I-Phone Envy

[DavidTrap (David)]

Once you go Mac, you'll never go back!

They just work. Apart from all the fabulous apps, the bit that really makes the iPhone special is the seamless syncing that occurs. I can make a diary entry or change a contact detail on my iPhone and <2mins later it has appeared on my wife's iPhone.

However, you do still need access to a PC to cope with specialised astronomy software (eg. the Orion Starshoot Autoguider only comes has Windows Drivers, despite the fact that PHD comes in a Mac version). Fortunately, my Mac also has the downgrade installed - ie. Windows XP - so I can just boot it up as a PC and off we go.

I know they are more expensive, but they are nice to use.

Just my two cents worth.

David T

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by Davros

I tossed up between an iphone and a Samsung Omnia when they came out and went with the Omnia. Terrible mistake the thing is next to useless. Very much wish i had gone with the iphone.

I had the same choice and chose to go with the Omnia. Agree - big mistake. Microsoft just does not "get it" when it comes to mobile - the interface is horrid. I have improved it signifcantly by installing SPB Shell, but I still have to use the MS calendar etc, argh!

If you don't have SPB Shell, get it, it's well worth the money. It appears simple at first, but it's the small changes it makes that matter.

As for next phone ... I think I will go back to a normal phone, not a touch. I wanted it for the googling while outshopping etc, but haven't found it a significant improvement over my motorola flip but has other downsides.

Roger.

[Davros (Lauren)]

Originally Posted by Davros

I tossed up between an iphone and a Samsung Omnia when they came out and went with the Omnia. Terrible mistake the thing is next to useless. Very much wish i had gone with the iphone.

and now that poor decision has been rectified, i am the happy new owner of an iphone 16g. Just playing with it now to find some good applications.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Davros

...happy new owner of an iphone 16g. Just playing with it now to find some good applications.

Only 140,000 to choose from.... have fun!

[Terry B]

I'll stick to my phone that receives calls and the occasional SMS.
it is rarely used to actually call anyone. I've never used the camera and cant see why I would.
If I want to take pics I use something with decent glass in it ie an SLR.
I don't like the idea that all the apple fans seem to be promoting that their item is the best and everyone should have one. This leads to a monopoly situation. Better to have competing systems that will keep the price down and stop you having to buy a particular companies stuff.
As for the apps.
Why would I wan't to use a crappy little screen for stuff that runs very well on a notebook?

[Octane (Humayun)]

Terry,

You haven't used an iPhone, have you? Better still, owned one for a bit? We're not all crazy devout Apple fanboys. The device is a marvel.

H

[Davros (Lauren)]

Originally Posted by Terry B

I'll stick to my phone that receives calls and the occasional SMS.
it is rarely used to actually call anyone. I've never used the camera and cant see why I would.
If I want to take pics I use something with decent glass in it ie an SLR.
I don't like the idea that all the apple fans seem to be promoting that their item is the best and everyone should have one. This leads to a monopoly situation. Better to have competing systems that will keep the price down and stop you having to buy a particular companies stuff.
As for the apps.
Why would I wan't to use a crappy little screen for stuff that runs very well on a notebook?

I guess the reason it is so good is that it just works, it does exactly what it says it will do. I used a Nokia n97 that i threw at a wall in frustration at the useless symbian operating system. I then tried a Samsung Omnia with a windows operating system that i could not get to function for MMS, email or web access and then i bought an iphone this afternoon. I walked into the house plugged it into itunes on my notebook and voila, all of my contacts imported along with my calender and my itunes music. My email worked by simply typing in my email address and web access is instantaneous. I am a happy customer and finally have a phone that does what i want it too. No real secret or conspiracy there.

[GrahamL]

A compass !.. now theres a must have function when your lost
miles from anywhere with no coverage and a flat battery.

Speaking on batteries good to see the company is as always
thinking of there customers .

Battery life has been a subject of criticism from several technology journalists.[64][65][66][67] This is also reflected by a J. D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey, which gave the "battery aspects" of the iPhone 3G its lowest rating of 2 out of 5 stars.[68][69]
If the battery malfunctions or dies prematurely, the phone can be returned to Apple and replaced for free while still under warranty.[70] The warranty lasts one year from purchase and is extended to two years with AppleCare. The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a consumer advocate group, has sent a complaint to Apple and AT&T over the fee that consumers have to pay to have the battery replaced.[71] Though the battery replacement service and its pricing was not made known to buyers until the day the product was launched,[71][72] it is similar to how Apple (and third parties) replace batteries for iPods.
Since July 2007 third party battery replacement kits have been available[73] at a much lower price than Apple's own battery replacement program. These kits often include a small screwdriver and an instruction leaflet, but as with many newer iPod models the battery in the original iPhone has been soldered in. Therefore a soldering iron is required to install the new battery. The iPhone 3G uses a different battery fitted with a connector that is easier to replace, although replacement by any besides Apple still voids the warranty.[74]

I'm with you Norm , much as I could easily get used to one of these trinkets , lifes cluttered enough with mindless crap we could probably get by with out .

[Octane (Humayun)]

All the hate, scorn and derison. :shakes head:

Try using one. I was rabidly against the 3G. Got the 3GS the day it came out (there was no alternative -- I've been using smart phones/PDA's since they've come out -- at the time).

Love it to bits.

As for the comment, re: compass -- I've used it every time to set up my mount, and I've been bang on everytime (except once, and that was because I forgot to turn on true north in the compass). Then, I load up iHandy Level and set my altitude/inclination. It takes 1 minute. Then, the fun (pain?) of drift aligning is usually short-lived.

H

[richardda1st (Richard)]

Ok, I am also looking into an ipod or iphone. My only interest in it is for extracting altitude & azimuth settings for my dob. Like some others here I dont care for all the gadgets & gismos.

But, as I need a new phone ( I have always used my daugther's hand me downs ) why not get an iphone.
My only concern is weather the small screen is adequate.

Can those of you who use the iphone cofirm that the star programs are okay on such a small screen. I carry my mobile with me so might as well get more use out of it.

[OzRob (Rob)]

Originally Posted by Terry B

I'll stick to my phone that receives calls and the occasional SMS.
it is rarely used to actually call anyone. I've never used the camera and cant see why I would.
If I want to take pics I use something with decent glass in it ie an SLR.
I don't like the idea that all the apple fans seem to be promoting that their item is the best and everyone should have one. This leads to a monopoly situation. Better to have competing systems that will keep the price down and stop you having to buy a particular companies stuff.
As for the apps.
Why would I wan't to use a crappy little screen for stuff that runs very well on a notebook?

I'm with you: a phone's a phone, a camera a camera and a computer a computer. Trying putting them all in one box leads to lots of compromises. I have bought fancy phones in the past and all I used it for is for was talking to people, checking the time and the date and the alarm. They are not for me, no envy from here.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Rob - you're not saying anything new. We ALL said the same thing before we got one. Be fair, and at least use one before you know what it won't do for you.

[OzRob (Rob)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Rob - you're not saying anything new. We ALL said the same thing before we got one. Be fair, and at least use one before you know what it won't do for you.

Why can't people respect my decision not to use one??

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by OzRob

Why can't people respect my decision not to use one??

Because you're making statements about their inability to avoid compromise - without knowing. Nothing sinister... I use mine in preference to my laptp and desktop now for many functions. They're more well-sorted than you think. Don't compare them to any Windows Mobile phone - they ARE a severe compromise in most respects.

Noone is trying to get you to use one Rob. Those that do use them tend to defend them because they find them utterly useful. I actually defied everyone in my office to use mine and not say 'gee - that's pretty amazing'.

[OzRob (Rob)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Because you're making statements about their inability to avoid compromise - without knowing. Nothing sinister...

So you are saying that an iPhone can out perform my DSLR (for photography) and laptop (for computing)???

All I merely stated was that I like to use a tool that is specifically developed for the purpose. If you could fit a decent camera and computer into something that can fit into the palm of a hand why is my camera a lot bigger, let alone my laptop? The reason that the camera in an iPhone is not as good as my DSLR is that compromises had to be made to both the lens system and electronics to fit them into a small space in a small package. For computing I like a big screen so a screen on a phone doesn't cut it for me. I did not bag the iPhone and only stated that it does not fit my needs.

That's all I have to say on this

[Octane (Humayun)]

Rob,

I have never, ever read anything about anyone using an iPhone for serious photography (i.e., making money off it). Nor, have I ever read anything about anyone using an iPhone for serious computing (like running a data centre).

It's not really a bridge. It's a just a mobile (phone) computing device with a plethora of applications to choose from. Some good free ones, too. Some are complete wastes of time (most games -- my opinion), and, some are serious, such as SkyVoyager (to bring astronomy into the discussion). What other device, in such a form factor do you know of that you can point at the sky and let it tell you what you're looking at? Nowadays, you can even wirelessly control your mount from the iPhone. Or, how about Trapster -- which will alert you as you're driving where mobile speed cameras, red light/speed cameras, RBT units, etc., are as you approach them. These are just a couple of examples that I use on an almost-daily basis which I can't do on a netbook/notebook/desktop machine.

My comments weren't a sales pitch, and, they've never been. They were simply praise for a sensational little device and some basic facts. To you, anyone who uses an iPhone probably looks like a fanboy whose sporting the latest Apple device or accessory to keep up with the Jones'. I, myself, find that behaviour rather petty and obnoxious. As mentioned previously, I held off on purchasing one as I thought the initial release was a bit lacking and definitely was a compromise.

If you're happy with your phone, that's A-OK. But, you must realise that your comments can, and will, be taken the wrong way by someone who has the device in question and uses it every single day for things that they simply don't want to (or, can't) do on a netbook/notebook/desktop. For example, reading IceInSpace on the can, or doing some casual ebook reading before going to bed, or watching a video/vodcast, or listening to a podcast at lunchtime. And, making the occasional phone call.

But, if it doesn't fit your needs, that's fine. :two thumbsup:

Sales pitch: use one for a day. You will want to keep it.

H

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

Mother of Mercy!
OP is too right.
If all you have to validate your existence is what kind of telephone you own and what apps its got you should slit your wrists now.
I love gadgets, but they don't define me.
Get a LIFE gearheads!

[Octane (Humayun)]

I'll be sure to cut across, and, not down.

My phone is my life. It's all I've got. I have nothing else to live for, and, you've just taken that all away from me.

Goodbye, cruel world.

H

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Can I have your 5D MkII Humayun?

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Waxing_Gibbous

Get a LIFE gearheads!

Bit harsh Pete? We're ALL gearheads on here. Oh! Hang on... you're scopeless...