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Posted on 09/22/2007 11:45:22 AM PDT by Swordmaker
We all know that in the technology world, the hype about new products often doesn't match reality. So it's fair to ask: Is the iPhone as good as its hype? In particular, does iPhone's much-discussed touch-screen interface really make using the device simpler and more intuitive?
Everybody will have an opinion, but what's need is something more objective and definitive. So an expert in the field -- Perceptive Sciences, an Austin, Texas-based usability consulting firm -- was asked to examine and compare the iPhone and two competitors.
The results of its tests were unequivocal: While the iPhone is not the most feature-rich device, this group of experts found that when it comes to usability, iPhone does, indeed, live up to its hype.
(Excerpt) Read more at computerworld.com ...
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LIke the Iphone, but I need an “unlocked” phone and other than a 17 year old in NJ unlocking it, haven’t heard Apple/ATT give the codes to unlock them.
The best phone I ever had was the simple Nokia 6820. Compact, easy to use and the best querty pad. Have the Treo 750/unlocked and don’t care for it.
Would buy the unlocked Iphone through Cingular (ATT) when offered.
Um... the iPhone has been unlocked for a while, and not by the kid in NJ. To the point where you can get terminal access on the OS. There’s even an automated program to do it.
Unlocking is rather silly, though, since a) there are no features turned off on the iPhone, and b) the only other service in the US you can use is, um... T-mobile. No other carrier has a network that can talk to it.
Finally, the iPhone you buy at an Apple store is not subsidized, so you don’t even have to buy a contract. You can buy it, activate it with one of several schemes that have nothing whatsoever to do with ATT or Apple, and slap your existing ATT/Cingular SIM card in it. It works just fine.
Thanks for the info. Will look into it. Travel to Asia a lot and now that my Treo is unlocked, I switch in and out of the sim cards from my asian number to the US number. That is what I am wanting to do with the Iphone. As long as it is unlocked, as all phones sold in Asia are, and it works with my asian number, i’ll buy it.
Some people have already tested this and aside from the Visual Voicemail feature (which only works with the ATT voicemail computers anyway), they work just fine on other continents. The only problem is that you MUST have a SIM from a network that supports the US GSM frequencies as the iPhone is not a quad-band phone, IIRC.
MUST have a SIM from a network that supports the US GSM frequencies as the iPhone is not a quad-band phone, IIRC.
Thanks for the added info you probably saved me a bunch of time with the phone carrier here in asia.
They got it right about the lack of a click. Most people subconsciously expect some tactile feedback from a click, and not getting one makes people hesitant that they’ve succeeded in pressing the button — even if they then see action on the screen. Otherwise, people generally have to use the device a while to the point where they trust it absent the tactile feedback. Even then, well, there’s a reason touch-typists hate “mushy” keyboards, no tactile feedback.
Having an iPhone, a Treo, and a Blackberry (I use these devices typically instead of PC’s) I can say without hesitation that despite having a far superior screen the keyboard on the iPhone is significantly harder to use. Most notable is the requirement to use two hands to type, while typing with one hand on the Treo is still easier, and with 2 hands much easier. The iphone also doesn’t have any directional arrows for moving between text, or cut/copy/paste functions. It’s still a great device, but text input and manipulation is one of its weakest features.
I wouldn’t recommend anyone hack their iphone. Not only is Apple refusing warranty for phones they determine have been hacked, they’re even blacklisting them and refusing to support I’m any manner. You also have to be very careful about updating the phone or even iTunes updates which could leave you with a luxurious paperweight. Jobs himself has made recent comments about taking it to the hackers so hacker beware.
I’m = in
That typo above appears to be a perfect example of difficulty using the iphone keyboard. It appears while I was attempting to type the word “in” a space was accidentally pressed along with the n and then the AI attempted to correct it and changed it to “I’m” which I didn’t notice while proofreading.
By the way, the hacking I’m referring to is SOFTWARE ONLY.
The people who hacked their phone through hardware clearly invalidated their warranty. So far, software hacked ones *are* still being taken in for warranty service.
Got a citation for an iPhone being bricked by an Apple update?
Should also note that Apple’s official position is “we don’t care what you do with your phones, but we’re not going to give you support if your hacked app doesn’t work either.”
There is an option for the desired “click” sound when using the unit. All you have to do is decide if you want it or not.
Just another option on the iPhone.
Some hackers probably get a thrill over the very threat of Apple trying to block them, but my recommendation remains the same, don’t hack it unless the limited increase in features is worth losing your warranty, if not destroying the device.
http://mytechngadget.blogspot.com/2007/09/hacked-apple-iphones-blacklisted-by.html
http://www.techworldspace.com/2007/09/22/hacked-iphones-may-become-useless/
Can anyone help me out?
I would love an iPhone, but am in a rural area that doesn’t have ATT coverage. When I look at the coverage map on the ATT site, there is supposed to be coverage by someone else, but how do I find out who?
Chautauqua county, by the way, near Jamestown, NY. How do I find out if an iPhone will work for me?
Thanks Spktyr (and Swordmaker for the ping).
What coverage map are you looking at?
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