10% I find it's performance perfectly acceptable as I've been averaging between 150-200kbps. As someone who has been on the net since the days of 14.4K dialup I find EDGE to be very respectable.

To those complaining it doesn't work with Exchange and therefore makes a poor business device - you either work for an IT Department or are horribly uninformed. On Monday morning I put out a memo to enable IMAP on the Exchange server, I received one reply asking why which I responded that it doesn't matter why. Monday afternoon I was receiving emails.

The majority of the people insulting the iPhone are Apple-hating, Microsoft-fanboys. If you can't afford it or can't justify the cost, instead of bashing the device and those who bought one, just say that, I'd repsect you a lot more that way. The only people I know who haven't liked my iPhone are those in my IT Department because "it's a non-standard. non-corporate approved device," according to our IT policy. Unfortunately for them I'm the CIO, not them. I write the IT policy, they don't. This is the same grief I received from them when I transitioned 70% of our workstations over to Macintosh. It's time to just get over it people, all your insults just make you look biased and silly.

Bottom line, this device is amazing. Great work Jobs & Co., you've delivered once again.

Living with an iPhone

Shawn, Mojave, CA — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:51:15 GMT

I keep hearing from everyone that the Edge network is extremely slow. I live out in the boon docks, and cannot get any high speed internet... I currently have a 14.4K internet connection. To have Edge is like bliss.

Living with an iPhone

Paul Jacobs, Irvine, California — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 22:19:22 GMT

I am still thinking about buying an IPhone. Can you see and read the IPphone screen in the daylight?

Living with an iPhone

daniel barrett, tampa, fl — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 23:23:20 GMT

Actually, there's a LOT that an Ipaq can do that an iPhone can't, simply because of the tons of software available for current PDA's. And most smartphones let you customize their ring tones, or have games, and decent internet. And don't get so hot. And have useable keyboards that don't block the freaking email you're trying to compose.

And of course, here's a neat trick: On an Ipaq, I can change my own battery. Try that with an iPhone, sheep-boy.

Living with an iPhone

trskrap — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 14:28:34 GMT

These comments seem so at odds it sounds like a battle between the Hatfields and the McCoys. The iPhone lovers are still on their Honeymoon. Wait a few months for them to come back to earth. Mr. Jobs is listening and will improve the iPhone quickly. The anti iPhone mob will change their tune when the iPhone forces the competition to make their 'smart phones' smarter. Peace will reign.

Living with an iPhone

Cal Omari, Houston, Texas — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:11:08 GMT

All well and good until you read the fine print. The phone is sealed. NO BATTERY CHANGING IS POSSIBLE. You can send it off to Apple for $79 and they'll change it for you. There is a disclaimer that the iPhone's battery is only good for 300 to 400 cycles and then it will fall of in terms of the ability to retain a charge. If it happens within the first year you're covered by Apple's warranty, otherwise you have a 500 dollar brick.

Living with an iPhone

Kim, Orlando, FL — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:46:11 GMT

I've had my I-phone for 11 days now and can't stop raving to all who will listen about how wonderful it is. As a musician who already depended heavily on my ipod, it's phenominal. I've reduced from 3 gadgets (treo, ipod and camera) to 1! This is so much more convenient. I'm amazed when I listen to music which just fades out when there's an incoming call and when the call's over fades back in right where it left off! The headphones and microphone work great. No one I've talked to through them ever knows that I'm using them.
Emailing is awesome. The zoom makes it so easy to read. The zoom itself just blows my mind. Using it on pics, emails, websites...
watching podcasts and u-tubes... what fun and versatility in one device!
I love my I-phone! Everyone I demo it to says they want one too :)

Living with an iPhone

M&N — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:06:29 GMT

Attention all iPhone users: you do not realize the mistakes you making. It is all a SCAM to get your money. You have to replace the battery after four hundred charges! Plus, six hundred dollars for a phone that doesn't even have 3g. Black Jacks are only $175, includes 3g, and does all the same stuff that the iPhone does except the touch screen. Wake up smell the HYPE.

Living with an iPhone

CX — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 17:12:23 GMT

I have used an HTC Windows Mobile with T-mobile for over 6 months as a business phone. It has tons of features. However, it is not in the same class as iPhone from my playing the demo unit twice at an AT&T store. The usability and enjoyment of the features are like going to a cheap buffet restaurant which you can eat everything comparing to going to a quality hi-class restaurant. I would drop the HTC the moment our company allows us to get an iphone.

Living with an iPhone

Laura — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:58:28 GMT

With all the bells and whistles I'm concerned about battery life. Did some searching and found a site called ipodjuice.com that offers <a href="http://www.ipodjuice.com/iphone-battery-replacement-products.htm">long life iPhone batteries</a> and a replacement service that is less expensive than Apple's

Living with an iPhone

Brian, New York, NY — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:15:34 GMT

All the 13 year old girls love the iPhone. Business people on the other hand? No. The iPhone is a toy, not a tool. It has a lot of shortcomings even to cheap phones offered when signing a new contract. I mean, the thing can't even record video. The company that created QuickTime makes a phone that doesn't incorporate video into their "cutting edge" cell phone? Weak.

Living with an iPhone

JS Davis — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 07:53:06 GMT

Purcahsed an iphone for my daughter,after spending hours getting it activated, it actually is a fun device, but it's just that a fun device, it makes for a really cool ipod, but not as a phone for business users, my Blackberry Curve far exceeds the iphone for business matters, I get Word attachments in my email from time to time and the BB can read them. Web browsing is cool on the iphone, just don't visit any sites that use flash and java, you will be disapointed. Over all the iphone is definitely cool, Apple is known for this but it has a long way to go to really be called a true smartphone for business. Don't be suprised if the next gen ipod has this same type of UI.

Living with an iPhone

diana pinto — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 22:29:36 GMT

I luv the i phone we talk to eachother everyday it fetch my email when i tell it to it stared with luv.With the touch of a finger it stimulate itself i luv my iphone

Living with an iPhone

Sandip, Seattle — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:57:16 GMT

I do not understand the hype about iPhone. I have used simple LG to a little complex Smartphones and I tried my hand on iPhone in an Apple store. I would try to be impartial - I agree with EJJ and say that it is just a too expensive toy which does almost everything a smartphone/windows mobile (WM) can do and 1 or 2 things more or less. So why would I pay $600 for a phone while I can get an HTC in $100 or so? No reason.
Here's a few points:
1) WM lets you change battery
2) Full fledged keyboard and touch screen KB
3) WM lets you add inifinite amount of memory as Micro/mini sd card
4) WM has all of WiFi/Edge/GRPS/Bluetooth/VPN/IR
5) Media player is awesome for playing mp3/video
6) Thousands of third party applications to give you news/weather/direction/games/you name it....
7) Let you read hotmail/yahoo-mail/AOL/chat
8) WM phones are lighter
9) You can open Word/Powerpoint etc. in WM
10) Internet sirfing/voice command etc. are all pretty common and not worth mentioning
However iPhone can play Youtube video for which I have not seen any application for WM. So what? I can just go home play as much youtube as I want.

Anyway, iPhone's interface is awesome, different and (if you say) better than WM, however I do not want to spend $500 just for look.

However I am not discouraging anybody from buying an iPhone. I am happy with my HTC WM.

Living with an iPhone

Nicholas — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 07:10:17 GMT

It seems to me that you have two crowds.
One: Techincally inept morons who need to read a manual before they can figure out how to work ubiquitous technology such as a cell phone, who love the iPhone. Expressed by most as "oh my, it's so simple and easy to set up."
Two: People who actually want to do something productive - in a business sense - with their phone, who realise that the iPhone is not all it's cracked up to be.

Generally, simplicity comes at the cost of configurability. Even then, what if you want to do something inherently complex? You can't.

Basically, the iPhone is what I would buy my 60 year old mother, if she wanted a piece of high tech to play with. I'll stick with the complex-yet-more-functional mess that is Windows Mobile.